Policy Bridge Releases Report to Address Investing in Cleveland Neighborhoods

Policy Bridge, a Greater Ohio Partner, released a report titled Rebuilding Blocks: Efforts to Revive Cleveland Must Start by Treating What Ails Neighborhoods that addresses the tough choices cities must make when choosing which neighborhoods to invest in. Greater Ohio is supportive of the recommendations provided in the report and it demonstrates another example of Cleveland turning the corner with new prosperity practices. Here is a quick blurb from the report…

Many Cleveland neighborhoods have fallen victim to a virulent consumptive disease. The national, and even international, media and politicians have largely misdiagnosed the illness, seeing the outward symptoms of blocks pockmarked by empty, decaying houses and pronouncing Cleveland a tragic victim – one of many – of the foreclosure crisis. In reality, the acute housing crisis has been an opportunistic infection that has ravaged an already weakened host. Less visible than the subprime scars, the more longterm symptoms of low educational attainment, high joblessness and pervasive poverty have left too many of Cleveland’s neighborhoods with a bleak outlook for recovery, or even survival, without radical, rational intervention.

To see the full report go to: http://bit.ly/3d7IGf

A European vision for Raliegh, NC!

Check out this story! Raleigh planner Dan Douglas has several creative ways to make North Carolina's capital city a major competitor against every city in the world. His focus: economic development, innovation and quality of life. Dan Douglas' European vision for our capital city Raleigh, meet Madrid. And Barcelona. And Freiburg. Source: The Independent Weekly, October 7, 2009

For the complete story go to http://bit.ly/Wf1UV

Raleigh planner Dan Douglas has some bold proposals for the city, including nine new public squares, green roofs, and a new Grand Central Station-style transit hub.

Douglas, formerly a planner with the city, is now working a private firm. He's proposing an independent development corporation be formed to purchase unused land in Raleigh and transform the city. Some of Douglas' ideas for Raleigh include:

"Nine new public squares, including two that would double as green roofs on top of parking decks. Buildings generally would be limited to six to seven stories except in the heart of downtown. "That way you get three six-story buildings instead of one 18-story building and two empty lots," Douglas says.

One of the two green-roofed decks would support a new, multi-level "grand central station" for city and regional buses, Triangle Transit's planned commuter-rail line, and a future Amtrak high-speed line."

Greater Ohio Call To Action

Land bank reform is a step closer to reality Greater Ohio Policy Center has been working with stakeholders throughout Ohio to advocate for expanding Ohio’s county land bank statute that currently only applies to Cuyahoga County.  We are pleased to tell you that State Representatives Peter Ujvagi (D-Toledo) and Roland Winburn (D-Trotwood) and State Senator Mark Wagoner (R-Toledo) are preparing to jointly introduce legislation that would allow for the formation of County Land Reutilization Corporations (CLRCs) or land banks in any Ohio county with a minimum population of 100,000 residents.  This change will give another 25 counties access to these important land bank tools.  The proposed legislation would also amend the composition of a CLRC board of directors from five members to a maximum of nine members to allow communities’ to design a board that best meets their individual needs.

We encourage you to contact your local State Representatives and Senators this week and urge them to co-sponsor this important legislation to help our communities move forward in the wake of the foreclosure crisis. 

If you have any questions please contact us at 614-258-6200.

First Suburbs Consortium Met in Columbus!

The First Suburbs Consortium met in Columbus on Wednesday, October 7 for their Legislative Workshop.  The workshop featured various speakers including a Presentation to the Legislators on “What are Ohio’s First Suburbs?”, a Legislators Panel on “What is on the Horizon and Its Impact on First Suburbs?” and a Discussion with ODOT and ODOD. First suburbs are communities that generally lie within the interstate beltway. They tend to be older and within the first ring of suburbs that surround the city.  While they may vary in terms of economic background, they all share certain interests and commonalities. These communities are very concerned over the fiscal squeeze Ohio is experiencing due to state budget concerns.  The Local Government Fund was mentioned as potentially “being in danger” of being diverted in the next budget, so First Suburbs were encouraged to start building the case now for the importance of maintaining it.

Greater Ohio’s Co-Director Gene Krebs also gave a presentation and touched on items that we are working on that impact suburbs. Number one is fix-it-first:

ODOT Analysis of Fiscal Impacts of Maintaining State Routes in Cities: The state needs to target money in a manner that rewards the most bang for the buck and the analysis by ODOT should cast light on the impact. Since these roads get the most traffic, targeting state money to the roads that get the most wear and tear makes sense, and the money freed up can be used for police and transit in the cities. The cities most impacted are smaller cities (not the three Cs),the second tier in population and the county seats in smaller counties. The study is due December 15, 2009.

*The New Metropolis* Premiers in Ohio!

A two part Documentary about the challenges and opportunities facing Americas First Suburbs will air on local public television stations throughout Ohio. The first episode is called A Crack in the Pavement, Rebuilding America’s First Suburbs. The second episode is called The New Neighbors, How one town created a vibrant, integrated suburb. The Documentary will air on the following dates in these locations: Columbus: Friday, October 9 at 7pm (Episodes 1 & 2 will air consecutively)

Cincinnati and Dayton: Episode 1 will air Sunday, November 8 at 6 pm and episode 2 will air Sunday, November 15 at 6 pm

 The New Metropolis is a documentary series that explores the rise, fall and possible rebirth of America’s older “first” suburbs.”  Produced by award-winning filmmaker Andrea Torrice, The New Metropolis is the first public examination devoted to the issues facing many suburban towns. Considered embodiments of the American dream, the first suburbs blossomed after World War II, bolstered by economic prosperity and government support. Now, many struggle with the same challenges as urban centers: growing poverty, white flight, crumbling infrastructure, abandonment, and the continual lure of newer communities farther from cities.

Narrated by actor Peter Coyote, the first episode, “A Crack in the Pavement,” follows the stories of two public officials from Ohio and their challenges in repairing aging infrastructure and keeping residents and business from leaving — often for newer suburban communities farther from the urban core. The second episode, “The New Neighbors,” profiles two ordinary people, one black and one white, who made racial integration the centerpiece of revitalizing Pennsauken, a Greater Philadelphia suburb. It is narrated by actress Ruby Dee.

For more information about the series, detailed press packet, community screenings, watch parties and other events, visit www.thenewmetropolis.com or call Torrice Productions at (513) 751–7050.

Media Release: Greater Ohio Supports Ohio’s Application for Passenger Rail Funding

For Immediate Release:    Thursday, October 1, 2009                                 

For Additional Information Contact:

Amanda Ford at 614-258-6200 ext. 33 or aford@greaterohio.org

Greater Ohio Supports Ohio’s Application for Passenger Rail Funding 

Governor Ted Strickland will submit to the U.S. Department of Transportation a complete application for funding of the 3C Corridor “Quick Start” passenger rail system this week.

We at Greater Ohio, the state’s nonprofit smart growth organization, applaud the Governor for taking steps necessary to capitalize on this unique opportunity offered by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to jump-start development of convenient and affordable rail service between core cities within our state. This is real progress and marks a milestone in the effort to bring our state’s transportation system up to a world-class level.

The proposed passenger rail system in Ohio would provide long-overdue transportation choices to business professionals, vacationers, college students, long-distance commuters and others; choices that will reduce our dependence on oil and emissions.

“It is time we start thinking about moving people, and not just cars,” said Gene Krebs, Co-Director, Greater Ohio. “Our economy is increasingly tied to our mobility. Developing passenger rail service in Ohio will give us a better transportation option while reducing pollution and congestion, and creating jobs and spurring new economic development.”

Greater Ohio believes it will lead to cost savings to the citizens by moving cars off the road and lessening the need for spending on highway construction and maintenance. One example, Ohio is currently considering making costly upgrades to the I-70/ I-71 split in downtown Columbus to ease congestion. Moving a modest number of cars off that stretch of highway could lead to substantial savings in the long term.

Greater Ohio proudly supports the state of Ohio’s efforts to create a fiscally sustainable transportation system through passenger rail.

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Restoring Prosperity to Cleveland Policy Platform

Greater Ohio along with support from PolicyBridge are developing a policy platform for the City of Cleveland, building on input from participants at the June Restoring Prosperity to Cleveland Mini-Summit and additional feedback we have since received.  This “Cleveland Policy Platform” is still in its initial draft stage, and we are asking for your feedback and comments in order to make these recommendations as effective as possible.  Please take a moment to review our specific recommendations and share your comments.  We greatly appreciate your input and insight.  In addition to the Cleveland Policy Platform, Greater Ohio will be developing several other city-specific policy platforms.  However, the Cleveland platform will be the first unveiled and will serve as a model for other cities, which makes your early involvement essential to creating a more prosperous future for Ohio’s cities. This Policy Platform advances a series of state level recommendations to create a “competitive communities” strategy that places revitalization of Cleveland and other Ohio cities at the center of regional economic redevelopment strategies, and revitalization of the state as a whole.  Many of the Platform recommendations are illustrated by Cleveland practices and/or projects that align with these policies and that could be enhanced in Cleveland and/or replicated in other parts of the state with appropriate state action.  The Platform’s premise rests on the need to take stock of and build on the Cleveland metropolitan region’s -- and Ohio’s -- many existing assets to determine how they drive their broader regional and the rest of the state’s economy.

These assets are best promoted when they leverage the four drivers of prosperity: innovation, workforce, quality and sustainable places, and infrastructure.  This Platform, then, divides its recommendations into those four prosperity driver areas, and a fifth area, governance reform.  We urge state policy leaders to adopt an integrated approach to revitalization with policies and practices that simultaneously leverage all four prosperity drivers and advance regional collaboration.

Please read our specific recommendations in each of these five areas and share your comments:

1. Innovation
2. Workforce
3. Quality and Sustainable Places
4. Infrastructure
5. Governance Reform

I. Innovation

Innovation:  Boost Business Growth and Job Creation

This is the first section of the Cleveland Policy Platform

• Create Transformation Zones in areas surrounding anchor institutions (replacing the expiring Enterprise Zones) to act as catalysts for community and economic development that would stipulate targeting tax incentives and other state investments to support business and residential development, to leverage our scarce state resources.
  • The Cleveland Clinic already acts as an example of an anchor in Cleveland, and The Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation (FRDC), a local non-profit organization located in the Cleveland Clinic neighborhood, through Ohio’s Third Frontier Program, is partnering with the Cleveland Clinic to facilitate educational, economic and neighborhood development in close proximity to an important anchor institution.  FRDC’s work focuses on redeveloping the neighborhood and commercial district surrounding the Cleveland Clinic to create a thriving social and economic landscape.

• Support a proposed national network of regional, university-related, energy-oriented research Institutes that would generate energy research and development to transform breakthrough inventions into market-ready technology.  Align these Institutes with existing Ohio Third Frontier Programs while leveraging R&D and commercialization applications.
  • Both Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University are engaged in cutting edge energy-oriented research. Case Western created the Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation to facilitate the research, development and advancement of alternative energy, while Cleveland State has been involved in the development of wind turbines designed for use in urban areas. University-led research and development will help Ohio position itself as an alternative energy leader and create many high quality jobs.

• Enhance Ohio Department of Development programs to promote economic cluster growth and development by building on current industry strengths.
  • Cleveland has a strong presence in the healthcare industry as it is home to the world renowned Cleveland Clinic and the University Hospitals System. These facilities represent the top two largest employers in Cleveland and are a large revenue source for the city. State programs that encourage communities to build on their anchor institutions will increase the competitiveness of Ohio’s regions.

• Create a Cluster Development Fund, using existing resources, which would support industry-led partnerships to catalyze job creation and growth through workforce development, network-building, and marketing programs.
  • BioEnterprise is a business formation, recruitment, and acceleration initiative that is designed to grow Cleveland’s burgeoning healthcare industry to create jobs and strengthens the city’s standing as a leader in healthcare.
  • Wind is a part of the Cleveland region’s future and the state should support this industry by providing targeted incentives to encourage the manufacture of wind turbine parts and creation of jobs.  The Cleveland-based Great Lakes WIND Network™ is an industry-led organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose mission is to increase the domestic content of North America’s wind turbines.  With over 1,200 company members, Great Lakes WIND is helping position Northeast Ohio to compete in this growing industry.

• Enact a tax credit targeted at developers and homeowners to spur downtown residential construction and rehabilitation

• Prioritize downtowns for locating state-owned offices and facilities, as well as look for opportunities to expand centrally-located state-operated university and community college campuses

Please share your comments!

II. Workforce

Workforce: Enhance Skills and Earnings

This is the second section of the Cleveland Policy Platform

• Create within the Ohio Skills Bank an explicitly targeted strategy for connecting disadvantaged residents with career pathways that are relevant to job needs in the region.
  • The Regional Talent Network (RTN) strives to promote systemic change that strengthens employers’ ability to fill high-demand positions while building the employability of Northeast Ohio workers. RTN is a collaborative effort between the State of Ohio, the Fund for Our Economic Future, and the metropolitan chambers of commerce of Northeast Ohio.

• Adopt a competitive grant program modeled in part on the federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program that focuses on preparing disadvantaged urban residents for jobs in growing regional sectors

• Link workforce development training to regional economic development needs.  The state should rethink its approach to workforce development (re)training for low skilled, entry level workers by creating a career ladder initiative that looks at strategic, long-term regional labor market needs.  Career ladders typically outline the progression from entry level positions to higher levels of pay, skill, responsibility, or authority.

• Although traditional manufacturing jobs have steadily declined over the last few decades, the advanced manufacturing industry has the potential to attract investments and create new job opportunities. To capitalize on this, skilled workers, especially those with a traditional manufacturing background, should be prepared to fully transition into identified advanced manufacturing sectors.
  • WIRE-Net focuses on strengthening Cleveland’s manufacturing sector by providing expertise to manufacturers in a number of different areas including the attraction, retention and development of top workforce talent to meet the demands of the advanced manufacturing sector.

• Provide financial and technical assistance to build capacity of local One Stop shops and community-based groups, such as Chambers of Commerce and local non-profits, in core commutes to serve as intermediaries between employers and disadvantaged workers.

• Give preference to state Workforce Investment Act (WIA) competitive grants and Request for Proposals (RFPs) for areas that demonstrate innovative strategies that foster meaningful collaborations and outreach to targeted populations. Unspent WIA funds should be quickly reallocated to other local providers who can assure that funds will be spent within required timelines and that local services are uninterrupted.

Please share your comments!

III. Quality and Sustainable Places

Quality and Sustainable Places: Stabilize & Strengthen Ohio’s Neighborhoods

This is the third section of the Cleveland Policy Platform

• Target existing state and federal resources to support local strategies for neighborhood stabilization and market recovery. As the state considers strategies for better targeting its resources and investments, it may also consider long-range strategies that anticipate future potential investments in “non-targeted” areas, once the targeted areas exhibit signs of progress.  
  • Cleveland’s 2020 Citywide Plan is piloting the Model Block Program, which targets investments to physically upgrade viable neighborhoods to aid in the development of “neighborhoods of choice.”  To support this investment strategy, Cleveland needs the state to consider funding allocation formulas that target investments to offer greater returns than sparse distribution.
  • Neighborhood Progress Inc. (NPI), the Cleveland Housing Network, the City of Cleveland and six local community development corporations partnered with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to revitalize several neighborhoods through the Opportunity Homes initiative.  Over the next three years, this program targets 750 homes in six Cleveland neighborhoods for foreclosure prevention, demolition or redevelopment. This collaborative effort will help restore market confidence, eliminate blight, preserve existing property values and enable a significant number of homeowners to avoid foreclosure.

• Direct scarce state resources to encourage communities to tackle population shrinkage by prioritizing state economic development funding to jurisdictions with comprehensive plans based on creative and explicit strategies reflecting the realities of population loss.
  • The Re-Imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland plan takes into account Cleveland’s demographic trends, housing surplus and market conditions to design a city that is smaller in population but richer in quality. Comprehensive plans that are grounded in current social, demographic and economic reality are more likely to succeed than those that are not and should be encouraged through state funding.

• Modify Ohio’s existing land bank law to allow all counties to use the authority on a permissive basis.  Other modifications to consider include a wider range of options for local land bank board composition and liability protection.
  • Cuyahoga County has led the charge in expanding Ohio’s land bank law to allow the county to use land banks more effectively to address the growing number of tax delinquent properties.

• Design measures to protect homeowners facing the possibility of foreclosure.  Allow borrowers access to better information about their options including counseling, emergency assistance and loan modification opportunities.
  • Cuyahoga County’s 211 system and Ohio’s Save the Dream initiative both address this issue but need state and federal support to remain viable.
  • Expand the reach of the Ohio Home Rescue Fund, an initiative through NeighborWorks ® America’s NHS Cleveland and funded by the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. This program should be expanded to a broader network of agencies and will need to be recapitalized in the near future. A possible funding source could be the enactment of a statewide foreclosure filing fee.
  • Set civil and criminal penalties to regulate predatory and fraudulent mortgage and foreclosure “rescue” practices.

• Develop legislative and regulatory tools at the state and local level that discourage the emerging trend of “bank walk-aways” and hold financial institutions accountable for the physical condition of properties they take back after foreclosure.
  • Modify state law to hold foreclosing financial institutions accountable for property condition as soon as foreclosure is filed, similar to a recently enacted New Jersey statute.
  • Modify state law to require foreclosing financial institutions to proceed to Sheriff Sale after obtaining judgment, or forfeit their lien.
  • Clarify existing state law to provide municipalities with “super-priority” lien status for expenses incurred abating public nuisances at vacant and abandoned properties, so these properties can be foreclosed upon directly by the municipality or added to the tax duplicate.

• Identify intervention mechanisms at each point in the foreclosure, disinvestment, vacancy and abandonment process.
  • Exempt homes that have been vacant for an extended time period from property taxes when purchased by a buyer who intends to use the property as his/her main residence.
  • Allow municipalities to use urban renewal bonds for the demolition of buildings located on tax delinquent property that constitute a public nuisance due to blight
  • Require lenders to take title at Sheriff Sale rather than through a separate process to ensure that the proper paperwork is filed and a responsible party is noted
  • Establish a fast-track procedure to expedite foreclosure of properties that have become vacant subsequent to the initiation of foreclosure proceedings.

• Develop and implement a statewide integrated inventory system that would track information on vacant and abandoned properties.
  • Northeast Ohio Community and Neighborhood Data for Organizing (NEO CANDO), developed by Case Western University, offers information detailing vacant properties and other useful socio-economic data for Northeast Ohio. This data is a valuable resource for those working to mitigate the problem of vacant and abandoned properties and could act as a model for the creation of a statewide inventory system.

• Expand the Ohio Department of Development’s Urban Development Division to include community revitalization and collectively identify opportunity neighborhoods where state and local resources can be strategically concentrated.

• Partner with the private sector to create a housing program that will assist employers in helping their employees buy or rent homes close to work.

Please share your comments!