CLEVELAND – Today, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress proudly presents 16 finalists for its Vibrant City Awards. Winners will be announced on June 7, 2019 at the fifth annual Vibrant City Awards Lunch, hosted by Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and presented by Delta Dental.
“Cleveland’s community development system is nationally recognized and the organizations and individuals being honored at the Vibrant City Awards Lunch are a big reason why. These award finalists have positively impacted the neighborhoods they serve and we are excited to recognize them for their successful efforts,” says Joel Ratner, President & CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. “Over 600 city leaders, community partners and stakeholders will join us at Collinwood’s Euclid Beach Park. It is an honor for Neighborhood Progress to host this event, which showcases the leading neighborhood revitalization efforts taking place across the city’s magnificent landscape of urban neighborhoods.”
For these awards, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress received nominations from the community development industry and from various community stakeholders.
“The efforts being recognized at the Vibrant City Awards Lunch are just a sampling of the valuable work being performed in Cleveland’s neighborhoods on a daily basis,” states Jeff Kipp, Director of Neighborhood Marketing for the organization. “We deeply appreciate the opportunity to share these accomplishments with the entire community and encourage the region’s residents and stakeholders from near and far to better understand and appreciate the importance of neighborhood development in Cleveland.”
The 2019 Vibrant City Awards finalists are:
CDC PLACEMAKING AWARD:
Famicos Foundation – Circle North neighborhood
Famicos Foundation and many other partners are ushering in new development, commercial opportunities, landscape and excitement to this portion of Glenville that is adjacent to University Circle.
Ohio City Inc. – The Quarter development at West 25th & Detroit
Ohio City, Inc. worked closely with Snavely Group and numerous community partners to bring an anchor development to the corner of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue.
University Circle Inc. – Nord Family Greenway
University Circle, Inc. was an important project partner with CWRU in ensuring this attractive public greenspace successfully connected the University Circle and Hough neighborhoods.
CDC ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AWARD:
Burten, Bell, Carr Development – Anton Grdina programming
Burten Bell Carr Development serves as the lead agency for the Community Wraparound Initiative at Anton Grdina School, where it identifies community resources and social supports for the school and the surrounding community.
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization – Voter engagement
Detroit Shoreway CDO was a recipient of a Cleveland VOTES 2018 grant and leveraged these funds to increase community engagement, improve voter mobilization and provide direct outreach to Hispanic residents in the neighborhood.
Metro West Community Development Office – Las Tienditas del Mercado
Metro West CDO is one of many community partners that assisted in the creation of this small business incubator space in La Villa Hispana, providing a new opportunity for local entrepreneurs.
Slavic Village Development – P16 Initiative
Slavic Village Development, along with Third Federal Foundation, leads a community vision for fostering healthy, productive, and safe learning environments for the children and youth of the Slavic Village neighborhood.
CDC NEIGHBORHOOD BRANDING & MARKETING AWARD:
Burten Bell Carr Development – BBC Radio
Burten Bell Carr launched its community radio station, WOVU 95.9FM, that informs, engages, and entertains residents of Cleveland’s east side neighborhoods and beyond.
Flats Forward – Brite Winter
Flats Forward is an event partner that worked to promote this unique wintertime festival with 40+ performers and artists that attracted approximately 20,000 attendees.
Slavic Village Development – SlavicVillage.org website redesign
Slavic Village Development redesigned its online presence and enhanced users’ experience while providing valuable information on neighborhood news, programs and events.
URBAN DEVELOPER AWARD:
First Interstate Properties
First Interstate Properties opened One University Circle, a 20-story, 300-unit luxury apartment building on Euclid Avenue that brings new high-end residential options overlooking the surrounding scenic neighborhood.
Knez Homes
Knez Homes is bringing quality, new construction homes into multiple Cleveland neighborhoods, including Ohio City, Tremont, Clark Fulton, Detroit Shoreway, Glenville, Fairfax, Midtown, Slavic Village, Downtown and West Park.
Snavely Group
Snavely Group opened The Quarter in 2018 at the corner of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue. This multi-phase development includes luxury and affordable apartments, The Music Settlement and new retail and dining options.
CIVIC CHAMPION AWARD:
Robin Brown
Robin Brown is a community activist dedicated to educating Cleveland families on the dangers of lead poisoning. Recognized nationally for her work, Robin’s efforts have reached over 800,000 people across Northeast Ohio.
Earl Ingram
Earl Ingram is the director of the Boys & Girls Club in Buckeye and also a physical education teacher at The Intergenerational School. He dedicates the majority of his time to all of the youth that come through the doors of Saint Luke’s Pointe.
Anita Gardner
Anita Gardner is an activist and change agent in Mt. Pleasant. She is the founder of Concerned Citizens Community Council and has dedicated her efforts towards creating opportunities for neighborhood youth while advocating for positive change and accountability among city leaders.
Additionally, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress will present the Morton L. Mandel Leadership in Community Development Award. Past Mandel Award winners include Daryl Rush (2015), Joe Cimperman (2016) Judge Raymond Pianka (2017), and Bobbi Reichtell (2018).
All of the finalists will be recognized at the Vibrant City Awards Lunch, when civic leaders, community development professionals, local developers, investors, realtors and passionate Clevelanders will gather to celebrate city neighborhoods on Cleveland’s lakefront. This event will be hosted in the Collinwood neighborhood at Euclid Beach Park. Zack Bruell Events will be coordinating an authentic Cleveland BBQ for lunch at this lakefront setting.
The event is open to the public. More information concerning event details, tickets and registration is available at www.ClevelandNP.org/VCAL .
About Cleveland Neighborhood Progress:
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is a nationally recognized nonprofit that works in partnership with community development corporations, local foundations, the business community and government to support Cleveland’s neighborhoods and improve quality of life for city residents.
About Delta Dental:
Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, one of the largest dental benefits administrators in the country, covers nearly 8.9 million members. In addition to providing superior dental benefits, we invest in building healthy, smart, vibrant communities. The Delta Dental family includes the Delta Dental Foundation; Dewpoint, our information technology solutions company; and Red Cedar Investment Management, our financial services subsidiary. Through dental benefits, philanthropy, technology and finance, Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana works every day to achieve brighter futures. We know that building relationships and building communities are what building business is all about.