2025 Downtown Cleveland Action Plan
A Growth Agenda for the Future
Downtown Cleveland is a more influential, ambitious, and focused organization than we have ever been.
We are building an 18-hour, 15-minute neighborhood that all Clevelanders can be proud of. We are enhancing safety, improving walkability, supporting private development, and reducing barriers to doing business. The next phase of implementing Reimagining Downtown: connecting the dots to create a truly seamless urban fabric.
This year, we are building the Greater Downtown Vision - a bold growth agenda for the future of downtown. This webpage serves as a dashboard for board directors and staff to track our progress on the key initiatives of 2025.
It is time to move beyond speaking about recovery and focus on the future. With major investments planned on our two waterfronts and throughout the core, we need to seize the moment. This means securing our organization’s position as the leading voice on policies and plans for downtown’s future. It means strengthening our leadership in the public realm. It means building confidence among stakeholders that the future of downtown Cleveland is bright.
Package the Vision
-
A compelling vision requires compelling imagery. We are working with OHM Advisors to pull together existing public and private projects and weave them into a cohesive Greater Downtown Vision that includes future development and connectivity. The final product will be a presentation that tells the story of where downtown is going in the next 5-10 years. The five pillars of the Greater Downtown Vision are Safety, Walkability, Connectivity, Activation, and Growth.
Timeline: Complete visual presentation by end of March 2025
Key Updates: Executed contract with OHM; completed preliminary map
Next Steps: Convene workshop in early February
Deliverables: A visual tool to support business attraction, advocacy, marketing, and fundraising
-
This cements our ongoing stewardship of downtown Cleveland by funding 100% of Clean & Safe operations and portions of our economic development and place management work. Successfully securing another term for the district is a vote of confidence from property owners in our work and in where downtown is going.
Timeline: Complete renewal process by mid-year
Key Updates: 55.8%, including petitions both in hand and in process
Next Steps: One-on-one engagement sessions with property owners
Deliverables: Renewed districts with the support of owners representing over 60% of front footage
Downtown Cleveland RAD Security Camera in Public Square
Safety is Downtown Cleveland’s number one priority. Building on a strong year of innovation, our team is leveraging state-of-the-art technology, strategic partnerships, and smart deployment strategies to make downtown safer. Our Ambassadors deploy seven days a week, but safety is about much more than just having uniforms on the street – it’s about having the right systems in place to deter unwanted activity.
Innovate for a Safer Downtown
-
This year, we are building on the success of our Public Square Smart Camera Pilot Project by facilitating the addition of these cameras throughout the neighborhood. We will use real-time data to inform Ambassador deployment based on hot spots and special events. This includes a new special deployment partnership with hotels.
Timeline: Implement special deployment strategies immediately; install new cameras by mid-year
Key Updates: Cameras recently purchased for Playhouse Square and North Coast Harbor
Next Steps:
Purchase additional cameras for public spaces across district
Market & Communicate
Deliverables: Complete Smart Camera network connected to the City of Cleveland’s Camera Sharing program
-
This year, our team will operate from Tower City and Perk Park hubs, sharing the spaces with police officers to co-deploy on calls that impact quality of life or involve crises related to mental health or addiction. We supplement this work with our Court Watch program.
Timeline: Continuous throughout the year
Key Updates: Monitoring over 130 chronic offender cases
Deliverables: Tougher sentences, reduced recidivism, mental and substance abuse treated.
-
By removing litter, debris, biohazardous waste, graffiti, and other unsightly issues in the public realm, our Ambassadors foster a more welcoming downtown environment. This year, we are building on this work by improving our system for monitoring, reporting, and resolving infrastructure deficiencies.
Timeline: Continuous throughout the year
Key Updates: Lighting audit completed in January
Next Steps: Tracking and reporting repairs.
Deliverables: A well-lit and well-maintained public realm.
Intro Boutique is a downtown Cleveland retailer with 2 successful locations downtown
Job growth has stagnated in downtown Cleveland. This has resulted in an ailing commercial real estate market, a challenged storefront economy, declining apartment occupancy, and reduced tax revenue. Our team is focused on developing policies that support business attraction, retention, and expansion; producing well-designed, data driven marketing materials; and convening property owners, brokers, public officials, and regional partners to attract tenants from elsewhere in the region and outside the state.
Grow Business + Jobs
-
We are advocating for the reform of the City of Cleveland’s Job Creation Tax Credit to align with the state’s program with a 10-job minimum. We are also developing a local program to modernize aging office space; we are considering programs like a modified Working Capital Loan program and a streamlined commercial tax abatement program.
Timeline: Advocate for changes in Q1
Key Updates:
Engaged brokers and owners throughout the past 6 months
Surveying suburban and peer cities for business attraction incentives
Next Steps:
Draft, Introduce, and Pass Reformed Job Creation Tax Credit
Enlist Board Trustees, Committee Members, and Partners in Advocacy
Research and build consensus on real estate development incentives
Deliverables: A strong, simple, marketable local economic development toolbox
-
We will increase our capacity and influence at the state and federal levels by hiring a lobbyist to support our agenda. This year’s focus will be on State Operating Budget requests (specifically the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program), business attraction, and real estate investment incentives.
Timeline: Contract with a firm by end of February
Key Updates: Finalized RFP and short list of firms
Next Steps: Distribute RFP and hold interviews
Deliverables: Expanded government affairs capacity and proactive advocacy strategy.
-
The team is developing a comprehensive “Why Downtown” guide that communicates the value of locating a storefront or office business in downtown. It will include key vacancies, incentives, and critical market data. Our team will act as the catalyst for office-focused business attraction among the region’s economic development partners.
Timeline: Guide published by March; convene partners throughout year
Key Updates: Materials are currently in development
Next Steps: Complete and publish playbook. Convene economic development partners to tell the story, opportunities, advocacy agenda, and goals.
Deliverables: “Why Downtown” business attraction guide; be the leading voice in office business advocacy
A high-quality public realm experience is critical to downtown’s success. This year, our team will focus on developing key retail corridors and improving parks and green spaces. The Greater Downtown Vision will guide our work to improve walkability, connectivity, and activation in the public realm.
Improve Pedestrian Experience
-
Demonstrate what our retail strategy looks like when implemented and our role in getting things done. We’ve worked with LAND Studio to design sidewalk and streetscape improvements along Huron Road and Prospect Avenue. We are designing a play area at Meet Me Here Park. Goal is to design and raise matching funds in 2025 and build in 2026. State capital grant must be spent by end of 2026. The vision is a model, well-connected pedestrian-friendly area that supports retail. This project will align with Playhouse Square’s Neighborhood Plan. We then can replicate this model in the Warehouse District, Flats, and Erieview Historic District.
Timeline: Sidewalk and roadway construction to be completed within 13 months
Key Updates: Streetscape design completed
Next Steps: OHM to Produce Cost Estimate, Advocacy and fundraising for sidewalk replacement
Deliverables: Beautiful, walkable retail corridor
-
The team will install a programming hub on Public Square through our partnership with Project for Public Spaces. This will allow us to program the space frequently (including third party events) and create a more visible presence. At the same time, we will establish a sustainable permitting and revenue model that can be replicated.
Timeline: Install kiosk by May; full programming calendar throughout year
Key Updates: EngagedIterum (former 3CDC executives); Connectivity Plan completed
Next Steps: Secure funding for connectivity improvements; convene stakeholders around larger, long-term vision for the Square
Deliverables: Welcoming, active downtown central park
-
We are the convener and leading voice on projects in downtown’s public realm. This includes improvements to Euclid Avenue, the Erieview Historic District, retail corridors, wayfinding, park improvements, and more. This year, we will use the Greater Downtown Vision as a tool to bring corporate partners to the table to think bigger about downtown’s future.
Timeline: Convene corporate, philanthropic, and elected leaders around Greater Downtown Vision in Q2
Key Updates: Currently co-convene quarterly planning meetings with the mayor’s office and downtown stakeholders
Next Steps: Complete the illustration of the Greater Downtown Vision
Deliverables: Leadership in downtown’s public realm
As the voice of downtown Cleveland, our team is charged with promoting the urban core as the region’s premier destination. Marketing and communications is a critical priority for 2025 as we work to build a strong coalition of Downtown Champions. We tell downtown’s story to gain support from partners and funders, inform the community, and influence business and real estate leaders to choose downtown Cleveland.
Tell the Story
-
The team will use digital marketing, influencers, physical signage, and earned and paid media. The goal is to reenergize the Greater Cleveland community (and beyond) around the value of living, working, and visiting downtown Cleveland. There will be a special focus on retail offerings in the district.
Timeline: Campaign will launch in March
Key Updates: Held kickoff meeting in December with Falls & Co.
Next Steps: Develop creative assets, Raise matching funds
Deliverables: Greater awareness of downtown living and working opportunities that will impact leasing
-
The team will update our digital data dashboard on a monthly basis with the latest market information. We will release two large reports – our Midyear Market Update and our Downtown Champions Year in Review. This year, we will cease “pre-pandemic” comparisons and launch a new metric benchmark reporting strategy.
Timeline: Throughout the year
Key Updates: Currently developing yearly metric benchmarks and goals
Next Steps: Engage board members in setting goals and key performance indicators
Deliverables: Data, reports, and collateral that influence decision making by businesses, residents, and funders
-
Frequent, at-a-glance updates are critical for keeping stakeholders engaged in our work. This year, we are evolving the Downtown Now email updates to be more frequent, shorter communications that focus on actions taken by the organization to address challenges.
Timeline: Throughout the year
Deliverables: Brief weekly updates from Michael to members, board members, and key partners
This strategy requires the support of the corporate, philanthropic, and civic partners in the community. We will launch a Downtown Growth Fund as a vehicle to raise money to advance the vision. In partnership with board leadership, the team will prioritize funder engagement this year and leverage opportunities to convene stakeholders and the public. This includes major events like State of Downtown, the 2025 Annual Meeting, and regular Future Forums.
Increase and Diversify Revenue: Downtown Growth Fund
-
Our goal is to gain widespread and diverse support for the Greater Downtown Vision by appealing to the interests of various funders. This fund will support business attraction, the retail strategy, public realm improvements, and development.
Timeline: Convene funding meetings in Q2
Next Steps: Refine funding pitch, incorporating imagery and data
Deliverables: New fund of $5m to match DCID assessment revenue
-
We revamped our membership program to align with our strategic priorities and focus on advocacy. We have not historically focused on securing support for programming outside of WinterLand and a few other signature events. This year, our goal is to have a title sponsor attached to every activation that we produce.
Timeline: Throughout the year; sponsor pitches February-May
Key Updates: Membership packet complete; 2025 sponsor deck in progress
Next Steps: Hold meetings with current and prospective members
Deliverables: Expanded member base that solidifies corporate partnerships; sponsorship for every activation
-
Downtown Cleveland serves as a fiscal agent/sponsor for certain programs and organizations that align with our mission. These arrangements not only expand our involvement in important projects, but also they are a source of revenue. This year, we have the honor of facilitating finances for Mayor Bibb’s A Home for Every Neighbor program.
Timeline: Throughout the year
Key Updates: At the end of 2024, 112 individuals had been housed through this program
Deliverables: Well-run program that facilitates housing for those in need