Thanks to critical funding from Charter One Bank, Ohio City residents that live south of Lorain Avenue have seen sorely needed improvements to their neighborhood in recent months.  These include the repair and beautification of ten homes, expansion of the ever–popular Ohio City “Pie Slice” street signs, and rejuvenation of two bountiful community gardens. 

 There is no question as to why these new cleanup and beautification efforts have been focused in the South of Lorain neighborhood initially with the hopes of expanding neighborhood-wide.  The affordable historic housing stock as well as the proximity to the Market District, RTA and other amenities make SoLo a desirable neighborhood on the rise.  Recent news that the Monroe Cemetery is receiving funds for a major renovation only adds to this excitement. 

According to Pat Rybka, a resident of Chatham Avenue for over 30 years, these repairs have not only made a difference in her own property, but improved the surrounding neighborhood as well.  After receiving utility work, her front gate was never repaired or replaced.  With help from the Charter One funds, Pat was able to have a new gate professionally installed.

“Now my home looks nicer than it ever was before,” Pat said.  “I am so proud of the staff at Ohio City Incorporated and how they’ve helped me in every way possible.”

Grant funds were also used to transform the longstanding Chatham Community Garden into a vibrant community gathering space.  Saint Ignatius High School teacher and Garden Coordinator Terry McCafferty is excited to see the space evolve with the addition of two benches and a picnic table, as well as the installation of a hummingbird and butterfly garden filled with native plants that will attract useful pollinators for the surrounding vegetables.

“Our old benches were rotting and filled with carpenter ants,” Terry said.  “The new benches and table will be placed on a new patio, made out of bricks from the old Dunbar school.  It will be a great place for community gatherings and cookouts.”

Through the launch of the Ohio City Shines program this spring, neighborhood cleanup and beautification projects such as these will become standard programming.  Residents South of Lorain can celebrate the success of these projects while serving as an example for all of Ohio City, helping to bridge the perceived gap between “NoLo” and “SoLo.”  More information about Ohio City Shines including a late-March kickoff meeting will be released soon.