News Archive

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. 

Ohio City, like its neighbors Detroit Shoreway, Tremont and Downtown Cleveland, has had unprecedented growth in the last two years. While the growth has centered around the Market District, there is both a need and a desire to “turn the corner” onto Lorain Avenue for investment and growth. This past fall, we partnered with Ohio City Incorporated to lead a community engagement process designed to accomplish that goal by focusing our attention on Lorain Avenue as Ohio City’s Main Street.

I was born and raised in the City of Chicago, but after attending graduate school, I moved to Cleveland to work for the Federal Reserve. I chose to live in Ohio City.

Part of the reason why I moved here is because I knew I wouldn’t be alone. Ohio City has become home to a “power cohort,” as the term is used within academic literature.

I first learned about the idea of power cohorts while studying neighborhoods and their effects on urban growth in graduate school. Power cohorts specifically refer to people between the ages of 25 and 34 who possess a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree.

Power cohorts are important because attracting smart, young people to metropolitan regions is one way to boost their economies. Educated young people fill talent gaps in the workforce, support businesses, pay taxes, and rent or buy houses in the area. 

If you have walked down West 32nd Street lately, there is no mistaking the fact that there is a lot of action happening at Providence House, a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and care to babies and children at risk of abuse and neglect.

The expansion to the campus is nearing completion and will allow Providence House to care for more children in need, up to 20 at a time. But things haven’t just been busy on the Ohio City campus that Providence House has called home for over 30 years; out in the community the PHriends Executive Committee is helping to spread the word about Providence House. Yes, you read that right, friends with a “PH.”