Council Proposes New Initiative to Improve Grocery Access Across Cleveland
Cleveland City Council has passed an emergency resolution calling for a citywide strategy to improve food access and stabilize grocery store operations in local neighborhoods. Introduced by Council Member Starr, Resolution 957-2026 urges the Mayor and the city administration to convene a coordinated meeting to address grocery stability and develop what is called the "Cleveland Grocery Access and Neighborhood Market Initiative."
What's in the file
The resolution was prompted by the July 31, 2026, closure of the Heinen’s grocery location in the Cleveland Trust Building, which the 957-2026-FOR ADOPTION-Grocery Store RESO Starr notes failed to achieve the long-term financial sustainability required to continue operating.
The document argues that the city must move away from simply offering tax breaks and instead focus on "de-risking" locations to ensure long-term viability. To achieve this, Councilmember Starr intends to lead a three-part legislative package consisting of:
- A Cleveland Grocery Access Fund to close financing gaps, prepare strategic sites, and support infrastructure and neighborhood grocery operators.
- A Grocery Development Fast Track to provide expedited City reviews and assign a single City project manager to coordinate approvals across various departments.
- A Grocery Operator Request for Proposals process to proactively market pre-vetted, City-supported sites to qualified operators with clearly defined performance standards.
The resolution outlines the following proposed financial and operational targets for the initiative:
| Provision | Proposed Amount/Detail |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Grocery Access Fund | $10 million to $15 million |
The resolution further states that public investment should be tied to measurable performance expectations, such as store opening timelines, operating duration, food quality, affordability, and community engagement.
Who may be affected
- Neighborhoods: Downtown (noted as a residential area of over 20,000 people), Central, Kinsman, Collinwood, and Glenville are identified as areas facing barriers to fresh food access.
- Mayor and Administration: Urged to convene a coordinated food access and grocery stability meeting.
- Department of Public Health: Identified as a collaborator in improving the local food system and infrastructure.
Status and timeline
- August 17, 2026: Resolution 957-2026 was introduced.
- August 19, 2026: The emergency resolution was passed.
Residents can verify the details of this proposal by reviewing the official record for Resolution 957-2026 at the Cleveland City Council Legistar website.
Source record
- File
- 957-2026
- Type
- Emergency Resolution
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- August 16, 2026