New Special Improvement District to Support Superior Arts Area

Cleveland City Council has passed an emergency resolution to establish the Cleveland Superior Arts Improvement District, a move designed to enhance the services and economic vitality of the area. Under the terms of Ord. No. 480-2026, the new Special Improvement District (SID) will focus on the neighborhood bounded by St. Clair Avenue to the north, Payne Avenue to the south, East 18th Street to the west, and East 26th Street to the east. This initiative follows long-term discussions dating back to 2015 aimed at improving the district's image and increasing occupancy for offices, retail spaces, and housing.

The district includes 138 parcels totaling 22,762 feet of linear frontage within Ward 8. According to the 480-2026 Legislative Summary, the SID will provide "Clean and Safe" services, such as sidewalk cleaning, power washing, graffiti removal, weed abatement, and waste removal. Additionally, the district will fund business development and marketing efforts to attract new residents and jobs. These services are funded through assessments on benefited properties, which are calculated using a formula based on assessed value and lot frontage, and are incorporated into Cuyahoga County property tax bills. The projected revenue for the first year in 2026 is $235,068, with a projected 3% annual increase reaching an estimated $280,684 by the seventh year.

The creation of this district was made possible after at least 60% of property owners in the designated area signed petitions to elect the assessments. This seven-year term is set to run from 2026 through 2032. While the resolution has passed, residents can watch for the Director of City Planning to finalize the administrative steps and enter into the formal contract with the Cleveland Superior Arts Improvement District.

Source record

File
480-2026
Type
Emergency Resolution
Status
Passed
Committee
City Council
Introduced
April 9, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources