Cleveland / Ohio / United States
Founded as a grassroots organization, DSCDO has an extensive and successful neighborhood development track record. DSCDO provides many services to neighborhood residents including community organizing ; collaboration with the Federal WEED and SEED program ; the Home Weatherization Program for low income families ; home repair loans and technical assistance ; graffiti removal, exterior painting, and vacant lot beautification ; coordination of block clubs around issues of housing code enforcement and safety ; coordination of education and cultural diversity programs ; and economic development and storefront renovation programs aimed at revitalizing the neighborhoods commercial districts. From July 1, 2008 through the present, DSCDOs services and efforts have accomplished the following outcomes: Strategic Investment Initiative - DSCDO was competitively chosen by Neighborhood Progress Inc., as one of the six target neighborhoods to participate in the Strategic Investment Initiative based on its track record for success, internal staff capacity, and existence of an anchor development project ( Battery Park ). Cleveland Lakefront Plan - a $70 million project designed to better connect the City to the lake while converting the West Shoreway to a boulevard and improving access to Edgewater Park. Gordon Square Arts District Master Plan - created to recruit new retail and guide the direction of the district. Detroit Avenue Streetscape - the City of Cleveland and NOACA have committed $3 million in funding for the project, which will include public art, landscaping, improved parking, and widened sidewalks and pedestrian walkways. Business Improvement District - DSCDO is in the process of creating a business improvement district to improve retail retention, expansion, and attraction while also serving as the post-streetscape supporting agent. Battery Park - DSCDO partnered with Vintage Development Group to create the 328 unit, $100 million Battery Park development. Located in the historic Gordon Square Arcade at Detroit Avenue and W.65th Street, the organization was founded in 1973 as a grassroots organization to work with residents and businesses with a goal of revitalizing the neighborhood.
