An earlier version of the City News was delivered with text missing from the story on the ADU design competition. We apologize for the error.

Friday, August 30, 2024

The City of Cleveland Heights wishes all a

Happy Labor Day!

City Hall and the Community Center are CLOSED on Monday, September 2

The Cleveland Heights City Council meetings regularly held on Mondays will be held on Tuesday, September 3.

Cumberland Pool is OPEN on Labor Day

Labor Day is the final day of the season for Cumberland Pool, and its hours for Labor Day Weekend are:

Saturday, August 31 – Noon to 6:00 pm

Sunday, September 1 – Noon to 6:00 pm

Monday, September 2 – Noon to 6:00 pm

Trash pickup will be delayed one day next week

Since Monday is a holiday, Monday's trash collection will be on Tuesday, Tuesday's will be on Wednesday, and so on.

Last night, Cleveland Heights

Suffered a Tragedy

Yesterday, August 29, Cleveland Heights Police Department officers responded to a reported disturbance on Yellowstone Road that ultimately led to an officer-involved shooting and the death of 18-year-old Christian Alexander Thomas.

CHPD immediately turned the investigation into this incident over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

Earlier this afternoon, Mayor Seren and Chief Britton held a press conference to update the media about the incident and discuss how the City was responding to it.

We've included a video of Mayor Seren's introductory remarks from the press conference and the press release distributed at the press conference.

Please keep Christian's family in your thoughts.

Cleveland Heights Opens Competition to Design Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Winning designs will be turned into free, pre-approved blueprints and building plans for Cleveland Heights homeowners to build ADUs

Today, the City of Cleveland Heights proudly announced the opening of the Cleveland Heights Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Design Competition. The winning designs will be developed into pre-approved construction-ready plans that will be made available at no cost to Cleveland Heights residents who want to build an ADU on their properties.

ADUs are small dwellings attached to or detached from a property’s primary residence. Cleveland Heights, with the assistance of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, is exploring altering its zoning code to allow homeowners to build ADUs on properties in residential districts so older family members can “age in place” and not be forced to move elsewhere.

“For many seniors, ADUs can provide an affordable way to live independently while receiving support from their family in the primary residence,” Cleveland Heights Planning and Development Director Eric Zamft said.

For properties that don’t already have ADUs, however, speed is of the essence.

“Building an ADU for an aging relative is only an option if it can be built quickly,” Zamft said. “That’s the problem the ADU Design Competition will help solve by giving homeowners pre-approved turnkey plans.”

The Cleveland Heights ADU Design Competition

The competition has two categories:

A juried competition for design professionals at all levels—from interns to licensed architects—who meet the necessary requirements, and
A “People’s Choice” category for Cleveland Heights residents who may not be architects or designers.

Entrants for both categories are encouraged to develop designs that respect and complement the existing character of Cleveland Heights’ neighborhoods.

The jury for submissions from professional designers will comprise experts in design, housing, accessibility, and inclusivity, and local stakeholders, including residents and city officials and may select multiple winners.

The People’s Choice competition will have a single winner that will be determined by an online vote.

Winners of the juried contest will be awarded a stipend for developing their concepts into construction-ready plans. The People’s Choice winner will receive a cash prize and will be paired with a licensed architect to create a construction-ready plan from their concept. Once the completed plans are approved by the City of Cleveland Heights, they will be made available for free to Cleveland Heights homeowners interested in building ADUs.

Guidelines for the competition will be available at ClevelandHeights.gov beginning Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The City of Cleveland Heights will hold online and in-person Q&A Sessions on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Entries for both categories must meet the requirements of the competition guidelines and be submitted by Monday, October 21, 2024.

The public will vote on the People’s Choice entries from October 23 to November 15.

Winners of both competitions will be announced and displayed at The ADU Design Competition Showcase and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

CHPD hosts charity softball tournament at Forest Hill

On Saturday, August 24, the Cleveland Heights Police Department hosted the police departments from South Euclid, Euclid, and Beachwood for a charity softball tournament at Forest Hills Park to raise money for the Euclid K9 unit.

City Council seeks Fair Practices Board members

Cleveland Heights City Council is seeking residents interested in volunteering to serve on its Fair Practices Board.

The Fair Practices Board hears and decides complaints of discriminatory practices in housing, employment, education, and public accommodation; prohibited conversion therapy; and the nonconsensual dissemination of an individual's private sexual images.

The Board consists of three residents and one alternate who do not hold public office at the municipal, county, state, or federal level.

Interested applicants may use the link below to submit an application.

Apply for the Fair Practices Board

City Council seeks Youth Advisory Board members

City Council is currently seeking applicants for the new Parks and Recreation Youth Advisory Board.

The Board will make recommendations to City Council on parks and recreation matters, including the development of recreational programs, parks

maintenance, and the creation and use of recreational spaces. The Board will promote positive community relations and engagement among youth of all ages by organizing events, workshops, and initiatives and engaging with the Commission on Aging to help encourage activity between youth and seniors.

The Board will have between 9 and 18 members. Board members must be between the ages of 15 and 23 and live within the boundaries of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District.

At least 6 members will be public high school students (Heights High School or Shaw High School), including 2 freshmen, 2 sophomores, and 2 juniors. At least one-third of the Board’s membership must be private, parochial, or home-schooled students. The Board will have 3nonvoting adult Board members: the Chair of Council’s Community Relations and Recreation Committee, a Cleveland Heights Library administrator, and a Cleveland Heights High School teacher appointed by the Cleveland Heights School District.

Cleveland Heights City Council will appoint voting members following an application process. All applications must be accompanied by three (3) letters of recommendation from non-family members.

To apply, complete the application above and return it to Addie Balester, Clerk of

City Council at abalester@clevelandheights.gov.

Local businesses invited to submit to City Holiday Gift Guide

SAVE THESE DATES!

Registration is Open for the

Cleveland Heights Happy 5K/10K

Sunday, October 6, 2024

The City of Cleveland Heights and Cleveland Heights merchants invite you to the 9th Annual Happy 10k, 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run on Sunday, October 6.

This chip-timed road-running event will take you through the best of Cleveland Heights, including the Lee Road and Coventry merchant districts. Flat and fast, with plenty of crowd support along the way, this event supports the Cleveland Heights Youth Scholarship Fund.

This run is open to all ages and abilities, as well as competitive runners. Dress up for your run, and you'll automatically be entered into the happiest costume contest around. Happy dogs and strollers are welcome, too!

Cleveland Heights Climate Action and Resiliency Plan Workshop #3

September 18, 2024

7:00–8:30 pm

Monticello Middle School

Heights Homecoming Parade and Tiger Tailgate

Friday, September 13 beginning at 5:00 pm

Mark your calendars for Friday, September 13, the best day of the year to be a Heights Tiger! All of Tiger Nation will come together for the Heights High Homecoming Parade, tailgate and football game!

The parade again starts on Scarborough Road near Fairfax School and makes its way north on Lee Road, all the way to the Cleveland Heights High School where it ends in the parking lot near the softball/baseball fields for a block party and tailgate.

This year, three food trucks – The Urban Wrap Co., The Sweet Suite 216 (which will also offer sandwiches and wraps) and Heights Tropical Sno -- will sell food to attendees. Families and fans can also reserve a spot in the lot for their car by registering for a Heights Athletic Boosters’ tailgate.

All CH-UH teams, clubs, groups and PTAs are encouraged to march free of charge, though they still need to sign up. Local businesses, nonprofits, and candidates running for office are also welcome to march for a $25 fee. The registration form for all marching groups can be found here.

The entire community is invited to line the streets to cheer on everyone from high school musicians to middle school athletes to the cutest little Tigers marching with their elementary schools.

The Lee Road Library will have two youth services staff on their front lawn with activities for families who choose that grassy space as their viewing spot.

Further down the road, Heights Schools Foundation will host an alumni watch party from the patio space in front of The Wine Spot.

The parade kicks off right at 5:00 pm and portions of Lee Road and surrounding side streets will be closed to traffic, so please plan to arrive early.

The grass behind the football stadium and on Washington Boulevard also make for good viewing areas.

Washington will be closed to vehicle traffic from Lee Road to Goodnor starting at 5pm.

The Tiger Nation Tailgate will last from the end of the parade until the football game against Brunswick kicks off at 7pm. This is Heights’ final home game until October 25^th as they’ll be on the road for a five-week stretch. Make sure to purchase your ticket early to support this historic team.

Homecoming Parade Road Closures

The following road closures will occur on Friday, September 13

Scarborough Road between Stratford and Lee, from 4 pm to 5:10 pm.

Lee Road from Scarborough to Washington Boulevard from 5 pm to 5:40 pm. Some southbound lanes will be open. Please plan alternate routes. East-west traffic on Cedar Road will continue with only slight delays.

Washington Blvd from Lee to Goodnor from 5 pm to 5:40 pm.

Cain Park ends its 2024 theater season with Arthur Miller's "A View from the Bridge"

Cain Park concludes its 2024 theater season with a production of Arthur Miller’s "A View from the Bridge," at the Alma Theater, September 5-15, 2024, with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances at 7:00 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Cain Park will hold an opening night reception with light refreshments and cake for all attendees following the Friday, September 6 performance.

"A View from the Bridge" will be the first great American theatre classic to grace the Alma Stage in nearly two decades. It originally opened on Broadway in 1955 and remains relevant by exploring the complications of the human condition and the dissonance of justice.

"A View from the Bridge" is for adult audiences.

To purchase tickets call the Cain Park Box Office at 216-371-3000 or visit the link below for more information.

Purchase Tickets

FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Photos from the Samara Joy concert at Cain Park last Friday courtesy of Cleveland Scene

Cleveland Chain Reaction awards $70,000 to three young Cleveland businesses

Congratulations CLE Urban Winery!

From Cleveland.com (paywall)

Three Cleveland businesses will share in Cleveland Chain Reaction’s $70,000 prize money. Cleveland Chain Reaction is an economic development project and small-business pitch competition, operated by Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Council of Smaller Enterprises. It is in its seventh season.

Winners include CLE Urban Winery in Cleveland Heights.

Local artists explore nature and Black identity at Heights Arts this fall

From CAN Journal

Visit Heights Arts’ Gallery for an artistic dialogue on nature, identity, and cultural heritage. Experience the profound narratives and stunning visuals that Constructed Nature: A dialectical approach to the elements of landscapes brings to life; the exhibition features five artists reimagining nature through diverse mediums. The Spotlight gallery will feature Gina Washington’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind, exploring Black identity and collective catharsis.

Both shows are currently on view until Sunday, October 13. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness and celebrate the diverse beauty and complexity of our world through the eyes of these exceptional artists.

Parks and Recreation Programs

Skating

Adult Fitness and Wellness

Upcoming Events

Registration opens for Shaker Lakes Hike & Run

The Shaker Lakes Hike & Run is on Sunday, September 15, 2024. It includes the following events: 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk, 1-2 Mile Family Friendly Hike, 4 Mile Rim of the Gorge Hike, 5-6 Mile Gorge Hike, and 1-2 Mile Shaker Parklands Hike.

Noble Gardeners' Market Returns for 2024

Noble Gardeners' Market runs each Saturday in August and September from 10 am to noon at the corner of Noble and Roanoke Roads, one block north of Monticello Boulevard.

Sellers who grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers at home or in community gardens are welcome to share their abundance. Sellers are not charged for space but must provide their own table or ground cloth. They must also display their prices and provide change for their customers.

New this year, Noble Gardeners' Market is inviting Cottage Food producers to sell their products. These sellers must comply with the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture rules for Cottage Food Production Operations. A downloadable copy of those regulations is available at www.NobleNeighbors.com. Noble Gardeners' Market is in compliance with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and is subject to inspection.

The alumni department at Lutheran High School East is hosting a coed flag football event on September 7, 2024. The goal is to bring alumni, current students, and the community together with the school.