Mayor delivers State of the City address, anticipates growth in 2019

Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail is optimistic about the future of the city.

Citing numerous examples of industrial progress, economic development and civic enhancement during her State of the City address, she also expressed gratitude to the administration, City Council, city employees, partner organizations and residents who she said makes Euclid a “strong and vibrant community.”

The address took place last week at the conclusion of the regular Euclid City Council meeting.

“I’m pleased to share the progress we have made to ensure Euclid remains a great place to live, work and visit for all,” Holzheimer Gail said. “I am proud of all that’s accomplished and am excited about the plans to continue the growth this year.

“I like to look at things from the positive side,” she said. “To quote author and community building consultant Peter Block, ‘We are a community of possibilities, not a community of problems. Communities exist for the sake of belonging and takes its identities from the gifts of its citizens.’ “

This year, particularly, she added, the city began to realize its possibilities in many significant ways, starting with Council’s adoption and approval of a new master plan that provides a new vision for Euclid.

“We saw the demolition of the long-blighted Euclid Square Mall to make way for the construction of the Amazon fulfillment center, and we made major progress at the water reclamation facility completing the 15 million-gallon equalization tank.”

The city also broke ground on its long-anticipated Phase II of the Waterfront Improvement Plan.

“After many years of planning, placing rocks in the water is true progress,” Holzheimer Gail said. “Thanks to City Council for their authorization to award the contract for construction and supporting the accepting of funding from the Cleveland Foundation to hire a professional fundraising consultant to help raise the remaining funds needed to complete the project and provide an amenity truly unique to Euclid.”

Last year was also notable for investment and growth in the city’s business base, with Amazon bringing 850,000 square feet of modern industrial space, more than 1,000 new jobs, roadway improvements surrounding the property, and additional interest and attention in the industrial corridor.

Lincoln Electric also continued its growth and investment in Euclid, officially opening the welding technology training center and investing in improvements along the St. Clair corridor.

At the Bluestone Business Park, Ray Fogg Building Methods finished completing and fully leasing its third building to Lincoln Electric for a new additive welding division. Fogg then announced plans for the construction for the fourth building to be completed this year.

Euclid saw additional growth with expansions in businesses, including Dellriver Services, American

Punch Co., Keene Building Products and BWX Technologies Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.

New businesses have also been welcomed in the city, such as Universal Electronics and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.

Holzheimer Gail noted that 2018 saw a significant investment in commercial properties, also, with building permits granted for work valuing more than $150,000.

“This new and expanded investment results in more jobs which add to our tax base,” she said. “These investments were done in strong partnership between my administration, the Euclid Chamber of Commerce, Team NEO, Cuyahoga County, the state of Ohio and Greater Cleveland Partnership. Good working relationships along with Euclid’s strong organizational capacity are key for these and future developments.

“We also had concentrated focus on proactive outreach to development and business partners. We successfully advocated for five census tracks to be included in the new Opportunity Zone designation. There is definitely and energy and buzz about investment and opportunity in Euclid’s industrial corridor and we look forward to announcing new projects and possibilities in 2019.”

According to permits filed with the city, the mayor said, over $9.7 million was spent on singlefamily home improvement projects in 2018, more than double the amount in 2017.

“This investment comes at the same time we are seeing solid home sales figures and rising property values,” she said. “Cuyahoga County’s sixyear reappraisal results showed Euclid increased at a greater percentage than any other east side suburb. Euclid housing values have increased by double digits in both residential and commercial properties.

“We are also excited about working with both small and larger homebuilders to both rehab both existing and create new houses options, and proposals to build four new homes in Ward 4 as directed by the master plan,” she added.

Staying positive in her address, Holzheimer Gail also didn’t backpedal from controversial news regarding Euclid police officers in 2018.

“Over the last 18 months, we’ve certainly faced some challenging situations surrounding crime control,” she said. “But challenges often make us look at things in a new or different way and

when addressed can lead to a stronger more effective city. I’m confident that through the leadership, supervision, training and positive community engagement efforts, we will continue to build trust in the community and fulfill the mission of the Euclid Police Department to both protect and serve.

“Statistically speaking, we’re seeing positive trends in crime stats,” she said. “There is an increase in calls for service, which is a healthy thing for communities that encourage resident involvement, but more importantly, there is also a decrease in the number of criminal offenses in most categories from 2017 to 2018.”

Euclid’s Recreation Department saw the completion of new tennis and pickleball courts, upgraded baseball fields and completed new walking paths through Memorial Park funded through the Board of Education.

A new exercise station will also be added to Memorial Park. New basketball courts are also planned for the south side of the city.

The city services department was busy, too, completing a number of major projects, including LED light conversion at six city buildings, including City Hall. The department also worked to eliminate two sanitary sewer overflows and began the reconstruction of the E. 222nd Street municipal district.

In the face of all the city has accomplished, the mayor concluded, there is still much to be done.

“The age of our buildings, infrastructure and vehicles and equipment remain a challenge,” she said. “To that end, we continue our energy savings initiatives and are working to develop an energy conservation improvement plan to upgrade our buildings, equipment and technology to be paid through the energy savings. We look forward to bringing those plans forward in the next few months.

“With challenges come hard decisions, and we all know there are not always popular decisions,” Holzheimer Gail added. “Like we see across this country, this has the tendency to cause divisiveness. This, too, can happen in our city, but we must not let it. Certainly the city cannot do everything on its own. We need residents to be involved and engaged. This takes additional effort and time and we must work hard to hear each other, and to understand different perspectives and viewpoints. We are a community of possibilities.”