Downtown Cleveland Has Momentum. Now We Keep Doing the Work.
Michael Deemer, President & CEO, Downtown Cleveland
This is a significant week for Downtown Cleveland.
Sherwin-Williams opens its new global headquarters on Public Square.
Mayor Bibb’s downtown working group is focused on office vacancy, distressed properties, employer retention and the future of the downtown market.
Destination Cleveland, a strong partner in strengthening the city’s visitor economy and reputation, has launched a new strategy focused on how people see and experience Cleveland.
Regional leaders will gather for the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s annual meeting focused on downtown as an asset for the region.
This private and public leadership is welcome and essential.
The data supports that downtown is the region’s economic engine:
A recent economic impact analysis prepared for Downtown Cleveland, Inc. by Silverlode Consulting estimates that Downtown Cleveland generates $55.21 billion in regional economic impact, supports 240,000 direct and indirect jobs, produces $19 billion in labor income, and generates $5 billion in local, state and federal tax revenue.
The momentum is real.
Major employers are bringing more workers back downtown. COSM recently broke ground. Nine new small businesses have opened this year. Crime is trending down. Cleveland is earning national attention for our leadership in office conversions and historic preservation.
This past weekend showcased downtown at its vibrant best. Tens of thousands of people witnessed the arrival of the USS Cleveland, an exciting Cavaliers playoff win, two Guardians games, a Zach Bryan concert, performances in Playhouse Square, and more.
The challenges are real, too.
Downtown is still dealing with job sprawl, distressed buildings, changing work patterns, and uneven foot traffic. Some corridors need more activity. Some public spaces need stronger programming and management. Some real estate needs direct intervention.
Downtown is a serious place to invest and grow a business because we don’t just tout our assets, we work together to confront challenges head-on.
Downtown Cleveland, Inc. makes the city’s core stronger through placemaking, economic development and advocacy. This work results in safer streets and parks, more active public spaces, more attractive connections between districts, and direct support for businesses and property owners.
We do that through daily Downtown Ambassador deployment, producing more than 350 activations in our parks, working with the City to improve connections between districts, producing and distributing marketing material to support real estate brokers, conducting business outreach, and partnering with the Mayor’s working group to support faster problem-solving around troubled properties.
The purpose is straightforward: improve how people experience downtown so that consumer and investor confidence strengthen one another. Success is measured by what changes on the ground and how those changes affect daily perceptions of downtown.
We appreciate the companies investing directly in Downtown Cleveland Inc.’s work. That support is helping put more life into public spaces, strengthen the daily experience on our sidewalks, and tell a clear story about downtown’s momentum.
This support is essential. But downtown’s trajectory is also shaped by market choices: where companies choose to locate and grow, where employers bring teams and clients, where residents spend time, and where visitors go before and after events.
That gives each of us a role. Relocate or expand into downtown. Hold meetings, lunches, outings, and client events here. Use downtown restaurants, venues, hotels, and public spaces. Join us at our free events this summer. Help people see what is happening here.
Downtown Cleveland has momentum. The work now is practical: improve the experience, address the hard problems, support employers and businesses, and give more people a reason to choose downtown.