Special Improvement Districts
Downtown Cleveland, Inc. manages the Downtown Cleveland Improvement District and the Superior Arts Improvement District.
If you are a property owner in these districts, welcome!
This webpage provides information about our management and services, how the assessment works, and how you can tap into our work and resources.
Flats East Bank
Warehouse District
The Malls
Public Auditorium
Canal Basin Park
Public Square
E. 4th St.
Rocket Arena
Progressive Field
Erie Street Cemetary
Playhouse Square
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
CrossCountry Mortgage
Green Goat Cafe
New Police HQ
Management + Services
The Downtown Cleveland Improvement District (DCID) was first formed in 2006 at the initiative of property owners. The goal then was the same as it is now: to make the core clean, safe, and welcoming to attract people, jobs, and investment. The DCID has been renewed for a new term from 2026-2032.
The Superior Arts Improvement District (SAID) was first formed in 2016 to promote safety, growth, and vitality in the north Campus District neighborhood. The SAID is actively seeking a new term to begin in 2027.
As of 2025, both the DCID and SAID are managed under the Downtown Cleveland, Inc. umbrella. This represents a unified effort by property owners in each district to create a more streamlined and efficient operating model that makes the most of property owner assessments.
The investment that property owners in the DCID and SAID are making is critical to advancing downtown Cleveland’s growth and resiliency in its next era.
Services
Our Clean and Safe Team is constantly improving the downtown area by disposing of litter, sanitizing public touch points, removing graffiti, providing safety escorts, offering motor vehicle assistance, increasing uniformed visibility, and ensuring the welfare of the unsheltered population.
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Clean Ambassadors are responsible for public space beautification including trash disposal, power washing, graffiti removal, and more.
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Our body of safety services promotes a welcoming environment for all who work, live, and play in Downtown Cleveland.
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Our outreach work is based on communication, collaboration, and creativity to fill gaps within and support the local social service structure.
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Economic development is at the heart of what we do. We enhance the safety, connectivity, and activation to attract investment and accelerate growth downtown. Downtown Cleveland’s Economic Development team offers concierge services and resources to businesses, brokers, and developers to help navigate the processes and build a resilient downtown.
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Downtown Cleveland is responsible for the management, activation, and maintenance of numerous Parks and Public Spaces, including Public Square, Voinovich Park, Perk Plaza, and more. We activate eight parks and public spaces with over 350 activations all year long.
Special Improvement District FAQ
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A special improvement district (SID) is a designated area within a municipality where property owners agree to pay an additional assessment to fund public improvements and services that enhance the district's economic vitality and overall appeal.
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To calculate assessments for individual properties in the DCID, a property’s certified value and sidewalk frontage are combined in the following formula:
($10.81 x linear feet of sidewalk frontage) + (0.00125 x Certified Value)
Note: For properties more than $50 million in Certified Value, the full SID assessment rate on Certified Value will apply to the first $50 million in Certified Value and the SID assessment rate will be reduced by 50% for all Certified Value more than $50 million but less than $100 million. No assessment on Certified Value will apply to any value of an individual property more than $100 million. The owners of such properties already will be making very significant contributions to the SID. This cap shall not apply to the lot frontage portion of the assessment.
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The budget for the DCID is determined annually by board. The majority of the funds raised from the assessment (generally 75% or more) directly supports Clean & Safe services. Additional expenses include economic development, marketing, and program management
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To calculate assessments for individual properties in the SAID, a property’s certified value and sidewalk frontage are combined in the following formula:
($7.76 x linear feet of sidewalk frontage) + (0. 00064 x Certified Value)
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Each year of the proposed new SAID term will bring a 3% annual inflation adjustment.
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Special Improvement District assessments are paid along with real estate property tax bills issued by Cuyahoga County twice a year. They are usually due in mid-February and mid-July. SID assessments will appear as a separate line item on your property tax bill.
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Both boards are comprised entirely of assessment-paying property owners within their respective districts. They determine how assessments are allocated in each annual budget. You can find a full list of board members and officers here.
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The City takes care of the public right of way from curb to curb, and the SIDs take care of the public realm from curb to building face. Additionally, the SID partners with DCA to activate the public realm through programming and provide downtown-specific marketing and economic development support.
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Fundamentally, the DCID and SAID exist to create a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. Approximately 12% of the annual assessment budget for DCID is allocated to supporting economic development marketing, park operations, and public space programming. A well-maintained public realm that is active and inviting is more likely to attract businesses and investment.
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Call 216-621-6000, 7AM-Midnight, 7 Days a Week to report an issue or access ambassador services.
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To learn more about services above and beyond our routine Clean & Safe work, please consult our fee-for-service menu. You can reach out to Olivia Willis to get set up.