The Director of Public Service and Economic Development serves to develop, coordinate, activate, implement, encourage, foster and promote plans and programs for economic and community development, redevelopment and improvement for and within the City.

Known today for its exceptional master-planned and progressive business development, new infrastructure projects, and outstanding adjacent park system, the City of Fairview Park has become one of the area’s most dynamic communities. Committed to ensuring high quality development standards, the City of Fairview Park has distinguished itself as a place where residents desire to live, work and play. Through its unique innovations and progressive planning, the Economic Development Department has helped to create the quality of life that has made Fairview Park the community it is today.

In 2007, twenty-six new businesses were issued occupancy permits by the city. Some of the most notable included the new Giant Eagle Supermarket at Fairview Centre, as well as fifteen other new retail outlets on Lorain Road, including Nationwide Car Care, GetGo, The Studio of Dance, and Russo Espresso. In addition, the new colonial style Fifth Third Bank building at West 217 Street and Lorain Road recently opened.

WESTGATE
The $32 million reconstruction of Westgate continues with the opening of Verizon Wireless, Aspen Dental, Lenscrafters, Kay Jewelers, Ulta Cosmetics, T-Mobile, Avenue, the Original Pancake House, Mark Pi, Robek’s, Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Ink Stop, Game Stop, Great Clips, Five Guys Burgers, Wine Styles, Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe and others. They join Kohl’s, Target, Petco, Marshall’s and Justice – Just for Girls. In addition, the 119,000 square foot Lowe’s store opened in Rocky River as part of this project. As leasing proceeds to conclusion, the new Westgate facility will be home to more than fifty new retail facilities and will serve as a major destination point for area shoppers. In 2007, the City of Fairview Park received the Economic Development Impact Award from Team NEO and INSIDE BUSINESS Magazine for the redevelopment of this facility.

Also in 2007, the city’s portion of the Gemini Project was largely concluded as the new 93,000 square foot Recreation & Community Complex opened for business and was officially dedicated in public ceremonies held on January 12, 2008. As part of the Gemini Project, the city will continue to work closely with the school district on the sale and redevelopment of the Board of Education, Garnett and Coffinberry properties.

The construction of three new office buildings in the Fairview Corporate Center project at West 227 Street and Brookpark Road was recently completed, bringing the total number to five of six buildings as planned for the site. These buildings are home to, among others, the Zaremba Management Company corporate staff, O. R. Colan & Associates and the Cleveland Laser Eye Center, an ambulatory surgery facility.

The NASA Glenn Master Plan was approved by NASA headquarters, increasing the likelihood of significant redevelopment of this Fairview Park campus after 2009 to include new office buildings for subcontractors.

The City of Fairview Park continues to be an active member of the First Suburbs Consortium, a council of governments comprised of fifteen communities that surround Greater Cleveland, having, as its primary objective, the economic revitalization of these communities. During the year, Fairview Park assisted the consortium with the establishment of a new storefront renovation exclusive to member cities. This organization also helped facilitate the establishment of a new county Commercial Redevelopment Fund which can provide up to $800,000 in project funding, 30% (or $240,000) of which is forgivable grant dollars.

As we continue our efforts to bring more business investment to Fairview Park, the following programs have been established to enhance these activities:

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA - TAX ABATEMENT
Business applicants can receive property tax abatements up to 100% for seven years on new construction or renovated structures.

STOREFRONT RENOVATION PROGRAM
The city, through its membership in the First Suburbs Consortium (FSC), provides a Storefront Renovation Program, in addition to the Cuyahoga County Program, and unique to FSC member communities, that can provide grants of 40% of total project value up to $8,000 for renovation of business facilities.

COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT FUND
Applicants may apply for up to $800,000 in funding per project in the form of a subsidized low interest loan of which 30%, or up to $240,000 can be forgiven and is considered a grant.

GROW NOW PROGRAM
Sponsored by the State of Ohio Treasurer’s office and in partnership with eligible local banks, this program enables small business owners to receive a three percent (3%) interest rate reduction on a bank loan for facilities’ improvements when the loan is linked to job growth or retention in the state of Ohio.  Click here for the GrowNOW Brochure.

Call Jim Kennedy at 440-356-4412 or Tom Lenahan at 440-356-4449 for additional information regarding these business assistance programs.