Event Video.
Photos from the Business Leaders Breakfast event at the Capitol Theatre.
Related articles and press in the News!
WKYC Article: Cleveland: Governor praises Gordon Square Arts District economic investment
CLEVELAND — Governor Ted Strickland touted the Gordon Square Arts District when he addressed about 200 business and civic leaders gathered for a leadership breakfast Friday morning at the recently renovated Capitol Theatre.
Strickland said the District is a great example of how to create jobs and investment in a city neighborhood.
“You are creating long-term economic growth, and new jobs,” said Strickland. “In the short term, you are creating construction jobs. In fact, dollar for dollar, an investment in a building rehabilitation project creates more jobs than an investment even in a highway construction project.”
Team NEO, an economic clearinghouse for the 16 counties in Ohio’s northeast corner, has tracked the economic impact of the arts district as a dramatic $317 million in Cleveland alone through 2013.
In comparison, the five major projects of the arts district — three theatres, a stylish streetscape and added parking — represent a total investment of just $30 million.
The state of Ohio has invested $1.9 million in capital funds and provided leveraging for $4.4 million in federal tax credits.
Other funds have come from a variety of sources, including the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, foundations and private contributions.
“Our urban agenda in Ohio is clear,” said Strickland. “We must build upon the great resources already existing within our cities, we must revitalize forgotten treasures and we must celebrate the cultural and economic vitality that pulses through our cities.”
“The Gordon Square Arts District serves as an example for cities across the nation of how to uncover a neighborhood’s assets, invest in them and watch it take off and deliver more than a tenfold return,” said Christopher M. Connor, chairman and CEO of Sherwin-Williams.
“The non-profits and civic leadership behind its revival have cleverly leveraged the arts into a newly revived, productive community.”
Connor is also chair of Team NEO.
The Gordon Square Arts District, a collaborative work of three nonprofits — the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, Cleveland Public Theatre and the Near West Theatre — is seen as a national model of how the arts can stimulate economic development.
The Team NEO study did not measure additional real estate and development activity, which is estimated by the Gordon Square Arts District and Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization at an additional $400 million or more.
Most of the restaurants, shops, galleries and other businesses are flourishing, with 33 new ones opening since 2006.
Housing ranging from live-work spaces for artists to spacious condominiums for successful entrepreneurs is in demand.
Additional components include streetscape improvements on Detroit Avenue between West 58th and West 73rd streets and new parking to accommodate residents and visitors.
The theatres provide unique entertainment to attract audiences from throughout the region.
For more information about Gordon Square, please contact 216-961-4242 or visit online www.gordonsquare.org
© 2010 WKYC-TV
[WKYC Article] [PDF]
WTAM 1100 Article: Leaders tout Gordon Square
(Cleveland) – Local leaders met at the renovated Capital Theatre at West 65th and Detroit to talk about the success of the Gordon Square Arts District.
The $30 million revitalization program is expected to pump $317 million into the economy of the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood by 2017. Backers say the Gordon Square project has created 950 permanent jobs, plus 310 construction jobs.
Gordon Square Co-Chairman Dick Pogue says fundraising continues. Governor Strickland says the project is an amazing success. Chris Conner of Sherwin-Williams and team NEO agrees.
Plans are now underway to link Gordon Square to Lake Erie allowing residents to walk from the arts district to the shoreline.
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