MidTown is a place for connection, belonging, and the joyful celebration of culture, where stakeholders reinvest prosperity in the community, equity and inclusion are fundamental expectations, and innovation helps families realize long-promised dreams.
Originally founded by Mort Mandel in 1982 as an organization focused on supporting the neighborhood's commercial corridors, MidTown Cleveland, Inc. (MTC) has evolved alongside the neighborhood serving a broad spectrum of residents, small businesses, nonprofits, artists, and cross-sector collaborators.
Today, we balance the needs of our diverse stakeholders to create a thriving, inclusive place where businesses and institutions can grow, families can flourish, and our community members are invested in shared prosperity.
OUR WORK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROMOTES
Celebrating & Growing
Neighborhood
Strengths
Connection is at our core. From signature cultural events in MidTown and Hough to youth programs in AsiaTown, we are committed to relationships that birth new possibilities for neighbors and businesses alike.
REDEFINing & REALIZing
A Complete
NEIGHBORHOOD
Every day we work to help businesses thrive. We are dedicated to growing our residential and employment base to increase amenities; advocating for safer streets; and advancing plans for bold public spaces.
Sparking & Supporting
Equitable
Development
We're in the midst of a development boom. Legacy businesses expand while new organizations spring up or relocate to the area. New housing rises alongside evolving community hubs geared to serve longtime residents.
NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES
Our projects range from small community endeavors to years-long transformational efforts.
See our current work in the neighborhood:
RECENTLY COMPLETED
In 2018, MTC developed a team of culturally competent staff dedicated to supporting and advancing the vision for a safe and sustainable AsiaTown for AAPI neighbors to call home.
This was a significant moment for both the neighborhood, city, and MTC, which signified a future for AsiaTown that was rooted in the rich cultural heritage, honored the neighborhoods unique challenges and assets, and complimented all of that with staff that was culturally equipped to engage and represent business owners and residents alike. In 2020, the organization adopted the “We’re Growing Home” Vision plan for the neighborhood that surfaced the community priorities for the next decade in AsiaTown. Since that time, we have seen new cultural gatherings established, facilitated dozens of placemaking projects, and seen millions of dollars invested through public realm improvements and real estate projects that reflects a community-informed vision for the neighborhood.
In 2020, MTC adopted a Neighborhood Vision Plan that set place-based, holistic priorities for the next 15 years in our neighborhood.
From housing, to workforce, to public art, to real estate, to the advancement of key neighborhood nodes and corridors, the vision was birthed by elevating community voices that gave shape to a robust and reimagined vision for a connected and complete community; both physically and socially. We have taken bold steps forward alongside partners, residents, and funders who together, have worked towards some incredible wins that this plan helped to guide and establish. Read more about the MidTown Neighborhood Vision Plan via the link below and see our progress.
In August of 2021, more than twenty local and national artists traveled to the neighborhood for the CLEVELAND WALLS! International Mural Program, a POW! WOW! Worldwide Production.
Recognized as one of the most important and well-curated mural festivals in the world, POW! WOW! Worldwide has helped transform the physical spaces of 17 communities around the globe. For Cleveland Walls! they worked with Northeast Ohio artists and partners, MidTown Cleveland and LAND studio, to reimagine nearly 20 facades of buildings in MidTown and its surrounding neighborhood in a celebration of art, culture and community.