NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS
ACTIVE  |  2024 – PRESENT

SPECIAL

IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Alex_headshot1

TEAM CONTACT

Alex Cala

Employee Engagement Manager

acala@midtowncleveland.org
216-381-5080 ext. 100

PROJECT DOCUMENTS

SID Guidebook

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PROJECT
TIMELINE

2024-2026

Planning: Meet with property owners to develop services plan, collect feedback and finalize services, boundaries, and budget

2026

Drafting: Draft and begin collecting petitions from property owners. 

2026-2027

Petitions: If property owners exceed 60% support in signed petitions, the SID will begin going through the City of Cleveland’s legislation process; this includes city council and committee hearings, as well as an Assessments Equalizations Board (AEB) hearings.

2027-2028

Prepare for Launch: MidTown Cleveland will sign service contracts and prep the SID for launch. ​The first half of assessments will appear on property tax bills for January 2028, with the second half appearing on the June 2028 property tax bills. 

2028

Launch: MidTown SID launches with expanded Clean & Safe Ambassador services.

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A Special Improvement District (SID) is a powerful tool that brings valuable, tax-funded public services to neighborhoods.
It is a defined geographic area in which property owners elect to pay an additional property tax assessment in order to fund public improvements and services that benefit the district. The purpose of a SID is to support the growth of a mixed-use district through services that enhance the area’s vibrancy, improve its safety and cleanliness, and attract investment.

PICTURED BELOW : AREA ORGANIZATIONS TAKING PART IN THE MIDTOWN CLEAN UP

UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRICT

the making of a sid

INITIATIVES

SIDs and their establishment are governed by Chapter 1710 of Ohio Revised Code. ORC allows property owners to petition their local governments to pass legislation to create a SID and to levy a special tax assessment on the district’s properties for specified services.

In order to pass a SID, owners of property comprising 60% of serviceable frontage or 75% of area, at minimum, must sign the petition in order for the assessment to move forward. Properties owned by churches and municipalities are exempt from the assessment, but still receive services.

A SID is also governed by a separate 501(c)(3) organization, with a Board of Directors comprised of property owners, voting power for every property owner, and a required yearly Annual Meeting.

PICTURED : Public art and streetscape improvements are just some of the measures taken to enhance safety within a SID.

Creating a SID In MidTown

The establishment of a SID in MidTown has always been driven by the needs and desires of property owners and our overall community. Discussions began in the early 2000’s on the establishment of a SID focused on the west side of our neighborhood, and it has gone through several iterations since then.

Since Summer 2024,  MTC has discussed the SID with property owners from all over the neighborhood, held open houses, sent emails, gathered surveys and canvassed to gather information on what stakeholders desired for a Special Improvement District in MidTown. This helped define the SID’s borders and services.

The establishment of a MidTown SID is also an “action card” in our Neighborhood Vision Plan to improve neighborhood safety. More specifically, a MidTown SID would primarily fund the Clean & Safe Ambassador program,  providing valuable beautification and hospitality services and serving as another pair of eyes on the street.

Frequently Asked Questions

What area is the proposed MidTown SID?
What are the proposed services, and when will they begin?
Can you provide a project timeline?
What is the difference between a SID & CID?
I am a property owner - is my property included in the SID?
I am a property owner - when will the special tax assessment show up on my tax bill, and how is my bill determined?