It's unclear who will lead a Flats revival. Flats Oxbow, which has more than 100 paying members, considers itself "the voice of the Flats." But the nonprofit group saw its public funding reduced last year, and the city of Cleveland has been asking to see its budget since July.
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The powerhouse in the Flats will be the site of a new aquarium, scheduled to break ground Wednesday. New developments are highlighting opportunities for planning and growth in the Flats.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A renaissance along the banks of the Cuyahoga River may be possible, but it's unclear who will be at the helm.
Leaders of longtime community development group Flats Oxbow Association are notably absent from the guest list for a meeting Monday about the riverfront. The invitees include industrial companies, real estate developers, nonprofits and businesses that are part of a nascent movement to revitalize the Flats.
Flats Oxbow, which represents businesses and residents, has more than 100 paying members and considers itself "the voice of the Flats." Critics, however, say the association speaks selectively - on behalf of industrial and maritime interests - and with little regard for residents. And the nonprofit group's future role is uncertain, in the wake of a dramatic drop in public funding.
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman says that years of stagnation demonstrate a need for new thinking in the Flats. He has assembled a Flats advisory group to meet Monday and is planning a Feb. 22 public meeting about ways to build on development in downtown Cleveland and along the banks of the Cuyahoga River.
Other neighborhood nonprofits say Flats Oxbow might not be capable of attracting investment, getting infrastructure problems fixed and making projects happen.
"In my view, Cleveland no longer has the luxury, particularly in a place that's as important as the Flats, to settle for mediocrity," said Eric Wobser, executive director of Ohio City Near West Development Corp. "And I think that's what was taking place with the level of service that was going on there."
Community development corporations, which serve defined neighborhoods, can apply for federal funds awarded through the city of Cleveland and members of City Council. Last spring, Flats Oxbow filed a funding application that even Charles Bredt, then-chairman of the group's board, admits was "not to the level that it should be."
The city and Councilman Tony Brancatelli allocated only $20,000 for Flats Oxbow - which had been receiving more than $75,000 annually in public funds. Cimperman, whose ward includes much of the Flats, declined to fund the nonprofit.
And Flats Oxbow has not received any of the city money because it has failed since July to produce a budget and an outline of the services it intends to provide, said Chris Warren, the city's regional development chief.
Executive Director Tom Newman said he was ill last year and hopes to remedy the budget situation soon. The association has been relying on membership fees, fundraising and corporate contributions. Meanwhile, four neighboring community development groups - covering Ohio City, Tremont, the Warehouse District and downtown Cleveland - have stepped in to work with businesses and shepherd projects in the Flats.
Jim Cox, who represents several dozen industrial companies, believes Cimperman is trying to squash Flats Oxbow. "There are a lot of people who are upset about having their representation taken away arbitrarily by one politician," said Cox, who has a non-voting seat during Flats Oxbow board meetings.
Cimperman said he is focused on bringing diverse stakeholders together to improve the neighborhood, not eliminating an organization.
William Yankow, a Stonebridge Plaza resident and new member of the Flats Oxbow board, said the association has been dysfunctional and narrowly focused in the past. But just as the Flats appear ripe for revival, he said, Flats Oxbow may have reached a turning point.
"It wasn't just one group or organization that was at fault for allowing this area to kind of sit," Yankow said. "Now that people are getting re-energized about it, to think that one organization or board is going to do it all would be a fool's errand."