I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.

ReImagine a Greater Cleveland
Issues of vacancy, abandonment and foreclosure have had a profound effect on the well-being of the nation's neighborhoods and residents. These negative forces have mobilized community development professionals and policymakers in Cleveland to develop innovative efforts to turn the tide and fight for our neighborhoods.
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GreenCityBlueLake is the online home for the exciting people, projects, and ideas creating a more sustainable future in Northeast Ohio. Find out how you can make a donation or become a sponsor of the site.
Can Cleveland take incremental steps to improve its residential tax abatement policy to target the most hard-hit and blighted areas of town and wean the areas that are thriving?
It will be challenging politically to try to re-tool the system since Cleveland currently offers an 100% 15-year abatement to any new construction, regardless of its price tag. But, target areas or a sliding scale have a proven track record: Many cities use them.
For example, Des Moines, Iowa’s residential tax abatement policy reduces property taxes on new improvements for a period of time. The term of the abatement – 5 or 10 years – depends on the property’s location.
Other examples or suggestion on how to amend Cleveland's tax abatement policy?
This site is inspired by the memory of Richard Shatten, a former board member of EcoCity Cleveland,
who pushed Northeast Ohio to think strategically about regionalism and sustainability.
A service of the GreenCityBlueLake Institute at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Operating support provided by The George Gund Foundation.
The GreenCityBlueLake name and logo are registered service marks of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

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