Celebrate Canal Basin Park with Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Canalway Partners!

Join Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Canalway Partners on Saturday, September 10th at Canal Basin Park as we commemorate the newly completed Canal Basin Trailhead

Activities include Paint in the Park, barbershop quartet Straight from the Heart, a tour of Canal Basin from our partner Take a Hike, games, and ice cream from Trickable Treats.

Sign up for Paint in the Park on Eventbrite here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../paint-in-the-park-at-the...

Sign up for Saturday’s Take a Hike tour of Canal Basin Park here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../take-a-hike-canal-basin...

The celebration will take place from 9am to 2pm Saturday, September 10th at Canal Basin Park (1575 Merwin Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113).

It's Summer in Gateway! - Gateway District July Newsletter

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View this email in your browser July 2022 It's Summer in Gateway! We're over a month into the summer season, and it's been a beautiful one in Gateway. We're excited to show off some of the new additions to the neighborhood, from street beautification to fun new businesses! Remember to check Gateway's website for directories of neighborhood businesses and activities, and visit Downtown Cleveland Alliance's events page to check out the dozens of activations and experiences offered throughout all of Downtown this summer! Prospect Avenue Beautification Enhancements   You may have noticed some updates along Prospect Avenue over the last couple of months! We are happy to show off new street furniture that has been installed, new planters that have been deployed, other planters have been wrapped, and a new pilot program involving permeable pavement has been installed! Street furniture, including benches, stools, and bike racks, was refreshed and reinstalled in tactical locations down the street to facilitate greater accessibility and convenience to pedestrians. Complementing designs were installed on the nearby outdated planter boxes that were installed during the RNC. Additionally, small planters were added down East 6th Street between Euclid and Superior, adding needed color and beauty to an important walkway for residents and commuters. Six tree beds along Prospect Avenue are part of Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s Permeable Pavement Pilot Program. Permeable pavement is healthy for growing trees, environmentally friendly, ADA compliant, less of a tripping hazard, more durable than wood chips, and easy to install and remove. These beds were purposely selected because they were serious tripping hazards, with some having deep pits and others having heaved and dangerous tree grates. We are excited to continue to perfect the project over the next few seasons, and we hope that support for this sustainable alternative grows throughout the community! New Business Spotlight - Cordelia We are happy to announce that East 4th's new restaurant Cordelia had its grand opening on July 20th! Led by chef Vinnie Cimino and Andrew Watts, the "mid-west nice" concept blends traditional "modern grandma" mid-west cuisine with unabashed Cleveland pride. Now settled in the former Lola Bistro space, which closed in late 2020, Cordelia's opening brings East 4th back to 100% occupancy - a great step towards post-covid Downtown recovery, especially here in the Gateway District! Reserve your table now at cordeliacle.com. Gateway District Take a Hike Tours Starting Soon! June and July Tours End July 31st The first half of summer 2022's Take-a-Hike season will be ending in just a few short weeks! Tours for Civic Center District, Tremont, North Coast Harbor, Grand Department Stores, Playhouse Square District, Public Square, and University Circle will close out at the end of July. The August and September season, which includes the Historic Gateway's tour, will begin on August 1st! Visit takeahikecle.com for more details and print 2022's schedule here. Watch out for Gateway's new brand refresh - coming soon! Last year, Historic Gateway Neighborhood partnered with Little Jacket Marketing Firm to develop an exciting rebranding. As we continue to evolve our organization, our relationship with Downtown Cleveland Alliance, and our project catalog, we feel that our brand needs to evolve, too! Our website, social media, and communications will all be included in our brand refresh, and you'll be seeing our new logo, colors, and brand identity later this year - so don't get confused if you don't recognize us! Take a sneak peek at the new design with the logo to the right! Meet our Board Members Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation has a dynamic group of Board members with a diverse group of skills and a passion for the development and success of the Gateway District. We couldn’t do what we do without them! This month, we asked Kirstyn Wildey, an attorney at McDonald Hopkins LLC, to answer some questions about her background and why she loves the Gateway District and Downtown Cleveland. Kirstyn Wildey Tell us about your current position and career background. I am a tax credit finance and commercial real estate attorney with McDonald Hopkins LLC, where I focus on representing investors, developers and lenders on tax credit transactions, including federal and state historic tax credits, new market tax credits, and renewable energy tax credits. My practice also extends to the solar energy arena, where I represent lenders and investors in connection with project and construction financing. Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins LLC, I developed a passion for historic preservation and community development through my work at InSite Capital, which served as the tax credit investing and community development lending arm of Chemical Bank (now Huntington National Bank). Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I held responsibility for asset management and financial analysis of the company’s community development tax credit and loan portfolio. Why do you love the Gateway District? I relocated from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Cleveland in 2016 (sadly after the Cavaliers' parade) and was fortunate to find a great apartment in the heart of the Gateway District. The Gateway District had everything I needed to acclimate to life as a new Clevelander - great entertainment and food venues, sports arenas, and even a grocery store. Plus, there are so many other great areas of Cleveland within a short walk of the Gateway District. What made you compelled to join Gateway's Board? I was first introduced to the Historic Gateway Development Corporation through my colleague, Chad Arfons, who also sits on the Board and serves a Chair of the Board Development and Easement Committees. In learning more about the organization, I felt that my passion for historic preservation and community development blended well with the organization's commitment to promote the growth and revitalization of the District, and I wanted the opportunity to help contribute my ideas and time to those efforts. Do you serve on any Gateway Committees? What are they? I currently serve as the Chair of the Place Committee for the Gateway Board. The Place Committee is tasked with identifying and implementing placemaking initiatives throughout the Gateway District. Placemaking, at its core, is a multi-faceted approach to address the design, planning and management of public spaces to improve the wellbeing of a community and its stakeholders. Specifically, our Place Committee focuses on opportunities to enhance the aesthetic and functionality of our public spaces. What do you hope to see happen in the Gateway District over the next 5-7 years? I'm excited to see how the District evolves in the coming years! I believe that tax credits - both at the state and federal level - are an engine for economic development, and I anticipate that we will see these incentives leveraged to support future development projects within the District. Through this continued development, the District will be well positioned to attract and retain both businesses and residents. Perhaps we'll also celebrate another sports championship too! Copyright © 2022 Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Check Out What's New in Gateway! - May Gateway District Newsletter

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View this email in your browser May 2022 Meet the Manager   The Historic Gateway Neighborhood has a new manager! After a recent organizational merge with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Olivia Willis was brought on to serve as the new Gateway District Engagement Manager. In this position, Olivia will be the point of contact for all things Gateway District, including placemaking projects, business assistance, social media management, marketing efforts, stakeholder engagement, and managing the relationship between the Gateway District and its new parent organization Downtown Cleveland Alliance. Olivia recently moved to the Gateway District, fulfilling a lifelong dream of living Downtown. Watch out for her in the neighborhood!   Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week's Kickoff is almost here! Restaurants from around the City are banding together to celebrate patio season, the start of summer, and to encourage office workers to go out and support their local restaurants during their lunch hour.  Join us for Restaurant Week Kickoff on Thursday, May 12th from 5pm-9pm and enjoy live music, vibrant patios, raffle prizes, and tasting samples from your favorite downtown restaurants! Participating Gateway restaurants include House of Creole, Mabel's BBQ, Balance Pan-Asian Grille, and more! Restaurant Week will start on Friday, May 13th, and run through the 22nd. Tell your friends! Click the link below to learn more. Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week Kick-Off Things To Do Around Gateway Looking for things to do around the neighborhood? Check out the website's new business directories to find restaurants, services, leisure, and more! New Businesses Meet our Board Members Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation has a dynamic group of Board members with a diverse group of skills and a passion for the development and success of the Gateway District. We couldn’t do what we do without them! This month, we asked Marcie Gilmore, owner of MBG Marketing, LLC and real estate marketing consultant to CRM Companies to answer some questions about her background and why she loves the Gateway District. Marcie Gilmore Tell us about your current position and career background. I currently serve as a marketing consultant for CRM Companies in Cleveland. I manage, market and lease their properties for them. I was formerly a shopping center manager and also a retail buyer. Why do you love the Gateway District? I love the diversity of the offerings contained within the neighborhood from the architecture to the restaurant styles. What made you compelled to join Gateway's Board? I wanted to help make a positive impact on the ever-growing and evolving neighborhood. Do you serve on any Gateway Committees? What are they? I serve as the chair for the marketing committee. What do you hope to see happen in the Gateway District over the next 5-7 years? My personal dream is to see a vibrant, retail-filled city center where people of all ages can live, work and play. Take a Hike® in Gateway this Summer! Tour the District this August and September with our signature Take a Hike® Program! Whether you want to explore Gateway with a guided group or on your own, this walking tour is sure to scratch your Downtown itch this summer. Now in its 13th year, more than 40,000 people have enjoyed tours of many unique and historic neighborhoods throughout Cleveland. Help shape the future of Downtown Cleveland Downtown Cleveland is changing. As we welcome workers and visitors back and accelerate our economic recovery, Downtown Cleveland Alliance is working to build a bright future in the heart of the city. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and ideas about what is important for Downtown Cleveland as we move forward in this new era. Your input will help shape DCA's strategic plan for the next five years. Take the Strategic Plan Survey Want to work at Downtown Cleveland Alliance? Gateway's parent organization Downtown Cleveland Alliance has an opening for a Director of Advancement. The Director will plan, manage, and implement strategies that increase corporate and philanthropic support for the organization. Fundraising and donor relations experience is required. Experience in the non-profit field is preferred. Click the link below to learn more and apply!   DCA Careers Copyright © 2022 Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Shop around the Block: RISE Nation

After growing up in the Florida Panhandle, Derek Millender made his move to Northeast Ohio to make his career as a trainer and coach for Cleveland’s beloved professional sports teams.  

Derek first worked for the Cleveland Indians for several years before landing his current position as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head strength and conditioning coach—a position he’s held for 11 seasons.   

In 2017, Derek opened Rise Nation Cleveland, a VersaClimber studio located at 1026 Euclid Avenue.  

After visiting the flagship Rise Nation in Los Angeles in 2015, Derek decided to bring the concept to Cleveland, as he had already been incorporating VersaClimbers into workouts for decades. 

In one interview, Lebron James even commented on his love for VersaClimbers and Derek’s workouts. “If I could only have one piece of equipment to train with for the rest of my life, this would be it,” said James.

We caught up with Derek to learn more about the evolution of Rise Nation, how the studio weathered the pandemic storm, and what he loves most about the Gateway District below! 

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What sets Rise Nation apart from other fitness facilities in the area? 

Our concept is centered around the fact that our workouts are 30 minutes. A major part of the Rise Nation experience is the music and the lights. We have a really cool lighting grid in the ceiling that our instructors control through an iPad. So, let’s say I’m using a Post Malone song in the workout; I can then create a pattern in the ceiling that reflects the beats. We also have mirrored ceilings, so it looks like the lights are going forever. It’s like being at a concert while you’re working out! That’s what makes us very unique because it feels like you’re going to your own private concert while simultaneously working on your wellness and fitness.   

What is the community like at Rise Nation? 

It’s a very, very strong community. I knew going into it just with how loyal the city is and that grittiness and toughness that’s associated with living in Cleveland. What I didn’t know was how strong this community was going to be and how resilient they would be for us at Rise Nation. Going through the riots last May and dealing with the pandemic was tough, but it really made us stronger. We were fortunate to be one of the businesses that was able to reopen after the riots and the pandemic shutdowns, so I’m very fortunate and thankful that my team is so committed to running things the way we envisioned. It’s been a great experience for me both as a coach and as a business owner. 

What do you love most about Cleveland and the culture here? 

It feels like home now. I’ve found a really good tribe of people that I personally connect with, and I value that and know that it’s something you can’t take for granted. The sports are great, but that community feel is special. After those long winter months when the spring and summer hits, it’s such a great place to live and enjoy outdoors. In many ways, we appreciate it more than someone that has it everyday! 

What’s the best part about being located downtown in the Gateway District? 

It’s the main vein. If you’re going to a Cavs game, if you’re going to a Browns game, or to Playhouse Square, you’re right there. I wanted people to see Cleveland differently. When you go to a city’s downtown area, it’s a really good barometer on diversity, on the economy; there’s so many things you can visualize and see from a city’s downtown. I wanted us to be centrally located between the East and West Sides. When people visit or come downtown for sports games or entertainment, I want us to be an offering. So if you're staying at The 9 or The Kimpton, you can get your workout in at Rise Nation, go to Restore to get a smoothie, and walk to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later in the day. I wanted us to be a part of all that. 

How did COVID-19 impact your business? What’s the plan going forward? 

We had to shut down completely. Our machines are bolted to the floor, so we couldn't lease them out or have virtual classes. We shut down until June of 2020, so that was a big hit for us. When we reopened, we had two reopenings under the different restrictions and implemented new measures to our daily logistics—like capacity limitations, doing temperature checks, adding more time in between classes so our staff can clean, etc. 

We’re still operating at limited capacity, but my goal later this month is to start slowly opening it up and have more climbers available. We want to be very cautious with how we reopen and make sure everyone knows we will continue to keep their safety in the forefront. It’s going to be a slow progression so we can learn along the way and make sure people still stay distanced. There’s a plan to it and we’re excited to get back on track.

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To learn more about Rise Nation, you can follow Rise Nation Cleveland on Instagram or check out their upcoming classes. 

Meet Neighbors: Hannah and Ryan

After growing up in Canton, siblings Hannah and Ryan decided to move separately to the Gateway District in September of 2020 to experience the downtown lifestyles they both always wanted. For Hannah, she chose to move downtown into Residences at Leader after living in Columbus to be closer to family and friends. For Ryan, graduating from The Ohio State University meant returning to the city that’s home to all his favorite sports teams! He lives in Gateway District at The Statler.  

Now, the siblings regularly embrace all that the downtown lifestyle has to offer—from finding new running paths or going out with friends to taking a simple stroll down East 4th. As big foodies, Ryan and Hannah’s favorite thing to do together is explore new restaurants and areas. (Spoiler alert: they share their best-kept-secrets and top recommendations!) They’re also big Cleveland sports fans, always down for cheering on whatever team is playing. 

Check out our interview with residents and siblings, Hannah and Ryan, to discover why they love living downtown in the Gateway District.   

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What is your favorite thing about the neighborhood? What makes it unique? 

Hannah - “My favorite thing about the neighborhood is walking down the streets and looking at all the unique building structures, especially inside at the beautiful architecture. There is so much character to experience in the city!” 

Ryan - “It is like a small neighborhood inside the city that I could spend a full day at.” 

Where is your favorite local place to eat? 

Hannah - “My favorite local place to eat is Adega at the 9. I am absolutely obsessed with the hummus appetizer and Bolognese pasta.” 

Ryan - “I love to eat at Johnny’s Little Bar.” 

If you met someone who just moved to the neighborhood, what would you tell them? 

Hannah - “I would tell them that the camaraderie and passion in Cleveland is the best they will ever experience especially when it comes to sports.” 

Ryan - “They are not going to regret it!” 

What do you love most about living downtown? 

Hannah - “I love being to walk to the different neighborhoods in downtown. Whether that is down East 4th street, over to the Flats or even across the bridge to Ohio City. There are so many great options that are a quick drive or nice stroll!”  

Ryan - “I love how big but small it is. I think the people are great and it is a city that truly cares about their sports teams.” 

When you’re looking for a good night out in Cleveland (or a cozy night in!), what’s the plan? 

Hannah - “The plan for a good night out in Cleveland is to first start the day with a Rise Nation workout. Then I make my way over to Southern Tier brewery for a pre-dinner beverage. For food, it has recently been in the East 4th area, especially tacos at Barrio!” 

Ryan - “I’ll usually get food somewhere and go out for a bit with friends and end up back at my apartment to watch TV and relax. A little mix of both going out and staying in.” 

What is the best kept secret of downtown? 

Hannah - “The Cleveland Public Library downtown not only has a ton of books, but so much history. I recommend venturing up to the 10th floor for some amazing city views!” 

Ryan - “Voinovich Bicentennial Park.”