Detroit Shoreway Community celebrates
its triumphs and praises effort to come together to face tragedy

(Plain Press, April 2010) On February 23, residents and stakeholders of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood packed into the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Hall to celebrate the 37th Annual Meeting of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) and enjoy a spaghetti dinner. At the meeting, DSCDO distributed a copy of its annual report; members elected new trustees; and numerous awards were given to acknowledge contributions to the neighborhood.

DSCDO’s annual report indicated income of over $2.4 million and expenditures of over $2.2 million in 2009. DSCDO, the largest local development group on the West Side of Cleveland, has over 30 employees. While it receives over $470,000 in grants channeled through the City of Cleveland, its largest source of revenue is its Energy Conservation program, which earned income of over $800,000.

Early in the meeting, Ward 15 Councilman Matt Zone noted all the successes in the past year including the re-opening of the Capitol Theatre and finishing of work on the streetscape on Detroit Avenue.

Zone also spoke of how the neighborhood had rallied in the face of the tragedy that befell families on W. 83rd Street as a result of a gas explosion on January 25th of this year. Zone noted half of the staff of Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization arrived at the scene of the explosion soon after it happened. He praised DSCDO Executive Director Jeff Ramsey and his staff for developing a disaster plan on the fly. Zone noted the efforts of DSCDO Director of Community Involvement Michael Chapuran working around the clock to “get people into housing and getting them what they need.” He thanked DSCDO Economic Development Director Marilyn Mosinski for coordinating a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the displaced families.

Zone also thanked residents who agreed to serve on the Citizen Donation Advisory Committee to oversee and monitor the distribution of funds to families in need. He said the gage of success of the project would be “how can we make their lives better than they were before the explosion.”

Zone urged residents to petition the State of Ohio to begin the Shoreway project saying 13 years of planning were enough. The project now needs to begin.

Board Chair and Master of Ceremonies Peter Harwood then began to introduce various award presenters. The bulk of the remainder of the meeting was dedicated to distributing awards to many people who contributed to the success of the organization over the past year.

Housing Court Judge Ray Pianka presented the Irene Catlin Award to Jonathan Holody for his involvement and dedication to the neighborhood. Pianka described the efforts of Holody to assist with neighborhood clean-ups, care of the Fir Street Cemetery and involvement in block clubs and the Eco-Village. He praised Holody for carrying on the spirited neighborhood involvement of Irene Catlin, one of DSCDO founding members.

Neighborhood Improvement Awards were given to Leonard Elfers, John Deli and Stanley Joe Walls for impressive rehab work on neighborhood houses.

Ripcho Studios on Lorain Avenue received a Neighborhood Improvement Award for expanding and improving their facility.

A Neighborhood Improvement Award went to Cleveland Public Art- Greg Peckham, E.D. & Artist Mark Reigelman for the Blue Bird project in the area served by the Edgewater Hill Block Club.

Michael DeCesare was given a Neighborhood Improvement Award for work done on Courtland Court.

Jeff & Mike Raig of the Lynnhaven Group and homeowner Robert Masseria were honored with a neighborhood improvement award for their efforts to rehab a home at 5705 Franklin

A number of Neighborhood Improvement Awards were distributed to those involved in the Detroit Avenue Streetscape project. Award recipients who worked on this project included: Councilman Matt Zone , Susie Frazier Mueller, City Architecture – Paul Volpe & Matt Schmidt, Commissioner Rob Mavec, Martin Reese,P.E., Dean Klimczyk- Construction Inspector, & NOACA.

Second District Commander Keith Sulzer presented a Community Spirit award to Paul Glowacki, Rob Hart and Joe Wolf for completing the Citizen Police Academy.

Other recipients receiving a Community Spirit award included Lutheran Medical Center, which opened a new clinic at W. 65th and Franklin and neighborhood resident and Curves owner Marcia Pressman who leads a neighborhood, walking club.

Made in the 216 Event, Minh Anh Vietnamese Restaurant and the Parkview Nite Club were honored for their contributions to the neighborhood.

Steven Rolland, age 16, of the Edgewater Hill neighborhood was honored for his community involvement, which included working on a fall festival and publishing a monthly newsletter.

Dan Bush, artists and entrepreneurs of 78th Street Studios were honored for their efforts to transform the old American Greetings building into working studies where they host a community event the third weekend of each month.

Also honored with Community Spirit awards were Brian Kazy of the Weed and Seed Program, the Cleveland Public Library and Friends of the Cleveland Public Library and the Gordon Square Arcade Coffee Group. Civita Blaske was honored for her work on the Day of the Dead Celebration.

David Beach of the Green City Blue Lake Institute presented the Sustainability Award to Dave Roswurm for his work creating a neighborhood fruit orchard on a piece of railroad land just south of Franklin and working with neighbors to promote responsible consuming and sustainable living styles.

Donna Belles was given a plaque thanking her for her 20 years on the DSCDO Board of Trustees.

News & Articles | Archives