CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland released its 2020 goals for the West Side Market on Tuesday.
“As we look forward to 2020, the City of Cleveland does not take lightly its important role as the West Side Market’s owner and operator,” said Darnell Brown, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Cleveland. “We are committed to preserving this iconic landmark for future generations and look forward to working with our valued tenants to meet our goals.”
The goals include:
- Assess online and delivery platforms to fulfill customer orders.
- Incorporate and respond to the public’s survey responses to expand the market's social capacity.
- Plan for underutilized second floor spaces for new educational, entrepreneurial and social purposes.
- Diversify tenants and products at the market.
- Expand vision for arcade pavilion to diversify product and develop seating options.
- Improve relationships with tenants through the tenants board.
- Strengthen safety and security plans.
- Improve the market's linkages and accessibility with wayfinding signage.
- Integrate cost-effective means for vendors and the market to be more environmentally friendly.
- Collaborate on innovative ways to attract new customers and improve customer retention.
- Design and complete planned capital improvements.
- Create an informative customer concierge area for pick-up orders and deliveries.
- Develop a comprehensive West Side Market programming plan.
- Create new revenue streams via trademarked merchandise, room rentals, events, etc.
- Build a retail incubator program to attract and support new small businesses similar to Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative GlenVillage site at East 105 Street in the Glenville Neighborhood.
In the past year, vendors have been complaining about the market's clogged drains, faulty electrical outlets and leaky sinks.
These problems even led to a longtime vendor closing up shop in August.
Turcyzk's Meats shut down in August after the market raised the price of rent.
The city said the plan on upgrading the buildings maintenance and that they have spent more than $5.4 million in capital repairs over the last six years.
The West Side Market was built more than 107 years ago.
RELATED: Records reveal frequent plumbing, electrical issues at West Side Market; City says fixes are coming
