University Circle Inc. Secures Approval for Special Improvement District to Support Safety Services in University Circle

Posted on 04/19/24

University Circle Inc. (UCI) reached a crucial milestone with Cleveland City Council’s approval of a special improvement district (SID) for University Circle. A SID is a specified geographic area where property owners elect to pay an additional assessment to fund community services or improvements for the district. Publicly-owned properties, churches, condominiums, and one-, two-, and three-family homes will not be assessed. In this case, the SID will serve as funding to sustain and enhance safety services provided by University Circle Police Department (UCPD) and UCI.

The SID begins in 2025. It will raise $3.9 million in the first year and go up to $4.4 million by 2029. Currently, UCI, a local non-profit, funds UCPD through voluntary contributions from University Circle institutions, service assessments with some private property owners, and support from its general budget. As costs continue to rise, this funding model is no longer sustainable. UCI was running into substantial deficits to continue supporting these services.

Kate Borders, UCI president, stated, "The Special Improvement District is a needed mechanism to secure funding for the work we do around safety. This would not have passed without the dedication of Chief Wetzel and the excellence of his team. We are also grateful for the ongoing support of our Council representatives, City administration, and institutional partners. Community Policing is their anthem, and it is felt in the culture of the department."

UCPD plans to enhance their services around crisis intervention specialist co-responders, bicycle patrols, and additional bias-free training for officers.

"On behalf of UCPD, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to our entire Cleveland City Council for the successful passage of the SID legislation and the administrative team of the City of Cleveland. We work hard every day to provide an excellent level of service to our customers and the SID will help us achieve this for years to come,” said Chief Tom Wetzel.