In 2005, several hundred downtown property owners got together and made the decision to pay an additional tax. The money collected has gone to create the Clean and Safe Program. Its most visible element is the folks who wear yellow shirts and assist with safety and upkeep in Cleveland's downtown neighborhood. The Downtown Cleveland Alliance runs that program. Executive Director Joe Marinucci says it's up to property owners whether to renew the program.
{that five year decision ends next year. And we are now beginning the planning process to go back to the property owners and asking them to once again make a five year decision on self assessment.}
The annual levy ranges anywhere from 45 bucks, to tens-of-thousands of dollars depending on the size of the property. The Alliance is hosting a series of forums, today and tomorrow, to solicit feedback from the public. It hopes to have a five-year blue print in place by Labor Day that it can present to property owners.