Slavic Village residents will see an expanded pet pantry, a year-round garden center and a scholarship program for a local golf and culinary program coming soon to the neighborhood. 

Those are a few of the projects being funded through People’s Budget Cleveland (PB CLE). The pilot program announced five winning projects at a celebration Monday evening at Dan Kane Gardens, near the corner of East 65th Street and Broadway Avenue. Those projects received the most votes out of 10 projects on the PB CLE ballot. They will share $100,000 in grant funding from local foundations.

The event was marked by a performance from the local hard rock cover band The Drop Downs. A crowd of over 70 attendees enjoyed complimentary food truck offerings and fellowship while awaiting the announcement. The event followed six months of community organizing and debate. 

The Drop Downs, a local Slavic Village band, performing during the PB CLE election party.
The Drop Downs, a local Slavic Village band, performing during the PB CLE election party. Credit: Najee Hall / Signal Cleveland

The pilot aimed to empower residents following the defeat of Issue 38 in 2023, which would have reserved a portion of Cleveland’s city budget for participatory budgeting. Following that loss, supporters organized the neighborhood pilot in an effort to prove that resident-led budgeting could work. 

And the winner is..

861 Slavic Village residents cast votes in the PB CLE election. The five neighborhood projects that will be funded are as follows:

  • Pet Food Security: Neighborhood Pets, a nonprofit pet resource center located at 3711 E. 65th St., will expand its existing pet food pantry. This will allow more families to keep their pets, reduce financial strain and connect residents to supportive services and resources. (Budget: $30,000)
  • These Kids Can Swing!: First Tee Cleveland, a nonprofit that merges golf with life skills, will create a full scholarship fund for Slavic Village youth (ages 7-18) to participate in its golf and culinary programs. (Budget: $10,000)
  • Clean Up, So We Can See: Local cleanup and beautification groups in Slavic Village will develop tech as a tool for mutual aid and protection rather than a means of unnecessary surveillance or exclusion. The funding provides critical support and infrastructure to the dedicated groups. (Budget: $13,500)
  • Vacant Property and Conditions Survey: This project will survey building and property conditions for all of Slavic Village, grading them from A to F. The Slavic Village Vacant Property Council will identify vacant land, notify the public and also identify affordable housing. (Budget: $10,000)
  • Fleet Garden Center: The Fleet Garden Center, located at 5015 Fleet Ave., will be a neighborhood gathering place and a place for teaching gardening classes. It will sell plants year-round and have an equipment-sharing program. The Fleet Garden Center will facilitate the growing of plants, keep them alive and provide critical spaces for teaching and community service opportunities. (Budget: $23,000)

A crash course

As the results were announced, Najah Muhammad, program manager of PB CLE, reflected on the project’s three-year journey. Prior to joining PB CLE, she didn’t consider herself a political person. 

After learning about Issue 38, she became intrigued with the concept of participatory budgeting. When an opportunity came for her to join the organization, she said, she eagerly accepted. 

“I got a crash course in ownership and economic democracy, which I think is an amazing thing for people to be a part of,” Muhammad said. “I’m hoping that the people who participated in this process in any way always remember that their voices matter, especially where they work, live and play.”

Lessons learned

Muhammad said she didn’t have much of a personal connection to the neighborhood prior to the pilot. While working there, she gained a new found respect for the community. 

“There’s so much rich history here. So many people have stories to tell you about Slavic Village and how it’s changed over time,” Muhammad said. “The people here attend meetings and are actively engaged. They want to know what’s going on in their community, and they want to make sure it’s good for their community. I love that.”

The crowd enjoying a free concert prior to the results announcement.
The crowd enjoying a free concert prior to the results announcement. Credit: Najah Muhammad / Courtesy of PB CLE

Through the process, there have been critics who haven’t always agreed with the practices of PB CLE. Odetta Fields, a lifelong Slavic Village resident, raised transparency concerns, including questions about the group not requiring ID to vote. Muhammad welcomes the pushback. She said it’s important to make space for people to air their grievances, especially during a democratic process. She cited a lighthearted conversation she had with a member of the Steering Committee that resonated with her.

“They said, ‘If people are complaining, they are participating.’ I agree with that,” Muhammad said. “I don’t want people to sit in a meeting, disagree and not say anything because that’s going to show up later.”

“If you’ve been honest about how you feel, even if we don’t agree 100%, then I know that those are solid people who are backing something they fully believe in.”

What’s next for PB CLE?

PB CLE members plan to take a short break, to reflect on and celebrate the completion of their first pilot. The five winning projects will begin implementation in September and will have about one year to use the funds.

Debbie Daniels of Fleet Garden Center and Brian McFarland of First Tee Cleveland posing with their certificates of achievement. They make up two of the five winning project proposals.
Debbie Daniels, of Fleet Garden Center, and Brian McFarland, of First Tee Cleveland, posing with their certificates of achievement. They make up two of the five winning project proposals. Credit: Najah Muhammad / Courtesy of PB CLE

Each of the winning proposals must now provide PB CLE with a work plan, which will outline their anticipated timelines. To receive the funds, they must adhere to specific metrics and deadlines, Muhammad said.

PB CLE isn’t entirely sure what will be next, Muhammad said. But, she added, if everything goes according to plan, they would love to bring participatory budgeting to another Cleveland neighborhood. For now, they are focused on getting the winning projects off the ground in Slavic Village.

“We’re not quite finished with the evaluation process, which will inform what we do next,” Muhammad said. “We are hoping to have that completed by early winter, and we will share that with the public.”

A breakdown of the election results will be coming soon. That breakdown will include the ages of voters, exact number of votes for each project and demographic information. That information will be available on the PB CLE website.

Muhammad remains optimistic about the future of community-led governance in Cleveland. She believes PB CLE is breaking down barriers to access, which will continue to challenge the way Clevelanders view democracy.

“I’m excited about what this pilot might mean for the future of Cleveland,” Muhammad said. “To start off civically engaged at the ground level in your backyard is pretty special.”

Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.