How Mohammad Faraj Plans to Put Residents First in Cleveland’s Development
Without a doubt, one of the most frequently discussed topics that comes up throughout the Detroit-Shoreway, Ohio City, and Tremont communities is local development. The new Ward 7 has been a hot real estate market for over two decades, but residents and small business owners alike are hoping for development decisions based on accessibility, transparency, and courage.
Reflecting on conversations Cleveland City Council candidate Mohammad Faraj has had with residents on the campaign trail, he notes that the topic of local development comes up close to 70% of the time during any given canvass.
“We’ve done ourselves a disservice by framing this topic as Developers vs. Residents,” Mohammad continues. “In fact, I would argue that this type of framing has resulted in a bit of a self-fulfilled prophecy that closes us off from necessary conversations the community is ready for.”
Residents Want Fair and Flexible Development
The residents of the new Ward 7 have made it loud-and-clear: they are not anti-development, but they fear being left behind or ignored in planning. And so Mohammad defines his Flexible Development priority in commitments to:
Increased oversight of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs)
Equitably negotiated Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs)
A thriving local workforce
Tax Increment Financing in Cleveland
In Ohio, Tax Increment Financing agreements (TIFs) are established by legislation from local government and change how property tax revenue is distributed in order to pay for improvements to surrounding public infrastructure.
According to Cuyahoga County’s local database, of the TIFs active in the new Ward 7, the exemptions on these properties total almost $6.5 million in property taxes foregone—62% of which would have gone to local school districts.
Community Benefits Agreements
In Cleveland, Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are binding agreements between property owners in receipt of $250,000 or more in subsidies and the city. CBAs require additional investments for surrounding residents, including meeting local workforce targets.
“I'm not against eliminating abatements outright, but if we are considering the development of these properties to be worth millions in foregone taxes, then we need to be sure we are getting the most out of these deals. We need to be sure the community is, in fact, benefitting,” states Mohammad.
Wages and Affordability in Cleveland
Mohammad also considers any conversation regarding development incomplete without a discussion on wages.
“Clevelanders themselves can barely afford to live here anymore, and yet Cleveland is still considered one of the most affordable housing markets in the world—what does that tell you about wages?” asks Mohammad.
As residents know, the new Ward 7 has been the site for some of the city’s most private and public investment, and the residents want that development built by hard-working Clevelanders who can then start families here, send their children to schools here, and visit our many local treasures.
“What does it look like to measure successful development according to accountability, transparency, and courage?” Mohammad reflects.