2025 Cleveland Votes Equitable Civic Engagement Fund Grantee
2025 PB CLE Pilot Program Neighborhood Finalist
"Working collectively today to build a better tomorrow."
Friends of The Village of Miles Heights Inc.
Founded in 2022, a 501c3 public charity proudly serving and specifically advocating on behalf of residents in the historic neighborhood known for more than a century as "The Village".
Miles Heights Development Corporation
A 501c3 public charity formed to restore, strengthen and preserve the economic interests and historic integrity of Cleveland's Lee-Seville neighborhood, formerly known as Miles Heights Village.
Lee - Seville - Miles Citizens Council
Incorporated in 1958, the oldest active community block club organization in Cleveland, a 501c3 public charity working collaboratively to advocate for the interests of all Lee-Seville residents.
Who We Are
The Miles Heights Development Corporation (MHDC) is the community service organization responsible for promoting, developing and preserving the Lee-Seville neighborhood in Cleveland's Ward 1.
Through partnerships with residents, businesses, and public stakeholders, MHDC works to preserve the character of this historic neighborhood while paving the way for a thriving, sustainable future. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant Lee-Seville, one project, one family, and one business at a time. Click here to learn more about us.
Check out more upcoming events on our 'Community Events' page.
Neighborhood Spotlight: Cleveland’s First Public Mountain Bike Trail Coming To Kerruish Park
Lee-Seville is set to become home to the city’s first public mountain bike trail, thanks to a partnership between Norfolk Southern and Trust for Public Land. The project, supported by Norfolk Southern's Train Activation Fund, aims to transform underutilized sections of Kerruish Park into vibrant recreational space. The 73-acre Kerruish Park, one of Cleveland’s largest public spaces, will feature a mountain bike trail that winds through heavily wooded areas. This is a significant investment in a community where nearly one-third of residents live in poverty and 95 percent identify as Black. “There is not a lot of commercial investment in that community and we see this as a catalytic project that could spark other types of investment,” says Sean Terry, TPL’s Ohio state director.
The project brings together multiple partners, including the International Mountain Biking Association and Syatt, a local nonprofit founded in 2009 by sisters Ebony and Erika Hood, along with mother, Marcia. “Biking is huge here in Cleveland, but folks of color are generally not affiliated with the sport,” Ebony Hood said. “One of our goals is to introduce our community to sports underrepresented in Black and brown neighborhoods. Mountain biking is one of those." To address accessibility concerns, TPL is currently in discussion with a leading bicycle manufacturer about donating bikes for youth. The Kerruish Park project is part of Norfolk Southern’s broader nationwide investment strategy with the Trust for Public Land to expand trails and green spaces.
How We Achieve Our Objectives
MHDC is a collective of diverse stakeholders from different sectors within the community. Our primary goal is to address the specific challenges and aspirations of the residents we serve. Community feedback guides our eight core focus areas: comprehensive neighborhood planning, economic development, land revitalization, safety, senior home maintenance repair, neighborhood marketing, capacity building, and financial empowerment.
Community Engagement
Collaborates with residents, other organizations, businesses, and government agencies to amplify the community's voice and advocate for shared goals.
Community Building
Actively represents community interests and needs to policymakers & stakeholders, for project support, economic development, affordable housing, and social enrichment.
Community Mobilization
Engages residents through meetings, workshops, and grassroots organizing to build support for advocacy efforts and raise public awareness about critical issues.
"The Lee-Seville neighborhood, once the independent village of Miles Heights, holds a rich history of Black leadership and community resilience. In 1929, it became home to Miles Heights first Black mayor, Arthur R. Johnston, whose legacy is now being honored through the restoration of his former home as a community space. The area also features the Myrtle-Highview Historic District, a testament to Black homeownership, developed by African American contractor Arthur Bussey. His efforts provided quality housing and strengthened economic mobility for Black families."
"Miles Heights Development Corporation has recently acquired Johnston’s former home with plans to restore it as a community gathering space. This restoration effort aims to honor the neighborhood’s legacy while fostering connections among residents. By preserving its history, the initiative seeks to inspire future generations and reinforce the area’s cultural significance. More information on how to support the restoration of the Arthur R. Johnston house can be found on the Miles Heights Development Corporation website."
-Mayor Justin Bibb
Voter turnout for the Ward 1 primary is vital to the prosperity of Lee-Seville. The primary empowers YOU to choose who best reflects YOUR INTERESTS and YOUR VOTE will shape the issues discussed and acted upon. This is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to shape YOUR REPRESENTATION in local leadership. Voting on September 9th means choosing the 2 candidates who will face-off on November 4th.
Issues like economic development and community infrastructure are directly impacted by decisions made at the local level. Voting is crucial to ensuring YOUR VOICE is heard and YOUR NEEDS are addressed. Political sway is not defined by how many residents an area has, but rather how many residents exercise their right to vote.
During this campaign season you will hear words and phrases from the candidates like “equity”, “unity”, “safe streets”, “thriving youth” and “take care of our seniors”. That’s all good. In response, the candidates should hear from YOU, the words “ACCOUNTABILITY” and “NOW”. It’s time. Make sure your families, friends and neighbors are registered by August 11th. You literally cannot afford to sit this one out.
One Mo' Time: Miles Heights Reunion & Luncheon
Photos courtesy of RC Crayton, a true Friend of The Village
Impact Of Art Survey
Southeast Side neighborhoods of Mt. Pleasant, Union-Miles, Lee-Seville, Lee-Harvard and Buckeye/Woodland, lack accessible, dedicated spaces for cultural offerings and creativity, beyond murals or public art. Research suggests high physical and mental health disparities in these communities, including Black Maternal Health. Neither The Southeast Side Promise, Middle Neighborhoods Initiative, nor Elevate the East project seems to address these needs, which are necessary for thriving communities.
If you were unable to participate in any of the sessions and are a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Union-Miles, Lee-Seville, Lee-Harvard, Buckeye or Woodland neighborhoods, you still have an opportunity to have your voice heard. Click the link below to take the 5-minute, anonymous survey, independently produced for community feedback.
"Art is a necessity, not a luxury, and essential to creating thriving communities!"
Click here to take "The Impact of Art: Beyond Murals" survey. WE NEED YOUR VOICE! Thank you!
Veronica Thornton, Lead Consultant
Community Development Corporation Leadership Program: Cohort IV
In Loving Memory of our own, Kevin Lowery, a Village Original
Proud Voting Member of the Ohio CDC Association since 2024
