Since EA’s Orientation Days almost always include a drive through Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood to showcase our premier eds, meds and arts district to out-of-town candidates contemplating a relo to our town, it made sense to spend a morning visiting University Circle Inc‘s headquarters to hear what’s new and happening from UCI President (and EA alum) Kate Borders and her team.
The beautiful mansion that houses the UCI offices was built in the early 1900’s and it recently underwent a multi year renovation including a modern addition at the back of the mansion led by Cleveland based LDA Architects. Even the coach house was given new life, upgraded to 2,000 SF and now serves as a Community Room that provides a gathering space for the neighborhood.
In 2024, Cleveland City Council approved the formation of a SID (Special Improvement District) for UCI. This property assessment mechanism brings in monies from its nearly 80 member organizations to formally support UCI’s work including the University Circle police department and transportation/infrastructure advocacy.
The UCI team, augmented by 8 summer interns, oversees a very active calendar of events to bring in visitors including:
- summertime weekly Wade Oval Wednesdays – fills up the green lawn space on Wade Oval with live music, food trucks, neighbors on picnic blankets, activities for kids
- Yay! Fall Fun – an October fall/Halloween themed event created in 2024 and is now an annual event
- Circle Village, which is part of Cleveland Museum of Art’s Parade the Circle – held every June, arguably the most artistic parade you will ever see in Cleveland
UCI’s board of trustees is in the process of developing a new Master Plan for the neighborhood which includes reaching out to their nearly 80 stakeholders, including nearby residents, as they dream about what University Circle can be like in the decades to come. Expect exciting additions once this plan is finalized that will include new/renovated public spaces and green space to provide additional connectivity to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Some of the bright spots beyond the big institutions that are instantly recognizable include:
- The Sculpture Center – a non-profit that supports the careers of emerging sculptors in CLE and has an open to the public gallery to display their talents
- Cozad-Bates House – the pre Civil War structure dedicated to anti-slavery and abolition (and was one the focus of an EA University in 2023)
- Uptown, a neighborhood within a neighborhood, tucked behind the row of apartments/restaurants on Euclid Avenue and yes, a Chick-Fil-A is coming next year – this will be their first storefront location within the city of Cleveland
- Dining in University Circle ranges from college student budget friendly to white table cloth dining rooms; if you haven’t tried Sunset Kitchen (globally inspired small plates) and if you need a boost of energy, try and the Coffee House (in a beautiful old mansion on Juniper)
- CircleLink Shuttle is a free bus shuttle service operating throughout the neighborhood for anyone who lives, works or visits University Circle
- Cleveland Museum of Natural History – their multi-year $150M renovation makes this museum look and feel brand new even if you have been visiting since you were a kid
- Library Lofts -9 story new apartment building on top of the MLK branch of the Cleveland Public Library Stokes branch with market rate micro apartments (think 500-800 SF)
- Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art -special exhibit thru September 7 – read this rave review by the New York Times
Executive Arrangements, founded in 1979 to help employers in the CLE/AKN region attract and retain the best possible talent from all over the world by providing highly customized orientations that vividly show candidates how their lifestyle, family, hobbies & interests can all thrive in our region; Half of EA’s candidates are Pre-Decision and we get them to the finish line of a yes to the job/relo and the other 50% have already accepted the job offer and appreciate the support EA provides during the onboarding to their new town. EA University is our quarterly continuing ed program for our staff to insure they have the latest info to share with the recruits we work with and getting an update from UCI was so helpful. And EA is a proud part of the Relocation Horizons platform of services which can provide our clients so many additional relocation services on top of our red carpet wooing and onboarding EA Days. If your organization could use a partner like EA the next time you have an out-of-town recruit, call us at 216.231.9311.