Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland, in his annual State of the City speech, said Thursday that Cleveland had a banner year in 2011.
Mayor Rowland said, "The year 2011 was a great year for Cleveland, as well as for all of Bradley County. We have experienced growth and it's been quality growth in size, businesses and manufacturing.
I would be remiss if I did not begin by acknowledging the fact that 2011 had its tragedies with the devastating tornadoes in April, heavy snow damages in January and flooding rains in September.
All of these had aftermaths that affected people’s lives – and I will elaborate later about how I feel these tragedies brought out the best in our agencies, our community and our people.
Much credit goes to Troy Spence, director of the Emergency Management Agency, who coordinated all our local emergency services. People continue to rebuild their homes and their lives, thanks to our Long Term Disaster Recovery Agency, headed by Jim Pollier and to the work of Habitat for Humanity.
The distance between Cleveland and Chattanooga is now just 5 ½ miles---- city limits to city limits.
Area manufacturers have invested millions of dollars in new facilities and expansion of present ones. These include Whirlpool, Olin, Amazon.Com and Wacker Chemi, although some of the jobs coming are located outside the city limits.
The city and county have been very successful in bringing new jobs to our area. But recruiting new jobs takes teamwork! The Industrial Development Board includes both Cleveland and Bradley County working as a team. The team is held together and supported by the diligent work of our Cleveland/ Bradley Chamber of Commerce.
I cannot say enough about the role the Chamber plays in every aspect of our industrial search and our economic growth. I cannot give enough praise to Ross Tarver, chairman of the Industrial Development Board.
At the present, we are virtually out of industrial space. However, over 300 acres south of Exit 20 will become our new industrial park.
Just north of there will be acreage available for a new commercial and retail area. All of this is within the city of Cleveland boundaries.
It would be difficult to count the new restaurants and other retail stores that opened in 2011. The only disappointment was the announcement that Sears is closing its Bradley Square Mall store. It seems sad because of the fact we have more potential customers coming to Cleveland, remodeling of the mall and a new major motion picture theatre being constructed. All of this will have an impact on the mall and surrounding businesses. And, just a stone’s throw away from Sears’ door is another huge success story of 2011. That is the GM story and Don Ledford Automotive Center’s new expanded auto dealership for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. The area is a hub of activity as a business district…so it’s not a time to close Sears.
We are continuing our efforts to encourage them to stay here. City Council instructed me to contact sears on a corporate level and make our plea for re-consideration. Many people have called or gone online to voice their concern. As you know, many of the ranges they sell are made right here in Cleveland. If you have not done so, I encourage each of you to make a call to Sears.
Our unemployment rate is slightly over seven percent, and that puts Cleveland and Bradley County in an envious position for the state and the entire nation.
Last year, the city experienced tremendous construction growth as evidenced by the issuance of building permits. I make it a habit to review these numbers each and every month. At the end of 2011, the value of residential, commercial and industrial construction exceeded $38 million. This is a good economic barometer for our city and it proves we are growing and progressing.
Of the 10 metropolitan areas in the state, Cleveland is the fastest growing, and our metro area is reflecting the fifth highest construction jobs in the Southeastern United States.
This year we will be joining with Governor Haslam’s office to solicit federal government customers for products made in Cleveland. On that subject, I have a problem with the “Made in Amerca” series currently on ABC News. First, there is no country named America. We are the United States of America. In fact, a product made in North, Central Or South America can claim being made in America. In keeping with this series, I have submitted to Diane Sawyer’s producers a list of our many industries-- plus a twist, if you will, and that is the fact that Duracell batteries made here in Cleveland are shipped to China. That type export is almost unheard of today.
We have been blessed with a considerable number of state road and highway projects, including improvements to the intersections of North Ocoee and 25th Streets, I-75 at 25th Street, widening of Georgetown Road to Highway 58, rebuilding of Exit 20, new interchange off APD40 to access the new retail and industrial park. These projects are in various stages such as design, engineering and environmental studies. Of course, a long-awaited project is widening of Dalton Pike, now is in its final stages. Thanks to the support of our legislative delegation, Sen. Mike Bell, and Representatives Kevin Brooks and Eric Watson. We have achieved much thanks to the support of Tennessee Department of Transportation.
The city’s Public Works Department continues to maintain internal streets with a limited budget. Your city council took a big step in funding a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study to help address long time flooding issues in the city. This must be done before further FEMA assistance can become available.
Downtown Cleveland is also experiencing growth with the leadership of Mainstreet Cleveland. Several major new retail establishments adjacent to First Street Square have opened this past year. There are now condos for downtown living and at least one major downtown living facility should announce soon. As you know, I have a heart for our historic downtown district and want to continue to see it revitalized. Renovation of the old railroad passenger depot is well underway to enhance our downtown and expand our Cleveland urban tranportation system. Ridership on the buses increases virtually every month.
I just recently appointed a committee to look at beautifying our eastern approach to the city, especially along Inman Street. The city council, under the proposal of Councilman Richard Banks, established the Southside Redevelopment Task Force to plan for best use of property to be vacated by Whirlpool. I also have appointed a Performing Arts Center Task Force chaired by Connie Gatlin to look at a center to serve the needs of our community in the future.
This year saw the opening of the new state of the art Max Carroll Science Wing at Cleveland High School. The Board of education is now in the planning stages for a new city elementary school.
The city’s Finance Department, under the direction of Mike Keith, has received the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Report and the distinguished Budget Presentation Award given by the Government Financial Services Association. This marks the 22nd consecutive year for the city of Cleveland. This means your city’s money is in good hands.
Even with the city having to pay more for what it buys, your city council and city staff have maintained another year without a property tax increase.
Many people say one of the best things in Cleveland is the Greenway System. The phase going through Tinsley Park from Raider Drive to Mouse Creek Road is now underway. Construction of a new restroom was completed this past year and two more are on the drawing board. All this progress is led by the Greenway board, chaired by Cameron Fisher.
The city last year constructed about 1700 feet of path and paved about 230 linier feet of 10 foot wide asphalt paths from 20th Street NE to 25th Street NE that connects Schimmel Park on Lee University campus to the future Veterans Park site on 25th Street. The city constructed a gravel trail connecting the Greenway path to the Ocoee Middle School track and Parker Street at 22nd Street. This greenway section included installation of two creek crossings. City staff worked with Fred Garman and people for care and learning to complete the Greenway playground and water fountain project near the First Tennessee Bank on Raider Drive.
Both Lee University and Cleveland State Community College have made progress this past year. This past year, Cleveland State has been mentioned twice in national speeches by the President of the United States. This past year, Cleveland State began its new LEED certified Business Development Center on campus. Lee University saw unsurpassed enrollment numbers. The new Hughes Hall dormitory and the beautiful new campus chapel opened in 2011.
The City Recreation Department began construction to replace the playground and restroom at Tinsley Park. The park will be upgraded as well as tennis court improvements and new lighting. The swimming pool at South Cleveland Community Center will be replaced soon.
The Cleveland Police Department continues to keep Cleveland as one of the lowest crime rates in the South. Cleveland and Memphis are the only police departments in the state of Tennessee that are currently using a new website to help law enforcement officials identify their most wanted suspects. There are only 13 other states using the program. Memphis Police Department had tipsters identify four suspects in its first month of using the website. The website is completely free to police departments paid for by advertisements, and the reward money also comes from the website.
The efficiency of our Cleveland Fire Department allows Cleveland residents to continue to enjoy an ISO rating of 3, keeping fire protection at its best and homeowners insurance at its lowest.
A tragic note in 2011 was the devastating tornadoes that claimed lives and damaged millions of dollars in properties in our community. A long time recovery task force began under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Coalition, formed by Mayor Davis and myself. It is the coalition’s goal to help make the public more aware of services available in the community. The task force continues to play a major role in helping the victims rebuild their homes and their lives, along with a valuable agency Habitat for Humanity.
No city agency was more affected by the disaster than our Public Works Department. They worked around the clock with other groups clearing roadways, helping emergency responders reach victims and then following through with clean up from the aftermath of the tornadoes.
In addition, Public Works was involved one year ago this month in clearing roadways because of heavy snowfall. Then in April, the tornadoes struck, followed in September by flooding--- which resulted in workers spending tireless hours cleaning and repairing tiles, ditches and culverts.
Public Works is to be commended for the professional way they handled the disasters of 2011. Their day to day operation was also significant as they paved 34 streets in the city using over 11,000 tons of asphalt at a cost of $787,820.76. Pot hole repairs and repairing curbing and street cuts used over 867 tons of asphalt this year. Clearing tons of leaves, brush, debris and chipping, as well as dead animal removals are included in the day to day operation.
One note here about leaves…leaves should be left to the edge of lawns and not raked or blown into the streets. Leaves in the street can be washed into culverts and cause them to be stopped up, thus cause flooding. When wet and slippery in the streets, they can also be a hazard for traffic. Best option for leaves is to mulch, but when left for Public Works to pick up, they need to be piled on the property line, not in the street.
Public Works has also played a valuable part in our Greenway projects, working to install parking lot areas particularly at the trail head on Mohawk Drive this past year.
The city of Cleveland became a Designated Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Community in 2004. A Consolidated Plan, prepared for 2009 through 2014 and Action Plans are approved each year. Right now we are beginning the 2012 Action plan. Cleveland has received over $2 million from 2004 to 2011 and projects in 2012 will be over $300,000. A public hearing on Jan. 30 will receive public input on the action plan for 2012.
Past grant projects include drainage and sidewalk improvements, recreational improvements, lot clean up and property acquisition, and funds for century village infrastructure – assisting Habitat for Humanity to complete 25 homes.
CDBG funds totaling over $100,000 in partnership with habitat will also help convert a five-acre tract off Smith Drive into affordable housing. Down payment assistance has been provided to 20 families at $6,000 a family.
Last year we organized and combined community development, engineering and stormwater departments to better serve developers and the public. We also transferred code enforcement to the police department and began pro active enforcement. We completed safe route to school projects at Blythe /Bower School, and received an $800,000 grant to target community crime reduction as related to drug and alcohol addiciton.
We participated in a merger committee with Bradley County to review the feasibility of combining city and county fire and EMS services.We are working with Bradley County and Cleveland Utilties to purchase the site of the new industrial park property near Exit 20. Cleveland Utilities has hired consultants to study traffic signal coordination along Paul Huff, Keith Street and other major arteries.
2010 census required redistricting by the city council so we saw some changes there.
Last year, we lost Councilman Chief Bill Robertson to cancer. Councilman Dale Hughes was appointed to succeed Chief in the 5th District.
I mentioned the Max Carroll Science Wing at Cleveland High earlier. Max is a former commissioner, in addition to serving 25 years on the City Board of Education. I am thankful he lived to see the Science Wing officially open and in use by the students. He died at the end of the year.
Then just a few weeks ago, we lost former Councilwoman Sarah Westfield, who distinguished herself as the first African-American woman to be elected to the city council. Councilwoman Lucille Scott had served, but she was an appointee. Sarah was the first elected by the people in her district.
The year 2011 saw two generous Cleveland businessmen coming forward to donate buildings to the city of Cleveland. Attorney Jim Webb donated his offices on First Street and Forrest Preston donated the First Tennesee Bank Building on Raider Drive. We are evaluating both buildings now to make sure they are put to the best use possible to serve city citizens, and we are appreciative to the two men for their gifts.
The city continues to be a Tree City and a Flag City. This year marks the 19th consecutive year we have earned the Tree City designation, a goal I set when first elected in 1991.
Thanks to you, the Kiwanis Club, we have formed a great partnership becoming the only Flag City in the U.S.A. It is an inspirational sight to see all the flags flying along our main arteries. I think it makes a statement when visitors come to our city from Memorial Day through Veteran’s Day.
I mentioned to you last year I am working to put a veteran’s park on the 25th Street stretch that was designated Veterans Parkway. We began an effort to finance the park and offered trees along the parkway route to be marked in honor or memory of a veteran. The trees and the park property were donated by the developers of Spring Creek Development. We have over 50 trees that can be designated. About 12 have already been purchased and marked. Through a $250 donation, anyone can have a small plaque installed at the base of a tree in memory or honor of a veteran. Information about this can be obtained through my office.
The money from the donations will give us seed money for the park – which is designed to be a park to honor our past and present veterans. It is located right along the extended Greenway which was also donated by the developers. I had delayed the park fundraising so as not to interfere with the fundraising efforts of the new proposed veteran’s home. Now that most of the veterans home criteria has been met and it is closer to reality, I will begin again to focus on finalizing the veterans park.
Tourism continues to have an economic impact on our community. Melissa Woody, vice president of the Chamber’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, does a great job. This past year, Tennessee’s Department of Tourism development reported expenditures locally exceeded $99 million and that reflects a 3.7 percent increase over last year’s numbers. This revenue, and the $8.5 million in local and state taxes, is important to our local economy and strong reminder that we must continue to promote our community to visitors. This indicates that there are many people from all parts of the world who want to come to Cleveland and Bradley to discover what we already know – it is rich in beauty and history.
Which brings me to the name the city slogan. As most of you know I initiated a slogan contest several months, raised $1,000 for prize money and appointed a panel of judges. They filtered through over 1800 entries…Melissa Woody served as chair of this committee and it turned out to be a tedious and time consuming project for her and the judges – so I didn’t make a lot of friends with the panel appointments! They did select two finalists – which are: “The city of spirit” or “A city with hometown feel and global appeal.” Decision has not yet been made as to which name is the winner.
And finally, the Cleveland metro area is not only the envy of many across Tennessee but across the nation. The momentum is on for quality of life, low cost of living and better jobs. Let’s march together and continue what we have begun.