CLEVELAND, Ohio --After 14 months of debate, meetings and planning, the city of Cleveland will officially hand over management of the West Side Market today to the Cleveland Public Market Corporation. The city will retain ownership of the land and market facilities, while the independent non-profit will manage merchant and customer needs and prepare to implement broad improvement plans.
City officials considered a 10-year lease agreement with CPMC in November 2023. It came closer to reality when the market opened Wednesday, April 24, 2024, under management of the non-profit.
CPMC is an independent non-profit created by Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration in 2023. CPMC, which has a 15- member, community-led board of directors, just appointed an independent staff to handle day-to-day duties of market operations.
Under the guidance of executive director Rosemary Mudry, the staff will manage market operation, oversee renovations and upgrades, create and market new public programs, and raise money for capital projects.
Stories by Paris Wolfe
“This transfer of day-to-day operations is a huge step for the West Side Market,” David Abbott, President of the CPMC Board, said in a news release. “We are looking forward to launching a capital campaign this year to fundraise for major capital improvements needed to restore the Market and make it the best market in America.”
The ability to raise funds for capital improvements and renovations is the biggest advantage in turning over market operations to a non-profit. It’s something the city couldn’t do that a non-profit can.
A future vision for the landmark facility can be found in the Market’s masterplan. Developed in with Market merchants, Ohio City, Inc., city officials, and community, business, and foundation leaders, the master plan process was led by Jessica Trivisonno, senior strategist for the West Side Market in Mayor Bibb’s office. Public input was sought in many avenues including a series of themed meetings around the city.
The masterplan timeline depends on fundraising. The projected cost is $55 million to $60 million. The City of Cleveland has committed $20 million to the project. CPMC will tap public and private funding sources to raise the remaining funds to complete the project.
Proposed physical changes to the market include:
- Basement renovation to improve functionality while updating equipment to meet modern needs.
- Eight spaces in the North Arcade with exhaust fans for prepared food vendors.
- Later hours in the North Arcade, where prepared foods may be available.
- Commercial kitchen to provide opportunities to teach preparation of healthy foods, enjoy evenings with chefs and support new event space.
- Event space for entertainment and to provide revenue for market.
- Elevators to make balconies, offices, and new event spaces accessible to all consumers.
- Courtyard between the North Arcade and the Market Hall with seating for diners.
“The West Side Market is one of our city’s jewels and transitioning to non-profit management will help with more efficient management operations, fundraising, and connecting the West Side Market to our neighborhoods,” said Bibb in the same news release.
Ward 3 Councilman and CPMC Board Member Kerry McCormack is also pleased. The market is in McCormack’s ward.
“For years I, and other community stakeholders, have been advocating for a new management model at the West Side Market; a model that honors the history of this Cleveland icon, the wellbeing of its current vendors, and the future vision of a vibrant marketplace,” he said.
Rosemary Mudry has been named the first executive director for the West Side Market. She is responsible for implementing the new master plan. Her first task is to build a staff. (Photo by Jeff Verespej)
The announcement of new management comes with the introduction of new staff. The first members of the CPMC management team are:
- Tiffany-Allen White, Director of Operations. She has 15 years of non-profit leadership experience. Her strength is strategic restructuring and program implementation. She was recently director of community relations and internal operations at Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc.
- Liz Andjeski, Finance and Office Manager. She spent the last 12 years managing operations and finance systems as controller and “office boss” at Spice Hospitality Group.
- Camille Rose Dickson, Director of Development and Partnerships. She brings a decade of non-profit experience, most recently as development and communications manager at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
- Patrick Evans, Director of Marketing. He has more than 16 years’ experience in marketing and advertising. He has led the marketing efforts at multiple non-profit visitor destinations, most recently at Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
- Demarco Jones, Assistant Director of Operations. Jones is a seasoned property management professional with experience in commercial and residential spaces.
- Gabe Fedor, Merchant and Leasing Coordinator. Fedor has more than 5 years’ experience in property management and commercial tenant leasing.
“I’m excited about the passionate team we’ve brought on to set the foundation for this next chapter for West Side Market,” said Mudry. “We’re going to be nimble and responsive to the market’s needs. We’re all looking forward to learning a great deal in the coming months as we work with the city, merchants, and customers.”
Changes to the customer and merchant experiences will happen over the course of several years.
“Vendors are feeling hopeful about the future for West Side Market,” said Don Whitaker, President of the United West Side Market Tenant’s Association. “We know change might be a little bumpy, but we all feel confident non-profit management will be better for our businesses and the Market.”
The transition from city staff to CPMC is underway. Visible changes to the Market and the customer experience will happen gradually as the masterplan is executed.
Future career and volunteer opportunities will be posted online at westsidemarket.org.
RELATED: Management, vendors excited about Cleveland Public Market Corp. managing West Side Market
Send dining, drinking and culture story ideas to Paris Wolfe at pwolfe@cleveland.com. Review her previous stories here. Follow Paris Wolfe on Instagram @pariswolfe.