The City of Cleveland, in collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Cleveland Rotary Club, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 29, to celebrate the completion of the City’s new pavilion, located at the corner of San Jacinto and Hanson streets in Cleveland.
This $25,000 pavilion, funded entirely by the Cleveland Economic Development Corporation, stands on the grounds of a former fire station and boasts an 18 X 30-feet footprint, a sturdy concrete base, an open gable roof, and convenient sidewalks.
The pavilion features two heavy-duty metal benches and four picnic tables generously provided by the Cleveland Rotary Club. Efforts are already in motion to replace at least one of the wooden picnic tables with ADA-compliant alternatives.
Mayor Danny Lee, alongside City Manager Scott Swigert and other city officials, presided over the ceremony and expressed his delight in witnessing the collaboration displayed by numerous individuals and organizations for the betterment of Cleveland.
“So many people have told me that they see the good things going on in Cleveland, and I am just happy to be on the bus with everyone,” said Lee.
He also extended special thanks to the various contractors involved in the project, including Wendell Kelley Construction, Larry Allen Construction, Texas Select Lawn, Henderson Electric, Orozco Concrete, and Grass Knuckles Landscaping.
Speaking on behalf of the Cleveland EDC, EDC President John Williams recognized both the previous EDC board, which approved the pavilion, and the current EDC board for seeing the project to fruition.
“We wanted to make it a plaza area, so we approved spicing it up, adding the stone, wood, grass and concrete. That’s basically what we are here for – to make Cleveland better all the way around,” Williams said.
While the project appears complete to most passersby, there are still plans to improve drainage around the pavilion and possibly add a privacy fence along one side, according to Williams.
“Just a few more things to get it polished up,” he said.
Williams also expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club for their generous donation of benches and picnic tables, echoing Lee’s previous comments.
In his closing remarks, Mayor Lee commended the City’s positive direction and extended thanks to City Manager Scott Swigert, Police Chief Darrel Broussard, Fire Chief Sean Anderson and other city personnel, and local organizations like the Rotary Club. Highlighting the importance of community collaboration, the mayor emphasized the positive impact of collective efforts, expressing optimism for Cleveland’s future.
“This is what community is all about – everyone pitching in for the common good. Let’s just continue to work together. Good things are coming to Cleveland. You know, this is a small thing, but day by day, brick by brick, it’s positive, positive, positive. It is all going to add up,” he said.
The good things being done in Cleveland….a $25k pavilion that will bring no commerce or economical value and built by the Economic Development Corporation. This is why Cleveland continues to thrive among the bottom of its neighbors. Why not put this money into one of the faltering parks or building/site renovation for potential commercial vendors etc.? What a joke.
The potholes in streets, especially n Blair, would tear your vehicle up, all the dilapidated abandoned buildings, homes, grown up properties, no decent manufacturing jobs, Cleveland needs a lot more than a Pavillion. Cleveland does not need anymore, gas stations, convenience stores, churches, etc, this town will never grow unless we make real changes