CLEVELAND, Ohio - West Side Market vendors are concerned the city’s renovation plans may stall as city council members mull over its price and priority.
The city’s current renovation plan for the historic Ohio City building includes the use of $15 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds will be used to improve the venue’s infrastructure, like its basement and elevators—and the possibility of renovating the North Arcade into a food hall. For councilmen such as Griffin, their main concerns stem from the amount of funds needed for the project, and whether or not they could be invested elsewhere.
West Side Market Tenants Association president Don Whitaker argues the market is worthy of the ARPA funding, and should be maintained as any other Cleveland staple.
They think 15 million is too much for a historical building, but will dole out much more than that so that a billionaire can renovate a stadium.