(Plain Press December 2023) At its November 14^th meeting, Cleveland City Council approved legislation that will turn management of the West Side Market over to the Cleveland Public Market Corporation, a newly formed nonprofit organization. Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack advocated for this change in management which is outlined in Ordinance Number 1093-2023.

   Under an agreement with the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland Public Market Corporation will also manage the West Side Market Parking Lot and the Hicks Parking Lot. The nonprofit organization is also charged with providing professional services to manage, operate and improve all the West Side Market properties and to assist with capital improvement fundraising and funding from available tax credits to fund the West Side Market.

   Cleveland City Council also approved $200,000 in operating support for the West Side Market. A Cleveland City Council press release notes that Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration has estimated that the City of Cleveland will have to provide $700,000 to support West Side Market operations for the foreseeable future. Cleveland City Council’s statement also says that moving the West Side Market’s management to a nonprofit organization “should enable the organization to raise funds for capital improvements and operating support as well as going after $10 to $13 million in tax credits.”