Cleveland City Council and Mayor Justin Bibb are locked in an ongoing battle over funding millions in renovations for the aging West Side Market.
When Bibb first presented his plan for the market using the last of the city鈥檚 half a billion dollar pot of federal stimulus relief funds, council members balked at the $20 million price tag. After negotiations with council, Bibb鈥檚 ask dropped to $15 million.
Council President Blaine Griffin and others say that鈥檚 still too much money for the city-owned market, citing 鈥渟ignificant鈥� funding approved by council for market upgrades in recent years.
鈥淚n my time, we鈥檝e poured millions and millions into the market, and I stand there and look at it and wonder, where did it go?鈥� said Ward 8 Councilman Mike Polensek in a Monday council committee chairs meeting. He suggested the need for an assessment of why previous infrastructure investments have failed and what the market needs going forward.
Griffin said he would like to see another $5 to $10 million cut from Bibb鈥檚 proposal to make way for community projects elsewhere in the city.
鈥淚鈥檓 trying to make sure there are some wins and some investments in the edge and middle neighborhoods,鈥� he said.
On social media, Bibb remains adamant about the need for investment as the West Side Market transitions to nonprofit management.
The is in desperate need of infrastructure upgrades. Bandaid fixes aren鈥檛 working anymore. That鈥檚 why we are asking to pass our $15 million proposal to fund basic repairs.
— Justin M. Bibb (@JustinMBibb)
The administration declined to comment further on Monday afternoon, but a city spokesperson said the market鈥檚 master plan will require $45 million, more than $30 million of which will be necessary infrastructure improvements.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really really unfortunate the administration has made this a whipping post,鈥� said Ward 13 Councilman Kris Harsh. 鈥淲e should not be at odds over something like the West Side Market.鈥�
Vendors have long complained about the market鈥檚 plumbing issues, leaky roof, HVAC and air conditioning problems. Pressure on elected officials increased after an elevator breakdown last week, which forced dozens of vendors to close their stalls, move their goods up multiple flights of stairs by hand or refuse deliveries.
The issue was fixed later that day, but vendors worry about the market鈥檚 longevity if the underlying issues aren鈥檛 addressed.
鈥淭hat's the problem with this building,鈥� said Don Whitaker, owner of DW Whitaker Meats. 鈥淏and aid after band aid after band aid."
Some vendors say they鈥檙e frustrated by the debate at City Hall, and they鈥檙e not sure how long their businesses will survive in the interim.
鈥淸The market] needs sincere, genuine, real city support,鈥� said Renee Williams, owner of Rita鈥檚 at West Side Market. 鈥淲e shouldn鈥檛 be a bargaining chip 鈥� but we鈥檝e become a political pawn now for these council[members] and the mayor.鈥�
