Opportunity in Cleveland Stockyards Neighborhood is Drawing Attention from the City

For over a century, the Stockyards was a neighborhood where recent immigrants, newcomers to Cleveland and those looking for work could find a job. Located between I-71 to the south, Ridge Road to the west, West 44th Street to the east and south of I-90 to the north, the Stockyards neighborhood has taken economic punches over the years. But it refuses to stay down.

A recently completed neighborhood plan drawn by community leaders and the City of Cleveland has brought new attention to this Near West Side neighborhood. The area has a convenient location with good transportation access to I-71, a considerable amount of vacant land and intriguing potential for significant development.

“Last year it was important for us to make sure the plan aligned with what people in the neighborhood wanted,” says Adam Gifford, director of community involvement for Metro West Community Development Organization. “Moving forward, we want to make sure people are more connected to the development that is happening. We want the plan to be done with people, not to people.”

The Cleveland West Veterans Housing (CWVH) project broke ground fall of 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2027. The 62-unit complex is the first tax-credit financial housing development for veterans in Cuyahoga County and is a $21.6 million investment. Built on vacant land, the complex is close to public transportation and will have a community room, exercise room community kitchen and outdoor seating areas.

Neighborhood Spotlights

The Art Garden and The Art Garden Festival are two fairly new opportunities for residents and visitors to the Stockyards. Four vacant lots owned by the City of Cleveland’s Land Bank in the W. 50th and Storer Ave. communities have been leased to artists whose mission is to bring art to the people, engage those living nearby and introduce young and emerging artists to possibilities beyond their dreams.

Funded by a City of Cleveland $394,000 Transformative Arts Fund, The Art Garden includes innovative murals and sculptures that reflect the challenges and upward movement of the neighborhood. Artist Ariel Vergez with the BlackBrain Group, Metro West Community Development Organization and Cleveland’s City Council Ward 14 elected officials, community leaders and residents have been instrumental in their creation. 

“There will be additional investment in these lots through Ward 14 to make them sitting parks. Also, sidewalks and trees planted along Storer Ave. are planned,” says Gifford. 

The inaugural Art Garden Festival was held in 2025 and attracted more than 1,500 visitors. The second will be held “on a Saturday in the second half of this year, but it is a moving date at this point because of construction and other things.” 

This year’s free festival will bring back many popular activities and events, and most likely will include activities for children, a stage for performers including youth groups, drummers and bands, plus a food truck.  

“We’d like to make it an annual event. Each year the size may vary depending on what’s going on in the neighborhood,” says Gifford. Information: metrowestcle.org or blackbraingroup.com.