Do you want to learn more about contributing articles or opinion pieces to the Heights Observer? Are you a past or current contributor that wants to learn what’s new? Attend the Heights Observer contributor meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10th from 6-7 pm on Zoom. We’ll update you on what’s happening with the Observer, discuss your ideas, and share some of our ideas for the future. This is a great chance to network with other Heights writers and meet the Observer editorial staff.
Tuesday, Feb. 10th, 6-7 pm
This fall, the city of Cleveland Heights passed legislation to sell 45 vacant lots in the Cain Park and Cedar-Lee neighborhoods to FutureHeights and Rebuild Cleveland for the purposes of building future housing.
FutureHeights is the community engagement partner on the project. Rebuild Cleveland is the developer. Now, the partners are moving ahead with their plans to build new, for-sale, modular homes on these lots and are seeking community input.
They’re hosting a community meeting on Thursday, December 18th from 6-8 pm at the Lee Road library. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here.
Even if you can’t attend the meeting, you can help inform what type of houses get built as part of FutureHeights’ and Rebuild Cleveland’s infill housing development project in Cleveland Heights! Take our survey here.
Heights Observer internship
Spring 2025
The Heights Observer, a community news publication serving Cleveland Heights and University Heights, Ohio, is offering an internship. The focus of the internship is on reporting, writing and editing community news stories for publication.
The Heights Observer intern would be responsible for posting articles about news, activities or issues in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. The articles would be posted on the www.heightsobserver.org website and possibly featured in the monthly print issue.
Activities for the internship include:
Reporting and note taking
- Attending community events and meetings
- Attending city council and government meetings
- Developing ideas for community news stories
- Conducting and transcribing interviews
- Shaping multiple interviews into news stories
Writing
- Drafting community news stories
- Revising stories based on editorial feedback
- Fact checking stories for accuracy and completeness
Editing / content management
- Editing stories for publication
Posting / website updates
- Posting stories to Heights Observer website
- Making other website changes as needed
- Posting stories for the print edition
- Preparing email newsletter
This is a valuable, interesting opportunity to work with a community journalism publication serving the diverse, historic communities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights. The candidate will ideally have some reporting and writing experience, and an interest in the community and writing community news.
Time commitment: 8-12 hours per week (flexible).
Outcomes: Intern can earn course credit if applicable. Intern will complete a portfolio of work.
Deadline: Rolling
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and 2-3 clips to FutureHeights executive director Lee Chilcote at lchilcote@futureheights.org.
Crowdsourced Conversations is a community forum series that begins with a community-wide survey on a specified topic. Survey data is collected and used to create discussion questions. A public forum is held where residents gather information from relevant parties, discuss ideas, and formulate action steps they can take in their community.
As we plan our 2026 conversation series, we want to hear directly from community members about what matters most to you. Before sharing your ideas for next year, here’s a brief look at the topics we explored together in 2025. Your input helped guide these conversations, and now we’re excited to build the next year with your voice at the center.
In 2025 FutureHeights started off the year by discussing Improving Road Safety in the Heights, focusing on ways to make streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The next discussion was focused on Severance Town Center with discussions around development, planning, and community impact.
Then Shop Local / Buy Local: Supporting Local Retail in the Coventry District explored how to support neighborhood businesses, enhance local commerce, and elevate the arts and retail in commercial districts.
Our closing topic of 2025 was Pathways to Affordable Housing. Participants engaged in discussions around housing challenges, housing programs and opportunities for community-driven housing solutions.
This fall, the city of Cleveland Heights passed legislation to sell 45 vacant lots in the Cain Park and Cedar-Lee neighborhoods to FutureHeights and Rebuild Cleveland for the purposes of building future housing.
FutureHeights is the community engagement partner on the project. Rebuild Cleveland is the developer. Now, the partners are moving ahead with their plans to build new, for-sale, modular homes on these lots and are seeking community input.
They’re hosting a community meeting next month. The meeting will take place on Thursday, December 18th from 6-8 pm at the Lee Road library. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here.
About 40 people attended FutureHeights’ latest Crowdsourced Conversation, “Pathways to Affordable Housing.” Check out the survey results and notes from the conversation here.
The Board and Staff of FutureHeights welcomes all FutureHeights members to attend our holiday party on Thursday, December 4th from 6-8 pm at the Bottlehouse, 2050 Lee Rd. Cleve. Hts. 44118. You will have a chance to mix and mingle with other supporters, hear from our board of directors and staff, and share what issues are most important to you. There will be a cash bar. Please RSVP here. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!
Pathways to Affordable Housing
Thurs. Nov. 13th, 2025, 6:30-8 pm
Lee Road library branch, 2345 Lee Rd., Cleve. Hts. OH 44118
We are hosting our next Crowdsourced Conversation highlighting local housing programs and initiatives—such as the Home Repair Resource Center, the Housing Preservation Office with the City of Cleveland Heights, and FutureHomes/Rebuild Cleveland—and bringing together community voices and guest speakers to shape solutions. This event is taking place at the Lee Road Branch of the Heights Library on November 13th from 6:30-8pm.
We want to hear from you. Please share your experiences and perspectives in the community survey below. Your feedback will guide community conversations and future housing initiatives.
FutureHeights Crowdsourced Conversations: Pathways to Affordable Housing – Community Survey
Thousands of people turned out for the Heights Music Hop, sponsored by FutureHeights, the weekend of Sept. 19–21, filling patios and spilling into the streets.
FutureHeights achieved its mission of pairing great local businesses with great music, driving traffic to Cleveland Heights’ commercial districts.
FutureHeights thanks its sponsors–especially the city of Cleveland Heights—as well as the many local businesses who participated. Special thanks to Brenda Bailey, FutureHeights’ chief operating officer, and the Music Hop committee for their leadership in creating this year’s Music Hop. We look forward to hopping with you next year!
Read the story in the Heights Observer here.
Check out our highlights reel on Facebook here.
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- Apostle Jones at the Tavern Company
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- Lack of Direction at Boss Dog
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- Morgan Mecaskey at Peace Lily Plant Boutiique
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- Shortt Stories at Dewey’s Pizza
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- Velocity Staxx at Voodoo Brewery
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- The Breakfast Club at Best Gyro
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- Roadkill Revolution at The Social Room
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- Sonny Mitchell at Hexagon Books
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- Wave Magnetik at Olie’s Gift and Ship
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- Stamper Starr at Grocery Outlet
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- Rock Stars of Musicologie at NuBeigel
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- Mr. Haney and Friends at Church of the Savior
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- Jazz Cats at EDWINS
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- Adult Human Chicken at Barrio
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- Craig Rich at Parnell’s
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- Joe Hunter and Dallas Coffey at Vero
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- Red Rose Panic at Buffalo Wild Wings
Read the compiled notes from our August 28th Crowdsourced Conversations: Shop Local, Buy Local: Supporting Local Retail in the Heights.
Future Heights partnered with the Coventry Village Special Improvement District to explore ways to strengthen local businesses and support the local arts community. Speakers included Brian Anderson, Assistant Director of Economic Development, City of Cleveland Heights; Suzanne DeGaetano, owner of Mac’s Backs; and Joel Negus from the Heights Theater. Following the speakers, the five groups engaged in a discussion on the biggest challenges facing our local businesses and what we would like to see emerge from our communities. We invite you to read the notes to stay connected and inspired in this ongoing essential community work.
Check out the notes here.
