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Resident proposes community-owned grocery and strip-mall; council asks for studies and follow-up
Summary
James (Jimmy) Maven presented a crowd‑equity plan to acquire commercial property and develop a 20,000–30,000 sq ft grocery and strip-mall for Lincoln Heights, proposing thousands of small investors and an initial personal contribution; council asked for market studies, legal structure details and a demonstration visit to a Detroit model.
James (Jimmy) Maven told the Village of Lincoln Heights council on June 23 that he is pursuing a community-owned grocery and strip-mall model — inspired by projects in Detroit — that would keep local food spending in the village and offer community ownership through a crowd-equity vehicle.
Maven described a concept in which roughly 4,000 people would be encouraged to invest $1,000 (or smaller share levels) so the community could acquire a site (he cited Mangum Drive and the existing Wendy’s/Taco Bell sites as targets). "When I did the numbers… it's 25 a little over $25,000,000 a year leaving Lincoln Heights," Maven said, urging that retaining even a portion of that spending could support local jobs and services. He said he would contribute an initial $500,000 toward an acquisition and that the project could be structured through his nonprofit, the Change with Love Foundation.
Councilmembers pressed for specifics on governance, market demand, traffic and project costs. Maven estimated a 20,000 sq ft grocery within a 30,000 sq ft structure and said the grocery could employ "50 plus" people, while acknowledging he had not finalized legal documents or a full market study and that attorneys and accountants would be engaged to set up the investment vehicle. Council recommended he bring more detailed financials, clarify board composition and consider an Ohio Department of Transportation review for potential traffic impacts.
Members also suggested bringing the Detroit mentor who advised Maven to give a presentation or arranging a site visit so council can see a comparable model in operation. Council agreed to ask Mister Key to invite Maven to the July 7 economic development committee meeting for a more detailed explanation ahead of the public budget hearing scheduled for July 14.
Context and council concerns: Council repeatedly emphasized that the proposal is at a concept stage, and that any redevelopment affecting existing restaurant tenants raises questions about how residents would access services during redevelopment and what would replace existing quick-service options. Council asked for a market study, a clear plan for investor returns and governance details before any formal planning or land-use processes begin.
Next steps: Council invited Maven to provide additional documentation and to present to the economic development committee; any subsequent land-use approvals would require committee review and, if applicable, planning commission and council actions.
