Heritage Park leaders say city-owned mini station is messy and residents were left out of plans

Felita Taylor, president of the Heritage Park Homeowners Association, told the Euclid City Council on Oct. 20 that the city-owned mini station in her neighborhood is "filthy" and disorganized and that neighborhood leaders were not consulted about who would use the space or how it would be organized. "We have not heard from anyone up there," Taylor said, describing clothes and boxes left inside and an inaccessible playground outside.

Taylor said Heritage Park volunteers previously ran tutoring, a boys club and other activities from the mini station and that the association worked with city leaders for years to secure neighborhood improvements. She said the current occupants have not made their presence, schedule or purpose clear to residents and asked the council to involve the association in future planning and to consider grant or other funding for neighborhood efforts.

Denise Williams, another resident who spoke, said she expected the mini station to be a shared space for community meetings but found it cluttered when the association arrived for a scheduled meeting. "We had to put clothes up in order for us to have a table to have the meeting," Williams said, urging better scheduling and organization so neighborhood groups can use the space.

Mayor (speaker 9) told the council that the city secured a county grant to bring the Strong Families, Strong Neighborhood collaborative (referred to in remarks as Mertes Taylor) back to Euclid, and emphasized that the group does not have exclusive use of the mini station. The mayor said the city's goal is for the site to function as a neighborhood community center available for multiple activities and committed to facilitate communication between the collaborative and Heritage Park leaders.

Director Grogemeyer (speaker 12) and Chief Meyer (speaker 10) were also present on the dais; Director Grogemeyer earlier confirmed the city had an open code violation record for an unrelated sight-line issue raised by another resident and said staff would follow up. Chief Meyer praised past resident-police collaboration in the neighborhood and thanked residents for their work reclaiming their streets.

The exchange ended with the mayor promising to improve outreach and coordination so the mini station better serves both the collaborative and nearby neighborhood groups. Residents asked for clearer notice of scheduled activities, better organization inside the facility, and consideration of neighborhood-directed grants.

The council did not take formal action on the mini station during the meeting; the mayor said staff would work to correct the communication gaps and to facilitate collaboration with Heritage Park leaders.