Examples and resources for local Special Improvement Districts
SID Examples in Cuyahoga County
The map below shows the locations of existing and proposed SIDs in Cuyahoga County, and the table displays information on the budgets and assessments for each SID.
| Special Improvement District | Year Est. | Most Recent Renewal | Term of Plan | Budget* | Annual Budget Increase | Method of Assessment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontage | Value | Assessment Notes | ||||||
| Cedar Fairmount | 2003 | 2018 | 5 Yrs | $66,275 | 0.00% | 0% | 100% | |
| Cedar Lee | 2003 | 2018 | 5 Yrs | $155,888 | 0.00% | 0% | 100% | |
| Coventry | 1996 | 2017 | 5 Yrs | $165,300 | 3.00% | 0% | 100% | |
| Downtown Cleveland | 2006 | 2016 | 5 Yrs | $4,063,407 | 1.00% | 25% | 75% | Max value of district properties capped at $100m; Assessment rate reduced by half for value between $50m – $100m |
| Gordon Square | 2011 | 2016 | 5 Yrs | $133,663 | 2.50% | 100% | 0% | |
| Kamm’s Corners | 2015 | 2018 | 5 Yrs | $30,000 | 0.00% | 90% | 10% | |
| Ohio City | 2012 | 2020 | 5 Yrs | $570,000 | 3.00% | 65% | 35% | Max assessment of single-family, owner-occupied dwellings capped at $500 |
| Superior Arts | 2018 | 3 Yrs | $208,996 | 3.00% | ||||
| University Circle | 2025 | 5 Yrs | $3,946,700 | 3.00% | 33%** | 33%** | ||
* Each district’s budget represents an annual amount for the first year of its most recent services plan renewal
** Assessment based in equal share on frontage, value, and land area
Sample Documents
The following list provides downloadable PDF examples of documents from various stages in the SID formation process. These are only meant to serve as examples; please consult your jurisdiction’s legal resources for local regulations on SID/nonprofit formation.
Cedar Fairmount SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2018)
- Resolution (2018)
- Ordinance to Proceed (2018)
Cedar Lee SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2018)
- Resolution (2018)
- Ordinance to Proceed (2018)
- Levying an Assessment (2018)
Coventry SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2017)
- Resolution (2017)
- Ordinance to Proceed (2017)
- Levying an Assessment (2017)
Downtown Cleveland SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2015)
- Resolution (2015)
- Annual Report (2018)
Gordon Square SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2015)
- Resolution (2015)
- Articles of Incorporation (2015)
Kamm’s Corner SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2018)
- Resolution (2018)
- Brochure for Property Owners (2018)
Ohio City SID
Example Resources:
- Plan of Services (2016)
- Articles of Incorporation (2016)
- Expansion Map (2016)
- Property Owners Report (2016)
University Circle SID
Example Resources:
- Existing Non-Profit’s Amended Articles of Incorporation to Form a SID (2025)
- Plan of Services (2025)
- Resolution of Formation (2025)
- Area Map (2025)
An Existing Non-Profit Forms a SID
The University Circle Special Improvement District was formed by University Circle, Inc. in 2025 to provide sustainable funding for the University Circle Police Department. Assessments collected from properties within the district will fund services that provide additional capabilities for the police department
Special Energy Improvement and Shoreline Improvement Projects
Ohio law treats special energy improvement projects and shoreline improvement projects included in a Special Improvement District with some differences from the requirements for a Special Improvement District in a business district. While the SID Guidebook is written to describe SIDs formed in business districts, this Addendum provides an overview of special energy improvement and shoreline SIDs.
Ohio Revised Code
Relevant sections of the ORC include:
Top image: Flats East Bank by Erik Drost; accessed 8/26/20; licensed under CC BY 2.0