Bibb warns of "choppy headwinds" in State of the City
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Mayor Justin Bibb (right) in conversation with WKYC's Russ Mitchell. Photo: Michelangelo's Photography
Belt-tightening is on the horizon in Cleveland, Mayor Justin Bibb warned in his fourth State of the City address Wednesday.
Why it matters: Bibb used the final address of his first term — a moderated conversation with WKYC's Russ Mitchell — to stress big financial cuts coming from Washington and Columbus.
The big picture: Bibb is running for reelection this fall and said his work as mayor is far from over. Some key takeaways:
👍 State of the city
What he said: "We have a promising outlook, but there are choppy headwinds."
State of play: Bibb confessed the last 90 days have been difficult. He said looming cuts to violence prevention efforts and SNAP benefits have given him sleepless nights.
- He gave his first term a "B" grade, citing improvements in public safety.
🏟️ Browns stadium
"The residents I talk to don't really care that much about the Cleveland Browns. They care about jobs, schools, Medicaid and Medicare."
Bibb pegs the chances of the Browns moving to Brook Park at 50/50. He lamented that the government and the city's business community are not aligned on the issue.
- But he stressed his commitment to the lakefront master plan regardless.
- "Come hell or high water, we're going to develop a world-class lakefront once and for all."
✏️ Schools
"We have islands of excellence but not a system of excellence."
He said the city has made great strides, but that CMSD is faced with a fundamental challenge: It has too many buildings and too few students.
- He said it's time to make the long-delayed "hard choices" to close school buildings to ensure better and more equitable resource allocation across the district.
📚 Lessons learned
"Sometimes, in order to move fast, you have to slow down."
Bibb said he learned from the curbside leaf pickup debacle in his first year that establishing consensus among the administration, City Council and residents is important before taking action.
- He said that if reelected, he would make time to reflect and take stock.
🏗️ The Cleveland Era
"It's time to embrace a new economic agenda. We can build things in Cleveland and lead the industrial revival of Ohio and the nation."
Bibb said Cleveland hasn't gained population like peer cities in the Midwest because it hasn't adopted a "clear business plan for growth."
- He teased a major announcement about Hopkins Airport and touted the work of the Site Readiness Fund as methods for attracting new residents and businesses.