By Jacob VanSickle/Slavic Village Development

Slavic Village Development (SVD) is a community development corporation in Cleveland, Ohio, that serves the Broadway Slavic Village neighborhood. SVD's  primary focus has been housing and business development, but the organization is also engaged in property management, green space development and community organizing.

In 2006 Slavic Village Development took its green space development to the next level when it spearheaded the public-private development of the Morgana Run Trail, a three-mile urban rail-trail. While promoting the trail as an alternative form of transportation for residents, the SVD hasfound that it is a great tool to market the neighborhood.

In the past year a public-private housing partnership, Opportunity Homes, has formed. The partnership creates unique, fully renovated, energy-efficient homes in targeted areas. Slavic Village was selected in part because of its proximity to the Morgana Run Trail and other numerous amenities in the neighborhood that the trail links together.

Slavic Village Development is responsible for marketing the houses, both in flyers and at open houses. One of the main selling points is the close proximity to the Morgana Run Trail and the connections the trail makes both within the neighborhood and beyond. Having access to shopping, schools, parks, employment and recreation via the trail has proven to be an important asset in selling houses and revitalizing the neighborhood. In total five houses in the residential area near the trail will be renovated through the Opportunity Home program. Three houses were complete in November 2009 and one is currently under contract.

Image courtesy of Opportunity Homes & Slavic Village Development