Commercial Programs, Services and Resources

Little Italy Redevelopment Corp. (LIRC) works to assist business and/or commercial property owners in improving their commercial properties through various rebate/loan programs, as well as promoting the Little Italy business area as a vital shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.

Little Italy offers a busy, thriving commercial/business community.

Following is an explanation of the various rebate/loan programs available, as well as other services provided to the business community by Little Italy Redevelopment.

For a listing of restaurants, galleries, specialty shops, and services, please click HERE.

Storefront Renovation Program
Little Italy Redevelopment administers the City of Cleveland Storefront Renovation Program. This program offers rebates or low interest loans to commercial property owners or applicants who agree to comprehensively rehabilitate their building exteriors. Professional design assistance by a storefront renovation specialist from the City of Cleveland is provided to program participants.

The Little Italy Redevelopment staff will assist you throughout the renovation process from application and bidding to design review, construction, and processing of necessary paperwork. Please call our office for more information.

Small Business Revolving Loan Program
The City of Cleveland Economic Development Department offers a small business revolving loan designed for business retention, expansion, or the relocation of an existing business into the City of Cleveland. Loans can be secured for the acquisition of fixed assets (land, buildings, machinery and equipment), renovation of an existing facility and/or new construction.

Click HERE for additional information.

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Code Enforcement
Little Italy Redevelopment works in partnership with the City of Cleveland on commercial code enforcement. It is the responsibility of each property owner to maintain their property in compliance with Cleveland Building and Housing codes. If you have a code violation complaint, call the City of Cleveland Complaint Number at (216) 664-2007 or the LIRC office at (216) 791-4907.

In the spirit of the neighborhood and in order to keep the business district looking clean and sharp, business owners, as well as property owners, are encouraged to maintain their storefront/ streetfront area. In addition, Little Italy Redevelopment has initiated a Business District Clean-Up Program. LIRC has hired a part-time person to clean sidewalks, empty trash, etc. Funding for this program will extend through December 2004.

Design Review Little Italy Redevelopment administers the local design review committee. This committee reviews all construction projects for compliance with neighborhood standards and submits its recommendations to the City of Cleveland Landmarks Commission. Any planned alterations to the exterior of a commercial building must be submitted to the Design Review Committee before work begins. Call the LIRC office for meeting times and details on submission of project drawings.

There are eateries in Little Italy to satisfy any palate.

Building Permits
Please be aware that before making any repairs or improvements to your commercial building, you must apply for a permit through the City of Cleveland Division of Building and Housing.

Click HERE for more information on applying for a permit.

Little Italy Master Plan

Little Italy Redevelopment and the Little Italy neighborhood have completed the development of a master plan to unite the community in the revitalization process and to guide new development throughout Little Italy. Highlights of the Master Plan may be viewed by clicking HERE.

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Commercial Property for Lease/Sale
Little Italy Redevelopment is one of the City of Cleveland's Neighborhood Development Corporations that participates in the Retail Spaces Cleveland website that lists space available for lease/sale in the Little Italy area, along with demographics, assets and features of the neighborhood.

If you have commercial space for lease or sale, please call our office to list it on this site. If you are looking for space to lease, click HERE to see what is currently available.