"Working collectively today to build a better tomorrow."
Friends of The Village of Miles Heights Inc.
Founded in 2022, a 501c3 public charity proudly serving and specifically advocating on behalf of residents in the historic neighborhood known for more than a century as "The Village".
Miles Heights Development Corporation
A 501c3 public charity formed to restore, strengthen and preserve the economic interests and historic integrity of Cleveland's Lee-Seville neighborhood, formerly known as Miles Heights Village.
Lee - Seville - Miles Citizens Council
Incorporated in 1958, the oldest active community block club organization in Cleveland, a 501c3 public charity working collaboratively to advocate for the interests of all Lee-Seville residents.

Who We Are
The Miles Heights Development Corporation (MHDC) is the community service organization responsible for promoting, developing and preserving the Lee-Seville neighborhood in Cleveland's Ward 1.
Through partnerships with residents, businesses, and public stakeholders, MHDC works to preserve the character of this historic neighborhood while paving the way for a thriving, sustainable future. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant Lee-Seville, one project, one family, and one business at a time. Click here to learn more about us.
Check out more upcoming events on our 'Community Events' page.
Teeing Up for History: MHDC Announces 2025 Golf Outing Fundraiser at Highland Park
MHDC announces its 2025 Golf Outing Fundraiser, set to take place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the historic Highland Park Golf Course. Proceeds will directly benefit the Mayor Arthur R. Johnston Historic Home Restoration Project, an initiative to preserve the legacy of Northeast Ohio’s first Black mayor.
This community-driven event invites golfers, sponsors and supporters to enjoy a day of friendly competition and purpose. Registration begins at 8 AM with a 9 AM shotgun start. The day will include 18 holes of golf, continental breakfast, raffle prizes, and an awards reception to celebrate top teams and outstanding community champions.

The Mayor Arthur R. Johnston Home, located in the Lee-Seville neighborhood, is a 1925 landmark currently undergoing a full restoration to honor the legacy of Mayor Johnston, who led the independent Village of Miles Heights before it was annexed by the City of Cleveland in 1932. MHDC’s goal is to transform the home into a public heritage site and community hub reflecting Black political history, civic leadership and neighborhood pride.
“This isn’t just a golf outing—it’s a rally for history,” said Don McGee, Executive Director of MHDC. “We’re inviting our community, city leaders, businesses, and supporters to help us bring this home back to life and preserve a critical chapter in Cleveland’s history.”
Registration and sponsorship opportunity links below.
"The Lee-Seville neighborhood, once the independent village of Miles Heights, holds a rich history of Black leadership and community resilience. In 1929, it became home to Miles Heights first Black mayor, Arthur R. Johnston, whose legacy is now being honored through the restoration of his former home as a community space. The area also features the Myrtle-Highview Historic District, a testament to Black homeownership, developed by African American contractor Arthur Bussey. His efforts provided quality housing and strengthened economic mobility for Black families."

"Miles Heights Development Corporation has recently acquired Johnston’s former home with plans to restore it as a community gathering space. This restoration effort aims to honor the neighborhood’s legacy while fostering connections among residents. By preserving its history, the initiative seeks to inspire future generations and reinforce the area’s cultural significance. More information on how to support the restoration of the Arthur R. Johnston house can be found on the Miles Heights Development Corporation website."
-Mayor Justin Bibb
How We Achieve Our Objectives
MHDC is a collective of diverse stakeholders from different sectors within the community. Our primary goal is to address the specific challenges and aspirations of the residents we serve. Community feedback guides our eight core focus areas: comprehensive neighborhood planning, economic development, land revitalization, safety, senior home maintenance repair, neighborhood marketing, capacity building, and financial empowerment.
Community Engagement

Collaborates with residents, other organizations, businesses, and government agencies to amplify the community's voice and advocate for shared goals.
Community Building

Actively represents community interests and needs to policymakers & stakeholders, for project support, economic development, affordable housing, and social enrichment.
Community Mobilization

Engages residents through meetings, workshops, and grassroots organizing to build support for advocacy efforts and raise public awareness about critical issues.

Juneteenth Paddle '25
Rescheduled Due To Weather:
July 6th, 2025
Check-in 4:45p Paddle 5p-7p Cookout 7p-8p
Location: Great Lakes Water Sports 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Questions: Call 216-282-7448
Come make history with us as we fill every kayak and tiki boat possible to celebrate Juneteenth together on the Cuyahoga River. After the paddle we'll meet back up on land for a delicious cookout catered by Cleveland's own Taste-ify Catering!
Dress comfortably in clothes/shoes that can get wet and dry fast... and NO you will NOT fall in the river, but may get slightly wet by your paddle.
First 50 to register receive a Syatt Juneteenth trucker hat! Register today to secure your hat!
Extras....This paddle will be guided with our partners from Great Lakes Watersports
Age? 12+ (solo)/experienced kayaker. Tandem kayaks available for younger kids (ages 6-11) or those who’d prefer to paddle with a partner.
Never-ever? This event is perfect for first-timers—flat/gentle water kayaking is easy to learn and fun!
Waivers? Sent separately

Impact Of Art Survey
Southeast Side neighborhoods of Mt. Pleasant, Union-Miles, Lee-Seville, Lee-Harvard and Buckeye/Woodland, lack accessible, dedicated spaces for cultural offerings and creativity, beyond murals or public art. Research suggests high physical and mental health disparities in these communities, including Black Maternal Health. Neither The Southeast Side Promise, Middle Neighborhoods Initiative, nor Elevate the East project seems to address these needs, which are necessary for thriving communities.
If you were unable to participate in any of the sessions and are a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Union-Miles, Lee-Seville, Lee-Harvard, Buckeye or Woodland neighborhoods, you still have an opportunity to have your voice heard. Click the link below to take the 5-minute, anonymous survey, independently produced for community feedback.
"Art is a necessity, not a luxury, and essential to creating thriving communities!"
Click here to take "The Impact of Art: Beyond Murals" survey. WE NEED YOUR VOICE! Thank you!
Veronica Thornton, Lead Consultant

"Here we go again, one mo' time!!!"
Lee-Seville-Miles Citizens Council
Join us on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, for some of those "Good Old Miles Heights" vibes with our friends and neighbors who made the neighborhood what it was, what it is and paved the way for where we're heading. Good food, great times at Gleneagles Golf Club! See you there!
NOTE: ALL ATTENDEE PAYMENTS ARE DUE BY JUNE 30th, 2025.
Next council meeting: 6/23/25 @ 6:30pm

SYATT Cleveland and JFK Students Clean-Up
4/22/25 - What an amazing day for a clean up! Shout out to our partners at @trustforpublicland CLE and the amazing students from JFK! @mayorbibb we definitely added to your Southeast Side Promise by cleaning a major tributary to our great river and lake. We shared with the students the great legacy of the southeast side of Cleveland and with partners like @milesheightsdevcorp we will keep that history alive! Also, @canalwaypartners we were ahead of the big river sweep day, but locked in on the mission regardless!
Website: www.syattcle.org
Follow on Instagram: @syatt_cle

Community Development Corporation Leadership Program: Cohort IV

In Loving Memory of our own, Kevin Lowery, a Village Original

Proud Voting Member of the Ohio CDC Association since 2024
