Mayor Vic Collova


Welcome to Garfield Heights. Our caring community was founded in 1919 and nearly 100 years later, we have 28,849 residents, according to the 2010 United States census.

This urban suburb began as a rural, mostly farming community, part of both Newburgh and Independence townships. During that time, the area was home to a group of German immigrants who established a settlement called German Corners, now recognized with an Ohio Historical Marker on Turney Road

History records also indicate that President James A. Garfield visited our community as a child because his uncle lived on Turney Road. Garfield Park, now part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, was named after the late president. However, it was real estate developers who came up with the name Garfield Heights. The story is they wanted a more attractive name for an area once known as South Newburgh Center.

As the greater Cleveland area prospered, Garfield Heights became a place where people with a variety of immigrant histories, primarily Italians, Bohemians and Polish, came to raise their families. They established their own churches and schools and became active in creating a strong community. Our town continues to have a diverse population of people and we have numerous activities and programs that provide a strong and nurturing environment for residents of all ages.

Also important to Garfield Heights is our favorable business climate that continues to attract a mixture of industrial, commercial, retail and office developments. This successful union of residential and business interests has helped expand the number and scope of facilities, services and activities.

Our city is conveniently located in the center of Cuyahoga County, near the intersection of Interstates 480 and 77, within 15 minutes of downtown Cleveland and our region’s cultural, educational, and entertainment attractions. We also are only 15 minutes away from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Garfield Heights has a variety of religious and education options, a public library, quality recreation amenities, and numerous restaurant and shopping choices. Marymount Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic regional hospital, is located here.

Our city is a vibrant, full-service community and specific information about each department, as well as news items, can be accessed through links on this website. Please feel free to contact any member of my staff for assistance. 

 

Message from Mayor Collova

As we begin another year, I am happy to report that we are emerging from our financial crises and, on Feb. 3, we will ask the Ohio Financial Planning and Supervision Commission to release us from fiscal emergency. We worked hard to get out of the financial bind our city was in and I appreciate the sacrifices made by all Garfield Heights residents and employees. Better days certainly are ahead, something I am very proud to be able to say at the start of 2013.

Workers at OverDrive have moved into the company’s new global headquarters off of Granger Road. We welcome this company, which distributes e-books and audio books. Naturally we are thrilled that the company selected Garfield Heights as the place to invest more than $10 million in a new 95,000-square-foot building where about 200 or so employees are working with room to grow. This is big for our city. The company calls their facility The Blue Sky Campus and it is truly state-of-the-art and unique.

Area residents also can look forward to visiting our brand new library scheduled to open later this year. It is being built at the Civic Center complex and can be seen from Turney Road. It is going to be beautiful and a real asset to our community. The old library was outdated and frankly, old and cramped. Residents should be proud that the Cuyahoga County Regional Library system felt it was important to invest in the Garfield Heights community.

The renovation of Garfield Mall into Garfield Commons continues. The new owner and management company have spruced up the shopping center and fixed the parking lot, which have made a huge difference. We are looking to welcome new tenants there including the Planet Fitness and an environmentally friendly McDonald’s.

Work continues on the expansion of Transportation Boulevard to Rockside Road. Truckloads of fill are being dumped there daily and I am committed to the eventual revitalization of the City View shopping center. We believe in the potential of the retail site and it is a priority of my administration. 

And finally, while we still have some confidentiality constraints regarding sharing information about the Bridgeview Crossing property on the north side of Interstate 480 at Transportation Boulevard, we are hopeful that the Outlets at Cleveland will be constructed there in the near future by the Craig Realty Group, an experienced and nationally known outlet center developer from Newport Beach, Ca.

Happy New Year to all and I look forward to reporting additional good news about Garfield Heights in the months ahead.

Marymount Hospital Community Service Award Presented to Mayor Vic Collova

Marymount Hospital presented its 2012 Community Service Award to Mayor Vic Collova during a luncheon ceremony Nov. 13 at Catered Elegance in Bedford.

Recognized as a passionate Garfield Heights leader, Mayor Collova has lived in the community for 61 years.

“He knows the people of Garfield Heights and is dedicated to serving his constituents,” said Marymount Hospital President Joanne Zeroske.

Since taking office in 2009, Mayor Collova has been instrumental in improving services and creating new programs for the residents of Garfield Heights. He has focused on the neighborhoods, attracting new business owners, as well as securing funds to repair roads and make infrastructure improvements and create community gardens.

In partnership with the Garfield Heights Municipal Court, Mayor Collova helped create the Juvenile Diversion Program and the Court Community Service Program which require offenders to work in the community beautifying and maintaining public grounds.

He also assisted with the development of the new Garfield Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, which is under construction at the Civic Center complex.

He actively supports local recreation programs and sporting events. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Garfield Heights Council 4130, St. Benedict School Committee and St. Monica’s Church.

“Mayor Vic Collova gives attention to the needs of all residents and is dedicated to maintaining programs for seniors, youth and entire families,” Zeroske said.

Other local individuals recognized this year by Marymount and South Pointe Hospitals were Dr. John and Patti Bertschler of Northcoast Conflict Solutions; Tverner Collier, of Concerned Citizens of Southeast Cleveland; and Dr. Paul Gasparro, president of Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus.

NEWS

Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks New Era of Library Service for Garfield Heights 

Cuyahoga County Regional Library Executive Director Sari Feldman said she told board members during her hiring interview that the Garfield Heights branch was one that should be replaced. Her pride in accomplishing the goal was evident Monday during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of what will be a new 30,000-square-foot building. 

"It will be stunning and unique," she said of the $12.2 million project that includes a sustainable, eco-friendly design, large community gathering spaces, an after school homework center, a technology learning center and more. Construction is being managed by Gilbane Construction Co. Bostwick Design Partnership designed the facility, expected to be completed by next summer. 

Mayor Vic Collova said the previous library served the area for nearly 50 years and he thanked officials from the county library system for their commitment to Garfield Heights. Collova’s father-in-law, former Mayor Jack Donovan, participated in the 1965 groundbreaking for the library and city recreation center. Collova said his wife’s father would be proud that a new facility is serving the needs of future generations at the same location.

District 8 County Councilman Pernel Jones said the library will be a hub for members of the community, both young and old. “It provides many important opportunities for residents,” he said. 

Construction of the new Garfield Heights Branch is part of a significant building improvement program. Regional Library Board President Robert W. Varley said users can expect a “new era of library service.” 

 

Street Designation Honors Fallen Garfield Heights Soldiers 

Members of the Garfield Heights community have honored the sacrifice of two hometown soldiers killed in the line of duty by naming a street after them.  

Davis-Benjamin Way commemorates the lives of Army Spc. Brad A. Davis, a corporal in the 82nd Airborne, Parachute Infantry Regiment, killed on April 22, 2009 in Iraq; and Marine Gunnery Sgt. Adam F. Benjamin of the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, killed on Aug. 18, 2009 in Afghanistan. 

We know these families’ lives have been forever affected by the loss of their loved ones in far away lands,” said Mayor Vic Collova.  

“Our community wants to honor these brave, fallen soldiers and commemorate their lives and the ultimate sacrifice made in the name of freedom and democracy.”

Both men were Garfield Heights High School graduates. 

     

Garfield Heights Mayor's Report - May 2012