Michael Ungar

Name:   Mike Ungar

Website:   www.yasinowandungarforcouncil.com

What position are you running for:   City Council

Which of the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus proposal sessions did you attend?

Presentation to City Council on Sept. 11

Community Presentation on Sept. 27

Why do you support (or not support) the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus proposal?

I think it’s creative, a net positive for the neighborhood, consistent with our Master Plan (including our community’s support for the arts, green space, new housing, etc) and I have a lot of confidence and respect for the individuals behind it. The above-noted meetings are not the only meetings that I’ve had to discuss it. I have had many conversations, including breakfast meetings and telephone conversations (not to mention dozens of e-mail exchanges) , with multiple leaders of the effort, including Paul Volpe, Lee Chilcote, Jack Valancy, Brady Dindia and others re: this project. They have all contributed to my support.

If you are in favor of the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus proposal, in what ways do you plan to support the project? Please be as specific as possible.

The same ways I’ve been supportive thus far. I was instrumental in slowing down our City’s RFQ process so that we could “stop and listen” to the community before proceeding. Now we are listening hard to the communicty and the school board (who still control this property, as you well know).

What changes or additions would you like to see made to the proposal?

As the development team has made clear, the proposal is quite tentative at this stage, since it is early in the process. I look forward to seeing future iterations of the proposal and, again, have confidence that this team will continue to generate excellent ideas for future uses of this site. I am excited about these possibilities and look forward to hearing about them from you.

What does the Cleveland Heights slogan “Home of the Arts” mean to you?

That we need to preserve and expand what we have in that regard. This is entirely consistent with the Master Plan that has been approved and adopted by City Council. This project fits right in.

Have you or your family ever taken part in any events, classes or programs offered by the organizations located at Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus (either on site, or through their partnerships with our School District or Library system, etc.)? Please be as specific as possible.

Of course. Many.

Examples: We attended Artful’s grand opening in March and I used to spend many a weekend afternoon at that wonderful playground (and exciting, if not challenging, giant slide) playing with my daughters. I have attended multiple Future Heights meetings and events there. My wife is on the board of Family Connections, and has likewise attended many meetings there. It is a very familiar venue to us.

Are there any other thoughts and/or ideas you’d like to share with our audience?

Thank you for doing this and I hope you’ll support me for Council, where I will continue to support this development project. I need all the help I can get, as I expect it will be a VERY close election. So, please spread the word. Thank you again! Mike