Join Us in Saving the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Arts, Culture & Education Center.

Coventry P.E.A.C.E., Inc. has a feasible plan to operate and maintain the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus as an Arts, Culture & Education Center that will be not only financially sustainable but also economically and socially beneficial to the surrounding community.

We only ask to be heard with open minds. We seek good-faith dialogue with the Library’s leadership and our City leaders in which we come together, united to make this project successful. We want to collaborate with leaders who are determined to find solutions and open opportunities for progress. We know we have visionary and innovative community leaders, and the hope of the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. organizations is that those leaders will demonstrate their support for this project by joining us and working together. Together we can create something exceptional in Cleveland Heights that will positively impact our community for generations to come. We hope you will us this Wednesday, July 24th at the Lee Road branch of the Library to voice your support.

Public Meeting details:

Date: Wednesday, July 24th
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Cleveland Heights - University Heights Library - LEE ROAD BRANCH
Address: 2345 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

The Coventry P.E.A.C.E. building, a beloved hub for arts, culture, and education, houses 12 nonprofits that provide essential services. Despite concerns from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library system about its financial viability, this building is one of the most cost-effective properties in their system, generating significant rental income that offsets maintenance expenses.

The "Keep the P.E.A.C.E." Plan

We have a comprehensive plan to shift landlord responsibilities away from the Library and establish the building as a permanent facility for community nonprofits. Key points include:

• Secure a long-term lease between Coventry P.E.A.C.E., Inc. and the property owner.
   
• Coventry P.E.A.C.E., Inc. will manage the property, handle sub-leases, find new tenants, and oversee repairs and maintenance.
   
• Assume all financial responsibilities for the Campus, shielding the property owner from any burden.
   
• Negotiate a plan for the eventual transfer of the property to Coventry P.E.A.C.E., Inc.

City of Cleveland Heights Involvement

If the Library does not want to retain ownership, the City of Cleveland Heights should assume ownership to steward this project to success. This aligns with the City’s Master Plan and tagline “Home to the Arts,” enhancing the vibrancy and economic stability of Coventry Village.

Community Engagement and Action

We need your help. Here’s how you can support:

1. Attend the Public Meeting on July 24th, 2024: Join us at the Lee Road branch of the Library to voice your support. The Library is requiring you to pre-register, and if you'd like to let us know you will be attending you can RSVP here (you will still have to register with the Library).
    
2. Fill Out the Library's Survey by July 28th, 2024: On questions #10, 11 & 12, please check "other" and use the available text box to write in your support of the Keep The P.E.A.C.E. plan. You can access the survey from our website.
    
3. Spread the Word: Share this message with your network. FREE yard signs, t-shirts, images and more are available on our website.

Economic and Community Impact

The Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Building is a safe, inclusive space offering educational programs, cultural events, and community initiatives. Its closure would displace these organizations and leave a void in our community, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.

Important Information

• The Coventry P.E.A.C.E. building is one of the most cost-effective properties in the Library system.
   
• Rental income from nonprofits subsidizes maintenance costs, reducing taxpayer burden.
   
• Coventry P.E.A.C.E., Inc. has successfully managed the building in the past, keeping it financially stable.
   
• Repairs and updates can be funded through grants, donations, and capital campaigns, without public dollars.

Call to Action

Please join us in saving the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. building. Attend the public meeting, participate in the survey, and spread the word. More information is available at coventrypeacecampus.org/keepthepeace.

For some community members, a decision like this comes down to only numbers, and for others there is an immeasurable social benefit cost that is of greatest importance. We believe those concepts are not mutually exclusive. We have put together an Advocacy Toolkit that you can download to learn more about how you can help. We encourage you to share this booklet with your neighbors and friends who support the benefits a Center like ours provides to Cleveland Heights, University Heights and beyond. Below you will find a list of the actions you can take right now.

#1:  Get the facts.

On our website, you will find lots of helpful information, including details regarding our Keep The P.E.A.C.E. Plan, the benefits our Center provides to the community and facts and figures. 

#2:  Do the survey.

Our landlord – Heights Library – is collecting feedback to help determine the fate of our building. THE SURVEY CLOSES ON JULY 28^th.

For questions 10, 11, & 12, please select “other” and use the available text box to state your support for our organizations and the Keep The P.E.A.C.E. plan.

#3:  Add your name to our list of supporters.

Because the Library’s survey is so limited, we’re asking you to add your name to our list of supporters. If you own a local business, or are in the leadership of a nonprofit, we ask that you also make an entry for your entity.

#4:  Write letters.

Taking the time to write a letter sends a powerful message. It is important for those in leadership to know where you stand on this issue. Let them know you support our organizations and our effort to establish a permanent Arts, Culture and Education Center in the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. building–a win-win solution for all involved. If you own a local business, or are in the leadership of a nonprofit, providing a formal letter of support is of great help. On our website you will find an easy link which will enable you to write one email that will be forwarded to the leadership in the cities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, as well as the Library Board President and Director.​​​​​​​

#5:  Attend the Library’s Public Meeting.

Let your voice be heard about the potential closure and demolition of the P.E.A.C.E. Building. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library, our landlord, hopes for a turnout similar to their recent Noble Library reopening. Please attend and share your support of our Keep The P.E.A.C.E. effort. The Library is requiring attendees to pre-register and we're asking you to let us know you are attending by taking the extra step of RSVPing on our event page. THE MEETING WILL BE AT THE LEE ROAD LIBRARY AT 7:00 PM ON  WEDNESDAY, JULY 24^th.

#6:  Come to our P.E.A.C.E. Pops event.

On top of all the amazing events planned for the evening (live music, open studios, open mic, workshops & more), we will also be hosting a Q & A table and offering tours. This all ages event is FREE and open to the public. An RSVP is greatly appreciated.​​​​​​​ Friday, July 26^th from 6-9 pm.

Watch and share our latest videos!

Our next big event is 
PEACE Pops 
on July 26th!

OTHER NEWS & EVENTS

Do you know…?
Series of short videos.

We made a series of short videos featuring our Coventry PEACE Campus organizations. We hope these videos help introduce you to the tenants and inspire you to learn more about them – it’s our way of putting a face to a name.

Current Hashtags

When visiting our organizations and referencing us  on social media, we hope you will consider using the following hashtags.

#keepthepeace

#keepthearts

#saveourartscenter

#CoventryPEACECampus

#LoveForCov

#clevelandheights

For more information and to stay up to date on news and events from Coventry PEACE Campus be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or visit our website.