June 30, 2025

As chair, I am amazed at how quickly this year has been progressing. In our second quarter of 2025, we
focused on creating spaces where relationships could grow between the commission and the community. Our new website now features up-to-date events, neighborhood history, and a way for residents to submit speaker requests in an effort to remain accessible and transparent in all we do.
 

We hosted several community conversations around Latitude 525, formerly known as Sawyer Towers. These were tough but necessary dialogues with buyers and developers about what the community wants and expects. Their plans have since been revised and will be reviewed by the commission in July.
 

This quarter, we approved 7 new zoning projects, while 1 was tabled. Our Planning Committee chaired by Bob Rice is also developing processes to support smaller-scale neighborhood projects making it easier for residents to expand and improve their properties without undue burden. I hope that you will look forward to our upcoming project walks which will be led by our Zoning Chair Roy Lowenstein. These will be opportunities for neighbors and commissioners to look at approved and built projects to see what we can learn from them and how we may better advocate for future development styles in the neighborhood.
 

Meanwhile, our Community Engagement Committee, led by Madam Vice Chair Francisco, brought
intentional conversations about federal policy to the forefront, hosting discussions with Mid-Ohio Food
Collective on SNAP benefits, Legal Aid on pre-eviction services, and even a District 7 candidate forum.
 

As Chair, I am committed to building a community that honors our past, hears the dreams and frustrations of the present, and plans boldly for a future that will endure. As we enter Quarter 3, I want to thank Commissioners Logan and Reedus who recently stepped away from their roles. We’re grateful for their service to the Near East Area Commission. Looking ahead, our focus will be actively preparing for the upcoming elections on August 23, 2025. One seat per district will be open; we aim to recruit and encourage neighbors to apply for open positions, with a goal of achieving some of the highest interest and voter turnout for area commissioner elections in recent years.

As Benjamin Elijah Mays once said, "Whatever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living, and no man yet unborn, could do it any better." This was a reminder we as Morehouse Men were given during our years on campus, and one that still remains to be carried out today, especially as chair of this great commission.
 

May we continue to strive boldly and work together for the betterment of our community.

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In Community,

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Nathan L.R. Harris, Ph.D.
Commission Chair​​