FutureHeights to host June 13 public forum on development tools

Wayne Mortensen

FutureHeights will hold a public forum, Development Tools: Give Away or Benefit?, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, at its offices in the Coventry School building, 2843 Washington Blvd.

FutureHeights’ Planning and Developing Committee organized the forum to help inform Heights residents about real estate development tools, such as tax abatement, tax credits, and tax increment financing (TIF). Speaker Wayne Mortensen, director of design and development for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) and a Cleveland Heights resident, will explore the costs and benefits of these common financial tools that are commonly used in development projects throughout Northeast Ohio. 

Mortenson is a Nebraska native. He and his wife, Jill, moved to Cleveland Heights in 2010.

At CNP, Mortensen oversaw the redevelopment of Saint Luke’s Hospital in the Buckeye neighborhood of Cleveland and created several target area plans, including vision plans for 16 neighborhoods that were prepared to prioritize the spending of 2011 HUD Neighborhood Stabilization funding. His role at CNP involves elevating the quality and sustainability of physical development efforts throughout the city of Cleveland.

In addition to his work at CNP, Mortenson is the current director of community outreach for the Cleveland chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Previously, Mortenson worked for H3 Studio as a planner and public engagement specialist in numerous historically marginalized communities throughout the Midwestern and Southern United States. He specializes in nonprofit management, budget setting, community planning and organizing, and strategic planning.