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170 171 cover those project costs. The entire City of Par- ma Heights has been designated a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA). A CRA allows tax abate- ments to residential and commercial property owners who can reinvest in their real property. The CRA Program is a tool used by the city to promote the development of new residential and commercial structures, and encourage the revitalization of its existing building stock. Under the CRA Program, residential and commercial property owners are eligible to receive abate- ment of property taxes up to 100 percent of the increase in the assessed value of a structure. The abatement permitted differs for new construction projects and projects involving the remodeling of existing structures. In keeping with the “Greening of Parma Heights”, the city was one of the first in the county to institute an automated curbside waste and recycling collec- tion program. Since its inception, the city’s rate of recycling and number of residents participating in the environmentally-friendly efforts has risen expo- nentially each year.“There’s always a bit of hesitancy to get these programs started but once it’s been im- plemented, there are little to no complaints. People learn how to utilize it, once they get into the rhythm and routine of it,”Says Byrne.“And it has enhanced the community, visually.” PARMA HEIGHTS, OHIO Mayor Byrne is equally committed to enhanced communication between City Hall and Par- ma Heights residents. The city publishes a community newsletter three times each year, which is mailed to every home and business in the city. In concert with Cleveland Maga- zine and Great Lakes Custom Publishing, the city also publishes an annual magazine Take a Look at Parma Heights. Parma Heights also communicates with residents via its website, an electronic sign located in front of City Hall, and via social media. To promote its recycling program, the city has been awarded consecutive Recycling Grants through the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Dis- trict. In addition, Parma Heights hosts special recycling events such as: Household Hazardous Waste Collection, a Community Shred event, Per- sonal Computer Recycling, Scrap Tire Collection, and a Holiday Light Collection. The City of Parma Heights has also welcomed Simple Recycling, a free curbside service that offers residents the ability to recycle unwanted household and tex- tile items that are too heavily worn to donate to charitable organizations. Parma Heights is also committed to its open, green spaces, and is fortunate to have a 20-acre parcel in the center of town called the Greenbriar Commons. The Commons, which is the heart of the community, houses the city’s branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, N.E.O. Soccer, a water park and pool complex, tennis courts, a playground, pickleball, volleyball, and bocce ball courts, and has been home to the Cassidy The- atre since 1974. Now in its 44th season, Cassidy Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to producing quality community productions. It offers everything from classic dramas to slapstick comedies to modern Broadway musicals along- side children’s theatre classes and productions.