Following in the footsteps of both of his parents who served on Cleveland City Council, Councilman Matt Zone was elected to represent Ward 17 in November 2001.  His hard work and fresh ideas have improved the quality of life for the Detroit Shoreway, Ohio City and Stockyard neighborhoods he represents. 

Councilman Zone’s priorities for Ward 17 are to make the area safe, attractive and economically vibrant.  To address these priorities the Councilman has sponsored legislation that gives police more power to crack down on drug dealers, prostitutes, and solicitors who loiter on city streets and sidewalks disrupting residents’ quality of life and established block clubs to involve the community in the decision making process.

Councilman Zone is a frontrunner in the area of energy efficiency and sustainability.  Ward 17 is home to the first urban-area EcoVillage in the United States.  Also, as a member of Council’s green building working group, Councilman Zone is leading the effort to have the City of Cleveland adopt a green building appendix to our
City’s Residential Building Code. 

Councilman Zone is also committed to safety.  Through his efforts, Ward 17 is home to Cleveland’s first designated official Weed and Seed site, which is helping the Councilman and his neighbors to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity.

From the arts community to the lakefront to the neighborhoods, Councilman Zone seeks ways to promote economic development initiatives that will benefit the community.  As a devoted supporter of the arts, Councilman Zone believes the arts and culture community serves as an economic engine.  

Councilman Zone is a graduate of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School, St Edward High School, and Cleveland State University’s College of Urban Affairs with a bachelor’s degree in urban studies.

Currently, Councilman Zone is a Trustee of the St. Augustine Health Campus, a member of the National League of Cities’ Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Steering Committee, and a basketball coach at his son’s school.