As Cuyahoga Land Bank celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, we look back at the incredible and transformative journey it’s been.
The Land Bank’s impact can be seen in virtually every neighborhood in Cuyahoga County. The innovative approach we take to our work has made the Land Bank a valuable tool in our region’s economic development efforts and in revitalizing neighborhoods, creating affordable housing and improving the environment. In honor of our anniversary, we’ve put together this rundown of some of the Land Bank’s favorite and impactful projects. Next up – a look at some of our favorite greenspace and environmental projects.
Greenspace and Environmental Efforts
The Land Bank has helped transform countless vacant lots into thriving green spaces, community gardens and pocket parks, offering residents much-needed recreational areas. Partnerships with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) have also helped the environment and protected our watershed.
What was once an old, abandoned gas station rife with contamination in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood is now a beautiful, sustainable green space thanks to the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Land Bank and The Finch Group real estate company. Cuyahoga Land Bank secured and administered an environmental remediation grant to clean the site and demolish the building, clearing the way for redevelopment. Read more about this project HERE.
A collaboration of several community and faith-based groups founded Crooked Branch Farms, an urban farm focused on growing vegetables and fruit for the community. Located on four vacant lots donated by the Cuyahoga Land Bank, the farm abuts a hoop house that was also co-sponsored by the Land Bank. Read more about this project and other community gardens HERE.
The Officer Derek Owens Memorial Park is built on three formerly vacant lots on Parkview Avenue in Cleveland encompassing the site where Cleveland Police Patrol Officer Derek Owens was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2008. The park was made possible through a partnership among Cuyahoga Land Bank, Saint Luke’s Foundation, Buckeye Square Development Corporation, the Cleveland Police Foundation and others. This park has transformed a place that was the site of a tragedy into a place of hope and celebration of life. Read more about this project HERE.
Cuyahoga Land Bank partnered with the NEORSD for several years, demolishing nearly 100 residential and commercial properties to advance green infrastructure and watershed-protection efforts. Cuyahoga Land Bank demolished this long vacant and deteriorated home to restore the flow of a stream in Pepper Pike.
Our blog is filled with even more inspiring stories and project highlights. We invite you to explore our successes and heartwarming transformations HERE.