The newly-launched, Land Bank 101 ‘Meet the Team’ series seeks to pull back the curtain on the people working every day on a mission to return land to productive use, reduce blight, increase property values, support community goals and improve quality of life.

In this first installment, Vince Adamus discusses his job as Environmental Project Manager and explains just what he does and why it’s critical to the Land Bank’s overall mission.

Meet Vince Adamus – he considers himself a Clevelander after his wife lured him here from Chicago more than 30 years ago. After decades of working in economic and community development in and around Greater Cleveland, in 2024 he joined the Land Bank.

Today he manages the Land Bank’s growing number of commercial brownfield projects. Over that last few years, former industrial properties have received significant state and federal funding, Adamus explains. The goal is to remediate land left with the lasting effects that come as a result of Cleveland’s robust manufacturing history.

Adamus explains that in and around Cleveland there are properties with everything from traces of radiation, mustard gas, asbestos to the ubiquitous lead but it means his work is, “personally fulfilling and significant because we are addressing real community problems.”

Adamus answered a variety of questions about what he does as the Environmental Project Manager at the Land Bank.

Q: What is it that you do at the Land Bank?
Adamus: The Land Bank, historically, had not been big in the brownfield and commercial property arena, but some funding opportunities arose, and my job was created to manage projects that revitalize blighted properties and create large re-developable sites. The Land Bank might manage the remediation, even if it’s not our property, and with these types of grants there is a lot of required reporting.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
Adamus: Because Cleveland was on the forefront of industrial manufacturing, there are all types of pollutants left behind from those processes.

Environmental regulations really didn’t kick into high gear before the early 70s and the aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and defense technology industries produced a lot of metal parts and processes that required oil and cleaning solvents – so there is a lot to clean up.

Some of those companies left town and others have gone out of business, meaning there was no funding to take care of what was left behind.

I’m generally overseeing the grant portion of things, but when I’m not doing the day-to-day project management in the office, I get to go into the field.

I have the bright, shiny vest so I don’t get run over by the construction vehicles and steel-toed construction boots. When I’m out, I find all sorts of interesting things. Recently, I toured a long-vacant factory, that now the Land Bank owns, where a scene from one of the Avenger movies was shot. It is on the East Side where the interrogation scene with Scarlett Johansson (from the Winter Solider) was filmed.

Q: What is the most interesting part of your job?
Adamus: One time I visited a company, where the owner told me that the property had been used to make battleship guns in World War II and had 70- or 80-feet tall ceilings and rail lines that came directly into the building. You don’t see places like that anymore. The Land Bank now owns that property.

Q: Do you have any good stories?
Adamus: Currently, I’m managing the former National Acme property. There was a three-story manufacturing building on the south side, and when we walked out of the floor level onto the property, we stepped off the concrete onto what we thought was the natural ground. It was actually four to six feet of garbage. It looked like dirt; there was foliage growing on it and it felt like we were walking on the ground but it was compacted trash.

Q: Why do you think your Land Bank work is important?
Adamus: First, the work I do is very personally fulfilling.

We are taking care of real problems out there and putting these properties back into use. Cuyahoga County is essentially a built-out, and we have to compete for business with outlying counties that have open greenfields for development.

What we’re doing is essentially creating shovel ready sites and creating development sites of scale for the region. We’re the front end of the funnel – obtaining the parcels and remediating them. No other land bank is doing this on our scale or level of activity.

Q: Here’s a fun question – What is your favorite building?
Adamus: There is a hotel at the corner of Carnegie Avenue and Stokes Boulevard – the Tudor Arms. It is an example of 1930s Gothic Revival. I’m attracted to masonry buildings, coming from Chicago. Chicago had neighborhoods like Cleveland that for decades were neglected, abused and run down, but there has been a revival of the building stock – the brick or brownstones are now functional housing.

Q: What is the biggest DIY project you’ve ever attempted or finished?
Adamus: When we moved into our house in Highland Heights, it was covered in wallpaper. I hate wallpaper, and every room was wallpapered, including the first floor bathroom. It had such gaudy, shiny, multi-colored wallpaper that it scared the kids. We spent a lot of time getting rid of all of it, and it was worth it.

Q: Finally – What social media do you use, and do you lurk or post?
Adamus: It is LinkedIn for work and Facebook for personal activities. I think it is important to separate work and personal life because, as I get older, I have opinions.

The post LAND BANK 101: Meet Community Stabilization Team Member Vince Adamus appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

For years, this property sat vacant, becoming a neighborhood eyesore. Since 2016, following a foreclosure in 2015, the house languished, falling into disrepair and accumulating more than 71 outstanding code violations. It was a classic example of a nuisance property, detracting from the surrounding community.

Recognizing the potential for positive change, the City of South Euclid took decisive action by filing a civil public nuisance action under Ohio Revised Code 3767.41. Cuyahoga Land Bank was appointed as the Court Appointed Receiver, leveraging our unique legal expertise to take control of the property and pave the way for its revitalization.

As Receiver, our team undertook a full rehabilitation of the home, addressing every code violation and completely abating the public nuisance conditions. The entire property was reimagined and brought up to modern standards, ready for a new chapter. (See before and after photos of the stunning transformation below.)

The results speak for themselves. This once-neglected property has been completely transformed into a beautiful, top-of-the-market renovation. And the best part? It didn’t sit on the market for long! Demonstrating the desirability of a quality renovation in South Euclid, the renovated home went under contract in just six days, receiving multiple offers and ultimately selling over the asking price. This quick sale signifies not only the quality of the renovation but also the demand for well-maintained homes in the area.

This success story wouldn’t have been possible without the strong collaboration between Cuyahoga Land Bank and the City of South Euclid. We extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor Georgine Welo and key individuals including former South Euclid Housing Director Sally Martin O’Toole and Economic Development Director Michael Love for their vision, commitment and partnership in utilizing the receivership process to address this long-standing issue.

This project is a powerful example of how strategic partnerships and legal expertise can be leveraged to transform vacant nuisance properties into valuable community assets. (To discover another example of how the Land Bank leverages its diverse tools to facilitate transformative projects, dive into our new Land Banking Tools 101 series and explore our pivotal role as a pass-through entity for the Taylor Road Synagogue project in Cleveland Heights.) By eliminating blight and creating quality housing, we can return properties to tax-productive beneficial ownership and contribute to the overall vitality of our neighborhoods. It’s a win-win for everyone, and we’re excited to see the new homeowner begin their life in this beautifully reimagined space.

Before and After

The post Land Banking 101: Using Receivership to Move South Euclid Home From Nuisance to New Beginnings appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

This partnership is currently reaching an exciting new milestone, this time on Luther Avenue in Cleveland’s Goodrich-Kirkland Park neighborhood. For years, this site was a vacant lot, remnants of a demolition from long ago. Now, thanks to LMM’s innovative approach and our collaborative efforts, activity surrounds it. Much of the site work at Luther Avenue is already complete, paving the way for something special: LMM’s very first new construction project. They are building a modular duplex home, which is largely complete in the warehouse and will soon be set on its foundation. We’re anticipating a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its completion by the end of August!

While this is LMM’s inaugural new construction, their expertise in affordable housing is well-established through their impactful renovation work. We currently have three other projects in the works with LMM, focusing on renovating existing homes in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. These efforts are dedicated to increasing the stock of affordable housing in our city, providing essential opportunities for individuals and families. We are committed to sharing photos of these exciting projects as they progress; stay tuned for updates.

Cuyahoga Land Bank plays a crucial role in enabling organizations like LMM to achieve their mission. Whether it’s providing properties ripe for renovation or, as in the case of Luther Avenue, supplying well-prepared vacant lots for new construction, we leverage our resources to support our partners. This ensures that valuable properties are put back into productive use, directly addressing the critical need for affordable housing.

“Our partnership with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is a shining example of how collaboration can drive significant positive change,” Land Bank President & CEO Ricardo León said. “Supporting organizations like LMM in their mission to provide safe, decent and affordable housing is central to our strategic vision. Together, we are building stronger communities and creating opportunities for a better future for all.”

The post Cuyahoga Land Bank and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Join Forces for Affordable Living appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

Our strategy involves a two-pronged approach: Cuyahoga Land Bank is undertaking three significant home renovations in select neighborhoods on the southeast side. Simultaneously, we are launching a gap grant program designed to incentivize outside investors to renovate existing homes in the area and sell them to owner-occupants.

This initiative directly aligns with the Land Bank’s successful model of strategic intervention in “tipping point” communities. By demonstrating the potential for quality housing and increasing property values through our own renovations, we aim to bridge the appraisal gap that often hinders private development in these areas. The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining real estate market that attracts ongoing private investment, mirroring the positive transformations we’ve witnessed in other parts of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

The City of Cleveland approached the Land Bank with the available grant funding, recognizing our expertise and track record in successful neighborhood revitalization. As the Mayor’s Southeast Side Promise website highlights, this initiative is a comprehensive effort to invest in the future of these communities.

“Cuyahoga Land Bank is an ideal partner for the Southeast Side Promise,” states Land Bank President and CEO Ricardo León. “Our experience in strategic renovations and ability to demonstrate market potential make us well-positioned to help catalyze the revitalization efforts envisioned by Mayor Bibb. We are excited to work alongside the City and other stakeholders to unlock the immense potential of the southeast side and create lasting positive change for its residents.”

Mayor Justin Bibb underscores the significance of this partnership and his commitment to the initiative: “The Southeast Side Promise is about investing directly in our communities and creating pathways to homeownership for our residents. Partnering with Cuyahoga Land Bank, with their proven expertise in housing revitalization, is a crucial step in achieving our goals. By supporting both Land Bank renovations and incentivizing private investment, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more vibrant southeast side for generations to come.”

Cuyahoga Land Bank’s commitment to these three initial renovations serves as a tangible demonstration of the quality and potential that exists within the southeast side. By offering gap grant funding, we aim to empower private investors to join this revitalization effort, creating more homeownership opportunities and further boosting property values. This collaborative approach, driven by the Mayor’s vision and the Land Bank’s expertise, holds immense promise for the long-term growth and prosperity of Cleveland’s southeast side. We look forward to sharing updates on this exciting project as it progresses.

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