The sudden passing of Cuyahoga Land Bank founder Gus Frangos in August left an irreplaceable void. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to revitalizing Cuyahoga County had a profound impact on countless lives. As the architect of Ohio’s land bank legislation, Frangos has a legacy that extends far beyond the borders of our county, shaping the trajectory of communities across the state.

His partnership with former County Treasurer Jim Rokakis in establishing the nation’s first county land bank marked a turning point in urban revitalization. Frangos’ tireless efforts to acquire and repurpose tax-delinquent properties have breathed new life into neighborhoods and spurred economic growth.

In the wake of his loss, many organizations have paid tribute to Frangos’ invaluable contributions. The following examples highlight the diverse ways in which his memory is being honored.

The Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium (FSC) recently presented its annual Montlack Visionary Leader Award posthumously to Frangos and the Land Bank received the FSC’s Visionary Program/Project Award. Inner-ring Cleveland suburbs hit hard by the nation’s 2008 foreclosure crisis have bounced back, thanks, in large part, to work by Frangos and the Land Bank. Frangos’s wife, Christie, and son, John, accepted the leadership award on his behalf at an awards ceremony November 6 at the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club in Lyndhurst.  

The Building and Leveraging Opportunities (BLO) Foundation recently unveiled its second completed affordable housing project named the Gus Gold Door Initiative in honor of Frangos. The nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives and revitalizing communities through impactful initiatives partnered with the Land Bank on both of its first two housing projects, which were also awarded grant funding from Cuyahoga Land Bank Charities. “Gus was one of the first partners to believe in our mission,” Orlando Grant, BLO Foundation Board Chair, said.

Greater CLE Habitat for Humanity, which has partnered with the Land Bank on countless affordable projects over the years, recognized Frangos with its Community Partner Award at its annual meeting in November. “Gus’s deep faith inspired him to a life of incredible service that impacted countless people and families throughout Cuyahoga County and beyond. Under his leadership, the Land Bank has been a perfect partner to Greater Cleveland Habitat,” read its tribute.

Brookdale Orchard, a space comprising 58 gardens on 14,650 square feet of land in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood, promotes fresh food sources and preserves the natural environment for peaceful community growth and gatherings. Created on land donated by the Land Bank, the Orchard and its founder Mittie Jordan recently dedicated a garden to Gus and praised his steadfast belief in the organization’s mission.

Frangos and his leadership will also be celebrated at the Ohio Land Bank Association annual conference in April. Frangos served as OLBA Board of Directors president from 2018-2022.

The Cuyahoga Land Bank is deeply grateful to the numerous organizations and individuals who have honored the legacy of Gus Frangos. These tributes not only celebrate his life and work but also inspire us to continue his mission of transforming communities. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has taken the time to commemorate Gus’s invaluable contributions.

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Vacant properties, once eyesores and reminders of blight, are being transformed into vibrant oases of green, known as urban gardens. These community-driven initiatives beautify neighborhoods and foster a sense of connection, sustainability, and healthy living.

Vacant properties, often remnants of demolition or economic downturn, have long plagued urban areas like Cleveland. These neglected spaces attract litter, crime, and a sense of decay, detracting from the overall well-being of communities. However, a growing movement is recognizing the potential of these vacant lots to become catalysts for positive change.

The Cuyahoga Land Bank works with many local groups transforming vacant lots into thriving ecosystems. Here are a few examples of our recent collaborations:

Elements of Internal Movement

Elements of Internal Movement (EOIM) is an artistically driven non-profit that combines the priority of wellness, creative expression, and community to foster personal and community transformation. Led by Shirley Bell, EOIM recently transformed two donated Cuyahoga Land Bank parcels in Cleveland’s Mt. Pleasant/Buckeye neighborhood for the group’s ReLove Urban Farm initiative that provides gardening, nutrition, and sustainability educational opportunities.

Shalom & Tranquility Community Garden

Founded by Ebonie Joiner, a mother of two special needs children in a neighborhood with limited exposure to the value of eating homegrown food, the Shalom & Tranquility Community Garden is seeded on two Land Bank donated parcels in Cleveland’s Brooklyn Centre neighborhood. The community garden provides a space for all types of families to be educated about health and build community, all while sharing in the shalom the garden brings.

Urban Farmers Coalition

Co-founded by Asad Shabaz, Chad Anderson, and Julialynne Walker, the Urban Farmer’s Coalition collaboration comprises over 30 black farmers, 10 chefs, four black-owned restaurants, and catering companies focusing on food deserts plaguing urban communities. The group entered into a lease to purchase agreement with the Land Bank in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland. The goal is to educate low- and moderate-income families on how to create their own urban farms or participate in local food co-ops that provide opportunities to access fresh produce within their community.

Brookdale Orchard Community Garden

Led by resident Mittie Jordan, the Brookdale Orchard’s Gardens of Fruit, Myrtle & Forget-Me-Nots was created by the group on land donated by the Cuyahoga Land Bank. The space comprises 58 gardens on 14,650 square feet of land in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood. The orchard is anchored by St. Matthew United Methodist Church, of which Ms. Jordan is a life-long member. Beyond providing agricultural education, training and employee ownership opportunities for neighboring residents, the Orchard promotes fresh food sources and preserves the natural environment for peaceful community growth and gatherings.

Crooked Branch Farms

Anita Gardner founded the Concerned Citizens Community Council in 2008 to help address the needs she saw in her Mt. Pleasant neighborhood in Cleveland. More recently, she and Envision Cleveland, a ministry of the local Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches (USA), helped launch 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. The farm also includes chickens and aquaponics. This year, Crooked Branch Farms was designated as one of the first U.S. Department of Agriculture People’s Gardens nationwide, an honor given to gardens or farms in urban areas that benefit the communities around them.

“It is so gratifying to see urban gardens springing up on these once-vacant properties, transforming them into hubs of activity and life,” says Cuyahoga Land Bank President and General Counsel Gus Frangos. “These gardens serve as community gathering spaces, providing residents a place to connect, learn, and cultivate a shared sense of ownership over their neighborhoods. In addition to their social benefits, urban gardens play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability and provide a direct connection to fresh, nutritious food.”

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