CLEVELAND, Ohio – Seven brownfield properties across Cuyahoga County will soon have new life, including the former National Acme site once considered for a county jail and the old Juvenile Justice Center.
The Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, or County Land Bank, recently won nearly $45 million from the state to revitalize the seven brownfield sites into future use as residential properties, office and retail space, public recreation or manufacturing.
The properties selected have long sat idle and in need of major cleanup from waste and contamination.
- $7.6 million to clear the former National Acme site: The site on Cleveland’s east side will be prepared for future industrial use, creating a site for manufacturing or job-dense activities, creating an expected 150 new jobs. The site was once considered for a new Cuyahoga County jail, but was ruled out because of the cost and time it would take to remediate.
- $6.8 million to demolish the former Juvenile Justice Center: The former Juvenile Justice Center in Cleveland will be demolished and remediated to enable the realignment of the I-90 innerbelt and improvements to the East 22nd bridge, enhancing connectivity for Cleveland neighborhoods and city services.
- $10 million to Cleveland riverfront development: Three parcels along the riverfront will be remediated and redeveloped into mixed-use district featuring public recreation, office, retail and parking facilities, creating 100 new jobs.
- $5.6 million to remediate the former Sears Southland Shopping Center: The site in Middleburg Heights will be remediated and transformed into a mixed-use development with 375 multifamily rental units, retail space and public park areas. The project is expected to create 400 new jobs and retain 270 existing positions.
- $2 million to revitalize Memphis and Pearl: The project aims to preserve the architectural heritage while introducing apartments, retail spaces, a craft brewery and community facilities, generating an expected 237 new jobs.
- $10 million to revitalize the Sherwin Williams Research and Development Campus: The site is expected to be transformed into a modern industrial business park with five new buildings, projected to employ more than 350 people.
- $2.3 million to redevelop Shoreway Tower: The project aims to redevelop the residential property into a mixed-use complex with market-rate apartments, retail spaces and a public art gallery. It’s expected to create six jobs and help transform the Battery Park neighborhood.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne touted the projects in a news release Monday, calling them “essential” for helping transform the county.
“These upcoming initiatives will play a vital role in fostering economic development across our region, while enhancing community well-being and contributing to Cuyahoga County’s sustainability goals,” Ronayne said in the release.
The land bank also was recently awarded another $23 million in state grants to demolish over 1,100 blighted properties in the county.
Read the full story on Cleveland.com HERE.