The city of Warrensville Heights has seen housing value surge, over the last five years – brought on in no small part by a Cuyahoga Land Bank program to revitalize suburban real estate markets. 

The most recent Cuyahoga County sexennial reappraisal in 2024 found median home value throughout the southeastern suburb increased on average 32%, and the city’s median property value went from $111,200 to $121,100 – about a 9% increase across the board. 

The spark that helped guide what had been a lethargic residential housing market began with a Cuyahoga Land Bank program designed to jumpstart housing suburban markets experiencing challenges like population and industrial losses. 

“We targeted areas throughout Warrensville Heights close to community and commercial anchors – like schools, hospitals or industry,” Cuyahoga Land Bank Chief Strategy Officer Dennis Roberts explained. “We wanted to work in a weaker housing market, jumpstart it and move out to make way for private investors.” 

The Land Bank, using County Housing Program funds and parcel-level housing data, went to work evaluating tax delinquent, vacant and privately-owned properties located in those neighborhoods close to the city’s viable commercial centers.  

Land Bank housing data allowed specific streets and parcels to be analyzed for the highest impact properties to construct new housing.  

“Three streets were identified as the area where a concentration of new market rate housing would have the most impact,” Roberts said. After acquiring the properties, three new single-family homes were built – using a combination of modular and traditional stick-build construction. 

The new single-family homes were sold at a loss to Land Bank, however the higher-than-median home sale prices proved to private developers that market rate housing in Warrensville Heights can be successful. 

“With rising material and labor costs, it has become increasingly difficult to build affordable homes in depressed markets,” Roberts said. “But by providing examples of viable modern housing in these areas, it spurs on private development.” 

The Land Bank’s efforts have paid off. The three-home construction, which began in 2022, was the springboard subsequent partnership between Warrensville Heights and GLH, LLC to bring more than a dozen single-family homes built on city-owned vacant lots.  

The proposed 15 concrete-paneled homes, partially constructed off site, are expected to sell in the mid-to high-$200,000 – currently above the city’s average home price – and come with a 15-year, 75% property tax abatement. 

Building on the success of the vacant lot development program, the Land Bank moved from construction to financing, offering a Housing Construction Gap Grant to smaller real estate developers to cover construction costs versus appraisal value-funding gaps in distressed markets.  

“We wanted to test if building three high-quality homes in one strategic and targeted neighborhood would catalyze more new construction. This will also determine the best tool the Land Bank can use to create the biggest ripple throughout the market. If it doesn’t spur change, it does not make sense,” Roberts said.  

The wave of new development, including a plan to add new senior-housing in the city for the first time since 2006, proves that small but targeted investment by the Land Bank can stimulate private investment and help solve one of the county’s most challenging housing market problems. 

The post Cuyahoga Land Bank’s Targeted Revitalization in Warrensville Heights Spurs Private Investment  appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

Efforts to restore that corner of the city have been ongoing for nearly 10 years, with Cuyahoga Land Bank leading the charge on demolishing abandoned buildings one at a time, while the OEPA has managed the illegally dumped trash alongside Cuyahoga County and its Solid Waste District. Also, part of the team, the County Sheriff deals with security to prevent more illegal dumping from happening. Projects of this magnitude require substantial resources, partnership, and coordination. Collaboration on this effort was especially important.   

Illegal dumping sites like the one at Elderwood and Chapman rarely appear overnight. What often begins as a few discarded items can quickly escalate once a property appears neglected or unmonitored.  

Urban planners refer to this pattern as the contagion effect. Visible disorder, such as trash piles, abandoned structures or vandalism, signals that a space is not being actively cared for. Additional dumping and deterioration often follows. Over time, the presence of visible blight can discourage investment, lower property values, and erode residents’ confidence that their neighborhood is being protected.  

“Cleaning up a site like this is incredibly intensive,” Land Bank Director of Community Stabilization Adam Stalder said. “Removing 250 tons of trash shows just how severe illegal dumping can become when it’s allowed to spread. These sites don’t just appear; they grow over time because people see a property that looks abandoned. The scale of this cleanup shows both the toll that blight can take and the importance of stepping in before it spreads further.”  

Beyond aesthetics or property values, large trash accumulations also present serious public health concerns.  

Improperly managed waste can contaminate soil, water and air and expose nearby residents to harmful pollutants. Decomposing waste can release gases that irritate the respiratory system and contribute to respiratory illness. Chemical runoff from dumped materials can contaminate groundwater or nearby waterways.   

Dump sites also create environments that attract rodents, insects, and other pests that can carry disease, increasing risks to surrounding neighborhoods.   

Studies of communities living near unmanaged waste sites have identified increased risks of respiratory problems, headaches, gastrointestinal illness, and other health effects tied to exposure to pollutants or disease associated with waste accumulation.   

These health impacts are reason enough to address environmental conditions that are central to community development. A healthy neighborhood is not defined only by housing or infrastructure; it also depends on safe physical environments that support the health of the people who live there. When piles of trash accumulate on vacant land, they undermine those conditions and can directly affect the wellbeing of residents.  

Across the United States, illegal dumping is a widespread problem. An estimated 1.5 million tons of trash are illegally dumped each year, placing significant financial and environmental burdens on communities trying to remove it.   

For Cuyahoga Land Bank, tackling these conditions is core to its mission.  

“Our collaborative work is about removing the conditions that make healthy living harder for residents,” said Joan Chase, Cuyahoga Land Bank Chief Operating Officer. “When illegal dumping takes over a property, it affects more than the land. It impacts public health, community pride, and people’s overall sense of place. Addressing sites like this directly aligns with our mission to remediate conditions that are averse to healthy living and help restore the environment that neighborhoods deserve.”  

The cleanup at Elderwood and Chapman represents more than a one-time removal effort. It reflects an ongoing commitment – shared by the Land Bank and Cuyahoga County – to address blight and restore properties so they can once again contribute positively to their communities.  

For East Cleveland residents, the removal of 250 tons of illegally dumped debris is not just a cleanup. It is a visible step toward reversing the cycle of neglect and reinforcing that their neighborhood matters.  

The post East Cleveland Cleanup of More than 250 Tons of Trash Offers Healthy Start for Residents, Opportunity  appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

Cuyahoga Land Bank has seen firsthand how environmentally responsible building practices don’t just benefit the planet, but also create stronger, healthier and more economically resilient neighborhoods. A leading example of this approach in action is the Circle East District in East Cleveland, where sustainability and community revitalization go hand in hand. 

Why Green Development Matters 

Green development is not just an environmental choice. It is a practical, people-centered strategy for community growth, offering:  

Lower Costs for Residents and Communities: Energy-efficient homes reduce utility costs, making housing more affordable over time. Green homes typically use 20 to 30% less energy and water, translating into meaningful monthly savings for families. These savings are especially impactful in communities where housing affordability is already a concern.  

Economic and Environmental Perks: Sustainable construction reduces energy consumption, water use, and waste. At the same time, it lowers operating costs for homeowners and property managers, proving that what’s good for the environment is also good for the economy.  

Improved Public Health: Indoor air quality plays a critical role in overall health. Green homes prioritize ventilation systems, non-toxic materials, and moisture control, all of which reduce exposure to pollutants that can lead to asthma, headaches, and other health issues. Considering Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, these improvements are essential. 

Stronger, Healthier Communities: Walkable neighborhoods, access to public transit and shared green spaces all contribute to healthier lifestyles. Sustainable infill development (building within existing neighborhoods) supports these outcomes while making efficient use of infrastructure. 

Long-Term Community Value: Green buildings tend to maintain higher property values, require less maintenance, and contribute to neighborhood stability. They also strengthen resilience against future environmental and economic challenges. 

Circle East District: A Model for Sustainable Development 

The Circle East District demonstrates how thoughtful, green design can transform a neighborhood. By integrating cutting-edge building practices and community-focused planning, this development sets a new standard for what equitable, sustainable housing can look like when they feature:  

High-Performance Building Envelopes: Homes in Circle East are built with enhanced insulation, air sealing and energy-efficient windows and appliances, all of which offer: 

• Reduce heating and cooling demand 

• Improve indoor comfort and air quality 

• Prevent moisture issues like mold that can lead to health problems 

Solar-Ready and Solar-Equipped Homes: Solar panels reduce reliance on the grid and lower energy costs for homeowners. In some cases, residents can even generate excess energy and benefit financially, with incentives helping offset installation costs.  

All-Electric Design: By eliminating gas appliances, Circle East homes promote: 

• Healthier indoor air, reducing exposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide 

• Cleaner outdoor air, by limiting emissions vented outside 

• Greater efficiency, with heat pumps that are up to three times more efficient than traditional systems 

Neighborhood-Wide Sustainability: Circle East goes beyond individual homes to create a cohesive, sustainable community, as it features: 

• Walkable streets and shared green spaces 

• Efficient stormwater management 

• Proximity to transit, jobs, and amenities 

• Infill development that leverages existing infrastructure 

Homes Built to High Standards: Cuyahoga Land Bank-developed homes incorporate rigorous green standards, including: 

• Enterprise Green Communities certification 

• Energy Star appliances and systems 

• Solar panels and EV chargers 

• All-electric heating, cooling and appliances 

• Advanced ventilation systems 

• Low- or no-VOC materials and asthma-free products 

• Water-conserving fixtures 

These features work together to create homes that are not only efficient, but also healthier and more durable. 

 Expert Perspectives 

Bill Sanderson, Principal at Team WS, underscores the broader impact of building to higher standards like the National Green Building Standard: “There are many causes of the lack of affordability for new housing, but there are also many potential solutions. Building to the National Green Building Standard potentially helps with insurance risk rating, but also water and energy efficiency can be increased (lower utility bills) and improved indoor environmental quality leads to healthier lives and lower health insurance rates.” 

From the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s perspective, these benefits are not theoretical, as they’re already being realized in developments like Circle East. Michelle Thomas, Housing Development Project Manager at Cuyahoga Land Bank, highlights the real-world impact: “Green building isn’t just about sustainability, but also stability. When we invest in energy-efficient, healthy homes, we’re lowering monthly costs for families while creating spaces that truly support their well-being. Developments like Circle East show that we can build smarter and more equitably. By combining green technology with thoughtful neighborhood design, we’re not just constructing houses, we’re strengthening entire communities for the long term.” 

A Blueprint for the Future 

Green community development offers a powerful path forward, one that addresses affordability, health and environmental responsibility all at once. The Circle East District stands as proof that with the right approach, we can build communities that are not only sustainable, but also thriving, inclusive, and resilient. 

The post Building a Healthier, More Affordable Future: Why Green Efforts Matter in Community Development appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

This multi-tool approach is at the core of how we create lasting economic impact across Cuyahoga County. By combining acquisition strategies, title work, demolition, environmental remediation, and strategic partnerships, we’re able to move properties from distressed and dormant to vibrant and valuable. 

Here are a few recent projects that demonstrate how this approach works in action. 

Reimagining Euclid Beach: From Mobile Home Community to Public Greenspace 

The transformation of the former Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community is a powerful example of collaboration paired with a comprehensive toolkit. 

Working alongside the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and with facilitation from Cleveland City Councilman Michael Polensek, the Land Bank played a central role in repositioning this lakefront property for public benefit. The project required a layered approach: accepting property through deed in lieu of tax foreclosure, clearing complex title issues, holding the land tax exempt, and ultimately overseeing demolition.  

“The Land Bank was an exceptional partner in the Euclid Beach Transformation project,” Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Chief Urban Program Officer, Isaac Robb said. “From participating in land use planning to helping navigate complex legal and environmental challenges, their team brought both deep expertise and a solutions-oriented mindset. The tools they bring to any project are remarkable: legal help with challenging title issues, real estate and tax expertise, not to mention housing accommodations, and demolition was critical in moving the project forward. Just as important was the professionalism and genuine compassion they bring to their work, ensuring that the process remained grounded in community impact.”  

The process was anything but simple. More than 100 occupied mobile homes were located on the site, requiring careful coordination and compassion. Residents were successfully relocated with the help of Realty Reimagined, ensuring a people-first approach throughout the transition. 

From there, the Land Bank managed demolition and tackled the unique legal hurdles tied to mobile homes. 

“Mobile homes are treated as vehicles,” Land Bank Director of Acquisition & Disposition Kim Steigerwald said. “So, on top of clearing the taxes, we had to go to the BMV to transfer the titles into our name so that we could demolish the mobile homes.” 

After clearing the site and holding it tax exempt, the property was transferred back to the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and ultimately to the Cleveland Metroparks. The result is a once-inaccessible stretch of land now poised to become a major recreational asset. 

“It would appear that Euclid Beach Park could become the Eastside Edgewater,” Steigerwald noted. “The more recreation space you have for people, the healthier it is for them.” 

Building Opportunity: Westinghouse Electric Site Assembly 

At 2175 Ashland Road in Cleveland, the Land Bank’s multi-tool approach is helping lay the groundwork for future job creation. 

This long-vacant, tax-delinquent industrial property had gone through foreclosure and multiple unsuccessful sheriff sales before the Land Bank acquired it on behalf of Cleveland’s Site Readiness Fund (SRF). Using acquisition from forfeiture and a tax-exempt hold, the Land Bank stabilized the site while a broader redevelopment vision took shape. 

The strategy didn’t stop at a single parcel. Through coordinated efforts, additional nearby properties on Longfellow, Thackery, and Hawthorne were assembled, which created a contiguous site of more than 10 acres. 

Environmental challenges remain, but the Land Bank is addressing them head-on. “This was one of the first sites we acquired for the Site Readiness Fund,” Steigerwald said. “We applied for a U.S. EPA cleanup grant for more than $1 million that would allow us to clean up the site with help from the Ohio Department of Development demolition fund.” 

The payoff of this approach is clear. Steigerwald continues: “The more parcels that can be assembled, the more attractive it is for manufacturers to use the site to create jobs.” 

By combining land assembly, environmental funding and strategic holding, the project is transforming a long-neglected industrial area into a competitive development opportunity. 

Stabilizing a Key Development Site in Bedford 

At 200 Egbert Road in Bedford, the Land Bank stepped in at a critical moment to preserve momentum on a high-potential redevelopment site. 

Formerly home to the Taylor Chair Company, the property had already undergone demolition and environmental cleanup under a private developer. However, financial challenges stalled progress, putting the future of the more than 20-acre site at risk. 

Through a deed in lieu of tax foreclosure, the Land Bank acquired the parcels, cleared title issues and is now holding the property tax exempt on behalf of the City of Bedford. This intervention ensures that the site, which is considered prime for development, remains viable and positioned for future investment.  

By stepping in with the right tools at the right time, the Land Bank helped prevent backsliding and preserved a major economic opportunity for the community. 

Connecting Community Assets: Madison Park Expansion in Lakewood 

Strategic demolition can be just as impactful as large-scale redevelopment, especially when it enhances access to community assets. 

In Lakewood, the removal of a residential structure on Halstead Avenue created a new entrance and connection point to Madison Park. This project illustrates how targeted intervention can improve neighborhood connectivity, usability, and overall quality of life. 

By clearing the way for expanded park access, Cuyahoga Land Bank helped unlock additional value from an already beloved public space to demonstrate that even smaller-scale projects can deliver meaningful community impact. 

From Nuisance to Neighborhood Asset: Westlake Forfeiture Rehab 

Not every project requires demolition. At 2916 Walter Road in Westlake, the Land Bank used acquisition from forfeiture and strategic rehabilitation to completely transform a distressed property. 

Once a severely blighted hoarder house with extensive debris and mold issues, the property was acquired after failing to sell at sheriff’s auction. Following a thorough cleanout, the Land Bank determined the home could be saved. 

The renovation was extensive and included mold remediation, new mechanical systems, roof, siding, windows, and a full interior redesign to create a modern, functional layout. The result was a high-quality home that blended seamlessly into the neighborhood. 

The project earned the Remodel of the Year Award for Best Entire Home Renovation under $250,000 from the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland. 

“A former nuisance property has now been given a new life and was sold at market rate to a new homeowner after renovation, putting it back on the tax rolls,” said Jennifer Vasquez-Norman, Director of Real Estate Development. “The home went from being a major source of concern for neighbors to a beautiful, high-quality renovation.” 

The Power of a Multi-Tool Approach 

These projects may differ in size and scope, but they share a common thread: success requires more than a single solution. 

By combining tools – legal, financial, environmental, and operational – Cuyahoga Land Bank has been able to: 

• Remove barriers to redevelopment 

• Stabilize and assemble land for future investment 

• Return properties to productive use 

• Support job creation and economic growth 

• Improve quality of life for residents 

This flexible, comprehensive approach allows us to meet each property where it is and move it toward where it can be. And when the right tools are used together, the impact is greater than the sum of its parts. 

The post Maximizing Impact: How a Multi-Tool Land Banking Approach Transforms Communities  appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

CMHA hoped to transfer this large portfolio to a single buyer with a mission aligned to its own: creating affordable housing opportunities by putting non-productive properties back into use to strengthen area communities. The Land Bank was a natural partner, given the organizations’ history of successful collaboration and shared commitment to neighborhood stabilization.

Turning that vision into reality, however, required significant time and coordination. Because federal funds had originally been used in connection with the properties, each home carried deed restrictions. Before the properties could be transferred, those restrictions had to be reviewed and removed through a detailed federal process.

That meant clearing titles, documenting ownership histories and coordinating multiple public meetings held jointly by CMHA and the Land Bank. It also meant navigating a lengthy federal review process with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including sending documentation to Washington, D.C., waiting for responses and working through a 45-day federal government shutdown that temporarily stalled progress.

“We did everything we could because it was in everyone’s interest to move the project forward,” Cuyahoga Land Bank Director of Acquisition and Disposition Kim Steigerwald said. “But because federal funding was involved, the properties had deed restrictions attached to each home. The process of clearing title and removing those restrictions was lengthy, requiring multiple public meetings and extensive documentation submitted to HUD for review and release.”

Despite the long timeline, both organizations remained committed to ensuring the transfer could move forward. The Land Bank even invested resources into maintaining and stabilizing some of the properties before the transfer was finalized to ensure they remained in good condition for future redevelopment.

“To ensure the homes stayed in good shape for when we received them and could share them with our partners, we spent time and resources maintaining and making repairs – even before we officially owned them,” Steigerwald said.

“CMHA is proud to partner with the Cuyahoga Land Bank to create new pathways to homeownership within our community. Focused efforts like this strategically advance CMHA’s 2045 Initiative while delivering lasting benefits, helping families achieve stability, self-sufficiency and a stronger future,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CEO of CMHA.

Now that the transfer is complete, the Land Bank is moving quickly to determine the best path forward for each property. The portfolio is being organized into several categories to ensure the homes can be used in ways that best serve community needs.

Some homes will be renovated directly by the Land Bank as part of its own rehabilitation programs, including initiatives focused on stabilizing neighborhoods and supporting homeownership opportunities. Other properties will be transferred to nonprofit organizations that work with specialized populations, including groups focused on housing for veterans.

A significant portion of the homes will also be transferred to trusted housing partners, including CHN Housing Partners and Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, both of which have programs ready to renovate the homes and prepare them for qualified buyers.

Meanwhile, the Land Bank is continuing to evaluate the vacant lots included in the portfolio to determine how they can best support neighborhood reinvestment.

While the process to reach this point was complex and lengthy, the outcome represents something far more meaningful than a completed transaction. It reflects what can happen when organizations with aligned missions work together with patience and persistence.

With the properties now in the Land Bank’s hands and partners ready to begin renovations, homes that once sat vacant will soon become places for families to live, invest and build their futures, bringing renewed life to the neighborhoods around them.

The post Transfer of Vacant Properties, Partnership with CMHA Supports Broader County Housing Initiatives appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

According to the National Association of Realtors 2024 homebuyer data, single women accounted for about 20% of all homebuyers, more than double the share of single men (8%). Additionally, among first-time buyers, nearly one-third were single women, another sign that women have no problem entering the housing market on their own.  

Beyond homebuyer share, broader ownership data shows that single women now own more homes than single men, a trend that highlights their growing economic independence and resilience in a challenging market. 

What about in Cuyahoga County, though? While there isn’t a specific county-level homebuyer share published as frequently as national reports, Ohio data reflects similar patterns: single women in Ohio own a larger share of homes compared to single men (13.7% versus 11.3%, respectively), mirroring the national pattern. It also suggests that women in Northeast Ohio are also an important and growing segment of homeowners and homebuyers. 

In our regional communities, organizations are actively working to support women and other residents in becoming homeowners, recognizing that homeownership builds generational wealth, stability and community strength. 

One powerful example of local action is the Make It Home Cleveland program, a collaborative effort among Cuyahoga Land Bank, Enterprise Community Partners, Cleveland Housing Partners, the Rocket Community Fund, the City of Cleveland and other partners.  

Make It Home Cleveland helps eligible residents living in tax-forfeited properties to purchase and repair their homes before those homes are sold on the private market. It provides: 

• One-on-one homebuyer guidance 

• Home repair support 

• Legal assistance and counseling 

• Pathways to sustainable ownership 

All of this is done in a way that supports economic mobility and long-term stability for buyers who might otherwise be at risk of displacement. 

Beyond purchase-assistance, local organizations are helping women prepare for long-term success as homeowners. For example, the Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) in Cleveland Heights offers hands-on DIY home repair classes, including workshops on carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and general home maintenance — many of which are structured specifically for women who want to build confidence and skills before or after buying a home.  

HRRC’s classes for women teach practical skills like tool use, electrical repairs and basic carpentry, which empowers participants to care for their homes independently. These workshops reduce intimidation around home projects and help prospective buyers feel ready for the responsibilities that come after closing.  

In addition to classes, HRRC provides: 

• Homeowner education workshops on mortgages, credit, budgeting, repairs and maintenance that can prepare buyers before purchasing;  

• A tool library where members can borrow tools to complete repairs themselves.  

Local real estate professionals also offer targeted support for women entering the housing market. Groups like the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Northeast Ohio (part of the national network focused on advancing women in real estate) host networking, training and education events throughout the Akron and Cleveland areas. While events aren’t exclusively homebuyer assistance programs, they often include sessions, workshops or community programs that provide helpful information on topics like down-payment assistance, financing options and navigating the purchase process.  

These gatherings create opportunities for women to learn from experienced agents, lenders and housing professionals in environments that center their questions and concerns, whether someone is exploring homeownership for the first time or looking to build confidence in the market. 

Women have been among the early success stories in recent Cuyahoga Land Bank efforts — particularly in the revitalizing Circle East District near University Circle: 

• Tabitha, a foster mom of two, returned to work with the Land Bank after a positive experience buying her first home through the organization. This time, she found a newly renovated home in Circle East that gave her the space her family needed. 

• Crystal Lynn Bryant-Agyemang, an attorney with KeyBank, became one of the first new homeowners in Circle East. Her purchase reflects a broader confidence in the neighborhood’s future.  

Together, community resources like Make It Home Cleveland, HRRC repair classes and REALTOR®-led women’s education events are creating multiple pathways toward confident, supported homeownership for women across Cuyahoga County. 

The increasing share of female homebuyers (particularly single women) signals both a shift in economic empowerment and an opportunity for targeted support from community programs. When organizations like Cuyahoga Land Bank and Enterprise Community Partners create intentional pathways to ownership, they help ensure that women’s rising role in the housing market translates into lasting wealth and stable communities. 

The post The Rise of the Female Homebuyer: How Women Are Shaping the Housing Market  appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

One important partnership in achieving this eco-conscious goal is with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). Their team transforms vacant land into green infrastructure that reduces flooding, prevents pollution and improves water quality throughout Cuyahoga County.

A Partnership Built on Good Maps

“Since 2010, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has been approaching us looking for assistance in acquisition of vacant lots and which we are happy to do,” said Kim Steigerwald, Director of Acquisition & Disposition for Cuyahoga Land Bank. “We will acquire them through end users, donations and tax foreclosure.”

The Land Bank’s unique statutory tools allow the organization to assemble properties that would otherwise remain fragmented or underutilized. Steigerwald explained: “The folks at the sewer district know exactly what they need, where they need it and when they need it. And their mapping abilities are amazing, so when they see that there’s something in their area that we own, we’re happy to oblige.”

This coordination matters. Stormwater infrastructure is not random; it must be carefully located within a watershed to maximize impact. When NEORSD identifies a priority site, the Land Bank can move strategically to secure it.

“We acquire vacant lots for them in their targeted areas to help with various projects including the creation of bioretention cells,” Steigerwald added.

How Land Matters to the Sewer System

Much of Cleveland operates under a combined sewer system. As Chris Hartman, Stormwater Technical Specialist with NEORSD, explained: “A combined sewer system is when all water flows to a single pipe. All the sanitary waste and all the stormwater inlets are connected to that single pipe, which conveys the flow to the waste water treatment plant.”

On dry days, that system works efficiently. Even during light rain, it generally performs well. But heavy storms create a surge.

“When a lot of stormwater mixes with the sanitary waste, those pipes no longer have the capacity to convey it all the way to the treatment plant,” Hartman said. “Only what can fit in the pipe gets to the treatment plant and what enters that second pipe, the overflow pipe, gets discharged into the environment.”

That discharge carries untreated stormwater, pollutants and sanitary wastes into Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River, and local streams – waterways used for recreation, fishing and as a drinking water source.

“We’ve all seen the bacteria warnings for Edgewater Park, right? That’s the kind of thing bioretention cells help to address,” Hartman explained.

Reducing the volume and pollution of stormwater before it enters the system is essential. That’s where bioretention cells come in.

What Is a Bioretention Cell?

“Bioretention is a stormwater control measure,” Hartman explained. “It’s a landscaped bed that’s in the shape of a bowl that purposely collects the runoff at the low point.”

He describes it like a three-layer cake:

• Bottom layer: Gravel that allows stormwater to properly drain.
• Middle layer: Sandy soil that slows water just enough for pollutants to be filtered out.
• Ponding layer: Mulch and plants that trap hydrocarbons and allow sunlight and microbes to break down contaminants.

“The soil and plants remove pollutants like hydrocarbons, phosphorus and nitrogen through a variety of processes like filtration, sedimentation, adsorption, plant uptake and microbial activity,” Hartman noted. “So, in the end, the water is coming out much cleaner.”

If water cannot fully infiltrate into the ground, underdrain pipes at the gravel level return it to the sewer system cleaner than when it left the street or parking lot.

Why Bioretention Cells Are Important

Before bioretention, stormwater washing across parking lots and streets carried pollutants directly into pipes and then into streams, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.

“Parking lot runoff is pretty nasty,” Hartman said. “When your tires and brakes wear, when a drip of oil comes off a leaky gasket, that stuff doesn’t just disappear. Those pollutants go directly to the environment.”

These pollutants accumulate on hard surfaces and are flushed into waterways during rainstorms. Bioretention cells intercept and treat that runoff before it causes harm.

“A lot of the pollutants that come into the bioretention cells will stay there, which means less impact to our recreational and public uses of these water resources,” Hartman added.

By capturing stormwater at its source, bioretention cells:

• Reduce combined sewer overflows
• Improve water quality
• Protect beaches and recreational areas
• Enhance neighborhood green space
• Increase climate resilience amid more frequent heavy rain events

Land as Infrastructure

None of this is possible without land.

As Lilah Zautner, Project Manager for Property Acquisition at NEORSD, explains, “Cuyahoga Land Bank and NEORSD work together closely. The District partners with the Land Bank on acquisitions across the service area, leveraging the Land Bank’s unique acquisition and assembly tools to support the Stormwater program.”

Land Bank-acquired land may be used for major tunnel projects, preservation around stormwater systems, or distributed green infrastructure like bioretention cells. Vacant lots that once symbolized disinvestment can become high-performing environmental assets.

Turning Vacant Lots Into Environmental Assets

Blight removal is just the first step to Cuyahoga Land Bank achieving their mission of repurposing land back to productive use. Only through intentional land assembly, partnership and strategy can smart redevelopment and critical public infrastructure be enabled.

By acquiring and holding land in targeted areas, Cuyahoga Land Bank ensures that when partners like NEORSD identify a need – whether for a major capital project or a neighborhood-scale bioretention cell – the right property is available at the right time.

In a region shaped by water, protecting that resource is a shared responsibility. Through this partnership, vacant land becomes part of the solution to filter runoff, prevent pollution and safeguard the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie for generations to come.

Land, when used with purpose, is powerful infrastructure.

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“Sometimes we talk about affordable housing, and we should be talking about building markets. Sometimes it’s vice versa but either way, we’re confusing the issue,” said Dennis Roberts, Chief Strategy Officer at Cuyahoga Land Bank.

This confusion has real consequences, especially in places like East Cleveland, one of the most disinvested cities in the nation. With an average household income of roughly $22,000 per year, the instinct is often to double down on affordability. But research (and lived experience) tells us that the most vibrant, resilient communities are those with mixed incomes.

“Experts say the most vibrant communities are those that have mixed incomes,” Roberts said. “That means, we need to bring new people to East Cleveland with higher incomes, while we continue to create and support housing opportunities for the people who have lived there for years.”

That statement can sound provocative, even uncomfortable. But the point isn’t to exclude existing residents, but rather to expand the market so opportunity, investment and demand can return to benefit everyone.

The Real Diagnosis: Concentrated Poverty

Concentrated poverty doesn’t just limit individual households; it weakens entire systems, including schools, commercial corridors, public services and civic life. When everyone in a neighborhood is financially constrained, there’s little capacity to demand or sustain quality amenities.

“The sickness is being misdiagnosed,” Roberts explained. “We need more quality housing that supports people at various income levels; these homeowners with higher incomes in turn will demand better schools, shopping centers, amenities, which will be a benefit to everyone in that community.”

At the core, most people (regardless of income) want the same things. Roberts explained, “They want a decent place to live, decent schools, amenities, a walkable community, a place to take their kids – and they want it to be safe.”

Mixed-income neighborhoods make those shared aspirations achievable.

Market-Building Is a Team Sport

Creating these conditions requires coordinated action across sectors, particularly in places that have experienced decades of disinvestment.

“The local government could take responsibility for land assembly, signaling that it will act in a strategic and sustainable way,” Roberts said. “That would give the private sector the confidence to invest for the long-term. The philanthropic community could also have to help de-risk early investment opportunities. Each sector plays a role.”

No single organization or team can do this alone. Market recovery is an ecosystem effort.

Being Willing to Be the Loss Leader

At Cuyahoga Land Bank, that ecosystem approach often starts with intentional risk-taking.

“Many times, when the Cuyahoga Land Bank goes into a community, we are the loss leaders. We often lose money on those initial homes and we recognize that,” Roberts described. “But we are creating the conditions for private investment to come in afterwards, make money and create a healthy market.”

This is how markets are rebuilt: not by avoiding loss entirely, but by using strategic losses to unlock long-term value.

Poverty as a Societal Issue, not a Local Flaw

The logic behind public investment in housing markets isn’t fundamentally different from how we think about schools.

“A school system is an investment that we all make because we recognize the importance of it,” Roberts said. “If we recognize that, we should also recognize that pockets of poverty are not good for society. We have to recognize that, like schools, concentrated poverty is a collective societal issue.”

Mixed-income neighborhoods aren’t charity. They’re infrastructure for opportunity.

Patience Is Part of the Strategy

Finally, there’s no shortcut around time.

“If it took years in order to create a situation, it’s going to take years to fix it,” Roberts said.

Rebuilding markets, restoring confidence and rebalancing neighborhoods is slow, deliberate work. But the payoff is profound: communities that are not only affordable, but functional, vibrant and durable.

The goal isn’t just housing people. It’s rebuilding places, and mixed-income neighborhoods are one of the most powerful tools we have to do exactly that.

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Last year, Cuyahoga Land Bank transitioned from a near-exclusive focus on residential work by adding more commercial and industrial programs – including more than $140 million of brownfield-related projects – to its growing list of services.

This year’s Land Bank President and CEO Ricardo León explains that the team will continue that growth strategy by capitalizing on the organization’s strengths.

“From a development perspective, we expanded our partnerships, started working with a lot of new groups and faces, and we are joining conversations we haven’t historically been part of,” León said.

He added that it is critical, as the Land Bank enters its 16th year, to grow and adapt to the economic uncertainty of the current environment. “In 2026, we are targeting ways to export the Land Bank’s unique expertise in order to significantly increase the organization’s impact by expanding services and adding more community and business engagement,” León said.

Exporting Expertise
Last October, León and Land Bank Data Scientist Dr. Ryan Sutter set-in-motion a service they plan to scale up in 2026. In a partnership with Omaha Municipal Land Bank, Sutter created a 10-year in-depth economic analysis highlighting the city land bank’s impact on its region of Nebraska.

The report, modeled after Cuyahoga Land Bank’s 15-Year Economic Impact Analysis, was what León hopes is just the first consulting project using the Land Bank’s specific expertise.
“With the Omaha report, we provided a granular study, including a parcel-level analysis for another land bank,” he explained. “This is a unique service our organization has developed. It is something that sets us apart, and we want to deploy that work outside of our region and on a national level.”

Another area where León wants to apply the Land Bank distinctive skill set toward efforts in the region to attract companies looking to relocate or grow. The Land Bank staff, he points out, can tap into a custom-built, analytical property database for site selection identifying which companies are best suited to relocate to the growing number of shovel-ready sites throughout Cuyahoga County.

“We are well-positioned to create highest and best use studies and identify the appropriate industry sectors for the sites. We can even provide outreach and problem-solving for commercial sites like the former National Acme plant property,” León said.

The Land Bank is well positioned to support site-targeting and business-attraction efforts for the City of Cleveland’s Site Readiness program, he added.

In 2026, the Land Bank is working to compile property and demographic data as part of the creation of a parcel-level map with a modeling function – in preparation for any future site selection consulting service.

Expanding Community Engagement and Partnerships
The pursuit of new partnerships, revenue growth and alternative streams of funding is another major initiative the Land Bank, with funding support from the Cleveland Foundation, will undertake this year.

“We continue to evolve the organizational structure,” León said. “The Land Bank is moving away from operating as a mom and pop, grassroots nonprofit and growing into a significant regional civic organization.”

The pivot away from traditional Land Bank operations will allow the organization to not rely solely on a static, restricted funding stream as it has the last 15 plus years.

The move, explains Senior Director of Engagement Anne Borchert, means the Land Bank is looking to operate more like a traditional nonprofit.

Going forward with a strategy aimed at increasing revenues through partnerships and services will require a bit of rebalancing and reshuffling of the deck, Borchert explains.

“By broadening how we generate resources, we’re better positioned to reinvest in neighborhoods, deepening those partnerships and taking on more ambitious work. That will go a long way to help stabilize housing markets, expand opportunity and deliver long-term benefits for residents across the county,” she said. “This shift gives us the flexibility to meet communities where they are today, while also plan and respond to needs for the future.”

Expanding services over the new year for the Land Bank which León stresses, accomplishes a lot for a relatively small group,” to as the saying goes – change the tire while the car is still moving.

“We have to keep doing what we historically have been good at – continuing to deliver on those services – while also adapting to a changing ecosystem and economic realities. We are looking for solutions, including new partnerships to drive the mission – and we have to do both at the same time,” León added.

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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.

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