On an unseasonably warm early December evening, neighbors, project partners, potential home buyers and the just plain curious gathered together at 1033 Argonne Road in South Euclid for the launch of South Euclid’s latest Idea House.
A part of the South Euclid Green Neighborhoods Initiative (GNI), the Idea House is a collaboration between the City of South Euclid, The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), One South Euclid and the Cuyahoga Land Bank.
“We were once again happy to collaborate with the Cuyahoga Land Bank on the building of our second Idea House,” said South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo. “We will now soon be welcoming our newest resident to South Euclid who will be occupying a brand new energy-efficient home in our Historic Bluestone District. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Cuyahoga Land Bank.”
GNI is a neighborhood revitalization program that is creatively reimagining housing in some of South Euclid’s hardest hit areas. Funded by HUD NSP dollars and the First Suburbs Development Council Vacant and Abandoned Properties Fund, GNI uses green building techniques to rehabilitate homes.
“The Idea House shows the potential for new, green, affordable in-fill construction on smaller lots, given the prevalence of demolition activity and the increasing number of potential building sites,” said South Euclid Housing Manager Sally Martin. Three private homes developed, with four more planned for next year are on the way through our partnership with the Land Bank.”
Once remodeled, GNI homes are then made available for purchase on an incentivized basis.
The home at 1033 Argonne Road for example, was acquired by the Cuyahoga Land Bank from HUD. Thereafter, the Cuyahoga Land Bank demolished the blighted house in 2012. The property was then gifted to the City of South Euclid in March 2013.
Cuyahoga Land Bank President Gus Frangos said “It’s exciting to see new progress, such as the Idea House.” CIA’s collaboration on GNI includes not only branding and marke
ting, but also interior design. Students from CIA’s Interior Design program created a fresh, modern and beautiful design for the Idea House designed to accommodate any lifestyle or life phase.
The landscaping offers colorful native plants for every season. When you buy this home, you also buy the neighborhood – strong neighborhood groups, great schools, easy access to transit, walkability, community parks, recreation options and community gardens.
To learn more about GNI and the new homes available through the Initiative, visit www.cityofsoutheuclid.com/building-housing/green-neighborhoods-initiative-contacts.html or contact Sally Martin at (216) 691-4219 or [email protected].