Cleveland, OH
Large abandoned industrial complex in Cleveland to get a second life
CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland plans to repurpose a giant industrial complex in a central neighborhood that has been largely been vacant since 1993.
The complex, located at 7000 Central Ave., is a 183,000-square-foot building spanning the 10 acres. It was built in 1901 by the Wellman-Seaver Engineering Company. The plant was used to help engineer and design steel mills and industrial plant equipment, handling some of the largest material-handling projects ever built, according to Case Western Reserve University.
For years, the property has been in disrepair, and the city said it’s been attracting vandals and illegal dumping. There is housing nearby as well, and the city has it has been a concern for neighborhood residents.
The Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund, which is working with the Cuyahoga Land Bank, closed the acquisition of the property. The Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund is an initiative from Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration to repurpose brownfield sites in the area.
“We must take action to address the decades-old deteriorating and neglected real estate in our urban core,” said Bibb in a press release. “By doing so, we can revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods, create new job opportunities, and attract new investments. The future of our economy is at stake, and we cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer.”
Currently, officials are planning its salvage and repurposing. No specific plans for the property’s future have been announced yet.
The City of Cleveland said the building has significant potential due to its size and stature, as well as features such as floor-to-ceiling windows facing Central Avenue, two rail spurs on the second level and multi-story vaulted ceilings.
Ward 5 Councilman Richard Starr said he is excited about the project and its potential.
“The Site Readiness Fund has acquired a problematic building that has long been a concern for the Cedar/Central neighborhoods and city officials,” Starr said in a press release. “The redevelopment of this pivotal intersection will eliminate an eyesore, address safety issues, and foster economic prosperity. We extend our gratitude to the Site Readiness team for their contributions to improving this area for the benefit of all.”
The Site Readiness Fund hopes to help Cleveland recoup money and jobs that the city is losing, partially due to employers needing environmentally clean sites large enough to operate in. The city said there are about 4,000 to 5,000 acres of abandoned or underutilized industrial property, which is about the size of Shaker Heights.
Brad Whitehead, who is the managing director of the Site Readiness Fund, said the acquisition will help with opportunities outside property boundaries.
“Ultimately, the goals of the Site Readiness Fund are to create good jobs for Cleveland residents, to bring neighborhood vitality, to provide environmental sustainability and justice, and foster community wealth. This project gives us the opportunity to do all of these things,” Whitehead said in a press release. “We will engage with a broad array of stakeholders, including neighborhood residents, on the best use of the property.”
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Cleveland, OH
Ohio-based JOANN closing more than 500 stores nationwide, multiple Cleveland-area locations
![Ohio-based JOANN closing more than 500 stores nationwide, multiple Cleveland-area locations Ohio-based JOANN closing more than 500 stores nationwide, multiple Cleveland-area locations](https://gray-woio-prod.gtv-cdn.com/resizer/v2/XK46E4Z7JZE4ZKDB3NCY4BZIZA.jpg?auth=9d580f4daf716e14a5c7f9f6fbe3aaa51561aba9e16d90e63e3dcde6b189560f&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
HUDSON, Ohio (WOIO) – Fabric and crafts retailer Joann is set to close hundreds of stores nationwide, and at least 10 of those are in Northeast Ohio.
The retailer will close 500 stores, leaving just 300 open nationwide.
The closures come as a consequence of the company filing bankruptcy twice within a year.
Joann first filed for bankruptcy in March 2024 as consumers cut back on spending and some pandemic-era hobbies, like crafting.
The second bankruptcy filing happened less than a month ago on Jan. 15, which the company attributed to “sluggish sales and inventory issues.”
However, that number of stores will soon change.
In Northeast Ohio, the following store locations are set to close:
Akron
- 1500 Canton Road
- 3977 Medina Road
East Liverpool
- 15765 State Route 170 Ste 1
Hudson
Medina
North Olmsted
Mayfield Heights
- 1533 Golden Gate Plaza, Suite #153
New Philadelphia
Niles
- 5555 Youngstown Warren Road #14
Sandusky
Youngtown
Layoffs possible for over 1,000 employees of Ohio-based Joann
In documents filed with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services after the second bankruptcy back in January, the Ohio-based company said it may close facilities in Hudson and West Jefferson.
If that happens, the 1,137 employees who work there would be laid off.
The facilities on the chopping block include their distribution center and corporate offices located at 5555 Darrow Road in Hudson.
The Omni Fulfillment Center located at 1020 Enterprise Parkway in West Jefferson may also close.
“It is possible that the Company may have no choice but to immediately close… and conduct employee separations,” an executive vice president wrote in the documents.
The documents state the layoffs would occur over the next several months.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Person shot and killed at gas station in East Cleveland
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A person was shot and killed at a gas station located at Noble and Nelamere Roads in East Cleveland, according to East Cleveland Chief Lundy.
The shooting happened just after 630pm.
There currently is no other information available at this time.
Check back with 19 News for the latest on this story.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland blasts Wolves, A-Rod and Lore win owners arbitration – Ingstad Media
![Cleveland blasts Wolves, A-Rod and Lore win owners arbitration – Ingstad Media Cleveland blasts Wolves, A-Rod and Lore win owners arbitration – Ingstad Media](https://www.ingstadmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Website-News-Photo-800-500.jpg)
(Minneapolis, MN) — Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are back on track in their quest to own the Minnesota Timberwolves. The pair won an arbitration case against current majority owner Glen Taylor on Monday. Taylor agreed to sell the Timberwolves to Lore and Rodriguez in 2021, but claimed that the pair failed to meet a payment deadline in March of 2024. However, the arbiters ruled that Lore and Rodriguez had satisfied all parameters of the deal and forced the sale to continue. They now have 90 days to make the final payment and receive approval from the N-B-A Board of Governors.
(Cleveland, OH) — The Cleveland Cavaliers raced out to a 16-0 lead and never looked in a 128-107 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night in Ohio. The Cavs held Minnesota scoreless for the first seven minutes of the game and led 30-12 at the end of the first quarter. Minnesota trailed by as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter. Cleveland forward Evan Mobley poured in 28 points and grabbed ten rebounds in the win, while De’Andre Hunter had 12 points in his Cleveland debut. The 43-10 Cavs are on a three-game winning streak. Minnesota star Anthony Edwards had 44 points in the losing effort. The 30-24 Wolves had their three-game winning streak snapped. Minnesota will host the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night at the Target Center at 7 P-M.
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