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.”
CLEVELAND — Not many movies stand the test of time, but “A Christmas Story” is a genuine classic.
The 1983 film only lasted a month in the box office but has since become a cult classic, drawing fans to the Cleveland home where it was shot all year long. One northeast Ohio native had a small but memorable part in the film and made lifelong friendships.
Drew Hocevar may be remembered for playing the “mean elf” in the film, but he’s anything but.
Known as the “male elf” in the credits, it’s the only acting role Hocevar has ever auditioned for. He was working at Higbees department store when he got the part.
“They just called me, and I got the elf part!” he said.
He said it was just something fun to do. Being a teacher is what really paid the bills. Hocevar is a former special education teacher and now volunteers as a mechanic working on the merry-go-round at the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Some of the artifacts he saved from the movie are on display at the museum.
“I snagged my hat and ran,” he said.
He said the rest of the costume was thrown away.
Hocevar’s cast-signed poster and bb-gun are on display at the museum
The museum has a few other special “A Christmas Story” displays, including Lego sculptures depicting memorable scenes from the movie including Hocevar’s scene of him pushing kids down a slide on a fake snow-topped mountain.
Over 40 years later he remains friends with some of the cast including his elf counterpart and recently had lunch with her.
The movie plays numerous times throughout the holiday season, but Hocevar said he tends not to watch. His friends, however, have a special name for Christmas Day.
“24 hours of Drew!” he said.
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Cleveland, OH – Warmer weather is set to move into Northeast Ohio just in time for Christmas, with rain chances remaining low this week. After a cloudy and drizzly start today, temperatures will gradually rise, offering a mild holiday season for residents.
According to the National Weather Service, Cleveland will see highs in the upper 30s today with patchy drizzle tapering off by the afternoon. Tonight, skies will remain cloudy with lows near 33°F. By Wednesday, Christmas Day, conditions improve with mostly cloudy skies and highs reaching a pleasant 40°F.
Looking ahead, Thursday will bring partly sunny skies and warmer temperatures, peaking near 48°F. Winds from the southeast will keep conditions calm, making it an ideal day for holiday outings. However, by Friday, a 30% chance of rain returns as temperatures climb into the upper 40s.
The warm-up continues into Saturday, with highs expected to reach the mid-50s. Showers are likely Saturday night into Sunday, so residents should prepare for wet conditions over the weekend.
Motorists should remain cautious today as morning drizzle could create slick spots on roads, including I-90 and I-71. While precipitation chances remain low, lingering fog and mist may reduce visibility early in the day.
Stay tuned for updated forecasts as Christmas approaches, and plan your holiday travels with these warming conditions in mind.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man was shot dead in Downtown Cleveland early Christmas Eve morning, police confirmed.
The Cleveland Division of Police said officers were called to East 13th Street and Superior Avenue for a gunshot victim.
The call came in at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, according to police.
Officers arrived to find a 42-year-old man who was shot lying unconscious in the street, said police.
Police said officers quickly rendered first aid until Cleveland EMS arrived.
Cleveland EMS said he was in critical condition as they took him to MetroHealth Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
He has yet to be identified.
Police said no further information is being released at this time in the ongoing investigation.
Call the Cleveland Division of Police at 216-623-5000 and reference report #2024-370349 if you have any information on this incident.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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