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.”