Plans are underway for the 8th annual Ohio Land Bank Conference October 23-24 in Columbus. Presented by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, the Ohio Land Bank Conference provides timely and essential information for land bank board members and staff, county and municipal… Read more ›
At the Cuyahoga Land Bank, we encourage people to think outside the box when it comes to envisioning sustainable re-use of vacant land left behind after the demolition of abandoned and vacant houses. Lakewood resident Justin Husher is among… Read more ›
On August 20, local news media joined community leaders, including Cuyahoga County Executive Armand Budish, to see first-hand the progress the Cuyahoga Land Bank is making in removing blight from one East Cleveland neighborhood. As multiple crews demolished dilapidated houses… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently renewed its annual agreement that allows HUD to transfer low-value, vacant and abandoned properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for $100. The unique agreement has… Read more ›
Several Cuyahoga Land Bank directors and employees recently visited the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation’s (COCIC) Franklin County Land Bank in Columbus to share insights on land banking best practices and innovative programming opportunities. “We have a shared mission of creating safer,… Read more ›
In early August, the Cuyahoga Land Bank bid farewell to team member KC Petraitis who has taken a new position as the Director of Real Estate at University Circle Inc. Read more ›
A Euclid trucking business plans to expand its operation with a recent purchase of an adjacent property from the City of Euclid. Read more ›
In July, Lilah Zautner, Manager of Special Projects and Land Reuse and Jessie Masters, Information and Planning Specialist at the Cuyahoga Land Bank presented at the third Legacy City Preservation Conference, held in Buffalo, NY. The conference theme, “reGENerated,” invited attendees to engage, learn, ponder, share, and consider solutions for the hubs of creativity, innovation, and optimism that are Legacy Cities. Read more ›
Kim Steigerwald Acquisitions Manager Date of Hire November 2009 Education BA, Political Science, Bowling Green State University; Master of Public Administration, Kent State University Describe yourself in three words Faith-filled. Family. Focused. What motivates you in your work? We change… Read more ›
In the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, you can still see the scars of the foreclosure crisis — vacant houses with sagging porches and broken windows, empty lots where houses once stood and a still-thriving demolition business tearing down… Read more ›
Neighbors and friends of the Church of the Living God on Buckeye Road gathered on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in August for the dedication of William’s Place community park in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood. William’s Place Park was named in honor… Read more ›
In May, the appointing authorities of the Cuyahoga Land Bank appointed three new board members to a two-year term ending May 1, 2020. The new Board members are Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers, Nathan Kelly, Managing Partner at Cushman & Wakefield | CRESCO, and April… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank is always on the lookout for high-quality licensed General Contractors and Sub-Contractors to take on current and upcoming renovation projects. In an effort to connect with local contractors, the Cuyahoga Land Bank held a Contractor Recruitment Workshop at its offices in late May. More than 80 professional contractors seeking to begin or continue working with us attended one of two workshop sessions. Read more ›
Making Way for Permanent Supportive Housing More than a decade after closing in 2006, the Old Brooklyn YMCA building was torn down in June by the Cuyahoga Land Bank. Neighbors joined City Council President Kevin Kelley, Councilman Tony Brancatelli. EDEN,… Read more ›
On July 28th and 29th 2018, the next generation of Rooms to Let: CLE kicked off its fifth year of transforming Slavic Village houses with innovative art installations. Led by Slavic Village Development Corporation, Rooms to Let: CLE seeks to… Read more ›
We are often asked about the day-to-day work of the Cuyahoga Land Bank from curious residents and community leaders. In this second of an ongoing Behind the Scenes series, we look at the popular Deed-in-Escrow program that makes it possible for individuals to purchase a home in need of renovation from the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s inventory. Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank received the Award of Merit for Neighborhood Impact from the Cleveland Restoration Society and American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cleveland for its renovation and restoration of a property at 10113 South Boulevard in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. The annual awards recognize… Read more ›
A historic restoration of the 1922 Mueller Electric Building by Sustainable Community Associates recently created 51 modern apartments in Cleveland’s Asia Town neighborhood. Read more ›
In April, Vatreisha Nyemba, Compliance and Program Development Manager for the Cuyahoga Land Bank participated in the National Council for Behavioral Health’s NatCon18 Conference in Washington D.C. The annual conference brings together more than 5,000 leaders to explore healthcare’s greatest innovations in practice improvement, financing, integrated health care, technology, policy and advocacy. Nyemba participated in a workshop addressing homelessness and addiction and the financial sustainability of recovery housing.
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Cleaning up hundreds of vacant lots left over from winter demolitions is a huge undertaking – so much so that we’ve even named the flurry of activity.
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KC Petraitis
Real Estate Officer Read more ›
More than 1,000 urban, suburban, and rural leaders gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin May 15-18 for the Center of Community Progress’s eighth Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference (RVP), the only national conference of its kind. RVP explores the latest strategies to address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties, providing space to showcase innovation and creating a forum in which new ideas can arise. It brings people together around these common challenges and gives them tools to return home and affect real, on-the-ground change. Read more ›
While some of our urban neighborhoods continue to struggle to maintain affordable housing, unique collaborations among social service, faith-based and non-profit organizations are making a real difference in creating housing solutions for populations in need. Building Hope in the City (BHITC) is one such organization, working to restore the “city to God” by developing and linking people, communities and churches.
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East Cleveland city leaders and the Cuyahoga Land Bank have been working on a possible city revitalization plan for nearly two years. See NewsChannel 5’s coverage of the story HERE.
Beyond acquisition, demolition and renovation of blighted properties in the county, the Cuyahoga Land Bank makes strategic transactions that have immediate and far-reaching effects on many special needs and at-risk populations in our community. Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank recently hosted delegations from China and Denmark who came to speak to and learn from land bank leadership about land and housing stabilization and urban policy. Read more ›
Working Together for Solutions From case studies in community redevelopment to rehab strategies for vacant properties, the annual Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s 2017 Ohio Land Bank Conference offered up timely and essential information for land bank board members and staff,… Read more ›
In September, the seven-story, 168-room former Ramada Inn (and later Red Roof Inn) on Rockside Road in Bedford Heights was demolished by the Cuyahoga Land Bank after months of pre-demolition work. The site of the long-vacant hotel will soon be… Read more ›
In this first of an ongoing Behind the Scenes series, we take a look at the extensive field servicing work that goes into maintaining the many properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory. Read more ›
We’re highlighting another one of our Cuyahoga Land Bank team members. We hope you enjoy learning more about the people who help make our organization what it is. Read more ›
It was a long road to demolition, but we are happy to have been a part of another terrific land reuse opportunity as Amazon will bring more than 2,000 jobs to North Randall on the former site of the Randall… Read more ›
Community Development Corporations in Cleveland are buying, renovating and selling vacant homes and making an impact in their neighborhoods. See the NewsChannel 5 story HERE.
The NEON Veterans Housing and Support Services (NVHSS) celebrated the completion of Phase One of its Veterans Housing Initiative at a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 18th. NEON board members, local government officials, Cuyahoga Land Bank leaders, veterans and neighborhood residents attended… Read more ›
On Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st, thousands of people gathered in Slavic Village for the fourth installation of Rooms To Let: CLE. The event, presented by Slavic Village Development Corporation, temporarily transforms vacant homes – all of which are slated… Read more ›
“I didn’t see myself as a homeowner,” says April Waltonen, proudly standing in front of her four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home in Euclid that she closed on in July of last year. “The minute my daughter and I saw this house,… Read more ›
Father and Son Team Up to Renovate Vacant House When Michael Rubin Sr. retired from teaching, he dreamt of taking a well-deserved vacation and spending quality time with his wife and family. His plans, though, were put on hold once… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank recently was named a semifinalist in Harvard University’s 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards competition. The Awards are presented annually by The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of… Read more ›
By Alyssa Platek
At the Cuyahoga Land Bank, we are particularly proud of our partnerships that help make a real difference in the communities we serve. One such collaboration is our work with The Woodrow Project, an organization dedicated to providing a safe, stable and supportive environment for women in recovery. Through the Woodrow Project, women in recovery are able to return to healthy and productive lifestyles, and access needed referrals for outpatient treatment, employment and mental health services. Read more ›
The Discovery Center, a neighborhood child enrichment center that moved into its new home on East 137th Street last year thanks to a partnership between Concerned Citizens Community Council, the Cuyahoga Land Bank and Cleveland City Council, began offering its children’s programming again… Read more ›
In our work at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to bring new life to vacant and abandoned property. A new home construction project currently underway in Lakewood surely fits the bill. On May… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank has many opportunities to partner with community organizations to help improve property values through blight removal and improved green spaces. The latest partnership had the Cuyahoga Land Bank joining an existing partnership between St. Clair Superior… Read more ›
Rooms to Let:CLE brought over two thousand visitors to the Slavic Village neighborhood for the third year in a row of fantastic art exhibits. Great job to Paul Williams Cuyahoga Land Bank, Demolition Inspector who was a featured artist! … Read more ›
You never know what you will find when demolishing a structure. The Cuyahoga Land Bank recently discovered a time capsule at the Masonic Temple demolition site in Shaker Heights. The time capsule was turned over to the Temple, and we can’t wait… Read more ›
Library Project has Neighborhood and Environmental Impact Cuyahoga Land Bank Key to Collaboration with Cleveland City Council, Cleveland Public Library, Ohio EPA, and Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority Community leaders, neighborhood residents and other stakeholders gathered yesterday in Glenville to celebrate a… Read more ›
By: Roxanne Washington, Cleveland.com She and three of her four children were thrilled to be roaming around a two-story, four-bedroom home in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood that will be theirs in a few months, once it has been completely rehabilitated by Greater… Read more ›
Lakewood Alive purchased this vacant lot from the Cuyahoga Land Bank and is happy to announce that the lot will be the future site of a house! Lakewood Alive is a non-profit community development organization that promotes economic development and… Read more ›
Kevin Malone Sr. worked as a construction contractor all of his life. Working with his hands, he raised his family and sent them to college. Kevin’s two sons, Kevin and Colin both graduated from college and entered the work force;… Read more ›
By Sue Botos, Rocky River It was a case of good news, bad news last week as the city’s application for funds to develop a new master plan was accepted by the county. But a bid to fund a park… Read more ›
Home closing ceremony for Marine Leo Robinson Cuyahoga Land Bank and Purple Heart Homes partner on second home WHO: Marine Veteran Leo Robinson Robinson’s service dog Kota Cuyahoga Land Bank Purple Heart… Read more ›
Nissim Mashmoor recently moved into his new home in Euclid after participating in the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s Deed-In-Escrow Program. Nissim comments “Because of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, I’m a happy home owner. They have helped me achieve my goal of… Read more ›
On a chilly December evening, friends, parishioners and staff of several partner organizations came together to welcome Ms. Tauri and her three children into their new home in Slavic Village. The home renovation was made possible through the partnership between the Cuyahoga Land Bank,… Read more ›
Christopher Saddler became a first time home owner when he purchased a Cuyahoga Land Bank property in the City of Garfield Heights. “Because of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, I was able to purchase a residential property for me and my… Read more ›
Willie Bethune recently participated in the Deed-In-Escrow Program and purchased a three bedroom home in the Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood. Willie shared about his successful purchase and says “It was a really good experience and a great learning experience to be… Read more ›
In the sixth installment of our FAQ video series, we explore programs available for the purchase and renovation of a Cuyahoga Land Bank home. The most popular program is the Deed-in-Escrow Program. An interested buyer is provided with a renovation… Read more ›
In the fourth installment of a series of Cuyahoga Land Bank FAQ videos, Land Bank President and General Counsel Gus Frangos explains how the Cuyahoga Land Bank acquires properties into our inventory. There are three sources: 1) REO (Real Estate… Read more ›
In the third of a series of Cuyahoga Land Bank FAQ videos, Land Bank President and General Counsel Gus Frangos explains what makes land banks a potent tool. 1) They have the ability to operates as a corporation, which allows… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank’s Deed-In-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Listen to Adam talk about his experience with the Deed-In-Escrow Program. You can learn more about the… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Rhonda Derrett, who was renovating a home for her sick father, needed special consideration due to her… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Listen to Adam Sywanyk talk about his experience with the Deed-in-Escrow Program. You can learn more about… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Rhonda Derrett, who was renovating a home for her sick father, needed special consideration due to her… Read more ›
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ75USveGeo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUGJT1EuXZmZjRaaNyYOkU7Q The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Ecrow program was created as a way for investors, professional rehabbers and people looking to renovate a Land Bank property to turn it into their dream home to be able to do so. Program participants… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank helped the Polish American Cultural Center – which had several vacant, abandoned properties adjacent to it – assemble land and demolish structures in order to create a space for a Cultural Garden, meeting space and outdoor… Read more ›
