Behind the Scenes: Field Services
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 ›
Meet the Team
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 ›
Dimani House: A Safe Haven for Women in Transition
At the root of the work of the Women’s Wellness Foundation, an all-volunteer, faith-based mission and ministry in Cleveland, is a profound belief in second chances. Often women who are reentering society after incarceration need help with struggles with substance abuse and lack of education and housing. Read more ›
Spirit Corner Brings Neighborhood Together
Spirit Corner is the result of a community banding together with some help from us here at the Cuyahoga Land Bank. This article from cleveland.com explains how so many people pitched in to make this eyesore a plot of community pride. Read more ›
Removing Blight, Driving Growth
The Bedford Automile, home to the largest concentration of car dealerships in Ohio, is a big draw for the City of Bedford, with people traveling across the region each day to get a great deal on a new or used car. When in 2015, a group of industrial warehouse structures situated around several car dealerships fell beyond general disrepair into unsafe conditions, the City of Bedford requested help from the Cuyahoga Land Bank in demolishing the structures. Read more ›
June is Record Setting Month for Land Bank
The Cuyahoga Land Bank had a record setting month of June as 384 properties poured into its inventory. Typically, that number is closer to 110 properties per month. So why the big increase? The simple answer is collaboration. Read more ›
World War II Vets Share Experiences
Two World War II Veterans made a special visit to the Cuyahoga Land Bank in July to talk to Cuyahoga Land Bank staff about how different the world was 75 years ago. Read more ›
Amazon commits to North Randall fulfillment center, with 2,000-plus jobs on former mall site
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 ›
Cleveland development corporations buy, flip abandoned homes to improve neighborhoods
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.
Gus Frangos Speaks to the City Club
Nearly 200 people packed the City Club of Cleveland on June 30 to hear Cuyahoga Land Bank President Gus Frangos discuss lessons from the last eight years of strategic demolition, rehabilitation, and community rebuilding. Frangos’ speech, “The Land Bank Eight Years On: Evaluating a National Model,” highlighted the progress made since the creation of legislation which enabled the creation of the Cuyahoga Land Bank. Read more ›
NEON Initiative Brings Housing to Veterans
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 ›
Meet The Team
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 ›
Did You Know?
The Cuyahoga County Department of Development offers several housing assistance programs to help Cuyahoga County residents achieve and maintain home ownership in our community. Programs such as the Four Component (4COM) Home Repair Loan Program, Home Weatherization Assistance Program, Lead… Read more ›
New Home, New Beginning
Family, friends, volunteers and staff of several partner organizations came together on a Sunday afternoon in June to welcome LaTisha and her two children into their new home in Cleveland Heights. The renovation of the 3-bedroom Colonial-style home was made possible through the New… Read more ›
Old Brooklyn Home Saved from Demolition
Standing outside the newly renovated home on Memphis Avenue in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood, one would never have guessed that the house was weeks away from certain demolition. Thanks largely to the efforts of the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation… Read more ›
A Great Day for Veterans!
On Friday, June 30th, the Cuyahoga Land Bank officially transferred land to the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System for the construction of the Greater Cleveland Fisher House, bringing care and support for veterans and their families one step closer to… Read more ›
Neighborhood Embraces Community Garden
Veronica Harris spent years imagining the wonderful things she could do with the land across the street from the home she has shared with her husband for more than 20 years in Cleveland’s Mt. Pleasant neighborhood – if only someone… Read more ›
Land Transfer Moves Fisher House Project Forward
Veterans being treated at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center are one step closer to having a facility where their families can stay nearby during that treatment. A June 30 ceremony marked the transfer of land along East 105thStreet (just… Read more ›
Adventure Pop-Ups Encourage Safe Play for Kids
“Nearly 80 percent of elementary grade children in the U.S. don’t have recess,” says Mischelle Brown, Founder and Chief Play Maker at Humans2Nature, Inc., a play research company. “Schools are so focused on testing our little people that there is not a lot of time to be outside.” Read more ›
“Spring Frenzy” Greens Up Properties
One would think that demolishing more than 375 vacant and blighted houses during winter would be a “busy” time for the staff at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and you’d be right. Springtime brings about a new challenge in making sure… Read more ›
Helping Out Habitat for Humanity
“As a team, we felt very fortunate to take part in this local Habitat project,” says Michael Schramm, Director of IT and Research at the Cuyahoga Land Bank. “It was not only a fulfilling experience on a personal level, but it is important in our work at the Cuyahoga Land Bank to be out in the communities we serve, helping to make a real difference.” Read more ›
Meet the Team
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 ›
Honoring All Who Serve and Our Fallen Heroes
In the daily barrage of news about military conflicts on foreign soil, it is easy to become immune to the fact that American men and women are smack in the middle of life and death circumstances around the globe. What can we do? We can pray daily for their safety and seek ways to support their families who also are sacrificing so much. Read more ›
Rooms To Let: CLE Showcases Creativity
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 ›
BRAIN Program Helps Student Take Leap into Home Ownership
“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 ›
New house rises on Scenic Street lot in Lakewood’s West End
One of Lakewood’s newest homes is about to go on the market. The 1,425-square-foot, two-story house was built by Prairie Stone Group on a vacant lot at 1427 Scenic St., in the city’s West End. Ian Andrews, executive director of… Read more ›
All in the Neighborhood
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 ›
Cuyahoga County demolition fund puts dent in housing-market distress
From East Cleveland to Rocky River, demolition of abandoned, blighted houses is giving the local housing market a boost. Read the full article in The Plain Dealer HERE.
At last! Executive Club comes tumbling down
By Sue Botos, WestLife About eight years after the last tenant moved out of the Executive Club complex, the abandoned and deteriorating Center Ridge Road buildings finally met the wrecking ball last week, much to the joy of city officials.… Read more ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Named Semifinalist in Harvard’s 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards Competition
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 ›
Senator Rob Portman Visits Women in Recovery
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 ›
Baking up Life Skills
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 ›
Lakewood’s Scenic Park House Project Underway
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 ›
CUDC “Design [re] Build” Partnership
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: Success
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 ›
Capsule Discovered!
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 ›
Glenville Scores Two Wins with One Project
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 ›
Habitat, partners launch initiative to rehab 100 abandoned houses in Cleveland (Cleveland.com)
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 ›
LakewoodAlive Vacant lot Reuse
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 ›
A Lofty Idea
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 ›
City receives grant for master plan; request for Wooster/Shoreland turned down (Westlife)
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 ›
Cuyahoga land bank and Purple Heart Homes Partner on Second Home
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 ›
Home Owner Feature
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 ›
New Horizon Home: A New Beginning
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 ›
Home Owner Feature
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 ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Homeowner Feature
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 ›
Did You Know? Purchase and Renovation Programs at the Cuyahoga Land Bank
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 ›
Did You Know: How does the Cuyahoga Land Bank get properties into our inventory?
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 ›
Did You Know?: What Makes County Land Banks a potent tool?
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 ›
Adam Sywanyk’s Deed-In-Escrow Program Experience: Testimonial
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 ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow Testimonial – Rhonda Derrett (Youtube)
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 ›
Deed-in-Escrow Rehabilitation Program Testimonial: Adam Sywanyk (Youtube)
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 ›
Rhonda Derrett’s Deed-in-Escrow Program Experience: Testimonial
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 ›
CuyahogaLand Bank Deed-in-Escrow Program Participant Testimonial (Youtube)
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 ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank demolition testimonial – Polish American Cultural Center (Youtube)
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 ›