One House at a Time
Cuyahoga Land Bank staff recently rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand at a Thrivent Financial and Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity-hosted Pastor’s Build in the Buckeye-Shaker community Read more ›
CCDA Conference 2018: Connecting with Future Partners
The Cuyahoga Land Bank joined Thrivent Financial and Building Hope in the City as sponsors of the 2018 Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) national conference in Chicago in early November. Read more ›
Meet the Team
Steve Billington Property Specialist Date of Hire July 2014 Education Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Cleveland State University What motivates you in your work? I’ve always been motivated by the desire to make a positive impact on my community. What… Read more ›
Side Yard Success
Our work does not end after the demolition of a blighted property. The Cuyahoga Land Bank works diligently to find new land reuses for the vacant land. Read more ›
Polish Heritage Garden Dedicated
As part of the 100th-anniversary celebration of Poland regaining its independence, the Polish American Cultural Center in Honor of Pope John Paul II hosted a ribbon cutting and grand dedication ceremony for their newly created Polish Heritage Garden November 11.… Read more ›
Bringing Hope to Women
Women of Hope, a local non-profit group, continues its labor of love in creating transitional housing opportunities for women and children and veteran families in our community who are at-risk of homelessness. Read more ›
Meet Our Newest Team Member
The Cuyahoga Land Bank recently welcomed Andrea Bruno as its new Real Estate Officer. Read more ›
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Deidre Lightning-Whitted, Senior Demolition Inspector at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, on being honored by the Cleveland Police Foundation at its annual Community Relations Awards Ceremony. Read more ›
2018 Ohio Land Bank Conference
Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s 2018 Ohio Land Bank Conference, held October 23-24 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Downtown Columbus, offered up timely and essential information for more than 300 attendees from new and established land banks throughout Ohio.… Read more ›
CMA Conference Opens Eyes to Work of Urban Ministries
In September, Cuyahoga Land Bank President Gus Frangos discussed urban neighborhood housing at the annual Christian and Missionary Alliance’s Central District Conference in Cleveland. Themed “Open Our Eyes,” the conference showcased the work being done through urban ministries, church missionaries and volunteers throughout the City. Read more ›
Behind the Scenes: Demolition
We are often asked about the day-to-day work of the Cuyahoga Land Bank from curious residents and community leaders. In this ongoing Behind the Scenes series, we look at the extensive work that goes into the demolition of blighted abandoned properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory. Read more ›
Land Bank Property Serves as Site for Fire Training
Firefighters put their lives in danger on the job every day, and one of the riskier events emergency responders face is rescuing people from collapsed structures. With no room for mistakes, training is especially important in preparing for this type of low-frequency, high danger situation. Read more ›
Partner Profile: Court Community Service
Court Community Service (CCS) is a not-for-profit agency that arranges community service work for adult offenders designed as a quality alternative sentencing option responsive to the needs of the courts and the community. Read more ›
Paw Paws in the City
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 ›
Making Headway in East Cleveland
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 ›
HUD, Cuyahoga Land Bank Renew Agreement
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 ›
Sharing Knowledge
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 ›
KC Petraitis Joins University Circle Inc. Team
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 ›
Euclid Trucking Company Expands
A Euclid trucking business plans to expand its operation with a recent purchase of an adjacent property from the City of Euclid. Read more ›
Staff Speak at Legacy City Conference
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 ›
Rebuilding a Neighborhood, One House at a Time
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 ›
Community Park Dedicated in Buckeye Neighborhood
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 ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank acquiring over a hundred properties in East Cleveland for revitalization project
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.
Housing Solutions Through Community Collaboration
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 ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Hosts Delegates
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 ›
Ohio Land Bank Conference 2017
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 ›
Paving the Way for New Development
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 ›
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 ›
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.
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 ›
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 ›
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 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 ›
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 ›