The Cuyahoga Land Bank is in a unique position to take vacant and abandoned land, some of which may be hard to develop like wetlands or other challenged property, and take advantage of land conservation opportunities using various available conservation… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank is pleased to announce City of Lakewood Mayor Meghan George’s appointment to the Cuyahoga Land Bank Board of Directors. We look forward to the Mayor’s leadership and working together to continue our impactful work.
In December, County Councilman Dan Brady retired from the County Council after an illustrious and productive career as a public servant. Beginning as a Cleveland City Councilman in the 1980s and then serving in the Ohio General Assembly, Dan finished… Read more ›
We get asked all the time to describe the typical buyer for our home renovation program. The short answer is, those buying land bank homes each have their own stories. In fact, a very diverse group of rehabbers in search… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank uses a sophisticated cloud-based software application to manage and analyze data about properties that are either to be acquired or are currently in inventory. The proprietary software, known as the Property Profile System (PPS), was developed… Read more ›
Many of us were not prepared when winter came roaring into northeast Ohio earlier this month. Maybe we thought the forecasts were inaccurate. Perhaps we were caught off guard because it was nearly 70 degrees just two weeks before the… Read more ›
Friends, The year 2020 certainly wasn’t the year we had expected. The ongoing pandemic has impacted us all in different ways. It has challenged us as individuals and posed additional obstacles for us in our work at the Cuyahoga Land… Read more ›
On November 20th, Cuyahoga Land Bank staff, public officials and neighborhood residents watched in awe as two modular homes were set on vacant lots in Maple Heights. The houses, manufactured in Southwest Ohio by Unibilt Custom Homes, were transported to… Read more ›
“We operated, and continue to operate, under two axioms: (1) hurdles are a good thing because hurdles can be overcome; and (2) we avoid thinking ‘out of the box.’ Instead, maximum creativity to experiment would be to work ‘without reference’… Read more ›
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity dedicated their 13th house of 2020 in mid-November. The house, located on Wilmore Avenue in Euclid, is now home to Lakeesha, a 42-year-old Regional Transit Authority (RTA) worker. “I appreciate all the good, hard, quality… Read more ›
There are many ways to help boost your home’s comfort and long-term value while keeping your energy bills in check. Fortunately for Cuyahoga County residents, there is a great resource to get you started on the road to savings. Home… Read more ›
Transforming a dilapidated house into a dream home can be a rewarding experience. Finding a house with “good bones” in a stable neighborhood at a reduced price is the key to success. The Cuyahoga Land Bank has a number of… Read more ›
In this season of giving thanks, we extend our wishes for a happy and bountiful Thanksgiving and thank you for supporting our mission throughout the year. As we give thanks, let us also be mindful of those less fortunate who may be… Read more ›
Providing vacant property maintenance is a critical part of managing land bank properties. The Cuyahoga Land Bank, over the past year, has maintained over 3,500 properties in its inventory. These responsibilities include cutting grass, removing debris, and boarding up structures.… Read more ›
By Jacqui Knettel In this ongoing series, we revisit some of our extraordinary collaborations that are making a real difference in our community. It’s no secret that we love a good collaboration at the Cuyahoga Land Bank. Over the years,… Read more ›
With dozens of renovation and new home construction projects underway from Cleveland Heights to Rocky River, the Cuyahoga Land Bank recently debuted a new logo for its yard signage it is developing to build community awareness of our housing development work… Read more ›
Abandoned Property Reimagined into Lakefront Eatery After sitting abandoned nearly eight years, and more than two years of design and renovation work, the Summer House restaurant opened its doors in March. The lakefront eatery is quickly earning a reputation as… Read more ›
James MaherCommercial Demolition Officer Date of HireNovember 2009 EducationUniversity of Cincinnati Describe yourself in three wordsDiligent, friendly, inquisitive What motivates you in your work?Each site is different and has the opportunity for a fresh start. Looking at sites before we… Read more ›
When Amanda and Bernie arrived in Cleveland from Los Angeles in 2017, they planned to buy and renovate a multi-family property in Cleveland Heights as an investment and return to L.A. a few weeks later. But the restoration of the… 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 ongoing Behind the Scenes series, we take a look at the strategic land assembly work performed by the Cuyahoga… Read more ›
From University Circle to Tremont to Ohio City, Civic Builders has built countless homes and worked on renovations, remodels and new constructions big and small. In 2001, the company set out to meet unanswered demand for city projects and now… Read more ›
A fantastic group of people help make up our Cuyahoga Land Bank team. We’d love for you to meet them! Read more ›
Cleophus Stepeney might have only just put the finishing renovation touches on the home he purchased from the Cuyahoga Land Bank late last summer, but he’s already looking for his next house. Read more ›
Meet the Team: Austin Bloom, Program Liaison Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank works with a diverse group of local contractors in our renovation work. We are always on the lookout for quality contractors that specialize in construction and rehabilitation, including licensed general contractors, sub-contractors and mechanicals. Want to work… Read more ›
This year the Cuyahoga Land Bank celebrated its 10th anniversary. It has been an amazing journey! We count it a profound privilege to have worked with so many partners in the profit, non-profit and faith-based community who serve the community… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank took part in a dedication and prayer service welcoming Star and her three children to their new home in Cleveland last week. Star is a participant of the City Mission’s New Horizons Program, which works with… Read more ›
We recently completed renovations on this gorgeous Cape Cod in Cleveland’s desirable West Park neighborhood. With our commitment to high quality renovations and unique features for all our in-house renovation projects, it’s no wonder this home was quickly grabbed up by a lucky… Read more ›
In 2015, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, in collaboration with the City of Cleveland, surveyed every residential, commercial, and industrial parcel in the City – more than 158,854 parcels! That survey captured a snapshot of each property by ranking the current… Read more ›
In November, Fourth District Cleveland Police officers, residents and others gathered to officially dedicate the Officer Derek Owens Memorial Park. The inclusive neighborhood park was built on three vacant lots on Parkview Avenue in Cleveland encompassing the site where Patrol… Read more ›
Friends, neighbors and volunteers gathered in September to celebrate the official opening of Bessie’s Place II, a permanent low-income housing opportunity for young ladies age 18-24 who have aged out of foster care. Bessie’s Place II is a collaboration between Bessie’s… Read more ›
Old abandoned gas stations dotting the corners of our cities can be eyesores and blight communities. Cities struggle with what to do about polluted, abandoned gas stations and other petroleum-contaminated properties, commonly called petroleum brownfields. Here’s a look at how… Read more ›
Job Title Demolition Inspector Date of Hire November 2018 Education The University of Akron, Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Planning; Cleveland State University, Master of Urban Planning Design and Development Describe yourself in three words. Energetic, Passionate, Goofy What motivates… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank regularly transfers blighted properties to local CDCs, which renovate and restore them into attractive, affordable housing opportunities. The Metro West Development Organization, which serves Cleveland’s Stockyard, Clark-Fulton, and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods, is one of the most creative and productive CDCs in town, using a combination of strategic partnerships and grassroots efforts to ensure its neighborhood’s vibrancy. Read more ›
Friends and supporters of Building Hope in the City (BHITC), a Christian mission organization focused on the renewal of urban Cleveland, gathered on Saturday, June 29 for prayer and dedication of its new faith-based home for soldiers journeying together in… Read more ›
Community development stakeholders joined local civic leaders and elected officials June 26th to hear the findings of an independent 10-year Cuyahoga Land Bank economic impact study at a press conference and public forum at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin… Read more ›
A big crowd of supporters gathered June 11th for the ribbon cutting and official opening of the Greater Cleveland Fisher Houses. A big shout out to the Fisher House Foundation and all those in our community who helped make this… Read more ›
The Cuyahoga Land Bank proudly sponsored and participated in this year’s Habitat for Humanity, Greater Cleveland 5K/1mi Walk/Run/Mosey at Edgewater Park on June 15. More than 425 participates came out to support Habitat Cleveland’s affordable homeownership efforts and enjoy family-friendly, dog-friendly and… Read more ›
Members of the First District Community Relations team are making great progress on the home they are renovating for a mother and her children on Cleveland’s West Side. Read more ›
