Endangered Sacred Landmarks Update

This month's issue brings several notable updates from around the city concerning significant churches, including two in the Cleveland Clinic zone:   

1. Euclid Avenue Church of God: The Cleveland Clinic is aggressively pursuing this church.  More accurately, the Clinic is after the land that this church is currently sitting on. On September 19, CRS President Kathleen H. Crowther testified at a City of Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals hearing against the proposed demolition of the Euclid Avenue Church of God at 8601 Euclid Avenue. The church sought to overturn the denial of a demolition request they had made to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission on June 9. The board denied the church's request. CRS Director of Preservation Services Michael Fleenor gave a report on the condition of the building at a Landmarks Commission meeting at the request of the commission staff. The pastor has shared that the Cleveland Clinic has offered to purchase the land for $500,000 and reimburse the congregation for the cost of demolition (around $70,000) if the congregation can provide them the land with no church on it. Designed by Sidney Badgley, the building was completed in 1889 as the Reformed Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. Poorly maintained and now suffering from roof leaks, the building still maintains significant Gothic Revival details and can be restored for new uses - think ecumenical place of contemplation, restaurant - this is a church from the days of Millionaires' Row. We have heard from a distraught congregant that the Cleveland Clinic is also paying for the congregation's attorney. Expect this to go the Common Pleas court.  
2. Church of the Transfiguration: This church is located across the street from Euclid Avenue Church of God. The Clinic wants it too. This church, designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram, architect of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York and Church of the Covenant in Cleveland, has been closed by its Episcopal bishop and is being allowed to deteriorate unfettered. What might the Cleveland Clinic offer for the land here? Are these two churches the next demolitions in the zone around the Cleveland Clinic?  
3. St. Catherine Roman Catholic Church: Located on E. 93rd Street between St. Catherine and Heath Avenues, this church was sold by its parish without any preservation protections whatsoever. The buyer, Imagine Cleveland Academy, a charter school, recently demolished the church building to make way for a playground. The church, completed in 1917, was a beautiful Romanesque style design built of dark brick with lighter stone accents. The interior was large enough for 800 congregants. War memorial plaques located in the church were brought to light by several volunteers as the demolition was proceeding. No special green demolition for the dark red bricks, sandstone trim. All this sturdy material will now fill up a landfill somewhere. This church would have qualified for local designation. Too bad it was not designated.  
4. Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church: One of the landmarks of Archwood Avenue is being sold. This church has been home to Cleveland's oldest Methodist congregation, the church is in stable condition but needs attention. The church, completed in 1914, was built with Gothic Revival elements using the "Akron Plan" layout. The church, parsonage, and some contents, were offered for auction on October 1 by Walton & Associates. At the time of this writing it is unknown whether it sold and, if so, to whom. This church is in the Archwood Avenue Historic District.

Endangered for More Than a Decade, Wolfe Music Store Building is Demo Target

As Cleveland State University continues to improve its urban campus, its plans may take down another historic building. A public meeting was held on September 8, 2011 to discuss Cuyahoga County's application for a $2 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund Grant for asbestos removal and demolition of 2130 Euclid Avenue, CSU's Viking Hall, and 2112 Euclid Avenue, the Wolfe Music Store Building/Kinko's Building to make way for new construction. The ca. 1930 Wolfe building was designed by Walker & Weeks and is a fine example of Neoclassical Revival complete with a terra cotta façade. Once a part of a strong commercial block, it now stands alone as prominent reminder of a bustling Euclid Avenue. The vacant neighboring lots provide a tremendous opportunity for well-designed infill. The Wolfe Music Store Building is not a local landmark or in the National Register of Historic Places, but has potential for formal listing in both categories. Photo by Marina Marquez.

Allen Theatre Revival

The Allen Theatre recently celebrated its grand reopening as the new home of the Cleveland Play House. CRS President Kathleen Crowther paused to look back two decades, when the demolition ball was poised for the theatre's destruction. "The developers wanted to raze the building for parking. They were going to "lop-off" the auditorium, creating a glass wall. The Cleveland Restoration Society was the last one to stick up for the building. We tracked it from the beginning. We had the Ohio Historic Preservation Office review the case for eligibility to use tax credits for redevelopment. It was determined eligible, but opinions were divided at first discussion due to the severe deterioration. Also, people were saying we had too many theatres, so we started to consider other uses." The Cleveland Planning Commission eventually approved the demolition of the Allen Theatre, but the permit was not immediately issued.  Development stalled, giving  PlayhouseSquare Foundation enough time to come up with a way to save it. Now it a new era has begun. Read more here. Photo by Peggy Turbett, Plain Dealer. 

Tax Credits and Historic Designation Up in the Air Over Skywalk

The Ohio Historic Preservation Office has recommended to the National Park Service to not approve the proposed skywalk from the new Horseshoe Casino parking and welcome center to the historic Higbee Building because it is a "significant intrusion." The welcome center is currently under construction at the southeast corner of Ontario Street and Prospect Avenue in downtown Cleveland. The walkway would cut diagonally across the northwest corner of the intersection and connect to the historic Higbee Building at the second level. Rock Gaming and Caesar's Entertainment Corp. is leasing four floors in the Higbee Building from Forest City Enterprises Inc. for the new casino's "phase one" operations. They feel the walkway is necessary to provide shelter and direct access in bad weather for visitors using the new parking garage, which will hold approximately 900 vehicles. Rock Ohio Caesars demolished the historic Columbia Building for a parking garage, a demolition approved by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission in a 3-2 vote. Over the past few years, Forest City has received millions of dollars in federal tax credits to off-set preservation-based renovation costs. The tax credits may have to be reimbursed, if the National Park Service agrees with OHPO and the skywalk is built. The Higbee Building would also lose its historic designation. Rock Ohio Caesars can appeal. Look for a decision by the National Park Service in the first week of October. Photo courtesy of Rock Ohio Caesars.

Warehouse District: Before and After Images

Cleveland's Warehouse District was on The Atlantic's website recently, showing the remarkable difference in the area over the last five decades due to demolition. The two images, originally posted on Rust Wire, present a startling reality for our city.

Loan Fund Expanded to Address Lead Paint

The Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund can now be used to address remediation of lead-based paint in historic buildings. Loans are available for up to $1 million and may be used for costs associated with the cleanup of asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, and universal waste, demonstrated by recent environmental assessments. Loans are made at below-market interest rates and have no penalty for early payoff.

Maltz Museum Opens New Exhibit

A new exhibition has opened at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage that shows a turbulent and creative time in Cleveland - the 1930s. Working with Cleveland State University, Karamu House, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Artists Foundation, Western Reserve Historical Society and a private collection, the museum has gathered more than sixty-five pieces, art and artifacts for "Hardship to Hope: African American Art from the Karamu Workshop". A full season of programs, lectures, and performances will be offered in coordination with the exhibition. See the museum website for details. The exhibition will be open until January 1, 2012. (Art pictured: The Dump, Curtis E. Tann, watercolor. Courtesy of Russell and Rowena Jelliffe Collection, Cleveland State University Library)

Community Luncheon Registration Open/Advertising Opportunities Available Now

Make plans now to attend the 38th Annual Community Luncheon on Tuesday, November 22. The speaker will be Cuyahoga County Executive Edward FitzGerald. Also during the lunch, Ted Sande, AIA Emeritus, historic preservation consultant and retired architect, will receive the Robert C. Gaede, FAIA Lifetime Achievement Award in Historic Preservation. Online registration is now open.  Individual tickets start at $60 (student discounts are available). Tables host opportunities and program advertising spots are available now. Contact CRS for more information. 

ISO Photos and Memories of the "Library" Bar 

Did you go to the "Library" (wink, wink)? If so, the Cleveland Restoration Society needs your help.  We are looking for old photos and recollections of our  headquarters, the Sarah Benedict House, 3751 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, in its previous life as the Library, a drinking establishment especially popular with Cleveland State University students. The property was donated to CRS by Maxine Goodman Levin in the 1990s, and following an extensive rehabilitation, now looks like the picture shown here.  It serves not only as home to CRS, but also to Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition, LiveCLEVELAND!, and Your Bean Counters.  We would love know more. If you have pictures of the house from its days as the Library, we would love to see them. Please contact us! 

Office Space Available in MidTown

The historic Sarah Benedict House has a suite available for rent. Share the third floor with prestigious Cleveland nonprofits looking for a roommate. The house is well-located in an established neighborhood with easy access to highways and downtown and ample, free parking. In addition to the fully improved office space, there are meeting rooms on the first floor of the house available for use for free. The garden, open seasonally, can also be reserved for events, and is a wonderful spot for a restful lunch break.  A kitchen is provided for individual use or catering. To arrange a tour and find out more contact Felicia Hall.       

Benedict House Available for Events and Meetings