Perspectives Winter Banner
  Kerri Broome, editor
January 2013  

CRS logo 40th Anniversary Logo
In This Issue
2012 Preservation Summary
CRS's 40th Birthday Party
2013 Preservation Award Nominations Due
Ohio Tax Credit Round Nine
New Sacred Landmark Illuminated
PlayhouseSquare Documentary
National Trust Seeking Nominations for 11 Most Endangered
2013 National Preservation Awards Call for Nominations
Help for Vacant Properties
CMSD Building to Be Auctioned
Help Woodland Cemetery Foundation
TEDxCLE Nominations Open
Thank you Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Music Near the Market
Webinar Wednesdays from Heritage Ohio
Ohio Statehood Day
Rent the Sarah Benedict House
More About CRS

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Hanna Annex

Historic Preservation in 2012 - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

We have closed the door on 2012 with certain good news, unfortunate bad news and lingering challenges. The good news is that reinvestment in Cleveland's landmarks has returned from the doldrums of the recent soft real estate market period. Good stories of landmarks abound in downtown Cleveland, Ohio City, University Circle and beyond. These projects are helped on by the federal and state tax credit for historic rehabilitation. Market demand for downtown apartments is very strong, resulting in announcements of conversions from office to residential. The Hanna Building Annex (shown here) and East Ohio Gas building (E. 9th & Superior) are underway as large conversions. The first East Ohio Gas building on E. 6th Street is a spectacular conversion into the offices of Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP.

 

ASM International in Novelty, Ohio is a multiple-award winner and a standout for the conservation of mid-century modern. The conversion of St. Luke's Hospital into affordable rental housing for seniors and office space for local non-profits also garnered a national award. The Vatican paved the way for several historically significant Catholic churches to reopen. And in Lorain County, the historical society completed the rehabilitation of the Starr House as a history center.

 

Owners of older and historic homes have decided to address deferred maintenance and make desired improvements as evidenced by the uptick of our Heritage Home Program(SM). Our program of free old house advice and low interest loans (1.4% APR) surged, entering into new cities and wards of Cleveland. Greater Clevelanders love their old houses and appreciate their substance, character and beauty.

 

Cleveland State University announced plans to offer a Historic Preservation Certificate program in 2013. We think this is a smart move, which holds the promise that the next generation of Cleveland leaders will have a deeper appreciation and commitment to our heritage. The designation of obvious landmarks, noticed but not protected, was led in Cleveland by Ward 8 Councilman Jeff Johnson, who is in process of designating some forty

properties. We announced our 40th Anniversary Legacy Project - The African American Experience in Cleveland - an initiative to designate landmarks associated with this rich legacy. And expect more focus in 2013 on the designation of landmarks throughout Cleveland - many places of worship, schools, commercial buildings and residential structures.

 

2012 has been a terrible year for demolition of landmarks. Heading the list are schools - perfectly sound and significant schools demolished for new construction include the Cleveland School of the Arts and John Marshall High School. The 2011 demolition of the Columbia Building for casino parking has been followed by the loss of the Stanley Block, perhaps the oldest building in downtown Cleveland.

 

Worries abound. First off - skywalks. A diagonal skywalk into the historic Higbee's Building is pretty well wrapped up. We expect the National Park Service to decline an appeal made by Forest City Enterprises to retain historic tax credits even if the skywalk is built. Tax credits or no tax credits, we think the skywalk will be built because the casino has decided it is good for business and the City of Cleveland has approved it. There is no legal impediment to the skywalk, despite moans of protest.

 

A Pandora's Box is opened now for downtown skywalks. The next one we expect to be presented would rip into Cleveland Public Hall from the new Westin hotel being developed from the old Sheraton City Centre. Crossing E. 6th Street, this egregious offense would forever scar a Cleveland Landmark and ruin a majestic vista to Cleveland City Hall. Still vulnerable are churches in the Cleveland Clinic zone, unrealistic purchase prices, no maintenance and time are not on our side.

 

2013 promises to be a good year for historic preservation as projects underway come to fruition.  We greatly appreciate your consistent support of Cleveland's heritage.  Please be in touch with us should you have recommendations for things we might be able to do or improve upon to foster more historic rehabilitation.  

 

 Image courtesy of Cleveland Construction, Inc. 

 

 

 

40th Birthday Invitation

Join us for CRS's Birthday Party

Since 1972, the Cleveland Restoration Society has worked to save, reuse and celebrate the legacy of our heritage of buildings and neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio. Join us on January 28 as we come together to hold CRS's 40th birthday party in one of Cleveland's beloved historic landmarks - Cleveland City Hall! Beginning at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the beautiful Rotunda of City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue, to enjoy refreshments, including birthday cake. Robert Keiser, secretary of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, will provide insight into the architecture of the building, which was constructed as part of the Group Plan of 1903. At 7:00 we will go into the stunning City Council Chambers to watch council in action. Complimentary parking is available behind City Hall in the Willard Park Garage. RSVP here.

 

 

 

CRS & AIA Cleveland Seeking Nominations for  

2013 Celebration of Preservation Awards 

The Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland will once again hold a Celebration of Preservation during historic preservation month of May, 2013. Nominations for the annual award program are now open. These Preservation Awards are bestowed upon individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence and outstanding commitment. Only a select number of recipients are chosen through a jury process, ensuring the best show of amazing transformations each year. Nominations may be made online here and are due by January 31. If you have questions about the award program or a nomination, send it to Michael Fleenor, CRS director of preservation services.

 

 

East Ohio Gas Building Next Round of Ohio Tax Credits Announced

Several historic preservation projects in Ohio will get a boost through the Ohio tax credits announced on December 20 by the Ohio Development Services Agency. Cleveland area projects won an astounding $17M for nine terrific projects - the lion's share of this round of credits. Cleveland has long been a leader in the use of state and federal historic preservation tax credits for a number of years.

 

The Big Winner in Round 9 is the East Ohio Building at 1717 East Ninth Street (shown here), built in 1959 as the second modern skyscraper to open in Cleveland after WWII. The building will receive $5 million in state credits as part of developer K&D Group's transformation of the 21-story tower into 223 apartments. Other winners are concentrated in the near-West side neighborhoods of Ohio City and Detroit Shoreway - the Jay Hotel, the former West Side Community House, the West 25th Street Lofts, the Globe Machine & Stamping Co. property, the Painters Lofts condominiums on Franklin Boulevard, and the Templin-Bradley Building on Detroit Avenue. In Berea, The Beech Street Residence Halls, three dorms at Baldwin Wallace University, won a $2.9 million credit. Rounding out the credits awarded are a project in Chillicothe, to be completed by the Chesler Group, and a project in Warren. It is exciting to see so much redevelopment in Northeast Ohio being spurred on by the state historic preservation tax credit. We congratulate all of these recipients!

 

 

Franklin Circle Christian Church Illuminated Sacred Landmark 

On Friday, December 28, neighbors, civic officials, those involved in the restoration and lighting projects, and members and friends of Franklin Circle Christian Church "ceremonially" illuminated the two towers of their beautiful 1884 Victorian Gothic building.  The short observance included greetings from elected and neighborhood officials, a prayer of dedication, and bringing the "light" from the Christmas Eve Service to "light" the towers. CRS provided an award of $35,000 through the Reinhold W. Erickson Fund of The Cleveland Foundation for repairs and lighting. This project is especially exciting, as openings in the tower that had been enclosed for decades were restored as part of the project. The congregation of Franklin Circle Christian Church went beyond the requirements of the grant to make other repairs outlined in an assessment prepared by CRS, putting their towers in excellent shape and greatly improving the appearance of this landmark structure in Cleveland's historic Ohio City neighborhood. The congregation is still seeking donations to help defray their investment in the tower restoration. Donations can be sent to the church, marked "Tower Restoration Project," and addressed to the attention Treasurer, Randy Buckingham.

                 

The sanctuary building, designed by Cleveland-based architects Cudell & Richardson and built between 1874-1884, is a designated landmark by the City of Cleveland.  The community building was built in 1915-1916.  The Memorial Cross on the church tower was installed in 1955 and dedicated to those who served in World War II, and in memory of Charles Hofrichter. Franklin Circle Christian Church is the eighteenth sacred landmark that has had a tower, steeple or dome illuminated through CRS's Steeple Lighting Program.  

 

Photo by Donald Hudson. 

 

 

Welcome to PlayhouseSquare

WVIZ Highlights PlayhouseSquare in New Documentary

The revival of Cleveland's PlayhouseSquare is a fascinating and dramatic story, and a new WVIZ/PBS-produced documentary brings it to life. Starting in the mid-twentieth century, the curtain almost came down on this collection of great theaters, but thanks to the commitment of a dedicated group of volunteers, they are all open again. Today, PlayhouseSquare is the country's largest performing arts center outside of New York's Lincoln Center. This hour-long special, Staging Success: The PlayhouseSquare Story, chronicling the community efforts to preserve PlayhouseSquare aired on WVIZ, but if you missed it you can view the entire program online.

 

 

National Trust Seeking Nominations for  

11 Most Endangered 

The National Trust is now accepting nominations for its 2013 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. If you know of an important local site that would benefit from national attention, now is the time to take action. The deadline for nominating a site to the list is March 1. Additional information and the full nomination form are available here. To contact 11 Most program staff with questions, send an email or call 202-588-6141.

 

 

Call for Nominations for the 2013  

National Preservation Awards

Each year the National Trust celebrates the best of preservation by presenting the Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in historic preservation. As members of the National Trust Partners Network, we know you are all working hard to ensure that the historic fabric of our country is preserved. Nominations are currently being accepted for 2013 awards. Click here to read the eligibility requirements and award descriptions. The entire application must be completed online, and the nomination deadline for all awards is March 1. Contact [email protected] for more information.

 

 

Help for Vacant Properties

The Ohio Development Services Agency has announced a new program designed to find new uses for abandoned sites. The Ohio Vacant Facilities Fund provides grants to assist businesses in creating new jobs in vacant and underutilized commercial buildings and business parks. The program seeks to encourage companies to locate in vacant commercial facilities, reusing existing buildings and infrastructure. For-profit employers are eligible to receive $500 in grant funds for every new full-time position created in the vacant facility and lasting one year. The program requires that employers must occupy a building or business park that has been at least 75 percent vacant for at least 12 months and increase company employment at the facility. Grant funds can be used for acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, or equipment of the facility. The Ohio Vacant Facilities Fund has been allocated $2 million from funds already budgeted for the Ohio Development Services Agency and is currently authorized through August 2015. Click here to learn more.


 

 

Cleveland Board of Education building

CMSD Building to be Auctioned

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has decided to auction off the Board of Education administration building, located at 1380 E. Sixth St., Cleveland. Completed in 1930, the six-story building was constructed as part of the city's Group Plan of 1903. It is positioned near the medical mart and new convention center projects. The auction will be held on March 7 at noon at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel. There will be several informative meetings for potential bidders held at the property in advance of the auction. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m.

 

 

Woodland Cemetery Foundation Offers Books

Woodland Cemetery Foundation has just completed a wonderful book of recipes, Woodland Cemetery Recipes & Remembrances, which is now available for sale. The cost is $15 each plus $5 shipping (for up to four books). A second book, one of the Arcadia book series, Images of America: Woodland Cemetery, is scheduled to be available for sale the first week of March. This book contains many images of the residents buried in Woodland and the history they contributed. The foundation is currently taking pre-orders to guarantee that there are enough books. This book will be available for purchase through local bookstores for $21.99, through Arcadia, or from Woodland Cemetery Foundation. The foundation will ship the book directly to you, and is charging $20 per book plus $5 shipping, for up to four books. Book sales support the restoration of the historic Woodland Cemetery. Contact the Woodland Cemetery Foundation for more information.

 

 

TEDxCLE 2013 Nominations Open

Who do you think should speak at TEDxCLE? You are invited to submit your nomination for who you think best represents the creativity and innovation of Cleveland to the world. Click here for more information and to make a nomination.

 

 

CRS at the Cleveland Aquarium

Thank You Greater Cleveland Aquarium!

The staff of the Cleveland Restoration Society had a very enjoyable and interesting visit to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium in December as part of our annual holiday outing. The aquarium is a terrific example of a historic structure that has been creatively re-purposed for modern use. We are so fortunate in Cleveland to this excellent, family-friendly attraction! A great big thanks to Tami Brown, general manager, and Keri Senderak, marketing coordinator, for hosting us. If you have not yet been to the aquarium, be sure to check it out!

 

 

Florence Mustric

Music Near the Market

Don't forget the ongoing concerts every Wednesday at the historic Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, at West 30th Street and Lorain Avenue, just west of Cleveland's West Side Market. The free concerts feature the famous Beckerath Organ, which was just restored in the past year. There is free parking and you can bring a lunch while you enjoy beautiful music in an inspiring space. Photo courtesy of cleveland.com. 

 

 

Heritage Ohio logo

Webinar Wednesdays for  

Heritage Ohio Members

For two years Heritage Ohio has offered monthly webinars covering a variety of revitalization topics for FREE! This year the webinars will become a Heritage Ohio membership benefit, and invitations to webinars will be emailed directly to members. The January 9th webinar will feature the Certified Local Government Grant Program. If you are not already a member of Heritage Ohio, you can click here for more information.

 

 

Ohio Statehood Day to be Held February 27

In commemoration of Ohio's founding, the Ohio Historical Society and its partners invite you to join a broad coalition of history advocates for the annual Statehood Day event. Statehood Day this year will be Wednesday, February 27. The state's birthday serves as an appropriate time each year for history advocates to come together (on or near March 1) to help showcase the importance of Ohio's history and how history, historic preservation and the organizations that help provide access to Ohio's rich history benefit the Buckeye State. Statehood Day is a celebration of Ohio and its history, as well as a legislative advocacy event. The purpose is to educate our elected representative about the issues we face and how they can participate to make our communities stronger. Learn more about Statehood Day, and how you can participate, here.

 

 

wedding at the Sarah Benedict House

Rent the Sarah Benedict House  

for Your Event 

Are you looking for a unique venue for your next special event or business meeting?  Consider the historic Sarah Benedict House, located in the heart of the MidTown neighborhood at 3751 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland.  Built in 1883, the house is fully restored and rehabilitated and offers four accessible rooms on its first floor, two restrooms, a catering kitchen, and a beautiful garden. There is ample, free parking. Contact Felicia Hall for more information.       

 

 

 

Events

Upcoming Events    

 

January 9

Webinar: "CLG Grants"

1:00 - 2:00 p.m., registration required 

Heritage Ohio

  

January 11

PechaKucha Night Cleveland - Volume 17

Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, 11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., presentations start at 8:20 p.m.

PechaKucha Night Cleveland 


January 15

"Apocalypse Town: Tales from the End of an Urban Civilization"

Cleveland State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

1717 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

4:00 - 6: 00 p.m., Register by calling 216-523-7330, FREE

Part of the Levin College Forum Series

 

January 18

Opening Reception for Exhibit: "Don Hisaka: The Cleveland Years"

16740 South Park Blvd., Shaker Heights

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

 Shaker Historical Society 

 

January 20

Annual Meeting of Members

Tower East Building, 16740 South Park Blvd., Shaker Heights

4:00 - 5:30 p.m., RSVP to 216-921-1201


January 23

"What a Way to Become President!"

(an inside look at becoming Chief Executive in the 19th Century)

Kendal at Oberlin, 600 Kendal Dr., Oberlin, Heiser Auditorium

7:15 p.m., FREE

Oberlin Heritage Center 


January 24

Cleveland Ward 1 Club Community Meeting

Presenting on Heritage Home Program(SM)

Harvard Community Services Center, 18240 Harvard Rd., Cleveland

7:00 p.m., FREE

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

January 25

Arts and Culture Roundtable: Sustainable Communities

Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., registration required, FREE

The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture


January 27

Presentation by James D. Gibans, FAIA Emeritus about the local homes designed by Don Hisaka

16740 South Park Blvd., Shaker Heights

3:00 p.m., reservations requested

Shaker Historical Society


January 28

40th Birthday Party with Cake and Coffee

Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave. E, Cleveland

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., RSVP required, FREE 

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

 

Save the Date    

 

   

February 2

Ice-A-Fair to Remember

Downtown Vermilion, Liberty Avenue at Main Street

11:00 a.m.

Main Street Vermilion 

 

February 11

"Why Preservation?"

Cuyahoga County Public Library - North Royalton Branch, 14600 State Rd., North Royalton

7:00 p.m., 440-237-3800, FREE 

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

February 21

Presentation: "Recently Historic: Houses of the 1950s - 1960s"

7:00 p.m., FREE

Perry Public Library, 3753 Main St., Perry

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

February 24

African American History Month Event

Featuring Dr. Clement A. Price

Karamu House

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

February 25 - 26

"The Buck Starts Here" Fundraising Workshop

Columbus

Heritage Ohio 

 

February 27

Statehood Day

Ohio Statehouse, Columbus

Registration required, $

Ohio Historical Society

 

March 12

"Why Preservation?"

16500 Van Aken Blvd., Shaker Heights

6:30 p.m., 216-991-2030

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

 

 

Cleveland Restoration Society
3751 Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, OH  44115

(216) 426-1000

www.clevelandrestoration.org