The Community Improvement Corporation of Euclid on Oct. 14 approved a motion authorizing the board president to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation and the City of Cleveland to pursue a coordinated request for proposals for the Lakeshore Chevy and St. Robert redevelopment projects and to transfer the related Euclid parcels to the county land bank.

The action was presented by board staff as a way to streamline redevelopment of parcels along the 180 Fifth Street corridor by issuing a single RFP covering parcels on both sides of the Euclid–Cleveland border. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the board packet outlines shared roles and responsibilities, cost and revenue sharing, and public communications. Legal counsel reviewed the MOU and approved it as to form, staff said.

The MOU does not alter local land-use controls, staff emphasized: zoning, planning and design review authority remain with the respective cities. The MOU would transfer ownership of specific Euclid parcels to the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation (commonly called the county land bank) for the purpose of joint solicitation and redevelopment; the parcels would revert to the original owner if a joint development agreement did not materialize, staff said.

Board members discussed developer interest and timing. Staff indicated there has been private developer interest over the past year and that, if approved, the RFP drafting and evaluation process could yield results in spring to early summer of the following year, though no firm schedule is in the MOU. A board member also asked for clarification that the county land bank has used similar approaches elsewhere and can return properties to the originating jurisdiction if redevelopment does not proceed.

The motion to approve the board president entering into the MOU and to approve transfer of the related parcels passed on a voice vote.