Cleveland Heights Historical Society seeks temporary use of Superior Schoolhouse to review city building records

The Cleveland Heights Historical Society asked the City Council on Aug. 4 for access to the Superior Schoolhouse to review boxes of building records that city staff told the society are scheduled for disposal under state records-retention rules. Ken Goldberg, president of the Cleveland Heights Historical Society, said the society met with the city’s chief building official to review many boxes of records and that the materials are not properly labeled. “We all agreed it would be sensible for our board members to get an idea what is in the boxes offered to us and determine what materials might be of sufficient historic value to retain,” Goldberg said. Goldberg asked the council to start the process of allowing the society to use the largely unused Superior Schoolhouse, which he said city staff indicated might be available. He proposed a screened volunteer process with logging and record-by-record review and said the society would need city staff assistance to move and secure materials. President Cuda and council members responded favorably; Cuda suggested staff contact Assistant Director Elmi to “start the ball rolling.” No formal council vote or transfer of records was completed on Aug. 4; the request was presented during the public comment portion of the meeting and council directed staff to follow up on availability and logistics. Goldberg noted the society’s recent state preservation award and said records such as permits, photos and blueprints could fill gaps in the city’s local history files if preserved.