Council committee approves 10-year lease for new public health clinic at Northern Ohio Blanket Mills

Cleveland’s Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee on Monday approved Ordinance 468-2025, authorizing the Department of Public Health to lease 6,034 square feet at the Northern Ohio Blanket Mills Building (3466 Saint Rocco’s Court) for up to 10 years to operate a health clinic.

The lease, presented by Suzanne DeShanora, commissioner of real estate, and introduced by the department of public health, sets a base rent of $14.50 per square foot for years one and two of the lease and contemplates incremental increases thereafter. The department’s pro rata share for common area maintenance, taxes, insurance and operating expenses is 19.09 percent; estimated monthly operating charges were described as “a little less than $3,000 per month.” DeShanora said first-year rent and utilities would total about $9,553 per month, with additional monthly charges for CAM and operating expenses.

The department said the space includes 15 parking spaces near the entrance, a build‑out with finishes similar to adjacent providers, and is desirable because Neighborhood Family Practice will occupy neighboring space. Director Margolis (Director, Department of Public Health) told the committee the move responds to the planned redevelopment of the McCafferty Health Center into affordable housing and gives the department a nearby site to continue clinical services. Councilwoman Santana said the move has been anticipated and noted the project received city ARPA funding; committee members confirmed the city contributed about $1,250,000 in ARPA and related funds to the overall Blanket Mills project.

Council members expressed support for keeping health services on the Near West Side. Councilman Brian Casey asked whether the department had identified regular patients at McCafferty; Margolis said the clinic serves roughly 1,500 regular patients and that the department plans outreach by phone, mail and in person over the roughly one-year transition period.

Ordinance 468-2025 was read into the record by staff and, with no further questions at the committee meeting, was marked “stands approved.” The committee did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; committee staff indicated the ordinance will be forwarded to full council for signature. The lease is with Blanket Mills Prime Tenant LLC; the department will pay utilities by meter or submeter and will be responsible for the tenant share of common expenses.

The department also noted build-out costs are included in the lease terms and that the Northern Ohio Blanket Mills project used historic and new market tax credits for renovation. The city said the move will reduce certain maintenance and security costs the department had been incurring at McCafferty.

Background and next steps: the committee approved the ordinance for transmittal to full council; the transcript did not record a final council vote or exact effective date. The department said it intends to notify established patients during the transition window and will coordinate with Neighborhood Family Practice and other neighbors in the building.