Cuyahoga County staff say lease termination could remove 278 parking spaces used by children and family services; contingency plans in place

Cuyahoga County public works staff told the County Council’s committee that a lease termination could remove 278 parking spaces used by Children and Family Services and that the county is developing contingency plans to replace that capacity.

John Myers of Public Works said the county has authority under the lease to be impacted as soon as next June and that the county previously purchased additional parking near the Archives building at Fortieth and Perkins to help absorb the loss. "We know, according to this lease, there will be no changes prior to early next summer, so we're okay till, at least June would be the soonest that we would be impacted by this," Myers said.

Myers told the committee the affected spaces number 278 and that county plans include using the current lot, the Archives lots (Chester and Perkins), and outreach to nearby property owners in Midtown, including the region north of Jane and Hunter where a new development is under construction. "You know, as far as so parking is an issue, I think we'll be able to get the lion's share of it between their current lot and the Archives Lots Chester Lot and also with the cooperation hopefully from the vets who are recent who are building out the building immediately north of Jane and Hunter," Myers said. He added that the children's museum adjacent to the site has historically cooperated on parking availability.

Committee members asked whether the loss would be phased or abrupt; Myers said the county does not yet know the lessee's construction staging and that the impact "could be the entire thing" or could phase down over time. He also reminded the committee the lease allows a 60‑day cancellation notice and that county staff are preparing contingency plans. "We will be putting together contingency plans," Myers said.

The committee considered an amendment to the item to clarify historical vendor names referenced in the contract history (Premier/Primer) and to incorporate technical language from the clerk. The committee voted to suspend second reading and proceed with a proposed substitute that incorporates the clarified vendor naming; the committee chair recorded the motion and the ayes carried.

Officials did not provide a firm, line-by-line replacement plan for all 278 spaces at the hearing; they said additional outreach and formal proposals will follow as negotiations and construction plans become clearer.

The committee heard public-works testimony and then voted to advance the item for further action with the proposed substitute language clarifying vendor names.