Committee approves landmark designation for Old John Marshall High School

A Cleveland City Council committee voted to approve an emergency ordinance designating the Old John Marshall High School building at 15149 Lorraine Avenue as a Cleveland landmark.

Jessica Beam of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission presented the nomination (filed at the request of Ward 17 Councilmember Slife), walking committee members through the site's history: the school's origins in 1899, multiple historic additions (including work by Cleveland firms Bonnard and Parson), later reuse by Leopold's furniture and subsequent commercial uses, and recent adaptive uses such as the Wash House and Café. "Old John Marshall High School ... exemplifies the heritage of Cleveland and West Park in particular," Beam said while describing the building's surviving historic elements and later additions.

Beam told the committee the Landmarks Commission nominated the building in January, held a public hearing on Aug. 14 and transmitted the matter through the City Planning Commission on Nov. 7. She said the property owner and an owner's representative spoke in opposition at the Landmarks Commission hearing and expressed concern that landmarking could create a burden for the owner.

Councilmember Slife, who supported the nomination, told the committee landmark status does not compel owners to change their buildings and that designation could make available state historic tax credits. "This designation does not compel any action for the property owner to change anything about the building," Slife said, noting designation can provide access to preservation incentives.

After committee members asked questions about the building's historic footprint and additions, the committee approved Ordinance 1321. The ordinance will proceed to the council floor in the next steps of the legislative process.