Committee approves landmark designation for Cam's Corners bank building

The Committee of Development, Planning & Sustainability voted Feb. 3 to designate the Cam's Corners Bank building, the former Cleveland Trust Company Westpark branch, as a Cleveland landmark.

City landmarks staffer Carl Brunges presented the nomination, tracing the bank's origins to the Cleveland Trust Company in the 1890s, its branch growth through the 1920s and the building's opening on June 11, 1927. Brunges described the building as a "neo‑classical commercial structure" with a limestone façade, Ionic columns at the Lorraine Avenue entrance and a central parapet. He noted the parapet lettering had been removed decades ago and that a historic bank clock—similar to one removed from Gettysburg—was part of the site's character.

The presentation also noted that the Cleveland Landmarks Commission nominated the property on Feb. 13, 2025 and that the owner did not provide written consent; a public hearing was held Aug. 18, 2024. "We've made multiple attempts to contact the owner, but they have not commented either for or against the designation," Brunges said.

Council members praised the nomination. Councilman Slife said the clock had become a neighborhood icon and welcomed another landmark in Ward 15, where designated historic properties are relatively few. No committee member raised objections during the discussion.

Chair closed debate and announced that Ordinance 1451‑2025 "stands approved." The committee requested signatures to finalize the emergency ordinance.

The designation now proceeds to the administrative steps required by city code; the committee did not record roll-call vote details in the meeting transcript. The meeting then moved to other agenda items.