Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances TIFs for Helen Keller Cone rehabilitation amid questions on local hiring and CPP
Summary
Committee approved companion emergency TIF ordinances for the Helen Keller Cone historic-rehab project on Superior Avenue. The developer and administration presented estimated project costs and projected tax benefits; council pressed developers on community benefits agreement, minority contracting, Cleveland Public Power conversion and potential library revenue impacts.
The Committee approved ordinances 695-2026 and 696-2026 to authorize tax-increment financing agreements to assist TurnDev’s rehabilitation of two contiguous historic textile buildings at 2202–2230 Superior Avenue into approximately 100 market-rate apartments and ground-floor commercial space. The development team said the total project cost exceeds $45,000,000 and projected a non‑school TIF value of roughly $3,700,000; the project team estimates roughly $6,360,000 in payments to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District over the TIF term.
Council members pressed the administration and developer on the project’s community benefits agreement (CBA) and on-the-ground minority contractor participation. The administration said OEO (Office of Equal Opportunity) will monitor MBE/CSB/FBE participation once the financing agreement is finalized and that the city projects roughly $19,000,000 in certified spend for the project. Councilmembers also questioned why the developer is not using Cleveland Public Power; the developer said FirstEnergy was the existing service and converting to CPP would require expensive infrastructure work in this location. Council made several requests for additional documentation (CBA text, detailed workforce and procurement plans) and asked for a follow-up report on minority participation in 30–90 days. The ordinances were recorded as approved in committee.
