To demolish or rehab an Ohio City home?

An Ohio City home will remain standing for now. Owner Stacy Morse requested approval from the Cleveland Landmarks Commission to demolish the house, located at 4516 Clinton Ave. The commission denied the request.

Julia Mettler-Grove, on behalf of Ohio City Incorporated, and Cleveland City Council Member Kerry McCormack opposed the demolition, arguing that it would have negative ramifications for preserving historic buildings in the city. The Ohio City Design Review Committee also recommended denying demolition.

A neighbor called prior to the meeting to say they supported the demolition, according to an official.

Morse argued that the house was a danger and should be torn down. She said the house was owned by three developers in the past three years and had a condemnation notice from the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing when she and her husband bought it in 2023 for $190,000. None of the developers did anything with the property, according to Morse, who wants to construct a new home. She said rehabbing the building would cost $1.2 million.

Commission members suggested that Morse consider submitting a request for a partial demolition and rehab the front of the house.

Garden Avenue townhouses on hold in Brooklyn Centre

Six townhouses are proposed for Garden Avenue in Brooklyn Centre, but first the commission has to approve demolition of the four existing homes on the properties.

Jill Brandt of Brandt Architecture said the houses have black mold, water damage, rodent infestations, and structural issues.

Landmarks staff said that one of the homes, 2902 Garden Ave., could be saved and rehabbed rather than demolished.

The commission chose to delay a final decision on demolishing that home and approved the rest of the demolitions.

Because the commission did not approve all the demolitions, it also delayed a final vote on new construction for the townhouses.

Frequent fliers near Shoreway Lofts

Some Cleveland officials want developers of lakefront apartments to take a bird’s eye view.

Commissioners said they liked some changes that were made to the design for an additional residential tower in the Shoreway Lofts apartment complex.

Landmarks staff had concerns, however, that the large amount of glass would create problems for birds migrating along the property’s lakefront location. 

The staff said there should be a bird-strike mitigation plan.

The commission approved the design, with the recommendations that the project include the staff’s suggestions.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the birds that fly into tall buildings? Learn more about the volunteer group that patrols downtown Cleveland collecting the bodies and helping injured birds.

Read the notes from Documenter Tina Scott:

Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Dan McLaughlin:

Suggested Reading

Here’s why the abandoned house next door hasn’t been demolished

Signal Cleveland talked with housing department officials to better understand what happens when a house or apartment building is rundown beyond repair and what are some of the barriers that stall board up and demolition.

by Stephanie Casanova May 4, 2023April 21, 2025