Neighbors in Action!

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM NEIGHBORS IN ACTION IN RESPONSE TO CITY'S SELECTION OF BRICKHAUS PARTNERS' PROPOSAL Read statement and view list of requests submitted to Cleveland Landmarks Commission. Public hearing set for this Thursday, May 22 (9 a.m.) at City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 519. www.NeighborsinAction.info

NO LINK REQUIRED: COMPLETE COMMENTARY ON THE DISTURBING STRONG HOLD OF THE EDGEWATER HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD and FIFTH CHURCH. By Jeon Francis "Edgewater: Neighborhood of Tomorrow…Or of Yesterday? Five Years Later…" In February 2009 someone posted a blog entry contemplating a move with her husband to the Edgewater neighborhood. The entry read, “Edgewater: Neighborhood of Tomorrow…Or of Yesterday?” Such a thought-provoking title, I thought, and it still applies even five years later. Among the numerous points made, one in particular emerged—merchant vacancies along Clifton Boulevard. The writer mentioned the former Giant Eagle, which had flown the coop just the year before, and to my understanding, intentionally held onto the lease for years after to prevent other businesses from moving into the vacant building. Several years’ worth of tomorrows have come and gone since the poignant entry appeared. Anyone intimately familiar with Clifton Boulevard is well aware of the ridiculous storefront vacancies that continue to accrue. One merchant recently told me, “Many of us are dying on the vine. I’m considering closing my shop.” Despite the roar of traffic heading toward the City of Lakewood, his plea for help was loud and clear, and he was not the only business owner to voice such sentiments. As many are aware, the buildings where the former Giant Eagle and Johnny Malloy’s once stood have been demolished while designated landmark Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist quietly languishes behind a chain link fence like a dying elephant whose tusks may soon be pillaged by gloating poachers. The entire block looks desolate. A sign of yesteryear sits just yards away: “Welcome to Edgewater. A Premiere Neighborhood.” The cupola, once a shining inspiration to our neighborhood’s pride and glory, now a darkened decaying symbol of the failure of past and present leadership and our inability as a neighborhood to unify and hold accountable both those we entrust into office and those who lead our community development corporation, Cudell Improvement, Inc. Much has been said about Fifth Church and the rehab costs certainly exaggerated over the years, even by our own neighborhood leaders. Discussions to redevelop the landmark have been scoffed at with self-approved phrases, such as “The church is not salvageable” and “The dome could come down at any time.” It was mid-November 2013 when entrepreneurs Chick Holtkamp, Niki Zmij and their development team, highly accomplished Architect Jonathan Sandvick and equally respected Dana Noel of Jera Construction Management toured Fifth Church AND made their interest known to the City of Cleveland. Again, that was five months ago, not an 11th-hour attempt as it has been portrayed by some. Their concept? To restore the exterior of the building to its original splendor, build adjacent to Fifth Church a public green space or six townhomes, whichever is desired by the neighborhood, and repurpose the interior of the impressive circa 1926 domed structure as a state-of-the-art rock climbing and wellness center. They envision creating “The Sanctuary at Edgewater” (view proposal at www.NeighborsInAction.info) according to the principles of community engagement and promoting healthy programs and activities, hand in hand with the already pedestrian-friendly and walkable nature of the neighborhood, not to mention the Clifton Boulevard Transportation Enhancement Project, the current streetscape project spearheaded by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and set to encourage residents and visitors to reduce automobile use. This synergy of partnerships would enable the restoration of an icon and the rebirth of a neighborhood...our neighborhood. Since introduced, the rock climbing and wellness center concept has been met with support, gratitude and open arms by some but cynicism, catty remarks and threats of litigation by others. Frankly, a restoration of the exterior could have been well under way by now. Some argue that developing more housing stock instead of redeveloping the designated landmark is the solution to giving Edgewater the economic and social jolt it so desperately needs. Fewer than a dozen townhomes at a proposed asking price of $500K+ each—impressive or absurd? Depends on whom you ask and perhaps which constituency their agenda serves, a specifically targeted demographic or the benefit of the entire neighborhood. Last January certainly found Councilman Matt Zone inheriting a complex set of dynamics and a tangled web of personal agendas that would make the head of even someone with his charisma, know-how and ambition spin. He has publicly stated on several occasions that he recognizes the general community’s desire for a comprehensive approach to the development of the entire W. 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard block. And with the desire of the developers of the rock climbing facility to coexist with the future Giant Eagle Market District Express and the overall “Shoppes on Clifton” development, a comprehensive approach is even more attainable. Based on Zone’s successful track record with the transformation of the Detroit Shoreway and the Gordon Square Arts District, including the continued development of Battery Park, and his advocacy towards the saving of the badly crumbling façade of Watterson-Lake Elementary School, I am confident he possesses the intelligence and skill set to foster the relationships needed to align the team to “score the touchdown” for the Edgewater neighborhood—a repurposed Fifth Church, a Giant Eagle Market District Express and even townhomes built adjacent to Fifth Church along Lake Avenue. Councilman Zone, your fans are waiting. Unfortunately, Zone seems to be tipping the scales of attention and emphasis more toward one group of constituents—the executive board of the Edgewater Homeowners’ Association (EHA). This has been made patently clear to me at past Stakeholder Group meetings that I have attended as a Stakeholder member, through various private correspondences from Zone, and most recently in a Zone quotation about litigation in an article in The Plain Dealer on April 29, 2014. EHA has 140 members, but the board totals a much smaller number, and other EHA non-board members have expressed frustration with their leaders’ “single-minded focus on residential development.” On multiple occasions Zone has cited threats of litigation by the board of EHA if an attempt is made to rezone Fifth Church from residential to commercial use. Talk about coercion and a storming of the cockpit. One needs to ask what would make Detroit Shoreway special if the Capital Theatre, Gordon Square Theatre, the Eveready Battery Company Plant (now Battery Park Wine Bar and residential), Baker Electric Motor Vehicle Company (now 78th Street Studios) had all been demolished? With the loss of the once grand Granada Theatre in 1969 (now the site of a Pizza Hut on W. 117th Street and Detroit Avenue) and the loss of the spectacular three-story bath house at Edgewater Park (demolished 1950), the Edgewater neighborhood has only a handful of iconic landmarks remaining. These iconic structures define a “sense of place” for our neighborhood and establish a link to our community’s past. Wiping away such history in a neighborhood is like tearing up photographs of our ancestors. It is destructive to our consciousness and especially to those moving into positions of the stewardship of our neighborhood after us. The construction of fewer than twelve townhomes! This as opposed to a unique landmark redeveloped into a publicly accessible destination attracting thousands of people annually and paving the way for a rebranding of the neighborhood. The equation hardly involves rocket science. A thriving Edgewater should be the goal, and that goes for the entire demographic boundaries of the neighborhood, not just one “exclusive” section. Chick Holtkamp, Niki Zmij and their development team have proposed a creative potential solution not only to try and appease the zoning concerns of the EHA board but also to set in place zoning legislation that would pave the way for other vacant churches located in residential neighborhoods to be adaptively reused. The solution: Introduce a new zoning classification and call it Historic Church District zoning (view draft at www.NeighborsInAction.info). Specific to Fifth Church, the zoning would remain residential but allow the rock climbing and wellness center as a conditional use; however, if the business were to fail, no other commercial business concerns could occupy the space, only residential. Introducing zoning legislation is not uncommon. It has been done before. Council members and the Mayor have the ability to draft and introduce such new legislation, that is, if they have the motivation to do so. One Edgewater neighborhood resident wrote on the Neighbors in Action petition “Ohio City and Gordon Square are not booming by thinking small and demolishing their best architecture.” These neighborhoods and others like University Circle as well as Tremont, where Chick Holtkamp is credited as one of the driving forces behind the area’s successful revitalization, will continue to build upon their historic treasures in a strategic and continuous attempt to attract people and financial gain to their neighborhood. Another neighborhood’s gains will be our neighborhood’s loss. With a lack of nerve or vision for the bigger picture, Edgewater is in danger of becoming more and more of a thoroughfare neighborhood. Don’t believe me? Take a walk down Clifton Boulevard. And when it comes to one of our neighborhood’s greatest iconic landmarks, Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, as another resident put it, “Once gone, it will be gone forever.” That same sentiment could very well apply to extraordinary opportunities, too. www.NeighborsInAction.info

A COMMENTARY ON THE DISTURBING STRONG HOLD OF THE EDGEWATER HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD and FIFTH CHURCH! "Edgewater: Neighborhood of Tomorrow…Or of Yesterday? Five Years Later…" Read at, www.NeighborsInAction.info

OUTPOURING OF SUPPORTIVE STATEMENTS and LETTERS from around the neighborhood and beyond for Fifth Church! Even former residents weigh in on repurposing versus demolition of the designated landmark. View, http://www.neighborsinaction.info/neighborhoodsupport.htm City of Cleveland expected to make final determination soon. Public is encouraged to contact Councilman Matt Zone if you support the adaptive reuse of Fifth Church!

FIRST LOOK AT FIFTH CHURCH REPURPOSE PROPOSAL! Chick Holtkamp and Niki Zmij confirmed they have met the City of Cleveland's March 27th (12 p.m.) RFP deadline and have submitted a formal proposal to repurpose Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist into a state-of-the-art rock climbing and wellness center. The 96-page proposal (which includes an underground parking garage and OPTION for a public green space OR townhomes), contains elevations & site plans, letters from Architect Jonathan Sandvick and Jera Construction Management confirming that the adaptive reuse of Fifth Church is highly achievable, even in its current state of disrepair. The full proposal and other documents can be viewed at, www.NeighborsInAction.info The City of Cleveland is expected to make a final determination on Friday, April 4 as to which developer will be granted the opportunity to redevelop the City of Cleveland-owned "parcel." If another developer is chosen, designated landmark Fifth Church could still be in danger of being demolished if a developer's plans call for it. The public is encouraged to contact Councilman Matt Zone and tell the councilman you support the adaptive reuse of Fifth Church. OVERVIEW > Official proposal to repurpose Fifth Church into state-of-the-art rock climbing and wellness center, engaging audiences from 5 to 95 years old! > Requesting a "conditional use rezoning" to avoid permanent "commercial rezoning" to appease executive board of Edgewater Homeowners' Association (View description in City of Cleveland Code of Ordinances; Chapter 333.02 Zoning Map Amendments) > Proposal includes construction of an underground parking garage along Lake Avenue and gives the City and the neighborhood option of EITHER a public green space OR townhomes (includes set back) to be built above / adjacent to Fifth Church! > Acclaimed Architect Jonathan Sandvick and team officially named to spearhead development (Past projects include: Tower Press, Old Arcade, Fenn Tower, Bingham Building, and more)! > Jera Construction Management officially named to spearhead development along with Sandvick Architects (Past projects include: Gospel Press (Tremont), Gwinn Estate, Grace Hospital, and more)! > $3.5 million dollar development! > Would create 30 to 40 full and part-time positions! > Rockwerx anticipates "The Sanctuary at Edgewater" could be "one of the most unique and talked about facilities in the country!" > The Sanctuary would not hold up development of the future "Shoppes on Clifton" or impede on their parking! > Plan would poise the Edgewater neighborhood to be both a local and regional "destination location!"

FIFTH CHURCH HEART-BOMBED! http://www.neighborsinaction.info/februaryhappenings.htm Please share with others!

Neighbors in Action and CBNA ANNOUNCE SPECIAL WEEKEND! Neighbors in Action and Clifton-Baltic Neighborhood Association have collaborated to announce "Show Your Love For Edgewater," February 14th, 15th and 16th - A special weekend of DINING, SHOPPING, and (RE)DISCOVERING all of the great businesses along Clifton Boulevard! Thoughtful development helps define a neighborhood, and we honor those who have chosen to call Edgewater their home! From the Diner on Clifton to the landmark restaurant Don's Lighthouse Grille and all others in between, shake off the winter blues and experience OUR / YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD all over again! For more Info, visit http://www.neighborsinaction.info/februaryhappenings.htm

FIFTH CHURCH - THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9! Local group City Beautiful has chosen Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist as one of three historic structures that will be shown "a little love" this Sunday, February 9. The group chose Fifth Church because of the danger that continues to exist to potentially demolish the designated landmark despite interest made known to the City of Cleveland and Councilman Matt Zone by Walter "Chick" Holtkamp and Niki Zmij, two prospects eager to repurpose the landmark into a state-of-the-art rock climbing facility. City Beautiful is inviting everyone to join them at their Downtown studio this Sunday at 12 p.m. to craft hearts, which will then be placed at the sites of all three structures. Other cities, including Buffalo have "heart-bombed" as a way of raising awareness about the important role historic structures have in representing a significant portion of a neighborhood's history and creating a "sense of place," often driving people and money into these urban neighborhoods opposed to the suburbs. SHOW FIFTH CHURCH A LITTLE LOVE, http://tinyurl.com/mceucyh Or visit, www.NeighborsInAction.Info

PROSPECTS NAMED - EAGER TO REPURPOSE FIFTH CHURCH! Local multi talented writer Michael Gill’s exclusive look into the two prospects eager to boost the EDGEWATER neighborhood into CLEVELAND’S NEXT HIGHLY DESIRABLE DESTINATION LOCATION. Read Story, http://tinyurl.com/ka7znty Now the big question - Will the neighborhood and the City recognize this extraordinary opportunity and be willing to welcome them? REPURPOSE Fifth Church & REVITALIZE Edgewater! NIA encourages you to sign our petition supporting an adaptive reuse of Fifth Church and to share your thoughts with Councilman Matt Zone. His office confirmed they have been receiving your correspondences of support since the petition went into effect last Wednesday. THE TIME IS NOW! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! SIGN PETITION, http://tinyurl.com/m9vv9as

TWO PROSPECTS EAGER TO REPURPOSE FIFTH CHURCH!!! Developer and their team of experts have made themselves known to the City! Multimillion dollar concept! Local historic renovation track record! Intent on coexisting and working in collaboration with "Shoppes on Clifton" developer as well as anchor tenant Giant Eagle to transform Edgewater into Cleveland's NEXT HOTTEST neighborhood! Chose Edgewater neighborhood and Fifth Church because of demographics, location, walkable nature of area, RTA transportation, Edgewater Park, and enthusiasm to bring back glory and pride to the circa 1926 signature structure! Councilman Matt Zone not set on allowing prospects to present concept to community. Neighbors in Action encourages YOU to sign petition urging Zone to LET THE PROSPECTS PRESENT! FULL STORY & PETITION at, www.NeighborsInAction.Info LIKE US and SHARE with others on FACEBOOK, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neighbors-in-Action/570311742988541

Statement from Neighbors in Action - CLEVELAND RESTORATION SOCIETY NEEDS TO GROW A BACKBONE! (December 17, 2013) The subject line of the latest Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) e-newsletter blast read “Jewish Community Federation Building Threatened.” The newsflash should have read “Fifth Church of Christ Scientist Threatened by Demolition by Neglect.” READ MORE, http://www.neighborsinaction.info/nia121713statement.htm

TO THE PERSON(S) WHO HAS RECENTLY EXPRESSED INTEREST in exploring the possibility of repurposing historic landmark Fifth Church, Neighbors in Action WANT TO HELP. This includes financial support, volunteer hours, historical info, documents, original drawings and photographs, and other resources as well as assistance with applying for federal and state tax credits and discussing what other private and public incentives have been made available to other successful completed projects throughout Cleveland. Choose Edgewater and Fifth Church! Our neighborhood is one of the best, and long troubled Fifth Church has been holding on to be repurposed into the center jewel of our neighborhood's crown! We believe in you and what can be. Make the decision to believe in us and what will be. Please contact us at [email protected]

FIFTH CHURCH SIGHTINGS! In the past few weeks, there have been multiple sightings of groups of people at Fifth Church. The first was a group surveying the dome and cleaning off debris and trees (Yes, you read that right, TREES!) from the roof. Days later, this same group was seen entering the interior of the historic landmark. The city confirmed this, but also stated that the roof clean up was not city led (no big surprise there) and would not elaborate on the person(s) interested. Who are these heroes stepping up at the last minute to try and rescue, and explore the possibility of repurposing the magnificent 1926 domed sandstone structure? If you are the potential hero leading the efforts or know the person(s) involved in the group, please email us at [email protected] We'd like to meet with the primary visionary and/or entire group and offer financial support (from our own pocket books), volunteer hours, historical info, documents, drawings and photographs of Fifth Church, and other resources as well as assistance with applying for federal & state tax credits and discussing what other public and private incentives might be available.

COMMUNITY MEETING ALERT! WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 (6 p.m.) City of Cleveland and Developer Carnegie Companies will present plans for the redevelopment of the W. 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard block. The public is encouraged to attend, ask questions about all aspects of the development as well as the fate of historic landmark Fifth Church of Christ Scientist. Louisa May Alcott Elementary School, 10308 Baltic Road (south of Clifton Boulevard). More info, www.NeighborsInAction.Info

PLEASE FORWARD TO OTHERS! Official Wednesday, November 6th community wide meeting flyer from Cudell Improvement is attached. Plans for W. 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard (a.k.a. "Shoppes on Clifton") and the fate of historic landmark Fifth Church of Christ Scientist will be presented by the City of Cleveland and Developer Carnegie Companies. Please attend. Get more info, www.NeighborsInAction.Info

MEETING ALERT! City of Cleveland has agreed to host one community wide meeting to present plans for the redevelopment of the W. 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard block (a.k.a. "Shoppes on Clifton"). Developer Carnegie Companies will also be present, and the fate of historic landmark Fifth Church will be discussed as well. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 (6 p.m.) at Louisa Alcott May Alcott Elementary School, 10308 Baltic Road (south of Clifton Boulevard). The public is encouraged to attend, ask questions, provide input, and tell others! Get more info, www.NeighborsInAction.Info

One WorldFest this past Sunday! Pic of the lower level of the Italian Cultural Garden - looks kinda similar to the portico of Fifth Church. Pizza from Papa Nicks! Wine from Constantinos! Dessert from Clifton Diner! All could be enjoyed at Landmark Park = Social & Economic Impact! What is Councilman Westbrook and Cudell Improvement waiting on?! www.NeighborsInAction.Info Visit us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neighbors-in-Action/570311742988541

Watching opera VERSUS watching the grass grow! Opera in the Italian Cultural Garden this past Sunday - free wine, delicious pizza for sale, Fiats on display, beautiful singing, and a real sense of pride from neighborhood residents and visitors. View more, www.NeighborsInAction.Info

Repost due to server crash. Visit the following link to view the following updates, http://www.neighborsinaction.info/shoppesonclifton.htm IN THE NEWS (July 11, 2013): Preserving a Cleveland Landmark - in part: Editorial, Sun News A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! (July 4, 2013): On Tuesday Councilman Westbrook and Anita Brindza, executive director of Cudell Improvement, Inc. released an update on the "Shoppes on Clifton" development as well as Fifth Church of Christ Scientist. Read Joint Statement A Step in the Right Direction, But We Will Continue to Keep a Close Watch!- Read an Official Statement from Neighbors in Action IN THE NEWS: No Commercial Use for Fifth Church Site, Sun News By: Ken Prendergast Thank you.

(February 14, 2013 - NewsChannel 5) Historic Cleveland Church to be Demolished for Revitalization Project on W. 117th Street http://www.newsnet5.com//dpp/news/local_news/oh_cuyahoga/Historic-Cleveland-church-to-be-demolished-for-revitalization-project-on-West-117th-Street A response to the news as well as a petition for a Town Hall Meeting is posted on www.SaveFifthChurch.com