My Place Group, an Ohio City based real estate developer, is proposing to build more than 200 apartments on Lorain Ave. between W. 44th and W. 52nd Streets, dramatically changing an area that has undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years. My Place, which bills itself as a multi-family and office developer, has previously built such projects as Mariner’s Watch on Detroit Ave., Clinton West on Clinton Ave., and the recently-constructed 41 West on Lorain Ave.
Chad Kertesz, owner of My Place Group, presented conceptual plans for his two proposed development projects, 45 West and 50 West, to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission on Thursday, April 23. While the 50 West project met with some enthusiasm as well as suggestions for improvement, the 45 West proposal was greeted with skepticism from the commission, who felt it was too dense for the unusually shaped and challenging site, which has frontage on Lorain, W. 45th, and W. 44th and sits between a gas station, used car lot, and residential community.
50 West
Presenting the plans for 50 West, Kertesz told the commission that besides the recently-opened Cents Pizza, the stretch of Lorain where they’re proposing to build had been empty for years. The project would add a four-story building with 106 apartment suites on the south side of Lorain between W. 50th St. and W. 52nd St. Two older buildings on the site would be saved, while two others would be torn down. Additionally, the project would feature two small retail spaces.
“We hope our project encourages the owners or future owners [in the area] to continue the growth and development that Ohio City has seen,” said Kertesz. “Adding density, adding this small amount of retail will encourage that.”
The developer said community members and the local design review committee encouraged him to renovate two of the buildings rather than tear them down. (The local design review committee advises developers about appropriate design, but it does not make decisions about projects.) The project would also add some trees and landscaping. Additionally, the project would incorporate several walk-up apartment units on W. 50th St. and W. 52nd St.
Additional features of the apartment building at 50 West include a 62-space parking garage, 72 bike parking spaces, shared decks on the second and third floor, and a third floor club room or entertainment room for the residents. The fourth story of the building would be slightly set back from the street. Most of the buildings on Lorain Ave. are three stories tall, but there are some taller buildings.
Nate Lull, neighborhood planning manager with Ohio City Inc., noted that comments from residents on the urban planning site coUrbanize were mixed, with some voicing support for the project and others arguing that it is too dense for the neighborhood and doesn’t have enough parking. (Courbanize site for 50 West: 50 West Official Site | Cleveland, OH – coUrbanize. Courbanize site for 45 West: 45 West Official Site | Cleveland, OH – coUrbanize.)
City landmarks commission staff stated that they believe the building should be only three stories on Lorain Ave. and four stories on the side streets. They also said the proposed balconies along Lorain are not an appropriate fit with the existing architecture of the area.
Planning commission director Joyce Huang told the developer “Thank you for listening” to the community and stated that the project “fits with the mayor’s vision for a 15-minute city, especially along this important transportation corridor.” She added, “If we want to support historic corridors, then we need more housing, because that will help resurrect many of the storefronts and retail. With some tweaking, I think [this project] is getting pretty close.”
45 West
The meeting took a turn when Kertesz presented the 45 West project, however. Sandwiched between a gas station and used car lot, the site has relatively narrow frontage on Lorain and then additional frontage on the two side streets, W. 44th St. and W. 45th St. The project would feature 101 units and 61 parking spaces in a four-story building along with 1,600 square feet of new retail space. It would also preserve a historic building that fronts Lorain Ave. that previously was a childcare center and a funeral home.
Community members who submitted comments to the commission were largely negative in their appraisal, stating that the building would be too tall, doesn’t have adequate parking, and would cause traffic congestion in the area, among other concerns. They also noted the lack of affordability of many newly-built apartment units, the lack of availability of larger units aimed at families, and the fact that the site is partially located in a historic district. My Place Group proposed adding a handful of two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, but the vast majority would be studios, one-bedrooms, and one-bedrooms with dens.
The landmarks commission suggested that Kertesz and his team rework the project and come back with something that is more appropriate for the site while also achieving the density needed to make the project work for the developer. Kertesz thanked the commission and stated that he will continue to work with OCI and the community to get feedback as they tweak the project.
This article has been corrected to note that the 45 West building would be four stories not three stories, as originally stated.
Learn more about the Cleveland Planning Commission and Cleveland Landmarks Commission, how to participate, and how to submit comments here: Cleveland City Planning Commission (clevelandohio.gov). Watch Cleveland Landmarks Commission meetings here and the April 13 meeting here.
Keep our local journalism accessible to all
Reader support is crucial as we continue to shed light on underreported neighborhoods in Cleveland. Will you become a monthly member to help us continue to produce news by, for, and with the community?
P.S. Did you like this story? Take our reader survey!
