Committee approves land swap with CMSD to clear site for new Glenville High School and transfer properties for city use

The committee approved Ordinance 9‑27‑20‑26 to allow one or more agreements with the Cleveland Municipal School District to exchange properties for mutual benefit, clearing the way for a new Glenville High School and related redevelopment.

Commissioner De Janeiro outlined the parcels to be swapped: the Jay Lehi Smith Health Center at 1110 Saint Clair and several land‑bank parcels near the new high school site would go to CMSD; in exchange CMSD would convey Walton School (3409 Walton Avenue) to the city for use by the Department of Public Safety as a future fire station, and Newton D. Baker School would transfer to the city for redevelopment.

Staff said CMSD will demolish the high‑school building after the school year ends and the city would be responsible for its share of demolition costs; staff said they are applying to the county land bank for state grant funds to offset demolition match costs. The presentation included a demolition estimate for both schools described in the transcript as "1.3 to 1,500,000"; staff said they will pursue grants and include match funds in departmental capital planning if necessary.

Staff added that the swap has already been approved by the CMSD board of education and that the transaction is authorized by the Ohio Revised Code; the ordinance was approved by the committee and members were asked to sign.