Cleveland Proposes Land Exchange with School District for Future Redevelopment
The City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) are planning a series of property exchanges to prepare several sites for future redevelopment. Under Emergency Ordinance 927-2026, the city would swap various parcels of land with the school district to facilitate new construction, including a new fire station and a new high school.
What's in the file
The ordinance authorizes the Directors of Public Health, Development, and Public Safety to enter into agreements with the CMSD Board of Education to exchange real estate. This action is proposed under Section 3313.40 of the Revised Code, which allows for land exchanges between a school board and a municipal corporation if the swap is deemed mutually beneficial.
According to the Legislative Summary, the exchange involves several specific properties and intended uses:
- Walton School (PPN 007-21-058): Transferred from CMSD to the Department of Public Safety to be used as a new fire station. The city will be responsible for demolishing the school.
- Newton D. Baker School (PPN 025-17-034): Transferred from CMSD to the Department of Development for redevelopment. The city will be responsible for demolishing the school.
- J. Glen Smith Health Center (PPN 110-01-005): Transferred from the Department of Public Health to CMSD for the development of a new Glenville High School and a new YMCA. CMSD will demolish the center, and the city will reimburse CMSD for demolition costs.
- Three Land Bank Parcels: Transferred from the Department of Development to CMSD for school-related uses. Two parcels (PPNs 110-01-044 and 110-01-042) are adjacent to the new Glenville High School site, and one (PPN 015-25-054) is adjacent to Denison Elementary School.
The properties will be exchanged at no cost to either party. Funds for demolition are expected to be appropriated through 2027 bond proceeds or other funds identified by the Director of Finance.
Who may be affected
- Ward 9: Receives properties intended for the new Glenville High School.
- Ward 14: Includes the sites for Denison Elementary School and Walton School.
- Ward 15: Includes the site for Newton D. Baker School.
- City Departments: The Departments of Public Health, Development, and Public Safety, as well as the Commissioner of Purchases and Supplies, are authorized to manage the transfers.
- Cleveland Municipal School District: Will acquire land for school-related uses and new facilities.
Status and timeline
August 13, 2026: The emergency ordinance was introduced and received its first reading.
Residents can verify the details of this proposal and track its progress through the Cleveland City Council legislative database.
| Walton School | 1 count |
|---|---|
| Newton D. Baker School | 1 count |
Source record
- File
- 927-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- First Reading
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- August 12, 2026
Official documents
- 927-2026-Land swap w CMSD and PH, Development and PS for future redevelopment under ORD 3313.40
- 927-2026-LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY Land Swap CMSD
- 927-2026 Revised Location Map set final
- 927-2026-Presentation-Real Estate Cleveland City Planning Commission
- FINAL VERSION City Record October 16, 2026 Page 89