Property Transfer Approved for Project Scarlet Downtown Development

Cleveland City Council has passed an emergency ordinance to facilitate property transactions necessary for the development known as Project Scarlet. Through Ord. No. 686-2026, the Mayor and the Commissioner of Purchases and Supplies are authorized to acquire and then re-convey properties at 2060 East 9th Street, which are currently owned by East9th Scarlet, LLC. This legal step is intended to establish a clear chain of title, a requirement before the city can adopt tax increment financing legislation under Section 5709.41 of the Revised Code to support the project.

The property involved is the site of the former Medical Mutual of Ohio headquarters, a 10-story building located in Downtown Cleveland near the intersection of East 9th and Prospect Avenue Medical Mutual redo starts as Project Scarlet – NEOtrans. This acquisition and re-conveyance process serves as a precursor to the formal implementation of tax increment financing for the site. The development of this area has been noted in recent local reports as part of the revitalization efforts surrounding the vacated headquarters.

The ordinance has officially passed and was introduced to the City Council on May 28, 2026. Residents can monitor future City Council sessions for the introduction of the tax increment financing legislation mentioned in the 686-2026 Legislative Summary, which will define the specific financial framework for the Project Scarlet development.

Source record

File
686-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Passed
Committee
City Council
Introduced
May 27, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources