City and School District Approve Land Swap in Ward 5
The City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) are moving forward with a property exchange designed to better align land ownership with current community use in Ward 5. Under emergency ordinance 558-2026, the two entities will swap several parcels to support local recreation, public works operations, and future school-related development.
What's in the file
The legislation authorizes the Directors of Public Works, Development, and/or Parks and Recreation to enter into agreements with CMSD to exchange various real estate holdings. According to the 558-2026 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY, the exchange is intended to be mutually beneficial and will be conducted at no cost to either party.
The swap involves the following property transfers:
- From CMSD to the City: - Land near the northwest corner of Outhwaite Avenue and East 55th Street (PPN 103-35-009), which includes the existing Dwayne Browder Field at Lonnie Burton Recreation Center and its parking lot, to be transferred to the Department of Parks & Recreation. - Vacant land at 6412 Central Avenue (PPN 118-30-005), the former site of John Burroughs School, to be transferred to the Department of Public Works for equipment storage.
- From the City to CMSD: - Six land bank parcels located on the southeast corner of E. 55th Street and Quincy Avenue (PPNs 124-01-007, 124-01-008, 124-01-009, 124-01-054, 124-01-085, and 124-01-010) to be used by CMSD as greenspace near East Technical High School until further development plans are established.
Who may be affected
- Ward 5: The specific area where all land exchanges are occurring.
- Department of Parks & Recreation: Will gain jurisdiction over the Dwayne Browder Field and parking lot.
- Department of Public Works: Will gain jurisdiction over the former John Burroughs School site for equipment storage.
- Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD): Will acquire six parcels near East Technical High School for school-related uses and greenspace.
- Department of Development: Will facilitate the transfer of the city's land bank parcels.
Status and timeline
The ordinance has successfully moved through the legislative process:
- April 24, 2026: The ordinance was officially introduced.
- June 1, 2026: The emergency ordinance passed.
Residents can verify the details of this land exchange by reviewing the official record for Ordinance 558-2026 through the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 558-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- April 23, 2026
Official documents
- 558-2026 Land swap w CMSD for future redevelopment under ORD 3313.40
- 558-2026 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY Land swaps between City and Cleveland Municipal School Districtrev'd 4.113.26
- 558-2026 Location map final Trance 3 Rev 4.15
- 558-2026- PP Presentation-Land Swap w CMSD Rev MJ 5.8
- 558-2026 FINAL VERSION-CITY RECORD JUNE 12, 2026 PG. 33