City Considers Land Transfers for Parks, Public Safety, and Utilities

Cleveland is considering a plan to repurpose land for community growth and essential city services through an emergency ordinance, File No. 552-2026. This legislation would authorize the Director of Development to transfer 134 different parcels, currently held by the city's Land Reutilization Program, to the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, and Public Utilities. These transfers are intended to support the future development of local parks, recreation centers, trails, and other vital public facilities across Wards 1 through 14.

According to the 552-2026-Legislative Summary-City Land Bank Transfers, the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects has identified specific needs for these parcels. The Department of Parks and Recreation aims to expand 35 parks, four recreation centers, and one trail. The Department of Public Utilities has identified land needed to expand the Kerruish Stormwater Control Facility Dam, while the Department of Public Safety has identified parcels for the construction or expansion of the new Fire Station 26 and the City Kennel. While many of these city facilities are already operating on these parcels, the transfer formalizes their use for public benefit. To comply with Ohio law regarding "nonproductive land," the city must obtain approval from affected taxing districts, including Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Municipal School District.

The ordinance is currently held by the Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee. Residents can monitor future committee meetings and official city records to see when the legislation may be moved forward for further discussion or a vote.

Source record

File
552-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Passed
Committee
Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee
Introduced
April 22, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources