HUD Please investigate IDIS Activity ID: 11288

Submitted by lmcshane on Wed, 05/27/2015 - 08:02.
06/11/2015 - 09:00
06/11/2015 - 11:00
Etc/GMT-4

 

On June 11, 2015, at 9:00am in Room 514 of Cleveland City Hall, the Cleveland Landmarks Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss and review the new Art House Project, a federally-funded undertaking that includes the demolition of the buildings at 3119 and 3201 Denison Avenue, the construction of a new parking area, an addition to the Quonset hut at the rear of the property, and the creation of a green space/garden area.

 

The City of Cleveland has determined that this undertaking will cause an adverse effect to the Brooklyn Centre Historic District.  Since you were a consulting party in the previous Art House Project Section 106 review, I wanted to invite you to participate in the review of this new undertaking. 

 

Please find the attached plans for redevelopment of the Art House property and a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and State Historic Preservation Office that outlines the proposed plan for Art House to mitigate the adverse effect on historic properties that this project will cause.

 

The Cleveland Landmarks Commission meeting on June 11th will serve two functions: (1) the Landmarks Commission will review the project and determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposal.  The project must be approved by the Landmarks Commission in order to be granted permits demolition and construction from the City of Cleveland; and (2) the meeting will serve as an opportunity for public comment as part of the Section 106 review of this project. Members of the public will be given the opportunity to speak to the Commission, the City, and Art House about the proposed undertaking, its effect on historic properties, and the proposed mitigation measures.

 

Please plan on attending the Landmarks Commission meeting to learn more about the new Art House proposal and provide your comments on not only the proposal, but the proposed mitigation measures outline in the attached MOA.  If you cannot attend the June 11, 2015 meeting and would like to comment, please feel free to call, e-mail, or write at the contact information below.

 

The City of Cleveland has worked with Art House, the current and former City Councilmembers, and other non-profit and neighborhood groups over the last several years in an attempt to avoid or minimize the adverse effect that this project will cause. We are now at a point where all prudent and feasible alternatives have been considered and exhausted. Following the June 11th meeting, the City will consider the comments it has received regarding the Art House Project and MOA and consult with the State Historic Preservation Office. When a final MOA is established, you will be given the opportunity to sign the document as a concurring party.

 

Please inform me if you plan on attending the June 11th meeting and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the Section 106 process or the current Art House Project proposal.

 

Sincerely,

 

Daniel A. Musson

Project Manager/Compliance Officer

City of Cleveland

Department of Community Development

(216) 664-4044  fax: (216) 420-7965

dmusson [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us

 

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ART_HOUSE_MOA_DRAFT_05262015.pdf182.26 KB
Redevelopment_Drawings_for_Art_House_Project-2014_1.pdf155.41 KB
IDIS.JPG71.12 KB
Enterprise3Jun1914.jpg825.4 KB
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CLE Landmark Commission - Section 106 FRAUD

Submitted by lmcshane on Thu, 05/28/2015 - 20:04.

The Landmark Commission thinks they can circumvent Section 106 process with their official pronouncement - they can not.

Here are comments to above announcement from City of Cleveland by local historian and architectural preservationist Craig Bobby:

 

Dan --



I understand your sending this invitation to previously interested parties regarding this "undertaking".  But, I otherwise do not understand what genuine value it will have to those of us who are opposed to it.  This is essentially a classic example of what is known as a 'kangaroo court'.  To be fully honest and accurate, the "two functions" you've mentioned need to be amended to read as follows: (1) The Landmarks Commission HAS reviewed the project and HAS APPROVED the proposal, (2) the meeting will serve as an opportunity for public comment, from which any opposing sentiments will be summarily IGNORED by the Commission, the City, and Art House, since all decisions regarding this matter were actually made several years ago, in favor of -- according to official City policies -- corporate and political entities.  



The situation as described in your e-mail is nothing more than a smoke screen to attempt to create the false appearance that what the public would like to happen has value to the named parties.  It is a completely empty and meaningless event that is taking place only to satisfy a mandated requirement that such an event take place.



-- Craig Bobby

 

The City of Cleveland is violating federal law and crossing their fingers hoping that all of the original consulting parties fail to show up at their fake MOA meeting.  This would allow them to say they have agreement.  It is a lie.  Not one of the original consulting party members were consulted to frame their fake Memorandum of Agreement.  This is not over.

Federal MONIES - Wirth House

Submitted by lmcshane on Sun, 06/07/2015 - 11:59.

 
See above information - on Thursday - residents again go up against the attempt to steal more federal monies allocated in 1999 to Art House project when Brian Cummins was CDC director at Old Brooklyn Development Corporation.

Monies were for HISTORIC PRESERVATION of buildings purchased using CDBG funds - later transferred to another non-profit entity Art House.  Art House is just a shell for real interests who wanted the commercial real estate back in 1999.  Rokakis pulled similar trick in 1993 - at least Brooklyn Centre neighborhood got a beautiful park in the process, but what happened to federal monies allocated for a trail?

 

Brancatelli (now controlling Council rep) could/should at very least ask Metroparks to take on the properties and make Art House a Metropark affiliate program. Afterall, how much money can they conceivably skim off of the remaining monies left on original CDBG funds?   

 

 

 
 

CLEVELAND RENTS OUT ITS PARK NEAR ZOO METROPARKS TO RUN BROOKSIDE 99 YEARS

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - Thursday, October 28, 1993
Readability: >12 grade level (Lexile: 1380L)

Author: KAREN FARKAS PLAIN DEALER REPORTER
For $99, Cleveland will relinquish control of Brookside Park to the Cleveland Metroparks today. 



With the 99-year lease, at $1 a year, the Metroparks is poised to spend close to $2 million over the next three years for repairs, improvements and operating costs at the 135-acre park, bordered by Ridge Rd., Interstate 71, Fulton Rd. and Brookside Park Dr. 



To indicate its commitment, park commissioners are expected to reappropriate $155,471 in their budget today for operating costs and capital improvements through the end of this year, including gates, fences and signs. The lease requires the park to spend $1.25 million in capital improvements and the remainder for operating costs. 



Metroparks is expected to take over operations on Nov. 15. 



Discussions about the park have been under way about a year and were initiated by Cleveland Councilman James Rokakis. "It is a culmination of a dream," said Rokakis, D-15, yesterday. "It is a logical marriage, and I am proud to be part of it. It is clear to me that the Metroparks had the resources to make Brookside the kind of gem it turned the zoo into." 



Rokakis said that the city could only spend $150,000 to $200,000 a year on the large, often deserted park and that many nearby residents felt unsafe. The Cleveland police provided security but were unable to maintain a regular presence. 



Rangers will now patrol the park and will talk to neighbors about concerns. The Metroparks will also provide an assistant park manager, technician, two handymen and 10 seasonal employees. 



According to the lease, the Metroparks will spend a minimum of $1.25 million on capital improvements by July 1, 1996. 



Nagy Pkwy., which runs though the park between Fulton and Ridge Rds., will no longer be a through road and will be closed at Denison Ave. and Fulton Rd. as soon as the Ridge Rd. bridge over Interstate 71 is completed later this year. A walkway will be constructed from a picnic area that will be built on Park Dr. at the upper level of the park. 



The lease allows the Metroparks to use about 35 acres for zoo expansion for polar bear and other arctic exhibits. 



The remainder of the park would be open to residents and include new softball and hardball diamonds and flag football fields to be completed by July 1996. 



The Metroparks will pay the city $60,000 for the loss of the soccer field, cinder track and unusable tennis courts. 



In addition, a five-mile all-purpose trail connecting the Memphis Rd. picnic area at the Big Creek Reservation, Brookside Park and the zoo has received $2.37 million in federal funds. 



"A partnership between the city and Metroparks will allow for enhancements of the zoo, and the city will still be able to utilize the recreational facilities for its programs," said James Pressler, director of parks, recreation and properties for the city. "It will allow us to divert our resources to other neighborhood parks." 



Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance to lease the park in June, but it took several months to complete the final agreement. 



Some city officials wanted a commitment that the Metroparks would seek to hire minorities and Cleveland residents. Metroparks officials said they had a strong affirmative action program but could not guarantee all Brookside employees would be Cleveland residents. 



Cleveland officials also questioned the need for a 99-year lease, seeking a shorter term, but Metroparks officials were firm about the length.
 
Edition: FINAL/SPORTS FINAL/ALL

Section: METRO

Page: 1B

Index Terms: CLEVELAND METROPARKS ; CLEVELAND ZOO

Dateline: CLEVELAND

Record Number: 07301046

Copyright 1993, 2002 The Plain Dealer. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission.
 

 

Federal MONIES Wirth House

Submitted by lmcshane on Sun, 06/07/2015 - 12:22.

 

Dan - would you also clarify the remaining federal funds in the original HUD 

 IDIS Activity ID: 11288 contract and clarify whether this MOA includes using the original CDBG funds for demolition -to answer this question from a consulting party:

"I emailed Dan to request information on the past meetings with the SHPO. I am positive that they informed Art House since (CDBG) funds were used to purchase the property (Wirth House & Quonset hut) additional federal funds could not be used to demolish the Wirth House unless Art House returned the amount for Wirth House first. "

 

 

 Dan, 

To the best of my knowledge - I have cc.d the original consulting parties - please list for us - all of those who are registered as consulting parties.  I may have missed some of these folks.  I called Lisa Adkins 1-800-686-6124 at SHPO this morning - to determine whether attendance at the June 11th meeting has to be attended in person for the consulting parties to view their opinion on this DRAFT proposal. Lisa is going to check and see whether she received the materials in her email.  Dan - do you mind sending these items to her as well.

 

FTR - I am opposed.  I will be at the June 11th meeting, but truly hope this is not a "trick" to force "approval" of the DRAFT MOA - on residents and consulting parties.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laura,

 

I have forwarded Lisa the e-mail that went out to the consulting parties last week.  I assure you that the June 11thmeeting is not a trick to gain approval of the draft MOA. If anyone cannot attend the meeting, I am more than happy to read any written comments they would like to provide me into the record and provide Landmarks Commission members with hard copies of said comments.

 

I will look into the CDBG question and get you a response tomorrow, as I will be in the field the rest of today.



Thanks,

Dan

 

Daniel A. Musson

Project Manager/Compliance Officer

City of Cleveland

Department of Community Development

(216) 664-4044  fax: (216) 420-7965

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This new proposal will need an approval from the Landmarks Commission prior to moving forward since both buildings are located in a local Landmarks District.  The former approval of the Wirth House demolition was contingent upon the building at 3201 being rehabilitated to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. 

 

There are essentially two processes taking place here:

1)      The Landmarks Commission is reviewing this proposal under City of Cleveland Zoning Code Chapter 161, which requires the review and approval of the Landmarks Commission for any environmental changes to properties located within landmarked districts.  Without Landmarks Commission approval, a permit for the proposed project cannot be issued by the City and, therefore, the project cannot move forward.

2)      The Landmarks Commission is providing comments pursuant to 36CFR800 in regards to the Section 106 review of this federally funded undertaking.  The Landmarks Commission does not need to formally adopt or vote on a resolution concerning the Section 106 review of this project, but their comments on the project and proposed mitigation measures are taking into consideration in the same way that all consulting party comments are considered. 

 

I hope that clears things up a bit. It can be a little confusing with a federal and a local process moving forward concurrently.  If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

Thanks,

Dan

 

Daniel A. Musson

Project Manager/Compliance Officer

City of Cleveland

Department of Community Development

(216) 664-4044  fax: (216) 420-7965

dmusson [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us" target="_blank" href="mailto:dmusson [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: purple; outline: none; background: transparent;">dmusson [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us

Related story -WHY is Metroparks NOT Saving NEO Places??

Submitted by lmcshane on Sun, 06/07/2015 - 12:25.

At Southwest Citizens neighborhood meetings 6/4/2015 CLE Council Rep Tony Brancatelli stated he had no intention of asking the Metroparks to "Save" Wirth House- he also publicly stated that the Metroparks is not in the business of historic preservation citing this recent story :  http://www.cleveland.com/chagrin-valley/index.ssf/2015/05/mcfarland_homestead_could_get.html

 

 

STOP Demo of Wirth House

Submitted by lmcshane on Wed, 06/10/2015 - 18:32.

Read on if you need more information.  If you can not email - please call and leave your comments on the record (216) 664-4044
 
 
Hello All -
 
Please know that federal 106 process starts ALL over on Wirth House and adjacent house in front of Art House FROM Square ONE.  
 
Art House is not the enemy but the City of Cleveland IS - they have to start all over and now anyone who wants to save these historic houses on Denison--significant buildings that represent our community and our important story to tell for tourism and development -- can now sign up as consulting parties.
 
The City is essentially starting from zero again - and can not play fast and loose with public monies (tax dollars through CDBG fund) allocated to the repair and reuse of the Wirth House properties purchased by the Old Brooklyn Development Corporation (and transferred to Art House).  Art House is in unique position for a non-profit of NEVER having to pay rent or taxes. ***
        ***if  non-profit Metroparks accepted transfer and  repaired - how attractive would this be for a leasee like an ice cream store, tea house, gallery etc.? 
 
Art House staff do not have wherewithal to manage the repair that was promised in the first HUD contract submitted by Brian Cummins when he was CDC director at Old Brooklyn under Merle Gordon as Council Rep.  BUT Brian Cummins and now the new Councilperson Anthony Brancatelli do have MEANS to structure another transfer (just as Merle Gordon - the council person when Brian Cummins was CDC director did for her friend Sheryl Hoffman -first director at Art House).  Metroparks Board Members do respond to requests for park and property management - I can attest to this from experience as one of the board members who helped structure the transfer of West Creek land to the Metroparks - NOW the Metropark West Creek Reservation.


 
Current parties listed: Craig Bobby Councilman Anthony Brancatelli Roger Bundy Councilman Brian Cummins Tim Donovan William Eging Gloria Ferris Tim Ferris Mike Harrison Rudy Hauret Paul Kirk Laura McShane Richard Nicholson Ann Pallotta Nagin Chris Pekoc Dorothy Rieman Jock Thompson NEW PARTICIPANT NAMES TO BE ADDED 

PLEASE share this email with anyone interested in SAVING OUR LOCAL history!

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Laura,
 
I have forwarded Lisa the e-mail that went out to the consulting parties last week.  I assure you that the June 11th meeting is not a trick to gain approval of the draft MOA. If anyone cannot attend the meeting, I am more than happy to read any written comments they would like to provide me into the record and provide Landmarks Commission members with hard copies of said comments.
 
I will look into the CDBG question and get you a response tomorrow, as I will be in the field the rest of today.







Thanks,



Dan
 
Daniel A. Musson
Project Manager/Compliance Officer
City of Cleveland
Department of Community Development
(216) 664-4044  fax: (216) 420-7965
dmusson [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This new proposal will need an approval from the Landmarks Commission prior to moving forward since both buildings are located in a local Landmarks District.  The former approval of the Wirth House demolition was contingent upon the building at 3201 being rehabilitated to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. 
 
There are essentially two processes taking place here:
1)      The Landmarks Commission is reviewing this proposal under City of Cleveland Zoning Code Chapter 161, which requires the review and approval of the Landmarks Commission for any environmental changes to properties located within landmarked districts.  Without Landmarks Commission approval, a permit for the proposed project** cannot be issued by the City and, therefore, the project cannot move forward. (***read demolition)
2)      The Landmarks Commission is providing comments pursuant to 36CFR800 in regards to the Section 106 review of this federally funded undertaking.  The Landmarks Commission does not need to formally adopt or vote on a resolution concerning the Section 106 review of this project, but their comments on the project and proposed mitigation measures are taking into consideration in the same way that all consulting party comments are considered. 
 
I hope that clears things up a bit. It can be a little confusing with a federal and a local process moving forward concurrently.  If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
 
Thanks,



Dan

Landmark Commission gives Wirth House, Belz House reprieve

Submitted by lmcshane on Sat, 06/13/2015 - 13:23.

 

CALL TO ORDER

CHAIR'S REPORT

Laura Bala

SECRETARY'S REPORT

Donald Petit (Interim)
 

CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS

Photo Gallery

1.

Joseph and Feiss Warehouse: Case 15-042
2149-57 West 53rd Street
Renovation for Menlo Park Academy

Ward 3 Cimperman

2.

Little Italy Historic District: Case 15-043
1961 East 126th Street
Demolition

Ward 6 Mitchell

3.

Clifton-West Boulevard Historic District: Case 15-044
2068 West Boulevard
Vinyl siding and window replacement

Ward 15 Zone

4.

St. Colman Church: Case 14-044
2027 West 65th Street
Demolition of boiler house

Ward 15 Zone

5.

Brooklyn Centre Historic District: Case 04-090; Case 15-045
Wirth House 3119 Denison Avenue
Demolition

Ward 12 Brancatelli

6.

Brooklyn Centre Historic District: Case 05-083; Case 15-046
3201 Denison Avenue
Demolition

Ward 12 Brancatelli

SECTION 106 REVIEW PUBLIC HEARING

1.

Brooklyn Centre Historic District
Art House
3119 Denison Avenue
3201 Denison Avenue

Ward 12 Brancatelli

ADJOURNMENT

NEXT MEETING: June 25, 2015

 

From architectural historian Craig Bobby:

3119 Denison is Wirth House  built in 1884 for Frederick Wirth, the final Postmaster of the Village Of Brooklyn, Ohio, before it was annexed to Cleveland, Ohio.



3201 Denison is Belz House built in 1886 for Edward Belz.  Belz was a principle in Cozad, Belz, Bates & Company, which was one of the more successful and long-standing title-research companies in Victorian-era Cleveland.  

 

This past Thursday - Landmark Commission gave the Wirth House and Belz House a reprieve by tabling the motion to demo brought by Brancatelli-Cummins.  The Landmark Commission members Laura Bala and Christopher Diehl are planning a site visit.  More information will be posted here soon.

Landmark Commission gives Wirth House, Belz House reprieve

Submitted by lmcshane on Wed, 06/17/2015 - 19:33.

 

CALL TO ORDER

CHAIR'S REPORT

Laura Bala

SECRETARY'S REPORT

Donald Petit (Interim)
 

CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS

Photo Gallery

1.

Joseph and Feiss Warehouse: Case 15-042
2149-57 West 53rd Street
Renovation for Menlo Park Academy

Ward 3 Cimperman

2.

Little Italy Historic District: Case 15-043
1961 East 126th Street
Demolition

Ward 6 Mitchell

3.

Clifton-West Boulevard Historic District: Case 15-044
2068 West Boulevard
Vinyl siding and window replacement

Ward 15 Zone

4.

St. Colman Church: Case 14-044
2027 West 65th Street
Demolition of boiler house

Ward 15 Zone

5.

Brooklyn Centre Historic District: Case 04-090; Case 15-045
Wirth House 3119 Denison Avenue
Demolition

Ward 12 Brancatelli

6.

Brooklyn Centre Historic District: Case 05-083; Case 15-046
3201 Denison Avenue
Demolition

Ward 12 Brancatelli

SECTION 106 REVIEW PUBLIC HEARING

1.

Brooklyn Centre Historic District
Art House
3119 Denison Avenue
3201 Denison Avenue

Ward 12 Brancatelli

ADJOURNMENT

NEXT MEETING: June 25, 2015

 

From architectural historian Craig Bobby:

3119 Denison is Wirth House  built in 1884 for Frederick Wirth, the final Postmaster of the Village Of Brooklyn, Ohio, before it was annexed to Cleveland, Ohio.



3201 Denison is Belz House built in 1886 for Edward Belz.  Belz was a principle in Cozad, Belz, Bates & Company, which was one of the more successful and long-standing title-research companies in Victorian-era Cleveland.  Edward Belz data: He was born 1844 in Philppsburg, Baden, came to America in 1872, naturalized 1877, married Matilda Fish, widow of Henry 1882, 1900 Residence 663 Denison, 1904 married Bertha Frederica Schlossstein, 1910 Residence 3201 Denison, died 1914, buried Denison Cemetery

 

This past Thursday - Landmark Commission gave the Wirth House and Belz House a reprieve by tabling the motion to demo brought by Brancatelli-Cummins.  The Landmark Commission members Laura Bala and Christopher Diehl are planning a site visit.  More information will be posted here soon.

More info on Belz House

Submitted by lmcshane on Wed, 06/17/2015 - 19:34.

A neighbor found this obituary for the last Belz at 3201 Denison Ave. - he died in June 1914: