CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Although not partnering directly in the redevelopment of the old Park Synagogue property, the city will put some upfront financial support toward preservation of its architectural centerpiece.
City Council approved a $45,000 city contribution Jan. 17 to the “Friends of Mendelsohn” nonprofit, named after the world-renowned architect of the acclaimed structure, which hopes to get it placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
From there, official National Landmark status for the building -- excluding the “intergenerational, mixed-use development” that has been proposed for as many as 400 new households over the rest of the land -- would help it qualify for state and federal historic tax credits.
Situated on a scenic 28-acre campus in the middle of town, the project could also be eligible for a variety of grants for religious institutions -- one for up to $500,000 through the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“It’s not a ‘city project’ -- we recognize that,” Mayor Kahlil Seren told council. “But we think it can be a catalytic, almost once-in-a-lifetime project we can participate in, in some way, just to assist in moving it forward.
“That makes it easier for the approval bodies to see the city is contributing, and that’s something that goes a long way when you’re looking for other financing, trying to get other grants or tax credits,” Seren continued.
“Because those approval bodies will be looking at city participation as well.”
The Park congregation, now located in Pepper Pike, last year hired the real estate partnership Sustainable Community Associates (SCA) and has already garnered considerable backing for the project.
This includes a master planning grant through the Cleveland Foundation, along with nearly $3 million in state funding: a $1.8 million Brownfield Remediation Program grant to remove lead and asbestos, and $1 million from the state’s capital budget to repair and upgrade electrical and mechanical systems in the Mendelsohn building.
At the start of this year, the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission re-certified the local landmark status originally granted in 1976 to the work of Eric Mendelsohn, the German-Jewish architect who fled the Nazis in 1933.
An acknowledged masterpiece, the building is viewed widely as the most significant of the four synagogues Mendelsohn later designed in America.
Given that, the Friends of Mendelsohn will commission the historic preservation consulting firm of Naylor Wellman, which most recently updated the city’s Historic Preservation Guidelines in 2021, City Planning Director Eric Zamft told council.
Naylor Wellman also carried the Woodland-Larchmere Commercial Historic District designation over the finish line in 2015, among other projects.
Councilman Tony Cuda asked what the city would be getting for the $45,000, with Zamft explaining that “it is a very lengthy process to do all of the research to provide to the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to even qualify for landmark status.”
Councilman Anthony Mattox Jr., who chairs the Planning and Development Committee, said he wanted to bring the funding request directly to council’s Committee-of-the-Whole because of its “time sensitive” nature in terms of grant writing in February and March.
“We also want to make sure that everyone to whom they’re talking (and applying) knows that the city is standing behind the project,” Mattox said of the various funding sources.
Cuda asked if it was “fair to say that the property pays for itself” through the national landmark designation and the available funding opportunities.
“Many times over,” said SCA partner Josh Rosen, noting that the Jewish Federation and Cuyahoga County have also kicked some money in, “so this would be a nice way for Cleveland Heights to get involved.”
Council Vice President Craig Cobb asked if there was “any downside at all” to having the synagogue designated as a national landmark.
“Only if someone is seeking to demolish it,” Rosen said.
Naomi Sabel with SCA further explained that the national landmark status would only apply to the temple itself -- which they plan to turn into 110,000 square feet of arts, education, wellness, nonprofit and preschool space -- as well as a small access road.
Redevelopment of the rest of the campus, including the swath of land fronting Mayfield Road, would not fall under any historic preservation guidelines or restrictions, although plans do call for keeping much of the pastoral setting and green space intact.
With its ravine, stream and forested fields, Sabel said earlier that “at Park, we are a sanctuary city in and of itself for an ever-present deer population.”
Councilwoman Davida Russell asked if additional funding support would be needed from the city for other phases of the project. Sabel replied that most if not all construction projects require “the same (economic) development tools” that are currently in play.
“Although the projects are cohesive, they will be financed separately,” Sabel added.
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