Memphis & Pearl Redevelopment FAQs

Starting April 1, 2026, you’ll begin to see visible activity at the Memphis & Pearl Redevelopment site. This first phase focuses on demolition and environmental remediation to prepare the site for future construction. Phase two, which includes new development, is expected to begin in late summer or early fall.

We know this is a big and visible change in the heart of Old Brooklyn. Below are answers to common questions about what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what you can expect.

What to Expect During Construction

  • Noise
    • Construction noise during standard working hours (generally 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., with some activities starting at 8:00 a.m.)

    Traffic & Parking
    • Temporary traffic changes or lane closures, with advance notice shared through OBCDC and on-site signage
    • Most construction workers will park on-site, but there may be some overflow parking on nearby streets during busy days

    Site Conditions
    • Dust and environmental safety measures will be monitored and managed according to state and federal regulations

    Utilities
    • Advance notice (48–72 hours when possible) of any utility interruptions

    We are coordinating closely with utilities and will do our best to minimize disruptions to nearby homes and businesses.

  • Limited tree removal is necessary to allow safe access for heavy equipment during this phase of work.

    The final project will include new landscaping and additional tree plantings as part of expanded outdoor community and green spaces, resulting in an overall positive environmental impact.

  • The buildings have been vacant, secured, and monitored for years, and no active encampments have been identified in the past six months.

    If any individuals are encountered, the team will connect them with local outreach partners (including 311 and 211, as well as shelters) while following all legal and safety requirements.

  • Yes, temporarily. Due to site work, PRUMC will not be used as a polling location.

    The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has secured an alternative nearby site to ensure uninterrupted voting access:

    • Estabrook Recreation Center
      4125 Fulton Road
      Cleveland, Ohio 44144

    ‍To find your polling location, please visit the Cuyahoga Board of Elections website.

  • If you notice something like an unlocked gate after hours, construction happening outside allowed hours, or vehicles blocking access, please let us know.

    You can email info@oldbrooklyn.com, which is monitored daily by the OBCDC team.
    For urgent concerns, call 216-459-1000 ext. 207 and leave a voicemail with as much detail as possible.

What’s Being Demolished and Why?

  • The following structures will be removed:
    • The Greenline Building (and associated structures)
    • The St. Luke’s educational wing addition (built in 1925)
    • A long-vacant single-family home

    Why removal is necessary:

    • Significant structural deterioration
    • Environmental hazards, including asbestos, lead, and an underground fuel storage tank beneath the Greenline Building
    • Safety concerns
    • Site and soil issues

    For example, the St. Luke’s education wing has settled into unstable soil, which could lead to serious structural failure and impact the original church building.

  • We recognize how important this corner is to the history of Old Brooklyn and understand that this change can be difficult.

    The demolition plan was carefully reviewed and approved by the Cleveland City Planning Commission, Landmarks staff, and the State Historic Preservation Office after multiple rounds of community engagement and public input.

    Through this process, it was determined that the most historically significant feature is the original 1905 footprint of St. Luke’s Church, which will be preserved.

    Historic materials from the education wing, including stained glass windows, will be salvaged and reused in the new development whenever possible.

  • Planning has been ongoing since OBCDC acquired the properties around 2020, with consistent community engagement including public meetings, surveys, open houses, and updates shared in English and Spanish.

    Input from thousands of residents helped shape the project, including the decision to restore St. Luke’s to its original 1905 footprint rather than preserve the later education wing.

    Projects of this size take time to fund. OBCDC worked to secure a mix of public and private funding, which can take several years, while also navigating changes in the construction market and broader economy.

    Now that funding and approvals are in place, work can move forward, which is why progress may feel sudden.

  • More than 2,000 residents have shared input through surveys, meetings, and open houses

    • Key priorities included:
      o high-quality apartments (not affordable housing)
      o community gathering spaces
      o more activity along the commercial corridor
      o preserving important historic elements like St. Luke’s original footprint and the PRUMC building

    The current plan reflects this feedback by preserving the original St. Luke’s sanctuary, adding indoor and outdoor community space, and introducing new market-rate housing where the Greenline building is today.

    All plans were reviewed and approved by the Cleveland City Planning Commission in December 2024 after public comment.

  • The Greenline Building and St. Luke’s education wing had years of deferred maintenance under previous ownership, leading to structural issues, accessibility challenges, and environmental concerns.

    Rents were kept well below market rates to support local businesses, but that also meant there wasn’t enough revenue to cover needed repairs and major upgrades. Efforts to attract private developers were unsuccessful due to these conditions.

    OBCDC stepped in to prevent further decline and has been working since 2020 to create a redevelopment plan that reflects community priorities and brings new life to Old Brooklyn’s historic downtown.

  • The project is being funded in phases so that early work can address major site challenges like environmental remediation.

    In 2023, the project received a $2 million grant from the State of Ohio for this work. These funds must be used by 2026, or they will be reallocated to another project.

  • Projects like this often require public-private partnerships to be financially possible, especially when there are high environmental cleanup costs and aging infrastructure that needs to be replaced.

    Strategic public investment has played a key role in revitalization across Cleveland, and this project is expected to support long-term growth in Old Brooklyn and similar neighborhoods.

  • Community feedback showed a need for more high-quality, market-rate housing in the neighborhood, which helps to re-establish the Old Brooklyn housing market, where it provides a pathway to home ownership in the neighborhood.

    The goal is to help strengthen the local housing market, attract new residents, support local businesses, and increase activity and safety along the corridor.

  • The City of Cleveland has asked the project to maintain the current number of surface parking spaces.

    The project will also work with nearby underused lots to meet demand, while avoiding overbuilding parking and instead focusing on creating a more active, walkable district.

  • The CVS lot is privately owned and not part of this project. No acquisition or changes are planned.

Project Background, Funding, & Parking