Several buildings in the Superior Avenue warehouse district are being threatened by Innerbelt expansion.

The following is an excerpt from an ODOT-commissioned report to determine the fate of buildings in Cleveland that are in the path of the Innerbelt. Most of the buildings are not registered historic landmarks, but the firm conducting the review states that 13 of the 25 it deemed appropriate for study have the potential to be.

This report presents the results of a Phase II history/architecture investigation conducted by
Gray & Pape, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio, on behalf of URS Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, for Ohio Department of Transportation project CUY-Innerbelt (PID No. 78685). The Phase II investigation was undertaken for 25 properties within the Area of Potential Effect for theproposed Cleveland Innerbelt project in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Research and
fieldwork were conducted in November 2006.

The Phase I history/architecture survey for this project was conducted by Hardlines Design
Company of Columbus, Ohio, in May 2006. During the Phase I survey, eight
history/architecture resources were recommended for further investigation:

• The Loft Building, located at 2800 Superior Avenue (CUY-7995-5)
• The League House, located at 2344 Prospect Avenue (CUY-3468-1)
• Broadway Mills, located at 300 Central Viaduct (CUY-722-2)
• The Central Viaduct Pier Ruins (CUY-8199-2)
• The Nickel Plate Railroad Viaduct near the Cuyahoga River at 3rd and Canal streets (CUY-3257-2)
• Distribution Terminal Warehouse, located at 2000 W. 14th Street (CUY-7999-2)
• The Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge over Scranton Road; and
• Engine Company No. 8, located at 2599 Scranton Road (CUY-626-4)

Ohio Historic Inventory forms were prepared for these resources and Phase II investigations
were recommended.

Review of the Phase I history/architecture survey report by consulting parties and the Ohio
Historic Preservation Office resulted in the recommendation of an additional 17 properties
for Phase II research.

Background research for the Phase II investigation was conducted at the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Cleveland Archives, the Cleveland Public Library, the Cuyahoga County Office of the Auditor, the Cuyahoga County Office of the Recorder, the Cincinnati Public Library, the Junior League Archives, the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, and the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. Construction dates were established using the records of the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s and Recorder’s records, historic maps and atlases, and field observations.

Thirteen of the 25 history/architecture resources recommended for Phase II investigation are recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places:

• The King-Otis Cleveland Mounted Police Stables at 1150 E. 38th Street (CUY-8000-5)
• The Ohio Boxboard Company at 1400 E. 30th Street (CUY-8002-5)
• The Loft Building at 2800 Superior Avenue (CUY-7995-5)
• The Artcraft Building at 2530 Superior Avenue (CUY-3506-2)
• The Sterling & Welch Company Warehouse at 1800-1802 E. 25th Street (CUY-3553-1)
• The Apartment Building at 1900 E. 30th Street
• The League House at 2344 Prospect Avenue (CUY-3468-1)
• The Tactical Rescue Station at 312 Carnegie Avenue
• The Marathon Gas Station at 300 Central Viaduct
• Broadway Mills at 300 Central Viaduct (CUY-722-2)
• Distribution Terminal Warehouse at 2000 W. 14th Street (CUY-7999-2)
• The Ferry Cap & Set Screw Company building at 2151 Scranton Avenue, and
• Engine Company No. 8 at 2599 Scranton Road (CUY-626-4)

GCBL has an electronic copy of Phase II History/Architecture Survey for Innerbelt Project (9.6 MB pdf--too large to post to web!) 

Updates

Like all states, Ohio has a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) that must sign off on the buildings that a local 'consulting party' determines eligible for the National Register. On April 2, SHPO made its choices for the Innerbelt. It concurred with ODOT on 13 out of 16 buildings that the transportation agency did not want listed, and agreed with ODOT on seven other buildings to be eligible for the National Register. Click here for a list of eligible and non-eligible buildings, and for comments on the buildings under contention.

ODOT says it will need to demolish at least five notable buildings, the PD reports. Ohio's Historic Preservation Office is now reviewing the list of eligible properties and plans to release a report by mid-April.

Resources
Image gallery of properties considered eligible for National Register of Historic Places