Oct. 27 – Cleveland Landmarks Commission
Covered by Documenters Sarah Tan and Marvetta Rutherford
What happened: The commission approved the demolition of a Ward 9 home in the East Boulevard Historic District. City Planner Karl Brunjes said he didn’t think demolition was the answer for this property. He also said widespread demolition may not be helpful. “We cannot demolish our way to better neighborhoods; we need to conserve our way to them,” he said. Commission Member Jonathan Bonezzi said there is no other option for many homes in this condition. Commission Member Anthony Brancatelli said that Director of City Planning Joyce Pan Huang has discussed creating a committee to review alternatives to demolition projects.
Playhouse District marquees: The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for plans to renovate six theater marquees in the Playhouse Square Historic District. The renovations would help lower energy use, said Tom Einhouse, a project representative. They would also help control light pollution.
Left wondering: Documenter Sarah Tan asked, “What are other cities doing to prevent the decline of their historic districts?”
Director of City Planning Joyce Pan Huang discussed her vision for the department at a June 28 City Club forum on Public Square. Check out this Twitter thread by Signal Cleveland’s Paul Rochford for a recap of the conversation.