CLEVELAND, Ohio – A company developing a rock-climbing gym and fitness center in an old Masonic Temple in Ohio City plans to take advantage of green energy to heat, cool and power the building.
Cleveland Rocks Holding, LLC, a privately held real estate investment entity, plans a multifaceted redevelopment of a former Masonic Temple at 2831 Franklin Boulevard.
A Cleveland City Council panel on Tuesday approved a special tax assessment for the site that will enable the company to finance green energy projects at the building.
If implemented, the assessment would allow the property taxes that it generates to be applied toward loans to pay for the energy projects, Cleveland’s Director of Economic Development David Ebersole told the council’s Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee.
“In general, the financing proposition is that the investment you are making is going to save you costs on the operations side,” Ebersole said. “Even though you’re adding this special assessment to your taxes, your costs of operation are lower overall.”
The company plans to spend about $500,000 on LED lighting, roof enhancements and energy efficient controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
The special assessment is an often-used development tool because it helps developers get low-interest loans and, in exchange, lenders get a guaranteed means of repayment, Ebersole said. He expects Cleveland Rocks will be able to borrow construction money at an annual interest rate of 3.5%.
Cleveland, in approving the special assessment, would serve as a pass through, funneling the taxes collected from Cleveland Rocks to whomever finances the project. No city revenues would be involved in the project.
The ordinance for the special tax assessment could get final approval from the City Council next week. Mayor Frank Jackson’s signature would be needed to implement the legislation.
The roughly 42,000-square-foot building located on the south side of Franklin Boulevard just east of West 28th Street would primarily house a gym for rock climbing, Ebersole said. The remainder of the space will be occupied by various other fitness facilities, including a yoga studio, and office space and commercial “makerspaces” for entrepreneurs.
Councilman Kerry McCormack said the plan is a welcome change for a building that has been idled for some time.
“This is a former Masonic Temple that has been in not great shape for a while,” McCormack said.
A few years ago, a developer proposed creating a 30,000 square foot bar in the building, but the community fought off that project.
“Thankfully, that did not happen,” McCormack said.
“We’re fully supportive of this use,” he said. “It’s a family friendly use that will take a really tricky building … that needs a ton of work and rehab it for a really positive use.”
Ohio man who hid camera in bathroom to record children sentenced to 20 years in prison
A federal judge sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for creating child pornography, including using a hidden camera in a bathroom to secretly record children. Timothy Wright, 50, of Dublin, Ohio, also will spend 10 years on supervised released once he completes his...
Powerball winning numbers for Monday, Dec. 12, 2022; jackpot $124 million
Winning numbers were selected in the Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, Powerball drawing, with the jackpot at an estimated $124 million. The winning numbers are 16-31-50-55-61 Powerball 9 Power Play 4. The Classic Lotto numbers are 1-3-4-16-17-47 Kicker 206288. The jackpot...
Northeast Ohio Monday weather forecast: Rain and snow showers possible
Chilly weather kicks off the work week in Northeast Ohio, with chances of both snow and rain showers on Monday. The National Weather Service says the best chances for snow showers are before 11 a.m., with temperatures in the mid-30s. It will be cloudy throughout the...
Submit your event
We will be happy to share your events. Please email us the details and pictures at publish@profilenewsohio.com
Address
P.O. Box: 311001 Independance, Ohio, 44131
Call Us
+1 (216) 269 3272
Email Us
Publish@profilenewsohio.com