Cleanup clears contaminated land, setting the stage for redevelopment and reinvestment

Media Contact: Jennifer Ciaccia, Press Secretary, (216) 250-5863, jciaccia@cuyahogacounty.gov

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – A major land remediation and cleanup initiative involving local and state agencies has reached a key milestone in the effort to turn a large area of decaying properties and environmentally compromised land in East Cleveland into assets for future investment.

The project – coordinated by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Cuyahoga Land Bank, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the City of East Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office – focused on several blocks between Northfield Avenue and Strathmore Avenue. Efforts included the demolition of dozens of blighted properties, the removal of 250 tons of illegally dumped material, and the remediation of land for community development.

“This comprehensive effort reflects our shared commitment to creating and sustaining healthy, vibrant neighborhoods,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “By restoring this land, we are reclaiming its potential, and laying the foundation for a safer, stronger neighborhood.”

In March of 2024, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health issued a resolution declaring 30 properties in East Cleveland along Elderwood Avenue as a public nuisance and declaring an emergency due to the long-standing risk to public health and safety.

“Environmental protection is a cornerstone of public health,” said Cuyahoga County Board of Health Commissioner Roderick Harris. “Blighted areas may contribute to reduced property values, increased crime, health and safety inequities, and decreased quality of life. We are pleased to have joined these clean-up efforts on behalf of the residents of East Cleveland.”

Throughout the project, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency dedicated over $73k to remove nearly 250 tons of solid waste and illegally dumped tires.

“This is what local and state partnerships are all about,” Ohio EPA Director John Logue said. “It’s more than a handshake – it’s a commitment to be with you every step of the way to see a project through to completion. Ohio EPA, Cuyahoga County, and all the partners who chipped in to make this cleanup happen should feel extremely proud for this accomplishment.”

Cuyahoga Land Bank dedicated $1.7M in funding to demolish abandoned and dilapidated buildings that posed serious health and safety concerns, attracted criminal activity and blighted the surrounding neighborhood, with plans to invest an additional $600K to continue efforts to revitalize the area.

“Cleaning up environmentally compromised land in East Cleveland is not just about remediation; it’s about restoration,” Cuyahoga Land Bank President & CEO Ricardo León said. “We are reclaiming spaces that have been burdened by disinvestment and environmental neglect and transforming them into assets for the community. This work is a critical step toward building a healthier future for East Cleveland residents, and it reflects our deep commitment to community revitalization.”

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District worked hand-in-hand with two County organizations: Court Community Service and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force, coordinating comprehensive clean-up efforts and enforcement and investigative efforts to hold violators responsible, respectively.

“The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District understands the profound impact environmental crimes have on a community,” said Beth Biggins-Ramer, Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. “That is why we underwrite Court Community Services’ supervised work crew programs that provide clean-up services and litter collection in public areas throughout Cuyahoga County. It is also the reason why we continue to support the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force’s vital work to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes, particularly open dumping.”

"Cleaning up this site marks more than just the end of an environmental hazard - it symbolizes a fresh start for this neighborhood and the City of East Cleveland," said interim East Cleveland Mayor Sandra Morgan. "This remediation clears the way for new opportunities, renewed pride, and the chance to move forward together, while standing as a testament to our commitment to restoring and reclaiming our community."

View photos from the event, courtesy Cuyahoga County Communications.