Cleveland City Council Authorizes $4.1 million LaSalle Theater Renovation

CLEVELAND, OH - Historic LaSalle Theater, on E. 185th St., will be converted into into an arts, media, and community center for the price of $4.1 million. City council adopted legislation approving the renovation yesterday.

The city will put forward $645,000 for the work through various programs. Other funding will come from a combination of grants, contributions, historic tax credits, and mortgages. Renovation is expected to be completed in May.

During last night's meeting, council also approved a $400,000 forgivable loan to Burten, Bell, Carr Development, a non-profit community development corporation. The company will make improvements to Arbor Park Place Shopping Center, on E. 40th St. and Community College Ave. In a statement on the loan, the city said:

The money will be used to help finance capital, parking lot and site improvements at the plaza, which is anchored by a Dave’s supermarket. Burten, Bell, Carr, which is in the process of taking ownership of the shopping plaza, is hoping improvements will attract businesses to vacant spaces in the plaza. Besides Dave’s Supermarket, the shopping plaza houses a Dollar Mart, a Subway shop and a restaurant.

Finally, council approved legislation authorizing the sale of slate roof tiles from Fifth Church of Christ, which is set to be demolished. The dome on the city-owned vacant building is fitted with custom slate roof tiles, which were installed 89 years ago. Cudell Improvement, a non-profit neighborhood development corporation, will facilitate the sale of the tiles and proceeds are slated to be put towards a green space in that area.