Top Of The Hill Project: Flaherty & Collins Takes Over

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Top of the Hill development is moving forward again. Cleveland Heights City Council considered legislation making Flaherty & Collins the new developer for the project at its May 15 meeting. Fairmount Properties backed out of the project on May 12.

The Top of the Hill project has been a priority for the city for a little more than a year. The project refers to the four or so acres of city-owned property at the corner of Cedar Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard, at the top of Cedar Hill. The city has publicly stated multiple times that developing that acreage into a mixed-use shopping, residential, and office site has been a long-time goal.

Fairmount removed itself from the project, citing an inability to agree on certain terms with the city. By all appearances, the two sides parted amicably, releasing a joint statement wishing each other well.

"We are very pleased that Flaherty & Collins is enthusiastically interested in the Top of The Hill development. During the selection process last October, Flaherty & Collins was a strong contender for the project and they continue to be interested in partnering with us to develop the Top of the Hill," said City Manager Tanisha Briley in a statement on the city's website. "We believe that says a lot about the interest and excitement surrounding this site and in new development in Cleveland Heights."

Flaherty & Collins is an Indianapolis-based firm. The company has completed more than $2 billion in project since its founding in 1993. This will be one of the firm's first major projects in Northeast Ohio, though it has completed several projects in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas.

"My colleagues and I were very impressed with Flaherty & Collins during their presentation last year and believe they will deliver an exciting project at this site," said Mayor Cheryl Stephens in a statement.

The Top of the Hill development started gaining steam in April 2016 when the city issued a Request for Proposals. In October 2016, Fairmount Properties was selected as the developer for the project. The company proposed a $75 million development. Less than a year later, the partnership between the city and Fairmount had fallen apart.

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