Cove Church Project Set To Receive State Funding

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood's renovation of Cove Church into the Human Services Center will be partly funded under the new Ohio biennial capital budget.

The project received $250,000 under the proposed budget, which is waiting for Gov. Mike DeWine's signature.

Cove Church was purchased by the city in 2018. Officials wanted to use the site for new stormwater infrastructure and to renovate the site to better serve the community. Lakewood leaders estimate the project will cost between $4 million and $5 million.

“I am grateful for this support from the State of Ohio and especially from our legislators, Representative Michael Skindell and Senator Nickie Antonio, for all their hard work and guidance in getting us to this point," said Mayor Meghan George in a statement.

The Cove Church project has made progress recently, with environmental remediation and site preparation for major construction to begin in 2021.

“The City of Lakewood deserves a place to gather and our Department of Human Services staff who are working in many different and outmoded facilities will be able to innovatively collaborate in new and better ways to serve our residents," George added.

Under the Capital Budget, the Beck Center would also receive $300,000 for renovations and additions to its facility.