Former West Park Kmart May Be Divided Into Different Parcels

CLEVELAND — The former Kmart site on W. 150th Street has been a lightning rod for local concern since it closed down in 2017. The Kamm's Corners Development Corporation said this week there's reason for hope of development at the site.

While there has been much speculation about which company may next make use of the area, the Kamm's Corners Development Corporation (KCDC) said there is no news to share yet. However, the owner does feel confident he can redevelop the property.

"Last Friday, we had a phone conversation with the owner [of the Kmart property] who told us he hopes to divide the Kmart building into three or four retail bays," the KCDC said in a statement. "He’s talking with several quality retailers for these spaces and is also fielding inquiries about out-parcels. He does not plan to announce anything until several of the building blocks are put together."

The former Kmart site made headlines locally in October 2018, when News 5 revealed it had become a popular site for illegal dumping of building materials and other detritus. A homeless encampment formed nearby.

The pressure of local media and the community earned a promise to secure the site and assured future clean-up. Now residents want to see the site turned into a profitable sector of the community again.

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Luckily, the owners of the Kmart property, a New York-based firm, also own several nearby properties, giving them a vested interest in the success of West Park. According to KCDC, the developers own: "the building containing Rubin’s Family Restaurant and the Dollar General store, along with the associated parking lots. They also recently purchased the apartment building that housed Cowan’s Pub, but do not own the former Ohio Pipe property to the east or any property to the south."

KCDC said it looks forward to further dialogue with the property owner. The full KCDC statement was posted online.

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