Lakewood Adapting Cove Church Site Into Community Center

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood officials are looking for a contractor-led design-build team to redevelop the Cove United Methodist Church site, and its surroundings. The city intends to install an intergenerational community center and stormwater management site on the property.

The intergenerational community center will consolidate the Department of Human Services into one building, while expanding the services offered by the city. The department is currently housed in three municipal properties across Lakewood.

“The adaptive reuse of the former Cove Church site presents the city of Lakewood with the opportunity to create a meaningful community gathering space that will connect residents of all ages while improving ease of access to our robust Human Services,” said Mayor Mike Summers.

The Cove Church property is a 1.77-acre site. The building was constructed in 1969 and is approximately 18,000 square feet, the city said. Lakewood City Council approved the purchase of the site in June 2019.

The new community center would include a flexible meeting space for residents to connect with programming, like the Family Room; capacity for on and off-site meal delivery; and a general purpose community gathering space.

Officials said the site would also aid Lakewood's stormwater management infrastructure and the city's compliance with the Clean Water Act. The Cove Church site has been incorporated into the city's Integrated Wet Weather Improvement Plan, which was submitted to the federal and state EPA.

Lakewood staff will hold a walk-through meeting at the Cove Church site on November 13. The event is mandatory for companies applying to become the design-build team for the site.

City council unanimously approved a resolution approving the search for a new contractor. A robust discussion on the topic was held and can be seen in the video below.