Lakewood Moves Forward With Trinity Church Redevelopment

LAKEWOOD, OH — The city has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the reuse of the Trinity Lutheran Church site on Detroit Avenue. This is the first step in redesigning the site.

The RFQ was issued on Tuesday, according to the city. "This is the first step of a two step process to select the best and most qualified team for the adaptive reuse of the former Trinity Church site," the city said on its website.

The proposed timeline for the development of the site would see a project and developer selected by the fall, with a recommendation headed to city council before the end of the year. A mandatory pre-submission meeting will be held on June 5 for the project.

The Trinity Lutheran Church closed its doors in 2018, when its congregation moved to a new site on West Clifton Boulevard. The building was deconsecrated on Jan. 14, 2018.

According to a post from Judy Feskko, a Trinity Lutheran member, the congregation voted unanimously to sell its Detroit Avenue property. The city later purchased the property from the church.

The church is 5,500 square feet, with an additional 7,000 square feet of classrooms. There are about 40 parking spots on the site and an additional retail site with 4,300 square feet of space.