Next week, David Robinson will leave the top job at West Park Kamms Neighborhood Development for the same job at Old Brooklyn Community Development Corp. (OBCDC). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Robinson leaves West Park Kamms for Old Brooklyn
Making a move from leading one nonprofit community development corporation for another can sometimes make inferences about the place they’re leaving. But in David Robinson’s lateral move, due to start next week, it says more about the place he’s moving to — a place called home.
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) has named Robinson as its new executive director effective Oct. 20. This follows last week’s announcement by West Park Kamms Neighborhood Development (WPKND) that he will departing the executive director position of that CDC Oct. 15.
“I’m honored to step into this role with OBCDC,” Robinson said in a written statement. “Old Brooklyn has such strong assets and a rich history. I look forward to coming home and working with residents, businesses, and partners to build on that foundation and continue strengthening the neighborhood.”
Robinson has been a resident of Old Brooklyn for over 10 years, previously serving on the OBCDC Board of Directors, initially as treasurer and later as vice president. At that time, he oversaw the organization’s financials that enabled initial site procurement for the Memphis & Pearl Development Project.
Lucas Reeve previously served for four years as OBCDC’s executive director. He was hired in January as a senior advisor to Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
The Memphis & Pearl development intends to remake Cleveland’s downtown Old Brooklyn neighborhood while retaining the historic St. Luke’s Church. Across the street, two commercial buildings are proposed to be repurposed with residential (Desmone).
“We’re excited to have David at the helm,” said Brendan Zak, the former board president of OBCDC who oversaw the search. “He combines a deep commitment to community engagement with strong experience in economic development. That balance makes him exactly the right person to lead our organization forward.”
Robinson’s work at WPKND and University Circle Inc., another CDC, gave him insight into how to guide programs, navigate a turbulent nonprofit funding landscape, and build collaborations that deliver real results for communities, Zak added.
At WPKND, its board of directors has appointed Deputy Director Joe Dill as their interim executive director. Dill has served on WPKND’s leadership team for more than two years. In this interim role, he will lead staff, advance current initiatives, and guide the organization through the transition.
Robinson had served as WPKND’s executive director since April 2024. Some significant developments are underway in West Park which has not seen much development activity so far this century.
An exception is the redevelopment three years ago of a former Kmart at Lorain Avenue and West 150th Street into an updated retail center by New York City-based TLM Realty. A decade earlier, Fairview Hospital opened a new Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit along Lorain Avenue.
Looking east on Lorain Avenue the planned new North Campus of Fairview Hospital is seen at left with the existing hospital facilities seen at right (Cannon Design).
More is coming. Construction will be starting soon for the $150 million North Campus expansion of Cleveland Clinic’s Fairview Hospital, 18101 Lorain Ave. A combined 169,521-square-foot cancer center and medical office building will be attached to a new 995-space parking garage.
And the first new residential development in West Park in 20 years is underway with construction of the Parker Townhomes, 3272 Warren Rd. A VIP Launch Event for the townhomes’ waiting list will be held from 4-7 pm Nov. 6 at Georgetown Vosh in Lakewood.
“WPKND has an incredible team of staff and board members who care deeply about the future of West Park,” said Robinson. “It’s been an honor to work alongside them for the betterment of residents and businesses in this community.”
During his leadership, Robinson worked with the board to put the organization on solid financial and programmatic footing. WPKND board leadership thanked him for his service and wished him success at OBCDC.
“We have full confidence and trust in Joe’s abilities and leadership,” said Danielle Doza, president of the WPKND Board of Directors. “He has a deep understanding of our neighborhood and a clear vision for the future of WPKND. We look forward to working closer with Joe over the coming months and appreciate his willingness to take on a larger role at WPKND.”
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