They don’t make ’em like this anymore. So it would have been a veritable sin to lose this High Victorian Gothic architectural gem from Cleveland’s landscape. Fortunately, the former Catholic School has found a new use as senior housing after a $28 million renovation (CHN Housing Partners). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Saved architectural gem looks immaculate
In the late 2010s, the former St. Michael School, 3146 Scranton Rd., where Cleveland’s South Tremont neighborhood meets Clark-Fulton, appeared destined for a fall from grace.
It fell into foreclosure and disrepair, and was threatened with demolition. It was on a road to destruction, as was the destination of many other historical, architectural gems that had served Clevelanders as houses worship and schools of faith.
But the former St. Michael School, which served after 1968 as the Scranton campus of Cleveland Central Catholic High School until 2003, was saved and reborn as housing for low-income seniors aged 62 years and up. It was a conversion of a restorative kind.
The 120-year-old school and the 67-year-old convent behind it on Prame Avenue was renovated into 46 apartments for $28 million — more than double the original estimate from when the redevelopment efforts started six years ago.
In 2019, investors acquired the property at 3146 Scranton Rd. to save and restore the building. The group, led by SoTre Properties‘ Managing Partner Eric Lutzo along with Kim Bixenstine and her husband Bart of Shaker Heights, sold the property to Cleveland-based developer CHN Housing Partners.
All 46 apartments are one-bedroom, one-bath units of at least 538 square feet each and have multiple amenities inside the apartment or in the building (CHN Housing Partners).
Today, CHN Housing Partners was joined by funders, partners and community members to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Arch at Saint Michael, a redevelopment of the former school and convent, in the shadows of the towering St. Michael Archangle Roman Catholic Church next door.
“Arch at Saint Michael is an iconic landmark in Clark-Fulton, and it was CHN’s honor to bring new life to the former Central Catholic school and convent,” said Kevin Nowak, CHN’s president and CEO, in a written statement.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of the funders and partners who made Arch at Saint Michael possible and are happy to welcome our residents home,” he added.
The investment in preserving the iconic southside landmark, Arch at Saint Michael is primarily funded by a 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
Additional funding was provided by Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland, HUD 202 Capital Advance and Project Rental Assistance, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, Finance Fund, as well as federal and state historic tax credits.
Renovation of the former St. Michael School was just getting underway in 2024. But the extensive vegetation that had grown up around and next to the school in recent decades was already gone. St. Michael’s rectory, seen at left, was also renovated into apartments. But St. Michael Church, at right, continues to serve its congregation as it has since 1892 (Google).
KeyBank is the construction lender, and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing is the tax credit syndicator. Hiti, DiFrancesco and Siebold served as the architect and John G. Johnson Construction Company served as the general contractor. Both are Cleveland-based firms.
“Arch at Saint Michael represents the kind of investment that moves Cleveland forward, honoring the history and character of our neighborhoods while creating new opportunities for our residents,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
“Every Clevelander deserves to age with dignity in a safe, affordable place they can call home,” Bibb said. “I’m proud that this important Clark-Fulton landmark has been preserved and given new purpose as a home for 46 seniors, ensuring it remains a part of this community for generations to come.”
The Arch at Saint Michael is a green adaptive reuse. The buildings were designed by French architect Emile Uhlrich. Associated with ethnic heritage and the growth of the German community in the southside neighborhoods.
“I am happy to welcome Arch at Saint Michael residents home and am grateful for the work CHN and partners did to make this possible,” said Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana. “Today is a day that shows what matters to us here in Clark-Fulton, taking care of our seniors and our history.”
In 2018, it looked as if either Mother Nature or the wrecking ball would take down the former St. Michael School. Vegetation was threatening to overwhelm the building adorned by its exquisite statues and stone carvings (Google).
“Through the conversion of Arch at Saint Michael into 46 units of senior living, we provide our seniors with a safe, affordable home where they can age with dignity and maintain a gorgeous landmark reminding us of the rich history in Ward 14,” she noted.
The Arch at Saint Michael provides high-quality, safe and affordable independent living to seniors earning 31 to 50 percent of the area median income. The development is fully leased.
“Arch at Saint Michael shows what’s possible when we invest in our neighborhoods,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne.
“Now more than ever, we need safe, affordable housing for our seniors, and this project fulfills that need in Clark-Fulton while preserving the rich history that makes Cuyahoga County so special,” he continued. “It’s a win for our seniors and the entire community.”
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