The Mickey’s Building in the Circle East section of East Cleveland is back on track as the Cuyahoga Land Bank and tenant Loiter Cafe announced they ended their legal battle and will work together on improving the neighborhood (RDL). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Announce they’ll work on improving Circle East
Cuyahoga Land Bank and Loiter Cafe and Marketplace are pleased to announce that they have settled their dueling lawsuits concerning the Mickey’s Building, 12550 Euclid Ave., in East Cleveland. The land bank and Loiter said they realized an amicable solution was achievable and in everyone’s best interest.
With the disputes behind them, Cuyahoga Land Bank and Loiter said they are are eager to work together again for the benefit of the residents of East Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. In a joint statement, representatives of both parties expressed optimism about the future.
“We are pleased to have reached a resolution that allows us to move forward and focus on our shared goals,” Cuyahoga Land Bank President & CEO Ricardo Leon said in that written statement.
“We believe that by collaborating creatively and working toward sustainable solutions, the land bank and Loiter can achieve meaningful progress and make a lasting
difference,” Leon added.
Loiter is more than just a cafe and food marketplace. It’s Web site notes that it is striving to harness “entrepreneurial talents and community assets to launch community relevant enterprises that will serve as a hub to build wealth in favor of a just and sustainable micro economy.”
The Mickey’s Building on Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland was sold by the Cuyahoga Land Bank to a Boston-based biotech firm that plans to add more than 100 jobs to the site. On the ground floor is Loiter café that has engaged in a legal battle with the land bank (RDL).
Loiter’s Community Wealth Hub will also provide education and services that promote financial wellness and stability to low- and moderate-income households. The Circle East neighborhood of the economically depressed city of East Cleveland is located just east of economically booming University Circle which is in the city of Cleveland.
“Beyond great food and a relaxing space to hang out as a hub for community wealth and health, Loiter represents a space to engage in meaningful and constructive
dialogue on the present effects of historic and systemic racism and redlining,” said Ismail Samad, founder of Loiter.
“We believe that the Cuyahoga Land Bank understands that community voices cannot be excluded if we are to collectively move towards economic justice,” he added. “We are glad to count on them as partners in advocating for a healthier and wealthier future for East Clevelanders.”
Representatives of both the land bank and Loiter said in their joint statement that they will be announcing more details about their upcoming initiatives in the coming months.
The Mickey’s Building was renovated by the land bank for about $3.5 million. It then sold the property in July to Verdynt Bio, a Boston-based science facility developer with strong ties to Ohio that plans to add more than 100 jobs to the site.
Reactivating of the Mickey’s Building, at lower left, is but a part of the vision for the Circle East neighborhood of East Cleveland, just east of Cleveland’s booming University Circle. Dozens of new and renovated homes and apartments are planned (RDL).
Verdynt Bio’s operations partner, SKYLIIT Labs, said it plans to invest more than $12 million into the site by creating a state-of-the-art laboratory and office co-working space on the building’s second floor. However the deed transfer hasn’t been recorded by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer yet.
Loiter had filed a lawsuit in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court after its representatives said land bank officials apparently didn’t like the name “Loiter” or that they planned to put the name “East Cleveland” on the building’s façade, according to Loiter’s complaint. Land Bank officials denied the allegations.
The name Loiter is an acronym for Love Opportunity Investment Transformation Equity Reparations/Restitutions, said the proprietors who secured the lease from the land bank to open at the property. They also made more than $150,000 worth of renovations to the ground-floor space.
But in so doing, a table was bolted to the floor, cracking the terrazzo tile. The land bank in January sent a notice to Loiter advising it to “immediately cease and desist all alterations or improvements to the premises that have not been pre-approved by Landlord.” It followed with a notice of default followed by a second notice in May.
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