A small portion of the former St. Robert Church property is visible here at the corner of Lakeshore Boulevard and East 238th Street in Euclid. The property wraps around the house at far-right and extends south 1,000 feet to Elmwood Drive (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Undeveloped site is among Euclid’s largest
One of Euclid’s largest undeveloped properties may not lay fallow much longer. After the former St. Robert Bellamine Church, located at 23802 Lake Shore Blvd., closed 15 years ago, the site is finally being put on a path to redemption.
Today, the Community Improvement Corporation of Euclid (CIC) announced a new residential development opportunity for experienced residential developers. The CIC is inviting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to design, finance and construct a high-quality, predominantly owner-occupied residential development on the 8-acre site.
The former St. Robert Church was shut and its property sold to the city in 2011 after the Cleveland Catholic Diocese’s large-scale effort to close or consolidate smaller parishes throughout the region. St. Robert was merged with the larger St. William Catholic Church in Euclid.
All that’s left of the former church is its parking lot and photographs like the one below. The rest of the property is grass and trees. It is zoned as an Attached Single Family (ASF) District, with potential flexibility for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow a more adaptable layout.
The owner-occupied housing is proposed to be comprised of detached and attached single-family homes, including townhomes. The design should respectfully incorporate elements of the former St. Robert Church and complement neighboring homes, city officials said.
They added that the selected developer will be asked to provide design concepts to the public for input. A community engagement during the development process will be a critical component of the process, city officials noted.
“We are excited to embark on this transformative redevelopment project at the former St. Robert Church site, which promises to bring new, modern housing stock to Euclid,” said Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail in a written statement.
The CIC and the City of Euclid are offering to partner with the chosen developer, facilitating necessary approvals and potentially supporting the project through various public incentives.
Additionally, the Euclid Development Corporation offers down-payment assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers, with a current maximum purchase price of $273,000.
This site is a short walk or bike ride from Lake Erie and the city’s new, award-winning, 1-mile Euclid Lakefront Trail. A planned extension of lakefront trails will nearly double their length.
In the late-2000s, Euclid, Ohio’s St. Robert Bellamine Church on Lake Shore Boulevard was in its final days, a victim of a shrinking parish that could no longer sustain it. After 15 years since its closure, the site will gain a new purpose (RustBeltVoice.blogspot.com).
Holzheimer Gail said this redevelopment project, plus another emerging site on East 185th Street represent significant opportunities to contribute to Euclid’s growth and enhance the city’s commitment to community improvement and economic development.
“This initiative not only enhances our community’s fabric but also aligns with our vision to attract modern home buyers seeking quality, sustainable living spaces,” the mayor said.
Developers interested in this opportunity must submit a comprehensive RFP response, which includes a cover letter, developer profile, relevant experience and a preliminary concept vision, among other requirements. Submissions are due electronically by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.
The CIC has formed a selection committee with representatives from the city and community to evaluate submissions based on team experience, project vision, financial feasibility, community engagement, and diversity participation. A shortlist of teams will be invited for further detailed proposals and interviews.
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