Finding Opportunity in Cleveland
Real estate and labor market analysis for the Opportunity Corridor Project in Cleveland, Ohio
Project Summary
Community: Cleveland, Ohio
Technical Assistance: Economic Analysis
Former Use: Industrial Neighborhoods
Future Use: Mixed-Use Neighborhoods
EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance
In 2018, EPA's Land Revitalization Program provided
contractor technical assistance to the City to prepare a
real estate and labor market analysis, focusing on
potential commercial and industrial sectors that could
locate within the area. The analysis evaluated the current
labor market and identified training that could prepare
residents to work in the identified commercial and
industrial sectors. It also included actionable next steps
that the City can take in the near- and longer-term.
The decline of manufacturing has left the once-thriving
industrial and residential neighborhoods in Northeast
Cleveland decimated by job loss, foreclosure and
economic disinvestment. To help address these problems,
the City of Cleveland and local non-profits are capitalizing
on the Ohio Department of Transportation Opportunity
Corridor roadway project.
The Opportunity Corridor is a three-mile planned
boulevard that will run from East 55th Street at I-490 to
East 105th Street in University Circle. This project aims to
provide economic and social justice benefits to the
residents of the impoverished neighborhoods through
which it runs. The City is intent on attracting development
that addresses employment and quality of life needs of
residents within the area. In 2010, U.S. EPA awarded the
City of Cleveland a Brownfields Area-Wide Planning grant
to guide the redevelopment of brown field sites within the
impact zone of the Opportunity Corridor
The Community's Challenge
With the final phase of the Corridor slated for completion
in the fall of 2021, the City determined that a market
analysis for the Core Job Zone (of a portion of the
Corridor) was an essential- but missing- ingredient to
successfully developing vacant and underused land along
the Opportunity Corridor.
The technical assistance supports the phased
development of the real estate and labor markets of the
Opportunity Corridor. The City can work with local,
regional and state partners to capitalize upon these
opportunities and help drive economic revitalization in the
Opportunity Corridor neighborhoods.
Launch phase
Years 1-4
(Jl Maturity Phase
Growth Phase
I	Years 9+
Years 5-8 ||			J
Maturity Phase
Years 9+
Development Activity
•	Master site planning
•	Develop infrastructure
•	Engage broker/site selector
•	Branding/public relations
campaign
•	Proactive marketing
Market Activity
•	Absorption will be slow,
below submarket levels as
"pioneer" tenants begin to
trickle into the business park. I
•	Interim uses that activate the
area
Rental Rates
•	Rental rates will likely be low
•	Discounts and introductory
rates offered as relocation
incentives
}
1
TJe^elopmenTScfivity"
•	Review and adjust
brokerage relationships and
strategy
•	Review and adjust
marketing brochures and
marketing collateral
•	Maintain public relations
outreach
Market Activity
•	Absorption is anticipated to '
closely match the overall
market.
Development Activity
•	Maintain and manage public
relations and marketing as
needed.
Market Activity
•	Buildings and businesses are
established and the business
park is reaching market
occupancy
Rental Rates
• Rental rates are anticipated
to closely match overall
market
ated
Rental Rates
Rental rates are anticipated
to closely match overall
market
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/ m;
Opportunity Corridor Development Lifecycle Phases
For more information, contact Karla Auker, EPA Region 5
Brownfields Program, at auker.karla@epa.gov
rtk	United States
Environmental Protection
M % Agency
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
560-F-19-Q05I

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