Further Progress on Irishtown Bend Park Begins This Week

Project Partners Commence Demolition of Former Front Steps Building

WHO: Reporters & videographers

WHAT: Preparation for the demolition of the former Front Steps Housing and Services building is underway.

WHEN: Cleveland Metroparks are set to begin preparation for demolition today, Monday, March 20th with demolition expected to start midweek. Demolition will not affect traffic on Franklin Boulevard, which is directly adjacent to the former transitional housing’s location.

WHERE: 1545 West 25th Street

HOW: Demolition of the building is expected to take approximately one week, with hopes of having the building razed, debris removed, and the space graded within the next 4 to 6 weeks.

WHY: The land on which the former Front Steps building was located was deemed highly unstable. The supportive housing facility that serves individuals and families who are mentally disabled and/or economically disadvantaged in Cuyahoga County, was relocated one half-mile away at 2554 W. 25th Street. The building has been vacant since April of 2022.

 The land, once cleared, is to be part of the hillside’s imminent stabilization work to be completed by the Port of Cleveland. Once the stabilization work is complete partners from the public, private, and nonprofit sector will work together to transform Irishtown Bend into a 23-acre park.

 The Irishtown Bend Park project is made possible through a collaboration of both public and private partnerships. Alongside park project partners LAND studio and Ohio City, Inc., Cleveland Metroparks, West Creek Conservancy, Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority, The Port of Cleveland, City of Cleveland, NOACA, NEORSD, and Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless are working together to preserve riverfront land, enhance community health and connections, and establish the missing link between the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and Lake Erie.