WALT COLLINS VETERAN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – BREAKING GROUND AUGUST 2024
Union Miles Development Corporation
4127 East 131st Street, Suite 100
Cleveland, OH 44105
Phone: 216.341.0757
Fax: 216.341.0226
Email: info@unionmiles.org
In collaboration with the Rid-All Green Partnership, UMDC is excited to begin work on this new construction project utilizing vacant land on Harvard Avenue, east of East 93rd Street. The facility will provide affordable housing options for male and female veterans, many of whom have unmet housing needs in Southeast Cleveland. Rid-All Green Partnership will engage the veterans through interactive programming onsite, teaching best practices for successful urban agriculture – promoting healthy living and providing actionable stability for our veterans
The Union Miles neighborhood is conveniently located in the city of Cleveland, on the southeast side. The advantage to living in the Union Miles neighborhood is easy access to downtown, without the hustle and bustle. A ten minute drive or twenty minute bike ride will take residents to places of education, culture and employment in the heart of Cleveland’s downtown. This residential district boasts quiet streets, historic housing, parks, bikeways, and a great sense of community. Several community assets offer a great place to live, work and play.
Union Miles Development Corporation underwent both Strategic and Master Plan updating processes in 2018, which identified many new goals for the organization to focus on. Our 2018 Master Plan update was facilitated and developed by the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative. Several current and recently completed projects are covered in greater detail below.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Area Beautification – Murals
Latest Additions
As part of our Master Plan Update in 2018, the community made it clear that public art was a need and desire for the area. Through a grants from our partners, we were able to come complete several murals in our area. Not only do these pieces beautify the space, but they allow for our community members to see themselves in an artistic representation.
Visit our Murals page to see the other works of art in our neighborhood
Area Beautification – Bus Stop Wraps
Artistic Bus Shelter Project
The Union Miles Development Corporation is proposing to have six bus shelters to be installed with a “Black Lives Matter” theme of seven historic black leaders. The purpose is to continue to give the Union Miles residents, stakeholders and community leaders a since of belonging and validation. Also, this project will bring about continued beautification. The bus shelters will be at six various locations within the Union Miles service area. There will be design and illustration complete of seven historic black leaders. For more information and view the shelter location click here.
- Fred Hampton
- Stephanie Tubbs Jones
- Carl and Louis Stokes
- Harriet Tubman
- Barack Obama
- Malcolm X
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Green Space
Bob Deskin
Named in honor of area contractor Bob Deskins, the park and learning garden is located centrally at the Northwest corner of East 93rd and Harvard Avenue. Adjacent to Miles Park Elementary School, numerous residences, and nearby the Union Miles Industrial Corridor (East 91st) and Miles Park Historic Districts, this project makes practical use of vacant land at a major intersection while addressing the neighborhood’s greenspace needs. Though initially envisioned as a Learning Garden specifically for nearby students, the park has shifted in roles to accommodate users of all age groups. View the full park plans as presented to Cleveland City Planning Commission here!
Area Beautification – Streetscapes
UMDC Placemaking Initiatives
Union Miles Development Corporation is progressing on a range of projects focused on celebrating and conveying our neighborhood’s identity and narrative. UMDC’s Placemaking Plan calls for more murals, public art, way-finding signage and additional walk/biking trail amenities. Telephone pole banners are currently being installed along Miles Avenue, with plans for expansion onto other corridors as funding allows. A more detailed image of the banners currently being installed can be found here.
Affordable Housing
Inez Killingsworth Support Housing
Housing First in Cuyahoga County strives to end chronic homelessness through permanent supportive housing. The model provides housing first, unconditionally, followed by supportive services – giving individuals independence and support necessary to integrate back into their communities. Inez Killingsworth Place serves this population and anchors the intersection adjacent to Miles Shopping Plaza at East 131st St. It has been at 100% occupancy since coming opening its doors in 2017. Read more construction details here!
Retail Development
Miles Shopping Plaza
UMDC’s redevelopment of this site physically impacted 6.64 acres of commercial land near the northeast corner of Miles Avenue and East 131st Street with social anchoring impacts reaching beyond our neighborhood. The plaza was fully refreshed in 2008 (pre-construction building shown below) and is currently occupied by a grocery store, 1000 lbs Lighter Fitness Center, Fifth Third Bank and the Killingsworth Meeting Place community event center. Ample parking is available on hand, and the area is serviced by the 8, 15, 19, 48 and 48A RTA Bus Lines. Future plans call for the addition of more healthy eating options and further beautification. View the original plan rendering online here.
Leasing information
Green Space
Loop House
Through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, Union Miles was able to purchase and construct a hoop house at the southwest intersection of Matilda Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, across from Johns Adams College and Career Center. The hoop house is 2,160 square feet, about 30 feet wide and 72 feet deep. The purpose of the hoop house is to improve plant productivity, health, and vigor of the crops grown while reducing environmental practices. Next year will be our first growing season and will allow us to produce fresh food for the community and beautify a vacant space.
POTENTIAL PROJECTS
Miles Park Newburgh Masonic Temple
The Newburgh Masonic Temple is a City of Cleveland local landmark and a contributing structure to the Miles Park Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect William J. Carter, the temple was constructed in 1917, and features a robust design typical of period Masonic structures. A recent walk through of the building with a structural engineer determined that, in general, the building is in good condition and can be investigated for renovation and re-use. While this magnificent building retains structural integrity, it is facing continued deterioration following prolonged vacancy, and a pending foreclosure. Presently, there is an opportunity for a new visionary to obtain the building at a low acquisition cost. Cleveland Restoration Society and local community development partners are issuing a call to advocacy, and invite interested development partners to further discuss opportunities for this treasured asset, ready for new life. To learn more about the temple’s history and see interior photos, please click here.
