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Building Up Downtown

Luxury apartments rise from a repurposed garage at Ten60 Bolivar

Mike Hicks President

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Cover photo: Ten60 Bolivar, by Doug Bardwell

FEATURES

by Scott Pease

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Supporting Cast: Spotlighting the professional service providers behind successful construction projects

CBIZ 2025 Northeast Ohio Construction Survey: How local industry leaders are navigating inflation, labor shortages + policy shifts

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1 Dan Last (KeyBank), Jon Siedlecki (Polyglass USA), Chris Gray (H&M Landscaping) and Mark Barker (H&M Landscaping)

2 Chris and Mary Mateka (Cleveland Corporate Cleaning), with Kelley and Tom Zverina (JLL)

3 Jason Eichler (Kone Elevator), Michael Corcoran (Playhouse Square), Chris Nolan (Kone Elevator) and Zach Strippy (Signet Real Estate)

4 Jim Crews (Trane), Owen Pollack (Hertz Investment), Joel Bollenbacher (Swagelok) and Peter Mauric

The Northern Ohio Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) held its annual golf outing at Red Tail Golf Club in Avon recently. More than 100 participants enjoyed a day of networking, friendly competition and community building.

Approximately 900 individuals gathered at Akron’s Goodyear Hall recently for The Event: It’s a Celebration, raising $1.6 million for the Comunale Cancer Foundation. Guests enjoyed gourmet food, auctions and a performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Kool & The Gang. Funds raised cover basic needs during a cancer patient’s treatment, such as rent/mortgage payments, utilities, gas and groceries.

1 Blake and Jill Madden (Victaulic)

2 Steve Comunale (S.A. Comunale)

3 Dave Rosso, Bret Frangos, Ralph Fuchs and Tom Field (Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company)

4 Kool & the Gang performance

5 Bud Neidlinger (Hapco)

6 Beth and Jeff Robinson (S.A. Comunale)

About 65 NAIOP Northern Ohio members and guests gathered at StoneWater Golf Club in Highlight Heights recently for the association’s Schmooze #11 Clambake Social. The event included networking and live music by acoustic guitarist/vocalist Eric Andrews, as well as a traditional clambake dinner.

1 Shawn Hapanowicz (Fairway Wealth Management) and Charlie Filisko (Marsh & McLennan Agency)

2 Bledar Lala (CEC), Rob Porges (CEC) and Malek Khawam (Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP)

3 Montorie Foster, Jr. (seeking position), with Christopher and Jenna Dziedzicki (ECS Limited, LLC)

4 Themis Kosmidis (TK Advisory) and Nick Sheffield (American Structurepoint, Inc.)

5 Anthony Maione and Andrew Pierson (Langan), Ryan Fuerst (Atwell, LLC) and Pat Beirne (The WhitingTurner Contracting Company)

6 Fred Margulies (Onyx Creative Inc.), Andrew Coleman (CBRE) and

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$2M in scholarships awarded Alumni thriving in the industry

Windows on the River 2000 Sycamore Street Cleveland

Join us on Wednesday, May 14 at Windows on the River for the annual ACE Cleveland Spring Celebration! This event unites over 350 ACE volunteers, students, and school staff to honor our community’s achievements.

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Help us honor our sponsors and alumni, and supp generation of ACE professionals. RS Join us on Wednesday, May 14 at Windows on the River for the annual ACE Cleveland Spring Celebration! This event unites over 350 ACE volunteers, students, and school staff to honor our community’s achievements.

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Saluting the Supporters

ACE Mentor Program’s Fall Celebration recognizes volunteers, sponsors +

partners

By Rhonda Crowder | Photos by Alaina Battle

For the last 17 years, the ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland has worked to fulfill the organization’s mission – to engage high school students interested in architecture, construction and engineering (AEC) as well as providing mentorship and scholarships to support their career aspirations.

An affiliate of the national ACE Mentor Program, aimed at inspiring young people to pursue AEC careers, ACE Cleveland achieves its goals by offering real-world, handson projects; connections to industry professionals; and opportunities to explore various pathways within these fields. Since its inception, ACE Cleveland has distributed $2.1 million in scholarships and contributed to Cleveland’s AEC workforce as numerous alumni are currently working at local firms. One alum, Diego Cortez, has even launched his own business –Cortez Construction.

ACE leadership acknowledges that the contributions from faithful supporters make the work and outcomes possible, thus the reason for hosting a Fall Celebration last month.

Industry leaders, along with a number of notable ACE Cleveland alum and friends of the organization, gathered at Oswald’s offices in Cleveland to enjoy food, cocktails and conversation

in the building’s first floor conference room overlooking Lake Erie. Several of ACE Cleveland’s biggest supporters provided remarks.

“Even though everyone in the room is a competitor, ACE brings us

“ACE understands that no matter what the path is, mentorship is a crucial element in helping young people achieve their goals – and students leave ACE knowing there is support on each path.”

Jonathan Lusin IKM Architecture

together for a great cause,” says Shook Construction’s Matt Danis, former ACE Chairman, who opened the program portion of the evening.

Taureen Spratt, vice president and general manager for Turner Construction’s Cleveland Business

Unit, says he wished ACE existed when he was in high school, noting how he “stumbled” onto his career path. Turner is a major contributor to both the local affiliate and national organization.

“The exposure that ACE provides [these young people] is why we’re a partner,” Spratt says.

Jonathan Lusin, principal at IKM Architecture and board president of AIA Cleveland, sees the fruit of ACE everyday within his colleague, ACE Cleveland alum Ty’Juan Swanson-Sawyer. Swanson-Sawyer, currently working as an architect at IKM Architecture, is an example of the impact ACE has on students. While attending John Hay School of Architecture and Design, he participated in ACE his junior and senior year. He went on to Kent State University where he earned a BS in Architecture, MA in Architecture and MA in Urban Design. He’s been at IKM for two and a half years now.

Lusin says he believes ACE has the ability to inform young people, who

1 Tim Van Curen (Sherwin-Williams), Alissa Campbell-Shaw (Sherwin-Williams) and Madeline Clinton (Whiting-Turner Construction Company)

2 ACE Board

3 Fred Rodgers (Ozanne Construction Company Inc.) and Mariah McGunigle (GSA)

may not have known these opportunities existed, at a pivotal point in their lives. And through ACE, they can see what’s possible in these careers.

“ACE understands that no matter what the path is, mentorship is a crucial element in helping young people achieve their goals – and, students leave ACE knowing there is support on each path,” Lusin says.

In Swanson-Sawyer, Lusin sees his curiosity and passion for learning – two key characteristics needed to thrive in architecture.

“He asks the questions – something I think he developed during his involvement with ACE,” Lusin says. “He also has a great work ethic. He works hard when no one is watching, which will take him wherever he wants to go.”

Lusin also shares that Swanson-Sawyer is a future leader at IKM. “We’re excited to have him,” he adds. “And, my other colleagues see the same qualities in him.”

IKM supports the ACE program in Pittsburgh by providing mentors as well.

Tim Van Curen, senior national sales director at Sherwin-Williams, says ACE Cleveland is a “tremendous organization” and that Sherwin-Williams appreciates the involvement which is at the central core of their values. “We

4 Taureen Spratt (Turner Construction)

5 Former Board Chair Tari Rivera (Regency Construction Services), Jayanthi Manickam (Regency Construction Services) and Board Chair Cindy Leitson (Cuyahoga Community College)

6 RJ Frato (Gilbane Building Company) and Aaron Hill (Bialosky Cleveland)

are committed to causes where we can make a big difference,” he says. “We’re proud to support ACE.”

Glen Shumate, ACE Cleveland’s executive director, has also seen what the organization does as more than providing another after-school program. For him, it is a pipeline into the workforce and he’s worked diligently over the

“We recognize the growing workforce shortage in construction and view ACE Cleveland as a vital partner in cultivating future talent.”

Christine Foley Cleveland Clinic

years to instill all of the mechanisms to deliver that value to the community.

“Workforce development is a strategic priority for us,” says Christine Foley, administrative director for buildings and design at Cleveland Clinic. “We recognize the growing workforce shortage in construction and view ACE Cleveland as a vital partner in cultivating future talent.”

Foley adds that Cleveland Clinic actively hires skilled trades professionals and runs internship programs

to support early career development. “Access to a strong talent pipeline is essential to sustaining our mission and operations,” she says.

Shumate says the beauty of ACE is that the tent is big enough for everyone within the industry to participate. He says he’s pleased to work with all involved as everyone is a volunteer, referring to the 110 mentors and 40 who serve on the seven committees.

“The volunteers have a love and spirit for Cleveland” and that is ACE Cleveland’s superpower, combined with the enthusiasm of the students, Shumate adds.

Vocon’s Dave Robar, a long-time ACE Cleveland volunteer and the 2023 National Mentor of the Year, jokingly likens volunteering with ACE to getting stuck in quicksand. Since 2013, he has served as a mentor, a teacher and an active member of the Advisory Council and the Board of Directors. He also chaired 12 golf outings for ACE Cleveland, raising over $500,000 for the organization.

“It’s a good feeling,” he says. “We’re making a difference.”

For more information on ACE Cleveland, visit www.acecleveland.org or contact Executive Director Glen Shumate at ace@acecleveland.org.

Building Up Downtown

Luxury apartments rise from a repurposed garage at Ten60 Bolivar

Story & photos by Doug Bardwell

Equidistant from Playhouse Square and Progressive Field, Ten60 Bolivar could be an ideal location for active individuals wanting to live in downtown Cleveland. This luxury $65 million, 273,000-squarefoot, seven-story development is located at 1060 Bolivar Ave., between East Ninth and Huron Road. Featuring attached indoor parking, this pet-friendly apartment will appeal to many demographics.

The site formerly housed a bus repair and parking garage, which had originally been designed to support several additional floors above it. The development team managed to save and repurpose this existing three-story structure.

The other half of the property was occupied by a less-than-ideal one-story wood and block repair garage next to the Cleveland Armory property. Removing it would free up ample ground-floor space for an apartment building lobby and an additional 2,600 square feet of leasable retail area. CBRE is now actively leasing these street-level spaces.

Pioneering the block

SomeraRoad Inc., one of the two codevelopers, already owned and occupied 1020 Bolivar Ave., immediately west of the project.

“When we purchased that in 2019, it also included a parking garage,” recalls Conor Irwin, senior associate at SomeraRoad. “We brought out our construction team and tried to determine if the neighboring garage had another life to it. One of our project managers, who has a civil engineering background, saw the parking garage and realized that it was actually built to go more vertical.”

SomeraRoad and LCI Development Partners teamed up to develop the project, buying the two-acre property at the end of 2022.

“We typically come in as a co-developer and partner with someone who already has local market expertise,” says Chad Broderick, managing partner at LCI Development Partners. “Since SomeraRoad had already owned the neighboring property for a while, they

had familiarity with this small micro market area.”

“We like to specialize as urban infill developers,” adds Broderick, “and the city showed a willingness to provide those incentives to make sure we were successful. One of the main drivers was being in a Federal Opportunity Zone, with the municipality, the county and the state all offering incentives for the project.”

This project was the last to receive a 100% property tax abatement before the county shifted its focus to other areas.

“For financing,” adds Broderick, “since this was an Opportunity Zone, we did partner with Opportunity Zone Capital. The balance of the funds came from traditional non-recourse construction financing.”

“Not having to build purpose-built structured parking, and basically getting it for free… was key to getting this

BUILDING ACROSS EVERY MAJOR MARKET

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deal done from a financial perspective,” reflects Justin Parr, partner with

Building a team to build the project

Having previously collaborated on a project in Pittsburgh, SomeraRoad brought architectural firm Desmone aboard to design the new project.

“We had a strong relationship with them,” says Jared Korchok, lead architect and project manager for Desmone. “Along with Andrew Donchez, we met on the site, walked through the building, and discussed different concepts and ideas.”

“We worked with Jared and the Desmone team to figure out what could go on top of it and realized that we wanted to build a luxury apartment building here,” says Irwin. “A lot of the existing product in downtown Cleveland was adaptive reuse projects, and then over in the Western submarkets like Ohio City and Tremont, there was a lot of the nice new ground-up wood frame stuff, so we felt there was a strong demand for downtown luxury living that hadn’t really, truly been capitalized on yet.”

LCI Development had a unique relationship with Leopardo Construction, allowing them to include Leopardo in the project, according to Broderick.

By demolishing the one-story garage, constructing from the slab up, and then

building on top of the existing threestory structure, they devised a plan that would produce 184 units, along with 2,600 square feet of commercial space.

“The idea was to connect Playhouse Square with Progressive Field, Rocket Arena and really be part of the revitalization of downtown,” states Irwin.

“We also knew that parking would be critical,” adds Korchok. “There would be some sort of shared parking agreement within the space. The residential building is significantly overparked for that use alone, but because of its location

next to Playhouse Square and the sports venues, we realized that there was an opportunity to incorporate some of their parking needs here.”

With plenty of parking in access-controlled areas for residents, there are still many spaces that can generate income by sharing parking with visitors heading to Progressive Field.

Designing for the urban environment

“We drew a lot of inspiration from the surrounding areas for the building façade,” explains Korchok. “We knew

we wanted to incorporate brick into the façade. We also knew that there were kind of two distinct frontages that we really needed to focus on and how they interacted. The Bolivar Road façade wanted to reflect a more urban context, with a stronger street presence and incorporation of recessed balconies and brick detailing being more prominent.

“The Erie Court façade felt more appropriate to reflect the open spaces of the Erie Street Cemetery, and achieves this through communal open deck areas and the use of more contemporary building

LUXURY LOUNGE The lobby features large windows, collaborative seating, work pods and a reception area for residents and guests.

TEXTURED TOUCHES The exteriors blend brick, fiber cement, metal panels and stucco accents to create a modern, layered aesthetic.

materials. We also wanted to incorporate more contemporary materials at the upper levels of the building, and did so by using wood tones and fiber cement to soften the materiality and play off those earthy tones throughout the building.”

Korchok explains that another primary design focus was to create a strong site presence at the building corners, which is achieved by incorporating a dark vertical metal panel system to establish the building’s verticality and anchor it to the site. On the Erie Court façade, the balconies and ample open deck spaces are carved out of the structure to offer views from the units and to showcase the green space, creating a peaceful retreat within the downtown Cleveland site.

A key aspect of the project was to build a new podium that would include additional parking and feature a design offering significant amenity space and views from the building. Per Korchok, the building shape can be described as a Tetris piece – slotting in perfectly over the existing garage structure and setting down nicely onto the adjacent, newly vacant site as well.

Desmone finalized a design featuring a new three-hour fire-rated, two-story concrete podium where the old one-

story garage used to be on the east edge of the property, with five floors of woodframed apartments above.

On the west side, they added four levels of wood-framed apartments above the existing solid three-story post-tensioned garage. A full-height expansion joint connects the two buildings to allow the structures to move more freely.

“The idea was to connect Playhouse Square with Progressive Field, Rocket Arena and really be part of the revitalization of downtown.”

Conor Irwin SomeraRoad

One-bedroom apartments make up about 45% of the 184 units total, while studios make up about 40%. The remaining units are larger two-bedroom apartments, which are strategically scattered around the floor plan. Additionally, some of the one-bedroom units include a Zoom Room that could serve as a workspace or second sleeping area. These are ideal for people who work from home and need a separate office area. Rents range from $1,500 to $3,000.

Plans were ready by 2022, and construction began in 2023.

“We mobilized our workforce on July 10, 2023,” says Michael Fitzpatrick, project manager at Leopardo Construction. “At the height of construction, we were averaging 100 to 120 tradespeople on site each day.”

Building the project

With few original plans available, the team used scans and borings to verify the existing garage’s structural capacity for vertical expansion.

“We knew it was designed sometime in the ‘70s, but we had no drawings for it,” explains Korchok. “[We] determined that it had the structural capacity for at least what we planned to build on it – likely much more. It was probably designed for a future highrise tower that was never realized.”

The team also found concrete piers on the roof deck that, when opened, revealed approximately two-inch-diameter rebar intended to tie into future columns for the building’s vertical expansion.

“Despite the relatively sound condition of the multi-story existing garage, we did need to do considerable concrete patching and repair of some damaged post-tension cables,” explains Fitzpatrick.

ARCHITECTURE The project repurposed an existing three-story garage to create 184 luxury apartments.

For the new building foundation, spread footers were utilized throughout. Above that, a post-tensioned cast-inplace podium was constructed to create the third-floor level. From there up it was Type IIIB wood construction. The four apartment levels above the old garage were also framed in wood. Only a small part of the project used structural steel framing – typically where wider spans were needed or where framing was required under the podium levels.

Matching the new podium height to the old was a challenge, as was addressing a five-foot difference between the front garage opening on Bolivar and the rear opening onto Erie Court. Installing all new utilities for the new residential program was also necessary.

“One of the other challenges was sequencing the work from floor to floor with a ground-up building and the vertical expansion above the existing parking garage,” explains Fitzpatrick. “The only way to accomplish this was a thorough coordination with all our trade partners and close collaboration internally within Leopardo.”

The exterior façade features a mix of wood-look cement panels, standard cement panels, vertical metal siding, gray brick and custom-designed screening for the open garage levels. Some stucco was applied around the deck near the pool and on the rear elevation in certain areas as well.

“The City Planning Commission had a lot of requirements because of the building’s unique location,” explains Korchok. “We went back and forth

INSIDE LOOK The apartments feature luxury vinyl flooring, carpeted bedrooms, ceramic tile bathrooms, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances.

with them quite a bit on materiality, especially the screening on the garages, primarily because we do have open garages. For the review board, the screening was very critical to maintain. So, we have a custom screen that we designed for the façade that integrates it into the design and definitely improves the appearance.”

The streetscape also received an upgrade with large planters along Bolivar, featuring built-in seating, some nicely scaled trees and ample planting areas for flowers. According to Korchok, the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing was very helpful in completing the project.

“They would pick up the phone anytime I called them with a question or thought,” says Korchok. “They would answer and spend time talking with us to address concerns. Their team really worked well with both us and the development teams to push this massive project through. The City of Cleveland was supportive of the project and worked with us to get it built.”

HVAC systems are pretty standard, with split system units with condensers on the roof. It’s unclear what type of retailers will occupy the first floor, but multiple vertical ducts and shafts were extended down from the roof to the firstfloor retail space for future flexibility.

The project achieved substantial completion on June 24, 2025, and is on track for LEED certification.

A look inside

Entering the northeast side of the building from Bolivar, guests and residents step into a bright, open lobby area with a reception and security desk. Multiple tables, chairs and upholstered seating options are provided, with large north-facing windows. Two enclosed small rooms, called “work pods,” offer private spaces for calls and are each equipped with a large desk and office chair. Outside the pods, a large table with chairs serves as a great collaboration space.

Just around the corner are the leasing office, mailroom and package locker. RHM Real Estate Group handles the

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AMENITIES ABOUND Shared areas for tenants include a sizeable fitness center (top) and the Deck Party Room (bottom), a gathering space with a kitchenette, group seating and table shuffleboard.

leasing and overall management of the property.

A 2,600-square-foot retail tenant area, which has not yet been leased, could be divided for two tenants if needed. Parts of the rear floor haven’t had concrete poured yet, making it easy for future tenants to customize their layout. On the south wall of the building, next to an overhead garage door, is the bike storage and repair room. Two large street-level areas accommodate both shared parking and tenant parking. Each parking level has multiple EV charging stations and specially designated accessible parking spaces.

Second floor

Twelve apartments are located in the northeast corner of the second floor, with the rest of the space designated for parking. All east-facing apartments feature walk-out rooftop terraces. The corner two-bedroom suite offers a 400-square-foot terrace, while each of the other east-facing units has between 200 and 253 square feet of terrace space.

Studio units typically feature galley kitchens adjacent to a closet with a stacked washer and dryer. One- and two-bedroom units have larger U-shaped layouts with a peninsula-style countertop above the sink for seating.

The kitchens feature stainless steel appliances, including a refrigerator, dishwasher and oven/range. A built-in microwave/hood is above the range top. Quartz countertops are standard, accompanied by stainless steel sinks below the counters and gooseneck faucets.

Third floor

The west side of the third floor is the top level of parking, while apartments and amenities occupy the rest of the floor. Starting on the third floor, individual apartments now face all four compass points. Units facing east overlook Playhouse Square, many with small outdoor balconies. Apartments facing west look directly onto the pool deck.

The Deck Party Room is located here, featuring a kitchenette, group seating and table shuffleboard.

Outside on the roof deck, there’s a sizeable artificial grass area with cornhole boards. A large mural of falling leaves adorns the stucco wall overlooking this space. Adjacent is a spacious outdoor area for grilling, dining and lounging, complete with a fire pit, located north of the pool. Another lounge area is situated outside the pool area on the south side and overlooks the green space as well.

The pool has two sections: one is 0’6” deep for wading, and the other is 4’6” deep for adults. There’s also a handicapped lift to help those needing assistance to get into the pool.

Careful coordination by the construction team was required for the combination of concrete and wood pavers, as well as all the planters and the pergola.

Inside the building, the Fitness Room overlooks the pool deck. The large room features a wall-length rack of dumbbells, weight benches, a workout mirror, treadmills, exercise bikes, a stair stepper, Precor machines and yoga balls.

“The amenities are my favorite part of the project,” says Korchok. “I think we have about 15,000 square feet of amenity space throughout the building and the exterior deck spaces. We’ve got a huge amount of outdoor space, which includes four different levels of decks in the building.”

Floors four through seven

It’s from the fourth floor upward that the building takes on its classic “F” shape, again with apartments facing all four compass directions. Units in the

center of the building, facing east and west, have walk-out terraces.

Here, in the southeast corner, are two outdoor dog run areas on another roof deck. The roughly 1,400-square-foot grassed space is split into two separate exercise zones: a large one for big dogs and a smaller one for smaller animals. A separate drainage system is beneath the turf for frequent hosing down. A dog washroom is located just inside the building along the southern corridor.

Floors five through seven include studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, many with extended balconies. Some of the units have inset balconies.

Final thoughts

This was a truly unique project for Irwin. “From being able to reuse a parking garage as the base of our apartments, to demolishing another and building up to match the first one has been quite unique,” he says. “We build projects

across the country, and this is the only one that has anything like that.”

“Bringing a high-quality Class A product to this part of downtown, like this micro location, really does bridge the gap between the Stadium District and Playhouse Square,” says Broderick. “There’s constant improvement that needs to happen, but these guys started it. This project was the next phase, and with it completed, probably one or two other projects will follow.”

RESORT-STYLE RELAXATION The pool deck at Ten60 Bolivar includes a grilling space, fire pit and ample lounge seating, plus an artificial grass area with cornhole boards and a swimming pool with wading and adult sections.

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Doubling Down on Education Massillon opens two elementary schools built on collaboration & community pride

By Dan Holland | Photos by Scott Pease

When a community invests in its youngest learners, it’s investing in its future. That philosophy guided Massillon City School District as it embarked on the creation of two new elementary campuses – East and West – which recently opened their doors for the 2025/2026 school year.

Massillon East Elementary (400 George Red Bird SE) is adjacent to Washington High School and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Massillon West Elementary (282 29th St. NW) sits on the campus of Massillon Intermediate and Massillon Junior High schools (collectively known as the middle school). A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house were held at both locations on August 24.

Both schools, which house approximately 850 students each from preschool through third grade, opened on time and on budget for the first scheduled day of the school year. The new buildings replace three aging elementary schools – Franklin, Gorell and Whittier – with each of those school buildings having been in the neighborhood of 70 years old or more.

“The elementary school buildings had become old and outdated,” explains Assistant Superintendent Mark Fortner. “We were running out of space and

running out of power to operate the instructional equipment we have.”

The district completed a $10 million high school renovation project in 2023, following the new middle school built in 2005.

“Over the course, from 2005 to 2025, the district kept looking at what direction to go in – whether it would consist of two or more new elementary schools,” says Fortner. “At one time, we had six elementary schools before reducing it to three through budget cuts and savings.”

The new elementary schools, at a combined total cost of approximately $62 million, were financed through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) and district funds without requiring any new bond issues. The OFCC contributed $15.2 million toward the project.

Beginnings

Initial discussions between Fortner and Syed Abbas, principal with

Architectural Vision Group (AVG), of Westlake, took place during a roof renovation project inspection at the middle school in 2020.

“We were working with the OFCC at that time to figure out how we could get the most money contributions for this particular building, and Syed offered AVG and his team to sit with us and go over our student enrollment, the square footage of our high school building and to come up with a particular plan that would work for us,” explains Fortner.

“[AVG] looked at our needs and what we had for student populations,” he adds. “They are experts in the OFCC design manual, knowing what the expectations are and helped us with what we were looking for with our students to get us the best square footage for that particular cost, since all of our costs were funded from our general fund budget.”

A visioning committee was formed in March 2021, consisting of school

administrators, teachers and students, initially to discuss playground designs for the two sites.

“What we were looking for was best use of space, most square footage for what we needed to provide the instruction to our students and to make all that happen in two different locations simultaneously,” Fortner says.

Early in the design process, field trips to area school districts, to view the latest trends and features in education, took place between Massillon school officials and the AVG team.

C.T. Taylor Construction, of Hudson, was brought aboard as construction manager at risk for the project in spring 2022. Preconstruction work began

shortly thereafter, according to David Hamm, project manager for C.T. Taylor.

Site considerations

A number of sites were considered for the location of Massillon East Elementary, including an open area at the north end of the parcel and a wooded area north of the high school. The former 15-acre Paul Brown Tiger Stadium parking lot, which sat a higher elevation to the east of the stadium, was chosen.

An open 11-acre site, to the rear of the middle school, was chosen for Massillon West Elementary. The site ties into a pedestrian bridge that leads over a creek to a recently built athletic complex with a football field, bleachers and an athletic track.

“One of the things we stressed in the beginning with the two campuses is that, programmatically, they’re almost a spitting image but still having a different character –with one tying into the middle school campus – and a different feel in tying in with the context of the local neighborhoods,” explains Kevin Krepop, senior designer for AVG. “Both of the schools have a different feel, and the designs give each a little

OPEN ARRIVAL Massillon Elementary East’s colorful, light-filled, two-story lobby features a gathering stair, with carpeted treads, which can double as an expanded learning space for students.

COLOR CODED Each grade is housed in its own color-specific pod, which includes classrooms (top) arranged around a corridor/extended learning area (middle).

An 8,000-square-foot gym is proudly adorned in the school district’s orange and black official colors (bottom).

different look, although programmatically, they’re the same.”

Exterior design considerations

The design of the two schools, and amenities offered, are nearly identical with slight differences in layout and front entry/lobby area design. Each school building consists of just over 91,000 square feet of space spread over two stories, with each school containing the same number of classrooms and centralized common-use spaces.

Building materials at both schools are designed to blend in with those found in nearby existing buildings while still maintaining an individual identity. Exteriors consist of sections of contrasting light and dark brick, splitface block and metal panels. Orange and gray district colors permeate both covered main entranceways, with each

“Both of the schools have a different feel, and the designs give each a little different look, although programmatically, they’re the same.”

Kevin Krepop AVG

having a unique angular design and a two-story glass curtainwall entrance.

“We wanted to go with a blend of a modern traditional feel for the look of the buildings, as you have an exterior column with a traditional look, but then you also have the newer metal panels with a blend between the two,” explains Krepop. “We wanted to tie in the school colors, and the orange and gray seemed to lend itself well with the lighter brick. The orange highlights are a tie-in to the stadium.”

Large windows are a key design feature in both buildings. “We wanted to include large windows to allow a flow of natural light into the classrooms,”

Krepop says. “You can feel all the light flooding into the interior.”

A variation in brick tones, with certain sections being bumped out or limited to one-story, breaks up the mass of the buildings from a visual perspective, adds Krepop.

Overall goals included achieving an integrated campus-like feel. “They wanted to offer their students combined resources, and that led to choosing the East site, which is adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium, the athletic fieldhouse and the high school campus,” says Murtaza Abbas, project manager for AVG.

Both schools contain large outdoor playgrounds with a variety of equipment

set atop a cushioned and rubberized outdoor play surface.

Layout

Each of the school buildings incorporates an open, two-story lobby with a gathering stair that features oversized, carpeted treads for student seating. The stair areas, which can serve as alternate teaching spaces, are equipped with speakers and a large screen that can be used for lectures or movies.

A one-story administrative wing, located off the main lobby at both schools, includes offices, a conference room, parent volunteer room, health clinic, storage and restrooms.

A central east-west corridor provides access to common-use spaces, including the gymnasium, media center, dining hall/ kitchen and restrooms. Also included are spaces for mechanical, storage, loading/ receiving and custodial. Additional centralized spaces include music and art rooms, special education rooms, a dietician office and single rooms for motor, intervention and speech therapy.

Each grade is contained within a color-specific pod, with each containing multiple classrooms and two small group rooms, a teacher lounge, custodial, electrical and technology rooms, cubbyholes for student belongings, moveable furniture and student restrooms.

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March 7, 2026

Art Museum

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PAIRING UP Massillon West Elementary features an extremely similar design as Massillon East Elementary, with exteriors that incorporate contrasting brick, metal panels and district-colored accents, plus a two-story glass curtainwall entrance.

Canstruction, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that holds design and build competitions to benefit local food banks.This year’s build theme is “Mythology and Legends”.

Wide corridors in each pod serve as extended learning areas (ELAs) with moveable seating that can be config ured for group or individual study. Large picture windows look out from each classroom on to the ELAs.

An open-ceiling design is featured throughout, with sound attenuation clouds and LED pendant lighting suspended overhead.

Classrooms feature moveable desks and tables that can be configured for various activities. A large interactive monitor display is mounted at the front of each classroom, and teachers are equipped with a microphone that can be broadcast through a built-in speaker system.

Color-specific wayfinding lines on the rubberized flooring in both schools guide students to and from each individual grade pod.

Mike Moreland, assistant project manager for C.T. Taylor at Massillon West Elementary, draws particular attention to the dining spaces. “The dining area really pops at both schools,” says Moreland. “Just the space that you feel with the different elevations – with the clouds being on different elevations and the soffits at a solid elevation – it makes it feel like a very open space.”

Each school contains an 8,000-squarefoot gymnasium with a full-sized basketball court that can accommodate two cross-court games with six retractable basketball goal units. A central net can be lowered to divide the gym.

BRIGHT IDEA Large windows in common areas and classrooms provide abundant natural light throughout the school building.

BENEATH THE SURFACE Massillon Elementary West uses a combination of luxury vinyl tile (top), carpet (middle) and concrete floors inside, complemented by a cushioned, rubberized playground surface outside, which was selected with student safety in mind (bottom).

Gyms are emblazoned with the familiar orange and black Massillon school colors. Motorized shades can be opened or closed on clerestory windows along the upper walls. Sound attenuation panels are mounted on walls, and retractable bleachers are located in each gym.

An added technology component included in both gymnasiums is a “Lu” – an interactive A/V system that can project video content onto walls and floors and allows students to engage in interactive learning games in gym classes and other subjects.

Two-story glass curtainwalls were included at the stairwells/exterior side exits to allow a flow of natural light.

Each individual pod can be locked down via individual security doors during a lockdown event, with each school building having its own school resource officer.

Katelyn Schlotter, of AVG, was interior designer for the project and selected color palettes and finishes for aesthetics, wayfinding and durability.

“She worked with the district to come up with a lot of renderings for them to see, and they helped choose a lot of the colors,” explains Murtaza Abbas. “They helped choose which colors each grade wing received. Orange was the central color that tied everything together. You see orange as the Massillon color featured prominently in some of the central areas.”

Building systems

The building frames consist mainly of CMU along with interior steel framing for ELAs. Second floors consist of precast planks.

HVAC needs are served by highefficiency interior air handling systems with variable air volume (VAV) boxes to control needs in individual areas. Flooring throughout includes rubberized flooring, LVT, carpet tile, floor tile and sealed concrete. Each school is topped with a TPO roofing membrane system.

Both buildings were designed and built with sustainability in mind, and are targeting LEED Silver certification.

Green elements include all LED lighting with rooms sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system, added insulation in the roof and walls, a white, reflective roof and insulated low-E glass windows with integral blinds.

Challenges

Following a year of preconstruction work, demolition of a bus garage at the south end of the East site started in spring 2023, with construction work beginning in earnest in fall.

“We did an early site package in summer, right when school let out in June 2023, and we got everything to grade, with utilities and such,” says Hamm. “Then we started construction in mid-fall of 2023. We were fortunate to have a mild winter, so we were able to put up a lot of the building structure during the winter.”

Poor soil conditions and elevation changes at the East site posed challenges for the construction team.

“From the northeast corner to the southwest corner, the grades are a 50-foot difference,” Hamm adds. “So, we had a challenge with the site in general with cost and budget to make the

site work. Financially it worked best, but constructability was a challenge.”

At the West location, challenges included site constrictions and a natural gas line that needed to be moved.

“There’s a high-pressure gas line on the north end of the site that we had to move in order to get the campus to fit correctly,” explains Murtaza Abbas.

“I give credit to the district for having these funds available, as this is the first time I’ve seen a project of this magnitude without having to go to the taxpayers.”

Syed Abbas AVG

“So, we worked with Dominion Energy behind the scenes, and they were able to help us move the gas line.”

A winning team

Working together, the school district and its design and construction team have delivered two state-of-the-art facilities designed to raise standards for any future projects.

“Because these are such great, new facilities, it’s making us think we need to update some of our other buildings as these turned out so well,” says Fortner. “The bar has definitely been raised.”

“I give credit to the district for having these funds available, as this is the first time I’ve seen a project of this magnitude without having to go to the taxpayers,” adds Syed Abbas. “The district was also very open to our ideas. Change can be difficult, but they all worked with us – not only the administration, but the faculty also.”

“To their credit, they brought to the table administrators, staff and students, building maintenance – everyone,” adds Krepop. “Every aspect of the district I feel was heard, and that helped us design something that works for them going into the future.”

Feedback from residents, staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive, Fortner notes.

“The community is ecstatic about what they see here and what the kids have an opportunity to experience,” he says. “It’s been nothing but positive comments so far. There is a lot of excitement about it, and a lot individuals tell us how much they like what they see.”

DYNAMIC DINING ENVIRONMENT The dining hall at Massillon Elementary West features varied ceiling heights and accent clouds, with easy access to an adjacent media center.

Smart use of fiscal planning & action

A Preview of Coming Attractions

I’ve always been intrigued with the trailers that are shown at movie theaters prior to the “main event.” Sometimes, they are an accurate representation of an upcoming movie that is able to provide a good synopsis of what the movie is actually about. But other times, the trailer focuses on just the most sensational segments, with the actual movie being an underwhelming experience. This month, we are going to discuss a form of a preview but not in terms of the next hopeful blockbuster movie.

The Federal Reserve Board produces its own version of a trailer and it’s called a dot plot. In this statistical world, a dot plot typically refers to a simple chart that displays individual data points as dots along a single axis, offering a clear view of distribution, clusters and outliers. But the term takes on a specific institutional meaning when discussed in the context of monetary policy – especially relating to the Fed. In that setting, a “dot plot” is not just a graph. Rather, it has evolved into an important communication device that reveals how a group of policymakers expect interest rates will evolve over time. If this sounds intriguing, read on!

When the term “dot plot” is used in connection with the Fed, we’re refer-

ring to a chart produced by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). It illustrates a series of dots, with each one representing an individual member’s projection of where the federal funds rate should be at the end of the current year, the next year or two, and over the longer run.

It is published quarterly and in conjunction with the March, June, September and December FOMC meetings. Each dot corresponds to the view of an anonymous policymaker, with FOMC participants including the seven members of the Board of Governors as well as the regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents. The plot shows their expectations of the

ALEC J. PACELLA

midpoint of the targeted federal funds rate. While closely watched by global markets, the Fed cautions that the dot plot is not a commitment to future policy but rather reflects the projections as of that specific meeting date.

The dot plot serves two broad purposes. First, it provides transparency and communication by allowing investors, households and businesses to see how FOMC participants view the likely path of rates, facilitating more informed decisions in the open markets. And second, it provides an insight into policy orientation. By looking at the clustering and direction of the dots, one can infer not only whether members expect rates to rise, stay flat or fall, but also the range of a consensus. Collectively, this can indicate whether the Fed is leaning bearish, neutral or bullish.

From a policy perspective, the Fed uses the dot plot as part of its Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) package, which also includes forecasts for inflation, unemployment and GDP growth. At specific FOMC meetings, participants submit their individual projections, including where they see the federal funds rate heading under what they believe is “appropriate monetary policy.” The Fed then aggregates these into the dot-plot chart, which shows year-end projections for each upcoming year and the “longer run” rate.

Analysts and market participants interpret the dot plot to gauge the expected path of policy – most importantly, how many rate hikes or cuts might be implied, and how fast. While the Fed emphasizes that decisions are data-dependent, the dot plot sets a baseline for expectations and helps anchor market views. If most dots are high, the view is more pessimistic and if they lean low, more optimistic.

Figure 1 shows the most recent dot plot, as of the September 17, 2025 SEP, and gives us a clear snapshot of how policymakers see the near-future path of the federal funds rate. Some of the key takeaways:

• The median projection for the federal funds rate at end-2025 is roughly 3.6%, down from about 3.9% in June.

• For end-2026 and end-2027, the projections show further gradual declines, with the longer-run median around 3.0%.

• In June 2025, the projection had been for about two rate cuts in 2025

What I C @ PVC

SLOW ROLL Last month, one of the larger Cleveland area office portfolios was finally placed into receivership. Known as the Cleveland East portfolio, the underlying collateral includes the three-building, 340,000-square-foot Landerbrook Corporate Center office park in Mayfield Heights and the 200,000-square-foot Metropolitan Plaza in Highland Hills. –AP

equating to 0.5% point from the then-current target.

• By September the view had adjusted slightly, with markets and commentators interpreted the dot plot as implying two to three rate cuts in 2025.

• The SEP table also shows that the longer-run “appropriate” federal funds rate (i.e., the rate the participants believe is neither stimulative nor restrictive) remains around 3.0%.

Thus, the picture that has emerged is that the Fed’s policymakers see the

need for gradual easing of policy over the next year or two rather than imminent aggressive cuts. It reflects an environment where inflation remains a concern, but growth and employment are cooling. The dot-plot signals a transition to a somewhat more optimistic stance compared to earlier in the year but does have some caution baked in.

I recall two specific movie trailers, one for “Star Wars” and one for “Tron.” The former provided an exciting but surprisingly brief glimpse that left you wanting to see more. And that movie turned out to be the start of one of the highest grossing franchises ever. The latter was long, action-packed and awe-inspiring, almost compelling you to see it. But the actual movie generally fell flat. A dot plot is a deceptively simple but powerful chart and helps to offer a window into the collective mindset of the Fed’s rate-setting body. Let’s just hope that this movie turns out to be more like “Star Wars” and less like “Tron.”

Alec Pacella, CCIM, president at NAI Pleasant Valley, can be reached by phone at 216-4550925 or by email at apacella@naipvc.com. You can connect with him at www.linkedin.com/in/ alecpacellaccim or subscribe to his youtube channel; What I C at PVC.

Figure 1

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Canstruction Cleveland-Akron Announces 2026 Event Details

Canstruction Cleveland-Akron has announced details for its 2026 designbuild competition, set to take place Saturday, March 7, at the Akron Art Museum. The 2026 theme, “Mythology and Legends: Every CAN is a Step Toward a Legendary Ending,” invites participants to transform canned goods into larger-than-life sculptures inspired by mythical stories and legendary figures.

Organized by Onyx Creative, the annual event unites teams of architects, engineers, contractors, designers and students in a friendly competition aimed at fighting hunger in Northeast Ohio. All cans used in the displays are donated to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

The 2025 competition collected and donated more than 25,900 cans, providing relief in the Cleveland-Akron region where approximately one in seven people face food insecurity.

For sponsorship opportunities or details on how to sign up a team, contact Canstruction Cleveland-Akron at canstruction@onyxcreative.com.

Call for Entries Announced for Celebration of Preservation Awards

Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) and the Cleveland chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIA Cleveland) recently announced a call for entries for the 2026 Celebration of Preservation Awards, which will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Each year, CRS and AIA Cleveland recognize outstand-

ing historic preservation projects from the region during their joint annual awards program. Projects are nominated by the community and reviewed by a jury of historic preservation experts and certified architects. This year, jury members include James R. Haas; W. Daniel Bickerstaff II, AIA; Derek Garceau; and Todd Mayher, AIA.

Visit www.clevelandrestoration.org or www.aiacleveland. com for details on nominat-

ing a project. The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 19 at 5 p.m.

AIA Ohio Recognizes Meyers with Public Service Award

Jeffrey G. Meyers, CEO and owner of Cleveland-based architecture firm DS Architecture, was recently awarded the 2025 Public Service Honor Award by AIA Ohio. He currently serves in five different community and professional organizations

as a board member, fundraiser and mentor, and in other ways intended to “push the earth one inch closer to good” — a personal motto that Meyers says he aims to achieve in all his efforts as an architect, firm owner and community member.

Meyers says he’s especially passionate about advocating for mental health through his involvement with the nonprofit organization National Alliance on Metal Illness (NAMI) and committed to promoting mental health awareness and diversity in the AEC industry.

Home Builders Associations Join Forces as BIA-NEO

Two Northeast Ohio trade organizations are joining forces with a goal of

Photo provided by Canstruction Cleveland-Akron

Jeffrey Meyers

CESO’s 2025 Canstruction Sculpture

strengthening the region’s homebuilding sector. The Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland and the Home Builders Association of Portage & Summit Counties have announced a merger that will form the Building Industry Association of Northeast

tunities, new educational programming and stronger advocacy on key industry issues, such as zoning, permitting and housing affordability. The organization also plans to champion workforce development and community initiatives to support sustainable growth.

Hahn Loeser & Parks Expands

Hahn Loeser & Parks recently announced two new additions to its

Dillon C. Brown joins as an associate in the firm’s Litigation Practice Area, focusing on complex com mercial disputes, including healthcare matters. Prior

to joining Hahn Loeser, Brown spent four years as a judicial law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the

her J.D. and B.A. from Case Western Reserve University.

Gary D. Baker, Jr. joins as an associate in the firm’s Labor

Dillon Brown Gary Baker, Jr.

As the seasons change, so do the risks to your roof. After a long winter, it’s essential to ensure your roof is in top shape before spring storms roll in. A Spring Roof Inspection can save you from costly repairs and headaches down the road. Call today to schedule your Free Roof Inspection and Discover the Diamond Difference.

Baker assists with arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and workplace safety and compliance matters. A Northeast Ohio native, he earned his J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.

Onyx Creative Merges With CDA Architects

Onyx Creative, Inc. recently announced it is merging with Houston-based CDA Architects, expanding the combined firm’s reach and capabilities. The merger brings CDA’s experienced design professionals and strong Texas presence to Onyx Creative, while main-

News about people, products, places & plans

taining long-established client relationships. The combined portfolio includes clients in retail, grocery, foodservice, industrial and medical sectors.

The merger builds on decades of collaboration between the two firms. CDA Architects, which recently cel-

ebrated 30 years in business, brings experience in retail design and complex commercial projects. Onyx Creative has offices in Cleveland, Tucson, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore, Portland and now Houston. The addition of CDA Architects expands the

firm’s footprint across the South, including projects in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, and in New Mexico.

Gold Lot Kicks Off Cleveland Hopkins’ CLEvolution Program

Shook Construction recently announced it will serve as construction manager for the Gold Lot Parking Development at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the first project in the airport’s multi-year CLEvolution modernization program.

The new Gold Lot will provide roughly 1,600 spaces next to Concourse D. Completion is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, after which additional phases of CLEvolution will begin to

Mike Crislip (Onyx Creative) and Ray Duerer (CDA Architects)

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improve airport facilities and landside access.

Shook is partnering with Passero Associates and HEAPY on the design-build effort and will focus on maximizing opportunities for local workers and small businesses. The company also plans educational and mentoring programs for students.

Design work is underway, with construction scheduled to start early next year.

IREM Northern Ohio Names Murray as President

Bob Murray, commercial property manager for Playhouse Square Real Estate Services, was recently announced as president of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of

the Institute for Real Estate Management (IREM). The induction took place during the chapter’s Annual Meeting & Installation, which was held on October 30 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Murray, who joined Playhouse Square Real Estate

Services in May, has been a member of IREM since 2003. For more information, visit www.iremnorthernohio.com.

Ohio Announces $88 Million Brownfield Grant Round

The Ohio Department of Development will make $88 million available through the next round of the Brownfield Remediation Program, which helps communities clean up hazardous sites and prepare them for redevelopment. The program targets industrial, commercial and institutional sites that are abandoned, idled or underutilized due to known or potential contamination. Applications open at 10 a.m. Nov. 12 and close at 5 p.m. Dec. 5.

The funding round was made possible through House Bill 96, which allocated $200 million to the program. At least $1 million will be reserved for applicants in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Through 10 previous rounds, the program has awarded nearly $717 million to 681 projects across 86 counties. The program is part of Governor Mike DeWine’s Ohio BUILDS initiative to support infrastructure, brownfield redevelopment and community revitalization.

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Commercial real estate happenings

Construction: Right Person, Right Seat

Construction can be a place of the unknown for building owners, real estate brokers, property managers and building engineers. The industry is ever-changing with fluctuations in material costs, consistent battles with lead times, architectural and engineering turn-around times, planning reviews and the inspection process. Having the right construction team is essential to ensure adherence to critical budgets and schedules.

There are many construction firms in the industry and most have a specific niche that they adhere to and best understand. Finding a firm that best suits the client’s project is key. Everyone knows a great contractor, but is it the right contractor for the right job? Consider the scenario of right contractor, wrong job! Sure, an electrical contractor did a splendid job wiring your new home, but

do they have the manpower to keep up on a multi-million-dollar industrial factory re-tooling?

There is a saying that experience is the best teacher. The rules apply to most things in life and certainly apply to the construction industry. Firms with the most experience in branches of their construction work tend to find the most

MIKE MCLAUGHLIN

tion firm for a specific project, there are key factors that will help you select the right contractor for your needs.

Cost

Clearly, cost is usually every customer’s number one priority. When it comes to pricing, it will become very apparent if you have the right contractor lined up. Ever get a price that is abnormally high or abnormally low? You probably have the wrong contractor.

Process

The right contractor knows critical paths and focuses their energy on it. Right contractor – right details; wrong contractor – wrong details.

Relationships

The right contractor has relationships all the way up and down the supply and process chain. The right contractor is

able to navigate potential issues in a timely manner.

Team

The right contractor has relevant experience and a team of subcontractors with experience is essential to making it to the finish line.

Solutions

Hire construction firms with experience in the specific industry and bring solutions, not problems. Lead time issue on that specialty piece of equipment? “No problem, here are three viable alternatives!”

Mike McLaughlin is project executive with Cleveland-baed JTL Construction (www. builtbyjtl.com). Visit NAIOP Northern Ohio online at www.naiopnorthernohio.com.

CBIZ 2025 Northeast Ohio Construction Survey How local industry leaders are navigating inflation, labor shortages +

policy shifts

By Roger Gingerich CBIZ

The 2025 CBIZ Northeast Ohio Construction Survey captures a regional construction sector marked by cautious optimism, ongoing hurdles and a willingness to adapt. While most firms report strong backlogs and an improving outlook, challenges around inflation, labor shortages and evolving policies continue to shape business decisions.

Despite some signs of cooling in the housing market, commercial construction activity across Northeast Ohio remains steady. Large-scale projects, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expansion, the Global Peak Performance Center and continued development along the Scranton Peninsula, highlight ongoing investment in the region’s infrastructure and real estate sectors.

The completion of SherwinWilliams’ new headquarters marked a milestone for the region, even as office construction declines nationally. Across the U.S., office development has dropped dramatically from 51.2 million square feet in 2018 to 25 million in 2024. As a result, many companies are repurposing existing office space. In 2024 alone, 12.8 million square feet were converted into apart-

ments and hotels, and Northeast Ohio is leading the charge in these transformative projects.

Outlook: measured optimism

Survey data shows a continued rise in optimism among local construction

higher average bid sizes this year, up from 31% in 2024. Competition remains stable, with most projects attracting one to four bids.

Despite encouraging signs, firms are opting for prudent growth strategies, focusing on cash flow and working capital, rather than rapid expansion. As one respondent notes, “There’s opportunity to grow, but the focus will be on improving cash flow and working capital to fund that growth.”

Across the U.S., office development has dropped dramatically from 51.2 million square feet in 2018 to 25 million in 2024. As a result, many companies are repurposing existing office space. In 2024 alone, 12.8 million square feet were converted into apartments and hotels.

firms. According to the survey, 49% of respondents expect more opportunities in the next three years, while only 13% expect fewer. Additionally, 51% saw

However, a lack of available work remains a worry for 15% of firms, the highest level since 2021, reflecting ongoing uncertainty – especially in commercial markets.

Costs + inflation: an ongoing strain

Inflation and tariffs continue to exert pressure on the industry, driv-

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SIGNAGE SOLUTIONS

ing up material and overhead costs. Frequent supplier price changes are making it difficult for firms to price their projects with certainty. As one participant explains, “Material costs and threats of price increases from our vendors are announced daily, almost always due to tariffs. It’s become increasingly difficult to set pricing.”

Tax law changes

With 68% of respondents now using tax incentives, an increase from last year, construction firms are becoming more strategic in their financial planning.

nificant tax and accounting reforms to enhance cash flow and promote equipment investment, while gradu-

Currently, 33% of firms are using performance evaluations and trade school partnerships, and joint ventures to share labor are gaining momentum, with 18% now exploring these partnerships, up from 9% last year. In addition, 10% use automation to address labor needs, and more than half (55%) have adopted automation or artificial intelligence in some capacity.

Industry leaders should closely monitor the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which could have a substantial impact on construction. Signed into law in July 2025, the OBBBA introduces sig -

ally phasing out many existing clean energy credits.

Policy + lending conditions

Monetary policy is beginning to shift in a more favorable direction. In

September, the Federal Reserve issued its first rate cut of the year, lowering rates by 25 basis points, with further reductions expected. While it may take time for lower borrowing costs to stimulate development, conditions are improving.

Firms are also finding it easier to secure financing. Only 12% reported difficulty obtaining financing in 2025 – the lowest percentage in survey history. Additionally, 82% of respondents experienced no change in lending access, and credit concerns have dropped from a top worry to just fifth place among industry issues. Bonding has tightened slightly, with 16% finding it harder to obtain, but this remains in line with national trends.

Labor: an evolving challenge

Workforce shortages remain a major concern, cited by 31% of respondents, though this is the lowest figure since 2021. Wage increases have slowed significantly: only 5% of firms raised pay by 6% or more, while 10% made no wage changes at all.

Still, barriers remain. Some respondents note that younger workers are less attracted to trades and that new immigration policy is making it harder to find seasonal help. “We may have to start offering benefits, which will increase costs and make it harder to stay competi-

Roger Gingerich, CPA, ABV, CVA, CCA is managing director & Central Region construction leader with CBIZ. To download the full report, visit https://www.cbiz.com/industries/construc-

Construction Lawyers – Who Needs ‘Em? You Do

How specialized legal expertise keeps construction projects on solid ground

By Phil J. Truax, Esq. Truax Law Group

Construction projects are tough. Multiple stakeholders, substantial budgets, tight and complicated schedules, numerous legal and business relationships. Every stage of a construction project comes with risks – contractual, financial, reputational and more.

Some may assume that business and real estate lawyers can handle construction-related legal issues (and some believe that a lawyer isn’t necessary at all.) A real estate lawyer, for example, typically focuses on property transactions – buying, selling, leasing and zoning. The good ones know an awful lot about property acquisition and development.

A construction lawyer, however, specializes in not only the legal issues that arise during the building process itself, but in the construction industry as a whole. This is, after all, why they are called “construction lawyers.” They have a mastery of the construction process from start-tofinish, and often many areas of law that interplay with the process.

1. Understand construction contracts

Commercial and public construction contracts are some of the most complex agreements out there. And these contracts act as the binding rules for the project, whether you’re the owner, designer, construction manager or a sub-trade or supplier. You break the rules, you face the consequences. The governing construction contracts are critical.

These agreements – and the volumes of documents typically incorporated into them – define responsibilities for the work and services, detail payment schedules, set project timelines and provide for all sorts of provisions to assign and shift risk between the parties.

Having professionals that understand and can navigate through these agreements is hard enough. But only construction lawyers have the deep industry knowledge needed to address

issues like impacts that one trade’s problems can cause to another’s, project and/or supply chain delays, material shortages or how to manage disputes

over project changes that arise in construction. A successful construction contract accounts for all these issues and more.

2. Manage risk + prevent disputes

Speaking of disputes, even minor ones can lead to significant delays and finan-

cial losses. Construction lawyers play a proactive role in risk and claims management, helping to identify potential conflicts early and resolve them before they escalate.

This, of course, starts with the contract itself – making sure that there are discrete, but (ideally) simple procedures that the construction players must follow to ensure everyone is aware of what’s happening and can review the options to mitigate potential problems.

But even after the contract is drafted and signed, construction lawyers advise on contract administration; ensure compliance with the terms; and assist with claims, changes to the project, and impacts to the scope and schedule throughout the build. Then if a formal dispute arises, construction lawyers assist with claims management, evaluate the risks and develop strategies for negotiation (or arbitration or litigation, if needed). All this is done with the construction-specific knowledge and everyday experience you cannot get from others.

3. Financial interests + cash flow

Payment disputes are typically the most common legal problems in construction projects. A construction lawyer understands how the contracts manage payment issues, but also how the local, state and federal laws may impact or apply to each payment problem. These range from prompt payment laws, mechanic’s lien requirements, payment and performance bond claims to “simple” breach of contract disputes.

Going back to the contract – as it always does with construction issues – construction lawyers ensure that pay-

Phil J. Truax, Esq.

Photo courtesy of Truax Law Group

ment terms are enforceable and that your company’s right to payment is protected throughout the project. In the same way, they also help owners and upstream contractors guard against overbilling, improper workmanship or delays that increase costs. Maybe most importantly, construction lawyers truly understand the time and cost impacts from payment disputes, and what’s really at stake when they arise and linger.

4. Strategic guidance throughout the project lifecycle

From project planning and closeout to completion and post-construction claims,

a construction lawyer acts as a trusted advisor every step of the way. Their deep understanding of the construction industry allows clients to anticipate issues before they arise and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.

Construction is fascinating and an exciting business to work in, but it’s also a high-stakes environment where legal missteps can quickly collapse into financial loss or project failure. A construction lawyer brings specialized expertise in contracts, project relationships and resolving disputes to avoid catastrophe – and helps bring in a project on-time, on-budget and as a success for your entire team.

Phil Truax is founder and managing attorney with Truax Law Group. For more information, visit www.truaxlawgroup.com or call 440-534-6733.

Smart Coverage for Complex Projects

Insurance strategies to consider for mixed-use and multi-tenant developments

By Rob Strachan Strachan Novak Insurance

Mixed-use and multi-tenant developments present both opportunity and complexity from an insurance perspective. For insurance brokers working closely with real estate developers and property owners, the mission is to align coverage strategy with project risk, while preserving flexibility and cost control.

Here are some principles to consider:

Understanding the risk landscape

Mixed-use buildings combine residential, retail, office or hospitality spaces in one structure. That means overlapping exposures: a fire in a restaurant below might impact apartments above; heavy customer foot traffic in a retail wing raises slip-and-fall risk; shared corridors or mechanical systems become common points of loss.

Further, each tenant’s business raises its own liabilities (for example, a café’s kitchen fire hazard, or a tech-office’s equipment and cyber exposures). The building owner must think in terms of a blended portfolio.

Core coverage components

To build a robust insurance plan, these key coverages should be considered:

Property/building insurance

This is foundational – structure, fixed improvements and systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) must be insured

for perils such as fire, wind, vandalism, etc. In a mixed-use context, make sure commercial and residential zones are both covered.

Business income/loss of rent

Because damage can force tenants (residential or commercial) to vacate

In mixed-ownership or condostyle arrangements, separate policies (residential vs. commercial) may be necessary, with delineated shared space coverage handled by a master policy.

a facility, the policy should cover lost rents and operating income during repair periods.

General & tenant liability + umbrella

Liability on shared spaces (lobbies, parking, corridors) is key. Umbrella or

excess liability lets you extend limits beyond standard policies to protect against catastrophic exposures.

Specialty/supplemental coverages

Other specialty and supplemental coverages can include:

• Ordinance & law (to cover cost of bringing damage restoration into compliance with current codes)

• Equipment breakdown/mechanical/ systems failure

• Flood/sewer backup/water damage if the location’s exposure warrants it

• Cyber liability / data risk if you or tenants maintain IT systems or shared networks

Strategic design + cost control

An effective insurance strategy is not just about coverage, but how you structure it.

Key strategies may include:

• Layering & deductibles: Use higher deductibles for more predictable losses (e.g. water leaks) to reduce premium burden.

• Risk segmentation & allocation : Clearly define in lease documents which tenants must carry and maintain their own liability, property or business interruption insurance, and name the property owner as “additional insured.”

• Loss control & prevention : Encourage or mandate fire suppression in commercial kitchens, sprinkler systems, monitored alarms, regular inspec-

tions and tenant safety protocols. That will reduce claims frequency and premium.

• Specialty/market relationships : In many cases, standard carriers may decline mixed-use or multi-tenant risks. Working with specialty insurers or hybrid programs often gives better terms.

• Periodic review & adjustment : Over time, tenant mix, use or property condition may evolve. Recurring policy reviews should be scheduled to adjust coverage accordingly.

Case structure: multi-tenant vs. single-owner

For projects where a single owner controls the entire building, insuring everything under one policy is often ideal for coordination and avoiding gaps. But in mixed-ownership or condo-style arrangements, separate policies (residential vs. commercial) may be necessary, with delineated shared space coverage handled by a master policy.

Final thoughts

An insurance broker’s job is to understand each project’s composition — tenant types, layout, operations and risk tolerances — and craft a cohesive insurance architecture that protects owners, supports tenants and adapts as the property evolves.

In mixed-use and multi-tenant developments, the margin for error is slim: gaps in coverage can cascade across uses. A proactive, layered and collaborative approach often yields the best balance of protection and cost efficiency.

Real

Robert A. Strachan, CIC is president of Strachan Novak Insurance (2190 E. Enterprise Parkway, Twinsburg, OH 44087) and can be reached by email at rstrachan@sn-insure.com or phone at 330.963.3800 x3014. For more information, visit www.sn-insure.com.

LEGAL PERSPECTIVES

Navigating property laws & regulations

Are Owner’s Reps Always the Right Option?

In the construction industry, an owner’s representative is an individual or firm hired by the owner to represent its interests and act on its behalf throughout a project. However, an owner’s representative is not necessary for all projects and could harm a project more than help it.

In deciding whether to engage an owner’s representative for a project – or not – owners are best served to consider the following:

Benefits of engaging an owner’s rep

Additionally, if an owner lacks business relationships with prospective bidders/project participants, an owner’s representative may be able to connect the owner with prospective project participants it has existing business relationships with and/or it has successfully worked with on previ-

Quality assurance + cost control

Cost-conscious owners can benefit from engaging an owner’s representative to monitor the project’s budget and review all applications for payment and change order requests. They will advise the owner of the costs it incurs as the

project progresses while ensuring all completed work complies with the con tract documents’ requirements and is free from defects.

Disadvantages of engaging an owner’s representative

Increased project costs

Owner’s representatives typically are paid a fee equal to a fixed percentage, generally between 2%-5% of the total construction cost, and are reimbursed for all expenses incurred on the project.

Owner’s representatives normally have years of expertise in the construction industry, can effectively advise the owner during the project, and bridge any gap in knowledge for an inexperienced owner.

Depending on the size of the project and the owner’s budget, it may be cost prohibitive for an owner to incur the additional expenses to engage an owner’s representative.

Owner indemnification and owner’s representative’s limited liability to owner

Owner’s representative agreements commonly contain provisions limiting the owner’s representative’s liability to the owner for claims arising out of the agreement, including mutual waivers of damages and subrogation, among others. The owner also often agrees to indemnify the owner’s representative at its sole expense, potentially further increasing project costs.

Best practices when engaging an owner’s representative

After deciding to hire an owner’s representative for a project, the owner will need to structure the engagement to ensure it, and the project, maximize the value provided by the owner’s representative. An owner is

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best served to employ the following when structuring an engagement:

Engage an owner’s representative as early as possible

A primary benefit of having an owner’s representative is the construction expertise they provide the owner. This benefit is greater to an owner the earlier in the project it engages an owner’s

representative. By engaging an owner’s representative at the project conceptualization stage, it can advise and assist the owner in organizing the project to ensure timely, efficient delivery.

Clearly set forth the owner’s and owner’s representative’s obligations

The owner’s representative engagement on a project is governed by

the owner’s representative agreement. Clearly detailing each party’s obligations, rights, remedies and responsibilities thereunder for the project ensures the owner and owner’s representative understand their respective roles on the project. Establishing a clear project structure in the agreement further allows all downstream project participants a clear understanding of who to communicate with

The owner’s representative engagement on a project is governed by the owner’s representative agreement.... Establishing a clear project structure in the agreement... allows all downstream project participants a clear understanding of who to communicate with during the project to timely address any issues that may arise.

during the project to timely address any issues that may arise.

Conclusion

While each project and owner’s representative agreement will require project-specific considerations, should an owner elect to engage an owner’s representative, strategically structuring the agreement and engaging the owner’s representative as early in the project as possible enable owners to maximize the value an owner’s representative provides on a project.

Ciaran Kelly (Frantz Ward LLP) focuses his practice on construction law and related litigation. He has experience in all areas of litigation for construction and real estate cases, from handling complaints and depositions to settlements and trials. He is skilled in contract drafting, review and negotiation; project management; and claims analysis and management. For more information, visit www.frantzward.com.

ACAR CORNER

Issues in the real estate industry

E&O Insurance – What Agents & Brokers Must Know

In real estate, every transaction represents both opportunity and risk. Whether you’re running a brokerage or working as an agent, understanding your safety nets – especially your errors and omissions (E&O) insurance – is essential.

“Your E&O is your biggest risk mitigation tool,” says Matt Difanis, broker-owner of Max Realty Associates and former Illinois Realtors president. “But it won’t cover everything, especially if an agent steps outside the scope of their license or commits an intentional bad act.”

Know your coverage limitations

E&O policies are designed to protect against mistakes made within the scope of licensed real estate activities. That means, however, E&O insurance won’t protect a brokerage against agent activity that falls outside of those activities. If an agent decides to “play home inspector” or “act like a lawyer” and give advice to potential buyers outside their realm of expertise, Difanis says, this is when brokers could face liability issues.

For example, if an agent erroneously steps into the role of surveyor or roofer,

“suddenly you’ve got a problem your insurance may not cover,” he says. Every real estate professional should understand exactly what their E&O policy covers. Brokers, in particular, need to know how their agents are operating in the field –and make sure everyone on the team understands the protections and limitations of their coverage.

Use your carrier as a training partner

Training is one of the best ways to prevent liability issues before they happen, and insurance carriers can be valuable allies in that effort.

“If you’re looking for ways to train on broker risk reduction, one of the best areas is your insurance carrier,” Difanis says. “That is what they do.”

Many carriers provide training resources, claim-prevention materials or even in-office sessions tailored to current risks. The questions they ask in annual

DREW GAEBELEIN

E&O questionnaires, Difanis says, are a “treasure map” of what they consider high risk.

Keep compliance human

Supervision of compliance in real estate can be a challenge – especially if it involves a large or virtual team – but Difanis says it’s essential for both brokers and agents.

One of the real challenges to managing a brokerage is “supervising people who are somewhat immune to supervision,” Difanis says. Still, compliance enforcement protects everyone involved.

Difanis notes that different business models require different methods of compliance enforcement, especially in the age of virtual brokerage models where many agents might be scattered far and wide. Still, that doesn’t mean a broker of such a model is off the hook when it comes to compliance.

“You’ve got to come up with a model that provides supervision, number one, so you don’t get sued or lose your license,” he says, and second, the effort needs to be proactive so that when the inevitable state licensing authority comes through with an audit, you’re ready.

Automated compliance systems, such as transaction coordination software that sends alerts when disclosures are required, can be useful and help create efficiency, but Difanis cautions against “mindless compliance enforcement.”

Such enforcement causes issues on two fronts. There’s no human element for accountability, and an automated system that doesn’t account for exceptions can cause more issues. Because brokers are copied on several DocuSign emails every day, he says, they might not know when an item needs special attention.

Train for the current moment

Staying “dialed in” to emerging risks helps protect agents and brokerages alike. When laws, ordinance or ethi-

cal standards change, training should follow quickly.

“I watch our state association’s legal hotline and monthly updates,” he says. “That’s how I know what’s percolating right now so I can address it before it becomes a problem.”

Supervise without overstepping

Even though agents legally must work under a brokerage, they’re still independent contractors. Balancing supervision

Every real estate professional should understand exactly what their E&O policy covers. Brokers, in particular, need to know how their agents are operating in the field – and make sure everyone on the team understands the protections and limitations of their coverage.

with independence can be tricky, but it’s a crucial part of reducing risk.

“If your firm is comprised of independent contractors, you cannot, of course, say, ‘here are the hours you will report to work,’ but it does not mean

you cannot set up mandatory training,” Difanis says.

He recommends flexible delivery – Zoom, recordings, quizzes – so all agents can get critical information without compromising their independent status.

Standardize policies & agreements

Clear policies and documentation benefit everyone. They help agents understand expectations and protect the brokerage in the event of audits or disputes.

Difanis suggests relying on state and local licensing laws to guide an office policy manual and independent contractor agreements (ICAs).

“We migrated to annual ICA renewals, so everything is on the same cycle,” Difanis says. “It’s more work at once, but we control when it happens, and we know exactly who’s missing paperwork.”

This article was reprinted with from the NAR website (www.nar.realtor) and submitted by Drew Gaebelein (Keller Williams Living), who is 2025 president of Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS. For more information, visit www. akronclevelandrealtors.com.

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CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT

Updated info on important projects in the region, provided courtesy of ConstructionWire (www.constructionwire.com)

Project: #3405615

ARCADIA MIXED-USE

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Multifamily (141 units), Retail/Office (15,000 sq-ft), Parking Structures

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New ESTIMATED VALUE: $15 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 3393 Warrensville Ctr. Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120

DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a 250,000-square-foot mixed-use building with 141 apartments and 15,000 square feet of commercial/retail and office space. Plans call for a mix of apartment and townhouse-style rental units. 25 units will be affordable. There will be indoor parking for 200 vehicles. Estimated Schedule (as of 10/7/2025)

STAGE: Construction

CONSTRUCTION START: 5/2025

CONSTRUCTION END: Q4/2026

BID DUE DATE: N/A

ARCHITECT: RDL Architects, Inc. 16102 Chagrin Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120

P: 216-752-4300

DEVELOPER: Metropolitan Holdings 1429 King Ave. Columbus, OH 43212

P: 614-488-1900

F: 614-488-1905

GC: Cleveland Construction, Inc.

8620 Tyler Blvd. Mentor, OH 44060

P: 440-255-8000

F: 440-205-1138

THE HIVE AND HONEY HILL

Project: #3830256

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Retail/Restaurants (25,00049,999 sq-ft), Social (50,000-99,999 sq-ft)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Renovation, Backfill

ESTIMATED VALUE: $5-$25 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 8200 E. Washington St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

DETAILS: Plans call for the conversion of an existing 66,000-square-foot cinema theater into a new entertainment complex that will feature a catering business, a restaurant, several venues for eating, watching movies, a sporting events and live music venue, retail spaces and a 400-guest event venue space.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/6/2025)

STAGE: Construction

CONSTRUCTION START: 3/2025

CONSTRUCTION END: Q2/2026

BID DUE DATE: N/A

OWNER, TENANT: Hungry Bee

Contact: Kimberly Gibson, Owner 8326 E. Washington St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

Hungry Bee

P: 216-702-6776

TENANT: Great Lakes Cheese

17825 Great Lakes Pkwy. Hiram, OH 44234

Great Lakes Cheese

P: 440-834-2500

F: 440-834-1002

GC: Marous Brothers Construction 36933 Vine St. Willoughby, OH 44094

P: 440-951-3904

F: 440-942-7884

ARCHITECT: Steven Ciciretto Architecture

Contact: Steven Ciciretto, Principal 270 Park Pl. Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

P: 440-247-1000

Project: #3837158

LAKE COUNTY SEWER BUILDING EXPANSION

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Mfg./Industrial/Warehouse (3,600 sq-ft)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Addition/Expansion

ESTIMATED VALUE: $32.25 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 32900 Lakeland Blvd. Eastlake, OH 44095

DETAILS: Plans call for the 3,600-square-foot expansion of the Lake County Sewer building for storage use.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/17/2025)

STAGE: Starts in 1-3 months

CONSTRUCTION START: 11/2025

CONSTRUCTION END: Q2/2026

BID DUE DATE: N/A

OWNER: Lake County Sewer Company 32900 Lakeland Blvd. Willowick, OH 44095

P: 440-585-5757

ARCHITECT: Fischer & Associates Architects

Contact: Andrea Fischer, Associate Director

andrea@fisherach.com

554 W. 9th St. Lorain, OH 44052

P: 440-315-2300

GC: Zelko Building Systems Inc. 450 Hawthorne Farms Gates Mills, OH 44040

P: 440-423-0570

Project: #3842950

ROBERTSON HEATING SUPPLY HEADQUARTERS EXPANSION

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Mfg./Industrial/Warehouse (93,000 sq-ft)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Addition/Expansion

ESTIMATED VALUE: $5-$25 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 2155 W. Main St. Alliance, OH 44601

DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a 93,000-square-foot building addition as an expansion of Robertson Heating Supply’s headquarters. The expansion will create additional warehouse and storage space for inventory and 24 additional loading docks.

Estimated Schedule (as of 11/3/2025)

STAGE: Groundbreaking

CONSTRUCTION START: 11/2025

CONSTRUCTION END: 12/2026

BID DUE DATE: N/A

OWNER: Robertson Heating Supply 2155 W. Main St. Alliance, OH 44601

Corporate Office

P: 800-433-9532

GC: Beaver Constructors, Inc.

2000 Beaver Place Ave. SW Canton, OH 44706

P: 330-478-2151

Project: #3823514

KENTWAY APARTMENTS RENOVATION

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Multifamily (148 units)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Renovation

ESTIMATED VALUE: $53.8 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: Kent, OH 44240

360 E. Summit St.

DETAILS: Plans call for the renovation of 148 affordable dwelling units across nine buildings. Units will be for seniors aged 55+. Unit mix will be six studio, 120 one-bedroom, and 22 two-bedroom units. There are 111 parking spaces.

Estimated Schedule (as of 9/10/2025)

STAGE: Planning

CONSTRUCTION END: N/A

BID DUE DATE: N/A

DEVELOPER: Family & Community Services, Inc.

705 Oakwood St., Ste. 221 Ravenna, OH 44266

P: 330-297-7027

F: 330-296-2684

Project: #3830251

3034 DAISY WAY WAREHOUSE FACILITY

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Mfg./Industrial/Warehouse (408,240 sq-ft)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New

ESTIMATED VALUE: $25-$100 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 3034 Daisy Way Wooster, OH 44691

DETAILS: Plans call for the new construction of a 408,240 square foot warehouse facility.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/6/2025)

STAGE: Planning

CONSTRUCTION END: N/A

BID DUE DATE: N/A

OWNER: Jarrett Logistics Systems 1347 N. Main St.

Orrville, OH 44667

P: 877-392-9811

F: 330-682-0099

GC: Freeman Building Systems

580 Venture Blvd. Wooster, OH 44691

P: 330-264-3424

Project: #3679597

HOLLSTEIN DRIVE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Multifamily (130 units), Medical

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New

ESTIMATED VALUE: $20 million

SECTOR: Private

Don’t be afraid of the environmental emergencies that may be lurking around the corner at your site.

LOCATION: 47175 Cooper Foster Park Rd. Amherst, OH 44001

DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a three-story, 130-unit senior assisted living facility.

Estimated Schedule (as of 9/17/2025)

STAGE: Starts in 1-3 months

CONSTRUCTION START: 10/2025

CONSTRUCTION END: Q4/2026

BID DUE DATE: N/A

DEVELOPER: Vermilion Development

Contact: Kerry Dickson, Managing Director

kerry.dickson@vermiliondevelopment.com 121 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 400

EA Group has been providing hazardous materials assessment and management services to the construction and real estate industry for over 40 years. We can evaluate your site, prepare abatement plans and monitor the remediation work. Put our team to work early to avoid environmental emergencies that can cause costly delays and unexpected liabilities. We offer:

• Pre-Construction Hazardous Materials Surveys

• Abatement Design and Management

• Air Monitoring and Exposure Assessment

• Mold Assessment and Remediation Management

EA Group can take the fear out of unforeseen conditions that cause costly delays and keep your project running smoothly.

7118 Industrial Park Boulevard Mentor, OH 44060 www.eagroupohio.com

Chicago, IL 60601

P: 312-488-1918

F: 312-488-1919

ARCHITECT: WJW Architects

401 W. Superior St., Ste. 400 Chicago, IL 60654

P: 312-642-5587

GC: The Douglas Company 1716 Perrysburg Holland Rd. Holland, OH 43528

Ohio Office

P: 419-865-8600

Project: #3254210

SAINT LUKE’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST REDEVELOPMENT

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Multifamily (84 units), Retail (20,000 sq-ft), Office/Social (< 10,000 sq-ft), Medical

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New, Renovation, Backfill

ESTIMATED VALUE: $42.3 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 4216 Pearl Rd. Cleveland, OH 44109

DETAILS: Plans call for the rehabilitation and for the construction of a mixed-use development that includes 84 apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial space. There is an existing Greenline Building and vacant St. Luke’s Education Building onsite that

will be demolished, while the existing St. Luke’s Church Building will be preserved and renovated and used as a community space, including a neighborhood health care clinic.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/13/2025)

STAGE: Starts in 4-12 months

CONSTRUCTION START: 6/2026

CONSTRUCTION END: Q3/2028

BID DUE DATE: N/A

OWNER: Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation

Contact: Lucas Reeve, Director of Neighborhood Development lucasr@oldbrooklyn.com 4274 Pearl Rd. Cleveland, OH 44109

P: 216-459-1000

ARCHITECT, DEVELOPER: Desmone Architects

Contact: Theodore Ferringer, Senior Project Architect

tferringer@desmone.com 3400 Butler St. Pittsburgh, PA 15201

P: 412-683-3230

F: 412-683-3563

Project: #3831263

LAKEWOOD COMMON REDEVELOPMENTMULTIFAMILY

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Multifamily (303 units)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New, Renovation

ESTIMATED VALUE: $45 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: South of Detroit Ave. & Marlowe Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107

DETAILS: Plans call for both new construction and the renovation of residential units. Plans include 291 new apartments units spread across three buildings, and five fully renovated units in the Curtis Block, and seven townhomes on Belle Avenue. This is part of the larger Lakewood Common Redevelopment project.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/1/2025)

STAGE: Starts in 4-12 months

CONSTRUCTION START: 5/2026

CONSTRUCTION END: 4/2028

BID DUE DATE: N/A

ARCHITECT: Dimit Architects

14725 Detroit Ave., 210 Lakewood, OH 44107

Ohio Office

P: 216-221-9021

ARCHITECT: EDGE

330 W. Spring St., Ste. 350 Columbus, OH 43215

OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER: North Pointe Realty, Inc.

5915 Landerbrook Dr., Ste. 350 Cleveland, OH 44124

P: 440-646-1222

DEVELOPER, OWNER: CASTO

Contact: Brent Sobczak, President, CASTO Communities bsobczak@castoinfo.com

250 Civic Center Dr., 600 Columbus, OH 43215

P: 614-744-2098

Project: #3831274

LAKEWOOD COMMON REDEVELOPMENTPUBLIC PLAZA

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Social (17,000 sq-ft)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New

ESTIMATED VALUE: $1-$5 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: South of Detroit Ave. & Marlowe Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107

DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a 17,000-square-foot plaza and community space. This is part of the larger Lakewood Common Redevelopment project.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/1/2025)

STAGE: Starts in 4-12 months

CONSTRUCTION START: 8/2026

CONSTRUCTION END: 4/2028

BID DUE DATE: N/A

ARCHITECT: Dimit Architects

14725 Detroit Ave., 210 Lakewood, OH 44107

Ohio Office

P: 216-221-9021

ARCHITECT: EDGE

330 W. Spring St., Ste. 350

Columbus, OH 43215

OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER: North Pointe Realty, Inc.

5915 Landerbrook Dr., Ste. 350 Cleveland, OH 44124

P: 440-646-1222

DEVELOPER, OWNER: CASTO

Contact: Brent Sobczak, President, CASTO Communities bsobczak@castoinfo.com

250 Civic Center Dr., 600 Columbus, OH 43215

P: 614-744-2098

Project: #3830457

MCGREGOR LAKEWOOD INDEPENDENT LIVING

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Multifamily (101 units)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: New

ESTIMATED VALUE: $22.5 million

SECTOR: Private

LOCATION: 11801 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107

DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a fourstory, 82,520-square-foot independent senior living building with 101 affordable one-bedroom apartments.

Estimated Schedule (as of 9/29/2025)

STAGE: Planning

CONSTRUCTION END: N/A

BID DUE DATE: N/A

DEVELOPER: CHN Housing Partners 3711 Chester Ave., 100 Cleveland, OH 44114

P: 216-574-7100

DEVELOPER, PROPERTY MANAGER: The McGregor Foundation 14900 Private Dr. Cleveland, OH 44112

P: 216-851-8200

Project: #3834733

STAGE: Planning

CONSTRUCTION END: N/A

BID DUE DATE: N/A

OWNER: St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral 733 Starkweather Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113

P: 216-574-4886

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: Ritenour Group

Contact: James Wamelink, Vice President 2066 Case Parkway South Twinsburg, OH 44087

P: 330-425-3232

Cleveland, OH 44115

P: 216-621-7900

Construction project reports are provided with permission through ConstructionWire, courtesy of BuildCentral (www.buildcentral.com). BuildCentral specializes in planned construction project leads and location analytics for CRE, hotel, multi-family/ single-family, medical, mining & energy, and retail construction spaces. Properties Magazine makes no warranty of any kind for this information, express or

SAINT THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL RENOVATION

PROJECT TYPE/SIZE: Religious Facilities (25,00049,999 sq-ft)

CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Renovation

ESTIMATED VALUE: $17 million

SECTOR: Private LOCATION: 733 Starkweather Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113

DETAILS: Plans call for the renovation of Saint Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral. These plans include the restoration of the eight small domes, two of the four medium-sized domes, and one large dome at the center. In addition to repairing damage to the church’s roof structure and copper domes, the rebuilding team will restore the stained-glass windows; interior finishes such as frescoes, plasterwork and marble floors; heating, ventilation and cooling systems; as well as chandeliers and other lighting fixtures.

Estimated Schedule (as of 10/13/2025)

Coming in December

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