CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Just weeks after putting out a request for proposal (RFP), the City of Cleveland has selected a site for its new police headquarters.
Deeming it the "clear recommendation" after having received six proposals, Cleveland has selected the historic ArtCraft building as its top pick. According to a release, the city will begin negotiations for the site, located at 2530 Superior Avenue, with a team led by TurnDev Development with legislation expected to be ready for city council in January 2023.
“This site presents the best combination of location, timing, functionality, and cost while meeting the needs of our Division of Police,” Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb said in a statement. “I appreciate the hard work and due diligence of the team to ensure we deliver on this important project.”
The city says that the 250,000-square-foot ArtCraft building will be able to be transformed into a "world-class home" for the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) within the existing budget, based on the City’s previous bond issuance. Additionally, the move will save an estimated $40 million compared to the all-in cost for the originally proposed Opportunity Corridor site.
The city also says that the selection of the ArtCraft site will result in a faster delivery time, bringing CDP into the new headquarters. in early 2025 -- 18 to 24 months before the Opportunity Corridor site. That will also result in saving costs on future lease payments at the Justice Center and free up 2001 Payne Avenue (Public Safety Center) and the Opportunity Corridor site for other potential revenue-generating uses.
“The city remains excited about the future of Opportunity Corridor and bringing high-quality, accessible jobs to the Corridor,” said Cleveland’s Chief of Integrated Development Jeff Epstein. “This decision opens up an incredibly valuable site for future development and job creation.”
Added Police Chief Wayne Drummond: “We support the ArtCraft building recommendation and are excited about moving forward. This new location will benefit our future direction tremendously, allowing us to not only move into our permanent home sooner, but also increase efficiency by having all HQ functions under one roof.”