Cuyahoga Land Bank commits to rigorous sustainability standards in planning and execution of new East Cleveland community.
Anyone who has closely followed the development and progress of Circle East District knows that sustainable efforts have been at the forefront of our work. Since the inception of this neighborhood, just east of University Circle and within walking distance of Little Italy, Case Western Reserve and various nationally recognized medical campuses, Circle East District has been imagined and built to create a thriving, resilient and green community. Further, the development has been driven by the continual input of residents, who have been vocal about their interest in greenspace and restoring the city’s walkability.
Green initiatives in Circle East District include:
- Creating a community greenway that connects residents within the neighborhood and planting 30 trees along the pathway, thanks to Cuyahoga County’s Healthy Urban Tree Canopy grant program funding
- Energy-efficient construction paired with the installation of EV chargers and solar panels in each home
- Providing grants and managing work efforts to preserve and renovate homes in East Cleveland nearby Circle East District
- Collaboration among building partners, the Cities of East Cleveland and Cleveland, and environmental organizations regarding sustainability
Last month, Circle East District was the first sustainably designed neighborhood recognized in this region by the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and Home Innovation Research Labs. Projects being assessed for green efforts are evaluated and recognized at each phase of development and execution, from design through implementation. The certification we received indicates that Circle East District has met all the planning and predevelopment goals and standards set by the NGBS Standard for Chapter 4: Land Development, which include the efficient use of land and resources, water conservation and use of sustainable materials.
The next step will be field verification and final certification of each individual phase as the infrastructure is installed and completed. The last part will be for each home to be built to a green certification standard that will be eligible to receive tax abatement in either Cleveland or East Cleveland.
Home Innovation Research Labs applies a rigorous point-based rating system to determine the true sustainability of a development project. Projects can earn a one-, two-, three or four-star rating. The base level of points a four-star winner can earn is 176, and Circle East District tallied up 225 points!
Examples of ways to earn points include:
- Project’s overall intent to minimize environmental impact
- The development team’s professional training in green construction
- The project team creating and implementing a project checklist of green development practices to track progress and successful implementation
- Analyzing a space’s existing trees and bushes, removing dead trees and maintaining healthy ones
- Landscape plans are developed to limit water and energy use in common areas
- Salvaging area materials. For Circle East District, this included sandstone being salvaged and repurposed into a performing stage in the greenway and how contractors rebuilding the roadway will salvage aggregate where feasible.
- Innovative site design, preparation and development practices are used to enhance efficiency and environmental performance
- Access to multiple forms of transportation, including bikes and e-bikes, scooters and the Healthline to provide enhanced access to jobs, entertainment and recreation
- The community is situated within a half mile of an open space available to the public
Cuyahoga Land Bank is continually learning about, implementing and encouraging the use of sustainable building practices in the private sector, particularly in urban infills.
“We have intentionally built Circle East District to be a sustainable and resilient community,” said Kamla Lewis, Senior Housing Development Project Manager at Cuyahoga Land Bank. “Respecting the natural resources and environment around this project has been important, as well as preserving the rich and beautiful history of the cities where Circle East District is being built. From the design of the community to the builders we are partnering with, we are committing to green, thoughtful work.”
Green efforts will continue being used, specifically as home building begins in the first quarter of 2025. Our building partners, including Greenlight Building Co., Martin Premier Homes and Cleveland Bricks, are fully committed to this effort and have designed their Circle East District homes accordingly.
Stay tuned as we continually share this story and that of the developing community of Circle East District.
