EAST CLEVELAND, OH – Circle East District, a bold new development about a mile away from University Circle, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland’s world-class medical campuses, is the first neighborhood in Northeast Ohio to be recognized for its sustainability by National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and Home Innovation Research Labs. This certification acknowledges Cuyahoga Land Bank’s sustainability efforts and indicates that Circle East District has met all the planning and predevelopment goals and standards NGBS sets.
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! The Circle East District will include 200 new energy-efficient homes with rooftop solar panels and EV chargers in the garages; a new one-acre linear park with a cycling path and solar pavilions; new underground infrastructure; and new sidewalks and tree lawn trees. Groundbreaking on the homes will begin in January 2025.
From the onset, Cuyahoga Land Bank has planned Circle East District with sustainability at the forefront. Not only has building a resilient community been a priority, but so has soliciting and implementing resident input. Through various placemaking activities, residents were vocal about their interest in more greenspace and increased walkability. “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 citizens’ requests along with the natural resources and environment around this project have been important. We also have worked to preserve the rich and beautiful history of the cities where the Circle East District is being built.”
“By achieving this milestone for the Circle East District, the Cuyahoga Land Bank continues to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and green redevelopment,” said Bill Sanderson, a consultant working with the Land Bank to guide the certification process and verify compliance with the Standard. “The National Green Building Standard four-star rating is a third-party endorsement that this unique community will contribute to the health, wellness and vitality of the Circle East District and those lucky folks who choose to live there.”
Circle East District will continue working toward further NGBS certifications at each stage of project installation and home building. Each home being built to these green standards will make them eligible to receive tax abatements in either Cleveland or East Cleveland.
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