New Housing Coming To Caledonia Neighborhood In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Infill housing is headed to Cleveland Height's Caledonia neighborhood.

Cleveland Heights unanimously city council approved a development agreement between the municipality and the Start Right Community Development Corporation. Up to 10 lots could be built during Phase I, with another 13 lots possible in Phase II. The result will be single-family homes available for purchase.

The city currently owns the vacant lots where construction will take place. The property was purchased during the Great Recession.

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"The construction of new homes on lots that have been vacant for a significant period of time is anticipated to have a positive impact on neighborhood stabilization, vibrancy, and on attracting new residents to the city," officials said in a statement.

However, controversy erupted during the city council meeting since Start Right Ministries, and Rev. Jimmie Hicks, have a long and contentious history with Cleveland Heights, cleveland.com reported.

Hicks fought Cleveland Heights'domestic partner registry in 2005, the first of its kind in the nation. He then lost his city council seat, Cleveland 19 reported at the time.

The city clearly forgave and forgot, noting that Hicks' Start Right group has an active role in the Caledonia neighborhood, a boon to the infill housing project.

"Start Right CDC has been very active over a number of years in the Caledonia neighborhood, providing community development services to this area in Cleveland Heights," the city said.

A minimum of three houses must be completed by Dec. 31, 2022 and six houses must be finished by June 30, 2024. Both groups have the right to terminate the agreement if the milestones are not met, the city said.