A Community in Transition: How the URA Process Supports Greenline Tenants and Old Brooklyn’s Future

Old Brooklyn is on the brink of something bold. At the heart of the neighborhood, the long-anticipated Memphis & Pearl development is set to bring new housing, green space, jobs, and opportunities to one of Cleveland’s most recognizable intersections. But before we can build what’s next, we must thoughtfully prepare the site for the future. To view a timeline of the project thus far, click here.

The most critical preparation of the new development is to environmentally remediate and demolish the existing Greenline Building and the St. Luke’s Education Wing Addition. 

While demolition can feel like loss, it’s a crucial first step in unlocking a brighter, safer, and more vibrant future for the community. And most importantly, the people and businesses impacted by this transition are not being left stranded.

After the community at large voted on a development plan that would demolish the Greenline Building, tenants were notified by the Old Brooklyn CDC on May 12^th, 2021 that the neighborhood wished to see a new building on the intersection of Memphis and Pearl.  

While the capital wasn’t secured at the time, the momentum and excitement behind the project indicated that there would eventually be a day, where the tenants would need to find a new home.

As sources of public subsidy began to come to the project, the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation hired OR Colan as consultants to follow the appropriate steps of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (URA) and work directly with the tenants to aide in assistance for relocation. 

What Is the URA—and Why Is It Important?

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act—better known as the URA—is a federal law that ensures people and businesses displaced by publicly funded projects receive fair treatment, financial support, and relocation assistance.

For the tenants of the Greenline building, this means:

• Personalized relocation planning

• One-on-one support from relocation experts throughout the process

• Help finding new locations that fit their needs

• Financial assistance for moving expenses, re-establishment, and offsetting potential losses to revenue during the re-establishment period.

Public forums, posts, and updates have been occurring since the project officially began in 2021 and tenants were formally notified of the URA process in November 2024 and have been working closely with Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation’s (OBCDC) contracted URA consultant, O.R. Colan, to create relocation plans that fit their unique needs. The project team remains committed to ensuring that each tenant moves with dignity, support, and the resources necessary to continue thriving elsewhere while ideally remaining rooted within Old Brooklyn.

Why Can’t the Greenline Building Just Be Renovated?

When the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) first acquired the Greenline building, the original goal was to preserve and reactivate the space. Despite extensive efforts to attract private developers, the building’s condition and the cost of remediation made reinvestment financially unfeasible.

Here’s why renovation isn’t possible:

• The building suffers from severe deferred maintenance from previous ownership.

• It contains structural deterioration, outdated mechanical systems, and accessibility issues.

• Rents have remained well below market value, leaving insufficient revenue to support necessary upgrades.

• What was once a hopeful restoration effort is now a safety, financial, and environmental responsibility.

Why Is Demolition Necessary?

The need for demolition isn’t just cosmetic or economic—it’s also environmental.

Beneath the Greenline building lies an underground storage tank (UST), assumed to have once stored gasoline. This tank is regulated by Ohio’s Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR). However, renovations to the building over the years have blocked access to the tank’s interior, preventing the project’s environmental contractors from evaluating whether it still contains hazardous materials.

The risk? Time and exposure could cause the tank to corrode, potentially leaking fuel and chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

The solution? Demolishing the Greenline building is the only way to safely access and remove the tank in accordance with state environmental regulations. Until that’s done, the site cannot be responsibly redeveloped.

What Comes Next—and Why It Matters

This isn’t just about removing a building. It’s about clearing the way for something better, safer, and more aligned with what Old Brooklyn residents want to see.

Over the past two years, OBCDC and the project team have heard from more than 800 community members and their priorities are clear:

• Density and vibrancy

• Safety and walkability

• Respect for the neighborhood’s historic character

The demolition of the Greenline building will help:

• Restore St. Luke’s Church to its original historic footprint

• Create new housing and commercial spaces along Pearl Road

• Add public green space for community events and programming

Supporting Tenants—Together

Since 2022, the OBCDC and its project partners have refined the development plan to reflect the priorities of community members, and the top neighborhood needs.  Community members at large have prioritized the demolition of the Greenline Building in order to create high quality housing options along the corridor.

The businesses and organizations in the Greenline building have long been part of Old Brooklyn’s fabric. As they prepare to transition to their new locations, they do so with the backing of a structured relocation process, led by experts and supported by OBCDC and their partners.

We’re hopeful—and confident—that the community will help carry that support forward by welcoming these businesses into new homes across the neighborhood.

Want to Help?

• Support relocated businesses by visiting them once established in their new locations.

• Share this update with neighbors and friends.

• Stay engaged through upcoming public meetings and project updates.

Together, we’re building not just a development—but a stronger, more connected Old Brooklyn.

TIMELINE:

February 2021: Public Meeting on History of the St. Lukes Property, structural conditions, results from a master plan, considerations for redevelopment and next steps.

May 12th, 2021: OBCDC notified the tenants of the Greenline of the proposed Memphis Pearl Project and that they will likely be displaced as a result.

January 2022: Old Brooklyn Public Meeting on history of the property for the Memphis & Pearl Redevelopment Plan.

February 2022: First in-person community meeting held at Estabrook Recreation Center about proposed plans for the St. Luke's Church and Greenline Buildings

December 15^th, 2022: In-person and digital opportunities for community input on RFP Submissions from Fall 2022.

May 9^th, 2023: Community Input on Desmone Proposal, Design & Uses

August 1st, 2024: Project was approved and will be receiving HUD funding assistance.

November 14^th, 2024: Community Open House at 787 Market & Cafe on Demolition Package

January 8^th, 2025: Community Input on Programing at PRUMC space.

February 26th, 2025: URA Explanation and notice that tenants will be reimbursed to relocation.

April 30^th, 2025: Community Input on Contextual Design 

May 2025: 90 – Day Notice to Vacate

Since the end of 2022, the project partners have refined and strengthened the proposed design through many iterations of community feedback while addressing neighborhood needs.