Land Swap and Construction of Marion-Seltzer School on Cudell Commons Park 

TIMELINE:

October 25, 1916 - Frank E. Cudell dies. See: Cudell Will's City Towers and Parks. 

November 24, 1916 - City Law Director sends copy of Frank Cudell’s Will to City Council, stating that, “All bequests made to the City by Mr. Cudell will become effective only after the death of the decedent’s wife, Mrs. Emma Mueller Cudell, and there is, therefore, no legislative steps to be taken by the Council at this time in order to accept the bequests.”

May 29, 1935 - Warranty deed from Emma Cudell to the City of Cleveland recorded in Cuyahoga County records. 

May 27, 2014 - Draft Cluster Scenarios for CMSD Buildings. “Could build a new 400-seat school on the current site. Swing students during construction of the new school.”

June 4, 2014 - CMSD Open House at Cudell Recreation Center

June 23, 2014 - Recommended Scenarios for CMSD Buildings. “Build a replacement Pre-K school on the current site. Move students to a swing site during construction.”

July 1, 2014 - Plain Press Article. “School Board passes draft of facilities plan extension.”

2014 - 2019 - CMSD School Facilities Master Plan Update. “Could build a new 400­‐seat school on the current site. Swing students during construction of the new school.

April 11, 2019 - CMSD Planning Meeting - Gallagher and Marion Selzer. “CMSD is reconsidering its facilities plans because Cleveland’s population patterns have changed and because the independent Bond Accountability Commission has also called for a fresh look at long-term plans for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, citing trends in enrollment and construction costs. As a result, construction plans for a new school at Marion Seltzer Elementary and reconstruction plans for Gallagher High School may not move forward.”

November 15, 2019 - CMSD Revised Long Term School Plan. “Build a new building. Mothball facility.” 

November 17, 2020 - A swap of the former Harry E. Davis and Watterson-Lake school buildings for the City owned property adjacent to Marion Seltzer school was approved by the Board on November 17, 2020. The City’s property is useful to the District because it will serve as the site for the new Marion Seltzer school to be part of Segment 8. The District will abate and demolish Watterson Lake with co-funding from the OFCC." 

March 23, 2021 - Land swap would clear way for new Cleveland school to go up near site of Tamir Rice shooting. "Under the plan, the school district would get about 2.2 vacant acres adjacent to Cudell Recreation Center along West 98th Street just south of Detroit Avenue on the West Side. That land would be used as site of a new Marion C. Seltzer Elementary School."

March 25, 2021 - City, CMSD agree to land swap that will create new school in Cudell, development opportunities. Article published by The Land. 

March 29, 2021 - Passage of Ordinance No. 75-2021. Land swap with CMSD for Marion C. Seltzer School at Cudell Commons.

July 8, 2021 - Ohio Facilities Construction Commission approved an agreement that will allow state funding for a new Marion-Seltzer building.

March 15, 2022 - Marion-Seltzer School Construction Meeting. This plan depicts an athletic field at the location of the demolished existing Marion-Seltzer School in accordance with approved legislation.  Additionally, the site plan preserves green space and mature trees at the north end of Cudell Commons Park. See also: CMSD seeking public input on school construction projects. 

June 28, 2022 - 2021-01-24-Lot-split-plat. Landmark Parcel gifted by Frank Cudell split.

August 25, 2022 - Landmark Commission meeting. Date on the site plan presented, 8/10/2022, with Office of Capital Projects title. The relevant presentation begins at 2 hours, 45 min, 20 seconds.

October 19, 2022 - Marion-Seltzer School Construction Meeting. CMSD presents a revised plan that moves the athletic field, increases the parking lot size and moves the building footprint further north into the mature tree canopy.

April, 2023 - Design Revisions responding to the Landmarks Commission review.

July 11, 2023 - First public meeting organized by Councilmember Spencer at Cudell Rec regarding tree loss. 

August 9, 2023 - Second public meeting organized by Councilmember Spencer at Cudell Rec regarding tree loss. 

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