The League Park ticket building, on the corner of Lexington and East 66th.
(This article is a follow-up to a previous article published last week that can be read by clicking here.)
Things are stirring at the corner of Lexington and East 66th.
In a recent community meeting, the city of Cleveland has shown clear intentions to restore historic League Park. The former home of the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Buckeyes (the city’s Negro League team of the era) was once the centerpiece of the Hough neighborhood during the first half of the 20th century.
The restoration was supported by former Councilwoman Fannie Lewis, and the push to continue her efforts after her passing are being carried on by current Ward 7 Councilman TJ Dow and Mayor Frank Jackson. A plan proposed before her death is being revisited, this time with action to back it up.
Currently, the city is working to obtain the last two private parcels in the northeast corner on the block that would give the city full control over the lot. Those parcels are currently in foreclosure and should be in the city’s hands soon.
And according to Eric Wobser, the Assistant Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s Office, the city has $2.5 million in dedicated funds for the project, obtained through the sale of Parks and Recreation Bonds. They hope to obtain up to $2 million more in the same fashion this year.
At the community meeting that took place last week (just across the street from the site at the Lexington Faith Baptist Temple), two proposals were presented to residents and city officials. One proposal came from City Architecture, the other from the League Park Society and Osborn Engineering (designers of the original League Park). While these two proposals are not competing plans, they do have differences in style that will need to be ironed out before ground is broken.
There is also concern from residents who feel like neither plan accommodates their needs. Some of their requests include a playground, facilities for football practice (which is one of the uses on the site currently), and even a water park. Said Dow: “This is the first conversation with the neighborhood. There are still many details to be worked out.”
And it’s important to consider that the ball field wouldn’t encompass the entire site, there would be room on the eastern side of the park to satisfy some of the residents’ requests. Either way, the site will remain a city park, under jurisdiction of the city of Cleveland.
The next step is to hash out a plan that works for all parties involved. That could be difficult as the city, the residents, and the League Park Society all have specific interests. When a plan is agreed upon, groundbreaking would occur in 2010 with the installation of a ball diamond that could be placed into use immediately.
This recent activity is reason for optimism. But several plans have come and gone in the past, so proponents of the restoration should remain cautious until dirt is moved. Steps are being taken to begin the process, but there is still a long road ahead before some form of League Park rises again.
Comments
The League Park Society is committed to parnering with the City of Cleveland to save the history, celebrate the future and to stand with the community to bring a League Park complex that will be celebrated by all.
The people in this neighborhood could care less about this project. It means less than nothing to them. If you tell them that the Negro Leagues played here, they'll knock you out for using the "N" word. Believe it . This won't get done. Too few care.
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