Memphis and Pearl
- Client:
- Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC)
- Location:
- Old Brooklyn, Cleveland, Ohio
- Year:
- 2024 – Present
- Building Uses:
- Community Event Space, Retail, Commercial, Religious Space, Market- Rate Apartments
- Status::
- In-Progress
- Budget:
- TBD
- Size:
- TBD
- Our Role:
- Community Engagement + Conceptual Development Plan + Capital Stack + Brownfield Remediation + Procurement + Public Fundraising + Private Fundraising + Grant Implementation/Compliance + Design,Engineering and Construction Coordination + SecuredFinancing Term Sheet
PRUMC is Committed to Serving and Evolving with the Old Brooklyn Community
To Our Neighbors in Old Brooklyn,
Pearl Road United Methodist Church is excited to be partners with the team working through the redevelopment process of Memphis & Pearl. Since being anchored to this location for over 200 years, we’ve come to believe in a couple of important principles. First, we understand that many civic components weave together to make great communities that support residents: businesses, homes, varieties of stores, libraries, city departments, parks, restaurants, and of course, churches among other things. Each component brings a crucial element which helps the whole neighborhood thrive. Second, we strongly believe that faith-based spaces – such as churches – contribute to a strong social fabric that keeps neighborhoods healthy. As we consider our future as a church at this location, we want to connect with our neighbors to hear how our future space might better support the civic components and social fabric of the community.
As a church, we’ve identified two important ways we hope to serve Old Brooklyn (and beyond):
First, we want to be a sacred space – a place where folks can have their faith develop at any stage and through any experience. This could be through Sunday morning services, rites of passage like baptism, weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies. We can also be a sacred space by offering respite during unnerving cultural and social events. Second, we want to be a space for community enrichment – a place for service to neighbors in need through meals or other essential services, and to be an accessible community gathering place – hosting local groups, being a place to start a new idea, and more. We hope PRUMC will be a place that neighbors know well and feel comfortable using.
Sincerely, Pearl Road United Methodist Church
Project News and Updates
Memphis and Pearl Mission
Project Team
Memphis and Pearl Redevelopment FAQs
What impacts of remediation, demolition, or construction can the community expect?
Noise: Construction noise during standard working hours (generally 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., with some activities starting at 8:00 a.m.).
Traffic & Parking: Temporary traffic changes or lane closures, with advance notice shared through OBCDC and on-site signage. Most construction workers will park on-site, but there may be some overflow parking on nearby streets during busy days.
Site Conditions: Dust and environmental safety measures will be monitored and managed according to state and federal regulations.
Utilities: Advance notice (48–72 hours when possible) of any utility interruptions. We are coordinating closely with utilities and will do our best to minimize disruptions to nearby homes and businesses.
Why must tree removal happen on site? What is the impact?
Limited tree removal is necessary to allow safe access for heavy equipment during this phase of work. The final project will include new landscaping and additional tree plantings as part of expanded outdoor community and green spaces, resulting in an overall positive environmental impact.
What considerations are being made for any unhoused individuals sheltering in or around the buildings?
The buildings have been vacant, secured, and monitored for years, and no active encampments have been identified in the past six months. If any individuals are encountered, the team will connect them with local outreach partners (including 311 and 211, as well as shelters) while following all legal and safety requirements.
Will this affect PRUMC as a polling location?
Yes, temporarily. Due to site work, PRUMC will not be used as a polling location. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has secured an alternative nearby site to ensure uninterrupted voting access:
Estabrook Recreation Center, 4125 Fulton Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44144
To find your polling location, please visit the Cuyahoga Board of Elections website.
Who can we contact if we have a concern about the current construction or site safety?
If you notice something like an unlocked gate after hours, construction happening outside allowed hours, or vehicles blocking access, please let us know. You can email info@oldbrooklyn.com, which is monitored daily by the OBCDC team. For urgent concerns, call 216-459-1000 ext. 207 and leave a voicemail with as much detail as possible.
What buildings are being demolished and why?
The following structures will be removed: The Greenline Building (and associated structures), The St. Luke’s educational wing addition (built in 1925), and a long-vacant single-family home.
Why removal is necessary: Significant structural deterioration, environmental hazards, including asbestos, lead, and an underground fuel storage tank beneath the Greenline Building, safety concerns, and site/soil issues.
For example, the St. Luke’s education wing has settled into unstable soil, which could lead to serious structural failure and impact the original church building.
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