Fire station could be the solution at controversial CVS site
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Fire Station No. 23 at its current location on Madison. Photo: Sam Allard/Axios
Negotiations have been happening for weeks to relocate a Madison Avenue fire station to a site down the street that has been at the center of a west side zoning and development dispute.
Why it matters: Should the plan come to fruition, it would shut the door on a proposal to build a gas station there — an idea opposed by a vocal contingent of residents and Cleveland's planning commission.
What they're saying: "It's a win-win," City Councilman Danny Kelly tells Axios. "It absolutely will be better for the neighborhood."
- "I still stand by what I said before: I'm not in favor of vacant buildings. But this should make everyone happy."
Catch up quick: The property at the corner of Madison and West Boulevard is a former CVS that has sat vacant for nearly three years.
- Entrepreneur Amin Mohammad purchased it in January with plans to build a gas station on the site.
- The Board of Zoning Appeals rejected that proposal in March, but Kelly introduced legislation in July to amend the city's zoning code for the parcel.
Between the lines: If it had passed — Kelly told Axios he secured the necessary votes — the legislation would have set an uncomfortable precedent where a councilperson's preferred projects superseded the city's master plans.
By the numbers: Fire Station 23 was built in 1958 and is one of Cleveland's 26 stations. The Division of Fire has looked to build a newer station for some time, Kelly says.
- Should the Division of Fire vacate the station's current site at 9826 Madison Ave., the land could be used for parking or folded into the new Marion Seltzer school plan, he says.
The other side: Several neighbors in Wards 11 and 15 strongly oppose the gas station on environmental and traffic safety grounds. Axios spoke to multiple neighbors who believe a fire station would complement the school and rec center in the vicinity.
- "My personal opinion is that this seems like a non-controversial use," says resident Jonathan Steirer, who lives within 500 feet of the site. "It's about as good of an outcome as I could've hoped for."
What's next: The city confirmed it was working with the owners of the CVS site to "determine the feasibility of the location for city-use purposes."
- "Our teams are evaluating all options available to present City Council with a plan that aligns with the best interest of residents and stakeholders in the Cudell neighborhood and the city," a spokesperson tells Axios.
The last word: Kelly says the "pieces of the puzzle" are almost together, and the developer would have to be made whole.
- "This isn't the first time a deal hasn't gone the way a developer wanted it to," he joked.