Riverview, Cleveland, OH

The Riverview HOPE VI Development is located on the banks of the Cuyahoga River in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to two existing hi-rise apartment buildings for the elderly, the original master site plan includes 81 affordable rental units (replacement public housing), 335 market-rate for-sale condominiums and approximately 10,000 square feet of small-scale retail over two phases. The site plan provides a mix of mid-rise loft apartments, duplexes and town homes and is guided by the desire to create a cohesive and vibrant mixed-income, mixed-tenure community. The plan also maximizes the river and downtown views while remaining compatible with and enhancing the existing Ohio City fabric and existing apartments.

Geotechnical analysis shows, however, that a large portion of the site is unstable. Because of the current geotechnical limitation, a new plan has been created that is broader in scope and has greater potential impact. The new plan focuses on continuing with the original master plan long-term but immediately developing infill, scattered sites across Ohio City. The infill, scattered sites will build on current neighborhood growth and connect all corners of the neighborhood. The new plan also maintains the same approximate number of total units for construction with the same mix of for-sale condominiums and replacement public housing units.

The development of the new plan has been a process driven by the input and cooperation of multiple stakeholders including the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, the City of Cleveland, Ohio City Near West Development Corporation, City Architecture, SBK Brooks, Telesis Corporation and the community. This public process has allowed for an alternate program that fulfills the vision and needs of the community as originally conceived.