Cleveland's Irishtown Bend Park Project Secures Final Land Parcel
The Irishtown Bend Park project partners have successfully acquired the last plot of land needed for the 23-acre greenspace after reaching a formal deal with Bobby George and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority. The agreement consists of a cash settlement, moving a billboard from the vacant Royal Castle building, and the establishment of a 15,000 to 18,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant and cafe operated by George.
This deal concludes a long-standing litigation over the property, which George had purchased in 2018 for $248,000. The coalition, which had acquired all other necessary properties for the park project, initially offered George $360,000, which he declined. Consequently, the Port Authority initiated eminent domain proceedings in 2021, sparking a legal dispute between the parties.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Sutula ruled in favor of George, granting temporary injunctions against the Port's eminent domain attempt in 2022. With the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the legal battle comes to an end, allowing for the park's development to proceed.
The park coalition has so far raised $17 million for the project, with a $5 million challenge grant from the Mandel Foundation announced in December. The project requires an additional $28 million by 2025-2026, around the time they hope to break ground on the 18-24 month project. Stabilization work, costing $53 million and fully funded by federal grants and other sources, will begin first.
