Carver Park

Carver Park, one of the largest public housing estates in the state of Ohio, was originally constructed in 1942, with 82 buildings, encompassing 1,287 dwelling units. Its original construction cost was $7,348,064.00. The net density for this site was over 37 dwelling units per acre.

The architecture of the buildings at Carver Park was far less interesting than that found in the earlier public housing projects. Most of the thirties “art deco” elements seen elsewhere were missing, as were the WPA art work, since that government program had ended by 1942.

Recognizing the need for major modernization at this site, CMHA applied for various modernization grants in the 1980’s and 1990’s. CMHA was successful in obtaining two Major Renovation of Obsolete Projects (MROP) Grants in the 1990’s and a Hope VI Grant in the amount of $21,000,000.00 in 1995.

As a result, CMHA was able to convert and modernize 289 units to 217 units at a cost of more than $25,000,000 utilizing MROP Funds. Acknowledging the need to reduce the number of units at Carver Park, the Hope VI Grant was used to demolish 610 units and to construct 279 new town house units at this site. Construction of the new units is now in the final stages, with the last 89 units to be completed in fall of 2005. The modernization cost for the Hope VI improvements is more than $32,000,000.

The renovations at Carver Park have rejuvenated the neighborhood. Over 50 new homes have been built around Carver Park over the past two years as a part of the city of Cleveland’s Homeownership Plan Initiative and several new retail complexes have also been constructed.