Valleyview Homes

The Valleyview Homes Estate was opened in 1940 and is located in the historic Tremont neighborhood of the city of Cleveland. The original Valleyview Homes Estate contained a total of 582 residential units, a community center/office complex, and a boiler house and was constructed at a total cost of $3,503,539.00. Over the past 20 years, a total of 339 units have been demolished due to deteriorated conditions and in order to make way for I-490.

Valleyview Homes Estate also benefited from the Ohio Art Program, which was a part of the WPA’s Federal Art Project, a depression-era program to provide outlets for artists’ work, particularly in decorating public buildings. On the wall of the Community Center was a terra-cotta mural of the project designed by W. LeRoy Flint and executed by Henry Olmer. In addition, Henry Keto made 24 ceramic tiles depicting the history of the Tremont area. Three large canvas murals were installed at Valleyview, (i.e., one in Management office and two in the Community Building) two of which were by Elmer Brown, an African American artist from Cleveland Ohio and one by Louis Grebenak, another local artist. Cast stone animals were also created and used as play sculptures in Valleyview.

RECENT MODERNIZATION HISTORY AND FUTURE PLANS

After an extensive master planning process for the revitalization of the Valleyview site, a determination was made to redevelop the Valleyview site. As a result, CMHA applied for and was awarded a Hope VI Grant in 2004 in the amount of $19,600,000 to demolish and re-develop a 190-unit mixed income site on the grounds of Valleyview.

CMHA selected the firm of McCormack, Baron, and Salazar for the redevelopment of this site. All residents were relocated in 2004 and a grand farewell celebration was held on June 10, 2005, prior to commencement of demolition.

The new Valleyview site will include 95 public housing units, 33 tax credit units, 62 market rate units and 24 new homes for sale. The demolition of this site will begin in June 2005 and the construction of the new units will begin in the spring of 2006.

CMHA removed and safely stored all of the WPA-era artwork to be utilized in the future redevelopment of this site.