The former Ford plant site adds its biggest tenant yet with Cleveland Clinic deal
Walton Hills Village Council voted unanimously on July 31 to approve a Community Reinvestment Area tax abatement for a Cleveland Clinic operations hub at Innovation Center East, the redevelopment of the former Ford stamping plant. The site borders Northfield Village, putting the project’s job growth and construction activity close to home for much of the Nordonia Hills readership area.
What The Clinic Is Building
The proposed building will total just under 650,000 square feet and will be the largest of three buildings planned for the campus. Tom Jordan, the village’s economic development consultant, told council the project represents a total investment of about $140 million. He said Cleveland Clinic’s own investment in outfitting the building, beyond basic construction, is expected to be nearly $80 million.
The facility is being called a Unified Operations Center. According to a representative for the development team, the building will consolidate several back office hospital functions in one place, including equipment maintenance, cleaning, sterilization, engineering services, and distribution to Clinic facilities across the region. Some direct clinical services, including a pharmacy, are also expected to operate out of the building, with parking and entrances set aside for patients. The developer said the project is not a data center.
Jobs and Payroll
The CRA agreement lists a minimum of 373 full time permanent employee positions with an aggregate payroll of about 29 million dollars. Jordan said the village believes these are existing Cleveland Clinic jobs currently spread across facilities in Northeast Ohio that will relocate to the new site.
The agreement also outlines a phased hiring schedule. By the end of year two of the exemption period, the Clinic is expected to add 27 full time and six part time jobs, representing about 2.4 million dollars in additional payroll. By years six through ten, four more full time and one more part time position are projected, adding roughly 422,000 dollars in payroll.
Design and Site Details
Officials said the new building will be designed to echo the existing Cardinal Health facility already on the property’s northeast corner. Truck docks are planned for both the north and south sides of the building, with employee entrances on the east side facing the rail line and on the west side facing north. A traffic study will be required as part of the site plan review process still ahead at the planning commission.
A Growing Site With A New Commitment
Village legal counsel confirmed this is the third Community Reinvestment Area agreement issued for the former Ford plant site, following earlier agreements tied to Cardinal Health and Great Day Improvements. This latest agreement includes a new provision not found in the previous two: a commitment from the developer and Cleveland Clinic to promote high school internship opportunities in partnership with the local school district.
FAQs
What did Walton Hills Village Council approve?
A Community Reinvestment Area tax abatement for a Cleveland Clinic operations hub at Innovation Center East, approved unanimously on July 31.
How big is the new building?
Just under 650,000 square feet, making it the largest of three planned buildings at the site.
How many jobs will it bring?
A minimum of 373 full time positions initially, with additional hiring planned in phases over the following decade.
What will the facility do?
It will centralize back office hospital functions including sterilization, maintenance, engineering, distribution, and some direct pharmacy services.
Is this project related to data centers?
No. A representative for the development team specifically stated the facility is not a data center.
