Parma Heights Service Department is working on the popular Greenbrier Commons entrance area. (John Benson/cleveland.com)
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Minor and major projects are planned at Parma Heights’ Greenbrier Commons.
Falling into the former category is a current effort by city workers at the front entrance of the community center.
“This was something the service department brought to my attention,” Mayor Marie Gallo said. “It’s a bit of swale over where the trees are planted by the sidewalk.
“The ground had to be brought up to grade because it was low and water would collect along where the trees were planted.
“We graded it now, especially before winter, because when the ground used to thaw in the spring it was so saturated we couldn’t get mowing equipment onto the commons in that area.”
Parma Heights Service Department is working on the popular Greenbrier Commons entrance area. (John Benson/cleveland.com)
In addition to adding dirt to level out the area, workers removed a dying tree and decorative rocks.
Something else on the city’s radar is a larger project that, once completed, will change the complexion of the popular Greenbrier Commons.
That’s the proposed demolition of the NEO Soccer Facility, which is estimated to cost $397,000.
Earlier this year, the city submitted an application to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for funding. While missing out on a spring award, the city is waiting to hear back regarding another round of funding expected this fall.
“We’d like to take it down as soon as possible, as long as we have the funding and we’re able to afford it,” Gallo said.
Closed in 2020, the NEO Soccer Facility in Parma Heights. (John Benson/cleveland.com)
Built in 1974 and formerly an ice-skating rink, the more than 39,000-square-foot NEO Soccer Facility has come under hard times. It was last used in early 2020.
The mayor said in addition to the severely deteriorated roof, which would cost $1 million to fix, there are visibly corroded structural steel beams and steel roof purlins, as well as numerous cracks in the structural block walls, including a stress crack in the front entrance facade.
“Right now, we have cold storage in that building and the police and fire use it for training once in a while,” Gallo said. “Hopefully, we get the grant and can demo the building so it doesn’t become an eyesore.”
One option the mayor isn’t ruling out is using a portion of its $2 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award. So far, the city has spent $500,000 on road projects.
“The Commons area is the heart of Parma Heights, so we want to make sure we’re maintaining it the best we can,” Gallo said.
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