Timeline

Frank Cudell transfers land that will become the Cudell Park Group and the future West Boulevard to the City of Cleveland. 1906 Deed - Photos. It was signed by City Solicitor Newton D. Baker and Chief Engineer of Park William Stinchcomb. An original, typewritten, signed copy of this deed remains in Cleveland’s City Council Archives to this day.

Frank E. Cudell drafts his will, including a map of the “Cudell Park Group” (present-day Cudell Commons Park).  The will directs that after the death of his wife, the land of the Cudell Park Group “shall then become property of the City of Cleveland, forever, for park purposes”.

Frank E. Cudell executes his will in the presence of two witnesses, Lewis M. Lucius and Marian Bartlett. 

Frank E. Cudell dies. See: Cudell Will's City Towers and Parks. 

City Law Director sends copy of Frank Cudell’s Will to City Council, stating that, “All bequests made to the City by Mr. Cudell will become effective only after the death of the decedent’s wife, Mrs. Emma Mueller Cudell, and there is, therefore, no legislative steps to be taken by the Council at this time in order to accept the bequests.”

Draft Cluster Scenarios for CMSD Buildings. “Could build a new 400-seat school on the current site. Swing students during the construction of the new school.” 

Warranty deed from Emma Cudell to the City of Cleveland recorded in Cuyahoga County records.

CMSD Open House at Cudell Recreation Center

Recommended Scenarios for CMSD Buildings. “Build a replacement Pre-K school on the current site. Move students to a swing site during construction.”

Plain Press Article. “School Board passes draft of facilities plan extension.” 

Tamir Elijah Rice, age 12, was shot and killed by Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann at Cudell Commons Park, next to Cudell Recreation Center. At the time of his death, Tamir was a student at Marion-Seltzer Elementary School and was involved in athletics and art programs at Cudell Rec Center and the Cudell Fine Arts Center. 

Developers want old Max Hayes school and its lake view; Cleveland schools say no. Then Ward 15 Councilman Matt Zone "has pushed the district to put the new West Side high school at another location on the West Side. This spring, he appeared before the school board and said he had given the district details of several sites it could use instead." Including the combined site of the city's Cudell Recreation Center and Marion Seltzer elementary school. 

Tamir Rice Settlement Agreement Filed with US District Court 

Tamir Rice Gazebo dismantled and removed from Cudell Park to be moved to the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago, Illinois. 

CMSD School Facilities Master Plan Update. “Could build a new 400­‐seat school on the current site. Swing students during construction of the new school.” 

CMSD Planning Meeting - Gallagher and Marion Selzer. “CMSD is reconsidering its facilities plans because Cleveland’s population patterns have changed and because the independent Bond Accountability Commission has also called for a fresh look at long-term plans for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, citing trends in enrollment and construction costs. As a result, construction plans for a new school at Marion Seltzer Elementary and reconstruction plans for Gallagher High School may not move forward.” 

Community meeting at Bethany Presbyterian Church about the future of the Watterson Lake School site. 

CMSD Revised Long Term School Plan. “Build a new building. Mothball facility.” 

Polaris Engineering and Survey contracted by NRP group to create design drawings for new residential housing at the former CMSD Harry E. Davis School site. 

Design drawings for new residential development at Harry E. Davis School site submitted to Cleveland Building and Housing for permit review.

This is 148 days prior to the introduction of the land swap ordinance 75-2021 to City Council.

 Application # B20022057

Letter to Ward 15 residents from Eric Gordon and Matt Zone regarding Segment 8 being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current market conditions for construction costs. 

A swap of the former Harry E. Davis and Watterson-Lake school buildings for the City owned property adjacent to Marion Seltzer school was approved by the Board on November 17, 2020. The City’s property is useful to the District because it will serve as the site for the new Marion Seltzer school to be part of Segment 8. The District will abate and demolish Watterson Lake with co-funding from the OFCC." 

Cleveland City Council selects leader of Detroit Shoreway non-profit to replace Councilman Matt Zone. Jenny Spencer, the managing director of nonprofit Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, was selected to replace Councilman Matt Zone.

Cleveland City Council selects leader of Detroit Shoreway non-profit to replace Councilman Matt Zone. Jenny Spencer, the managing director of nonprofit Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, was selected to replace Councilman Matt Zone.

https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/sites/default/files/2021-11/City-Record-02-05-2021-Updated.pdf

Ordinance 75-2021 introduced to City Council for first reading. Referred to the Directors of Public Works; Community Development; City Planning Commission; Finance; and Law; Committees on Municipal Services and Properties; Development, Planning and Sustainability; and Finance. 

Encroachment Easement legislation, Ordinance No. 883-2020, passed by City Council, giving the Tamir Rice Foundation the right to install a memorial at the site Tamir was killed. 

Land swap would clear way for new Cleveland school to go up near site of Tamir Rice shooting. "Under the plan, the school district would get about 2.2 vacant acres adjacent to Cudell Recreation Center along West 98th Street just south of Detroit Avenue on the West Side. That land would be used as site of a new Marion C. Seltzer Elementary School."

City, CMSD agree to land swap that will create new school in Cudell, development opportunities. Article published by The Land. 

Cleveland City Council Finance Committee https://fb.watch/n0hiWraKlD/ 

Time stamp 0:26:40 the committee discusses Ordinance 75-2021. Long discussion on an unrelated topic.  All sponsors affirmatively supported the ordinance.  Ordinance was approved out of committee.

Passage of Ordinance No. 75-2021. Rules suspended and ordinance passed as an emergency measure.  Land swap with CMSD for Marion C. Seltzer School at Cudell Commons. 

Permanent Easement recorded with the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office giving the Tamir Rice Foundation the right to install a memorial at Cudell Commons Park, according to Ordinance No. 247-2021. 

Permanent Easement recorded with the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office giving the Tamir Rice Foundation the right to install a memorial at Cudell Commons Park, according to Ordinance No. 247-2021. 

Email exchange regarding Encroachment Permit vs. Park Adoption. 

Community Engagement for Watterson-Lake redevelopment.  “Community members participated in numerous engagement activities in November & December 2021, including two on-site pop-ups, two community workshops (in-person & virtual), as well as an online Community Values Survey and an opportunity to submit general feedback via this website. The Site Engagement Report can be found by clicking here. 

Marion-Seltzer School Construction Meeting. This plan includes an athletic field on the newly acquired CMSD property and does not extend into the mature tree canopy at the north end of Cudell Commons. See also: CMSD seeking public input on school construction projects. CMSD Communications Officer indicated that a subsequent meeting would be held in May 2022 to update community of feedback received. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS228NzC0Vc 

2021-01-24-Lot-split-plat. Landmark Parcel gifted by Frank Cudell split. 

Conceptual plan review by the Local Historic Clifton-West Blvd-Detroit Design Review Board.  

A community meeting on the draft RFP for the Watterson-Lake site was held. 

Landmark Commission meeting. Date on the site plan presented, 8/10/2022, with Office of Capital Projects title. The relevant presentation begins at 2 hours, 45 min, 20 seconds. 

Marion-Seltzer School Construction Meeting. CMSD presents a revised plan that moves the athletic field, increases the parking lot size, and moves the building footprint further north into the mature tree canopy. 

Final plan review by the Local Historic Clifton-West Blvd-Detroit Design Review Board.  Plans recommended for approved 5-2 and forwarded to Landmarks Commission.

Certificate of Appropriateness issued by Cleveland Landmarks Commission for case number 22-064. See YouTube video for meeting.

The relevant presentation is from at 43 minutes 10 seconds to 1 hour 19 minutes 20 seconds.

Design Revisions responding to the Landmarks Commission review. 

First public meeting organized by Councilmember Spencer at the community’s request at Cudell Rec regarding tree loss. 

Second public meeting organized by Councilmember Spencer at the community’s request at Cudell Rec regarding tree loss. 

CMSD Board of Education public meeting.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bns-O2r86uo&t=26s 

(1:15.00) Friends of Cudell Common Parks make various statements requesting the park and trees be saved  

(1:51:30) CMSD’s consultant falsely claims that the plan to build a new school on park land was “reaffirmed” 

(1:52.20) CMSD’s consultant falsely states that OFCC was not conducting meetings until Fall 2021. This is contradicted by the July 8, 2021 OFCC funding approval date listed above. 

(1:52.50) CMSD’s consultant misrepresents to the Board of Education the level of community planning engagement. As noted before, there was a major design change from what was presented to the community in March 2022 and what was subsequently presented to Landmarks in August 2022.  There was no public input on the design changes prior to the consultant moving the project to the permitting phase. 

Watterson-Lake school demolished. 

Councilwoman Jenny Spencer issues a public statement regarding the planning process of the new Marion Seltzer School.  States that “CMSD will be proceeding with their current design for Marion C. Seltzer” 

Friends of Cudell Commons Park group begin to meet at 7am daily at Cudell Park to guard the trees, after learning that CMSD had acquired tree removal permits.

 *PHOTOS

Councilwoman Jenny Spencer issues a correction via social media to her previously released public statement. 

“CORRECTION: I am issuing a correction to my statement from Friday, September 1st. Several residents approached me and reminded me that Cleveland Metropolitan School District held a community meeting for Marion C. Seltzer on March 15, 2022. I was not able to attend the March 2022 meeting and inadvertently omitted it from my statement. CMSD's stated purpose for the 3/22 meeting was a "Visual Preference Exercise" however an alternate site plan was presented. Engaged residents attended, and most left the meeting understanding that the depicted site plan was the final one. I will be reaching out to CMSD and ask that they issue a clarifying statement about what happened between March 2022 and October 2022 and why the site plan changed. Link to my prior statement”

Councilmember Jenny Spencer issues correction to previous statement regarding Cudell Park.

 Councilwoman Spencer Retracts Statement, Pivots & Points to CMSD for Answers

Friends of Cudell Commons Park Group are granted a Temporary Restraining Order by Judge Nancy Russo. 

         Judge grants TRO blocking CMSD tree removal at Cudell Commons - Ideastream

Friends of Cudell Commons Park group hold press conference/rally day after being granted TRO. 

         Press Release 9-20-2023

         Statement by Dennis J. Kucinich

         New school vs. old trees: Is a Cleveland park protected from development? - Cleveland.com

         Cudell Residents Save Historic Cudell Trees For Now - Plain Press

         *PHOTOS

Cudell Heir Steps Forward Supporting Efforts to Save Historic Park

         10.24.23 Media Rally Announcement PR

         Statement by Gail Lundberg

         Descendent steps forward to try and save historic Cleveland park

         Cudell descendant urges Cleveland Schools not to use Cudell park for new school

         *PHOTOS

Part 1 of Preliminary Injunction Hearing at Justice Center with Judge Nancy Russo. 

         Construction of School in Cudell Commons Delayed as Court Battle Continues - Scene

Part 2 of Preliminary Injunction Hearing, Including Closing Arguments with Judge Nancy Russo.

*PHOTOS 

Judge Nancy Russo Recused Herself from Case

         New judge assigned to Cudell Park tree fight: I-Team

Friends of Cudell Commons Park Write Open Letter to Mayor Bibb

         Open Letter to Mayor Bibb

Judge Ashley Kilban Denies Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Vacates TRO Protecting Cudell Park

         Judge clears way for CMSD to proceed with new school on Cudell park - Ideastream

Friends of Cudell Commons Park Hold Candlelight Vigil to Save Cudell Park

         Cudell Rally/Candlelight Vigil 3-3-24 press release

         *PHOTOS

March from Cudell Park to School Board Meeting at Waverly Elementary for Protest and Public Comment

Save Cudell Park partnered with Sensible Movement Coalition to have an eclipse party at Cudell Park. 

PHOTOS