Brook Park announces Forward Innovation Center at former Ford site – cleveland.com
BROOK PARK, Ohio – A defunct former Ford Motor Co. site in Brook Park will get new life after project executives, city leaders and county, state and local dignitaries gathered to break ground Wednesday (Sept. 1) for what will become known as Forward Innovation Center.
The site of Ford Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2 until 2012, the 200-plus acres were purchased in partnership by developers Weston Inc., DiGeronimo Companies and Scannell Properties for $31.5 million.
A Scannell Properties representative said the site will accommodate more than 3 million square feet of modern industrial space in 32-ft. clear height buildings, with concrete-paneled walls, LED lighting and other energy efficiencies. That equates to more than 100 million cubic feet of tenant space.
This conceptual rendering shows a Forward Innovation Center building design. (TeamWeston.com)
Names of any companies planning to operate in the new business hub were not divulged.
“It’s a very exciting time for the community, our companies and for the property, so we’re really looking forward to this,” said TJ Asher, Weston’s president of acquisitions/development group. “We’re here to make this a prosperous site once again.”
Asher read a congratulatory letter from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who called the project “a testimony to your commitment to Ohio workers and our Cleveland community.”
“I look forward to how skilled building tradespeople develop this space, and how you will fill it with new and expanding Ohio businesses,” Brown said.
The property, Asher emphasized, is perfectly situated for multimodal transportation access, including air and rail. Interstates 71 and 480 are close by, and the Ohio Turnpike is only a few miles away.
All three developers praised Brook Park Mayor Mike Gammella and his team for their leadership and collaboration. Gammella then detailed the arduous administrative road they traveled to get the Ford site positioned for purchase.
“The property had to be transferred from Ford Manufacturing to Ford Land, and this was a very critical step,” Gammella recalled. “Gary Johnson (recently retired Ford Motor Co. chief manufacturing and labor affairs officer) and Dave Dubensky (Ford Motor Land chairman/CEO) were the ones who made this transfer happen … (and) made today a reality.”
He also lauded the three development firms for their “vision, foresight, and courage to take on this project.”
“Timing in life is everything,” Gammella said, noting Forward Innovation Center will create “thousands of jobs and new industries for generations to come.”
“The renaissance of Brook Park and all of Northeast Ohio is starting here,” he added. “Right here, right now, today.”
For more information, go to ForwardInnovationCenter.com.
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