BRECKSVILLE, BROADVIEW HEIGHTS -- For now, development on property just west of Interstate 77 on Route 82 that straddles both Brecksville and Broadview Heights is on hold.
Development of the property, owned by RFJT Limited Partnership, was being discussed by the Richard E. Jacobs Group. Jacobs Group had an option on the property which is adjacent to land it owns in Broadview Heights.
“The Jacobs Group let their option run out January 9,” said Frank Trem of RFJT Limited.
According to Trem, Jacobs wanted 24 of the acres and had spoken to the Cleveland Clinic on developing 8½ of those acres.
The Jacobs Group went to both cities to receive approval for a road. Approval was granted in Brecksville, but in Broadview Heights, City Council asked that an economic development agreement between the cities be worked out first.
At the heart of that request was concern that Brecksville would receive the bulk of the office growth and the income benefits that come along with it. At the same time Broadview Heights would receive less office, the retail component of the project and an increased strain on city services.
As it sits right now, Brecksville and Broadview Heights are still working on the Joint Economic Development District.
“We made a proposal to Brecksville on a tax split,” said Mayor Sam Alai of Broadview Heights. “The ball is in their court.”
According to Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby, it was his city’s desire to have the road built and see what development was interested before working out a JEDD.
“We’re trying to work this thing out,” he said. “I think Sam and I will work this thing out.”
According to Trem, until the cities work out an agreement, everything else is at a standstill. When an agreement is made, the next step is getting the roadway in, he added.
For now, the Jacobs Group is mum on what if any interest it has in the property citing a longstanding policy of not commenting on potential land development.
And the Clinic? According to spokesperson Heather Phillips, the hospital has no plans for that property at this time.
As for the BP gas station on Route 82, which is on property Trem owns, he said its lease is up in July, but that BP has a five year option on a renewal.
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