Cogswell Hall breaks ground for expansion and renovation

(Plain Press, August 2008) Cogswell Hall, 7200 Franklin Boulevard, broke ground on July 15th for an $8.6 million expansion and renovation of its historic 1913 building. The project will incorporate environmental friendly building methods, with preservation of a historic structure while providing affordable supportive housing to the women it serves. Cogswell Hall provides housing and supportive services to women facing critical life challenges who otherwise might be homeless.

The Board of Directors of Cogswell Hall has already accumulated $7.9 for the project. Cogswell Hall has been awarded Low Income Finance and Federal Historic Tax Credits and is the only affordable housing project in Ohio to receive the State historic Tax Credits. The City of Cleveland has committed the maximum one- year award from the City’s Housing Trust Fund with a bonus for green building design and a second year award of $400,000 towards the project. It has also granted the largest float loan ever negotiated for an affordable housing project in the city. The Women’s Philanthropic Union, which has supported Cogswell Hall since the 1920s, provided grant funds for the infrastructure for the private capital and operating reserve fund raising effort.

The expansion planned will make Cogswell Hall handicapped accessible and allow it to serve ten more women than it currently does. Cogswell Hall provides permanent supportive housing on a sliding fee scale, as well as advocacy, crisis intervention and case management.

The project will result in an environmental friendly, energy efficient, quality home for 40 extremely low income individuals. One market rate unit will also be available. The environmental friendly elements will include a LEED approved roof, low-flow faucets and showerheads, green landscaping, CFL lighting and installation of a bioswale to retain storm water on site. The landscaping of the site will feature native plants.

Partners in the expansion and renovation include Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, the City of Cleveland, Charter One, enterprise Community Partners, the State of Ohio, and the community.

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