CLEVELAND – Now that serial kidnapper Ariel’s Castro’s house has been torn down, discussions are getting underway about what will replace it.
“There’s going to be grass seed on the front portion and wildflowers planted on the back portion of the site,” said Cleveland City Councilman Brian Cummins. “Apart from that, nothing’s been decided and I think there’s a consensus to take a deep breath, relax, make sure that everybody’s on the same field of thinking and wait until we do anything else.”
Cummings and Councilman Matt Zone are co-chairing the effort to find a future use for the site. They’ll hear the opinions of stakeholders, such as the survivors and residents of Seymour Avenue. Cummins said everything from parks and playgrounds to area business expansion are being discussed.
“We know from the economy and the work that we’re doing in general with demos and housing rehabs that it is unlikely that we’ll seek to do anything drastic or dramatic in terms of redevelopment,” he said.
Plans are in the works for a block party for the Seymour Avenue community as a way of bringing everyone together.
The plans also include helping residents fix up their own homes, getting fences painted and cracks in driveways and sidewalks repaired, in an effort to strengthen their property values.
