by Lynette Filips

(Plain Press April 2026) Two months have passed since I last addressed the many issues facing the corner of Memphis Ave. and Pearl Rd. in the heart of Old Brooklyn. Seemingly more and more sidebars have come up while the major issues are still in limbo. To make processing all of them easier, I’ve organized this article by using subtitles. 

 RELOCATING THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF       OLD BROOKLYN (HSOB) AFTER IT WAS EVICTED FROM ITS FORMER HOME IN THE GREENLINE BUILDING 

In the Memphis Pearl article in the January Plain Press, I stated that the HSOB was seriously looking at renting a nearby neighborhood space which would require considerable time and money to modify before the Society could use it. The HSOB chose not to disclose the address of the space because no rental agreement had yet been signed. As it turned out, the attorneys representing each of the parties never came to an agreement and that space became yet another “no longer a possibility” site for a new museum. 

After the Relocation Committee spent more time searching, another potential rental space (which does not require major renovations) became available. At press time, although acquisition of the new site is progressing favorably, the rental agreement has not yet been signed. So again, the announcement of the location of the HSOB’s new home is being deferred. In the meantime, the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation is continuing to pay for the storage of the HSOB’s artifacts and files in a facility on Tiedeman Rd.

 PEARL ROAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (PRUMC)

Also in the January Plain Press article, PRUMC was looking at a space which needed some alterations and they, too, hadn’t signed a contract. But now a contract has been signed, and they know that their temporary home will be in the former Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 8235 Memphis Ave. in Brooklyn, next to St. Elias Church. 

What PRUMC doesn’t know at press time is when they will move into it. They hope that it will be by Easter; they will need to move their altar, lectern, piano and cross there when they go. They will put their pews in storage because they will use the former Good Shepherd’s pews for as long as they remain in the rental space. They have already given away everything in their kitchen— offering it first to the members of their congregation and then the rest given to Sachsenheim Hall on Denison Ave. 

No one at PRUMC seems to know how much of their church building will be demolished for the new construction at Pearl and Memphis, but since they gave their building to OBCDC, it’s not their decision anymore. 

THE BROADVIEW SAVINGS AND LOAN BUILDINGS CONVERSION INTO APARTMENTS AND TOWNHOUSES 

The headline in an article in the Spring 2026 edition of the Old Brooklyn News, “Revitalizing Old Brooklyn; New Life for Historic Buildings”, could lead one to believe that OBCDC supports historic preservation over demolition and new development.  It is TurnDev, a Beachwood developer, who has gotten grants for historic preservation from the State of Ohio, in addition to a more recent loan from the Port of Cleveland, to redo these buildings. They have been visibly working on them since last December and could be finished this year. Since the buildings are part of the “South Brooklyn Commercial District” on the National Register of Historic Places, I am especially pleased with the developer’s commitment to preserving the exterior of the structures. 

THE SALE OF ONE OF THE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF BROADVIEW AND PEARL ROADS 

Barely was the building with the iconic angled storefront on the corner listed for $800,000. last month than an investor stepped up to purchase it. The online real estate ad still says that it’s “under contract” and I don’t yet know the actual dollar amount of the sale was. Word has it that the buyer is very interested in historic preservation and plans to refurbish all the upstairs offices in addition to the retail storefronts on both the Broadview Rd. (134’) and Pearl Rd. (88’) sides of the building.

Businesses renting space in the building purchased are:  Boost Mobile on the corner, United Hearts Mission Center with windows on both Broadview Rd. and Pearl Rd. but the entrance on Broadview, a barber shop, a beauty shop (The Noun) and a clothing store on Broadview and an airbrush painting place on Pearl. 

Since this building is also in the “South Brooklyn Commercial District” on the National Register of Historic Places, I will be speaking about it more in future articles. In the meantime, interested folks can read about it at loopnet.com. The address to reference for that purpose is 4179 Pearl Rd. 

THE ONLINE AD FOR THE SALE OF THE CVS BUILDING, THE THEO’S/OPAL ON PEARL BUILDING AND THE PARKING LOT AROUND THEM

Loopnet.com also has limited listing details about 4240 Pearl Rd. (the former CVS building) and 4250 Pearl Rd., (the former Theo’s restaurant building) and the parking lot. The map shows that the two buildings and parking lot are to be sold together. The sale became possible because the CVS parking lot rental agreement with the Loizos brothers expired at the end of January. It appears that the for sale package was first listed on February 4th. “Price upon request”, but my request phone call has not yet been returned. This is a huge site for someone to redevelop and will certainly bear watching. The potential for the loss of the historic Theo’s building, however, is concerning. 

THE FORMER ST. LUKE’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 

As winter’s grip lessened its hold on Cleveland, we preservationists feared that the demolition process would begin. But not so far. Unofficial sources have told me that they’ve seen what appear to be environmental workers and surveyors on the property, but no bulldozers or wrecking balls. 

   Till next month, if you want to refer back to any previous Plain Press articles about this historic Old Brooklyn corner, access them on the Plain Press’ website, https://plainpress.blog or on the HSOB’s website, www.oldbrooklynhistory.org. In time the HSOB also hopes to be able to share news on its website about its progress transforming another building into a museum.