SAG’s Perspective of MPACT’s Development Concept
SAG has recently been asked what they think of the prospective development effort for Severance created by MPACT. In that context, the below information sets forth most of the key considerations and along side that, SAG's concerns with the MPACT development concept at this point (which is very early!). Read it for a more comprehensive explanation of SAG's perspective.
TO: Citizens Interested in Severance Town Center Transformation
FROM: Severance Action Group, November 2024
Baseline Concept
The Severance Action Group (SAG) has been working for nearly three years to promote the redevelopment of Severance Town Center (STC) and overcome the inaction of Namdar Realty, owner of much of the STC, in maintaining and redeveloping the mall.
SAG specified key development criteria for inclusion in a concept drawing (next page) of what a transformed Severance might look like. This concept has received broad support. Here are some of those elements:
1. Core concept is for a walkable village serving the full demographic spectrum and centered on a 4+ acre park.
2. Retention of both Dave’s and Home Depot.
3. Mid-rise residential buildings with a substantial number of single-floor residences suitable for the elderly of all income levels, served by vertical–not surface–parking.
4. New, locally owned and village-oriented retail and dining on ground level of buildings surrounding the park and in the wing of stores running from Dave’s to the back of HD
5. A unique attraction, ideally a medically oriented academic institution (e.g., a School of Psychiatric Nursing or Public Health including student housing ), compatible with and supportive of the new MetroHealth Behavioral Health Hospital.
Please see the concept drawing on the back of or following this page which SAG will use as a reference for evaluating the MPACT Plan.
Concerns About Current Thinking
You may have heard about the recent agreement between Namdar Realty and the firm MPACT to create a redevelopment plan within a less than 2-year time period. SAG hopes that this will result in a plan similar to our concept and acceptable to the community and lead to actual redevelopment.
SAG is supportive of the MPACT effort, but we see serious issues we are trying to address:
1. History suggests the current owner (Namdar) may not wish to complete the transaction as negotiated.
2. IF the deal closes as agreed, Namdar will remain a minority owner.
3. MPACT wants to defer removing the buildings running from HD to Walmart at least until 1st phase is complete.
4. MPACT has indicated it will consider scenarios retaining those buildings, leaving a concrete barrier down the middle of the village.
5. MPACT’s initial concept does not provide for the large central park.
6. MPACT’s initial concept envisions surface rather than vertical parking.
7. MPACT’s development timeline is very extended, ranging up to as much as 20 years.
8. MPACT prefers to do no development itself, but rather to assemble a team of developers working under MPACT.
We hope that the core concept elements listed above and shown in the drawing are generally consistent with what you would like to see in a transformed Severance, and that you share our concerns. If so, we ask you to consistently and firmly urge the City and the Developer to work towards a final plan very close to what we have imagined and presented here.
