Cleveland Passes Tax Incentives For Community Hub Near Ariel Castro's Home

Plans to transform the former Astrup Awning building into a community hub received approval from Cleveland city council Monday night. The center would be adjacent to the land where Ariel Castro held three women captive for years.

The council approved an ordinance creating a 30-year tax increment financing agreement, or TIF, toward the renovation of the old warehouse on West 25 ^th Street.

Potential tenants in the 80,000-square foot facility include the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Boys & Girls Club, LatinUs Theater Company, and Inlet Dance Theater.

Developer Rick Foran says he wants to highlight nonprofits and artist-run establishments.

“We can begin to create a high-level or a good quality community facility for artists and nonprofit organizations,” he said.

Foran says another anticipated tenant is the Cleveland Center for Missing, Abducted, and Exploited Children and Adults. He says it’s a nod to the area’s history.

“We’re trying to pivot the whole area from this ignominious background to something that’s more with the future and more positive,” Foran said.

The crisis center was co-founded by Gina DeJesus, one of Castro’s victims.