Cleveland Clinic Interested In Developing In Newell Creek

The Cleveland Clinic's interest in Mentor may extend .

The Clinic has requested that 47 acres at the southeast corner of Norton Parkway and Center Street be rezoned from a "lifestyle center" designation to a "medical campus."

The item is on the Planning Commission's agenda for its meeting this upcoming Thursday at Mentor City Hall.

"We are currently in a due diligence process which could position us to acquire land in Mentor," said Heather Phillips, the director of corporate communications for the Clinic. "At this time, no specific decisions have been made regarding potential uses of the land. We look forward to the City Planning Commission’s review later this month."

A "medical campus" zone can be used for diverse reasons, said Ron Traub, the city of Mentor's director of business and economic development.

It can include everything from physician's offices to a full medical center with a helicopter pad.

Mentor City Council President Scott Marn said the city has been in on-again, off-again talks with the Cleveland Clinic for the last 10 years. However, discussions took on a new momentum when Kenneth Filipiak became city manager three years ago.

Filipiak added that the scope of Cleveland Clinic's intentions can be inferred from the size of the property lot in which they are interested.

"It stands to reason that, if they're looking at 47 acres, they may have ambitious plans," Filipiak said.

Marn said that the Cleveland Clinic's impact on the city could be enormous, regardless of the scope of its project.

"It will be nice to have a major health-care provider in the city, considering the size and caliber of Mentor," Marn said.

"We're very optimistic that (the Clinic) is a perfect fit for Mentor," Filipiak said. "We'd love to see them expand their presence in Mentor and we'll do everything in out power to make that happen."

If the Planning Commission approves the rezoning, the City Council would then have to vote on it, as well.