City Council Vote Paves Way For Potential Cleveland Clinic Medical Center

Mentor City Council unanimously passed an ordinance during its meeting Tuesday night that paves the way for a possible Cleveland Clinic medical center in the Newell Creek development.

Council approved an amendment to a court order from January 2004 that allows the owners of the Newell Creek property to rezone 47 acres at the southeast corner of Norton Parkway and Center Street from a "lifestyle center" designation to a "medical campus."

Planning Commission approved the rezoning during a meeting earlier this month.

Cleveland Clinic has demonstrated an interest in the property though they have not specified what they have in mind for it.

"We appreciate the City's attention to detail and their unanimous support to our potential needs," said Heather Phillips, the director of corporate communications for the Clinic, in regards to the vote.

"While we have not made any final decisions in regards to purchasing the land, this is a successful step in our evaluation of the property. We remain committed and look forward to proceeding through our due diligence process."

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.

"We are very pleased that the Cleveland Clinic is willing to invest in our community," City Manager Kenneth Filipiak said during the meeting.

Also at the meeting:

• Council approved the expansion of a Community Reinvestment Area so it can benefit business and home owners along Tyler Boulevard and Twinbrook Road.

Any buildings in the aforementioned CRA get 100 percent property-tax exemptions for five years on any new construction or expansions.

Traub said the tax exemptions were more useful to the manufacturers in that area than an incentive grant.

• City Council recognized Mary Jean Donovan for her 20 years of service on the city's Civil Service Commission.