Final phase completes the comprehensive Cedar Extension Transformation Plan

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), The City of Cleveland,  Pennrose, Falbo Group, LLC and project partners today celebrated the grand opening of Sankofa Village IV, completing the 236-unit, $115 million Cedar Extension Transformation Plan in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland. The final phase added 50 high-quality, affordable rental homes to the 17-acre former Cedar Extension site.

Speakers at the grand opening celebration included: Jeffery K. Patterson, CEO, CMHA; Mayor Justin M. Bibb, City of Cleveland; County Executive Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County; Council President Blaine A. Griffin, Cleveland City Council; Councilman Richard A. Starr, Cleveland City Council; Lillian Davis, President, Progressive Action Council; Delores Gray, Sankofa Resident; Stephanie Pope Earley, Chairwoman, CMHA Board of Commissioners; Geoffrey Milz, Director of Development, Pennrose, LLC; Ayonna Blue Donald, VP, Ohio Market, Enterprise Community Partners; Joseph Hauge, Senior Director, Lument; Grant Miller, Legislative Liaison, Ohio Housing Finance Agency; Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., President, Cuyahoga Community College; Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director & CEO, Cleveland Public Library; Timothy B. Smith, VP, Relationship Manager, Citizen Bank; Renee Tramble Richard, Esq. Board Chair, Care Alliance; Michael Goar, President & CEO, Sisters of Charity; Jerry Valco, CEO, Ohio Educational Credit Union; and Timothy I. Henkel, CEO & Principal, Pennrose.

Phase IV offers one, two-, and three-bedroom units in a mix of townhouse and stacked flat-style apartments available at 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), about $20,900 to $41,760 for a one-person household. The brand-new apartments feature modern kitchens with Energy Star appliances, high-quality fixtures and finishes, open floor plans, individually-controlled heating and cooling, and spacious closets.

All residents will enjoy access to Sankofa Village’s full suite of community amenities, including a playground, modern fitness center, computer lab, shared laundry facilities, and an inviting community center with TV lounge, game room, and entertainment kitchen. The sustainable development was designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities standards as well as LEED Neighborhood Development guidelines.

In addition to on-site amenities, the community is conveniently located near public transportation, across the street from Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus, and less than a mile away from Cleveland State University, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, and Progressive Field. The location is also minutes from downtown, providing residents with ample shopping, dining, and cultural amenities.

"Today marks more than the completion of a development; it's a fulfillment of a promise to Cleveland families. Sankofa Village IV represents what's possible when strong public-private partnerships come together to deliver on high-quality, affordable housing," said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. "With this final phase, we're not just adding homes, we're investing in stability and opportunity for our residents. This is what the Cleveland ERA is about: moving our city forward together."

“Sankofa is a Ghanian Akan word representing the need to reflect on the past to build a successful future. Sankofa Village is just that—the transformation of the former Cedar Estates into a community around which we will build the future of the Central neighborhood,” said City Council President Blaine A. Griffin. “CMHA and its public, private, and neighborhood partners should be proud of what they achieved here in such a short time period." 

“The opening of the final phase of Sankofa Village is a powerful reminder of what resident-guided community change looks like, of what strong partnerships can achieve over the course of a decade, and of what can be accomplished through persistence and shared vision,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CEO of CMHA. “Each home represents a foundation for future families within a community gaining momentum to grow alongside the city. Through continued collaboration, CMHA will build on this progress to advance a vision that meets the evolving needs of this community.”

“The Pennrose Sankofa Phase IV development represents exactly the kind of intentional, community-driven investment our neighborhoods deserve. This final phase continues the transformation of the former Cedar Estates into a vibrant, mixed-income community that prioritizes quality housing, stability, and opportunity for residents in the Central neighborhood,” said Councilmember Richard A. Starr. “I want to thank Pennrose, CMHA, the City of Cleveland, and all of the project partners who made this milestone possible. This level of collaboration is what it takes to deliver real, lasting impact for our residents. Sankofa Village is more than a housing development; it is a model for how we rebuild neighborhoods the right way. By combining affordable housing, thoughtful design, and community-focused investment, we are creating a stronger, more equitable future for Cleveland families.”

“Today marks a notable milestone for Cleveland, CMHA, and all the community partners, residents, and neighborhood stakeholders that brought the shared vision for Sankofa Village to reality,” said Geoff Milz, regional vice president, Pennrose. “The Transformation Plan represents how innovative, ambitious housing solutions can truly transform neighborhoods, improve quality of life, and spur community reinvestment.”

The multi-phase Cedar Extension Transformation Plan is the result of a $300,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded in 2011, followed by extensive community engagement and public input. The comprehensive initiative replaced Cedar Estates, a 17-acre “superblock” with 1950s barracks-style public housing, with 236 mixed-income apartments, robust community amenities, on-site supportive services, 6,000 square feet of commercial space, interconnected green space, and an improved street network.

Financing for Phase IV includes Enterprise 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, OHFA HOME-ARP funds, Freddie Mac funds from Lument, a construction loan from Citizen's Bank, and capital contributions from CMHA's non-profit development affiliate Western Reserve Revitalization and Management Company as well as Pennrose-Falbo.

Pennrose is committed to delivering transformative affordable housing across Ohio and the Midwest region. Pennrose is also currently redeveloping the historic Warner & Swasey site in Cleveland’s MidTown neighborhood into a vibrant mixed-income, mixed-use housing community.