CLEVELAND — Rebuffing the concerns of church leaders over the fate of shuttered church buildings, Cleveland’s Landmarks Commission is recommending that six more Catholic churches be designated as historical city landmarks.
The designation, which would give the buildings some protection against demolition or structural changes, is opposed by the Diocese of Cleveland, which is in the midst of closing some 50 parishes. The City Council would need to adopt legislation to implement the commission’s recommendations, and in a letter sent to the commission and council members, the diocese called the proposals “extremely offensive.”
“We do not seek nor do we approve of landmark designation,” said the letter from John Maimone, a finance officer with the diocese.
The six proposed landmark-designated churches — four of which have been closed or ordered closed — would be added to a list of 31 Catholic churches already designated by the council as landmarks.
As landmarks, it could be difficult for the diocese to sell the empty buildings because the restrictions might narrow the number of possible buyers. A landmark structure cannot be demolished or structurally reconfigured without permission from the Landmarks Commission.
Share with others: