Mixed-Use Development Coming To Downtown Berea

BEREA, OH — Downtown Berea will be getting a facelift very soon. Baldwin Wallace University (BW), in partnership with the DiGeronimo Companies, announced on Monday that a new, mixed-used development will be built in downtown Berea. The development will add student housing options to the campus and will bring commercial development into downtown.

The 64,000-square-foot mixed-use site will be on Front Street, adjacent to the Conservatory of Music's Kulas Musical Arts Building, along Berea's main downtown corridor. DiGeronimo still needs to get approval for some architectural drawings, but demolition on the existing buildings is expected to begin this summer.

Kevin DiGeronimo, principal at the DiGeronimo Companies, has been working on the development of this project for three years, his company said in a statement. His vision is slated to open in fall of 2018. The facility will be home to 131 students, living in 81 units above 16,000 square feet of commercial space. The commercial space will be owned and leased by DiGeronimo.

Crain's Cleveland is reporting the project will cost about $15 million to complete.

"I am excited about breaking ground on this development and committed to delivering a project that the Berea community will be proud of," DiGeronimo said in a statement. "At every step of this process, Baldwin Wallace and the City of Berea have been extraordinarily helpful, challenging us when needed while working to create a collaborative win for all."

Existing businesses at the Front Street site, which will run from roughly 111-118 Front St., will be working with DiGeronimo on the final architectural plans. The existing companies include Papa Johns, China House, and US Bank. They will receive assistance in relocating, according to a press release.

"BW is excited to be part of a creative development that is good for the University and good for the City of Berea," says Baldwin Wallace President Robert C. Helmer in a statement. "This novel collaboration will expand the attractive, contemporary housing options available to BW students and, at the same time, provide vibrant economic development for downtown Berea."

The university says student housing in the facility will include both studio and doubles, as well as six accessible units. The BW bookstore will also be relocated to the ground floor of the new development. There will also be a Starbucks Coffee in the space. Other commercial tenants will be announced at a later date, DiGeronimo Companies said.

"This innovative project supports the city’s long-standing economic development goal to create more residential and commercial synergy in our downtown core," says Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem in a statement. "Our Master Plan calls for BW to be a bigger part of downtown Berea to encourage more students and families to patronize our businesses."

Photo of Front Street from Google Earth; rendering from DiGeronimo Companies