Parma Heights mayor said 2023 includes demolition of NEO Soccer and completion of Nathan Hale Park basin

NEO Soccer Facility in Parma Heights. (John Benson/cleveland.com)

PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Looking ahead to 2023, Parma Heights Mayor Marie Gallo said there are numerous projects that stands out.

“One of the exciting things is we received grant funding to demolish the NEO Soccer facility,” Gallo said.

Parma Heights recently learned it was awarded a nearly $300,000 grant to demolish the closed NEO Soccer facility.

After applying earlier this year to the Cuyahoga Land Bank application for funds, the city was given a grant as a sub-recipient by the Ohio Department of Development.

The $297,750 award requires a 25 percent city match with the Cuyahoga County Department of Development stepping forward to cover the $99,250 requirement.

Built in 1974 and last used in early 2020, the 37,194-square-foot NEO Soccer facility -- formerly an ice-skating rink -- has come under hard times with a severely deteriorated roof, corroded structural steel beams and steel roof purlins, as well as numerous cracks in the structural block walls including a stress crack in the front entrance facade.

The project is expected to be going out to bid soon with demolition taking place in the spring.

Regarding the future of the 2.5-acre parcel located in the heart of the Greenbrier Commons, the mayor said all options are on the table without any sort of timeline set.

“We’re going to start meeting and look at what we want to do with that area back there,” Gallo said.

“It’ll be green space but there’s a lot of potential for something to go back there that can serve our residents.”

What Gallo described as a major 2022 disappointment due to rising cost issues is set to become one of the biggest projects in the New Year regarding another popular green space area.

The long-awaited Nathan Hale Park project -- which will transform one ball diamond and two soccer fields into a six-acre retention basin designed to provide flooding relief for more than 400 homeowners -- was estimated at $2.5 million.

After receiving bids of $3.4 million and $4.9 million due to rising fuel costs, Parma Heights had to rebid the project with the mayor optimistic it’ll be completed in 2023.

“After focusing on the Nathan Hale basin project, we’ll also have money that’s budgeted for more street improvements next year,” said Gallo, who is also excited about another cherished Parma Heights amenity going into 2023.

“We also just had our agreement with the Cassidy Theater updated so they’ll be expanding programming and their shows next year. That’s a huge draw not only for our residents but surrounding communities. They have a great following at the theater.”

Cassidy Theater in Parma Heights. (John Benson/cleveland.com)

The new one-year agreement with Cassidy Theatre Inc. regarding operation of the city-owned Greenbrier Commons venue includes potential recreational department summer camps and resident usage of community rooms.

“We’re working hard to make sure our city keeps moving forward,” Gallo said.

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