CLEVELAND — From a new housing department, to the creation of a child wellness center, to securing a controversial new site for the Cuyahoga County Jail — County Executive Chris Ronayne said his administration got things done in his first year in office.
“I think the postscript on 2023 is this is a county that was on the move,” Ronayne told 3News’ Matt Rascon during an interview Tuesday. “It’s nice when you come off a campaign and you hear from the people, and then you know what you got to get done.”
For years, government leaders have debated moving the county jail, still plagued by reports of inmate deaths and inhumane conditions. Ronayne helped make it happen, pushing for a new site outside of Cleveland in Garfield Heights.
“At some point, you are actually wasting taxpayer dollars if all you’re doing is talking about something. We had to move and we did,” he said.
The County Council voted to buy the 72-acre plot for $38 million last September after a heated debate. The opposition continued as the conversation shifted to how to pay for not just the land but the planned campus, which carries a price tag of around $750 million.
Ronayne said the new jail will have better lighting, food service and access to healthcare. For taxpayers, it also means 40 more years of a sales tax increase to fund the building. Council narrowly approved the sales tax extension last month.
“We’re putting band aids on an old problem and now we’re moving towards fixing something by building something new that is, again, better for our safety and those in our custody. But of a practice in the future that actually spreads this thing out,” he said.
The move from Lakeside Avenue could have ripple effects on the Justice Center that’s been in downtown Cleveland for nearly 50 years. Ronayne said they already have a request for proposal (RFP) to solicit bids from contractors on a new courthouse. He said one scenario would keep the courthouse where it is, but multiple other scenarios involve new construction or renovating an existing building.
Ronayne said moving the Justice Center complex would open the door for opportunities for the 6.7-acre space to be “a contributor to a future in growth for the lakefront, the warehouse district, the hospitality district.”
“This is a big, big land space that’s frankly one of the best pieces of property in Cleveland, but between Chicago and New York. And I think that’s exciting to be a part of a downtown reimagination as well,” he said.
It’s an important conversation as cities across Cuyahoga County work to attract more visitors while also cutting down on violent crime. The County Prosecutor’s office recently reported a record 41 juveniles had been charged with homicides in 2023.
“Youth violence is a critical concern. Youth carrying guns, committing crimes with guns, this is the conversation we need to have with our own partners in the state of Ohio to say, what are these policies that are flooding guns into our communities and kids are carrying guns?” he said.
“We got to change that narrative. We got to move in a different direction because some kids are just—their lives are being affected in a way that their entire life is changed for the rest of their life.”
Ronayne said he was looking forward to more exciting days ahead in 2024, with a focus on making most out of resources in the county like the Cuyahoga River.
Related Stories:
- Cuyahoga County Council approves 40-year sales tax extension to pay for new jail
- Cuyahoga County Sheriff pushes to hire 90 new deputies
- After heated debate, Cuyahoga County Council approves $38 million land purchase for new jail in Garfield Heights
- Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne gives 2023 State of the County address