*** The opinions and remarks expressed in this post are solely mine and do not reflect the opinions, principles, or conduct of my employer or the organization that I am affiliated with. ***
Last September, members of the Friends of Cudell Commons Park group were granted a temporary restraining order preventing Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) from proceeding with the construction of a new Marion-Seltzer Elementary school on what is now Cudell Commons Park. CMSD’s plans would result in the loss of 44% of the Park’s greenspace, the basketball courts in the northeastern corner of the park, and the destruction of 40 mature trees.
After hearing two days of testimony including closing arguments regarding our request for a preliminary injunction, Judge Nancy Russo recused herself from the case, citing a conflict of interest. The case was reassigned to Judge Ashley Kilbane who recently ruled against the preliminary injunction and vacated the TRO, saying in part, "Plaintiffs claims of harm only discuss the removal of trees, and mature trees; but they do not address how they would still be irreparably harmed after new trees are planted and grow into mature trees." This type of illogical reasoning is exactly why Cleveland continues to lose its tree canopy at an alarming rate.
The Friends of Cudell Commons Park group is planning a march from Cudell Park to the next CMSD School Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, where we will gather to peacefully protest before the meeting and participate in the Board’s public comment portion, asking the CEO of CMSD Dr. Warren Morgan, the School Board, and Mayor Justin Bibb to come up with a plan for a new school that doesn’t require destroying the Cudell neighborhood’s only park.
We will be leaving the Park at 5pm to make the short approximately 2 mile walk to Waverly Elementary school on W. 57th Street.
We are asking for your support now,
Sign our petition: https://shorturl.at/msyLS
Donate to the GoFundMe: https://shorturl.at/kwP24
Email Justin M. Bibb and CMSD CEO Warren Morgan, EdD to #SaveCudellPark
#ClimateMayor #JustinFibb #ClimateMayorBibb #ParksOverCorps #parksandrecreation
Senior Director, Business Partnerships at Texas Rangers Baseball Club
1moNice job, Alex Parisi!