Jessica Beam of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission presented the commission's nomination to designate the Old John Marshall High School building (15149 Lorraine Avenue) as a Cleveland landmark, saying the 1899 masonry school and its later additions "exemplifies the heritage of Cleveland and West Park in particular" and represents a longstanding neighborhood feature.

Beam walked the committee through the building's evolution—original construction in 1899, rear additions by Cleveland firm Bonnard and Parson in 1910 and later expansions, changes in use (YMCA, Leopold's furniture, later auto sales and adaptive reuses) and recent rehabilitation that returned public-facing uses such as the Wash House & Cafe.

She said the Cleveland Landmarks Commission held a public hearing on Aug. 14 and considered both support (including a West Park Historical Society representative) and objections from the property owner, who expressed concern about potential burdens of landmark status. Councilmember Slife, who sponsored the ordinance, said designation would help honor neighborhood history, expand access to historic tax credits and encourage continued investment; he noted that Ward 17 has only two landmarks to date.

Committee members asked for clarifications about building orientation and which exterior elements date to 1899; Beam and staff provided historic-frame descriptions and photo references. Council members emphasized that landmark designation does not compel the owner to change the building and that design review/district protections are consistent with existing local review frameworks.

The committee voted to approve Ordinance 1321-2025 as presented. The item will now move to the next stages required for final legislative action.