St. Vincent Charity Community Center calls demolition ‘pivotal step’ in future vision

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The planned demolition of the former St. Vincent Charity hospital early next year is part of a larger plan by the owners aimed at developing the campus on the southeast side of downtown into a collection of facilities aimed at providing health and human services to Central neighborhood residents.

The Sisters of Charity Health System said environmental work has begun, with demolition expected during the first three months of 2025.

Tearing down the hospital, which closed in November 2022, was determined to be the best option due to high maintenance costs of the aging facilities deemed "not financially feasible or sustainable," spokeswoman Mary Rose Sullivan said in a statement. Demolition plans were recently submitted to the city .

Sullivan said this marks a "pivotal step toward developing a future vision of a health and healing hub."

"The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine are steadfast in their commitment to investing in the East 22nd Street campus and the Central neighborhood, dedicated to creating a sustainable future that honors their enduring legacy of service," Sullivan said.

The hospital's main structure was built in 1964, and is about 400,000 square feet, according to county property records. It is the main building on an 8-acre site just north of Cuyahoga Community College's Metro campus.

St. Vincent, whose work dates back to the Civil War era, ended all inpatient and emergency room care two years ago, renaming the facility the St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center as it continued certain outpatient care. It's psychiatric emergency unit continued outpatient treatment through June of this year.

Among the developments or plans since the hospital's closing:

The Centers, a local health provider, purchased St. Vincent's medical office building across the street from the hospital with plans to provide behavioral health services. Renovation on the building is to begin next year, with a 2026 opening planned.

Neighborhood Family Practice is working on establishing a health center on East 22nd Street.

The Sisters of Charity Health System ministry, Joseph & Mary's Home, plans to renovate and relocate its facility for men on the site, just east of the Sisters of Charity Health building.

The pharmacy has been relocated to 2475 East 22nd Street, across from the health center where it formerly was housed.

And the Sisters of Charity Health System has pledged to continue support and funding for the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood, which aims to foster community leadership and innovation in Central.