Cleveland is finally tackling years of failing roofs, leaking plumbing and broken HVAC systems in its public-safety buildings, after officials acknowledged that deferred maintenance has left stations in rough shape. One firehouse was shut down this spring, and city leaders now say they have a multistage plan to upgrade police district buildings and launch a full review of fire stations.
City signs off on $21 million police upgrades
The city has committed $21 million to modernize all five police district buildings through a guaranteed energy-savings performance contract with Leopardo Energy, which city officials say will reimburse Cleveland if projected savings do not materialize. The work will prioritize boilers, roofs, windows and HVAC upgrades, and officials say stations will stay open while construction is underway, according to the City of Cleveland.
Firehouses flagged as unsafe in internal report
An internal facilities assessment obtained by investigators found that none of the Cleveland Fire Department’s 27 stations were rated "good" in key areas such as roofing, plumbing and HVAC. Station 30 on St. Clair Avenue has been closed since May because of water leaks and mold. The report cites leaking urinals, boarded-up windows, failing boilers and clogged sinks at multiple buildings, and city officials blame years of deferred maintenance for the conditions, as reported by News 5 Cleveland.
New headquarters and overlapping timelines
Separately, the Division of Police is slated to move into a remodeled ArtCraft building on Superior Avenue, which will serve as a new 250,000-square-foot headquarters expected to open in 2026. That project is estimated at roughly $90 million. City officials say the district-level upgrades are on a separate track but are timed to dovetail with the headquarters move, and that initial work in district buildings focused on urgent boiler repairs ahead of winter. GovTech noted that the city is using energy-savings financing and new procurement tools to move the work along more quickly.
City council and labor leaders stress accountability
Council members and labor leaders have welcomed the investment while warning that they will be watching closely to make sure promises turn into finished projects. Councilman Mike Polensek called the spending "long overdue" and said it is necessary to improve recruiting and reduce liability. Firefighters' union president Jake Konys described the plan as a step toward safer, more livable stations. Local coverage of the announcements and reaction appears in reporting by WOIO.
How the city will pay for and track the work
Council approved legislation authorizing guaranteed energy-savings performance contracts with Leopardo (Ordinance File 723-2025), allowing the upgrades to be financed from projected utility and operations savings instead of new taxes. City documents say the program is expected to create local construction jobs and include efficiency measures such as LED lighting, insulation and rooftop solar where feasible. The details are laid out in the council record on City of Cleveland Legistar.
In the short term, officials say Station 30 is expected to reopen this fall and that repairs at other neighborhood stations will be phased in a way that avoids disrupting emergency response. Residents told investigators they remain worried about coverage and want a clear schedule for work in their neighborhoods, and city leaders say they will publish timelines and progress updates as projects move ahead, as reported by News 5 Cleveland.
