Northern Ohio Blanket Mills Honored with National Historic Preservation Award

Oct 06, 2026

CLEVELAND, OHIO—The development team behind the Northern Ohio Blanket Mill has received one of the nation's highest honors in historic preservation. The project has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits Historic Rehabilitation Award for Historic Tax Credit Non-Residential Development that Best Exemplifies Major Community Impact. 

Presented annually by Novogradac, the awards recognize exceptional historic rehabilitation projects from across the United States that demonstrate excellence in preservation, community revitalization, and economic development. This year, only four projects nationwide were selected for recognition. 

Located in Cleveland's Clark-Fulton neighborhood, the Northern Ohio Blanket Mill was constructed between 1889 and 1895 as one of the country's leading horse blanket manufacturing facilities. Before redevelopment, it stood as the largest vacant industrial building in the neighborhood, reflecting decades of disinvestment and unrealized potential.
Today, the historic complex has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use development featuring:

  • 60 affordable apartment homes
  • Approximately 40,000 sq. feet of office, medical, and commercial space
  • Preservation of one of Cleveland's most significant historic industrial landmarks
  • New investment and employment opportunities in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood

The redevelopment was led through a partnership between Levin Group, Inc. and Metro West Community Development Organization, utilizing a combination of Historic Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, Brownfield remediation funding, and other public-private financing tools. 

"This recognition reflects years of collaboration among public agencies, private partners, neighborhood organizations, and project stakeholders who shared a common vision of bringing this historic building back to life," said Mort Levin, President of Levin Group, Inc. 

“Thanks to the work of all our partners, Blanket Mills has been transformed from a vacant building into a place that helps move Clark-Fulton forward,” said Councilwoman Jasmin Santana, who represents Cleveland Ward 14. 

“Its impact is about more than the building itself. It’s about giving people the opportunity to live with dignity in their own community, close to childcare, health care, and the services and connections that support families. When residents can find a stable home and meet their everyday needs in the neighborhood, the whole community benefits. I’m grateful Novogradac recognized Blanket Mills' meaningful impact.” 

"The Northern Ohio Blanket Mill demonstrates how historic preservation can serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization," said Kevin Hudson, Development Manager for Levin Group, Inc. 

"By preserving an iconic Cleveland landmark while creating affordable housing, healthcare access, employment opportunities, and commercial investment, this project represents exactly the type of community impact these awards were created to recognize." 

The project has attracted a diverse mix of commercial tenants, including healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and businesses serving the surrounding community, helping establish the Blanket Mill as a neighborhood destination while preserving its historic character. 

Award recipients will be honored at the 2026 Novogradac Historic Tax Credit Conference in St. Louis this October.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Office of Councilmember Jasmin Santana
Cleveland City Council, Ward 14
(216) 664-4238