A breakthrough for Severance Town Center [Video]

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Cleveland Heights officials are cheering a breakthrough at Severance Town Center, a sprawling shopping center that’s been decaying for more than a decade.

A new development group is stepping in to shape the future of the property, roughly 40 acres in the heart of the East Side suburb. MPACT Collective, based in New York, has formed a joint venture with Namdar Realty Group, which has owned Severance since 2016.

MPACT will play the role of master developer, coming up with an idea and working to make it a reality. That process will include navigating city approval processes, such as rezoning; coordinating with existing tenants; and soliciting feedback from residents.

“If we work at this together, I’m super confident that we can get something done,” said Ryan Porter, MPACT’s managing partner. “It’s gonna take time. And people will have to be patient. But I believe that, together, …