The closure of Coventry Elementary School by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education in 2007 set off a series of community-driven efforts to determine the future of the building. A year later, the Coventry School Study Committee, composed of 23 citizens, recommended preserving Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park & Playground and leasing the building to sustain the school district’s finances. They emphasized the impracticality of a quick sale due to a surplus of vacant school properties. The committee proposed converting Coventry into a multi-tenant space for local arts and nonprofit organizations, a vision that began to materialize in 2010 with Ensemble Theatre’s lease agreement, later joined by Lake Erie Ink, FutureHeights, Reaching Heights, ARTFUL, and others.

In May 2017, the tenants learned of the school district’s intent to sell the building, prompting their leases to convert to month-to-month agreements starting in July. Faced with an uncertain future, the tenants rallied together, urging the district and Cleveland Heights officials to commit to one-year lease renewals and collaborate on establishing a permanent arts, culture, and education center. Their advocacy and community support led to a pivotal decision in November 2017, when the Board of Education considered transferring the property to Heights Library. By January 2018, the transfer was formalized, marking a new phase where library officials worked closely with the tenants to navigate their partnership and secure the building’s future.

Under the umbrella of Coventry PEACE Inc., formed to manage the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. building, tenants negotiated a 2-year master lease with the library, aiming to transition to full control and secure broader funding for improvements. Despite setbacks, including challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the organization attracted new tenants and generated a surplus exceeding $40,000. However, just before a long-term lease was to commence, the library leadership unexpectedly rescinded the agreement, reclaiming operations of the building.

After a year of negotiations, the tenants reached individual lease agreements with the library, initially securing 18-month terms starting January 1, 2023, with an option to extend through December 2025. Recently, due to a technicality, the library denied the tenants their full lease options, leaving them with short-term 6-month leases effective July 1, 2024. This uncertainty raises concerns about their future occupancy, potentially leading to relocation by the end of December 2024.

Currently housing 12 nonprofits, including three newer entities with leases extending through 2025, the nine affected organizations remain united in their commitment to “Keep The P.E.A.C.E.” They are prepared to revive their vision for establishing a permanent Arts, Culture, and Education Hub, reaffirming their dedication to the Coventry community and its cultural legacy.