Rainbow Terrace (Cleveland, Ohio)

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The two and three story, 28 building, apartment complex operated by Vesta Co., was originally conceived in 1954 as a part of the Garden Valley housing development which included lands to the north. Situated on the site of Kingsbury Run, long the home of hobos and derelicts, and used as a slag dumping ground for Republic Steel, the property required extensive filling before work could proceed. By 1957, the first 222 units of the development were ready for occupancy. The entire complex was completed in 1971.

Intended to house middle class African American families, the development was quickly overcome with problems. Promised parkland remained undeveloped until 1968 and the proposed neighborhood shopping center was never constructed. The extensive use of prefabrication to cut costs, poor maintenance and management soon led to the deterioration of the three story walk up apartments. In addition, the rapidly changing social climate of the 1960s opened up other housing options to African Americans. The complex, instead of housing middle class renters, became a stop-over point for upwardly mobile blacks on their way to suburban Lee-Seville, Mt. Pleasant or Glenwood.

The complex was renamed the Rainbow Terrace in 1961 and the following year the CDF had to assume the apartments. By 1963 the FHA had taken over the mortgage and finally, ten years later, administration of the complex was turned over to HUD. Unfortunately, this did little to slow the further deterioration.

vestacorp.com/rainbow-terrace/