Vinton celebrates latest economic redevelopment project with Cleveland Commons ribbon cutting

The Town of Vinton and CMART Holdings celebrated completion of the town’s latest economic
redevelopment project—Cleveland Commons—on Sept. 23.

Town officials, owners/developers Chris Dowdy and Dominic Basile, and the Vinton Area
Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the
mixed-use commercial and residential development project on Cleveland Avenue that includes
seven apartments and a commercial space. The project got underway in May 2023 when Town
Council approved a partnership plan with the developers.

Cleveland Commons is located in a historic area of Vinton, surrounded by mostly residential
neighbors, and within walking distance of downtown and also the commercial corridors of Hardy
Road and Washington Avenue. For many years, it was known as the Cleveland Mart.

Now Dowdy and Basile, with general contractor Noah Construction, have turned it into seven
one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 780-890 sq. ft. with 1,160 sq. ft. of
commercial space on the upper level. Noah Construction, owned by Mike Vanderpool, has once
again earned its reputation for quality workmanship and meticulous attention to detail.

The $1.1 million project was supported by the Town of Vinton through a public/private
partnership grant and completed within two years, with the residential units now fully leased—a
“testament to the quality of the project,” Town Manager Pete Peters said.

The town provided local grant funds for expenses associated with infrastructure improvements,
site engineering and development, façade enhancements, concrete pouring for parking, exterior
lighting, removal of telephone poles, sanitary sewer installation, landscaping for stormwater
management purposes, utility vault and water line installation, and Western Virginia Water
Authority connection and related fees and expenses.

Vinton Mayor Brad Grose said that the project “checks off all the boxes” of what the Town of
Vinton is trying to do with public/private redevelopment partnerships.

“First, it eliminates blight.” The Cleveland Mart sat empty for many years and was in poor
condition, along with a dilapidated home next door which was extremely unsightly, especially in a historic community. As part of the partnership agreement, the town purchased and demolished
that home whose site has now become green space.

“Second, it restored an underutilized property with modern housing and a space for a business. It
is a great addition to the community” and has already led to other homes being renovated nearby,
revitalizing the neighborhood.

“Third, the project was completed through a public/private partnership,” of benefit to both
parties.

The project will also generate new local tax revenues and add to the housing inventory in Vinton.
Angie Chewning, executive director of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked the
developers for “investing in Vinton.”

Owner Chris Dowdy said, “It’s been such a wonderful experience to work with the Town of
Vinton to revamp this property. Without their partnership, these revitalizations wouldn’t be
possible, and the Cleveland Commons is just another extension of the town’s effort to continue
to pour into this community. Dominic and in have been so thrilled to be a part of it!”

Dowdy is originally from Vinton and a graduate of William Byrd High School; he says it was
always “a sticking point in my mind” to take on a redevelopment project in the town.

He and Basile had worked on many projects with Vanderpool and had become great friends so
they naturally chose him as their contractor.

“This redevelopment project is consistent with the town’s goals of removing blight from
neighborhoods while revitalizing underutilized properties,” said Mayor Grose. “Chris and
Dominic have created a dynamic space for living and doing business. We are thrilled to see this
project completed and open for business.”

For more information, contact Dowdy and Basile at clevelandcommons528@gmail.com.