As reported by Cleveland.com, Bedford City Council unanimously approved plans for a new Ohio Department of Youth Services juvenile justice campus on Rockside Road, clearing another step for the state project.
The Bedford Planning Commission reviewed the proposal July 7 before recommending it to City Council. The facility is one of two new juvenile justice campuses planned in Northeast Ohio to replace the aging Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility in Highland Hills.
The state purchased the former U.S. Bank office building and surrounding property at 17500 Rockside Road in November 2024. Earlier this year, the Ohio Controlling Board approved $130 million for new youth rehabilitation campuses in Bedford and Grafton.
Plans for the Bedford campus include two 36-bed housing units. The existing office building will be renovated to accommodate education, programming and administrative services.
The Ohio Department of Youth Services has said the move toward smaller, campus-style facilities is intended to create a more therapeutic environment while improving safety for youth and staff.
During the council meeting, Councilman Steve Salvi addressed the reasoning behind the smaller-facility model. He said the state expects the approach to improve safety, delivery of rehabilitation services and potentially reduce recidivism. Salvi also cautioned that his review of available research did not find conclusive evidence that smaller juvenile facilities consistently produce better rehabilitation outcomes.
With City Council’s approval, the state can continue moving forward with development of the Bedford campus.
