University Heights Makes Way for New Aldi on Cedar Road Corridor

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — Demolition is underway at the corner of Cedar and Miramar roads to clear a 2.1-acre site for a new Aldi supermarket, marking a major step in the city's multiyear plan to revitalize the Cedar Road corridor. The project involves razing the three-story Waterstone Medical Center and a former Huntington Bank branch at 14100 Cedar Road. Site clearing, which began in early March, is expected to take six to eight weeks. This development is the culmination of a long-term effort by the city to attract a high-frequency grocer to the location. University Heights City Council authorized the sale and redevelopment agreements in September 2024. The project was delayed until the Huntington Bank lease expired Jan. 31, 2026. The bank has since relocated to a new branch at Oakwood Commons. Aldi officially closed on the property purchase in February 2026, paving the way for demolition crews to arrive on-site. Plans for the new store call for a 19,432-square-foot modern, energy-efficient building. The site will include 87 vehicle parking spaces and 10 bike parking spaces, aligning with the city's Active Transportation Plan. To blend with the surrounding neighborhood, the design features a perimeter wrought-iron fence, extensive landscaping and a recessed truck dock to minimize noise and visual impact on nearby residential streets. Groundbreaking for the new structure is slated for late spring 2026, with a target completion date in late 2026 or early 2027. The store is expected to create 15 to 20 new jobs and generate significant sales and property tax revenue for the county and the University Heights City School District. Officials view the Aldi as a western anchor for the redeveloped Bell Tower Center, formerly University Square. It is intended to complement other new businesses, including an Urban Air Adventure Park set to open in early 2026, and more than 200 market-rate apartments currently under construction nearby. To address concerns about increased traffic, the city and the Ohio Department of Transportation have initiated a $1.3 million signal coordination project. Work began in March to optimize signal timing along Cedar Road to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. For years, the partially vacant Waterstone Medical Center was seen as hindering growth in the area. The new development aims to connect the Target and Macy's shopping area with the Bell Tower Center, creating a more continuous and walkable retail district. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.