CLEVELAND — Developers say by Thanksgiving, a new community arts and resource center will be open in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood.

Inlet Dance Theatre finally has a home.

“When I walked in here, immediately I was like this was it. This is what I’ve been looking for for all these years,” said Bill Wade, Inlet Dance Theatre founder/executive artistic director.

Soon the space will be multiple dance studio spaces, offices, locker rooms, and storage for costumes, props, and more.

“So nice to have all of our costumes and wardrobe right next to the studio. We’ve never had that ever in the life of this company,” said Wade.

The modern dance company is entering its 20th season, and Wade says having 7,500 square feet of space in one place has been a long time coming. Right now, each component of the dance theatre is housed separately.

“So, we’ve been this nomadic organization — kind of gypsies for way too long and putting everything under one roof is going to literally optimize our efficiency,” said Wade.

Inlet’s current studio space is in Medina.

The professional modern and contemporary dance company performs on national tours and offers collaborative educational programming around the city.

Wade hopes to inspire and empower his dancers. Currently, he’s working with a dozen.

The design of their new studio — including all of the windows and the garage door — create a platform to further the theatre’s mission.

“This huge door that will open up and let people in and out. The company is called Inlet, we want to let people into the world of, you know, American modern dance and contemporary work,” said Wade.

Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood is infamously known worldwide after three women were abused and held captive in a home on Seymour Avenue for about a decade. They escaped in 2013.

Now, the "Pivot Center” hopes to rewrite the narrative of this community through the healing power of the arts.

“That man stole more than just those three women for that time. I think he stole an entire narrative of an area of town that has a rich history and incredible culture that needs to be shared, and so we’re going to help facilitate that happening in a more positive light,” said Wade.

The organizations inside the 73,000 square foot building are meant to collaborate. Wade hopes to create synergy.

“One of the strengths that this space is going to have for the community is the cross-sector work between organizations here. Everybody that’s here is focused on serving the community,” said Wade.

The anchor tenant is the Cleveland Museum of Art. A spokesperson told me CMA’s space here will offer educational outreach programs and art installations.

LatinUs Theater Company is also part of this effort.

“Office space with our control room. In front of that, we’re going to have the risers and chairs for the audience and then we’re going to have the stage space and in the back, of course, the backstage,” said Monica Torres, LatinUs executive artistic director.

Torres can’t wait for their black box theatre to come to life.

“Trying to bring something to Ohio for the first time, a Latino, 100% Latino Theater Company that brings cultures, traditions, and language, meaning Spanish, to the Latino community here in the Clark-Fulton area,” said Torres.

LatinUs has been around for about three years, and the theater company has performed in various venues around the Cleveland area. The group's passion is providing access to authentic Spanish theater works to preserve Hispanic culture.

Prior to the construction, LatinUs had an office space in this same building and would rehearse in the hallway.

Line readings are currently done via Zoom.

In April, a Spanish classic “La Casa de Bernarda Alba." The play will have English subtitles available.

“A very strong play, but it also still speaks about the importance of the woman’s role in this world,” said Torres.

John Rivera-Resto is the play’s director.

“I was born like three blocks away from here, so it couldn’t be more centered,” said Rivera-Resto.

Throughout the building, construction crews are busy working to get the job done.

Inlet plans to host an event here mid-November, while LatinUs has the goal of conducting live rehearsals in February.

The developer says the building's transformation is set to be complete by Thanksgiving.

“When people walk into our space, I want them to feel honored and I want them to feel uplifted and inspired that more is possible than perhaps they think on the daily,” said Wade.

“We are proud and we want the community, our community, to feel proud,” said Torres.