CLEVELAND — A project that transformed a vacant urban lot into a catalyst for revitalizing an Ohio neighborhood is seeking the community’s support for determining what’s next for the facility. 

What You Need To Know

  • Public meetings are scheduled July 10 and Aug. 14 for community members to offer input on the direction of the Vineyards and Winery at Chateau Hough

  • Chateau Hough provides employment opportunities to neighbors and people in need of a second chance.

  • The main motivator behind the project, Mansfield Frazier, passed away in 2021.

The Vineyards and Winery at Chateau Hough in Cleveland employs people from the neighborhood and those in need of a second chance following incarceration. 

“We all need somebody at some point in time to say, ‘OK, I’ll take a risk. I’ll do what it takes to see how you do,’” said Brenda Frazier, interim director of Neighborhood Solutions Inc. and interim manager of Chateau Hough, the nonprofit that oversees the vineyard/winery.

Frazier’s husband, Mansfield, initiated the project to help improve the community. 

“We just continue this cycle helping these people that are in the middle of this circle to hopefully improve their lives and do better things for the community,” Frazier said. 

Mansfield passed away last year, leaving his wife and the team at Chateau Hough to carry on his legacy. 

“His last words was to make sure I keep it going,” Marvin Foster said. “So, that’s what I’m trying to do as best as I can.”

Foster bottles and produces each bottle of wine at Chateau Hough. He also oversees the vineyard. He’s lived in the Hough neighborhood his whole life and has worked in the vineyard since it started in 2010.

“I’m proud of Chateau Hough,” he said. “I’m proud of the winery and the vineyard. Proud of the Fraziers helping me out all my life. A long time of my life.”

This is the second time Alisa Rucker has gone to work for Chateau Hough. She said she’s currently staying in a sober living house and is grateful for the chance to grow a new future for herself.

“Hopefully when we expand, we can provide more jobs to other people and other people can feel the same way that we do,” she said. “Can enjoy their job and be happy that they have another opportunity.”

Frazier said just how that expansion looks is up to the community. 

“I don’t think you can do this without community buy-in,” she said. “There have to be people that want to see it in their neighborhood, cause this is their neighborhood.”

Growing Forward community meetings are scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. July 10 and Aug. 14 at Chateau Hough.