Garrett Daniel Allen, principal of Yves Development, LLC, and an attorney at Cleveland-based Walter Haverfield, is leading a plan to convert the long-vacant site of the former Vermilion Intermediate School into a thoughtfully designed residential community. The property, which has sat empty and deteriorating for years, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Allen’s vision includes fully remediating the environmentally impacted site, demolishing the current structure, and building a residential development of approximately 75 to 80 units that complement Vermilion’s historic downtown architecture. The plan also includes public green space and amenities like a dog park—features meant not only for future residents, but for the entire Vermilion community.
“It’s rare to find a site that offers such a unique opportunity to support a city’s downtown core while honoring its identity,” Allen said. “We’re excited to be part of the Vermilion community and to help expand the personality and pride that already make this place so special.”
Allen emphasized that the development team is committed to maintaining Vermilion’s charm and character. The site is adjacent to established residential neighborhoods, and the design will reflect that scale and aesthetic. “We want this to be a gathering space for everyone,” he said. “It’s about integration, not isolation.”
Though formal site plans have not yet been released, Allen shared that his team has already spent several months evaluating feasibility, engaging in preliminary due diligence, and discussing possibilities with city staff. The project is still in its early stages, but Allen says it has already been shaped by community feedback.
“Almost every time we’re on site, someone stops by with excitement about progress,” he noted.
Still, Allen acknowledged that while the site is uniquely promising, it’s not without hurdles. Environmental cleanup, aging infrastructure, and demolition costs all present challenges. He said the team will explore local and state programs that may help make the project more feasible.
“Market economics alone often don’t make redevelopment like this feasible without assistance,” Allen said. “But we always aim for a win-win—something equitable and productive for everyone.”
Raised in Concord, Ohio by his mother and grandparents, Allen said his interest in real estate development grew out of an early fascination with community building and public spaces. “I’ve always been drawn to places where people gather and connect,” he said.
Today, through Yves Development and his work at Walter Haverfield, Allen focuses on projects that blend legal insight with a people-first approach. He says he hopes the Vermilion project becomes more than just a neighborhood—it becomes a place that reflects the values of the community itself.
