Mixed Use spaces/Artist lofts

[Phil Florian]

Howdy!
I am working with an individual with a disablity who is a gent who works out of his apartment in the Detroit-Shoreway/Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland. He collects scrap and items and cleans them up and re-sells them to Lorain Rd. antique stores or recycles the precious metals (from old computers, electronics, etc.) to scrap yards. His chosen avocation (which is does tirelessly 7 days per week, day and night) does well for him but isn't a good match for typical apartments. He doesn't have the funds to pay for a work space, either.
I really think the types of "artist lofts" that are so popular, especially on the east side (but there is a nice one on Scranton on this side of town, too) would be perfect. Huge open spaces, concrete floors, etc. The only problem is that once they become "hip" and popular, they get priced out of range for lower income people.
Are there any types of low-rent versions of this kind of space in Lakewood or near West side of Cleveland that we might look at? It seems as soon as a place is found rents jump up into the thousands, even in neighborhoods of Cleveland where the average rent is typically $350-500 per month.

Realtors haven't been helpful, yet, as they keep pushing existing product that has high price tags or typical apartment dwellings.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Phil

[DougHuntingdon]

I don't know if this will work for him or not, but I remember reading a few years ago about some abandoned warehouse space by LTV. You could rent a 20x 20 room for $50 a month or something. Keep in mind if it had a window, it was probably smashed out, and there may be oil or tar spilled all over the floor, etc, along with all kinds of little rusty pieces of metal and who knows what else. There were young aspiring bands who were renting space there so that they would not bug the neighbors or their parents.

Doug