by Steven Litt

Alta House, the splendid early 20th century Little Italy landmark resembling a brick palazzo airlifted from Tuscany, will take the first physical step toward its new life as a Montessori School on Wednesday. Contractors are scheduled to begin prepping for asbestos removal in the first phase of a $3 million expansion and renovation designed to enable classes for 120 students to begin in January.

The project promises to revive an important anchor of Cleveland's Italian-American community. Not incidentally, it should also bring fresh attention to an architectural treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Alta House Settlement, established in 1895, has formed a joint venture with Cleveland Montessori, founded just down the Mayfield Road hill in the former Holy Rosary School in 1995.

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Source: http://www.cleveland.com/