Ctownrocks1

Specialty Retailer To Soon Open At Tower City CLEVELAND -- One of the east coast's premier specialty retailers of urban-inspired apparel is coming to Tower City. VILLA, a leader in community revitalization and urban business development, will open a store at Tower City on Nov. 13. Opening events include a lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 13. There will also be a sneaker giveaway. http://www.newsnet5.com/money/21496458/detail.html

Are you saying 34,000 people unemployed is better then 34,000 people having minimum wage jobs, or having more tax money generated for cities and Ohio would be worse off then the cities not having that extra cushion? You said 200 million is a very small number for schools yet is $0 better? Obviously casinos are not the answer to our economic issues but does it actually make it worse? Some might say it will drive other business out and is the only legitimate reason I could see going against this but even that is a little skeptical. Some of my friends work in downtown as servers and the tips they make for a 4 hour or 6 hour shift is mind boggling sometimes. I haven't heard of good reasons to vote against the casinos. People are going to gamble no matter what, whether it is online, other states, or the gambling options already available to us. Quicken Loans Arena has over 200 stands for food as well as restaurants yet once people leave the arena they go frequent the neighborhoods and it will be no different with a Casino since it will draw more people in general as well. If a company came and said they want to invest at least 250 million dollars in your city in its urban core and said they are willing to get taxed 33% (not including the tax you get on wages, sales tax etc), want to upgrade your infrastructure, wants to market your city and draw tourists and wants to employ 34,000 people, would you reject this company especially since companies now leave at a drop of a hat for wherever they can get the most tax breaks?

Wasn't sure where to put this Revol Wireless Sponsors High-Tech Window Display in Downtown Cleveland The historic Higbee Building has received a 21st-century high-tech addition with the introduction of cutting-edge technology in its corner display window on Public Square at Euclid Avenue and Ontario Street. More on the topic at http://wireless.sys-con.com/node/1166653

There are 15 people on the board.

I didn't know that Drew Carey was on the board of directors for the USA Bid Committee, hopefully that helps Cleveland's chances. Also how much of an effect do these petitions have for the host cities? Do you think it will make that much of a difference on what cities they really choose?

What Cleveland Has that Pittsburgh Wants Elaine Labalme Wednesday, October 28, 2009 I have a confession to make: I like Cleveland. Take it back, I love Cleveland. Maybe it's the New Girl in me and the inherent immunity to old rivalries with Pittsburgh, but I find the city by the lake to be charming and happening at the same time. http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/cleveland102809.aspx

The Cleveland market, which includes roughly 21,300 rooms in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties, saw its occupancy rate fall 6.2 percent, to 56.8 percent. For the US as a whole it showed an average of 56.7% occupancy - this was out just 2 days ago. New Orleans' at 42.5 percent occupancy was the lowest NYC at 84.7 percent was the highest http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2009/10/new_orleans_hotel_occupancy_dr.html http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2009/09/mt-preview-0caabccef4e40c2d54bca175a91abb02fc357d16.html

So I was driving on Wichita Ave because someone told me about this house <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I8C4Ist3F3f5589O8J--vg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Tkht73Voo2U/SuIaJ6pkD7I/AAAAAAAAADs/d9iO4g-KYmU/s800/P1060532.JPG" /></a> Then I found the house with the Transformers which were bigger then I thought they would be. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4GpKR36lyiX9VYlVIzPN4Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Tkht73Voo2U/SuIUBa9ku6I/AAAAAAAAADM/GGWxJdIgESo/s800/P1060538.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OselBxg2FkA-6JXIAtqrJQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Tkht73Voo2U/SuIUgQr9cnI/AAAAAAAAADU/qnzGgfyqntA/s800/P1060537.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0WjEZhBxcXz3YzMAlvumPQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Tkht73Voo2U/SuIVVHvSIAI/AAAAAAAAADY/jWVWI8_SPF8/s800/P1060536.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/p7tUXVlBjbPJt3KyM38nzA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Tkht73Voo2U/SuIaI6bZo8I/AAAAAAAAADg/TuuJKNO0iSk/s800/P1060535.JPG" /></a>

I know there use to be a TON of people who needed rides from University of Dayton to Cleveland either for students to get back home or go to someevent. I even remember a lot of the Chinese students that were here only for a semester or a year that wanted to go to Cleveland simply to catch a basketball game to see LeBron and they really didn't know much about the US in general so a direct bus would have probably helped there too.

Magic of the mid-west Friday, October 02, 2009, 13:29 http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Magic-mid-west/article-1388319-detail/article.html THERE'S no Mickey Mouse and you're a good couple of days' drive from Silicon Valley. This is the real America. The mid-west city of Cleveland is so much more than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is its most famous landmark. Housing rare artefacts as well as stage wear belonging to the biggest names in music, and numerous video and audio displays, one full day may not be enough for the music fanatic. ............................... I also love the comments at the end of the article for instance I am glad to know that there are people who come to Cleveland and are happy to report the good things about this city. I hate to say it but this visitor has done so much more here than I have done in 16 years and his reporting has prompted me to make sure that I take more time to know my city and state and stop trying to run to other states and countries. My sister and nephew live in England and I will visit them next April but rest assured, I will make some local plans so that when they come back to visit me, I can take them around and actually be able to be the tour guide rather than being the tourist that actually lives here. Once again, thanks for your comments and i jope when you return, you will be able to visit the sites that you didn't have time to visit before.

Not the greatest photos buy I snapped a couple while driving

This was from June - Jacobs intends to take one of the most iconic buildings in the City of Cleveland and the mid-west - the Historic Powerhouse - and create an aquarium complex that encompasses 123,000 sq. ft., including 55,000 sq. ft. of exhibit related space. "We are excited about bringing an aquarium with world-class features to the City of Cleveland," said Pat McKinley, Executive Vice-President for Jacobs The site also has pictures, floor plans, as well as other data. http://www.19actionnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=10606140

http://www.literacycooperative.org/pr/ATR.pdf This is the source that http://www.seedsofliteracy.org/index.php/facts used. The 69% is the Literacy rate for level 1 and level 2. The National Average is approximately 51% for level 1 and level 2. It's 72 pages long but has a lot of information on Literacy rates in Cleveland and the county as well. It also details the Cleveland Neighborhoods as well as what level of literacy they are at.

Not sure about that but another study showed Cleveland as the 13th most literate city. http://web.ccsu.edu/amlc07/overall_rankings/11-30.htm

Not sure if u were serious or not but its Severance Hall - Home of the Cleveland Orchestra

City to grant $700,000 if Gay Games come here by Anthony Glassman Cleveland--The city’s bid to host the 2014 Gay Games got another boost on September 14 when Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant to assist the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission in putting on the event. “We’re showing in good faith that we want to bring the Gay Games here and are willing to put up some cash,” said city economic development director Tracey Nichols. “We need to show that this is a strong commitment.” http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories09/september/0925092.htm

Here are a few pictures of it from my Grandma's Backyard.

Effort to attract 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland showcases the teamwork the city can achieve when stature and dollars are on the line -- editorial Friday, September 18, 2009 To win the Gay Games won't just enhance our reputation, it also will put cash in our pockets. The 11,700 participants and over 100,000 spectators to the 2006 Chicago games pumped $80 million into its regional economy. A final decision on site selection will be made Tuesday. Our bet's on Cleveland. http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1253262816132920.xml&coll=2

At least they finally changed the opening date on the flatseast.com site from opening in 2010 :)

Some of the news from the flatseast.com site - http://flatseast.com/documents/press-releases/Flats-Restart-Release.pdf It is essentially 3 pdf files and I did not include everything in here. I was also not sure if I can post this much info considering it really isn't a news site, but if it is too much info I can edit it. Every great city has a vibrant one-of-a-kind destination point. In Cleveland, that place will be Flats East Bank. The $270+ million Phase 1 riverfront development will offer: * 450,000 sq. ft. of Class A office space featuring a green rooftop terrace for anchor tenants including Ernst & Young and Tucker Ellis & West * A 150-room business class hotel featuring top-quality room design, a high-tech conference center, as well as a landscaped terrace and covered pathways with direct connectivity to the office tower * Energetic architecture and design, innovative lighting, bold color, sculpture and public art— all with breathtaking waterfront and skyline views * An inviting 14-acre public park with plush green space, open recreational fields, a 1200 ft. riverfront boardwalk with riverfront dining and a 3-acre urban beach for lounging or sand volleyball *A 14,000 sq. ft. regional state-of-the-art health club and 15,000 sq. ft. of unique retailing as well as casual and fine dining options * Seasonal pavilions for festivals, programs and activities * Plentiful parking balanced between a structured parking facility and appropriately designed surface parking lots Future phases to include extensive waterfront housing as well as additional shops, restaurants and entertainment The updated development plans will include a 450,000 s.f. office tower with spectacular views for tenants including Ernst & Young and Tucker Ellis & West. The office tower will have a rooftop terrace and connect to a 150-room business class hotel featuring top-quality room design and a high-tech conference center. Plans also include a 14,000 s.f. health club, 15,000 s.f. of retail, riverfront dining and seasonal pavilions for festivals, programs and activities. Developer Scott Wolstein said: “We refused to abandon this effort because we want to see the community thrive. This project will ignite our downtown and enhance the image of the Flats, the city of Cleveland and all of northeast Ohio. “With any project of this magnitude there will be hurdles,” he continued. “Being able to clear hurdles is a testament to the strength of the project and the fortitude of the good team that stands behind it. Flats East Bank is today moving forward because of the ongoing efforts and strategic collaboration of our public and private partners.” Visitors and nearby downtown residents – who currently have little access to outdoor public space – will be able to take advantage of a 14-acre public park with plush green space, open recreational fields, and a 1,200-foot riverfront boardwalk. The development plans offer some new, exciting components as well – most notably a three-acre riverfront beach for lounging, sun-bathing and sand volleyball. While signature parks and plazas were always contemplated along the riverfront, the park will be larger in the initial phase of the development. When the housing markets recovers, developers will expand on the mixeduse development, with a focus on residential opportunities, including condos, apartments and townhomes all with exceptional views of the downtown skyline, Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. But green space, a riverfront boardwalk and other public amenities will continue to be a draw to the waterfront as plans progress. The developers thanked their anchor office tenants – Ernst & Young and Tucker, Ellis & West LLP – for their patience and continued commitment to Flats East Bank and the city in the face of the nation’s economicchallenges. “The Wolstein family has a very deep and personal interest in the Flats and I know that it’s going to be a gleaming showpiece when it’s done,” said Don Misheff, Ernst & Young’s Northeast Ohio managing partner. “We believe that it’s going to be a great place to conduct business and an asset in our efforts to recruit the best and brightest young talent. I think it will become the most sought after office location in northeast Ohio.” Curt Isler, managing partner of Tucker Ellis & West, reaffirmed the law firm’s commitment to the development as well: “We committed to this project early because we saw it as a first class, high-energy waterfront development that will define Cleveland’s future. When the downturn came, the developers won our respect with their candid and honorable approach to the new challenges. We have reaffirmed our commitment. This will be a stunning setting for our flagship office. We can’t wait to move in.” To move the project forward, the State committed an additional $24 million through a combination of sources, $23 million of which are loans. The City, through its Economic Development Department, will introduce legislation to City Council committing an additional $30 million loan, as well as the use of its Recovery Zone Bond allocation, a federal stimulus incentive which allows taxable bonds to be issued as tax exempt. In addition, the City has submitted to the schools a restructuring of the Tax Increment Financing with the Cleveland schools, which would achieve the same percentage of taxes to be received by the schools as previously agreed to, but will adjust the timing and method of payments. Many other public partners and programs also contributed to push this unique and defining project forward,including a recent Cuyahoga County loan or 1.5 million for brownfield remediation. The County alsopreviously provided a $4 million loan and secured State and Federal Funding sources totaling $7 million. Flats East Bank is a joint venture between The Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties. Phase I of the project (as outlined above) is anticipated for completion in Spring

2009 Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours 2010 Tour

A Christmas Story House & Museum marks 100,000th visitor Posted by brandy on September 5, 2009 at 9:21 am A Christmas Story House & Museum last week reached a major milestone with its 100,000th visitor. Brunswick, Maine’s Lee Stanton won the distinction — and a leg lamp — on his stop in Cleveland to visit the pop culture destination where people from around the globe go to celebrate the holiday movie classic, “A Christmas Story.” ....................... http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/2009/09/05/a-christmas-story-house-museum-marks-100000th-visitor/ For more information, go to www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port hopes test shipment from Russian steelmaker results in steady business Saturday, September 05, 2009 Tom Breckenridge Plain Dealer Reporter The Cleveland port hopes to land a bounty of Russian steel. Port officials confirmed that a 20,000-ton "test shipment" of steel slabs from a Russian steel maker moved through the port last weekend, on its way to a steel-processing company in western Pennsylvania. If delivery time and costs prove competitive, the Cleveland port could see hundreds of thousands of tons of the steel slabs next shipping season. ...... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/125213967427050.xml&coll=2 [email protected], 216-999-4695

Cedar Point Announces Newest Ride Being Built Shoot The Rapids Is Most Expensive Water Ride Built At Park Cedar Point's new attraction for next year will leave riders all wet. The amusement park in Sandusky said it's adding a family water ride that will have two drops of 85 and 49 feet. http://www.newsnet5.com/entertainment/20704922/detail.html

Pierre's Ice Cream Co. wants to expand Cleveland operations by Janet H. Cho/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday September 01, 2009, 6:12 PM Business: Makes more than 235 varieties and sizes of ice cream, sherbet,frozen yogurt, sorbet and novelties sold under the Pierre's brand and about 125 varieties and sizes for private labels. Also distributes over 400 national brand items including ice cream, frozen pizza, entrees and side dishes. Founded: 1932 Headquarters: 6200 Euclid Ave., Cleveland President and Chief Executive: Shelley Roth Employees: 104 employees CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pierre's Ice Cream Co. wants to double its capacity to churn out its popular ice cream and other frozen treats. The 77-year-old Cleveland company, the last ice cream maker still based in Cleveland, has submitted plans to the City Planning Commission's Euclid Corridor Design Review Committee to build a 35,540-square-foot factory adjacent to its corporate headquarters and warehouse at 6200 Euclid Ave. More at http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/09/pierres_icecream_wants_to_expa.html