NorthShore64

More info coming on the June 3rd Industry Day: https://itsaclevolution.com/business

New on site rental car facility built with money from the rental car companies according to Francis.

The paper airplanes make their long awaited return!

Not sure about the RTA station exactly, they just said "new station". Would need to see a new master plan aerial view of the complex. No new concourses are part of Phase 1 is the impression I got. They said they will be evaluating those next, I'm assuming as Phase 1 kicks off. Doing all Landside first in Phase 1 then moving to all Airside in Phase 2 makes a lot more sense to me from a phasing and complete-ability perspective. Glad Francis acknowledged in the presentation that the old "PAL" master plan was unrealistic in this day and age and that that formula would've lead to continuous disruptions and lack of a cohesive vision, if not an uncompleted vision as a whole. Kudos! "The new garage will also include a Ground Transportation Center, where off-site parking and hotel shuttles drop off and pick up travelers, as well as a new Regional Transit Authority Red Line station. Because the main terminal is moving about 500 feet southeast of its existing location, the RTA stop – which is located underneath the existing terminal – will need to be moved as well." That's not an insignificant move. There are a lot of unknowns with this project right now, but my guess is that the station would be moved further southeast along the existing tunnel alignment. I think there would be just enough room for a new station on the straight portion of the tunnel if the new platform begins right at the end of the curve. That would require digging out a new station box under the new parking garage before work starts on it. If built right, this could dramatically improve the station from an aesthetic standpoint. Ideally a direct underground connection is maintained so passengers can continue to walk directly from the platform into the terminal. Going by their phasing of first the new Gold Lot (next to Concourse D) in 2026, then the new parking garage on the Orange lot, work on the new redline station would need to begin pretty soon as it would likely be in the lower level of the new garage. *EDIT* Yep, according to a timeline graphic in the presentation work on a new station would begin with the new parking garage next year.

The 8 page report from the Legislative Service Commission is a nice run down of a few major issues with the information and (partial) report the Haslam's have (so far) released. Its great to see some state officials understand this. Read the report here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25920639-lsc-stadium-analysis-redacted/?mode=document From Page 7:

Cavalanche "snow machines" were part of new lighting rig just installed in Rocket Arena, largest in an NBA arena Bret McCormick - SportsBusinessJournal - Apr. 28, 2025 Cavs installed new lighting rigs right before the playoffs. Here's a view from Game 2 The new lighting was also joined by the new "snow" machines for the Cavalanche celebrations. I'm not sure how much these improvements changed the gameday experience, but the Cavs sure do put on a good show. Fans loved the fake snow/bubbles.

The WPSL PRO has got company. NWSL submits application to U.S. Soccer for launch of Division II league starting in 2026 Pardeep Cattry - CBSSports - Apr. 25, 2025 "Eight existing NWSL clubs will field affiliated team for its inaugural season, should the plans be approved by U.S. Soccer. ... The WPSL Pro, which also plans to start play in 2026, is currently awaiting sanctioning from U.S. Soccer and would rival the NWSL Division II league if both get the all-clear."

Over the years I've been to a lot of college campuses, including just about every Big Ten university campus. Nearly all of the Big10 (and most large state flagship university campuses) have a growing number of dense / tall developments around them. All but a few have multiple private developments over 7 stories just off campus. It really is impressive what some of these smaller university towns can get built. What was the last >7 story (non 5over2) apartment building built off campus at Ohio State? Riverwatch in the 1980s? By my rough recollection, every Big10 city has seen a new apartment building over 7 stories off campus since Columbus has last built one except for Bloomington and College Park. If East Lansing, Iowa City, Lincoln and State College can have multiple new build apartments around ~12 stories, than one of the most dense neighborhoods in the nations 14th largest city should be able to pull it off. Here is a rough look at a few Big10 stadium adjacent developments: Iowa City Ann Arbor East Lansing State College Lincoln Evanston Madison New Brunswick Champaign/Urbana Minneapolis And the University District. Main campus's built environment is more dense than the surrounding neighborhood, the inverse of a lot of college campuses. NOTE - There are a lot of flaws in comparing cities. I have lived in the UD for years and greatly enjoyed my time there/in Columbus, I'm not trying to disparage the city/neighborhood. The area just needs more housing, and its time to catch up to other university towns and go up.

CPC approved a few small sales of City land to ODOT for the Central Interchange project at todays meeting. The phase around this section is still looking at an April 2026 start time.

The project development agreement between the city (Director of Capital Projects) and Metroparks to build 4 different trail extension projects, or the Raise East Side Trails Project, received approval from todays CPC meeting. The federal funding grant for this project is currently held up in DC right now, but the Metroparks said they were hopeful funding would come through.

The Vega Avenue Studio Lofts received final approval from todays (4-25-25) Planning Commission Meeting. Sounded like they were planning for a September start.

I quickly put together a version of this a few years back when the initial Bedrock plans for the riverfront site were being released. I had CVSR staying on the existing tracks to the Thermal Plant spur line/B&O tracks along the river. The tracks would end at a plaza directly below the Thermal plant and above the River along the relocated Canal Road. The biggest question was if there would be enough clearance under the new Eagle Avenue bridge/ramp. Again this was ~2 years ago before more details about Bedrocks plans were released. Repurposing a portion of the thermal plant for a historical center seemed like a no brainer with it being right downtown, across the river from the towpath, and essentially on the route of the original canal. The Visitors Center (maybe call it the The "Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area/Western Reserve Historical Society Visitors Center at Tower City /s) would be complemented by the extended Towpath trail, new Canal Basin Park, and a potential renovation of the B&O/Cleveland Terminal and Valley Railroad Depot. Work with the Western Reserve Historical Society to potentially display items from Cleveland's industrial past that they may have in their collection, and run a historic train tour type service on the CVSR to Hale Farm and Village / Indigo Lake station. Rent bikes from the facility with the CVSR providing an easy return trip downtown. Here's a look at the thermal plant and surrounding B&O/CUT tracks under the old Eagle Avenue viaduct in the late 1940s And the few tracks that remain today

Broadly speaking, I think other cities around the world (and rust belt) have done a better job of preserving their industrial heritage through adaptive reuse projects. Obviously there is Jacob's Powerhouse project on the West Bank for a Cleveland example, but I always thought the Columbus Muni Light Plant project was an interesting comparison to a potential redevelopment of the Thermal Plant. It was a pretty challenging and expensive project that took years, but it was a feasible redevelopment of an old coal burning facility on the edge of downtown next to a stadium mixed use project. https://columbusunderground.com/hard-hat-tour-municipal-light-plant-bw1/ https://www.gbxgroup.com/property-profile/577-589-w-nationwide-blvd I don't think anyone other than Bedrock could really get a redevelopment of the plant done (with them essentially controlling everything around the structure), so hopefully they show interest in preserving it for a future phase of the riverfront project.

Cleveland Thermal still owns it but I don't know if it's operating in any capacity. KJP article from August of 2023 - Cleveland Thermal target of acquisition

Record Rendezvous / 300 Prospect Renovation (4-23-25)