NorthShore64

Repost from earlier this year in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park thread: I don't know if this is the right thread for this (BM/BW or NEO skiing?), but the owner of Northeast Ohio's three ski resorts (Boston Mills, Brandywine & Alpine Valley) Peak Resorts, has been bought out by Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts is one of the largest operators/owners of ski resorts in the US, owning Vail, Breck, Stowe, Whistler and Park City among other well-known mountains. The conglomeration has acquired a few other eastern resorts within NEOs Alpine Valleys and BM/BW size range, but mostly focuses on larger resorts where they can undertake real estate developments (a major aspect of their business model). The whole ski industry has been heading towards consolidation, worrying many patrons of local mountains about the effects management from an outside entity. Numerous resorts have however received notable capital investments once under the management of these larger corporations, usually in the form of upgraded lifts and snow making capacity. They claim this will be to the tune of $15 million over the next two years at former Peak Resorts. My guess is that most of this will go towards the larger resorts in Peak’s portfolio further East, skipping their four new Ohio resorts. Peak Resorts has done aright job with BM/BW since they’ve been under their control for the past 15+ seasons, however many were upset with Purdue Pharma’s Sackler family (OxyContin patent holders) recently becoming majority owners. This acquisition will however be most beneficial to Northeast Ohio’s most avid skiers as it ropes them into their “Epic Pass” system. In its various forms it essentially serves as a season pass for all resorts under Vail ownership/management, meaning that an Epic pass you buy for Ohio of Pennsylvania skiing can get you into Whistler or Mount Snow. Vail Resorts now essentially funnels Northeast or Midwest skiers from local resorts to their larger mountains. If you ski locally, but also spend over 3 days a season on larger mountains further east or out west, this is great news. TL;DR – Larger ski resort conglomerate (Vail) acquires smaller ski resort conglomerate (Peak), owner of Boston Mills, Brandywine and Alpine Valley. Large local capital investments are unlikely. New passes available for regions skiers who vacation at larger mountains. http://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/peakresorts.htm

Thread for information, and updates to Ohio's five ski resorts of Alpine Valley, Boston Mills / Brandywine, Mad River, and Snow Trails.

How should we think bigger about news in northeast Ohio George Rodrigue - Nov. 17, 2019 https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2019/11/how-should-we-think-bigger-about-news-in-northeast-ohio-george-rodrigue.html "So, what’s on your mind? What are you most concerned about? What do you worry about, or hope will go better, in your life here in northeast Ohio? If you’d like to help advise us, please fill out the brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NEOTopics. Or drop me a note at [email protected]."

Shaker Square’s redesign is worth taking time to do it right Steven Litt - Nov. 17, 2019 https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/11/will-slowing-down-a-controversial-plan-for-shaker-square-plan-help-or-hurt-its-future-steven-litt.html "The larger issue, raised by conflict over the square, is that the Cleveland area has been full of fights lately over redevelopment plans that promise to bring fresh investment into aging neighborhoods. That’s troubling because reviving older urban areas is vital to the future of a region with shrinking cities, sprawling suburbs, and an overall loss of population that will lead to higher taxes everywhere. The catch is that repopulating cities means redeveloping aging neighborhoods that can be averse to change. ... Management for the square could be improved, perhaps through formation of a special improvement district, in which property owners pay a tax to provide better maintenance and safety services. Ownership of the public spaces in the square could be transferred to a nonprofit entity, easing the financial burden on the owner of the leasable space."

Garfield Heights could save money by merging its municipal court with the one in Cleveland Peter Krouse - Nov. 14, 2019 https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/11/garfield-heights-could-save-money-by-merging-its-municipal-court-with-the-one-in-cleveland.html "Mayor Vic Collova said this week that he will consider an idea pitched by cleveland.com to merge the municipal court in his financially strained suburb with neighboring Cleveland Municipal Court. And the mayors of Maple Heights and Newburgh Heights, two of seven other communities served by the Garfield Heights court, told cleveland.com that they also would be willing to consider a merger. ... The timing also might be right for Cleveland Municipal Court, which is housed in Cuyahoga County’s antiquated Justice Center in downtown Cleveland. The county is looking to renovate or replace its Justice Center. Additional space to accommodate a merger of the Garfield Heights and Cleveland courts could be incorporated into plans for a new or reconfigured complex." If Garfield Heights were to merge with Cleveland's municipal court, it would include 7 southern suburbs with a combined population of over 75,00 residents. More regionalism, consolidation and a potentially bigger Justice Center.

Kmart Closing All Remaining Ohio Stores Sarah Taylor - Nov. 12, 2019 https://www.ideastream.org/news/kmart-closing-all-remaining-ohio-stores The following Kmart stores in Ohio are closing: Barberton (241 Wooster Road North) Brunswick (3301 Center Road) Grove City (2400 Stringtown Road) Harrison (10560 Harrison Ave.) Marietta (502 Pike St.) North Canton (1447 N Main St.) Tallmadge (555 South Ave.)

The difference for Cleveland is that its also a freight line, MSG and TD Garden are above only commuter train tracks and stations. They could build above the tracks along the Lakefront for a new stadium site, or for stadium-oriented development and a convention center connection and expansion, if the freight trains were rerouted (or it would at least make it easier). I don't believe it is a prerequisite for development around the stadium, or for better connections to the city, but if the Haslam's wanted to increase their options in the area they should consider the rail bypass. Bypass study, by KJP (2003): https://www.gcbl.org/files/resources/railbypassstudy.pdf

Arts District from College and 18th. Foundations are being dug for the new Music building north of Weigel Hall. A rendering of the new theater and music buildings along College from the same corner. Aerial view from the southwest Arts District Site Plan

Cleveland arguably already has a Pedestrian tunnel / footbridge systems at the Cleveland Clinic. Medical centers are of course different from Central Business Districts with a different clientele which may need more protections from the environment. Regardless of the merits of this system though, one definitive outcome of this "above the sidewalk" approach is significantly decreased activity at the street level. An insular fortress where all needs are met from within the system is created, greatly decreasing the "spillover" effect the Clinic should have on the surrounding community. The pattern of development within (and around) the Clinic is complex and more than just a product of the sky-bridge/pedestrian passage way network, but its still an interesting local example of possible outcomes. The setbacks, lack of sidewalk activity or virtually any businesses at street level around and within the Clinic is one of the cities greatest blunders of the past few decades. Pursuing the development or expansion of a similar system in downtown would serve to only harm the city by keeping employees, residents and tourists off the cities sidewalks, away from existing businesses and pedestrian infrastructure. Cleveland sidewalks and street-life around the Clinic's bridges:

I don't think a W 45th / Old River bridge seems likely, but is an interesting proposition. Reducing trucks through Lakeview Terrace, the W 25th/Shoreway interchange and Ohio City by ~80% would really help the neighborhoods, but a more circuitous route to Whiskey Island/Wendy Park and the lake for bikes and pedestrians would hurt a lot of the potential of the Lake Link trail (and all of the ones which connect to it). Preserving the Willow bridge and adding a new one at and W 45th is even more unlikely, but it would be great to have the benefits of both. For now I'll add it to my long list of theoretical infrastructure projects (Sim City list) for the region. If a new lift bridge is built at W 45th (assuming it would be a lift to preserve access to to the marinas, Cargill and Great lakes Shipyard) it would be the cities first "new" movable bridge since 1957(excluding the Columbus Ave bridge renovation/replacement).

Pubic meeting regarding Willow bridge also mentioned in Canal Basin Park and Lake Link Trail thread:

‘A once-in-a-generation opportunity:’ Could Whiskey Island truck traffic plan fix an environmental injustice for Lakeview Terrace residents? Rachel Dissell - Nov. 12, 2019 https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/11/a-once-in-a-generation-opportunity-lakeview-terrace-residents-and-supporters-hope-truck-traffic-plan-will-fix-an-environmental-injustice.html "Cleveland officials are exploring plans to rebuild or replace the aging and unreliable Willow Avenue lift bridge, which spans the Cuyahoga river channel from the Flats to the southeast end of Whiskey Island. ... Alternative 33 would undoubtedly be the most expensive because it would require creating a new connection to Whiskey Island via West 45th Street. That plan currently calls for demolishing or abandoning the Willow Avenue lift bridge, which would be unpopular with Ontario Stone Corp. and create what some see as untenable options for recreational trail users. Some have floated the idea of a two-bridge option, one that creates a new connection, in addition to rehabbing, replacing or redesigning how the Willow Avenue bridge operates. It’s not clear whether the city would consider that." (there may be a better thread for this, but it relates to the Whiskey Island connector bridge mentioned upthread)

Reynoldsburg Makes History With America's First Nepali-Bhutanese Elected Official https://radio.wosu.org/post/reynoldsburg-makes-history-americas-first-nepali-bhutanese-elected-official#stream/1 "'Five years before many of the stores on Main Street, the brick and mortar stores were empty. There was nothing there,' Pyakurel says. 'Now there is very vibrant businesses running there.' Pyakurel wants to help boost that growth as a politician. 'Running for office is my dream from very beginning, because when I was 9 years old I was forced out of the country and forced into refugee camp, where I spent 18 years of my life in refugee camp,' Pyakurel explains."

Is TimkenSteel for sale? Interim CEO doesn’t deny the possibility https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20191107/is-timkensteel-for-sale-interim-ceo-doesnt-deny-possibility "Dunlap took the reigns on Oct. 22 when it was announced Ward J. “Tim” Timken Jr. would step down as chairman, CEO and president. Timken had led the company since shareholders forced the spinoff of TimkenSteel in 2014. His departure means nobody from the Timken family is involved in operations at the steel business, which started in 1917 as a division of the tapered roller bearings maker. TimkenSteel has struggled to be a profitable company since the spinoff. Dependent on sales of steel for drilling oil and natural gas wells, the company’s results have reflected the ups and downs of the oil industry."

Lender woe hits downtown DoubleTree hotel https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/lender-woe-hits-downtown-doubletree-hotel "The run-up of new hotels in downtown Cleveland has sapped the fortunes of the DoubleTree Hotel Downtown Cleveland, which has entered the first throes of lender woes. ...room rental rates have been flat so far this year in the Cleveland market and may soften further with an expectation that the market will have fewer conventions next year."

GM selling shuttered Lordstown factory to electric truck maker Link: https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/11/gm-selling-shuttered-lordstown-factory-to-electric-truck-maker.html "The company called Lordstown Motors Corp. plans to hire 400 production workers at the outset, but said it still needs more investors before manufacturing can begin. ... Acquiring the plant will allow the company formed just months ago to begin seeking more money so that it can begin production of a new electric pickup truck that will be marketed to commercial customers such as utility companies and municipal governments."

Ohio’s economy could stall over next six months, federal bank projections show https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/11/ohios-economy-could-shrink-over-next-six-months-federal-bank-projections-show.html "In its latest economic projections released this week, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia predict that unlike the national economy, which is projected to grow by 1.48%, Ohio’s economy will shrink by 0.04% over the next six months. ... Mark Partridge, an Ohio State University economist, said the inversion of the yield curve in September, when it briefly became cheaper to borrow money for the short term than for the long term, and the trade war, which has made it more costly for manufacturers to do business, are some of the factors that explain why Ohio’s economic numbers are looking relatively soft."

An additional troubling roadway expansion on the horizon: Ohio approves $1.1 billion for road construction https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20191106/ohio-approves-11-billion-for-road-construction "$6 million for preliminary engineering on expanding the last four-lane stretch of I-77 between Cleveland and Canton to six lanes — between Ghent Road to the Ohio Turnpike in northern Summit County." A widening of I-77 in this section (which would make it 6 lanes from downtown Cleveland to downtown Canton) is projected to cost $120 million.

Of the $1.1 billion, $400 million is for new projects. Of the $400 million allocated by TRAC, $180 million went to highway projects in Central Ohio (ODOT District 6). All 7 of the TRAC 2019 Applications from District 6 were funded. RTA applied for $60 million (to go to its $240 million dollar) rail replacement project. No TRAC funds were awarded. Tier 1 ODOT District 6 Projects Highlighted below: 2019 Applications: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/Pages/TRAC-Application.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Final 2020 - 2023 Major New Construction Program List: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC List/FINAL_20_23_MN_CONSTRUCTION_PROGRAM_LIST.pdf

The road construction funding bonanza has been reignited in Ohio with the allocating of funds from the gas tax hike. I know that in Ohio "revenues derived from the motor vehicle fuel tax... for the purpose of providing financial assistance to public mass transportation systems." https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/getattachment/dccdfba7-5d67-4bed-89ed-25f30f60bf63/1983-031.aspx But in the 2019 TRAC Applications, RTA applied for funding for its rail car replacement program. Its listed as one of the 27 projects which were applied for this year (of which 20 were funded, including over $180 million to Central Ohio roadways). http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/Pages/TRAC-Application.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery RTA Application Link: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/2019 Applications Recieved/GCRTA Rail Car Replacement Program.pdf Released today by TRAC - Final 2020 - 2023 Major New Construction Program List: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC List/FINAL_20_23_MN_CONSTRUCTION_PROGRAM_LIST.pdf

Gas Tax Hike Allows ODOT To Green Light Nearly $400 Million In Road Projects https://www.statenews.org/post/gas-tax-hike-allows-odot-green-light-nearly-400-million-road-projects 20 of 27 projects ($398 of $934 million awarded) which applied for Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) TRAC Tier 1 NEO / Metro CLE projects awarded (ODOT Districts 3, 4 & 12) I-77 widening / interchange in Summit County State Route 18 widening east of Medina (some) I-90 / Inner-belt funding Final 2020 - 2023 Major New Construction Program List: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC List/FINAL_20_23_MN_CONSTRUCTION_PROGRAM_LIST.pdf The 27 2019 TRAC Applications: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/Pages/TRAC-Application.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Residences at The Sutton, 40 W 1st Ave (as seen from E 1st/Price Ave/High intersection) "The six-story residential building will contain 100 luxury one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment units and a 123-space parking garage. Amenities include a 2,000 square foot rooftop deck with a bocce ball court and an on-site fitness center." https://www.columbusunderground.com/work-begins-on-second-phase-of-pizzutis-the-sutton-we1 View of the new apartment building from the south via https://www.thesuttoncolumbus.com/residences

Technically Short North, but its about the Stadium. The downtown Stadium Experience Center at 881 High, opening this December. "the Experience Center will serve as the place where you will be able to utilize the latest interactive technology to conceptualize the new stadium and its various seating options. Crew SC membership consultants will guide you through the seat selection process and answer any questions that you have along the way."

Davey Tree planning future growth https://www.record-courier.com/news/20191103/davey-tree-planning-future-growth “Our hope is to break ground on the third wing in the middle of next year with about 18 months of construction,” he said. Plans have not yet been submitted to Franklin Township. The new wing, which would extend west toward Hudson Drive, is estimated to cost $15 million and would provide 40,000 square feet in additional space for employees, according to Covey." Once the third wing is constructed, Davey intents to turn towards improving the former golf course across the street it acquired in 2017. It'll be primary or research, development and education and serve as the new location for the Davey Institute, freeing up space in the headquarters. The plan they shared with he public is preliminary, but shows space for primarily research and preservation. Although there are plans for some public facing amenities, it seems like most of the property will be closed off. That's a bit of a shame because it is a really nice piece of land, especially along the Cuyahoga. This is however one of the best uses for a former gulf course I have seen yet. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1741145,-81.345477,1442m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en