Luke_S

Where do Browns fans want their team to play? What one Cleveland City Council member’s survey says by Nick Castele August 21, 2024 City Council Member Kris Harsh, a season ticket holder fresh off a fact-finding mission at the Browns’ two preseason home games, has some data points to offer on that question. According to Harsh, nearly 60% of fans he surveyed at the games want to stay on the lake. Pen and reporter’s notepad in hand, Harsh hoofed outside and inside the stadium, asking fans, “Stay here, or go to Brook Park?” He didn’t just quiz a handful of people in line for hot dogs. He recorded 3,158 responses with help from Council Member Danny Kelly, he said. The results, according to Harsh: 1,889, or 59.8%, voted to stay; 1,160, or 36.7%, voted to move to Brook Park. Another 109 said they didn’t care. https://signalcleveland.org/where-do-browns-fans-want-their-team-to-play-what-one-cleveland-city-council-members-survey-says/

I know underground parking is more expensive but most of the lot is already below grade, why can't they just put in an underground garage?

Not stadium specific, but relevant, I think, as Jimmy is one of the owners leading the charge for another outside infusion of cash into his venture. NFL committee that includes Jimmy Haslam to present framework for institutional investors to buy into teams August 19, 2024 Randall Williams, Bloomberg The National Football League plans to meet in Minneapolis on Aug. 27 to discuss and potentially vote on allowing institutional investors to buy into teams. ... The NFL formed a committee last year to study how the league might allow private equity firms to buy into teams. The group consists of its chair, Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, Atlanta Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank, Cleveland Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam, Denver Broncos’ owner and CEO Greg Penner and New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft. Bloomberg reported in May the owners were zeroing-in on allowing institutional investors to be able to buy 10% of clubs. Some owners would like the cap at 5%. The league’s owners would also select a small group of vetted firms to have the first opportunity to purchase stakes. https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/nfl-owners-executives-meet-private-equity-stakes-teams

I'd like something more substantial than just HAWKs at cross walks, I've almost been hit using the one on Madison...but maybe if they're more common drivers will actually respect the signal priority. Lakewood working to make it safer for pedestrians to cross busy streets Aug. 16, 2024 By John Benson, special to cleveland.com LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Safely walking across a busy street is often easier said than done. That’s why Lakewood has added pedestrian hybrid beacons -- also known as high-intensity activated crosswalks or HAWK beacons -- which stop traffic to allow pedestrians to cross the street. ... While Lakewood currently has two such beacons located at Manor Park Avenue and Detroit Avenue, as well as at Clarence Avenue and Madison Avenue, the city is planning additional units. https://www.cleveland.com/community/2024/08/lakewood-providing-pedestrian-crossings-with-new-high-intensity-activated-crosswalks.html

Public to weigh in on development proposal for former Lakewood Hospital site Aug. 16, 2024 By Cory Shaffer, cleveland.com LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The city of Lakewood will hold a public hearing on the proposal to build a $100 million mixed-use development project on the former Lakewood Hospital site in the heart of downtown. The hearing on the Downtown Development project is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 21 at Cove Community Center. ... The plans include multiple green spaces, 298 rental apartments, seven single-family homes available for purchase, a 536-space parking garage and plans for a 24,750-square-foot commercial space and retail units. https://www.cleveland.com/community/2024/08/public-to-weigh-in-on-development-proposal-for-former-lakewood-hospital-site.html

State officials aren't leery of this concept because its a "can of worms", they're leery of it because they know it will limit their party's hold on power. The current amendment was modeled on other states with functioning redistricting processes.

Are you going to be able to share early project details?!

The Haslam's are currently only seeking public financing for half the cost of the stadium. I expect that if/when they get to the surrounding developments they will come back asking for additional subsidies, but I wouldn't call it misinformation to say they are planning to finance the remaining $1B in surrounding development.

I don't know these routes as well as you, but it would seem to me that if we were to absolutely maximize the opportunity of expanded passenger rail service it would be to move Amtrak back to CUT and divert all through freight traffic south of downtown, leaving only the rail line to serve the port. Based on this post would those occupy the same rail right-of-ways and so not be feasible?

September 9 will be the last day to visit the RainForest with construction on the new Primate Forest set to break ground on September 10. It's not clear from the press release if it will reopen in some capacity while construction continues, but the new exhibits wont open until 2026. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Prepares for Primate Forest Transformation Posted: August 15, 2024 In preparation for the start of construction on the Zoo’s new Primate Forest destination, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today announced the upcoming closure of The RainForest. During the temporary closure, many of the spaces within the existing RainForest will be refreshed and remodeled as they are integrated into the Primate Forest to enhance the guest experience and elevate animal wellbeing. The RainForest has been an iconic destination for more than 30 years, first opening in November 1992. When The RainForest opened, it was recognized as one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the world, featuring more than 600 animals representing 118 different species and more than 7,000 live plants, trees and flowers of 360 varieties. The RainForest has been home to popular species including Bornean orangutan, small-clawed otters, clouded leopard, sloths, anteaters, and a variety of amphibians and reptiles. Among the building’s defining attractions is the iconic 40-foot-tall geodesic dome, which was replaced in 2021 as an initial phase of the significant capital improvements to come. Now, this decades-old landmark will undergo renovation and evolve to meet the needs of the future. https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/news-press/2024/august-2024/cleveland-metroparks-zoo-prepares-for-primate-fore

Do "heavy-duty plastic bollards" really make a protected bike lane? Better than nothing I suppose... Cleveland cyclists call for safer, separated bike lanes Ideastream Public Media | By Zaria Johnson Published August 15, 2024 Cyclists in Cleveland gathered Wednesday to celebrate the opening of a new, protected bike lane on Detroit Avenue, and to advocate for more like it. In Ohio City, on the city's near West Side, the bike lane now features a painted bike path along with newly added heavy-duty plastic bollards to keep cyclists separated from oncoming vehicles in the roadway. As the city works to finish plans for large-scale bike paths on Superior and Lorain avenues, simple separated bikeways help keep cyclists and pedestrians safe, said Jenna Thomas, Bike Cleveland's advocacy and policy manager. https://www.ideastream.org/community/2024-08-15/cleveland-cyclists-call-for-safer-separated-bike-lanes

THE CONSERVANCY FOR CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK (CVNP) RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT IN ITS HISTORY TO CREATE CVNP TOWPATH TRAIL FUND PENINSULA, Ohio, Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park received the largest gift from an individual in its history. The $3.8-million estate gift from the late James H. Hower was designated for the maintenance and improvement of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail within Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). "We are grateful to receive this generous estate gift," said Deb Yandala, president and CEO, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. "For more than 20 years, Jim provided incredible support to our organization and CVNP, including help in the creation of the Boston Mill Visitor Center. He was an avid user of the Towpath Trail and with this funding, we can help care for this beloved trail within the park for years to come." "This philanthropic gift supports 20 miles of the Towpath Trail within Cuyahoga Valley National Park," said Lisa Petit, superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. "We are honored this gift comes from someone who truly loved the park and the Towpath Trail, ensuring its care well into the future for millions of visitors each year." https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-conservancy-for-cuyahoga-valley-national-park-cvnp-receives-largest-gift-in-its-history-to-create-cvnp-towpath-trail-fund-302223802.html

Akron picks urban planning firm to lead Innerbelt redesign master plan Ideastream Public Media | By Zaria Johnson Published August 15, 2024 The city of Akron selected urban planning firm Sasaki to develop a master plan for its redevelopment of the Innerbelt. The goal of the plan will be to better connect the east and west sides of Akron, while correcting historic mistakes which displaced thousands of Black residents for the highway. ... Sasaki will work with the city, project partners and residents to generate ideas before developing the final master plan, Urban Planner and Associate Principal Siqi Zhu said. https://www.ideastream.org/community/2024-08-15/akron-picks-urban-planning-firm-to-lead-innerbelt-redesign-master-plan

Quite the coalition forming against this move; Cleveland city government, Cuyahoga County government, DCI, the director of Hopkins has expressed some strong concerns, state officials response was lukewarm at best... I know we're in our own echo chamber here, but public reaction seems quite mixed. Other than the sport talking heads and Brook Park who supports this move?

Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland, Metroparks Officials Break Ground on Transformative 2.7-mile Lakefront Trail Posted on August 12 2024 CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Today, officials celebrated the start of construction on the transformative 2.7-mile North Marginal Trail between E. 9th and E. 55th streets on Cleveland’s east side lakefront. The new trail is a partnership between Cuyahoga County, which will manage construction of the project, the Cleveland Metroparks, which will manage and operate the trail once constructed, and the City of Cleveland. The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation provided a $5 million gift to Cleveland Metroparks for construction of the trail, which is complemented by $5.6 million in funding from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) through the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program and local match funds provided by Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland. ... The off-road paved North Marginal Trail will be a new trail connection to complete a missing link of the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway. The trail will connect to the existing portion of the bikeway from E. 55th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, traversing along the north side of North Marginal Road and enhancing neighborhood connectivity between Voinovich Bicentennial Park in downtown Cleveland, Cleveland Metroparks’ Lakefront Reservation – including E. 55th Street Marina, e55 on the lake restaurant, Gordon Park – and connect to existing trails to University Circle, Doan Brook, and the Shaker Lakes. ... Once complete, the trail will provide greatly needed safe access to the lakefront on foot or by bicycle to the St. Clair-Superior and Glenville neighborhoods. Current conditions on North Marginal Trail along the lakefront require pedestrians and cyclists to share the roadway with vehicles to reach lakefront destinations on Cleveland’s east side. https://cuyahogacounty.gov/county-news/county-news-detail/2024/08/12/cuyahoga-county-city-of-cleveland-metroparks-officials-break-ground-on-transformative-2.7-mile-lakefront-trail

Cleveland to reimburse Browns for $3.8 million in ‘emergency repairs’ to stadium by Doug Breehl-Pitorak and Cleveland Documenters August 13, 2024 Amid a flurry of media reports and press releases casting uncertainty over the future site of Cleveland Browns home football games, Cleveland City Council made a move on the legislative gridiron: Reimbursing the Browns for about $3.8 million in capital repairs to the city-owned lakefront stadium. ... [James DeRosa, director of the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects,] listed the following “emergency repairs” covered by the legislation: $3.3 million for pedestrian ramp replacements $19,894 for gutter replacements $23,179 for pedestrian ramp curb repairs $352,000 for hot water tank replacement $64,000 for thermostatic mixing valve ... Since 2014, Cleveland has racked up $28 million in capital repair costs. https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-to-reimburse-browns-for-3-8-million-in-emergency-repairs-to-stadium/

I'm glad he drew a line in the sand too, but I guess my point is if Jimmy doesn't make a decision by EOD today and Bibb doesn't do something to respond, pull the original offer of $460M for example, then it isn't much of a line in the sand and he looks feckless.

I believe to total development was expected to be $3B+, but the Haslams were only seeking public financing for half of the stadium development which was $2.4B. If they ever did make it to the later phases that included the stadium village my expectation is the Haslams would be returning to Brook Park/Cuyahoga/Ohio governments, hat in hand, asking for additional subsidies.

That's my expectation as well, especially with the County not making their position public until yesterday. I'm sure the Haslams knew the County's position for some time so shouldn't really be an excuse. The question will be what does Bibb do? If you're Bibb you don't want to look like your caving to the Haslams, but you also don't want to be seen as having pushed the Browns out of Cleveland and to Brook Park. I'm still holding out hope that there's an outside chance that the City/County are able to negotiate a land swap between the post office site and the Brook Park site and give Jimmy exclusive lease/development rights of the former stadium location. Seems like the real win, win. Jimmy gets to play developer and Cleveland gets to keep the stadium downtown while activating lower quality land.

By what measures? How are you quantifying this and what are your sources?

Still expect this to be residential conversion or too soon to know?

It was really only a year ago that an eminent domain case was settled. One property owner (the George family) held up an entire project (Irishtown Bend) with clear public use for years in court costing millions in project cost increases, court fees, and ultimately the settlement. And there are active businesses that would have been affected. If I recall correctly Noble Beast would have had to relocate if one of the proposed sites was selected.

Moving to be closer to the anticipated Amtrak station? The Browns Stadium development? Greyhound and Barons Bus will move from downtown Cleveland to Brookpark Rapid Station Published: Aug. 08, 2024 By Susan Glaser, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – Greyhound plans to relocate from its iconic downtown Cleveland station to a new transit center near Cleveland Hopkins airport. The new station will be built on the parking lot at the Brookpark Rapid Station, according to a spokesman for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. ... Earlier this year, RTA and Greyhound/Barons were considering a deal to relocate to the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center, which is downtown near Cleveland Station University, not far from the existing station. It’s unclear why the east-side location was rejected. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/08/greyhound-and-barons-bus-will-move-from-downtown-cleveland-to-brookpark-rapid-station.html

Could have been from the Rockefeller too it sounds like... Downtown Cleveland's Rockefeller Building is still in shambles — and getting worse Stan Bullard August 07, 2024 High winds and driving rain from severe storms that hit the area on Tuesday, Aug. 6, added to growing woes for owners of the Rockefeller Building, a landmark at 614 W. Superior Ave. in downtown Cleveland. Cleveland police were called to the scene at 8:10 p.m., according to police records, with a report that windows were falling from the 17-story structure. The incident is the latest in a series of setbacks to developers who planned to convert it to apartments but failed to win funding to make a go of it. ... By noon Wednesday, Aug. 7, a few shards of glass remained on the sidewalk, and three windows had been broken out on the building's south side. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/rockefeller-building-conditions-worsen-downtown-cleveland

Crain's also reported that glass and other debris was falling from the Rockefeller building.