Luke_S

Reading between the lines of the Browns’ Brook Park domed stadium plans by Nick Castele August 8, 2024 The team would assemble $1.2 billion in private financing for the project, with the public picking up the other half. ... The letter did not spell out what those mechanisms were, or how they would produce enough revenue to cover the public’s $1.2 billion side of the construction price. The sketches released by the Browns show retail and hotels around the new stadium that could generate new economic development and bolster the potential revenue of the project. But among supporters of a lakefront renovation inside and outside City Hall, there’s skepticism that the Brook Park project will generate the tax dollars necessary to make the financing work. https://signalcleveland.org/reading-between-the-lines-of-the-browns-brook-park-domed-stadium-plans/

Yup, something like this is what I was thinking.

Charge a high hourly rate, lower daily rate? Will mean people that come for games or events will be hit with the high hourly rate.

As much as my petty side would love this, I think it is worth allowing the Browns to continue to use the stadium until they can move into Brookpark. (1) We can renegotiate the terms to hopefully be more favorable to the city for that interim period. (2) I think it's worth preserving a working relationship with Jim, like it or not the city will have to deal with him in some capacity even after he leaves. And with him seemingly making the pivot into the development space maybe there are other projects in the city he could take on.

Take Akron METRO RTA down, its free on Saturdays and Sundays in August! Akron PorchRokr: Here’s the lineup for next weekend’s outdoor music festival by Brittany Moseley August 8, 2024 Highland Square porches will once again be the stages for local musical acts when PorchRokr takes over the neighborhood for the 12th year Saturday, Aug. 17. ... The music starts at 11 a.m., and each act will play an hour-long set. This year’s headliner, Free Black, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage — located in the parking lot behind I Promise HealthQuarters at 527 W. Market St. ... Early risers can start their PorchRokr experience with a free outdoor yoga class at 9:30 a.m. at The Merriman (209 Merriman Road), courtesy of Yoga Squared. More of a night owl? Stick around after the music ends for a silent disco at 9 p.m. at House Three Thirty. Headsets will be available to rent for $5. 11 a.m. 1 Apostle Jones (blues/rock/soul/funk) 3 The PorchRokr Guitar Orchestra (pop classical) 5 The Mickeys (Celtic rock) 7 Hand + Noise (folk, rock, blues) 9 Girl Cologne (grunge/pop-punk) 11 Flock of Moons (hard rock, psychedelic) 13 Bot N Soul (rock) 15 Chanilla (pop) 17 SweetSour Rock (’70s-’90s) 19 Axon-Neuron (rock) 21 Mr. Jeff (children’s music) 23 Brian Lisik (rock) 25 St. Thomas Collective (folk rock) 27 Wo Hop Madness (experimental funk) 29 Glass Shadow (darkwave) 31 Lilac Heart (hyperpop, electronic/emo pop) 33 So Nectar (rock/alternative) 35 Dome Test (emo, punk, indie) 37 COOP & a Guitar (acoustic rock) Noon 2 A Band Named Ashes (progressive folk) 4 Other Mother (rock) 6 Kevin Ballard (rock, Americana) 8 Zach Beaver (pop, funk) 10 1402 (indie rock) 12 Guy Randall (indie folk, blues rock) 14 Twin Atomic (rock) 16 Josee McGee (indie, jazz, pop fusion 18 Judelyn (indie pop/folk) 20 [REDACTED] (rock) 22 The First Days of Spring (rock) 24 Fuzzy Vandelay (rock, heavy rock, alt metal) 26 Brave Arrows (electronic rock) 28 Black Wolf & the Thief (jazz-influenced rock) 30 Lovely Weather (indie rock, shoegaze, funk) 32 The Modernes (American, rock, surf) 34 Da Land Brass Band (funk, brass band, jazz) 36 Yacobucci (alternative pop/punk) 38 Disco Dreams (indie pop/electronic) 1 p.m. 1 Curtains (indie, punk, surf, pop) 3 Rubber City Ukes (eclectic, 100 years of pop) 5 Cool Blue Planet! (alternative rock) 7 Toby Danger (comedy rock) 9 Fawx (independent punk) 11 Dr. Riffs (rock, heavy metal) 13 Karta Stella (alternative rock) 15 Miss Dreadful (dark folk) 17 Compass (pop-rock) 19 Community Shoe (progressive folk/world) 21 Slam (rock) 23 Outdated View (indie blues rock) 25 SeanTom (country, rock) 27 Moy Do(o)m (stoner rock, slowcore) 29 The Velvet Gentlemen (alternative rock) 31 Christopher Soulsby (blues) 33 SOLEO (Middle Eastern prog rock) 35 Duo Decibel System (indie pop) 37 Talmadge (jam band, live looper) 2 p.m. 2 The Fifth Wheel (rock) 4 Super Culture (psych rock) 6 Cheap Heat (rock ’n’ roll) 8 Frameshifter (progressive metal) 10 I Hate It Too (rock) 12 Arthur Treacherous (DJ/electro/boogie funk) 14 Urban Honey (hard rock/blues) 16 People In The Daytime (funk, electric jazz, crust pop) 18 Detention (pop-punk) 20 Xtra Crispy (future blues) 22 Pink Maskerade (pop-punk) 24 The Applewhites (rock) 26 Annadale (indie rock) 28 Blue Hour (indie rock) 30 Evy Liz (folk, pop) 32 One Fine Day (girl bands ’60s through ’80s) 34 Jinari Kemet (rock, rap, jazz) 36 Ghost Slime (rock) 38 Grumpy Plum (indie/rock) 3 p.m. 1 The Buffalo Ryders (rock, alt, indie, riff rock) 3 Pitch Blend Quartet (barbershop harmony) 5 A Band Called Applesauce (alt indie rock) 7 Gosinicc (rock, punk, industrial) 9 Perfect (avant-prog/math rock) 11 Fakerealmiles (electronic) 13 Honeyland (rock) 15 G-Blakk (hip-hop) 17 The Cabin Sound (indie rock) 19 Esther Fitz (pop, rock, soul) 21 Grave Ridden (rock) 23 The Woovs (Ohio original rock) 25 Hogan’s Last Smash (ska-punk, emo) 27 Zotorious (pop, rap, indie) 29 Supercop (instrumental, avant-garde) 31 Madison Cummins (acoustic, indie) 33 Timi Funk (soul, R&B) 35 Eaten By Kittens (porto-punk/garage punk) 37 Walt Hayes (Americana) 4 p.m. 2 Benny Lava & The Guavas (soul, doo-wop & pop) 4 Funeral Proposals (rock/alternative) 6 GoJo (classic rock/blues/’80s) 8 Victor Samalot Duo (Latin, jazz, world, rock) 10 Funeral Commercial (rock, shoegaze) 12 Kenny Black (outlaw country) 14 Friendly Faux (alt-rock psych grunge) 16 Rent For Cheryl (blues, indie-alt, pop, jazz) 18 The Whiskey Drinks (Americana/bluegrass) 20 Towers (indie rock) 22 Empty Coats (indie rock) 24 The Moe-Rons (rock) 26 Trip Kit Opus (rock) 28 Rachel Roberts (indie folk rock) 30 Eleni Naomi (soul jazz) 32 Morning Star (bluegrass) 34 Grimestone (unique rock) 36 Santamuerte (punk-blues) 38 Velocity Stax (rockabilly/surf) 5 p.m. 1 Massive Hotdog Recall (horn rock) 3 Rye Valley (eclectic Americana) 5 Easton Union (Americana) 7 Wake Magnolia (alternative rock) 9 Shame Chamber (shoegaze) 11 The Baker’s Basement (indie folk rock) 13 Craig Rich (psychedelic, lo-fi, dreampop) 15 LoLo Knows (house, disco, Latin house) 17 DreamStates (maximalist pop rock) 19 Hunter Skeens & The Forerunners (newgrass/bluegrass) 21 Out of Pocket (rock/pop) 23 The Twanglers (Americana) 25 Wonderhead (Rock) 27 The Skoolies (rock, alternative) 29 The Delta Hand (electric blues) 31 Candace Campana (rock/country) 33 12 O’Clock Tribe (21st Century reggae) 35 The Super Babes (iconic goddess rock ’n’ roll) 37 Erie Street Troubadour (original bluesy Americana) 6 p.m. 2 Counting Butterflies (indie) 4 Goody & The Gospel (swampy psych blues rock) 6 Chloe & the Steel Strings (Americana) 8 Mick and Rick (rock, soul, blues) 10 Glass Bones (alternative) 12 Noah Benitez-Lee (Americana/folk) 14 ASAVA (rock) 16 Truss (rock) 18 Red Rose Panic (dynamic hip-hop) 20 Akronauts (rock, punk, grunge, funk) 22 Aka & Co (R&B/rap fusion band) 24 Dave Rich & His Enablers (rock) 26 Time Cat (rock) 28 Shelby Olive (indie pop/singer-songwriter) 30 The EffanGee Band (rock, blues, Americana) 32 F5 (classic rock and originals) 34 The Kahuna Kings (instrumental surf) 36 Wednesday Demonstration (punk rock) 38 Wreck Like Me (folk rock) https://signalakron.org/akron-porchrokr-heres-the-lineup-for-next-weekends-outdoor-music-festival-porchrocker/ Also, Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader from Ideastream have put together a playlist and made their recommendations of who to see at this year's PorchROKR. https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2024-08-08/plan-your-akron-porchrokr-2024-with-shuffles-music-picks

I don't know this for certain, but I would expect that a lot of their land has permanent conservation easements on them that would make this difficult.

Free parking for Browns fans to tailgate is an enormous opportunity cost for the city in preserving and maintaining surface lots for this purpose.

But Jimbo isn't the only developer in Cleveland. And I think any lakefront development benefits from having multiple developers involved, both from diversifying risk (see the stall of development on the East Bank of the Flats) and from not resulting in a bland sameness in design.

Ken, did you crash your site with this news? I can't access the article or your blog landing page!

Sure, but if there was value in utilizing Burke in this way don't you think it already would be?

Is Burke used for air freight?

Light on details, but Bibb continues to work the decision makers and hopefully we continue to see the benefit of those meetings. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb talks lakefront with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg by Nick Castele August 5, 2024 [Mayor Justin Bibb and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg] spoke June 24, when the secretary was visiting Northeast Ohio, the mayor’s office said. Details on the talks are minimal. City Hall would only say that Bibb updated Buttigieg about “lakefront vision and plans.” ... Cleveland has plenty of lakefront matters of interest to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The city is pursuing a federal grant for the long-sought land bridge connecting downtown to the lake. Then there’s the possibility of expanded Amtrak service through Ohio. Perhaps the biggest Lake Erie fish of them all is the potential closure of Burke Lakefront Airport. Cleveland officials have said they are nearing a decision on the airport’s fate. If the city does move to close the airport, it would need the feds’ blessing. Bibb met in May with an official from the Federal Aviation Administration, an agency within the Transportation Department. https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-mayor-justin-bibb-talks-lakefront-with-transportation-secretary-pete-buttigieg/

Worth also asking whether Jimmy was still interested in this as an option given he wants to control parking and ancillary development opportunities. Based on the sites you identified it doesn't look like there'd be all that much in the way of additional commercial or residential development without additional land acquisitions.

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan Published: Aug. 02, 2024 By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The city of Cleveland is seeking public input and engagement on its ambitious five-year transportation initiative that aims to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of walking, biking and using public transit across the city. In a news release Friday, the city said it hopes to harness the feedback and build upon the multimodal transportation plan, dubbed “Cleveland Moves,” which includes five key components: • Bikeway Master Plan Update: The city will refresh its 2007 Bikeway Master Plan to propose a comprehensive bike network suitable for all ages and abilities, with rapid implementation over the next three years. • Vision Zero Action Plan Expansion: A detailed focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety issues will help identify priority investments to improve safety and comfort for walkers and cyclists. • Program and Policy Review: The plan will assess current programs and policies, addressing gaps related to walking, biking and rolling. • Midway Bikeway Network Development: This involves shaping the design and functionality of the proposed Midway Bikeway Network. • Integration and Prioritization: The initiative will consolidate ongoing projects and new recommendations into a five-year action plan, adhering to the city’s 2002 Complete and Green Streets Ordinance. ... Residents are encouraged to contribute by submitting preferred routes, common destinations and identifying barriers through an online interactive map. They can also sign up for email updates to stay informed about the plan’s progress. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/08/city-launches-cleveland-moves-initiative-seeks-public-input-on-5-year-transportation-plan.html

Not the kind of upgrades I like to see in our parks, but sadly likely a necessary step to keep people feeling safe and comfortable at Edgewater and so still visiting. Cuyahoga prosecutor plans to spend $100,000 upgrading security cameras at Edgewater following June shooting Published: Aug. 01, 2024 By Lucas Daprile, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – Authorities are installing new surveillance cameras at Edgewater Beach following a chaotic shootout earlier this summer at the popular park. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said his office is planning to spend more than $100,000 on new cameras at the beach, though the dollar amount and type of equipment are still being decided upon. ... Installing the new surveillance equipment is a top priority for Cleveland Metroparks Police Department, which is the lead agency in investigating the shooting, said the agency’s spokeswoman, Jacqueline Gerling. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/08/cuyahoga-prosecutor-plans-to-spend-100000-upgrading-security-cameras-at-edgewater-following-june-shooting.html

This is right, it wasn't that long ago that the city was stuck in court with the Georges over the lot on the corner of Detroit and W25.

A bit more detail specific to the projects specific to the Painesville portion of the USEPA grant. The coal plant will remain to house the city's switchgear, I'm not sure if that includes battery storage or not but I've heard that will be housed at the power plant as well. The employees of the plant will also receive training to be able to work the solar facilities. There is also a bit more detail on West Creek's involvement to rehabilitate the site, though I also believe the final site plans are still being developed and we could see more news coming from this site. Painesville to receive $80 million grant to build solar power facility: Conservation group will also add pollinator-friendly plants, trees to site By Bryson Durst PUBLISHED: August 1, 2024 Parma-based nonprofit West Creek Conservancy is currently working on a site control agreement to buy or lease the land, said WCC Conservation Director Brett Rodstrom. It plans to lease the solar project site to Painesville. ... Rodstrom said that West Creek and partners will use funding from the grant to add plants for pollinators and migratory birds between the solar panels. The conservation group will also reforest land along the Grand River. Lewis said that the city and West Creek intend to eventually build a path on the site to connect to the Lake Metroparks Lakefront Trail, though the grant will not fund path construction. https://www.news-herald.com/2024/08/01/painesville-to-receive-80-million-grant-to-build-solar-power-facility/

The $461M is only Cleveland's portion of the public funding. Jimmy's original ask was for $500-$600M in public funding to remain on the lakefront; the city's offer is most of the way there, I would expect the county and state to be able to easily provide the remaining funding.

Mayor Justin Bibb goes public with $461M taxpayer-funded offer to renovate Browns stadium, asks Haslams to respond by Aug. 12 Published: Aug. 01, 2024 By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com Bibb, in a press release, laid out his offer to the Browns to keep them in Cleveland. That offer would amount to $461 million in city subsidies, including: · $367 million ($227 million from increases in admission tax revenues, $120 million from Cuyahoga County sin tax revenues, and $20 million in existing stadium capital reserves) over the 30-year lease term, with a five-year renewal option. · The city will turn the Willard Garage and the Muni Lot over to the Browns for their exclusive use on game days and event days. Parking revenues are expected to generate $94 million for capital repairs and improvements. · Under the current lease, the city covers $1.3 million in annual property taxes and insurance, while the Browns pay $250,000 in rent. Under the proposed new lease, rent will be waived for the Browns, but they will assume responsibility for the insurance and tax payments. This adjustment aligns with the lease agreements held by the Guardians and Cavs, making it consistent across sports franchises in Cleveland. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/08/mayor-justin-bibb-goes-public-with-461m-taxpayer-funded-offer-to-renovate-browns-stadium-asks-haslams-to-respond-by-aug-12.html

‘Wrench’ in Akron Innerbelt funding could change project timeline as a federal grant deadline moves up by Arielle Kass August 1, 2024 The urban design consultants the city of Akron is considering to remake the Innerbelt were supposed to have as long as 15 months to talk to community members about what they wanted to happen with the stretch of freeway before applying for federal money to help fund it. But a few weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation consolidated three years of funding into one application, due in September, upending the city’s timeline. ... Already, the city has selected four urban design firms as finalists to create a vision and proposal for what to do with the former freeway that destroyed a predominantly Black neighborhood when it was built in the 1970s. Julien said the original plan had been to choose a firm by mid-August, though he might move up the selection a week. https://signalakron.org/wrench-in-akron-innerbelt-funding-could-change-project-timeline-as-a-federal-grant-deadline-moves-up/

Lakewood gets to keep a good one, but we're losing a great one... And this one hurts. Salt, the Acclaimed Lakewood Small Plates Restaurant, Is Closing in August By Dillon Stewart Salt, one of Cleveland's most acclaimed restaurants, is closing on Aug. 31. The restaurant announced the news in a social media post that began: "Goodbyes are never easy and this one cuts us to the core, but here we are…." In an early morning phone call, co-owner Jessica Parkison told Cleveland Magazine that the decision didn't come because things had slowed at the Detroit Avenue restaurant — "everybody is slow right now," she says — she felt it was "just time." ... When asked if a new project was in the works, Parkison says the duo is focused on Poppy, the Larchmere Boulevard restaurant it opened in March 2023. https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/articles/salt-the-acclaimed-lakewood-small-plates-restaurant-is-closing-in-august

Cory Hajde's Vessel Hospitality Acquires Rood Food By Dillon Stewart Cory Hajde, co-owner of Vessel Hospitality, had only eaten at Rood Food once or twice when he got a long email from its owner, who he’d never met, in February. Brian Ruthsatz, the 60-year-old who founded the fine dining-adjacent Lakewood eatery in 2018, was ready to retire. He’d explored other buyers but thought they were more interested in the property than the restaurant. He wanted to find an owner who could maintain the standard that had earned Rood accolades and a loyal following. Initially, Hajde was reluctant to take on another new project. After all, since co-founding music promotion company BravoArtist in 2011, he opened the acclaimed Tremont cocktail bar Cloak and Dagger in 2020 and, in 2021, purchased the 100-year-old entertainment complex Mahall’s in Lakewood, in which he subsequently launched Pins & Needles cocktail bar and an 800-person music venue called The Roxy. He is also involved with the vegan deli Black Market Meats in Lakewood and the music venue Ace of Cups in Columbus. This year, he announced another new cocktail bar, the member’s only Writer’s Room, is coming to the space above Cloak and Dagger. ... Hajde officially takes control of the Madison Avenue eatery on Aug. 1. He plans to change little, especially at first. Sure, Hajde has thoughts of tweaking the presentation of the menu, adding brunch and refreshing the brand, but those moves are on the back burner to housekeeping and updating systems for now. Chef Josh Erickson, who joined the team about a year ago, is staying on, and the restaurant is continuing its exploration of seasonal American fare. https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/articles/cory-hajde-vessel-hospitality-rood-food-lakewood

Summit Metro Parks unveils new amenities at Cascade Valley’s Valley View Area (photos) Published: Jul. 30, 2024 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Summit Metro Parks on Tuesday celebrated the addition of new amenities at the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park, located at 1212 Cuyahoga St. ... The additions are part of the park district’s commitment to offering access while prioritizing conservation, according to the park district. The recently completed work was funded in part by several grants: $450,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, $98,000 from Ohio Capital Improvement Community Park, Recreation and Conservation Project Funds and up to $100,000 from the Akron Garden Club, according to the park district. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2024/07/summit-metro-parks-unveils-new-amenities-at-cascade-valleys-valley-view-area-photos.html

Akron dedicates Phase 1 of Rubber City Heritage Trail, which eventually will link 7 neighborhoods Published: Jul. 30, 2024 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Getting from one place to another in Akron just got a little easier thanks to the opening of Phase 1 of the Rubber City Heritage Trail. Phase 1 of the multi-use trail stretches 0.9 miles. It begins at 3rd Avenue and the Middlebury Run Park Trail and ends at Exchange Street by Fire Station 2, according to the city. The city is working on plans for Phase 2 of the trail, which will extend Phase 1 through Akron’s Middlebury neighborhood. Once the entire 6-mile Rubber City Heritage Trail is complete, it will connect seven Akron neighborhoods: Goodyear Heights, Middlebury, University of Akron, Downtown Akron, Firestone Park, Summit Lake and Kenmore. The trail offers Akronites an alternate way to access parks, grocery stores, libraries, churches and other amenities. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2024/07/akron-dedicates-phase-1-of-rubber-city-heritage-trail-which-eventually-will-link-7-neighborhoods.html

The article below is a bit different from the park projects I usually link to. The article covers a lot; from expansion in acreage of the park system, to increasing engagement and amenities, to improving connection to communities throughout the region. I've had the chance to meet Brian a couple times and he is very clearly genuine in his passion for the region and its parks system. I've seen some folks lament that there are too many competing interests in the region and not a unified vision with a coordinated effort to achieve that vision. The Metroparks is not one of those areas and that is, in part, due to Brian's leadership. There is a passing mention toward the end of support from West Creek Conservancy and Western Reserve Land Conservancy. These two organizations have greatly contributed to the continued growth of the Metroparks, and they have a broad base of community support themselves. Brian Zimmerman grows Cleveland Metroparks into its second century of stewardship By: Brooke Bilyj July 29, 2024