Luke_S

METRO RTA ridership rates hit highest level in 3 years by Kevin Dilley and Akron Documenters July 29, 2024 METRO RTA reported a 25.6% increase in ridership year over year through May. Members of the transportation group’s leadership team presented these findings during committee meetings held July 18 at the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center in Akron. ... Leppo also said that METRO RTA has experienced a more substantial rebound in ridership compared to the national average. “We implemented a comprehensive network redesign about a year ago, [the culmination of] years of effort,” he said. The effort focused on core users, increasing frequency, and streamlining services. https://signalakron.org/metro-rta-ridership-rates-hit-highest-level-in-3-years/

Medina breaks ground on Legacy Hotel south of square By Emily Canning-Dean, special to cleveland.com Published: Jul. 27, 2024 MEDINA, Ohio -- The site at 257 S. Court St. was packed with city, county and state officials, developers, business owners and excited community members July 26 as Medina prepared for the groundbreaking of the Legacy Hotel. ... [Developer Jason Stevenson, CEO of Autonomy Capital Group] expects construction will begin in 30 to 45 days, with project completion taking place late in 2025. The hotel will boast 77 guest rooms and suites, more than 110 parking spaces, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, three distinct food and beverage outlets, and an event venue. https://www.cleveland.com/community/2024/07/medina-breaks-ground-on-legacy-hotel.html

Sustainable Polymer Tech Hub hopes for state funding Dan Shingler July 26th 2024 The backers and members of Northeast Ohio’s federally designated Sustainable Polymer Tech Hub hope they’re not done yet when it comes to gaining governmental support to elevate the industry in the region. Fresh on the heels of winning a $51 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant for their effort, they now hope the state of Ohio will also find them worthy of funding – as it recently did with Toledo, when the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) awarded $31 million on July 1 to the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub centered there. ... If the polymer hub were to receive the same funding as Toledo’s glass hub, that would add up to about $82 million in state and federal funds. Add close to $20 million in matching funds from members and other backers that would come with it, and the polymer hub would have more than $100 million in funding, Anderson said, cautiously. https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/ohios-sustainable-polymer-hub-hopes-further-funding

I'm not sure it necessarily will be torn down. My understanding there is a reuse plan for the plant to house the battery storage part of the solar grid to be able to provide energy during peak hours if the solar array isn't able to meet the demand. I don't know what exactly that will look like though--smoke stacks coming down or a new build here all together? Also, the remediation coming to the Diamond Shamrock site will likely more than make up for any loss of this power plant.

CLEVELAND METROPARKS OPENS DISC GOLF COURSE IN BEDFORD RESERVATION Posted: July 23, 2024 Cleveland Metroparks today announced the opening of Astorhurst Disc Golf Course in Bedford Reservation. The free 18-hole, par 65 course spans 10,494 total yards, and features amateur, professional and competition tee boxes. The course is the first-of-its-kind for Cleveland Metroparks, offering communities the opportunity to experience this growing sport. Constructed in-house, Astorhurst Disc Golf Course utilizes rolling hills, elevation changes, and wooded areas that were features of the former Astorhurst Golf Course that is now a public park. Each hole begins with designated launch pads for tee shots and concludes with a common basket. The course is open daily during regular park hours and players must bring their own disc golf discs. Protection of Astorhurst has helped to preserve a significant portion of Tinker's Creek and its associated headwater streams and floodplains. The 30-mile-long Tinker’s Creek is the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River with a watershed spanning 4 counties and 24 communities, collecting water from nearly 100 square miles of land. https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/news-press/2024/july-2024/cleveland-metroparks-opens-disc-golf-course-in-bed

Speaking of things Senator Brown has delivered for the people of Ohio; from what I know Brown was instrumental in getting this grant for Cuyahoga and Lake counties.

Goodyear had a busy weekend.... Goodyear to move 175 jobs from Akron to Costa Rica July 22, 2024 Tire Business Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is relocating 175 positions from its Akron headquarters to a new Goodyear location in Costa Rica, another move the tire maker said supports its Goodyear Forward transformation plan. Other employees also were laid off, further reducing the headcount at its corporate headquarters in Akron. No union workers are included in the layoffs, according to a Goodyear spokesperson. https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/goodyear-relocating-175-positions-akron-costa-rica Goodyear sells Off-the-Road tire business for $905 million July 22, 2024 DAN SHINGLER While it didn’t quite get the $1 billion price that was predicted a couple of weeks ago, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has sold its Off-the-Road (OTR) tire business to Yokohama Rubber Co., as expected. Goodyear announced Monday morning, July 22, that it has agreed to sell the OTR business unit to its Japanese counterpart for $905 million. The company noted that the transaction follows a previously announced strategic review of the OTR business as part of the Goodyear Forward transformation plan put together in late 2023 with the approval of activist investor Elliott Investment Management. https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/goodyear-sells-road-tire-business-yokohama

Yes, its former Diamond Shamrock chemical plant in Painesville. West Creek Conservancy is involved in the restoration project of that site along Lake Erie and the Grand River.

Reposting here since there are projects in Cuyahoga County as well.

This is an absolutely massive project and could be transformational for Painesville/ Fair Port Harbor. There will more information in the coming week as additional releases are issued and a press conference held at the end of the week. Massive EPA grant will fund solar installations in Greater Cleveland and restore major brownfield Jul. 22, 2024 By Peter Krouse, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – The U.S. Environmental Protection agency has awarded a $129 million grant to a Cuyahoga County-led partnership to install solar panels on local landfills, mothball a coal-fired power plant and return a major brownfield to natural habitat. The partnership, which includes Cuyahoga County and the cities of Cleveland and Painesville, is one of 25 applicants from across the country chosen by the U.S. to receive a federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. ... The grant will pay for the development of 63 megawatts of solar energy across several sites, said Mike Foley, administrator of Cuyahoga Green Energy, and allow the city of Painesville to close its coal-burning power plant. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/07/massive-epa-grant-will-fund-solar-installations-in-greater-cleveland-and-restore-major-brownfield.html

Why is this in this thread? And how is Taylor Swift "encouraging her fans" to fly to Europe? She should only tour in America?

LeBron James foundation opens new health center in Akron Ideastream Public Media | By Des Torres Published July 18, 2024 LeBron James Family Foundation on Tuesday announced the opening of a health center that will help families who are a part of LeBron James’ I Promise School and members of the wider Akron community. ... The center, dubbed a “HealthQuarters,” will provide access to dental, medical, optometry and mental health services, according to the release. It also offers on-site lab services and a reduced-cost pharmacy. ... The foundation partnered with AxessPointe Community Health Center to provide primary medical care to the underserved area, the release said. Coleman Health Services will provide mental health and behavioral health services. https://www.ideastream.org/health/2024-07-18/lebron-james-foundation-opens-new-health-center-in-akron

Akron seeks residents’ feedback on Innerbelt project design ideas by Doug Brown July 19, 2024 Three months after the city asked for submissions from urban design consultants for the next steps of the Akron Innerbelt project study area, the four firms under consideration will make their cases at a public meeting. Residents are invited to the event to be held Thursday from 5-8:30 p.m. at House Three Thirty at 532 W. Market St. in Akron’s West Hill neighborhood. The event will also be live streamed on Mayor Shammas Malik’s Facebook page. https://signalakron.org/akron-seeks-residents-feedback-on-innerbelt-project-design-ideas/

Not that I'm confident that Brown will win, but he is a much stronger politician than the statewide candidates in the last several cycles and has a strong enough independent political identify with Ohio voters that I'm not sure how much Biden's weakness will be reflected on him. I'm going to swerve here a little bit because I hear this a lot and its been bothering me, but I don't understand the conventional wisdom that Tim Ryan was a strong candidate that ran a good campaign. JD Vance was a very bad candidate. Vance didn't start campaigning until the end of the summer and the RNC had to step in to kick off the ad campaign. Ryan had the profile and a winning playbook from Brown for how a populist Democrat can win Ohio and he instead leaned into xenophobia and nativism. I still voted for Ryan, but it was very much a reluctant vote. I imagine there were Democrats that were completely turned off by his campaign messaging. And I'm not sure those are persuadable issues for independent or Republican leaning voters Ryan was trying to target. The counter to this is that Vance ran far behind all other statewide Republicans, but again, I think that speaks more to his weakness as a candidate than Ryan's strength. Maybe this is just post hoc rationalization in convincing myself that Ohio isn't as red as it appears, but I think that was a very winnable election and Ryan absolutely blew it. Anyway, in addition to the limited polling on the Ohio Senate race that looks good for Brown, we have some more good data points. Brown leads Moreno in fundraising ahead of crucial Senate race in Ohio BY: NICK EVANS JULY 17, 2024 During the second quarter, Brown’s campaign raised $12.8 million, and it heads into the summer with $10.7 million in cash on hand. Brown’s committee has no outstanding debts. In a statement, Brown’s campaign manager Rachel Petri described his “unprecedented grassroots support” and pointed to his record protecting pensions and reproductive rights. ... A little more than $4.6 million of Brown’s fundraising the quarter came through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. The average contribution amount was about $120. Brown also raised about $1 million from various PACs including several associated with fellow senators, organized labor and the banking industry — Brown chairs the Senate banking committee. ... [A] joint effort [between Moreno’s principal committee, the Ohio Republican Party, the National Republican Senatorial Committee which supports GOP Senate candidates around the country, and the Best at Bringing Entrepreneurial Results Never Imagined or Envisioned PAC] has been a crucial lifeline for Moreno’s campaign. During the second quarter, his principal campaign committee brought in $4.4 million. But a little more than $2 million of that came from transfers from the joint fundraising committee. In terms of direct fundraising, Moreno’s main committee raised only about $1.9 million. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/07/17/u-s-sen-sherrod-brown-leads-fundraising-ahead-of-crucial-senate-race-in-ohio/

Akron-Canton Airport awarded $3.2 million to pave way for expansion Ideastream Public Media | By Kelly Krabill Published July 16, 2024 The Akron-Canton Airport is planning to add new ramps and hangar space with a $3.2 million state grant. “The addition of ramp pavement to the West Side General Aviation Area provides much-needed flexibility for our current and future tenants to expand,” said Ren Camacho in the release, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Airport. “This development will create jobs, improve transportation options, enhance educational opportunities and boost the economic vitality of our community for years to come.” https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2024-07-16/akron-canton-airport-awarded-3-2-million-to-pave-way-for-expansion

Dave’s at Shaker Square set for an upgrade by Anastazia Vanisko and Cleveland Documenters July 16, 2024 Dave’s Market in Shaker Square is set to receive a $250,000 forgivable loan from the City of Cleveland. City Council passed legislation approving the funds for improvements to the store on July 10. In a committee meeting discussing the proposal, Tania Menesse, president and CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP), emphasized to council members the loan’s importance for keeping Dave’s Market in the Shaker Square district. David Saltzman, the vice president of Operations, Finance and Strategy for Dave’s Supermarkets, said their lease at Shaker Square ends in December, but they have agreed to renew through 2029. Saltzman said the loan would fund improvements such as replacing the flooring, upgrading signage and expanding the prepared food section. https://signalcleveland.org/daves-at-shaker-square-set-for-an-upgrade/

Most political ads are stupid. I'm not sure I've seen the specific ad you're referring to but I'd imagine the point of the ad is to underline the hypocrisy of a man who is running under the "America First" banner making his money off of selling foreign luxury cars. I'm sure is also part of a broader narrative of Bernie's questionable business practices when running his dealerships. The Youngstown/Warren area is also no longer reliably Democratic... Mahoning County went for Trump in 2020 and Vance in 2022.

Then you haven't been paying attention. Sherrod Brown has been a terrific Senator and advocate for Ohio. That's....That's not how the Senate works...

RTA takes first step toward all-electric, zero-emissions fleet Kim Palmer | July 15th 2024 The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) last month took the first step toward a multi-decade transition from gas, diesel and low-emission compressed natural and liquid propane gas vehicles to an all-electric fleet. In June, the agency released a 95-page request for proposal (RFP), looking for a consulting firm to guide the slow phase-out of all fossil fuel buses and vans that will depend on receiving a portion of a $1.5 billion in federal Modernize Bus Fleets and Deploy Clean Transit Buses Across America funds. If all goes according to the RTA’s 2022 Climate Action Plan, the agency will reach 40% of its 2018 carbon emissions levels in 2030 by first replacing all diesel with low-emission vehicles. https://www.crainscleveland.com/energy/rta-takes-first-step-all-electric-zero-emissions-fleet

Akron Zoo announces plans for $12M animal hospital Published: Jul. 15, 2024 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zoo on Monday announced it plans to build a 11,949 square-foot animal hospital, with work expected to begin next year. The $11.95 million project is scheduled to be open in 2026, according to a news release. The new hospital will be located behind the Landon & Cynthia Knight Pride of Africa area along Diagonal Road. The new hospital will allow the zoo to provide care for its 2,000 resident animals, including check-ups, management of diseases and chronic conditions, surgeries and end-of-life care. Plans for the hospital call for a state-of-the-art surgery suite, an intensive care unit and specialized areas to provide care for the zoo’s myriad species, such as birds, animals with hooves, primates and large carnivores. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2024/07/akron-zoo-announces-plans-for-12m-animal-hospital.html

How should Metroparks spend $8M to improve southern portion of Gordon Park? Jul. 12, 2024 By Steven Litt, cleveland.com Cleveland Metroparks, LAND Studio and the St. Clair Superior Development Corp. will hold the first large-scale public meeting focusing on how Metroparks and its partners should spend $8 million donated in 2023 by the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. Registration for Tuesday’s meeting is requested. Details are available at: stclairsuperior.org/e/gordon-park-south-community-meeting-1/. The money from Mandel is intended to bring near-term improvements to the southern portion of Gordon Park, which was severed from the northern half of the park, and Lake Erie, by construction of the Shoreway between the 1930s and the 1950s. ... Metroparks expects to use information gathered from surrounding communities to shape new investments in the park starting next year. But the parks agency, which is leasing the space from the city, isn’t imposing top-down solutions. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/07/how-should-metroparks-spend-8m-to-improve-southern-portion-of-gordon-park.html

Destination Cleveland awarded state funds for family-friendly Public Square KIM PALMER July 12, 2024 A one-time, $750,000 state appropriation kicks off a plan to create a more inclusive and family-friendly Public Square, part of a larger Downtown Cleveland Inc. retail strategy. LAND Studio will partner with Downtown Cleveland Inc. to use money from the state’s $700 million-plus One-Time Strategic Community Investments Fund (OTSCIF) to create a Public Square that will make visitors and residents want to linger downtown. ... The earmarked funds will be used to kickstart the implementation of a recent Downtown Retail Strategy. One of its key recommendations is to create more places for social interaction throughout Cleveland’s multiple commercial corridors and public spaces, with the end goal of bringing more visitors to the city. https://www.crainscleveland.com/politics-policy/one-time-state-funds-set-cleveland-public-square-project

Lawmaker says Browns pushing for Ohio investment in stadium through bonds, not direct funds The Statehouse News Bureau | By Karen Kasler Published July 12, 2024 Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) is the chair of the Senate Finance committee, and a part owner of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team. Dolan said the state would be a partner in a new Browns stadium or a renovation, but not with direct money from the state's general revenue fund. "I don't know that that the Browns' offer is being accurately portrayed in the media," Dolan said in an interview for "The State of Ohio". "What they're actually saying to the state is, look at our plan and look at the return on investment over the next 30 years. And what we're saying is, if the state would give us the full faith and credit and go bond out $600 million, not write a check, but bond out those dollars, the Browns are saying we can show a return where the state actually will benefit from this." ... Dolan said like with any investment, state officials would need to determine if there’s a real return over the next 30 years. But if there isn’t, Ohio taxpayers would be on the hook for $600 million. Dolan says he’s looking into it, but that the concept is, in his words, a win-win. https://www.ideastream.org/2024-07-12/lawmaker-says-browns-pushing-for-ohio-investment-in-stadium-through-bonds-not-direct-funds

Summit Metro Parks opens new jogging trail extension July 11, 2024 GREATER AKRON — Visitors can now enjoy the East End, a stretch of roadway that Summit Metro Parks converted into an extension of the park district’s most popular trail. Located in Sand Run Metro Park, the East End (section of Sand Run Parkway between Portage Path and Merriman Road) was permanently closed to vehicles in spring 2022 to protect wildlife and allow for future trail connections. The East End project is the most recent phase of the efforts to restore and protect Sand Run Metro Park. Improvements include protection of natural resources and infrastructure improvements, which included removal of a culvert, placement of a pedestrian bridge, narrowing the road to trail width and removal of roadway elements. The new extension of the jogging trail will connect users to the Valley Link and Towpath trails near Big Bend. https://www.akron.com/articles/summit-metro-parks-opens-new-jogging-trail-extension/

And the legislation passes: Cleveland establishes parks and recreation department, forestry division Ideastream Public Media | By Abbey Marshall Published July 11, 2024 An amendment introduced Wednesday afternoon by council members successfully created a Division of Forestry within the new department to specifically focus on Cleveland's treescape. ... The legislation will eliminate what is now the Division of Recreation and Parks Maintenance and Properties and the Office of Special Events and Marketing from the Department of Public Works. The Office of Special Events and Marketing will now be housed under the Department of Parks and Recreation and will oversee planning and permitting for special events, including the filming of movies or television shows in the city. https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2024-07-11/cleveland-establishes-parks-and-recreation-department-forestry-division