Luke_S

Akron is already starting to see the benefits of being designated a Polymer Tech Hub. Would have been nice if they decided to move their HQ up from Texas too. Maybe in due time... Texas company bringing green, bacteria-based rubber production to Akron DAN SHINGLER July 11, 2024 What’s important about these organisms, he said, is they consume methane and produce Butanediol as waste. That’s used to make Butadiene, a chief and expensive ingredient in most common types of rubber. He’s got three compelling reasons to come to Akron, he said: It’s close to Appalachian shale gas, which will serve as his feedstock and is some of the least expensive natural gas anywhere; the area has numerous companies in the rubber and tire business that are his likely customers and partners, as well as world-class academics focused on rubber and plastics; and he’s just won a portion of the region’s $51 million in federal sustainable polymer hub to be part of the local polymer cluster. Witte said the advantages of being close to the Utica and Marcellus shale gas regions are the same for his company as they are for companies that use natural gas to make other products, like ethane. https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/texas-company-uses-bacteria-advance-green-rubber-production

Cleveland Council to vote on creating standalone parks and recreation department by Dakotah Kennedy July 10, 2024 Cleveland could get a shiny new department dedicated to its parks and recreation centers. Council is expected to vote today on legislation introduced in May to create the standalone department. Currently, the city’s parks and recreation centers are split up and overseen by the Department of Public Works, the city’s third largest department. ... If a new department is approved, the public works director would pass the torch – and the responsibilities – of overseeing the city’s parks and recreation centers to a new director of Parks and Recreation. The director would be paid between $150,000 and $175,000 a year, according to an online job posting. Aside from staffing and maintaining the city’s 172 parks and 22 recreation centers the department would also be responsible for city-owned golf courses and big performance venues such as the Public Auditorium and Music Hall and the Cleveland Browns Stadium, according to the proposed city ordinance. https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-parks-recreation-department/

Largest U.S. producer of rebar awarded JobsOhio grant to renovate vacant Akron facility Kim Palmer July 8th 2024 One of the largest international suppliers of rebar has announced plans to expand further into Ohio with the help of a JobsOhio revitalization grant to renovate a vacant building once owned by the Akron Rebar Co. The Commercial Metals Co. (CMC) plans to use the $175,000 grant to renovate a 16-acre lot at 809 W. Waterloo Road in Akron, Team NEO announced Monday, July 8. Once renovations are complete at the 32,000-square-foot facility, the Irving, Texas-based company plans to produce fabricated rebar and hire up to 50 new employees over the next five years. https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/former-akron-rebar-set-commercial-metals-co-expansion

A quick update, would be nice to see this building reactivated. Boarded-up Shaker Square apartment could get new owner, landlord says by Nick Castele July 8, 2024 Cleveland City Hall has been in housing court for a year trying to wrest control of the building at 2962 S. Moreland Blvd. from the local investor who owns it. ... Housing Court Administrative Judge W. Moná Scott gave the city the go-ahead in February to bring in a receiver to take possession of the property and clean it up. Then the building’s owner – a company called Nesvest LLC – proposed an alternative. Nesvest’s lawyer told a housing court magistrate in June that the company had lined up a buyer who would fix up the dilapidated building. https://signalcleveland.org/boarded-up-shaker-square-apartment-could-get-new-owner-landlord-says/

Maybe it's the write-up of this study, but I think it makes a pretty basic mistake; the lack of investment into infrastructure of alternative modes of transportation. Pedestrian death increases are noted, but not detailed. Money available for transit investments from the Infrastructure and Jobs act is noted, but in passing and in the context of general infrastructure improvements. So in the context of this article, improvements of personal automobile infrastructure. If we're serious about reducing traffic deaths then we need to invest in transit infrastructure to give people alternatives to driving and we need to start building infrastructure that doesn't only prioritize personal automobiles, with pedestrian traffic as an after thought. Ohio traffic deaths up compared to ten years ago despite recent declines BY: NICK EVANS JULY 5, 2024 The Roadway Information Program, or TRIP, study has some good news and some bad. The transportation research nonprofit found that in the 10 years between 2013 and 2023, traffic fatalities have jumped substantially nationwide. But zeroing in on the past three, deaths have begun to decline from their peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... In Ohio specifically, the number of fatalities has increased by 26% over the past decade, rising from 989 in 2013 to 1,242 in 2023. Those 2023 figures are 8% lower than the state’s peak in 2021. Applying the raw numbers to travel patterns, Ohio’s fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel amounts to an increase of 23% over the past ten years and a decline of 10% over the past three years. ... Over the past five years, speeding related crashes rose by 21% around the U.S. and accounted for more than a quarter of traffic deaths in 2023. Between 2018 and 2022, alcohol-involved crashes rose by 29%, and fatalities from distracted driving increased by 16%. The study’s authors are quick to note while cellphone use is often cited as an example of distracted driving, it’s not the only culprit — eating, talking, and adjusting controls can all take attention away from the road. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/07/05/ohio-traffic-deaths-up-compared-to-ten-years-ago-despite-recent-declines/

University of Akron to beef up polymer sector workforce development with tech hub funding Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar July 5, 2024 Some of the federal funding will go to the University of Akron to focus on life cycle assessment training as part of its Workforce Initiative for a Sustainable Environment, said Vice President for Research and Business Engagement Sue Bausch. ... UA plans to add courses in life cycle assessment and update the current curriculum to include the topic, Bausch said. ... The university will also develop ways to provide more workforce development for continuing education and K-12 programming, including summer camps that teach kids about polymers, Bausch said. https://www.ideastream.org/education/2024-07-05/university-of-akron-to-beef-up-polymer-sector-workforce-development-with-tech-hub-funding

Akron receives more than $50 million in federal funding for sustainable polymer tech hub Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published July 2, 2024 Akron will receive more than $50.5 million to develop and produce the next generation of rubber and plastics, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown announced Tuesday. ... The Akron Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub will accelerate sustainable polymer manufacturing and commercialization to tackle the environmental impacts of fossil fuel-driven polymers, according to the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration. Akron is just one of 12 such tech hubs in the country to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Brown said, totaling $504 million. The Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs were born out of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022. https://www.ideastream.org/economy/2024-07-02/akron-receives-more-than-50-million-in-federal-funding-for-sustainable-polymer-tech-hub

Three sites identified as potential locations for new Akron Police Department headquarters by Doug Brown July 1, 2024 While the final decision has not yet been made, Malik’s office announced on Monday that the police department will either stay put in a potentially renovated Stubbs building or move to one of two nearby spots. ... 80 W. Bowery St. “This 117,000 square foot building was originally designed and constructed in 1950 for retail use and is owned by Akron Children’s Hospital. The current building has recently been prepared for renovation, providing a clean slate for development.” 178 S. Forge St. “This site, submitted by the University of Akron, previously contained a Wonder Bread bakery and offices. That building has been demolished, meaning that, if chosen, the city would construct the station as a new building according to chosen specifications.” https://signalakron.org/three-sites-identified-as-potential-locations-of-new-akron-police-department-headquarters-shammas-malik-brian-harding/

Jersey Mike’s and Lakewood Bottle Shop are open for business. Cleveland Bagel, Cultivate Yoga, and a joint location by Makeup by Meridith and Megan Cox Bridal are set to open soon. Body Fit Training is tentatively in line as a future tenant too. Scalish Construction is in old church and schoolhouse, but there is almost 4,000 square feet in the garden level of the church space available for retail or office uses. The remaining Trinity Block space includes a 1,000-square-foot retail location and a 550-square-foot office space. Lakewood’s latest adaptive-reuse project -- Trinity Block -- nears completion Jun. 26, 2024 By John Benson, special to cleveland.com LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Roughly five years have passed since Lakewood saved the former Trinity Lutheran Church property. With a fast-food restaurant kicking the tires on the Detroit Road property, the city purchased the .7-acre lot, which included the former church and two vacant commercial storefronts. A year later, Lakewood approved a lease agreement with Scalish Construction for an adaptive-reuse project, originally estimated to cost $3.75 million. https://www.cleveland.com/community/2024/06/lakewoods-latest-successful-adaptive-reuse-project-trinity-block-nears-completion.html

City of Akron to help fund joint search for ready-to-develop land by Reegan Davis Saunders June 25, 2024 Akron City Council agreed Monday to pay $100,000 toward finding ready-to-develop land in Greater Akron as part of an understanding it entered with four area partners and a private donor. The city’s contribution is part of $1.3 million that will be used to fund the Greater Akron Site Development Fund, which also includes $100,000 from Summit County, $25,000 from the Greater Akron Chamber, $50,000 from the GAR Foundation and $25,000 from the Summit County Land Bank. The largest chunk, $1 million, comes from the private donor, who is requesting anonymity. The funding will be used to continue to analyze available land in Greater Akron, a process that was started previously, specifically on sites that have commercial or industrial potential. Site analysis will be targeted toward plots of land in the city and the “first ring suburbs” around the city, according to the resolution City Council passed Monday night. https://signalakron.org/city-of-akron-to-help-fund-joint-search-for-ready-to-develop-land-gar-summit-county-land-bank-greater-akron-chamber/

Cleveland Metroparks lands its biggest federal grant ever for East Side trail projects Crain's Staff June 25th 2024 Cleveland Metroparks has received a whopping $19.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that will be used to fully fund two East Side trail projects. In a press release announcing the grants, the Metroparks said those projects — the Slavic Village Downtown Connector North and the Morgana Run Extension — are key in supplying trail access to residents on the East Side and are part of the Cuyahoga Greenways Plan. ... “The Slavic Village Downtown Connector North will establish 1.7 miles of trail from E. 14th Street and Orange Avenue in Downtown Cleveland to the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Roseville Court. The Slavic Village Downtown Connector, including future phases, will total 3.2 miles and connect Washington Reservation to Downtown Cleveland while also connecting to the existing 2.1-mile Morgana Run Trail in Slavic Village. The nearly 1-mile Morgana Run Extension will complete the Morgana Run Trail to connect users from the Slavic Village Downtown Connector to Mill Creek Falls and Mill Creek Connector Trail in Garfield Park Reservation at Warner and Turney Roads, and on to the Towpath Trail.” https://www.crainscleveland.com/politics-policy/cleveland-metroparks-given-195-million-federal-grant

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad adds two vintage locomotives to its fleet By Kelly Krabill Published June 20, 2024 The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is adding two period locomotives to its collection. The new additions are part of a $3 million capital campaign, half of which has been raised so far, “aimed at expanding and preserving the railroad’s collection of vintage locomotives,” according to the press release. Both, a FPA-4 and a FPB-4 locomotive acquired from the Grand Canyon Railway, were manufactured at American Locomotive Company, an American manufacturing company in operation from the beginning of the 20th century into the late 1960s. https://www.wvxu.org/2024-06-20/cuyahoga-valley-scenic-railroad-adds-two-vintage-locomotives-to-its-fleet

More coming down in Akron, with some preservation. City asks to tear down most of historic Firestone Plant 1 by Bryan Pepper and Akron Documenters June 21, 2024 The City of Akron is seeking to demolish a portion of the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Company Plant 1 building that was built in 1910 because it can’t find a buyer to renovate the building and because it contains “high levels of contamination and asbestos,” according to city planners. ... The rear three wings (an aerial view of the building shows that it is made up of four side-by-side wings) will be demolished, while the entire front of the building, including the iconic clock tower, will be preserved. ... In October 2023, the city said it was seeking $12 million in grants for several demolition projects including the Firestone building, the Word Church and 125 vacant homes. https://signalakron.org/city-asks-to-tear-down-most-of-historic-firestone-plant-1/

Osborn Engineering was hired by City Hall to evaluate the status of Cleveland Browns Stadium and determine the cost of upgrades. ~$120M in upgrades will be needed before 2034, but the Browns told Signal Cleveland that they are only asking for the immediate and emergency repairs in order to ensure fan safety (~$10.7M). If the stadium were to stay on the lakefront the Haslam's would be looking to spend an additional $1.1B to improve the "fan experience". That's an enormous variance between necessary maintenance and repairs and voluntary improvements. Cleveland Browns Stadium needs millions in emergency repairs, audit says by Nick Castele June 17, 2024 There are $252,300 in immediate repairs – fixing fire doors, broken lights, cracking concrete and the like. Another $10.4 million in emergency repairs – defined by the Browns’ lease as repairs needed to protect health and safety – will come due by next year. The stadium needs new grease interceptors in its plumbing system. Pedestrian ramps are in need of replacement. Trash cans are rusting. Plus there’s a host of expensive concrete, steel and joint repairs to make, just to name some of the items on the list. The truly big repairs – $106.3 million of them – come between 2026 and 2034. The stadium’s scoreboards, installed just in 2014, will need their video displays replaced for $14.4 million, the audit said. There will be seats to replace, more structural repairs to make and video equipment that will go out of date. https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-browns-stadium-needs-millions-in-emergency-repairs-audit-says/

I'm not sure how much can be drawn from this, the general consensus now is that Democrats have gained higher propensity voters that are more likely to be aware and turn out in these types of special elections (or elections in general that Trump is not on the ballot).

The latest efforts to Free the Falls May 23, 2024 Visitors to Cascade Valley Metro Park will notice the Peck Road entrance, which leads to the renowned Signal Tree, is closed. This closure will continue for the next few years to accommodate two major water quality improvement projects: the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) and Gorge Dam removal, also known as the initiative to “Free the Falls.” The NSIT project is a City of Akron initiative and is part of its ongoing efforts to improve Cuyahoga River water quality and prevent untreated sewage from entering the water. The Gorge Dam removal project includes preparing the sediment placement area, removing and disposing of contaminated sediment, and deconstructing the dam. As planning for the NSIT and Free the Falls projects has materialized into tangible progress, the landscape in Cascade Valley Metro Park has transitioned into a construction zone. While park visitors anxiously await the thrill of a free flowing river through Gorge Metro Park’s geological splendor, environmentalists anticipate vast improvement to the physical, biological and chemical integrity of the Cuyahoga, the construction vehicles that will make it all possible are rumbling through the park. While the NSIT project construction continues, an even bigger water quality improvement project is just beginning. After years of intensive planning and collaborative efforts to remove the Gorge Dam, the U.S. EPA secured funding to implement the sediment management portion of the project. Summit Metro Parks prepared the sediment placement site by clearing a 40-acre area adjacent to Peck Road. The City of Akron will structure this site so it can receive the sediment. Once site preparations are complete and the contractor’s schedule is accepted, sediment from the dam pool will be pumped to this location, stabilized, capped with native soil and reforested. https://metro-parks.medium.com/the-latest-efforts-to-free-the-falls-d0155bd9684d

Nimisila Campground in Green reopened after electrical upgrades Anthony Thompson Akron Beacon Journal June 11, 2024 The Nimisila Campground in the Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park has reopened, according to a release from Summit Metro Parks. The campground, which closed in fall 2023 for electrical upgrades, now offers 18 electric sites and 11 non-electric sites. Twelve non-electric sites were converted to electric, according to the release. ... Other improvements include adding electricity to four restroom facilities and the picnic shelter, in order to provide additional lighting. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2024/06/11/nimisila-campground-has-reopened-for-2024-season/74058934007/

A lot of projects across the city getting funding from the Ohio Senate's half of the budget surplus Lawmakers are now looking to give more than $140 million to Northeast Ohio projects. Here’s who stands to get a share By Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com Jun. 10, 2024 The Senate’s plan, announced Monday, would give a total of more than $76 million in one-time funds to projects in Cuyahoga County and five neighboring counties as part of this year’s state capital budget, which lawmakers hope to pass before the end of the month. ... The Senate’s proposed funding plan also would provide $8 million to help a $3.5 billion proposal to build 3.5 million square feet of offices, apartments, retail, and entertainment spaces between Tower City Center’s unfinished western edge and the Cuyahoga River. The project, put forward by Bedrock, the Detroit-based real estate company headed by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, would include the construction of one of the world’s largest athletic training and wellness facilities. ... The Senate is also seeking to provide nearly $40 million for about 40 projects in Cuyahoga County, including: • $5 million to assist Cleveland’s port modernize its bulk terminal • $2 million for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (on top of $5 million the House has already proposed to give the institution) • $2 million to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to help build a new indoor “primate forest” • $1.8 million to aid a British company called Blue Abyss in building a $250 million astronaut training center in Brook Park • $1 million each to Cleveland’s West Side Market and Irishtown Bend Park, Cahoon Park in Bay Village, and Doan Brook Park in Shaker Heights. Including the House’s proposal, that would mean $2.4 million in total for West Side Market and $2 million each for Irishtown Bend Park and Cahoon Park. Cuyahoga County would get about $83 million total in one-time funding, when the House’s list of projects is included. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/06/lawmakers-are-now-looking-to-give-more-than-140-million-to-northeast-ohio-projects-heres-who-stands-to-get-a-share.html

Again, not much news, but seems that the Bibb administration is maybe a bit further along in this process and I assumed. Or maybe to have meaningful and actionable study findings discussing the closure with Burke was always had to be part of the early processes. Not sure if we can make any assumptions from this. FAA official met with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb to discuss Burke Lakefront Airport closure by Mark Naymik June 8, 2024 The Federal Aviation Administration’s associate administrator of airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, who oversees national airport planning, met with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on May 8 to discuss the future of Burke Lakefront Airport, the FAA confirmed to Signal on Friday. In a statement to Signal Cleveland, the FAA said, “Ms. Griffin attended an informational meeting with the mayor and airport officials. The FAA did not make any commitments or decisions at this meeting.” Cleveland Director of Port Control Bryant Francis also attended the meeting. https://signalcleveland.org/faa-official-met-with-cleveland-mayor-justin-bibb-to-discuss-burke-lakefront-airport-closure/

It's official, the NWSL bid is in!

A lot of news out of the West Side Market this week! West Side Market to add temporary patio dining space, popup vendors and digital newsletter By Paris Wolfe, cleveland.com Jun. 07, 2024 CLEVELAND, Ohio – While the non-profit Cleveland Public Market Corporation is raising money to implement revitalization plans outlined in West Side Market master plan, small changes are moving forward at the Ohio City landmark. Market management is adding a temporary patio dining space, regular popup vendors and a new digital newsletter. Hungry shoppers will appreciate the new patio and dining space, to be located between the produce arcade and Market Hall. It should open in late June/early July. ... In the future, the market’s master plan calls for new hallways between the North Arcade and the Market Hall to protect customers from the elements. They will hae retractable doors that can be opened in accommodating weather. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2024/06/west-side-market-to-add-temporary-patio-popup-vendors-and-digital-newsletter.html

West Side Market increases parking rates, goes gateless By Paris Wolfe, cleveland.com Jun. 07, 2024 CLEVELAND, Ohio --The West Side Market has changed its parking system, effective Friday, June 7. Rates are higher and gates are gone. Now shoppers have one hour free, then pay $1.50 every hour thereafter to a maximum of $12. Previous rates were 90 minutes free, then $1 every hour after to a maximum of $10. ... Patrick Evans, director of marketing for the West Side Market says the parking gates were removed “to make it much easier for cars to enter and exit as well as alleviating major traffic back-ups onto Lorain Ave and West 25th Street when the Market is very busy (a frequently cited problem).” https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2024/06/west-side-market-increases-parking-rates-goes-gateless.html

Limestone shipments are soaring on the Great Lakes as infrastructure spending surges DAN SHINGLER June 07, 2024 https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/infrastructure-spending-boosts-great-lakes-limestone-shipments

Take an inside look at Ohio's newest state park, set to open this week By Adriana Martinez-Smiley Published June 5, 2024 Great Council State Park will be the newest state park in Ohio when it opens on Friday. Not only is it the newest park, it’s also the only Ohio state park to be constructed and planned in collaboration with the three federally recognized Shawnee nations. WYSO got a sneak peek into some features of the park, including the two-story Shawnee Cultural Center. The architecture of the center is inspired by an 18th century Shawnee council house. https://www.ideastream.org/2024-06-05/take-an-inside-look-at-ohios-newest-state-park-set-to-open-this-week

West Side Market walks away with $20 million after all By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com Jun. 06, 2024 CLEVELAND, Ohio – One year after the big fight between Mayor Justin Bibb and Cleveland City Council over the city’s tab for major repairs and upgrades at the West Side Market, City Council has relented. Council this week signed off on $10 million to help revitalize the West Side Market. That’s on top of another $10 million approved by council last year, bringing the city’s total contribution to $20 million – exactly what Bibb had originally sought in early 2023, before council slashed the figure by half. ... Even with the new money from Cleveland taxpayers, at least $30 million more is still needed to do the full scope of work anticipated, which includes a renovation of the basement, where food is prepared and stored, and a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, which will provide air-conditioning for the first time in the market’s history. Also slated are updates to the electrical and emergency power systems, roof and building repairs, and changes to the arcade that will accommodate more vendors who sell prepared foods. The market also plans to offer sit-and-dine space for visitors. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2024/06/west-side-market-walks-away-with-20-million-after-all.html