Luke_S

I didn't realize CSU was treating the ND situation as a potential test case for future agreements with other struggling liberal-arts schools. I'm obviously not hoping for any of these institutions to fail, but if Cleveland State is able to pull off the ND case in a way that is beneficial to existing students and staff then maybe we see a fairly rapid expansion of CSU through acquisition/merger. Notre Dame College says no update yet on its future by Amy Morona February 15, 2024 Bloomberg went on to say that the university, as part of its recent work with the accounting and consulting firm Ernst & Young, decided this might not be the only situation where the institution could be talking “with a small private college in this area that might be struggling, or thinking about closing, or thinking about whether they can be acquired.” Cleveland State officials moved on to think about Notre Dame College as “something of a test case,” according to Bloomberg. This work, she added, could “help us come up with a rubric, what would be the things that we would think about if we were to consider a different kind of relationship” such as a merger, an acquisition or a strategic partnership with a type of revenue-sharing model. https://signalcleveland.org/notre-dame-college-says-no-update-yet-on-its-future/

There are plenty of parking spots within walking distance and there are ways to handle deliveries. There are businesses all over that are on pedestrian only streets that still manage to get their deliveries and thrive. One solution would be bollards that lower into the street allowing the street to be opened at certain times to deliveries, most probably the morning when pedestrian traffic is lighter.

Who did this?! 😂

Great find! Hopefully the MOA is finalized soon enough to allow the Metroparks to install the utilities while completing this project to hopefully reduce project cots, limit the amount of time that the West Pier is closed to pedestrians while work is being done, and the old Cost Guard Station can be activated that much sooner.

Looks like Myrtle Beach and Baltimore too https://www.cleveland.com/travel/2024/02/frontier-airlines-adds-nonstop-flights-to-10-new-destinations-from-cleveland-hopkins.html

Public Square receives $100,000 grant toward improvements Published: Feb. 13, 2024 By Megan Sims, cleveland.com Downtown Cleveland Inc., an organization focused on downtown development, was one of several winners of a $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, a New York City-based nonprofit that works to plan and design public spaces. Emily Putnam, the Public Spaces’ project manager involved with the Public Square project, said that the grant will provide both money and technical assistance. The grants are funded by General Motors. Downtown Cleveland Inc., said in a news release announcing the award Tuesday that the aim is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2024/02/public-square-receives-100000-grant-toward-improvements.html

Just a couple quick thoughts; (1) Rockside is already congested, you add gameday traffic and I think it will be a nightmare to get anywhere in that area. (2) The walking distance to the Broadway location shouldn't be too much of an issue IMO. People are already walking a comparable distance, either from downtown or the munilot to get to the stadium.

More ODNR grants coming to Cleveland Metroparks ODNR AWARDS MORE THAN $250,000 FOR LOCAL BOATING EDUCATION PROGRAMS February 08, 2024 Ten organizations across Ohio will receive up to $30,000 each to strengthen or enhance local boating education programs for youth and adult residents. The grants, awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), add up to $250,582.87. ... The Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation program provides human-powered, natural resource-based educational outdoor experiences. The program will use $30,000 in grant funding to purchase four sailboats, ten paddleboards, and two kayak storage/transport carts. Training expenses for staff to work with the American Canoe Association (ACA) to have two staff certified in ACA Kayak Instructor Trainer course certification will also be covered. (Cuyahoga County) https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/local-boat-ed-grants-24

FOURTEEN OHIO COMMUNITIES RECEIVE ODNR GRANT FUNDING FOR NEW February 12, 2024 From creating new routes to connecting existing paths, trails will be constructed around Ohio with the help of grants from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund—distributed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Fourteen communities will receive $6.2 million for new projects. ... Summit Metro Parks Freedom Trail (Phase IV) - $500,000 To finalize the project traveling from Mill Street at the University of Akron to the Towpath Trail. This project will link two major, multi-purpose trails in downtown Akron. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/clean-ohio-2024

FOURTEEN OHIO COMMUNITIES RECEIVE ODNR GRANT FUNDING FOR NEW February 12, 2024 From creating new routes to connecting existing paths, trails will be constructed around Ohio with the help of grants from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund—distributed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Fourteen communities will receive $6.2 million for new projects. ... Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Greenway (Phase III) - $385,000 To add 3,150 feet of new 10-foot-wide all-purpose trail to extend the trail from Chardon Road to St. Clair Avenue. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/clean-ohio-2024

It's sad, I'm not sure when Quinn became the editor, but Advance cannibalized itself by making cleveland.com a separate (importantly non-union) news room and mostly free. It was seemingly a short-sighted play to cut the experienced, union staff at the PD and now they're left with mad-lib writers regurgitating the same police blotter and yelp ranking stories. End of rant, apologies. I never don't get upset when I'm reminded about the demise of the Plain Dealer. I know all local papers are struggling and there are structural issues with the industry, but seems like obviously poor management accelerated the decline.

Rejoining MIPRC would be a significant step towards expanding passenger rail on Ohio, no? And bipartisan support in both chambers seems promising, though I'll withhold full optimism. Bills being drafted for Ohio to rejoin multi-state passenger rail commission The Statehouse News Bureau | By Sarah Donaldson Published February 9, 2024 Ohio lawmakers from both parties and chambers are planning to introduce concurrent bills later this year to rejoin the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC). In 2013, the state relinquished its MIPRC member status under Republican former Gov. John Kasich—and according to a news release from the Democratic caucus at the time, didn’t settle member fee debt for some time after. The decision came after Kasich turned down $400 million in federal grants for an Amtrak line running from Cleveland to Cincinnati. ... The Ohio House’s version of a bill to do that will be introduced in the next month or so, Skindell said, and several of his GOP colleagues have signed on to it. He has brought the idea forward before, but not in the form of a bill. https://www.ideastream.org/2024-02-09/bills-being-drafted-for-ohio-to-rejoin-multi-state-passenger-rail-commission

The land in question is currently owned by ODOT.

I posted over in the Cleveland Soccer thread, but for anyone who hasn't ventured over there, Crain's had an article that the Metroparks would purchase the land from ODOT then lease it to Cleveland Soccer. I liked this location for the Browns stadium before, but I'm liking it more now (assuming the soccer stadium is located here). Ideally the Gateway District's boundaries would be expanded to include these 2 stadiums if it wouldn't already. Metroparks to be potential intermediary for downtown soccer stadium

This is a good question, I don't know but my assumption would be the Metroparks is able to purchase the land with more favorable financing and the lease to Cleveland Soccer may only be a nominal lease. My other question is (1) what are the boundaries of the gateway district, and (2) if the proposed location for the soccer stadium isn't in the district could the district be expanded to include this area?

Posted in the Cleveland Soccer Stadium thread, but x-posting here as well

Metroparks to be potential intermediary for downtown soccer stadium JOE SCALZO February 09, 2024 https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/metroparks-be-potential-soccer-stadium-intermediary

Goodyear Heights community center to get $5.1 million renovation by Kevin Dilley and Akron Documenters February 9, 2024 Renovation plans for the 85-year-old Reservoir Park Community Center in Goodyear Heights moved forward this week after two public hearings and positive support from a key Akron group. ... The city has dedicated $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the renovation project, which includes replacement of a 1990s addition and upgrades to the outdoor pool, among other items. The city solicited public input from two open houses held Tuesday Feb. 6 at the center. Residents were able to view plans and share their thoughts with staff members. https://signalakron.org/goodyear-heights-community-center-to-get-5-1-million-renovation/

The Scene article references a parking study and you're pretty close to what they found https://www.clevescene.com/news/updated-plans-for-lorain-midway-project-draw-praise-for-cyclist-safety-complaints-about-elimination-of-parking-spots-43588707

‘I remember the smell’: Old Wonder Bread building to be demolished by Arielle Kass February 2, 2024 The smell of baking bread permeated the area for years, until baking stopped in 2010 and the University of Akron acquired the building in 2011. Now, the university plans to tear the factory down, saying it has outlived its usefulness. The 1920s building at 178 S. Forge St. has mostly been used for storage in recent years. There’s still a three-story oven in the middle of the 78,000-square-foot structure, said Stephen Myers, the university’s chief planning and facilities officer. He said he expects demolition to begin soon and be completed in May. The university doesn’t have a plan for building on the footprint at this time, and Myers said it will remain as greenspace “for the foreseeable future.” https://signalakron.org/wonder-bread-building-university-akron-demolished/

I sure hope that's not the endgame! From the end of the article: Harris expects the demolition to be completed by mid-February and the debris to be removed by late summer. The site will become a greenspace until East End decides a future use for the property.

So no plans for development of the former plant site yet then? Whatever they end up doing, but especially since this will be green space, at least in the near-term, I would like to see them daylight this section of the Little Cuyahoga.

Akron RTA’s transit center riders are ‘checking out’ Library On the Go by Kassi Filkins January 30, 2024 Bus riders at the downtown transit center are now able to check out books, movies and digital resources such as e-books and audiobooks as part of a collaboration between the Akron-Summit County Public Library and METRO RTA. The Library On the Go program, housed in a blue vending machine-style locker inside the facility at 631 S. Broadway St., was made possible by $62,535 in federal funding distributed by the State Library of Ohio’s American Rescue Plan Act 2021 Outreach Grant. ... QR codes on site allow patrons to sign up for a library card so they can check out items. Books and movies will be replenished multiple times throughout the week in the lockers at the transit center – library goers can return physical library items in the return box. https://signalakron.org/akron-rta-library-check-out/

Summit County Council votes to accept Peninsula in sewer district Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published January 29, 2024 Summit County Council voted unanimously to accept Peninsula into the Summit County Metropolitan Sewer District Monday night. The vote is the next step in the county's plan to move the village from septic systems to a centralized wastewater management system. ... Summit County is also working to find Peninsula a water source, according to officials. District 2 Councilmember John Schmidt asked why the county is only helping Peninsula with this problem. ... Summit County Director of Sanitary Sewer Systems Michael Vinay said pushback is due to worries about Peninsula becoming over developed. https://www.ideastream.org/environment-energy/2024-01-29/summit-county-council-votes-to-accept-peninsula-in-sewer-district

The Brew Kettle acquires Akron's Lock 15 JEREMY NOBILE January 30, 2024 https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/akrons-lock-15-joins-brew-kettles-growing-enterprise