Luke_S

A couple interesting points made in this article. Given how good Cleveland Metroparks is, the inadequacy of the City Parks is pretty stark and we shouldn't discount just how important smaller, city owned/maintained green space is for everyday access of residents. I haven't had a chance to look at the full report yet, but this article provides just the top line numbers. I would hope the survey has a breakdown by neighborhood, or at least ward, so the city can know which city park and rec facilities are lowest rated and need the most work. The top reasons for not going to city parks was 50% cited poor maintenance; 40% do not know where to go, or what programs and activities are offered; and 38% cited poor or uncomfortable atmosphere. Importantly not a top cited concern, at least from cleveland.com's reporting, is crime and safety. I think this is very encouraging, changing the perception of city parks as poorly maintained would seem easier than changing the perception that city parks are unsafe. Olin, the Philadelphia-based landscape firm hired by the city to help put together a 15-year master plan is expected to release their plan late summer / early fall. So that will be something to keep an eye out for. I also did not realize that part of the money from the recently proposed TIF district could be directed towards capital improvements in city parks and rec centers, but it sounds like the Bibb administration is planning on directing at least some of that money towards those projects. Half of Clevelanders avoid city parks and rec centers for one reason, survey shows Published: Jan. 16, 2024 By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Half of surveyed Clevelanders avoid visiting city parks and recreation centers because they are not well-maintained, according to a community needs assessment ordered up by City Hall as part of its master-planning process for parks and recreation. Poor maintenance was the top response given in the survey that was taken by 528 Cleveland residents and stakeholders, when they were asked to identify the top barriers that stop them from visiting parks and rec centers more often. Fifty percent of respondents selected poor maintenance as their reasoning. Forty percent said they don’t visit parks and rec centers because they do not know where to go, or what programs and activities are offered. And 38% said parks and rec centers offer a poor or uncomfortable atmosphere. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2024/01/half-of-clevelanders-avoid-city-parks-and-rec-centers-for-one-reason-survey-shows.html Cleveland.com also posted a follow up photo gallery to document the state of city parks. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2024/01/cleveland-parks-need-some-tlc-check-out-our-2022-photo-gallery-of-poor-conditions.htmll

Is CVSRR the best operator for a commuter train or would RTA be able run on the route in tandem with CVSRR? I wouldn't think the operating hours or frequency/speed of CVSRR would be all that conducive to commuters.

Looks like Cleveland's Urban Forestry Commission is finally getting started after being recently reformed. I'm not sure why a "listening walk" is necessary in this case... I've seen plenty of resources showing where Cleveland has lost its tree canopy. Unless this will double as a way to take a new inventory of which trees need pruned, removed, or replaced, this seems like a bit of a waste of time and effort. Urban Forestry Commission wants Clevelanders to speak for the trees by Dakotah Kennedy and Cleveland Documenters January 15, 2024 The Urban Forestry Commission plans to spend time in different communities listening to residents, hoping to understand what tree maintenance means to them. “We want to put boots on the ground and talk to residents and committee groups where they are,” said Maintenance Committee Chair Dan Leamon. ... Cleveland has almost $3 million in backlogged work orders for tree maintenance, according to City Council Member Jenny Spencer. Spencer, who also chairs the budget committee for the Urban Forestry Commission, said the total includes a $2.4 million backlog of tree removal and critical tree pruning work plus more than $400,000 needed for stump grinding. The city needs to find a way to fund the work, said Spencer. One option she mentioned was using leftover money from the 2023 budget. Spencer also noted that these work orders are complaint-driven and separate from ongoing maintenance. https://signalcleveland.org/urban-forestry-commission-wants-clevelanders-to-speak-for-the-trees/

I wish fans had some sort of recourse to do this.

Most exciting news from this is Cleveland Bagel *should* be opening their Lakewood shoppe later this year! Trinity Church adaptive-reuse project under way in Lakewood Published: Jan. 10, 2024 By John Benson, special to cleveland.com LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Roughly four years after Scalish Construction purchased the former Trinity Church property, construction started late last year on the $3.75 million Detroit Avenue adaptive-reuse project. ... The adaptive-reuse concept calls for the transformation of the former church and two vacant commercial storefronts, as well as the construction of up to 10 new residential units, the addition of several public areas and the repurposing of existing retail buildings for small businesses. https://www.cleveland.com/community/2024/01/former-trinity-church-property-adaptive-reuse-project-underway-in-lakewood.html

Tony Troppe details $52 million redevelopment of Akron's old Beacon Journal building DAN SHINGLER January 10, 2024 https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/developer-plans-put-52-million-akron-mixed-use-project

Summit Metro Parks buys downtown Akron property for central maintenance facility Published: Jan. 09, 2024 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2024/01/summit-metro-parks-buys-downtown-akron-building-for-central-maintenance-facility.html

Anyone know of a place you can get custom stained glass made for a reasonable price? I have a window I'd like to get an inset for.

Cleveland Magazine owner buys Cleveland Scene SCOTT SUTTELL January 05, 2024 https://www.crainscleveland.com/media/great-lakes-publishing-buys-cleveland-scene

Buried at the end of this article, M7 is moving it's offices from Akron to the Hough neighborhood across from league park with plans to move in some time in 2025, Meanwhile, M7 is itself still working on its move to Cleveland, where it spent $500,000 acquiring land in the Hough Neighborhood, next to Cleveland’s historic League Park, to build a $10 million headquarters. Akron's M7 Holdings acquires Cuyahoga Falls manufacturer

Sarah's Vineyard owner building brewpub in Richfield Village, with summer opening planned Alan Ashworth Jan. 2, 2024 A multimillion-dollar brewpub is under construction in Richfield Village and should be serving food, ales and lagers by the start of summer. Richfield Brewing Co. is a project of Mike Lytz, owner of Sarah's Vineyard in Cuyahoga Falls, and will start with a dozen beers and a full menu ranging from beer pretzels to steak and seafood, he said. ... Village Planning Director Brian Frantz said the brewpub will be a key part of the village's project to upgrade its center of town. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2024/01/02/sarahs-vineyard-owner-bringing-brewpub-to-richfield-village/71965874007/

Cleveland Metroparks pays $3.5 million to bag Flats' Grain Craft flour mill site STAN BULLARD January 02, 2024 https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/cleveland-metroparks-bags-flats-flour-mill-property-35-million

Canton left out of new United Football League Joe Scalzo January 1st 2024 The United Football League (UFL), the newly-merged league featuring teams from the USFL and the XFL, announced the eight teams that will compete in its inaugural season — and Canton isn’t one of them. Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was the home site for two USFL teams last season, the Pittsburgh Maulers and the New Jersey Gamblers, and hosted the league championship game each of the past two seasons. When word leaked in September that the two spring leagues would merge for the 2024 season, Canton reportedly was poised to land a franchise, but the UFL kept just four former USFL teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats and Michigan Panthers. https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/united-football-league-wont-feature-team-canton

Federal court approves Akron's plan to build 'right sized' sewer tunnel Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published December 29, 2023 Akron has the go-ahead to construct a 16.5-foot diameter, 1 mile long tunnel to control sewer overflow, according to the city. ... The U.S. EPA wanted the Northside Interceptor Tunnel to be 24 feet in diameter, but the city said the new design is the correct size and will save taxpayers $50 million. The tunnel will prevent the sewer system from overflowing even when rainfalls are more heavy than normal. ... Akron is waiting to hear back on a fourth amendment asking the U.S. EPA to eliminate a $209 million water treatment facility in favor of remediating or removing aging septic systems in the city. https://www.ideastream.org/environment-energy/2023-12-29/federal-court-approves-akrons-plan-to-build-smaller-sewer-tunnel

Who's joining Akron Mayor-elect Shammas Malik's administration? Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published December 29, 2023 Akron Mayor-elect Shammas Malik has filled several cabinet positions and other roles in his administration in the weeks leading up to his inauguration. ... Brittany Grimes Zaehringer has been tapped to serve as chief of staff, and Nanette Pitt has been appointed chief of strategy, forming the administration's executive leadership team, according to a press release from Malik's transition team. Zaehringer will be responsible for planning and organizing the day-to-day operations of the mayor's office, while Pitt will lead the implementation of strategic initiatives. ... Current Director of Public Service Chris Ludle, Director of Finance Steve Fricker, Director of Labor Relations Frank Williams, Deputy Service Directors Eufrancia Lash and James Aitken and Deputy Director of Finance Mike Wheeler will stay on during Malik's administration, according to a press release. https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-12-29/whos-joining-akron-mayor-elect-shammas-maliks-administration

There's no thread for the Buckeye Trail so this seemed the next best option. What a recent National Park Service decision means for Ohio's Buckeye Trail 91.7 WVXU | By Tana Weingartner Published December 28, 2023 "Millions of people hike parts of Ohio's Buckeye Trail each year, with some of the most popular sections winding along the Little Miami Scenic Trail, and through Hocking Hills and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The more than 1,400-mile-long trail circumnavigates the state of Ohio, making it arguably the longest loop trail in the country. Some 900 miles of the Buckeye Trail overlap with the North Country National Scenic Trail — a 4,800-mile trail crossing eight states from North Dakota to Vermont. The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest of the United State's 11 National Scenic Trails, which includes the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. It was recently granted "unit status," providing for more funding, and equal legal standing with other trails and parks administered by the National Park Service. ... Beginning in 2024, the National Park Service will commence a feasibility study to determine if the Buckeye Trail should receive the National Scenic Trail designation. Congress in 2022 approved funding for a "Buckeye National Scenic Trail" study. Bashaw says the association will work with the National Park Service (NPS) as needed to facilitate the study and share information. https://www.wvxu.org/environment/2023-12-28/national-park-service-ohio-buckeye-trail

Cross posting from the downtown random development and news thread:

Article covers a lot; Shammas is taking broad approach in addressing vacancies in downtown Akron. Sounds like residential conversions are on the table for a lot of the now empty office spaces. Akron is targeting 1-2 thousand more residents to bring in more retail and dining options, it's unclear if that's backed by a study the city conducted or just a number thrown out. Shammas is also trying to get businesses in neighborhoods and suburbs to relocate downtown giving the availability of space and relatively low rates. Shammas recognizes that the hybrid work model seems to be here to stay so the city is not going to grow if they don't embrace this reality. Currently, the city's cash flow from taxes has remained stable, but city officials are keeping an eye on any potential changes from the state in how income tax is calculated when considering work from home. He is also skeptical that city officials have the bandwidth to be able to oversee this project and would like to see the development of a CDC to direct the development of downtown. Short on details, but I think for a high level outline he has an eye on the key points; work from home, changes in income tax calculation, residential conversion, relocating businesses. Either he didn't get into specifics in this article or we need to hope he gets the right people in the right position to lead downtown Akron's growth, nothing wrong with a "big picture" executive that delegates. Amid growing office vacancies, what are incoming Mayor Shammas Malik's plans for Downtown Akron? Ideastream Public Media | By Anna Huntsman Published December 26, 2023

There was discussion recently of extending Summit County water lines to Peninsula. I would assume you would want to do that sort of infrastructure work at the same time you would install a sewer system — assuming there are cost savings from what would be joint costs. The city is also discharging E. Coli into the Cuyahoga through the storm sewers so this needs to happen... I would think (hope) having water lines and a sewer system would make peninsula more attractive for a bit more dense development which could make it a really dynamic town! Peninsula Village Council passes sewer plan that residents say was rushed Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published December 21, 2023 Peninsula Village Council unanimously voted to approve a plan to move from septic systems to a centralized wastewater management system Thursday night. The plan, proposed by Summit County, will use $7.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to address the village's failing septic systems, officials said. However, not all residents are on board with the county's plan and want more transparency from the county on the costs and effectiveness of other sewer options. ... After passage by Peninsula Village Council, Summit County Council now needs to vote to approve the village's entrance into the Summit County Metropolitan Sewer District, before ARPA funds are committed before the end of 2024, council members said. https://www.ideastream.org/environment-energy/2023-12-21/peninsula-village-council-passes-sewer-plan-that-residents-say-was-rushed

Two other smaller projects in Akron got historic tax credits as well: - The Akron Soap Company building on Furnace Street is receiving credits of $250,000 for a $1.35 million project. - The Castle Hall project at 57 E. Market St. is receiving $250,000 to help with a $6.7 million project. Three Akron projects get state historic tax credits Dan Shingler, Kim Palmer December 21st 2023 The [Akron Soap Company] building, which was constructed in 1893 to hold the operations of a soap making business, was slated for residential development by Green Harvest Capital in 2022. But that same year, Green Harvest said rising interest rates made the project untenable and sold the building to Oriana House, a nonprofit that offers addiction and mental health services, as well as re-entry and diversion programs for criminal offenders. The current project represents a pullback from Green Harvest’s plans for 50 residential units at the site [to 11 units], but Oriana also uses the building for its operations. ... [The Castle Hall] project is being done by Troppe, who has partnered with some national Black entrepreneurs to help redevelop the site as part of what he has dubbed Akron’s arts district along Market Street. Troppe has said he plans to open a night club, restaurant and other retail space at the site, along with new residential units. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/state-historic-tax-credits-help-fund-residential-development-akron

Conservancy for CVNP has an open house on 12/10/2023 to present plans for the redevelopment of the former Brandywine Golf Course. The current plans include moving Akron-Peninsula Rd further from the river and adding traffic circles and parking lots. There will also be trails throughout the property connecting to Peninsula and existing trails. More information here. A survey will be open for feedback until January 7, 2024.

A bobcat was caught on a trail cam at Liberty Park! The last reported sighting in Summit Metro Parks was December 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/C1DIbUcOVed/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Oswald Cos. to make former EY Tower its new home — and give it a new name Stan Bullard December 15th 2023 Oswald Cos., the insurance and related services firm with a 130-year Cleveland history, will fill the gaping hole left at the 23-story former EY Tower at Flats East Bank after the global accounting firm jumped to North Pointe Tower. Employee-owned Oswald has leased about 100,000 square feet of space, including the 14th, 15th and 18th floors as well as a first-floor conference center. ... However, Klonk preferred to speak to the future. The space is largely the same amount of space, 100,000 square feet, that it will exit at its current building. That’s because the firm is growing and needs more space even though the workplace has changed, he said. It also won expansion rights in the future. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/oswald-cos-leases-three-floor-flats-east-office-tower

Akron’s Lock 3 Park redevelopment project receives $1M gift Published: Dec. 14, 2023 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Akron’s Lock 3 Park project, which calls for reimagining the downtown area, is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to a recent donation of $1 million from an anonymous individual, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition announced. The donation brings the amount raised for the Lock 3 Park project to more than $17.5 million, which includes individual donations and funding from the city of Akron; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Department of Housing and Urban Development; Akron Children’s Hospital; Summit County Government; GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. ... The redevelopment of Lock 3 Park is based on input from residents and calls for transforming the downtown space into an accessible and welcoming event, concert and festival space and year-round park that is a destination for residents, guests, hikers and bicyclists along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2023/12/akrons-lock-3-park-redevelopment-project-receives-1m-gift.html

Cleveland Metroparks now preserves more than 25,000 acres with the transfer of over 100 acres from West Creek Conservancy to West Creek Reservation in Parma! The West Creek Conservancy team has put a lot of time and effort into making their founding vision a reality, preserving greenspace within the dense urban setting of Parma and creating greenways to connect that space with other green assets. As the organization has grown it has extended its mission beyond Parma to help preserve spaces throughout Northeast Ohio and has created strong partnerships with park districts and conservation organizations throughout the region. Feel free to reach out to me if you're interested in getting involved or supporting their work. Cleveland Metroparks grows to more than 25,000 acres with latest additions Author: Chris Beeble Published: December 14, 2023 https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/northeast-ohio/cleveland-metroparks-expands-25000-acres-throughout-49-communities/95-cd6a323a-23d0-4786-8200-d7ece93500e2