Luke_S

Any idea when/where there might be signature drives in Cuyahoga county?

CVNP is already over developed, I don't want to add any more impervious surfaces than necessary. Even as minimal as a walking/biking trail may be.

Akron schools to 'right-size' district due to declining population, closing facilities Ideastream Public Media | By Conor Morris Published December 11, 2023 Akron Public Schools says it plans to "right-size" the district in the wake of years of declining enrollment, constructing new schools and closing some old ones, the district said in an early December news release. The school district is set to host meetings Monday at Firestone Park Elementary and Thursday at East Community Learning Center to discuss changing school building boundaries, and the closure of some school buildings. ... In total, the district is closing Firestone Park, Pfeiffer and Essex elementary schools (Essex is currently being used as a kindergarten) as well as the Miller South School for the Performing Arts and the Stewart preschool, according to a facilities plan approved by the Akron Board of Education earlier this year. The board of education in that resolution also approved a plan to house the Miller South and Pfeiffer students at a new building, to be constructed at the former Kenmore High School location. The district has said it also wishes to rebuild North High School but currently doesn't have a plan for how to fund that construction. https://www.ideastream.org/education/2023-12-11/akron-schools-to-right-size-district-due-to-declining-population-closing-facilities

Also, river bank stabilization continues with a second phase of the current work to be announced in 2024 for a section south of Station Road. Cuyahoga Valley National Park to close section of Towpath Trail on weekdays through early May 2024 Published: Dec. 11, 2023 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com PENINSULA, Ohio – The Cuyahoga Valley National Park announced that it will close a 1.5-mile stretch of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, north of Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, beginning Dec. 18. The trail closure will only be in effect on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The trail will be open on weekends, according to the park district. The temporary closure will allow a contractor to perform necessary riverbank stabilization work where erosion caused by the Cuyahoga River is threatening the trail. The trail closure will be in effect through May 3, 2024 and no detour is available, the park district said in a news release. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2023/12/cuyahoga-valley-national-park-to-close-section-of-towpath-trail-on-weekdays-through-early-may-2024.html

I'm in the camp of don't pave. Plan to pave Towpath Trail kicks up dust in Cuyahoga Valley National Park Published: Dec. 11, 2023 By Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com The resurfacing is part of a National Park Service plan that would expand and improve the parking at the park, create accessible trails, and add an equestrian trail bridge, among other things. The goal is to alleviate congestion at high-priority locations while preserving the park’s highly visited, key natural and cultural resources. ... [A survey showing 65% of visitors to CVNP use the Towpath Trail] also indicates there’s been a rise in user conflicts, such as accidents between cyclists and pedestrians, conflicts between visitors and dogs, and conflicts between emerging uses such as e-bikes and special-use permit-holders such as for running races. The proposed changes are aimed at accommodating its large numbers of visitors, and alleviating crowding and conflict between visitor uses. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/12/plan-to-pave-towpath-trail-kicks-up-dust-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park.html

Sound of Ideas is covering the proposed Amtrak Routes in Ohio starting at 9a. Amtrak's proposed expansion in Ohio has some transit advocates excited By Drew Maziasz Published December 11, 2023 GUESTS: - Erin Rosiello, Volunteer Chair, All Aboard Ohio - Justin Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland - Andrew Limbong, Arts Desk Reporter, NPR - Drew Maziasz, Coordinating Producer, Ideastream Public Media

Some good news for the Westside Market! Cleveland finds $10 million more for the West Side Market by Nick Castele December 11, 2023 The West Side Market looks to be be getting an extra $10 million from the City of Cleveland after all. ... The mayor wanted to spend $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds fixing up the market as it transitions to a nonprofit manager. Council, which had other neighborhood priorities in mind, cut that down to $10 million. But last week, council set aside $10 million more for the market at the administration’s request – bringing the total up to the $20 million that Bibb wanted. https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-comes-up-with-10-million-more-for-the-west-side-market/

This certainly feels like these TIFs are going to be extended in perpetuity. And unless I'm misunderstanding it seems like this is functioning almost like a land value tax in that property improvements are not being taxed which begs the question; why don't we just allow land value taxes? (Ohio Capital Journal -Tax the buildings or just the land? Ohio economists debate the benefits) Regarding diverting funds specifically from Metroparks I suspect it will be a bit of a wash. It seems that their current focus is improving their infrastructure and park connections on the east side, particularly connections to the lake. @Ethan, is that your impression as well? You stay on top of the Metroparks meeting minutes. If this is true I would bet they're the recipient of some of these funds for those projects.

Thanks for the update, I really hope this gains traction. With the caveat that I know far less about the ins and outs and so could obviously be missing something, returning passenger rail to Tower City seems like it would have more substantial knock-on effects than the lakefront; more existing transit lines, more centralized, ability to bring in additional connection (CVSR),ect. I was thinking the other day though, Bedrock putting their weight behind returning Amtrak to CUT is only beneficial to them if service is at least improved (not at the middle of the night) and ideally expanded. Without the state showing any sort of initiative, and given Ohio R's track record, Bedrock likely reasonably believed either of those outcomes were not likely. Now with strong federal interest and money on the table I would hope they might give it some thought.

Add R. Shea in Akron and Anheuser closing Platform to the local list. And Saucy came back asking for money to fund their expansion even though they closed a taproom in Detroit and pulled out of the expansion in Independence within the last year.

Downtown dilemma: What’s happening with these 5 vacant Akron buildings? Doug Livingston Published Dec. 7, 2023 https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/12/07/5-vacant-buildings-downtown-akron-city-center-hotel-citicenter-quaker-square-beacon-journal-morley/71727958007/

@KJP/@neony/@gildone Sorry if there was an update since and I missed it; I know these are separate at the moment, but with the new Amtrak route announcements I was wondering if there was any movement on returning passenger rail to CUT to update on since the initial activity back in May/June.

I'm only going to respond to the middle section since con You can't cherry pick parts of the proposed legislation and have to look at it holistically. I agree, if you squint, tilt your head, and just look at individual provisions the resulting legislation would have resembled what Ohio voters passed. Taken together--eliminating the home grow provision, increasing taxes and decreasing THC levels, and zoning requirements (which was the only part of my original post you didn't respond to...), and the allocation of the tax revenue--this legislation starts to look very different. And I don't think enough attention has been given to the changes of the allocation of tax revenue. Given the disparity of how drug laws have been enforced in this country between different communities, I thought the original allocations were thoughtful and began to address some of the harms that were imposed.

Instead of taking your approach and constituents sat back and waited to see what the legislature actually passed instead of strongly voicing their displeasure of what the proposed changes were do you think the legislature would have moderated to a flat limit of home grown plants of 6 instead of 0? Also, in all of this discussion you've ignored that the Ohio Senate's initial legislative changes decreased the THC limits for plant material from 35% to 25% and extracts from 90% to 50% while increasing sales tax from 10% to 15% and also imposing an additional 15% tax on growers. Those are some pretty substantive changes and not tweaks around the edges. One last point on your zoning arguments. Unless I'm missing something it is a totally disingenuous argument to say cities limiting parking through zoning codes is equivalent to the state imposing zoning restrictions that dispensaries must be a mile apart and ate least 500ft from any public places. If a city want's to impose those restrictions I think people on this forum would be annoyed, but I don't think there would be nearly the same level of outrage. I think you should also remember that the referendum that passed was a plan to legalize weed that was moderated through past failures and an extensive effort to get broad support of Ohioans, both in the number of supporters and the geographic distribution of those supporters.

Some of the relevant posts from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park thread:

I had posted enough in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park thread about Peninsula specific projects I figured it might be time to start its own thread. Summit County wants to move Peninsula to a sewer system. Peninsula residents want transparency Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published December 5, 2023 https://www.ideastream.org/environment-energy/2023-12-05/summit-county-wants-to-move-peninsula-to-a-sewer-system-peninsula-residents-want-transparency

The first half of today's Sound of Ideas is focused on TOD in the county. Worth a listen if you have the time. Transit-oriented development advocates plan how to create more pedestrian-friendly areas Published December 5, 2023 GUESTS: - Patrick Hewitt, Planning Manager, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission - Maribeth Feke, Director of Programming and Planning, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority - Matt Moss, Manager, Strategic Initiatives at the City of Cleveland Planning Commission

Akron releases report, recommendations on next steps for decommissioned Innerbelt Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published December 4, 202 Akron has released a report and recommendations on the history and future of the Innerbelt. The report, titled "Reconnecting Our Community Phase 1 Innerbelt Report," includes the history of the Innerbelt, the community engagement work from the Reconnecting Our Community initiative and recommendations for short and long term opportunities, according to a press release from the city. ... The report also details both short term, one to three years, and long term, six plus years, recommendations for the Innerbelt. Short term recommendations include creating a master plan, issuing an apology from the city, providing tools to help community members work through their grief and developing an interim use strategy. Long term recommendations include converting city owned land into a community land trust, exploring the creation of a community restoration fund and creating a Black cultural district. The city plans to lead further community engagement on the report in the coming weeks. In 2024, the city will open the request for qualifications process to engage a master planning team. The master plan will be funded by a federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant from the United States Department of Transportation and will focus on how to transform the 1-mile section of the Innerbelt. https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-12-04/akron-releases-report-recommendations-on-next-steps-for-decommissioned-innerbelt

Berea making a fair amount of news today; conducting a transportation study covering downtown and considering a TIF district in the industrial corridor to fund infrastructure improvements. (Links to full stories in headlines). Transportation study targets downtown Berea: Community Voices Published: Dec. 01, 2023 By Linda G. Kramer, City of Berea BEREA, Ohio -- A five-month study of transportation issues will focus on downtown Berea. The study area is bounded by Bagley Road on the north, Monroe Street to the south, Prospect Street to the west and part of Eastland Road on the west. The study is fully funded by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) through its Transportation for Livable Cities Initiative. Berea considers TIF district in industrial corridor Published: Dec. 01, 2023 By Beth Mlady, Special to cleveland.com BEREA, Ohio -- City Council is considering legislation to institute a TIF (tax-increment financing) district to assist with public infrastructure improvements on six parcels along the Berea industrial corridor and on a portion of Bagley Road. It is not tax abatement, municipal finance adviser Matt Stuczynski stressed at council’s Nov. 20 meeting, where the proposed ordinance received its first of three public readings. ... According to the legislation, the public infrastructure improvements must “be declared to be a public purpose and … directly benefit the parcels,” such as roadways, utilities, stormwater systems, etc.

Summit Metro Parks breaks ground on kayak, canoe river access project at Valley View Area Published: Nov. 30, 2023 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Community members who want to explore the beauty of the Cuyahoga River via kayak or canoe will soon have a new access point: the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park. The park district recently broke ground on a river access project, which aims to increase public access. Additional project highlights in the works include a walking trail, a bike trail, scenic gardens, a natural play area for children, restrooms and a protected gathering barn with a fireplace, according to the park district. Though the goal of the riverfront project is about offering access to community members, the work aims to balance conservation and recreation, according to Summit Metro Parks Brand Manager Lindsay Smith. ... The river access projects in the works at Valley View are scheduled for completion in the spring of 2024 and are the culmination of nearly a decade of work to reclaim the property, which was formerly a golf course. The property was sold to the park in 2016 for $4 million. Since then, the park district has invested $6 million in grant funding into the property to restore it to a more natural area, according to Executive Director Lisa King. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2023/11/summit-metro-parks-breaks-ground-on-kayak-canoe-river-access-project-at-valley-view-area.html

City hits snag in talks with airlines to pay for new terminal at Cleveland Hopkins airport Published: Nov. 29, 2023 By Susan Glaser, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – The city’s plan to pay for a new terminal at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has hit a snag, as several airlines have questions about the project and its increasing costs. Airport director Bryant Francis, speaking before a Cleveland City Council committee Wednesday, said the city initially hoped to have a new lease agreement with the airlines in place by the end of this year. The agreement would outline a plan to pay for the first phase of the project, now slated to cost about $1.1 billion. Instead, the city plans to extend the existing lease agreement for another two years, while negotiations continue on the scope and cost of the new terminal. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/11/city-hits-snag-in-talks-with-airlines-to-pay-for-new-terminal-at-cleveland-hopkins-airport.html

Akron approves Summa Health development despite residents' concerns Ideastream Public Media | By Anna Huntsman Published November 28, 2023 https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-11-28/akron-approves-summa-health-development-despite-residents-concerns

Lakewood's Citizen Advisory Committee has two vacancies and is accepting applications for the council nominated positions. The CAC is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and researching Community Development needs and the Consolidated Plan of the City of Lakewood. In this context, the CAC reviews various proposals for federal funds and makes recommendations to the City Council as to what programs would be funded and at what funding levels in a particular year. The CAC members analyze requests for funds in relation to the needs of the community and the amount of funds available. https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/accordions/citizens-advisory-committee/

As mayor-elect, Malik is among the Council Members who expressed support for limiting the Mayor's power in approving certain contracts without City Council's input or knowledge. According to Anna Huntsman's reporting Mayor Horrigan used this power 173 times to allocate more than $30M without council's approval last year alone. Whether or not council would have approved these contracts or not is almost besides the point, the lack of oversight and transparency is concerning. Akron removes budget provision that allowed mayors to approve contracts without council OK Ideastream Public Media | By Anna Huntsman Published November 27, 2023 Akron officials have decided to remove a decades-old provision in the city’s budget that allowed the mayor to approve some high-priced contracts without getting city council’s approval. ... If officials in any city department want to work with an outside company, Akron’s municipal code requires them to put contracts worth more than $50,000 before city council for its review. Section 56, however, allowed mayors to authorize certain “consulting” or “professional” contracts in excess of $50,000 without council’s input. Akron mayors exercised the provision for decades before city council members brought it up this year. https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-11-27/akron-removes-budget-provision-that-allowed-mayors-to-approve-contracts-without-council-ok

Non-profit West Side Market board names first executive director Published: Nov. 27, 2023 By Paris Wolfe, cleveland.com https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/11/cleveland-public-market-corp-names-first-executive-director-for-west-side-market.html