Luke_S

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

Not just Cleveland, but not sure which other thread this this would be appropriate for. Here an academic proposal for a northeast transnational high-speed loop from Adam Paul Susaneck (segregationbydesign on Twitter and Instagram). https://www.instagram.com/p/C0He3eEsaJM/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

I grew up up the road and my parents still live in Granger. My understanding this was a Medina County economic development push over the objections of the township...

Floating wetlands enhance the lakefront at Gordon Park as part of the CHEERS project BY GRANT SEGALL NOVEMBER 22, 2023 When Cleveland’s sporadic sunshine makes Lake Erie gleam, it’s easy for onlookers not to notice 10 little rubber mats floating in the shadow of Gordon Park’s concrete bulkhead. But the fresh soil and baby plants on the new mats — in essence, floating wetlands — are a modest early step in an ambitious, decades-long CHEERS (Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy) project, which aims to make the lakefront more natural and more accessible to east side neighborhoods. These mats are 19.5 feet long, 9.5 feet wide and about 8 feet deep. They’re miniscule compared to the 75 to 80 acres of shoreline officials plan to add from the East 55th Street Marina through Gordon Park in the project. But park experts say the mats will play a valuable supporting role in making the harbor greener and prettier. https://thelandcle.org/stories/floating-wetlands-enhance-the-lakefront-at-gordon-park-as-part-of-the-cheers-project/

Akron Metro RTA breaks ground on new $37M maintenance and operations facility Published: Nov. 20, 2023 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Metro RTA representatives and community leaders on Monday broke ground on the new $37 million maintenance and operations facility located on Metro’s existing campus at 336 Kenmore Blvd. The project will support current and future operations needs and provide facilities that will allow Metro to keep its fleet of vehicles in good repair while improving operational efficiencies, the public transit agency said. ... The new facility will span 107,138 square feet and consist of both operations and vehicle maintenance areas. The operations area will include a new visitor dayroom lounge, fitness center, sleep room, quiet room, game room, kitchen and a locker room. The exterior space will feature outdoor patios, a large walking path and a meadow. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2023/11/akron-metro-rta-breaks-ground-on-new-37m-maintenance-and-operations-facility.html

A shipping container and generator/compressor trailer have popped up at the lot on the corner of Madison and Marlow. Looks like DiGioia-Suburban Excavating, LLC is doing whatever work is planned. Anyone know if the townhome project is finally getting started?

On topic, but different subject Ingenuity Cleveland expansion shines a light on Northeast Ohio creative community Ideastream Public Media | By Douglas J. Guth Published November 17, 2023 An organization that supports and spotlights Cleveland's artist-entrepreneurs is growing. Ingenuity Cleveland, which launched in 2004 with its annual IngenuityFest get-together, is tripling the size of its year-round location at the Hamilton Collaborative in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. In expanding the current 40,000-square-foot Ingenuity Labs, prospective tenants will enjoy an increased suite of services that encompasses studio space, partnership opportunities, and workshops on marketing and grant writing. ... Space at the incubator is available to artists, startups and entrepreneurs of all stripes. High demand for Ingenuity Cleveland’s services, alongside the re-tasking of artisan spaces as housing or municipal facilities, motivated the group to build out its current location, said Applebaum. https://www.ideastream.org/community/2023-11-17/ingenuity-cleveland-expansion-shines-a-light-on-northeast-ohio-creative-community

2 more problem areas should be removed by 2026 once the Gorge Dam is removed. The other 3 are expected to be resolved by 2030 as Cliffs has joined the advisory board bringing more resources and attention to the rehabilitation efforts. The Cuyahoga River has reduced its problem areas from 10 to 5. What was the latest to go? Published: Nov. 15, 2023 By Peter Krouse, cleveland.com In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that the incidents of fish with deformities, eroded fins, lesions and tumors had improved to where they were no more frequent in the river than in Lake Erie. ... A number of waterways around the Great Lakes are designated as areas of concern in accordance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Black and Maumee rivers in Ohio are labeled as such, while the Ashtabula River had been until improvements enabled it to be delisted in 2021. The Cuyahoga area of concern includes 46.5 miles of the river from the Gorge Dam near Akron to Lake Erie, as well as watersheds that feed the river and nearshore Lake Erie from Edgewater Park to Euclid. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/11/the-cuyahoga-river-has-reduced-its-problem-areas-from-10-to-5-what-was-the-latest-to-go.html

No new details here, just that City Council passed the ordinance for form-based zoning in Merriman Valley. Akron City Council passes new zoning code for Merriman Valley, Schumacher Area Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published November 13, 2023 Akron City Council passed a new zoning code for the Merriman Valley and Schumacher Area Monday night. The vote changes the zoning code in the area to a form-based code, which advocates say will promote affordable housing, help small businesses and encourage walkability. The new code comes after organizing from advocacy group Preserve the Valley calling for preservation of green space and more intentional development in the Merriman Valley, according to the group. Citizens gathered for several meetings to weigh in on what they want the future of the valley to look like, before Akron, in conjunction with Cuyahoga Falls, released the Merriman Valley Schumacher Area Master Plan. City planners said changing the zoning code is the best way to make the plan come to life. Form-based code focuses on the character, layout and accessibility of a community, rather than land use, according to city planners. It will replace the current code, which is more than 100 years old, city planners said. https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-11-13/akron-city-council-passes-new-zoning-code-for-merriman-valley-schumacher-area

Cleveland City Council Okays Demolition of Eagle Avenue Bridge By Mark Oprea on Mon, Nov 13, 2023 As to further the merging of the Scranton Peninsula into a slow-growing Downtown neighborhood, City Council approved the demolition of the Eagle Avenue Bridge, which has been out of use for the past two decades. Linking Scranton Peninsula with the West Bank of the Flats since 1931, the Eagle was the oldest operating lift bridge in the city at one point. Its razing, which City Hall urged was necessary for safety concerns, is scheduled to take place next summer. ... A portion of the bridge, probably the rusted bases of its vertical legs, would be kept for an "interpretative park," DeRosa suggested, which would be built into the cost of the demolition. A bid for such park design would go out in December. https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-city-council-okays-demolition-of-eagle-avenue-bridge-43110928

West Side Market to transition to nonprofit management Published: Nov. 13, 2023 By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland is preparing to hand day-to-day management of the city-owned West Side Market over to a non-profit, as part of a long-term strategy aimed at bringing more vibrancy and financial stability to the 111-year-old institution. City Council on Monday is expected to pass legislation allowing the city to enter a 10-year lease agreement with the Cleveland Public Market Corporation, which was created months ago in anticipation of the move to a non-profit management structure. Its board is headed by David Abbott, former president of The George Gund Foundation. ... Moving to nonprofit management is intended to make the market run better, by removing it from constraints of City Hall bureaucracy. It’s considered a best practice for the industry, and most public markets in the U.S. already use a nonprofit https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/11/west-side-market-to-transition-to-nonprofit-management.html

Medina County Park District opens new Granger Wetlands Wildlife Sanctuary for hikers Nov. 12, 2023 By Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com "GRANGER TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The Medina County Park District (MCPD) has added another new opportunity to get outside and walk, enjoy nature, and view wildlife. The district’s 22nd site opened on Nov. 1 at 4023 Beachler Road in Granger Township. As one drives along Beachler Road, the bright red metal roof of a new covered bridge is visible in the distance., Called Granger Wetlands Wildlife Sanctuary, the facility boasts 163 acres of wetlands, a paved parking lot, and a new covered bridge crossing the Granger Ditch. Because of the sensitive habitat, pets, horses, and biking are not permitted. A short crushed stone trail – 411 feet long- from the parking lot to the covered bridge is considered accessible, but the 1.3-mile mowed trail is not." https://www.cleveland.com/community/2023/11/medina-county-park-district-opens-new-granger-wetlands-wildlife-sanctuary-for-hikers.html

Massive electric aircraft, bigger than Goodyear blimp, has first test flight before coming to Akron Bryce Buyakie "More than 2,500 miles away from Akron in Silicon Valley, what engineers say is the world's largest airship took flight for the first time. This massive snow-white zeppelin-like ship is slated to soar across the skies and land in the Rubber City at a yet-to-be-determined time. Called Pathfinder 1, the electric prototype was created by engineers and developers at LTA Research, Lighter Than Air, to test a different form of climate-friendly air travel, according to an Akron Beacon Journal story from 2022. This comes roughly one year after LTA announced it would begin producing airships in Akron, taking the city back to its roots as a maker of blimps. The company did not respond to an email request for comments." https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/business/2023/11/10/pathfinder-1-airship-akron-after-passing-flying-tests-goodyear-blimp/71528383007/

I haven't seen any of those posts. I could maybe entertain the argument that representatives are frustrated and blowing off steam on their social media accounts. But when there are multiple press releases from representatives, including the leaders of both chambers, that line of reasoning doesn't hold much water.... Speaker Stephens Issues Statement on Issue 1 Result 135th GA Republicans respond to Issue 1 passage

It's progressive groups should be worried about stretching the law? DECEPTIVE OHIO ISSUE 1 MISLED THE PUBLIC BUT DOESN'T REPEAL OUR LAWS Foreign Billionaires Don't Get to Make Ohio Laws November 9, 2023 COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Legislators will be introducing several bills to address this issue in the coming weeks. “Foreign billionaires don't get to make Ohio laws,” said Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), pointing to millions from billionaires outside America that helped fund Issue 1. Gross added, “This is foreign election interference, and it will not stand.” “Issue 1 doesn't repeal a single Ohio law, in fact, it doesn't even mention one,” said Representative Bill Dean (R-Xenia). “The amendment’s language is dangerously vague and unconstrained, and can be weaponized to attack parental rights or defend rapists, pedophiles, and human traffickers.” Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) said, “We will continue to be a voice for every child in their mother's womb who cannot speak for themselves.” Representative Beth Lear (R-Galena) stated, “No amendment can overturn the God given rights with which we were born.” To prevent mischief by pro-abortion courts with Issue 1, Ohio legislators will consider removing jurisdiction from the judiciary over this ambiguous ballot initiative. The Ohio legislature alone will consider what, if any, modifications to make to existing laws based on public hearings and input from legal experts on both sides. https://ohiohouse.gov/news/republican/deceptive-ohio-issue-1-misled-the-public-but-doesnt-repeal-our-laws-117412

Akron Municipal Court gets new location after years in aging facility By Anna Huntsman Published November 9, 2023 "After years of calling attention to its deteriorating courthouse building, Akron officials unveiled the new location of the Akron Municipal Court Thursday. The court will move to the newly renovated Oliver Ocasek Building on Broadway Street in Downtown Akron Monday - just around the corner from its current location in the Harold Stubbs Justice Center. ... Malik plans to decide what to do with the Stubbs building within the first sixth months of taking office, he said. It currently serves as the headquarters of the Akron Police Department." https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-11-09/akron-municipal-court-gets-new-location-after-years-in-aging-facility

Lakewood Madison Park master plan has been released! Design seems fine to me. One thing that stood out though, it looks like the city purchased a home on Halstead and plans to demolish it to create an Eastside park entrance. https://www.countyplanning.us/projects/madison-park-master-plan/

Sand Run Restoration Journey: Erosion control, wildlife habitat improvements and barrier removal bring new life to Sand Run Metro Park 11/9/2023 Claire Merrick, Marketing & Public Relations Manager Summit Metro Parks released a series of posts detailing these significant grant-funded improvements to protect the roads, trails and wildlife of a well-loved park. Read Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV. The existing small culvert and Jogging Trail bridge will be removed and replaced with a larger culvert. The trail will pass over the new culvert, eliminating the need for a pedestrian bridge and creating a wildlife corridor under the roadway. https://metro-parks.medium.com/sand-run-restoration-journey-5516d16ec235

Cleveland Metroparks officially takes control of Ironwood Golf Course JOE SCALZO November 09, 2023 https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/cleveland-metroparks-begins-managing-ironwood-golf-course

CLEVELAND METROPARKS OPENS INITIAL PHASES OF TRANSFORMATIVE EUCLID CREEK GREENWAY Posted: November 6, 2023 https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/news-press/2023/november-2023/cleveland-metroparks-opens-initial-phases-of-trans

The emphasis on popup stores wasn't all that exciting, it hasn't seemed to work out all that well for Tower City after all... But from what I read in the Crain's writeup I think this plan makes sense. There seems to be much more of a focus on placemaking and connecting existing assets--the Crain's article at least highlighted the effort to connect Playhouse Square with the Gateway District, which are different crowds but if the space between is pedestrianized and well connected then I think its easy to see how there could be a healthy retail environment created there. And what really stood out is that there was serious discussion from stakeholders in the area to close Huron between Euclid Avenue and East 12th Place. I would love to see more streets identified to be converted to pedestrian only corridors. Also from the Crain's article; This at least sounds like a more organic approach than DCI, or whoever, trying to identify the retail needs of Cleveland and trying to fill those specifically. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/downtown-cleveland-retail-plan-touts-pop-ups-public-spaces

RTA Ridership Bouncing Back, But Still 33% Below Pre-Pandemic Numbers By Maria Elena Scott Wed, Nov 1, 2023 "Following a historic drop in ridership and fare revenue during the pandemic, public transportation in Cleveland is bouncing back, though it still has a ways to go to return to pre-Covid normal. ... From January to September in 2019, ridership totaled roughly 21 million. During the pandemic, those numbers saw a drastic decline, with just 10 million rides between January and September 2021. Last year, numbers began picking up, and the latest YTD ridership is more than 14 million, RTA reported. Fare revenue has followed similar trends, according to RTA data. In 2019, year-to-date fare revenue was nearly $29 million, but subsequent years saw drops following declines in ridership. At this point in 2021, fare revenue was roughly $16 million–but it’s been on the uptick since then. So far in 2023, fare revenue is up to roughly $20 million." https://www.clevescene.com/news/rta-ridership-bouncing-back-but-still-33-below-pre-pandemic-numbers-43041087

That quote stood out to me as well. I'm not familiar with what the Summa plans are, other than what was mentioned in this article. Has there been a write up before of what they had planned here? Affordable housing is definitely a topic of discussion in Cleveland and there are a couple projects for work-force housing projects like the Woodhill homes project or the Centennial project. Cleveland is experimenting with things like form-based zoning and eliminating parking minimums along high frequency transit routes; but the former Akron is already adopting and the latter I'm not sure if Akron has the same amount of land along its main transit routes or around its stations in the way that Cleveland does. Similar to your point that form-based zoning could would allow for mixed use development potentially improving food access; to address housing needs, the next best thing to building affordable housing is building market rate housing. And Akron could look at redirecting where some of those subsidies are going. Instead of to the developers and builders, the city could freeze the property taxes for current residents or cap the percentage increase so that residents wouldn't be driven out of their neighborhoods as new developments come into the area.

Sloppy characterization on my part, thank you for pointing out/correcting

80 additional jobs due from Cleveland Kitchen as well Cleveland Kitchen Co., fast-growing producer of fermented foods, plans to add 80 jobs Michelle Jarboe October 30th 2023 "Fermented foods producer Cleveland Kitchen Co. expects to more than double its local workforce as part of a plant expansion aided by state job-creation incentives. The homegrown company, which makes sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi and dressings, aims to add 80 workers and $3.6 million in payroll at its Midtown production facility by late 2026. The fast-growing business currently employs 58 people at a building along Carnegie Avenue. On Monday, Oct. 30, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 7-year, 1.217% payroll tax credit for the company. That incentive is worth an estimated $300,000, though the actual value will vary depending on hiring and pay rates." https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/fast-growing-cleveland-kitchen-co-plans-add-80-jobs