Luke_S

This is long overdue and will go a long way in making our streets more welcoming for pedestrians. And also, hopefully, help restaurants out too. Cleveland changing up rules for sidewalk patios, parklets Published: Jul. 12, 2023, 3:52 p.m. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2023/07/cleveland-changing-up-rules-for-sidewalk-patios-parklets.html

Major residential project proposed for downtown Akron July 11, 2023 05:45 AM DAN SHINGLER https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/big-office-residential-conversion-envisioned-akron

Akron Public Schools opts for new school in Kenmore; replacement for North High will have to wait Ideastream Public Media | By Conor Morris Published July 10, 2023 at 9:46 PM EDT https://www.ideastream.org/education/2023-07-10/akron-public-schools-opts-for-new-school-in-kenmore-replacement-for-north-high-will-have-to-wait

Lakewood folk, Pachamama recently opened on the corner of Elmwood and Madison. We went this evening for dinner and the food and drinks were fantastic! When we went at 6p, we walked into an empty restaurant. 2 other tables eventually came in by the time we left, but it seems like they could use some support while they get their feet. If you have the opportunity or can't decide where to go for dinner I highly encourage you to go. Food and service was great! https://www.pachamama-kitchen.com/menu

From burning river to fish aplenty: Summit Metro Parks continues Cuyahoga River monitoring efforts Published: Jul. 06, 2023, 4:36 p.m. By Megan Becka "The park district’s most recent acquisition of land along the Cuyahoga River is the purchase of the former Valley View Golf Course in 2016. Now known as the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park, the 200-acre property includes a one-mile stretch of the Cuyahoga River and serves as the connecting piece for three adjacent metro parks: Cascade Valley, Gorge and Sand Run. The addition brings the total of uninterrupted green space the parks encompass to 1,800 acres, which is critical to local wildlife. The park district purchased the property for $4 million and has invested $6 million in grant funding into restoring the land and river to a more natural area. Once a dairy farm, the property’s wetlands were modified to create Valley View Golf Course, which operated for 50 years. Restoring the river’s floodplain to a more natural state was a critical part of improving the overall health of the river, Johnson said. ... To restore the floodplain along its stretch of the river, the park district cut down the riverbanks 6-8 feet to the base level of the river over a 60-acre area. Previously constructed levees were removed as well. Hundreds of boulder clusters and woody structures were added to the floodplain to provide a habitat for fish and other aquatic life, and hundreds of native trees such as swamp white oak, pin oak and sycamore were planted along the floodplain." https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2023/07/from-burning-river-to-fish-aplenty-summit-metro-parks-continues-cuyahoga-river-monitoring-efforts.html

Their 2022 10K lists 8080 Norton Parkway, Mentor as their Principle Executive Offices

Last point is well taken, but as to the market not being a priority of the city--I thought that was the entire point of moving the management of the market from the Public Works Dept (or wherever it was) to a nonprofit board? The nonprofit board would be responsible for funding going forward. I get the city's inability, or unwillingness, to fund the deferred maintenance while the Market was under their control puts the nonprofit in a larger hole, but I'm not sure I understand how the lack of prioritization from the city would hamstring future fundraising.

Did they suggest why they thought they would have trouble fundraising? I would think being a nonprofit would facilitate their ability to fundraise and make them eligible for grants. I would think someone like the Cleveland Foundation might step up to close, at least some of, the funding gap.

Such a great activation of that plaza! It was in desperate need of a refresh, so just the updates are an improvement, but it was such a large space utilizing it for outdoor seating will add so much vibrancy.

I took the popup park maintained by the National Parks Service in Tower City as a sign from Bedrock/Gilbert that they were trying to plant the seed that Tower City was a gateway or entrance to the national park. The real way to do that is to have the CVSRR extended north into Tower City. Hopefully this deal was made to expedite the property transfers in return for commitments to maintain the rail right of ways for CVSRR. Especially if you've been able to bend anyone's ear at Bedrock about returning Amtrak to CUT, @KJP.

Would this affect your proposal to bring Amtrak back into Tower City or no?

Akron schools choose next superintendent, contract negotiations remain Ideastream Public Media | By Conor Morris Published June 29, 2023 at 11:08 PM EDT "The Akron Board of Education voted late Thursday night to move forward with pursuing C. Michael Robinson Jr. to be the district’s next superintendent. The board voted, after more than six hours in executive session, to allow chair Derrick Hall to engage in contract negotiations with Robinson, who is chief academic officer for East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools. The district has previously said it hopes to have a superintendent in place by Aug. 1. Robinson was superintendent of Pine Bluff School District in Arkansas and worked two-and-a-half years as a leadership coach in Texas before his time at East Baton Rouge, according to his resume. Before that, he had administrative and principal jobs at public schools in Maryland and Georgia after about six years spent as a teacher." https://www.ideastream.org/education/2023-06-29/akron-schools-choose-next-superintendent-contract-negotiations-remain

I think it still may be, at least north of the Shoreway. The Rock Hall's address on their website is 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Not new news, but a good write up on the new camp grounds coming to CVNP. Camping the Cuyahoga Valley in the Former Home of Camp Mueller Laura Watilo Blake "Now, the former summer camp is being transformed into a private campground for all ages that promises an unforgettable overnight with instant access to history, wildlife and recreation within Ohio’s only national park. Valley Overlook at Camp Mueller will have a mix of primitive sites, cozy cabins and glamping tents when fully complete. Cabins that once echoed with the whispers of spooky ghost stories told by kids tucked in their bunk beds are now vacation homes with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchens, living areas and covered porches." https://clevelandmagazine.com/travel-outdoors/outdoors/camping-the-cuyahoga-valley-in-the-former-home-of-camp-mueller

Interesting read from Cleveland Magazine on Cleveland's ongoing recovery/transition from COVID, covering downtown residents, office workers, and small business owners. Can Post-Pandemic Cleveland Get Its Foot Traffic Back on Track? Cassie Tomaselli https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/articles/can-post-pandemic-cleveland-get-its-foot-traffic-back-on-track

Why Euclid? I feel like it would make more sense to be E9th leading to the Rock Hall.

Akron METRO RTA moves ahead with plans for new LEED-certified maintenance facility Ideastream Public Media | By Zaria Johnson Published June 28, 2023 at 3:31 PM EDT "Akron METRO Regional Transit Authority is going to build a new, expanded maintenance facility with sustainability in mind. The Federal Transit Administration awarded METRO RTA $37.8 million Monday to build a LEED-certified maintenance and operations facility to support a fleet of nearly 250 vehicles." https://www.ideastream.org/environment-energy/2023-06-28/akron-metro-rta-moves-ahead-with-plans-for-new-leed-certified-maintenance-facility

New plan for Cleveland's West Side Market includes prepared food hall and outdoor seating Ideastream Public Media | By Abbey Marshall Published June 28, 2023 at 5:41 PM EDT "The latest master plan is one of many over the years, Trivisonno said, but if Cleveland City Council approves the transfer of management to Cleveland Public Market Corporation this fall, they have the opportunity to make good on those promises. ... Beyond the $30 million estimated for infrastructure, $14 million is proposed for expansion plans. That includes plans for commercial kitchens where vendors can prepare food on site, event spaces, educational kitchens for instructional courses and a prepared food hall. ... Currently, produce vendors sprawl across the North and East Arcades. Under the proposed plan, they would be consolidated into a renovated East Arcade, complete with air conditioning and other infrastructure upgrades. The North Arcade would be dedicated to a prepared food hall with 12 vendors, eight of whom will have access to cooking hoods to prepare food on-site. Two locations in the prepared food hall would be bars. There will also be indoor and outdoor seating. The alley in between the market and the arcades would be transformed into a covered passageway with retractable doors, tables and chairs." https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-06-28/new-plan-for-clevelands-west-side-market-includes-prepared-food-hall-and-outdoor-seating

95% leased, The Standard Building in Akron is up for sale; though Capstone suggests they are more testing the market than trying to unload the building quickly. The Standard building in downtown Akron is for sale June 26, 2023 05:45 AM DAN SHINGLER https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/big-akron-apartment-building-standard-hits-market

Survey for the Detroit-Superior Bridge here.

I believe it is going to be a UH urgent care.

Akron proposes new zoning code for Merriman Valley, Schumacher Area Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published June 20, 2023 "Akron has released a draft of a new zoning code for the Merriman Valley. The new code aligns with residents’ goals to preserve green space and develop a walkable community. The city is looking to change the zoning in the Merriman Valley and Schumacher Area to a form-based code. Form based code promotes affordable housing, helps small businesses, encourages walkability and advances revitalization. Instead of focusing on separation of uses of land, form based code focuses on the character and layout of a community. For example, in the draft plan there are instances of mixed residential and commercial land uses. The end result is a walkable community with a focus on preserving green spaces. ... Cuyahoga Falls is also working on a draft of a form-based zoning code for this area. The city is on about the same timeline as Akron, Akron city planner Daniel D'Angelo said. ... The city released a draft of the new code Tuesday and is asking the public for input. Akron City Councilmembers Nancy Holland and Shammas Malik are holding a public meeting next Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00 at Weathervane Playhouse about the new code. Residents can also provide feedback by emailing [email protected] or calling 330-375-2090." https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-06-20/akron-proposes-new-zoning-code-for-merriman-valley-schumacher-area

Thanks for the detailed write up, Brian. I don't have the expertise to comment on much of this here, but I do kayak the Cuyahoga a bit. A second station/stop nearer the kayak ramps seems very unnecessary. If the idea is kayakers can park up-river, put in, then kayak down to this location and take the train back, the nearest put-in/station is Lock 39 in Valley View. That's about 12 miles up-river from where the Bedrock site and the river is pretty slow, even before Valley View (ODNR Cuyahoga Water Trail PDF). This would be a long, and not super enjoyable trip (the main reason I haven't don't it myself yet). If it's just an alternative to driving downtown to kayak the urban section of the river that's fine, but again, not sure how much utility that provides for the additional incremental costs. https://gis.ohiodnr.gov/MapViewer/?config=Watercraft

Cleveland e-mobility firm LAND raises $7M, plans to scale up production Rachel Abbey McCafferty | June 8th 2023 2:42 PM "LAND in Cleveland makes what it calls its eMoto, a flexible, two-wheeled electric vehicle branded The District. The District features four settings, from an e-bike setting that reaches 27 miles per hour to the e-motorcycle setting that can reach more than 70 miles per hour, a news release said. In between are settings that allow the vehicle to serve as a moped or a commuter bike, Colosimo said. ... Until recently, LAND was assembling bikes in an approximately 1,500-square-foot space, Colosimo said, making about a bike a week at first and then moving up to two. But in the past year, the startup completely renovated its space at 1265 West 65th St. in Cleveland, giving the company about 35,000 square feet in which to work. The building includes space for research and design, as well as fabricating and assembly. Colosimo bought the building, which he previously used to house his old company, Cleveland CycleWerks, more than a decade ago with a real estate partner. Colosimo has since sold his portion of Cleveland CycleWerks, noting that it was too difficult to go back and forth between gas-powered vehicles and electric ones. ... The West 65th Street facility could now support LAND making 15,000 bikes a year, Colosimo said. And he expects the demand will be higher, so he thinks the company could contract with local manufacturers or expand further to make even more." https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/land-cleveland-plans-scale-production

Affordable housing complex backed by LeBron James unveiled in Akron Ideastream Public Media | By Conor Morris Published June 8, 2023 at 8:01 PM "Officials celebrated the opening of the new I Promise Housing apartment complex in Akron Thursday, just a half mile from LeBron James' I Promise School. The 50-unit complex is meant to provide affordable housing, and stability, to families who need it across Akron, including families with children at the school. Officials said there will be social services available on the first floor of the building as well, including financial counseling and mental health services. ... Gloria James, LeBron’s mother, who works with the foundation, says I Promise Housing is part of a new model of “community building" in Akron, meant to lift up the area's residents who struggle to make ends meet. Along with House Three Thirty, the LeBron James Family Foundation has opened a transitional housing complex called the I Promise Village, and is working to open a new "HealthQuarters" across the street from House Three Thirty that will provide healthcare to low-income Akron residents. ... Anna Deger, vice president of residential services at the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, said rent at the I Promise Housing complex starts at roughly $700 and goes to about $1,100, for two, three and four-bedroom apartments. She said the housing is reserved for low-income residents who earn half or less of the area median income, with an expectation that 40% of residents will be using housing vouchers to help subsidize their rent." https://www.ideastream.org/education/2023-06-08/affordable-housing-complex-backed-by-lebron-james-unveiled-in-akron