Luke_S

The sliver of good news is that FirstEnergy is still staying in Akron so the city isn't totally losing that tax revenue. Ideastream had a write-up on the affect of First Energy's move out of downtown, Akron looks ahead to a Downtown without FirstEnergy. Ideastream was a little easy on FE without providing some context for quotes like; Or No comment on what those "different things" were or how they were self-inflicted. Or how that may have damaged the brand that is important to Akron. I don't know what sort of community impact they've had in Akron, maybe they've been a good partner. I don't want to get too far off topic though. What I found interesting in the Ideastream reporting was that FE bought their downtown office building instead of trying to get out of the lease. I guess it was cheaper to buy the building that pay the remaining 10 years of the lease? Crain's picked up the reporting here, FirstEnergy's HQ move will create a hole — and an opportunity. Again a couple quotes that stood out; And Sounds like Akron needs follow Cleveland's lead and start converting more of this low-grade office space into residential units. FE wouldn't be the ones to convert to residential or upgrade the office space though, so what's the plan? Are they just going to turn around and sell it or hire someone to manage the renovations? Assuming this is converted to residential, one last thought from the Crain's piece.

In reading Ken's article, unless I missed it, it sounds like Greyhound isn't looking to invest in any facilities wherever they continue to operate. It seems strange that they wouldn't want to operate at the proposed multi-modal facility on the lakefront. So, while they haven't committed operating out of the multi-modal facility, the lack of investment in permanent operational improvements elsewhere seems to suggest a desired flexibility to move again once the multi-modal facility is up and running.

"Akron Names Interim Planning Director" may have been a better headline for the article. He doesn't have too much time to work with, but hopefully he is able to be effective and keep his job in the new administration. Akron names new planning director DAN SHINGLER May 10, 2023 01:44 PM Also reported in the article, Catey Breck, Director of Strategic Development for the Office of Integrated Development, has left to take a job as director of economic development at inSITE Advisory Group. https://www.crainscleveland.com/akron-news/akrons-new-planning-director-boasts-plenty-experience

A more detailed write up on Warren Morgan, and available for those without a Crain's subscription, form Ideastream. Warren Morgan will be the next Cleveland schools CEO Ideastream Public Media | By Conor Morris Published May 9, 2023 at 10:06 AM EDT Updated May 9, 2023 at 12:45 PM EDT

CMSD has found its next CEO Warren Morgan named new Cleveland schools CEO RACHEL ABBEY MCCAFFERTY May 09, 2023 11:02 AM https://www.crainscleveland.com/education/warren-morgan-picked-lead-cleveland-school-district

Cleveland plans major broadband internet expansion to narrow digital divide by Nick Castele "Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration is tapping a local nonprofit and a national telecom firm to expand high-speed internet in Cleveland. Bibb is asking City Council to slate $20 million in federal stimulus funds for Digital C, the nonprofit wireless internet provider. That money would help Digital C expand its reach to offer $18-per-month high-speed internet to all Clevelanders. The mayor is also proposing an agreement with the for-profit company SiFi Networks to build a citywide fiber-optic network. The company plans to spend $400 million on the project at no cost to the city, according to a news release from Bibb’s office." https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-plans-major-broadband-internet-expansion-to-narrow-digital-divide/

So we're going to be able to double our initial order; this is such great news. The enormous investment RTA is making in the railcar procurement and capital improvements to the Blue/Green lines is a strong signal that former riders should come back and potential riders should finally give them a try. A concern I had with the pacing of the original railcar replacement was that service would continue to be too inconsistent and they would lose riders for good. There is still the potential that the timeline is too long; there is a lot of positive press right now, but we wont see the benefits for a few years. Presumably when the first cars everyone will be reminded why we should be excited about this. Hopefully between the rail cars, line improvements, and addition of the BRT line down W25 RTA will have sufficient cashflows that we wont have to wait so long between major investments!

Despite currently being under renovation, Lock 3 will continue to host Rock the Lock beginning 6/23, the Sunday backyard movie series, Gospel Sundays, Wednesday Live and Local, Lunch at the Lock, and other Festivals. More details from Cleveland.com Akron announces Lock 3 summer concert, event schedule

I would guess federal dollars for rail car procurement or the recently announced capital improvements to the Blue/Green Line.

Cross-posting from the Summit Metro Parks thread since this has some development implications for Cuyahoga Falls

Cuyahoga Falls aims to become 'Kayak-hoga Falls' for whitewater fans May 04, 2023 05:45 AM DAN SHINGLER https://www.crainscleveland.com/akron-news/urban-whitewater-hot-spot-emerging-cuyahoga-river

Update on the former Beacon Journal building, and it's seemingly good news! Commission denies request to raze Akron Beacon Journal building By Jeff St. Clair Published May 3, 2023 at 6:05 PM EDT "The historic former home of the Akron Beacon Journal in downtown Akron gained some breathing room after a panel this week unanimously rejected a request to tear it down. The city’s Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted 5-0 against the request by property owner Capstone Real Estate Investments to raze the 93-year-old structure to make way for a parking lot. The Alabama-based company can appeal the decision to Akron City Council, but there’s no indication of when that body might take up the request." https://www.ideastream.org/community/2023-05-03/commission-denies-request-to-raze-akron-beacon-journal-building

Write up from Signal Cleveland on the results of their rebrand study. A lot of information they weren't able to get because it was redacted. They're still working to get the full report, but still an interesting read in the meantime. Reporting by Amy Morona. Cleveland State’s rebrand cost $1.4 million. Here’s some of what didn’t make it into the news release

Greater Cleveland nationally had second largest drop in the unemployment rate Cleveland area’s jobless rate fell to 4.2% in March. by Olivera Perkins "Greater Cleveland nationally had the second largest unemployment rate decrease in March among large metro areas, according to a federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Wednesday. The jobless rate in Greater Cleveland was 4.2% in March. In March 2022, it was 5.6%. That means the unemployment rate fell by 1.4 percentage points. Only Greater Detroit, which fell by 1.5% points, saw a larger decrease in the jobless rate. (The jobless rate in that Michigan metro area was 2.8%) Ohio’s unemployment rate in March was 4%, according to the BLS report. When the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released March’s jobless rate April 21, it placed the rate at 3.8%. There is no discrepancy. The BLS numbers are not seasonally adjusted, but ODJFS’s are. The seasonally adjusted rate takes into account predictable seasonal patterns that often influence unemployment, ranging from school breaks to severe weather." https://signalcleveland.org/greater-cleveland-nationally-had-second-largest-drop-in-the-unemployment-rate/

Downtown also desperately needs residential purchase options so it would be nice to see some condos in the mix here

This is probably veering into a discussion for another thread, but I favor adopting policies that would break the two-party hold on our politics. I believe that is what @Boomerang_Brian's ultimate goal is too. Actually getting there is probably less likely than the city-county merger that you brought up, so not really sure where that gets us. We should be willing to stomp on those mines though. You and your fellow Republicans in Akron/Summit shouldn't have to resort to voting for the Democrat you find least offensive. I don't want this to sound confrontational, because I don't know what else you're supposed to do, but you are also probably frustrating more progressive Democrats by moderating certain positions staked out by politicians. So the progressives aren't happy, Republicans aren't happy. There's not strong accountability when turnout is low and there's not even an opposition party to hold Democrats accountable.

While I think this election turned out well and one of the better candidates won, Malik doesn't have a lot of experience so we'll have to wait and see how he governs. One good result of this is he has 6 additional months that he can prepare for being mayor instead of focusing on campaigning. But that's finding the silver lining, single party rule at any level is not healthy. And looking ahead, without a consequential mayoral election in November how high is turnout going to be in Akron?

Winning 43% of the primary votes, first term Akron City Council Member Shammas Malik is the presumptive mayor of Akron with no Republican or Independent candidates registered for the general election. Malik will be the first person of color to serve as mayor of Akron. Ideastream: Shammas Malik wins Akron mayoral primary, in line to be the first person of color as mayor For more info on Shammas Malik here is his profile from Ideastream's Candidate Guide

Seems like it may matter the reason Lakewood and Bay residents opposed increased rail traffic, do you happen to know the reasoning? If residents were concerned about the noise from trains that's probably not going to change between freight and passenger trains, right? But if the concern was about frequent and extended road closures at crossings that's going to be more of an issue for longer and slower freight trains, so maybe there wouldn't be so much opposition to passenger trains.

This is really not a great look for Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and by association, Cleveland Metroparks. You have to wonder is someone at Metroparks is going to pull the Conservancy aside to change course. Removing the residents of the mobile home parks always made me uncomfortable, but now with federal funds available to cover the infrastructure improvement costs, which were said to be the main obstacle, it looks even worse. I'm sure there are additional considerations, but I'm not sure why you can't consolidate the mobile homes for the residents who want to remain in one section of the mobile home park and allow them to stay. Once all of those residents move on, then you can revert that portion of the mobile home park to the Metroparks. Euclid Beach residents have plan to save mobile homes. Western Reserve Land Conservancy says no Ideastream Public Media | By Gabriel Kramer Published May 1, 2023 at 8:50 PM EDT https://www.ideastream.org/community/2023-05-01/euclid-beach-residents-have-plan-to-save-mobile-homes-western-reserve-land-conservancy-says-no

Cleveland selects firm to manage city parks and recreation master plan process Kim Palmer | May 2nd 2023 4:14 PM "The city of Cleveland has selected OLIN, a landscape architecture firm, as the lead consultant to manage the development of a parks and recreation master plan. The Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, known as MOCAP, chose the firm to analyze all the city’s Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers (NRRCs), parks, pools, playgrounds and other facilities. OLIN previously was responsible for the Eastman Reading Garden at the Cleveland Public Library and the plaza and greenspace surrounding the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building. The 15-year master plan will create a road map focused on ensuring the city institutes fair capital investment and equitable connections to quality parks and rec activities, while also meeting the needs of city residents." https://www.crainscleveland.com/government/cleveland-selects-olin-parks-and-rec-master-plan

From what I've heard there are more than a few candidates that are advocating for revisiting the city's zoning to make it easier for mixed-use and multi-family developments. Sure, they favor in-fill developments, but I wouldn't say that's anything like leaning towards a NIMBY mindset. For a city the size of Akron it can't afford to spread out much more than it has already and the best way to add density and vibrancy is multi-family, mixed use in-fill.

Preservation group hopes to save Akron Beacon Journal building from wrecking ball Ideastream Public Media | By Jeff St. Clair Published May 1, 2023 at 11:31 AM EDT "Its clock tower has watched over Akron for 93 years, but the future of the Akron Beacon Journal building is less lofty. The newspaper moved out of its long-time home in 2019 and its new owner, Capstone Real Estate Investments, LLC, an Alabama-based developer, wants to tear it down to make way for a parking lot. That's something Dana Noel with Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron believes is a waste." https://www.ideastream.org/community/2023-05-01/preservation-group-hopes-to-save-akron-beacon-journal-building-from-wrecking-ball

Business duo look to establish a vibrant soccer ecosystem in Cleveland Ideastream Public Media | By Douglas J. Guth Published April 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM EDT "Two Cleveland business partners are drawing on the region’s soccer legacy for a brand new endeavor. Nolan Gallagher and Michael Murphy, former owners of the Gravitas Ventures film distribution company, are currently establishing a men’s professional soccer team that will join Major League Soccer’s Next Pro league in 2025. The Cleveland team will be the third independent club to join the budding player development league, started by Major League Soccer in 2021. Rochester New York FC and Carolina Core FC will launch a year before the Cleveland franchise kicks off. If all goes to plan, the newly minted Cleveland franchise will be the cornerstone of a regional soccer network that comprises a National Women’s Soccer League team, a stadium site, and a larger soccer complex that can tap into interest from Northeast Ohio’s diverse population." https://www.ideastream.org/sports/2023-04-28/business-duo-look-to-establish-a-vibrant-soccer-ecosystem-in-cleveland

Wonderful! Now just need to get those car dealerships across the street to change hands.