willyboy

Thanks. Sorry to keep asking about this, but is it even conceivable that a near total conversion from office/retail to parking could meet federal interior standards for interior work? I understand that some parking is often crucial to support rehab projects, but that seems distinct from this case. I'm just trying to figure out if tax credits would still be on the table for this particular project. Given that the project would have to meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation to qualify for Federal tax credits, it doesnt seem to me, with that level of alteration on the interior that it would (and the removal of exterior windows would not qualify). I will have to look at some other circumstances, because buildings that have had their historic interiors severly altered or removed (by previous owners) can still qualify for the Federal Tax credits (Schofield), but I believe that there needs to be an element of "retaining a floor plan or circulation pattern" and I wouldnt imagine doing that for a car would qualify :|. Because the idea is to encourage "rehabilitation" of the property, there is an allowance for appropriate alterations that ensure the efficient and contemporary use of the structure (typically meaning adaptive reuse from one use to another, as in office to hotel or housing), and I have seen many arguments for some unconventional changes in use succesfully made, and interpretations can and do vary, but I just really think this one would be stretching it. Aside from using the Federal credit, the building owner of a National Landmark can plan to do what they want on their own dime, but then its dependent on local regulations etc. Was it mentioned, is the building a locally designated landmark or in a local district? Im guessing there is nothing in the zoning code that would prevent such a thing... (there it would likely be encouraged (*that was for 327)).

Yup "To make way for Whole Foods, the Fitworks gym will have to move out of River Square. The gym's manager declined to comment, and a company official did not respond to a request for comment." From Feb. 9th.... "Is there an old Fitworks in one of the Detroit Road shopping centers? That seems to be the likely location that Im seeing the most (if thats where Im thinking, its kindof an ugly low budget shopping center for a WF). *Ah, just saw Linda is across from the Detroit Road Shopping Center with the Fitworks." and:

Or any federal money will be used (not the case) or historic tax credits are sought (could be the case). Sorry. Ink is correct here. While the building would qualify historic tax credits for the an exterior renovation (which I would have liked to have seen, and could use), they certainly couldnt be used for this.

Legacy recently announced a round of new tenants... Tiffany wasnt one of them.

Yeah I meant "Market District". Im guessing they are trying to be like Wegmans (out of Rochester) which is the darling in the grocery store world (even though GE is claiming the concept is a take on markets in Europe) FYI, they are about to break ground on a GE Market District in Strongsville (where Honey Hut is) :x Wegmans have been opening all over in the growing outskirts of DC, asnd they are quite an event, but you wont see any opening anywhere near NE Ohio.

Oh wow interesting. I thought that now came down to "if they had the extra funding" and figured it would be cut. I think it might look cool, depending on how it turns out.

Thats the odd part. They are saying that it would go through a renovation and reopen and a regular Giant Eagle again, which really makes no sense whatsoever. I would think they would close it but dont want to say that now, but I also dont understand, if they were going to just use 1 space why they wouldnt just keep the current one since it has such a big footprint (other than the fact that they can keep one in operation, while the other is going through rebuilding). The Detroit and Bunts footprint seems too small for space requirements of those Market Place stores... There is an article about I will post if I find again..

The Old Giant Eagle at Bunts and Detroit is likely going to become a new "Marketplace" Giant Eagle. I would agree the old Reni-Rego/Tops seems a likley place but people are saying they signed a lease for the Fitworks space on Detroit.??? I dont think the old target is really the right spot/demographics.

I would hope that the state already intended on doing this...

Yes, thats what I heard.... Likely March.

But then that would'nt be Rocky River. I was seeing Detroit Road in River, but also Linda Street (which I dont understand where it would go there). Is there an old Fitworks in one of the Detroit Road shopping centers? That seems to be the likely location that Im seeing the most (if thats where Im thinking, its kindof an ugly low budget shopping center for a WF). *Ah, just saw Linda is across from the Detroit Road Shopping Center with the Fitworks. It actually would be a boon to get one that close in. I had been wondering for a couple years now why one hadnt opened near Crocker Park.

Ah yes this, and then some. Good news! Lincoln Electric plans $40 million expansion and will hire 200 Published: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 8:00 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 10:41 PM By John Funk, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer EUCLID, Ohio -- Lincoln Electric will spend $40 million to renovate its facility in Euclid, adding 200 jobs over three years and bringing a company here from Baltimore. In the new plant expansion, Lincoln plans to renovate part of its Euclid works to absorb and expand the Techalloy Co., a 50-employee business it bought for $37.9 million in summer 2010. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/lincoln_electric_plans_40_mill.html

Lincoln Electric plans $40 million expansion and will hire 200 Published: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 8:00 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 10:41 PM By John Funk, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer EUCLID, Ohio -- Lincoln Electric will spend $40 million to renovate its facility in Euclid, adding 200 jobs over three years and bringing a company here from Baltimore. In the new plant expansion, Lincoln plans to renovate part of its Euclid works to absorb and expand the Techalloy Co., a 50-employee business it bought for $37.9 million in summer 2010. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/lincoln_electric_plans_40_mill.html

I believe there have been some tax credit issues, but it should be moving forward in March.

That grant isnt really very big potatoes, so if its just that Techalloy moving operations from Baltimore, it should be about 55 additional jobs, unless theres more to it of course..

So is there still news and a press conference? ( I know Newt was in the area, but that should have been unrelated)

This is pretty significant because Zai is the one that championed an improtant financing tool for the Cleveland area (this was significant in the financing of the East Bank project). He seemed to be a clever guy, if not shady (obviously). Hopefully others have learned how to use this tool in the area, even though it is somewhat controversial (but many larger metro regions have been using it to close financing for some time). Pepper Pike financier A. Eddy Zai indicted in Croatian fund swindle Published: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 8:58 AM Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 9:41 AM By John Caniglia, The Plain Dealer PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Pepper Pike business icon A. Eddy Zai was indicted in the swindle that led to the collapse of the St. Paul Croatian Federal Credit Union in Eastlake. Zai runs a variety of businesses, including the Cleveland International Fund that raised $45 million for the Flats East Bank development and is seeking overseas support for construction projects at University Hospitals. Zai also has had a hand in the Cleveland Bio Fund, which has pushed for potential investors in Northeast Ohio. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/pepper_pike_financier_a_eddy_z.html

The sidwalk work should be taking place any time now - spring..

I suppose this will help a bit with the Matrix loss. Nestle to move jobs to Solon from Colorado Published: Monday, February 06, 2012, 5:18 PM Updated: Monday, February 06, 2012, 5:18 PM By Janet Cho, The Plain Dealer SOLON, Ohio - Nestle USA's decision to move its Hot Pockets and Lean Pockets business team to Solon from Colorado will create job openings in Northeast Ohio. How many jobs is still uncertain, because it depends on how many of the 70 or so Nestle employees decide to move here from Englewood, Colo., near Denver. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/nestle_to_move_jobs_to_solon_f.html

Yes, for a mall that is still open, it certainly is and has been struggling. Im not sure what Randall and Euclid have to do with it since they closed, so they would be considered formerly struggling.

I read that the other day and was a bit puzzled since there was also an article about Cleveland leading nation in percentage drop in jobs (of coarse it was just worded that way by the PD, but there were other places equally bad or worse). It mentions this was due to job losses in finance and insurance. I'm guessing the losses were so high with Nat City/PNC and Ohio Savings that this higher than normal level of hiring in this field is just a drop in the bucket compared to what was lost.... This also makes you wonder what the lower than average unemployment rate really means (although I think part of the difference is being cognative whether they are talking about Cleveland proper, the metro or North east Ohio) Cleveland area leads nation in percentage drop in jobs Published: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 5:15 AM Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 3:28 PM By Olivera Perkins, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Greater Cleveland led the nation in percentage of lost jobs in the past year, the U.S. Labor Department said Wednesday. The Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor metro area saw a 0.2 percent decrease in nonfarm payroll employment between December 2010 and December 2011. The Philadelphia and Indianapolis areas metro areas posted the same percentage decrease. Although manufacturing grew last year, the increase could not offset job losses in finance and insurance, said George Zeller, an economic research analyst in Cleveland. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/cleveland_area_leads_nation_in.html

Yes there was a story about it in the PD. Certainly would explain the imbalance away from Northern Ohio projects. Lack of money for Cleveland's Inner Belt project could boost Gov. John Kasich's leasing proposal for Ohio Turnpike: Analysis Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 10:00 PM Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:31 AM By Reginald Fields, The Plain Dealer COLUMBUS, Ohio — The broken promise for a completed Inner Belt project may just be the problem Gov. John Kasich has been looking for to sway a skeptical public on his plan to lease the Ohio Turnpike. http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/01/lack_of_money_for_inner_belt_p.html

I don't really understand that ranking, or more accurately, how they came up with the title/description. Wouldn't the cities whose residents are going out and getting tons of work (teeth whitening, breast implants, etc.) done actually the "insecure" ones? Agree that doesnt make any sense... Also I dont understand "CLEVELAND, America's least insecure city"! Dont you mean (according to the article) "most insecure" or "least secure"

Does anybody know if RTA/local communities do anything with Re-connecting America/Interagency Partnership on Sustainable Communities? I always wonder if they think beyond the specific project in the broader context of TOD. There is usually a federal initative or partnership of agencies that colaborate and offer funding to advance these ideas. I used to be involved and followed this pretty closely but havent looked into what kind of opportunities are out there for a while. The link below is for a white paper from late 2009. These initatives would be a parnership between FTA, HUD, EPA etc. http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/091119_whitepaper.pdf

Also, I had met a lady from Virginia who's son had a heart transplant at the Clinic. While she loved the people there and thought Cleveland was very friendly, she couldnt believe what a dump it was. I blieve she also stayed at the InterContinental, and of course the directions to get to the CLinc for out of towners is coming 490 to E55th to ...... to the Clinic (yeah pretty dumpy). While Im sure she wasnt in any mood to go sightseeing, it would have been nice if there was a way for her to realize that all of Cleveland isnt that way. I explained to her that she was very close to a wonderful area of culture and historic mansions, but she never would have known that.