MuRrAy HiLL

Move over Mayor Bibb; the Mayor of Flavortown is here: Guy Fieri Is Filming in Cleveland This Week, and Probably Going to the NBA All Star Game By Vince Grzegorek February 15, 2022 at 4:40 PM https://m.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2022/02/15/guy-fieri-is-filming-in-cleveland-this-week-and-probably-going-to-the-nba-all-star-game

And the second big boy following KJP: Playhouse Square to put its downtown Cleveland luxury apartment building The Lumen up for sale Updated: Feb. 16, 2022, 8:07 p.m. | Published: Feb. 16, 2022, 6:05 p.m. By Eric Heisig, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio — Playhouse Square plans to list its downtown Cleveland luxury apartment high-rise, The Lumen, for sale, less than two years after its completion. The 34-story, 318-apartment building at Euclid Avenue and East 17th Street, across the street from three of the arts district’s venues, should hit the market “any day now,” Matthew Lawton, an executive managing director for the Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets brokerage firm marketing it, wrote in an email Wednesday. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2022/02/playhouse-square-to-list-the-lumen-luxury-apartment-building-for-sale.html

If I had $$$, this would be my #1 place to invest in the CLE—especially with the mixed use, infill potential. Cleveland’s AsiaTown makes major changes to bring in more shoppers and residents By Aria Janel Published: Feb. 14, 2022 at 7:56 PM EST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - If you’ve never found yourself soaking up the culture in AsiaTown, the time is now. “It’s such a special town that we have here in Cleveland,” said Karis Tzeng. “Over 30 Asian owned businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and more.” Karis Tzeng is the Director of the AsiaTown Initiative at Midtown Inc. https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/02/15/clevelands-asiatown-makes-major-changes-bring-more-shoppers-residents/

Fantastic to see Case Western Reserve will be welcoming it's largest freshman class EVER this fall...although kind of a weird story about an underclassmen who is afraid to leave campus. Case Western Reserve University students worry on-campus housing guarantee may be stripped away By Aria Janel Published: Feb. 10, 2022 at 7:45 PM EST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Case Western Reserve University undergrads who were guaranteed access to on-campus housing now fear for their future living situation after the administration took back that promise to make room for their biggest incoming freshman class yet. A decision that had Zeraat and her friends worried for their safety. “The university is very adamant that campus is the safest place for students, explained Zeraat. “Because we have campus police and they are walking around all the time and at night to make sure people are staying safe.” https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/02/11/students-worry-after-news-housing-guarantee-may-be-stripped-away/

Hey guys, I know I keep posting stuff, but I definitely have a soft spot for immigrants searching for a normal life and happiness… especially here in Cleveland. A few good recent stories:

I love how these aerial photos have become so common place:

Another less common angle

Thoughts? Opinions? A final amen or born again? Neighbors divided as proposed development includes demolition of historic church By: Jordan Vandenberge Posted at 5:47 PM, Feb 09, 2022 and last updated 2022-02-09 19:02:35-05 CLEVELAND — A dilapidated yet historic former church with roots pre-dating the Civil War faces the possibility of demolition as part of a proposed redevelopment project in the heart of Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The possible redevelopment project, which includes 50 apartment units and thousands of square feet in retail space, has been met with a groundswell of opposition from some longtime residents and business owners. Located at the confluence of Memphis Ave. and Pearl Rd., St. Luke’s Church lost its congregation nearly a decade ago, bringing about an unceremonious end to the church that was established in 1839. The church was effectively re-built in 1903 and has endeared itself to generations of Clevelanders with its humble red-bricked exterior. At a meeting last month, Reeve and others introduced the proposed plans for the property, which include the construction of 50 new apartment units as well as ground-floor retail totaling 3,000 square feet. Both St. Luke’s and the neighboring Green Line building, which ironically houses the Old Brooklyn Historical Society, would be demolished. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/a-final-amen-or-born-again-neighbors-divided-as-proposed-development-includes-demolition-of-historic-church

Sponsors needed to help the new immigrants navigate life in Cleveland / America: Non-profit in need of family sponsors for Afghan refugees to help them with day-to-day needs By: Nadeen Abusada Posted at 6:16 PM, Feb 10, 2022 CLEVELAND — Afghan refugees are coming into Cleveland by the dozen every week, and the U.S. Committee of Refugees and Immigrants say they need more sponsors to help those families acclimate to life in America. “Sponsorship can also be a one-hour-a-week commitment for a family to just take them to the grocery store,” said Amanda and Heather. “The other day we walked to the bank and set up a bank account. We also went to the grocery store and started figuring out the difference between salted and unsalted cashews.” Right now, 90% of refugee families in Cleveland don't have a sponsor. If you are interested in sponsoring click here. USCRI says if sponsoring isn’t for you, they also always need donations, volunteers and translators. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/non-profit-in-need-of-family-sponsors-for-afghan-refugees-to-help-them-with-day-to-day-needs?_amp=true

Neat story of the world’s first modern standup comedian, Artemus Ward. Whose statue bust used to exist in the American Garden: https://ideastream.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=51c036d58ac9fdb0ea5fdc04e&id=04acf8eae5&e=ee3517428d Hopefully one day soon, it will again!

Rumors were true...now if only people will be allowed to drink in the new location in honor of the old ABC Tavern CWRU Bookstore and Dunkin’ to relocate off Euclid to smaller locations Matthew Chang, Staff Writer February 4, 2022 The Case Western Reserve University Bookstore and Dunkin’ plan to permanently relocate from their Euclid Ave. locations. The bookstore had been in its Euclid location since March 2012, moving from the Thwing Center. Now after 10 years, it will shift again. The relocation will begin as soon as the start of spring break, Mar. 4. The University Bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble College, will not renew its lease at its current location. It plans to move to the former ABC Tavern space at 11434 Uptown Ave., a location that CWRU owns across the street in the Uptown district. The bookstore plans to close on Friday, Mar. 4, at the end of the business day and reopen Monday, Mar. 14, at its new location. The current location of the bookstore and Dunkin’ will be leased to new retailers. As of now, CWRU has not said who they may be. https://observer.case.edu/cwru-bookstore-and-dunkin-to-relocate-off-euclid-to-smaller-locations/

Not sure how many, but also nice to see:

Wowzers! Port of Cleveland sees 69% increase in tonnage in 2021 Updated: Feb. 03, 2022, 10:29 a.m. | Published: Feb. 03, 2022, 10:29 a.m. By Sean McDonnell, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland’s port was well used in 2021 amid ongoing supply-chain issues across the U.S. The Port of Cleveland on Thursday reported a 69% increase in tonnage across its docks compared to 2020. The port said significant increases in goods both in and out of containers, and iron ore shipments to the Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works steel mill, drove the increase. https://www.cleveland.com/business/2022/02/port-of-cleveland-sees-69-increase-in-tonnage-in-2021.html

Check it out…CLE Refugee Response replied to my tweet (side note: I’m new to Twitter; feel free to follow me):

Looks cool

Congrats to a Cleveland basketball team defeating #3 in the nation WashU. They now start a roadtrip to Chicago and St Louis. Spartans Upset #3 WashU 75-70; Take Sole Possession of Second in UAA In arguably the biggest win in the history of the men's basketball program at Case Western Reserve University, graduate student guard Mitch Prendergast knocked down a pair of three pointers in the final 90 seconds to help the Spartans secure a 75-70 win over third-ranked Washington University (Mo.) on Sunday afternoon and give the team sole possession of second place in the University Athletic Association. With the win, the Spartans now stand at 15-2 overall on the season, including a 5-1 mark in UAA games. CWRU sits just half a game back of first-place Emory at the halfway point of the conference schedule. Washington dropped to 14-3 overall and to 4-2 in the UAA. https://athletics.case.edu/sports/mbkb/2021-22/releases/20220130q34w9d

Really don’t know if I’m allowed to do this as a Browns fan… but I have been living vicariously through Joe B, from Athens Ohio High School, and the Cincinnati Bengals this entire postseason. Congrats to Cincy! Good luck in the SUPER BOWL!!

^ Nice! Best place to live Downtown IMO just got better.

From the annual report of one of the Cleveland relocation organizations. https://76d13a6b-8e0b-45d6-9ea4-cfd578cfa494.usrfiles.com/ugd/76d13a_5e557f5ef1ff4349b1e3c9ba8200d69e.pdf I’ve heard with all organizations combined, 600+ Afghans have been relocated to Cleveland...which is now already higher than originally projected.

I believe this means that Medina will have 5 breweries. Akronym Brewing Co. buys Rockne’s in Medina for pilot brewery and gastropub Published: Jan. 28, 2022, 6:00 a.m. By Marc Bona, cleveland.com MEDINA, Ohio – Akronym Brewing Co. has purchased the closed Rockne’s Pub in Medina. Rockne’s, at 5121 Buehlers Dr. in Montville Township, off Ohio 18, closed in May 2019. The location is near a Buehler’s grocery store. It’s going to be Akronym Public House and Pilot Brewery, said the brewery’s Shawn Adams. The brewery will move its barrel-aging program to the Medina space, which will take advantage of Rockne’s large kitchen and become more of a gastropub. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/01/akronym-brewing-co-buys-rocknes-in-medina-for-pilot-brewery-and-gastropub.html

Not sure if this was posted anywhere else? NOACA wants Cleveland to examine wider ‘land bridge’ concepts for downtown lakefront connection, plus hold a meeting to engage public for the first time Updated: Jan. 26, 2022, 9:20 p.m. | Published: Jan. 26, 2022, 5:44 p.m. By Steven Litt, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, the region’s biggest planning organization, wants the city to think bigger about connecting downtown to the Lake Erie shoreline. Specifically, NOACA wants the city to add at least two new variations to the five it has already proposed for analysis in the formative stages of a $5 million feasibility study. And it wants the city to hold a meeting to gather public comments about all the alternatives under consideration. There have been no such meetings to date, though the project to improve the downtown lakefront could ultimately cost more than $200 million in public money. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/01/noaca-wants-city-to-examine-wider-land-bridge-concepts-for-downtown-lakefront-connection-plus-hold-a-meeting-to-engage-public-for-the-first-time.html