MuRrAy HiLL

Although, it's everything we all know....nothing wrong with more and more postive press. New housing, other projects are helping reshape Cleveland's University Circle area, say panel members Published: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 5:30 AM Ellen Kleinerman, The Plain Dealer MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A big part of Cleveland's future lies in neighborhoods that will flourish around existing gems like those in University Circle and downtown where residents can walk to work, the bus stop, cultural events and entertainment. That's the picture that area leaders painted Wednesday during a discussion at the Corporate Club luncheon at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, where four panel members focused mainly on growth at University Circle. "The collaboration has been unprecedented," said Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc. It is evident from the rooftop of the Veterans Administration Hospital, Ronayne said, where he sees "a sea of cranes" from projects shaping not only University Circle, but also the downtown area. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/leaders_talk_about_the_reshapi.html

Mayor Jackson, just get the right people in the right place. That's all you have to do.

I came across this today. The negativity this is going to create is unfortunate. It does even seem there has been a switch from being pro-cleveland to being more..... anti-cleveland/ pro suburb? For example, this page blew my mind. There is a new breakdown of the metro news...it lists Cleveland (no neighborhood breakdown whatsoever) and then every suburb and its mother: http://www.cleveland.com/community/ On another note, I'm pretty sure this is a new section too: Cleveland Crime: http://www.cleveland.com/crime/

I found this quote very interesting from the case.edu article on Philips Imaging Innovation Center: " Snyder recounted the success CWRU has had in generating business and collaborating with hospitals and industry. As a result of professors’ research, the university has launched 24 companies since 2001; reaped $16.3 million in licensing revenue last year alone; and won an average of $385 million in state, federal and other grants during the last five years. In 2007, Case Western Reserve became lead agency, partnering with University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic, on a $64 million Clinical and Translational Science Award – the largest single grant the National Institutes of Health has made in Northeast Ohio. " http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2010/06/04/imaginginnovationcenter

Also, Polish Night at the Prog on June 11: Cleveland and Polish Night Will Rock at Progressive By Michael Reghi WKNR 850 AM ESPN Radio June 9, 2010 CLEVELAND -- Baseball is still celebrating Polish Night. On June 11, the Cleveland Indians will host the Washington Nationals at Progressive Field for Polish Night. It is the eighth annual. Get there early for the pre-game festivities and parade. Wear your red and white. Groups can meet at Key Plaza outside of Gate ‘A’ at 6:00 PM. I will be having an early lunch with sports broadcasters Raymond Rolak of Detroit and Doug Yalacki of Washington D.C., at Sokolowski’s University Inn in Tremont. It will be ‘Rocking’, pre and post-game. We will speculate on some Stephen Strasburg heat. http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/baseb/mp-baseb/art-mp-baseb/cleveland-and-polish-night-will-rock-at-progressiv.shtml?40600

More love for Victor....such a great story! Family reunion for Martinez in Cleveland By Gordon Edes CLEVELAND -- He was 20 years old and in the United States for the first time, plunked down in northeast Ohio to play for the short-season Class A Mahoning Valley Scrappers, whose ballpark was located behind a shopping mall. Victor Martinez had never lived outside his native Venezuela and didn't speak English. So he had no idea who Patti Bixler was or what she was saying when she approached four Scrappers after one of their first games, found out that they were walking the two miles back and forth from the ballpark to where they were staying and decided that wouldn't do. Malave chose his friend. Martinez did not know it at the time, that summer of 1999, but he was about to become part of the family. And so it was no accident that Bob and Patti Bixler and their adult son, Ryan, were in the family room in Progressive Field on Monday night, waiting for Martinez to emerge from the visitors clubhouse after the Sox-Indians game. This was Martinez's first trip back to Cleveland since the trade last summer that had left them all in tears. Now, they were taking him home again, back to their home in Howland, Ohio, about 60 miles southeast of Cleveland, where it all began. http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/columns/story?columnist=edes_gordon&id=5264201

The building wasn't very pretty...was it: http://www.cardcow.com/233763/f-freiberger-library-western-reserve-university-cleveland-ohio/ I didn't realize there was a building there to begin with.

Cleveland Orchestra on PBS nationwide: Cleveland Orchestra to be featured in public television broadcast By Zachary Lewis, The Plain Dealer June 08, 2010, 1:10PM Get ready for more music from the Cleveland Orchestra over Independence Day weekend. Two days after its annual performance on Public Square Thursday, July 1, the orchestra under music director Franz Welser-Most will be the focus of a special broadcast on public television. The 90-minute program, recorded in high-definition September 2008 at Severance Hall, features Welser-Most and the orchestra performing Bruckner's Symphony No. 7. That performance has since been released on DVD. http://www.cleveland.com/musicdance/index.ssf/2010/06/cleveland_orchestra_to_be_feat.html

Medical Mart On Track For Fall Groundbreaking Tuesday, June 8, 2010 Cleveland City Council last night approved a deal to sell the city-owned downtown convention center to Cuyahoga County for use as part of the medical mart project. Ideastream’s Bill Rice reports the deal puts the final piece in place for an October groundbreaking. The county will pay Cleveland 20 million dollars for the convention center. Cleveland will retain the adjacent Public Hall and spend some of the 20 million to bring its heating and electrical systems up to code and perform other renovations. While the properties for the project are in place, there’s still more design work to be done. City and county leaders say they’re encouraged that private developer MMPI is working to maximize views of the lake, and foresee eventually connecting the medical mart with the lakefront. http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/news/31027

Full steam ahead and on schedule: Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority approves $75 million bond issue for Cleveland Museum of Art expansion By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer June 08, 2010, 11:00AM The Cleveland Museum of Art got what it wanted from the board of the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority today – a 6-0 vote approving port issuance of $75 million in tax-exempt bonds. The vote means the museum will have access to the cash it needs to finish a $350 million expansion and renovation on time in 2013. The museum's board is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to proceed with the final phase of construction, which started in 2005. "We're going to get it done, we're going to get it done," a smiling Janet Ashe, the museum's treasurer and deputy director for administration," said immediately after the port vote today. William Friedman, the port's new president and chief executive officer, called the vote, "my first success. I'll claim it. Why not?" http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2010/06/cleveland_cuyahoga_county_port.html From IdeaStream: The Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority will finance up to 75 million dollars to complete renovations at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Port Authority Board agreed to issue the bonds at a special meeting held Tuesday, putting the museum on target for completing the $350 million dollar project by 2013. So far, the museum has raised $220 million dollars toward the renovation, which began in 2005 and will include new east and west wings. East wing galleries opened last year, and the renovated 1916 main building the year before. http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/news/31034

I'm surprised there is no response to the University Circle/CWRU constuction. I know these will be mostly student only facilities...but this is at least $55 million worth of construction has been announced in University circle in just a one month span. $50 million for the new Student Center $5+ million for the new Field House (my bad estimate)....plus it "completes" the original Village renderings. The Field House guess is tough since the $4 million is only the naming rights...maybe it'll cost $5-$10 mil more?? No figure has been given, but I do remember it being guesses as less than $10 mil a few years ago. Either way, this is even more construction announced an an already booming University Circle.

Wow...my post was merely to report BODIES is drawing a lot of people to E. 4th who wouldn't normally have gone! I honestly didn't expect it to be so crowded. Wasn't trying to cause this crazy business argument....but some people do bring up some good points.

Wow... highly doubtful, but impressive if true. I'm not sure where to find the percentage break down, but Case's 2008 numbers were: Enrollment (fall 2008): Undergraduate: 4,356 Graduate and Professional: 5,458 Total (headcount, all programs): 9,814 States represented: 50 Countries represented: 87 EDIT: uh oh, i went off topic again. ... I LOVE West Side Market and Great Lakes Brewing Company!!

Besides the new Student Center, a new Athletic Field House will be built. Case Western Reserve University Receives $4 Million Commitment to Name Planned New Multi-Functional Field House Trustee James C. Wyant, as former student athlete, fulfills wish to give back to campus that gave him lasting lessons Optical science pioneer and Case Western Reserve University Trustee James C. Wyant, PhD, has made a $4 million commitment to name a new field house on campus. The “Wyant Field House” will be a new addition to the North Campus Residential Village. The Wyant Field House will be approximately 24,000 square feet and will serve as a facility for varsity athletes and the 2,500 students who reside at the Village. The facility will include weight training and cardiovascular areas, a Varsity Club lounge, and multipurpose space. Also included in this gift is the “Coach Bill Sudeck Track,” named in memory of the university's legendary coach, who was Wyant’s mentor. “We are enormously grateful to Jim Wyant for this gift and the way it pays tribute to the role that athletics can play in the development of young people,” President Barbara R. Snyder said. “This project will enhance the experience of legions of students who seek to improve their physical fitness and their athletic performance.” http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2010/06/07/wyantfieldhouse

Just wanted to report I went to BODIES this past sunday, and the place was packed. Not only that, it seemed like at least half of the people would leave and walk around downtown and get something to eat. Chocolate Bar, Greenhouse Tavern, Erie Island Coffee company, and Flannery's were all packed. For some reason, 4th Street Bar and Grill, HOB, and Pickwick and Frolic were not open on Sunday afternoon for lunch--A TON of missed business in my opinion.

Man this guy has so much love for Cleveland. Here's his video interview: http://www.nesn.com/2010/06/victor-martinez-excited-to-return-to-cleveland-video.html

Happy Homecoming: Red Sox catcher has emotional return to Cleveland By Tom Withers (CP) – 59 minutes ago CLEVELAND — Cuddling with his five-year-old son while sitting in the opposing dugout, Victor Martinez fondly remembered a place where he had some of the best years of his life. He felt at home. Martinez was back in Cleveland on Monday, returning to the city where he began his major league career for the first time since the all-star catcher was traded to the Boston Red Sox last July. Martinez's smile was as wide as ever during an emotional homecoming at Progressive Field. "I left a place I will always have in my heart, a place where I grew up as a player," Martinez said before the Red Sox opened a four-game series against the Indians. "But they traded me to a good place, a good team and I am really, really happy." Last July, Martinez and his son, Victor, both broke down in tears in Cleveland's clubhouse after learning the 31-year-old had been dealt before the deadline. They never wanted to leave. "It has been great in Boston. They have great fans, a great ballclub and a full house every night. But I miss Cleveland, too." http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h_o94dXGJjQFVxfbquFdiEcgrQPA

More updates...going to the bidding process...probably which should have happened in the first place: Mayor Frank Jackson offers new plan to bring LED lighting firm to Cleveland By Mark Gillispie, The Plain Dealer June 07, 2010, 7:03PM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mayor Frank Jackson introduced legislation Monday that would commit the city to buying LED lights for 10 years from a company willing to bring a North American headquarters and at least 350 jobs to the city. Only this time, his administration would seek an LED supplier using the City Charter's competitive bidding process instead of handpicking the company. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/cleveland_mayor_frank_jackson_14.html

It's ashame because it really is such a nice piece.

Also posted in the Little Italy thread, Mia Bella has it's grand opening this FRIDAY. It's located in the old Corbo's Bakery storefront in Little Italy.

Encouraged by a new generation of believers in Cleveland By Brent Larkin June 06, 2010, 4:10AM If there is any hope for Cleveland's future, there is one ingredient that's essential to that future. It isn't a medical mart, a restructured county government, or a big idea emanating from City Hall. Not even close. More than anything else, Cleveland must become a magnet for bright, energetic and committed young people -- people who not only love this city, but are obsessed with making it better. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/06/encouraged_by_a_new_generation.html

Two things: 1) Mia Bella is having their grand opening this Friday. It is located across Murray Hill Rd from La Dolce Vita, in the original Corbo's bakery spot. They've done a nice job with the remodeling and there are two murals that are being finished up for this weekend. I believe they are the only place in Little Italy who will serve Great Lakes beer along with all the italian stuff (I could be wrong on this one, but I just never see Great Lakes beer anywhere in the neighborhood). They also have a pretty decent $7 Martini menu. Food...guessing it's mostly pretty decent italian ;) They will be open for dinner this week to get some of the kinks out, but the grand opening is this FRIDAY. 2) In the old Gina's Boutique spot (she moved up the hill to Coventry), the windows are all papered up and big signs in the window that say "Murray Hill Market. Coming soon". I don't have anymore details on this, but I'm hoping it's a decent-sized grocery store, something Little Italy hasen't had in a couple decades. EDIT: I probably should have posted this here instead: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,577.60.html One of the mods, could you move it?

Cleveland convention center and medical merchandise mart win tax exemptions By JAY MILLER 11:40 am, June 4, 2010 The planned convention center and medical merchandise mart in Cleveland quietly won property and sales tax exemptions in a bill passed by the General Assembly early this morning. Senate Bill 181 originally was introduced to speed the reclamation of abandoned mines. It was used by legislators to rush through a variety of last-minute measures, including the medical mart property tax exemptions, as the General Assembly engaged in an end-of-session marathon that lasted past 3 a.m. today. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100604/FREE/100609890

For urbans centers: - open 24hrs - no smoking - no free drinks - No drinking 2:30 am - 5:30 am (state liquor laws) This to me sounds like the best way to regulate and improve downtown at the same time.

I'll add it to the UrbanOhio Cleveland Events page: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,22979.0.html