KJP

I heard someone was leaving. I figured Stan Bullard was retiring. Sorry to hear it's @mjarboe. In competition, the customer usually wins.

@TBideon And Smuckers... https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/smuckers-core-weeks-return-to-office-policy-is-working/458148 And Kroger... https://www.wlwt.com/article/kroger-return-to-office-cincinnati-work-from-home/46103305

Responding from the Flats East Bank thread.... For a city it's size, Cleveland's office space downtown is larger than many of its regional peers. And only recently did it shrink to the size of Vancouver, BC's downtown office market -- despite Vancouver having many more high-rises downtown. I think we have an opportunity for four more office buildings downtown in the coming years -- SHW HQ2 is the most imminent. Rocket Mortgage is next, coming as soon as next year when interest rates start falling. New courthouse will either follow or coincide with it. And then Cliffs, after it gets done absorbing US Steel and figuring out what its actual space needs are.

Disagree. I think we're doing OK. But I responded in more detail in the downtown office market thread.

I also posted it here....

Oswald HQ moving to Flats East Bank By Ken Prendergast / December 15, 2023 Oswald Companies today announced that it has entered into a lease agreement to move its headquarters to a larger space at the former Ernst & Young tower on the East Bank of the Flats, a prominent fixture on the downtown skyline. Once all necessary approvals are received, the move will be completed in 2024 and plans include a name change to Oswald Tower. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/12/15/oswald-hq-moving-to-flats-east-bank/

@JB Yes, my wife who works for USCRI says they work with the West Side Catholic Center in Ohio City near St. Ignatius which accepts donations of clothing and provides them to refugees and other people of need. Here's a link.... https://www.wsccenter.org/inkinddonations

More international flights arriving Cleveland By Ken Prendergast / December 14, 2023 Joined by Cleveland airport officials, Frontier Airlines today announced that it will be starting nonstop flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica in March with an introductory low fare. The new, direct flight is the first new international flight from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport resulting from its new crew base there. But it may not be the last. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/12/14/more-international-flights-arriving-cleveland/

It's official just got an e-mail an hour ago from Frontier Airlines, announcing Montego Bay as their new international destination from Cleveland!

Pittsburgh editorial discusses rail expansion to the west of the Steel City into Ohio... Editorial: Amtrak's federal boost is a turning point for Pa. transportation https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2023/12/11/amtrak-federal-funding-ohio-feasibility-studies/stories/202312110007

When we begin to invest in public infrastructure in a new way and a new location, it affects people's decisions on where to invest, work and live. Private capital follows public capital. When we develop passenger rail into something special (like hourly service at 90-125 mph speeds with grand stations incorporating some basic services), it changes where people will want to work, live and spend money which will also change the private investors' approach as well. We don't have a lot of examples yet of this in the USA but where we do (Northeast Corridor, Miami-West Palm Brightline corridor, Empire Corridor south of Schenectady, Keystone East, Pacific Surfliner, etc), the private investment is evident. So what I'm saying is that, if we develop these types of services to link Ohio's biggest cities, it will change where many of us live/work/play and further bolster the constituency for more infrastructure investment. And that's what creates the supportive land-use, market and political constituency for true high-speed rail. Brightline's new Aventura, FL station Michigan Avenue crossing at Cocoa, FL (shared Brightline passenger-Florida East Coast freight RR corridor with new tracks and signal systems added although passenger trains are restricted to 90 mph here but allowed 110-125 mph elsewhere) One of my shots from and of the Brightline station in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Lots of advertising around downtown of Brightline, including partnerships with hotels and tourist sites. The train has already become part of South Florida's human ecosystem.

Nice post by the City Manager.... Michelle Crandall City Manager at City of Hilliard, Ohio, USA Another step closer to Amtrak service in Central Ohio! The City of Hilliard, Ohio USA is working with AECOM to complete a preliminary study for a convenient station location adjacent to our I-270 exit. What an exciting opportunity to someday be a short train ride away from Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh & Chicago and eventually regional commuter services! https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/12/08/amtrak-columbus-expansion-workfroce-housing-fundin.html

No, my math is off. I took 3.5 feet and multiplied it by 12 and somehow got something other than 42 inches. And for my next magic trick...

The traffic, the parking, trying to get out of the parking lots. My wife loves it. I'm not a fan.

While the proposed services would, long-distance trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol probably wouldn't stop at the airport even though it's the same tracks that the proposed 3C and CLE-TOL-DET corridors would use between downtown and Berea. Long-distance trains that share the same route as corridor services usually skip suburban stops and smaller cities that corridor trains serve. Corridor services generally make all stops, except for routes with frequent enough services to allow for peak-hour expresses.

The Brook Park site has some attractive features like being close to the Browns HQ, the airport several major highways and the Red Line (which might have to be extended via an elevated right of way through the airport. I would put its terminus at a new park-n-ride next to the I-71/Snow Road interchange (could also be served by Amtrak if the trains went to Tower City/CUT again). Another possibility that could benefit the city of Cleveland is the Cleveland-owned Highland Park Golf Course. Also, the city of Cleveland could gets a share of revenue from development in Highland Hills' Enterprise Zone. The site is accessible from I-271 and I-480 and the Blue Line (albeit a long walk around the Highland Park Cemetery). So the Blue Line might have to be extended -- might finally cause it to be extended to I-271.

It's sad how many American cities destroyed themselves to accommodate the almighty car. I'm hopeful that more can restore their human cities -- one street at a time. https://x.com/IsaacRowlett/status/1734756402512515352?s=20

There's GDP data for all Ohio counties and its largest metro areas in this article

Thanks for the photo @MayDay Cuyahoga County’s economy surges By Ken Prendergast / December 12, 2023 In the spirit of Oscar Wilde, one could say that a year’s worth of economic output data might be considered a curiosity. But multiple years may be considered a trend. Last year, the growth of Cuyahoga County’s gross domestic product (GDP) ranked 10th among Ohio’s 88 counties and was the best performer among Ohio’s most populous, urbanized counties. according to new data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/12/12/cuyahoga-countys-economy-surges/

Yep, an urgent care https://neo-trans.blog/2023/07/03/west-117ths-fast-food-makeover/

A press release issued today.... DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND, INC. EXTENDS WINTERLAND BEYOND THE HOLIDAYS FOR A SEASON OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES! Pop-Up Snow Days, LIVE #dtCLE Tours, Bright Nights, and more return to the city center. DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND (December 12, 2023) – Downtown Cleveland, Inc. is thrilled to extend the enchantment of WinterLand into February 2024 with a spectacular lineup of immersive programming, featuring lights, entertainment, shopping, and more across Downtown Cleveland and beyond. Whether it’s playing in the snow, staying warm, or dining with family and friends, there is something for people of all ages! Pop-up Snow Days – Sponsored by Cleveland State University, these events will spontaneously pop up on Mall B when enough snow accumulates. These snowscape experiences boast exhilarating winter activities like tubing, sledding, making snowmen, and more! Tubes will be provided, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own. Snow Day pop-ups will take place for two hours on weekday evenings or weekend afternoons. Follow Downtown Cleveland on social media to stay in the know and join in the fun of pop-up Snow Day activations. Dates: Weather dependent LIVE #dtCLE: Downtown Living Experience Tours – Get a taste of Downtown living with Downtown Cleveland, Inc.’s LIVE #dtCLE tours. Participants will be led on a guided tour of five stops, featuring a variety of residential buildings and amenities. Enjoy hospitality at many of the stops with snacks and drinks provided. Sip, snack, and see what it’s like to live in Downtown Cleveland! Dates: January 27th, Feb 10th, Feb 24th, and March 9 Bright Nights – Warm up on those cold winter nights! Gather around a cozy outdoor fireplace, a pop-up bar, and warming fire pits. Enjoy fun music, tasty cocktails, and roasted marshmallows at this “backyard” experience, the perfect complement to a fun Saturday night Downtown. They take place on Saturday evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm at U.S. Bank Plaza in Playhouse Square Dates: January 27th and Feb 10th The fun-filled season doesn't end here. Enjoy skating at the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink on Public Square, open on a variety of dates in January and February. Explore the numerous shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, and attractions in Downtown Cleveland. For some great shopping ideas, refer to Downtown Cleveland, Inc.'s holiday gift guide. Additionally, stop by Downtown Cleveland's seven holiday bars with themed drinks and festive decorations, offering a variety of exciting experiences. Learn more at https://winterlandcle.com/ ###

Here's my thought on historic preservation...

To those who say: "We can't preserve everything." I ask "How many pre-20th-century buildings are left in downtown?"

The Forest City needs trees.

I believe that's correct