KJP

ISSUE 65 (WALKABILITY) SHALL THE CITY OF PEPPER PIKE DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, AND MAINTAIN RECREATIONAL TRAILS IN THE RIGHTS-OF-WAY OF SHAKER BOULEVARD, SOUTH WOODLAND ROAD, AND LANDER ROAD, PROVIDED THAT SUCH DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE CAN BE FUNDED BY THE CITY WITHOUT RAISING ADDITIONAL TAXES OR ASSESSMENTS? Despite the nutjobs who opposed this, the sane people are prevailing with over one-third of the ballots counted, 65-35 percent

Nela Park may add residential By Ken Prendergast / November 7, 2023 Many Greater Clevelanders have at least some familiarity with a place that could soon become home to many Greater Clevelanders. The owner of the former General Electric Lighting headquarters, 1975 Noble Rd. in East Cleveland, is preparing plans to convert several office buildings within the 94-acre Nela Park Campus into apartments and make those intentions known at a meeting of local stakeholders, possibly as early as this month, according to a source familiar with the project. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/11/07/nela-park-may-add-residential/

New Guardians manager announced - Stephen Vogt

GM is expected to invest $13 billion in U.S. facilities under new UAW deal https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/04/gm-expected-to-invest-13-billion-in-us-plants-under-new-uaw-deal.html

It's an easy half-mile walk from the #3 and #8 bus at Nationwide and Neil. Flat route. Nice sidewalks. Shade trees. I would think many people, even in a country where walking a half-mile might otherwise cause a revolution, would expect to walk such a distance to a stadium. That's why a stadium just south of the Inner Belt probably isn't a big deal. There's lots of parking around there, could be a rapid station, and there's the potential for Flats development to extend south to just below this stadium site.

More detail on more projects are available at the link at the bottom of the press release (including infrastructure for running New Haven Line Metro North trains into Penn Station).... FRA 11-23 November 6, 2023 Contact: FRA Public Affairs Tel.: (202) 493-6024 [email protected] President Biden Advances Vision for World Class Passenger Rail with $16 Billion Investment in America’s Busiest Corridor Funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go to 25 passenger rail projects in seven states along the Northeast Corridor, the latest investment in rail projects across the country Rail investments are a key part of Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America Agenda WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced it has awarded $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a railroad line running between Boston and Washington, D.C. This particular line is one of the highest volume passenger rail corridors in the world and the busiest in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of daily riders. It also supports billions of dollars in annual economic activity, making it key to the national economy. Projects were selected through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Fed-State NEC). This unprecedented rail announcement, which will support over 100,000 good-paying construction jobs and advance Gateway Program projects, is a massive step forward as President Biden advances a vision for world-class passenger rail. It is also the latest in a series of major rail investments made under the Biden-Harris Administration to build the modern rail network Americans need and deserve. Today’s investment will overhaul infrastructure that outdates 99% of all living Americans by replacing or upgrading 12 major bridges and tunnels that are over 100 years old. Such aged infrastructure causes delays and increased travel time for passengers. Addressing these major backlog projects and advancing planning studies will ensure future progress for an improved national rail network. Taken together, these investments will upgrade tunnels, bridges, tracks, power systems, signals, stations, and more, allowing for increased speeds, reduced travel time, and a more reliable experience for riders. This means modernizing and strengthening a mode of transportation that produces fewer emissions compared to driving or flying. This announcement comes as demand for passenger rail continues to grow along the NEC, with this summer’s Amtrak ridership surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. “Under President Biden, we are finally delivering the generational investments in passenger rail that Americans have wanted for years, including modernizing the busiest rail corridor in the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments will make our busiest passenger railroad safer, faster, and more reliable, which means fewer delays and shorter commutes for the 800,000 passengers who rely on the Northeast Corridor every day.” “The President’s investments in rail are the boldest ever, and they’re going to bring immediate benefits to communities and the economy while laying the foundation for generations of growth,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “On the heels of 70 nationwide rail projects announced last month—projects funded through FRA’s CRISI program that will make freight rail safer and strengthen supply chains—today’s investment will help ensure essential rail corridors like the Northeast Corridor are modern, safe, and convenient, giving Americans access to world-class passenger service.” Vital to the American economy, the area the NEC spans accounts for 24 million jobs and 20% of the national GDP, while serving 800,000 intercity passengers riders, commuters, and travelers daily. Despite its national importance, the corridor hasn’t seen major federal investment in generations. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Investing in America Agenda, investments are now being made in more communities than ever before along the corridor, and compared to previous years, today’s announcement includes nearly four times as many selected projects nearing construction. Examples of major Fed-State NEC projects moving forward with new funding include: New Jersey/New York – Gateway Program: Hudson Tunnel Project Systems and Fit Out (Up to $3,799,999,820) The project includes final design and construction of the Hudson River Tunnel project and rehabilitation of the existing 113-year-old North River tunnels. Construction will include installation of track, signals, traction power, ventilation, fire and life safety systems, and other necessary systems work in the new Tunnel. As matching funds, the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) will provide approximately $950 million as part of a financing package through DOT’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program. For the larger Hudson Tunnel Project: FRA has committed an additional $912 million through Amtrak; FTA has determined a contribution of up to $6.88 billion under their Capital Investment Grants program; U.S. DOT has provided $25 million through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program; and GDC will provide additional RRIF funds as part of the financing package. Maryland – B&P Tunnel Replacement Program: Frederick Douglass Tunnel (Up to $4,707,571,556) The proposed project includes final design and construction of the Baltimore and Potomac tunnel replacement, to be known as the Frederick Douglass Tunnel. The project constructs a new two-track tunnel for passenger rail use, three ventilation facilities, and an approach track. The project also reconstructs associated railroad and roadway bridges in the project area and rebuilds the West Baltimore commuter station to accommodate the new railroad alignment and upgrade the station to fully accessible high-level platforms. Upon completion, speeds along this segment will increase from 30 mph to 110 mph, eliminating the slowest section of mainline track between Washington, D.C., and New York City. The tunnel is used by Amtrak’s intercity services and Maryland Area Regional Commuter Penn Line service. Maryland – Susquehanna River Bridge Replacement Program (Up to $2,081,215,100) The project includes final design and construction for two new fixed, two-track bridges over the Susquehanna River between Havre De Grace and Perryville, Maryland, replacing the current 117-year-old, two-track structure that is beyond its useful life. The new spans will improve upon the 90-mph speed on the current structure, with one span designed for 125-mph operation and the other for up to 160-mph operation, reducing travel time for thousands of daily passengers along the NEC. Amtrak’s intercity services, Maryland Area Regional Commuter service, and freight service use the crossing. The project will improve state of good repair and provide additional capacity to meet future growth. Amtrak and the State of Maryland will collectively provide $520 million in matching funds. Connecticut – Connecticut River Bridge Replacement (Up to $826,645,100) The project includes construction to replace the existing Connecticut River bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, Connecticut, with a modern and resilient moveable bridge immediately to the south of the existing structure. The existing Amtrak-owned 116-year-old bridge poses a risk of long-term major disruption on the NEC due to its age and condition. The replacement bridge would maintain the two-track configuration and existing channel location and provide a bascule moveable span with additional vertical clearance for maritime traffic. The bridge serves the NEC main line and is used by Amtrak’s intercity services, Connecticut Shore Line East commuter service, and freight operators. The new structure will improve safety, reliability, and increase operating speed for all operators. Amtrak will provide $148 million, and Connecticut will provide $58 million in matching funds. New York – East River Tunnel Rehabilitation (Up to $1,261,851,977) The project includes final design and construction of the East River Tunnels in New York City. The tunnels are used by Amtrak’s NEC services, Long Island Rail Road, and New Jersey Transit for a total of more than 400 daily trains. The 100-plus-year-old structure has four tracks, and this project will fund full rehabilitation of tracks 1 and 2, with installation of a new direct fixation track, traction power, drainage systems, signals, communication systems, and fire and life safety upgrades throughout the tunnel. Damage to the tunnels from Superstorm Sandy will be fully remediated, returning tracks 1 and 2 to a state of good repair and preparing the tunnels to accommodate future growth. Amtrak is contributing $55 million, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority is contributing $175 million, and New Jersey Transit is contributing $85 million in matching funds. The historic infrastructure law invests heavily in passenger rail, notably through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, and the dozens of funded projects will create over 100,000 jobs as well as new opportunities for small businesses. In total, the program will make available $36 billion over the next five years, with $24 billion for projects on the NEC and $12 billion for intercity passenger rail projects and high-speed rail projects nationwide. Nationwide grants through the Fed-State program will be announced in the coming months, building on previous rail investment announced earlier this year, including the new Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) grants and the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvement (CRISI) grants. For the full list of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Fed-State NEC project selections, please click here: https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/fy22-23-FSP-NEC-fact-sheets ###

Sorry I couldn't make it.

Bedrock's only submission appears to be the Landmark Building. And Bedrock doesn't spend their own money. If they did, more of their projects would get built and phase one of the riverfront development wouldn't have been split up into two sub-phases. TurnDev has a lot of financial and political juice. I think TurnDev and either DMD/DBL could end up being the winners.

Just announced! The City of Cleveland is receiving a $3.75 million grant from the DOJ to hire 30 new police officers. This grant, when coupled with our new police recruitment strategy will go a long way to increasing staffing and creating a safer city. https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/cleveland-receives-nearly-4m-justice-department-hire-30-new-police-officers/95-289176dd-2b74-4d37-80bd-266ea2b180b2

Wild story overnight in North Olmsted where police exchange gunfire with armed man, say police; officer and man hospitalized. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/north-olmsted-police-officer-shot-while-responding-to-disturbance-call-house-fire-part-of-investigation

Ronayne on TOD

Courthouse proposals are on trial By Ken Prendergast / November 3, 2023 In local real estate parlance, a “whale” is a development project whose total floorspace measures 1 million square feet or more. Not only are they big, they’re tough to get. But there are two Cleveland entities who were able to do what Capt. Ahab could not — catch the whale. Two whales are under construction right now — Sherwin-Williams’ new headquarters tower downtown and Cleveland Clinic’s new Neurological Institute in the Fairfax neighborhood, near University Circle. A third whale is in the early stages of the chase, a stage where things are most fluid and thus, very intriguing. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/11/03/courthouse-proposals-are-on-trial/

Ukrainians? Some. I don't hear of all of her activity unless she's having a hard time finding a safe, affordable a place for someone that's transit accessible. It's an issue that does happen because USCRI is limited by its budget to pay monthly rent of no more than $1,000. They may go above that if it's a large family. Then I put her in touch with real estate folks who might be able to help or offer a discount for the first three months that USCRI is willing to pay until a refugee can get a work permit. Recently, I was able to find for one of my wife's clients an apartment off Denison in Cleveland. But it all depends what's available for a clients' needs right at that moment. When a refugee gets a waiver and a sponsor to come here, they and USCRI may have only 24 hours notice of their departure from their country. So an apartment has to be found fast. Often, a sponsor ends up putting a refugee in a spare bedroom or a quickly converted bedroom for a few days or so until an apartment can be found. And many times, refugees come here with just the clothes on their backs. USCRI Cleveland has a storage area with donated clothes, furniture, toys etc. to help them restart their lives. Many have no idea where they are or how long they'll stay. Many are depressed and the children are even more confused. There's only so much you can do. Only time heals and provides orientation. I try to help what little I can. I've given walking and bus tours to Ukrainian refugees, with translator, and to other English-speaking refugees to help orient and teach them about Cleveland and its history. Who knows. Maybe they'll decide to stay.

Morning view from our Lakewood balcony

A reminder that the GOP simply isn't interested in governing. This is merely baseless fluff that's intended merely for the accumulating of power rather than for solving problems. They know it's not going to go anywhere, so why not research the issues and offer some realistic ideas? Example: widen the eligibility of federal capital and operating funding to private sector operators. Turn Amtrak into an infrastructure-owning entity that would continue to run passenger trains on the federally designated basic system where no private sector operator has yet been awarded an application to run trains. This is the bill that would: —Cut transit capital investments from $2.6b to $392m —Reduce Amtrak funding by 64% —Provide no funding for RAISE program, which supports multimodal transportation projects —Ban investment in California high-speed rail House just moved consideration of the transportation funding bill to next week.

@Rustbelter Yes, my wife is Ukrainian and works for USCRI. They are SWAMPED with Ukrainian refugees. I believe she said her office has processed something like 3,000 families. That doesn't count those who come here on their own or the secondary migration in which refugees first go to places like New York, Miami, Los Angeles because they've heard of those cities from Ukraine. Then they realize they can't afford to live there so their friends and family tell them to come to Cleveland. And yes, that usually means Parma but it also means Mayfield Heights, Lyndhurst, Solon, Brecksville and North Royalton. Not surprising. While most of my wife's clients are Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian, she also has helped African refugees too. One of her clients was a former professional soccer player from Sudan who was doing some youth soccer referee work (pays cash) here until he could get his work visa. He tutored my son for a bit last spring, too. As soon as he got a work visa, he brought his entire family over to stay with him in a one-room apartment on Cleveland's West Side.

Forgot to post mine.... Downtown retail revival plan announced By Ken Prendergast / November 2, 2023 Downtown Cleveland, Inc. today shared its Downtown Retail Strategy, designed as a roadmap to create a thriving retail environment in the urban core. Unveiled by Downtown Cleveland, Inc. President & CEO Michael Deemer during the 2023 State of Downtown at The City Club of Cleveland, the plan is one of Reimagining Downtown Cleveland’s near-term economic priorities. It aims to fill gaps in the city center’s marketplace and serve existing residents and businesses. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/11/02/downtown-retail-revival-plan-announced/

It's a half-acre site that includes the residences on College.

No building permit applications have been submitted in the past year for new construction of an apartment building on West 73rd. The closest thing was an application was in June to renovate a fire-damaged, 12-unit apartment building at 2098 West 73rd Street.

Collinwood school reopens as apartments By Ken Prendergast / November 2, 2023 When schools are converted into apartments, they don’t always look like schools anymore — at least on the inside. The Longfellow School Apartments in Cleveland’s North Collinwood neighborhood put that notion into detention. Located at 650 E. 140th St. just south of Interstate 90, Longfellow had its second ribbon-cutting ceremony last week nearly 100 years after its first. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/11/02/collinwood-school-reopens-as-apartments/

Two projects are at either end of Midtown on Carnegie.... Cleveland, Maple Hts projects add hundreds of jobs By Ken Prendergast / November 1, 2023 Tennessee-based laboratory services company LabConnect and local fermented foods producer Cleveland Kitchen Co. were approved this week for a combined $1.1 million in state job creation tax credits for up to 250 new jobs at facilities in Cleveland. Meanwhile, a growing Vendors Exchange International, LLC plans to move its offices and manufacturing facilities from a western suburb to Maple Heights where it will expand to more than 70 jobs, thanks to financial support from Maple Heights. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/11/01/cleveland-maple-hts-projects-add-hundreds-of-jobs/

The soccer players were probably refugees. There's actually a group called Refugee Soccer organized by USCRI. When they played at Zone Rec Center, my son has played with them. They are VERY good.

BREAKING & HUGE: The British Columbia Govt has announced they’ll be ending Public Hearings for housing rezonings that conform with city-wide plans. They’ll also be over-riding municipal zoning to allow up to 4 homes per lot, and 6 near transit, across BC. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-municipalities-small-scale-multi-unit-homes-single-family-lots

Yup, @Milkshake1 It's important to recognize which one is the cause and which one is the effect.

Cleveland, Maple Hts projects add hundreds of jobs By Ken Prendergast / November 1, 2023 Tennessee-based laboratory services company LabConnect and local fermented foods producer Cleveland Kitchen Co. were approved this week for a combined $1.1 million in state job creation tax credits for up to 250 new jobs at facilities in Cleveland. Meanwhile, a growing Vendors Exchange International, LLC plans to move its offices and manufacturing facilities from a western suburb to Maple Heights where it will expand to more than 70 jobs, thanks to financial support from Maple Heights. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2023/11/01/cleveland-maple-hts-projects-add-hundreds-of-jobs/