KJP

Cross-posted with news of a funding award

Centennial still alive, among Ohio Brownfield winners By Ken Prendergast / December 4, 2024 Without any visible activity in nearly two years, rumors circulated throughout Cleveland’s development community that the roughly $500 million Centennial redevelopment, 925 Euclid Ave. in Downtown Cleveland was dead. Similar rumors circulated about the fate of the Rockefeller Building, 614 W. Superior Ave., and renovations to Rhodes Tower, 2124 Chester Ave., one of the projects in Cleveland State University quieted development master plan. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/04/centennial-still-alive-among-ohio-brownfield-winners/

Cross-posted from the West Park thread.....

Three vacant drugstores, three possible outcomes By Ken Prendergast / December 4, 2024 In Councilman Danny Kelly’s Ward 11 on Cleveland’s West Side, there are three vacant drugstores. Each is facing a different potential outcome. A former CVS on Madison Avenue at West Boulevard may be replaced by a fire station after a gas station was rejected by the neighborhood. An abandoned Rite Aid at West 117th Street and Lorain Avenue may become a senior center. And a vacant Walgreens at West 130th Street and Bellaire Road could turned into a supermarket with a gas station. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/04/three-vacant-drugstores-three-possible-outcomes/

Aw, boo. I was looking forward to writing about his. Ah, what the heck. I'll write about it anyways.

BTW, whenever a gang gets taken down or substantially disrupted by law enforcement, there is almost always an uptick in violence by a new (and/or old) gang stepping up to fill the void. This could be a rough winter....

Here's the press release. But some of those nicknames...... Department of Justice REBECCA C. LUTZKO UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18 Ohio Gang Members and Associates Charged in Second Superseding Indictment Charges Include RICO Conspiracy, Murder, Kidnapping, Assault, Firearms Violations, and Drug Trafficking CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio today unsealed a second superseding indictment against 18 members and associates of a Cleveland-based, violent street gang known as the Fully Blooded Felons or “FBF.” The defendants charged are alleged to have committed numerous federal crimes, including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, firearms violations, conspiracy, and drug trafficking. The investigation that led to this second superseding indictment took place throughout the last two years, with the initial indictment issued on Dec. 20, 2023, followed by a superseding indictment on April 4, 2024. According to court documents, members of FBF have engaged in criminal activity for more than a decade in Ohio, since approximately 2012. The gang was primarily based on the east side of Cleveland, but also established strongholds in Akron, Youngstown, and other areas. The scope and reach of the gang’s alleged criminal operations included attempts to infiltrate the Ohio prison system. Federal and local law enforcement agents and officers apprehended individuals in a series of coordinated arrests. They seized several controlled substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. They also confiscated 15 illegally possessed firearms throughout the investigation. “The superseding indictment alleges that these 18 defendants were leaders, members, or associates of the Fully Blooded Felons, a violent gang that — for more than a decade — made money and controlled territory in Northern Ohio through murder, arson, robbery, drug trafficking, and firearms possession,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Violence and other gang activities make communities less safe for all of their residents. Addressing violent crime — including through the arrests announced today — is one of the Criminal Division’s highest priorities. I am proud of the outstanding work done by our Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, in partnership with our federal, state, and local partners, to make our communities safer places to live by targeting the most violent offenders on our streets.” “As the indictment alleges, the Fully Blooded Felons styled themselves after a Mafia crime family, terrorizing Cleveland’s streets and operating an open-air illegal drug market in the Cedar Central neighborhood for years. I commend the valiant efforts of our brave law enforcement partners who have worked diligently to win back our streets and protect our community by taking down these bad actors,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “The USAO will aggressively continue to pursue—through RICO prosecutions and other federal charges—violent criminals who seek to secure territory, power, and money by ruthlessly harming others, peddling poisons, and creating an atmosphere of fear. Members of FBF or other violent gangs in this District who have yet to be caught should think twice before continuing to engage in such illegal and destructive behavior.” “For several years, these individuals committed a homicide, armed robberies, and unlawfully imported and distributed fentanyl and other dangerous opioids throughout the community, said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “The Fully Blooded Felons, a subset of the Heartless Felons criminal network, has been identified as Cleveland’s most significant gang threat and their reign of terror is over thanks to the collaborative efforts of FBI and the Safe Streets Gang Task Force. We will not waver in our mission to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle gangs not only in the larger cities across America, but also right here in northern Ohio.” During the investigation, law enforcement officials uncovered the defendants’ patterns of racketeering activity, which included their establishment of an organizational structure for their criminal enterprise involving gang membership hierarchy, titles, and rules. The FBF’s framework was allegedly created by its highest-ranking member, Raven Mullins, who held the self-proclaimed position of “Godfather.” The gang structure included a “Commission” made up of a member subgroup known as “Commissioners.” Together, they maintained the enterprise’s organization through physical discipline and by determining which illicit means they would pursue to generate income. To accomplish their goal of promoting and enhancing their criminal enterprise and its members’ and associates’ activities, and preserving and protecting their territories, FBF members and associates conspired to commit and did commit a murder, assaults, robberies, and drug trafficking. As the indictment alleges, each FBF member was expected to follow a set of rules that Mullins primarily established. Mullins and the Commission disseminated these expectations to FBF members online, in text messages, and by face-to-face communications. Members were required to memorize and recite a set of rules, known as the “Fully Five,” at meetings, and they faced punishment if they answered incorrectly. Rules included following all orders issued by the Commission, pledging their loyalty to fellow members, and being respectful to the “Capos,” who were FBF members in leadership roles beneath the Commissioners. They were also expected to know and adhere to the “Fully Commandments,” another set of rules similar to the “Fully Five.” Investigators discovered that gang members occupied two separate units at a local apartment complex that they used as stash-houses to facilitate drug trafficking. While executing two search warrants, law enforcement officers recovered more than 400 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and multiple firearms from these locations. According to the second superseding indictment, on Sept. 12, 2023, Raven Mullins, Henry Burchett, and James Clemons, along with another unidentified individual, shot and killed a victim on the westside of Cleveland. After killing the victim, the defendants fled the scene in a stolen vehicle that was later set on fire. The second superseding indictment alleges a years-long pattern of racketeering and violence, including a murder, kidnapping, assaults, and drug trafficking. The defendants and their charges are as follows: · Raven Mullins, aka Dunny, aka Dun, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. · Henry Burchett, aka Noodles, aka Noo, aka Omerta, 29, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. · Elijah Johnson, aka Loon, 37, of Youngstown, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. · Demarcus Elliott, aka Moo, aka Fast Lane, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. · Dontez Hammond, aka Donny, aka Tez, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. · Jeffrey Lee, aka Fatty, 24, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. · Jerrell Jones-Ferrell, aka Ruga, 25, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. · Devonte Johnson, aka D Nut, aka Nut, 32, of Euclid, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. · Jerome Williams, aka Jay, aka JT, 29, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. · Christepher Horton, aka Cam, aka Killa, 41, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. · Deeundra Perkins, aka Drizzy, 33, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. · Deon Blackwell, aka White Boy, 38, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. · James Clemons, aka Flock, aka Pope, aka Fully Pope Flock, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering. · Alex Darden, aka Lil’ Pee Wee, 23, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. · Esmond Williams, aka Relle, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. · Adrionna Null, aka Ali, 27, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering and assault in aid of racketeering. · Myeasha West, aka Action, 31, of Lorain, Ohio, is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering and assault in aid of racketeering. · Kyla Sharie Tyler, aka Yayeo, 27, of Cleveland, Ohio, is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering and assault in aid of racketeering. An indictment is merely an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi­-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the OCDETF Cleveland Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle major criminal organizations and subsidiary organizations, including criminal gangs, transnational drug cartels, racketeering organizations, and other groups engaged in illicit activities that present a threat to public safety and national security and are related to the illegal smuggling and trafficking of narcotics or other controlled substances, weapons, humans, or the illegal concealment or transfer of proceeds derived from such illicit activities in the Northern District of Ohio. The OCDETF Cleveland Strike Force is composed of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF), and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshals Service (USMS), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Border Patrol, along with task force officers from numerous local law enforcement agencies, including the Cleveland Division of Police. Prosecutions are led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the Cleveland Division of Police, USMS, the DEA, and the ATF. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul E. Hanna and Robert F. Corts for the Northern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorneys Brian W. Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. ###

A building permit requested in October 2023 has been processed and a permit issuance is pending. Numerous additional permit applications for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, sewer connections, etc. have not been submitted. A TIF for the Shoreway Tower is also on the agenda, along with a few other interesting things I'd like to write about.

Nah, there's some back-and-forth there. I share news but I don't engage in debates because I'm no expert at anything except finding news (OK, maybe some choo-choo stuff).

Interesting.... MEDIA ADVISORY CLEVELAND - Today, U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko, along with federal and local partners, will hold a press conference to discuss the latest results of an ongoing, two-year investigation into an organized crime network operating in the Northern District of Ohio. Who: Remarks: U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Rody, U.S. Department of Justice Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen, FBI-Cleveland Division Attending: David Jaffe, Chief, Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, U.S. Department of Justice Dorothy Todd, Chief, Cleveland Division of Police Anne Murphy, Assistant Chief Deputy Marshal, U.S. Marshals Service-Cleveland Thomas J. Gergye, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA-Cleveland District Office John G. Smerglia, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, ATF-Columbus Field Division When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. Media set up: 12:15 p.m. Where: U.S. Attorney’s Office, 801 W. Superior Ave., 8th Floor, Cleveland, OH ###

How much voice does Stefanski have in personnel moves (drafts, FA signings, trades, waiver wire pickups, etc)? As Bill Parcells said, "They want you to cook the dinner; at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries. Okay?"

I still get the e-mails from legacy.com each time there's an anniversary of Robert's passing. Been 12 years. Seems like yesterday. Robert's been gone longer than my son Martin has been alive.

A project's proponent and their sponsoring legislator and/or governor seeking to fund that project need to administer that appropriation through the most relevant agency and program. A legislature or governor can't cut checks to someone. Only an agency can do that and because it goes through a particular program, it usually has strings attached, requiring an application process and progress/performance reporting requirements.

Because of my work in writing the NEOtrans blog (breaking news on Cleveland/Inner-Ring suburbs urban core developments), I'm starting to get press releases on developments in other cities. Just got one for Columbus -- Blume on 16th. I Googled it and searched on UO, too, but came up empty. Anyone ever hear of it? Here's the e-mail..... With enrollment at an all-time high, Ohio State University students are in desperate need of additional housing options. This week, Up Campus Living is proud to announce its newest development: an off-campus student housing community located near the iconic OSU 50-yard line and steps from the Oval and High Street. Offering students unmatched convenience and accessibility, Blume on 16th will feature fully furnished apartments, group and private study rooms, fitness and wellness amenities, and 24/7 on-site management. Scheduled to open in Fall 2026, this state-of-the-art community will also achieve Fitwel Certification, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and student well-being. Let me know if you would like to take a look at the press release or set up an interview with Up Campus Student Living.

And the TOP-2 QBs in NFL HISTORY with passing yards in their first 5 games with a team are: 1) 2024 Jameis Winston: 1,680 yards 2) 2023 Joe Flacco: 1,616 yards And both with the Browns.

Ohio City townhomes project gets 2nd shot By Ken Prendergast / December 3, 2024 A long-planned and contentious townhomes development at 4705 Bridge Ave. in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood is seeing signs of construction activity after being on hold for nearly three years. The project’s revival is due to several factors including an improved for-sale housing market of lower interest rates, more fluid financing for construction and a new construction contractor that was hired. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/03/ohio-city-townhomes-project-gets-2nd-shot/

@Paul in Cleveland Should be any day now, just as soon as crews and equipment can assemble on site. Demolition permit was issued Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

Most important part of the forum. Who knows, in a few years I may dump NEOtrans for a geopolitical blog. In fact, I've already started developing one.

Two abandoned houses and a vacant bar would need to be demolished to widen East 110th as a boulevard to run the Blue Line down the middle of it. I also have a variation in which the Blue Line follows Stokes halfway down the hill before crossing over Doan Brook to Fairhill/MLK, then over Fairhill/MLK and the Red Line with no track connections but a station with pedestrian walkway to the Red Line station. The Blue Line would descend to street level between Stearns/MLK before turning onto Euclid. Yet another option runs north from Shaker Square in boulevard medians and other public rights of way on North Moreland, Coventry, Fairmount and Cedar, then to Murray Hill, Adelbert and finally to Cedar. That might be the cheapest routing and also open up some new trip options, including lots of CWRU students using it to get to the top of the hill.

Here's what may be a cheaper way to extend the Blue Line to the Clinic and still be a high-impact, connected light-rail link. This is a 2.7-mile routing, a 0.8-mile portion of which is shared with the Red Line (using an existing flyover next to the Fairmount Reservoir) and operates through a redesigned Woodhill Homes including a station, offering a 4.4 percent gradient.

Cleveland wants a home for manufactured homes By Ken Prendergast / December 2, 2024 The city of Cleveland and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund announced today they have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to modular home manufacturers across the United States and internationally to establish a manufacturing facility in Cleveland. The city and fund officials said they are responding to industry requests for such a facility. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/02/cleveland-wants-a-home-for-manufactured-homes/

I doubt we'll see that unless East Cleveland drops below 5,000 people. Even so, if past actions are predictors of future ones, the city council will never admit to the city's demise. They seem to act as if they are rulers of the great city of Wakanda and not some abandoned, hollowed-out slum.

We chose our inability. We are not victims of anything but ourselves.

But the USA can't afford high-speed rail. The two cities are farther apart than Chicago is from New York City (1,000 miles).... Vietnam approves $67 billion high-speed railway project between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city https://apnews.com/article/vietnam-high-speed-train-102fcade1e996d34cb46133e21502649

Cross-posting this Cleveland Lakefront Bypass article here