KJP

From PennDOT's latest second Pennsylvanian (expansion of more Keystone service to Pittsburgh) update: Engineering design and environmental clearances continue for the four Early Action projects in Lemoyne and Camp Hill (100% design plans in progress), Enola to Duncannon (90% design plans in progress), and Johnstown (60% design plans submitted and will be reviewed by PennDOT). The projects continue to have a target completion date in 2026 at which time the second Pennsylvanian can begin operating. Construction in Lemoyne, Camp Hill and Johnstown could start as early as late 2024. Preliminary engineering, environmental and surveying work has begun on the seven non-Early Action projects from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, for which construction continues to be anticipated for completion by 2031. As a reminder, the list of all eleven projects is found on the attached PennDOT webpage which is also posted on WPPR's website. The kickoff meeting with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding the $144 million FRA Federal-State Partnership grant awarded to PennDOT for the second train was held in January. These funds will be applied toward final design and construction of the non-Early Action projects. PennDOT is starting preliminary work to develop the Service Development Plan (SDP) for the Keystone Corridor (Pittsburgh to Philadelphia) Corridor ID grant it received that is separate from the second Pennsylvanian project. The SDP will look to improve and enhance service on the line as well as facilitate future federal funding opportunities on the corridor. https://advancingparail.com/projects/keystone-west/

Old treasures find new home in Tremont By Ken Prendergast / May 17, 2024 Nine months after extensive flooding forced the closure their award-winning vintage shop on Lorain Avenue in Ohio city, Tim Yanko and Dwight Kaczmarek shared their excitement in welcoming All Things For You back to the near-West Side community. The partners’ new store is opening June 1 in South Tremont. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/17/old-treasures-find-new-home-in-tremont/

Just guessing that training facilities can be profitable but stadiums aren't?

Led by Buffalo and Cincinnati. Now Detroit. Cmon Cleveland, Pittsburgh and St. Louis...you're next! #population Census Bureau estimates: Detroit population rises after decades of decline, South dominates growth https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/national/2024/05/16/census-estimates-detroit-population-rises-after-decades-of-decline-south-still-dominates-us-growth/

Biotech startup moving HQ to Cleveland By Ken Prendergast / May 16, 2024 A partnership with the Cleveland Clinic has prompted a four-year-old biotech startup to relocate its headquarters to Cleveland from Durham, NC, one of the points of the Research Triangle. However, Lamassu Pharma, LLC, has yet to identify the location of its offices. The small firm hopefully will one day grow into a force for positive change in the pharmaceutical industry. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/16/biotech-startup-moving-hq-to-cleveland/

It's in the article 😜

My own meager contribution Cleveland soccer stadium backers seek $90M in public funds By Ken Prendergast / May 16, 2024 Backers of a long-proposed soccer stadium in Downtown Cleveland have issued renderings, a video and a request for $90 million in public-sector financing to help support a $150 million, 12,500-seat stadium. The request is being publicized now because backers of the project are submitting a bid for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team next month and a stadium is an essential ingredient of the application. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/16/cleveland-soccer-stadium-backers-seek-90m-in-public-funds/

Way past time for its own thread!! Browns acquire, razing last house for big Berea project By Ken Prendergast / May 16, 2024 Today, the Berea Planning Commission is expected to approve the demolition of a house that’s the final structure to be cleared for a $221 million mixed-use development planned by the Cleveland Browns and majority owner the Haslam Sports Group. That last house sold for a premium compared to the 43 other single-family homes plus other properties parcels that were acquired for the 38-acre development site. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/16/browns-acquire-razing-last-house-for-big-berea-project/

Total occupied by Cliffs.

🚨 Attention Red Line Riders! At the start of service on Friday, May 17, westbound trains to the airport at Tower City Station will no longer board at Track 7 via the elevator and stairs on Level M2. Instead, you will return to normal boarding via Track 8, located in the #GCRTA Rotunda. Happy travels! https://bit.ly/43O22c1

Cross posted in the office developments thread

Cross posted in the office developments thread

Cleveland-Cliffs commits to skyscraper By Ken Prendergast / May 15, 2024 Cleveland-Cliffs has put to rest rumors of its headquarters leaving downtown Cleveland’s third-tallest skyscraper for new digs by expanding and extending its lease at 200 Public Square. Not only did Cliffs add more space in the tower to just over 100,000 square feet, but it extended its lease there by another 10 years, according to a spokesman for the building’s leasing agent, Colliers International Group Inc. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/15/cleveland-cliffs-commits-to-skyscraper/

Saw a couple of COO (certificate of occupancy) files be opened at Building and Housing but nothing in them. But it's a good sign.

Speaking of the NEC.... FRA Makes More Than $2 Billion in New Funding Available to Continue Improving America’s Busiest Passenger Rail Corridor https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-10656/funding-opportunity-projects-located-on-the-northeast-corridor-for-the-fiscal-year-2024

It was almost like building a post-war country around endless subdivisions and strip malls was never about creating good communities, but about ensuring we were chained to the car and gas lobbies' product forever. Mission accomplished.

"The World Vs. Cleveland" is a real thing, people. Don't let anyone else tell ya differently.

Too bad that big government has declared trains as ILLEGAL in Indianapolis

Definitely a story now.... Ambassador Theatre building collapses By Ken Prendergast / May 14, 2024 Despite multiple warnings over the past month by city officials of a potential collapse of the old Ambassador Theatre building, the building partially collapsed into Superior Avenue while a demolition request was due to be heard by a design-review committee in five days. Officials had instead urged an emergency evacuation of the occupied building and an expedited demolition. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/14/ambassador-theatre-building-collapses/

I wonder if Austin would be allowed to force its suburbs to accept more public housing and density?

A ‘skinny-tall’ may rise in University Circle By Ken Prendergast / May 14, 2024 A local company with much development experience intends to deliver 52 apartments and multiple retail spaces among two buildings — an historic structure and a new building up to nine stories high at 11619 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland’s University Circle. WXZ Development Inc. of Fairview Park intends to build the new mixed-use structure on a tiny parking lot behind a renovated, landmark Monmouth Building. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/14/a-skinny-tall-may-rise-in-university-circle/

OK, now it's gone from a whatever demo to a possible story.

The collapse of their financial, real estate and railroad empire from the Great Depression killed them. They were brilliant men (and blatant racist/anti-semites). Read the book "Invisible Giants: The Empires of Cleveland's Van Sweringen Brothers." A must-read for anyone interested in Cleveland history and why some things exist (and don't exist) on Greater Cleveland's landscape. Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled program.

Terminal Tower is representative of the 1920s building boom. It was finished in 1928. There was no building boom in the 1930s or in the 1940s.

Unfortunately the urban prairie/doughnut hole is about to claim another one.... 12408-12412 Superior Avenue is proposed to be demolished https://www.google.com/maps/@41.523067,-81.5988894,3a,90y,151.71h,90.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNf2dMJkVCBUxo7zjQmb6mg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu