MidwestChamp

Jeff Johnson's Ward 8 is very gerrymandered. It touches University Circle, goes north to include all of Glenville, then hugs the lake until East 55th where it swoops down to Chester, runs through AsiaTown and goes to around East 18th. Here's a map from the PD that shows the crazy shape of Ward 8: http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/03/cleveland_city_council_adopts.html

I found this on Marinescape's website. It's a "typical" layout of their projects worldwide. We know Cleveland will have a 145 ft seatube, not sure what other attractions from this diagram will be here. Since there's been an extensive discussion on price/value, maybe this diagram can assist with this debate. It seems like if our facility incorporates a good number of these attractions it may well be worth the price, but I've only been to a couple in my life so I really do not have a base for comparison. http://www.marinescape.co.nz/wb_pg/features2.html

Groundbreaking today officially moves this project into construction phase... Cleveland State to begin $50M residential project CLEVELAND -- Cleveland State University is embarking on a $50 million housing-retail complex that it calls the city's largest residential development in more than 30 years. The groundbreaking today marks another step in Cleveland State's drive to develop student housing and shed a commuter-school image. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/cleveland_state_to_begin_50m_r.html

Here's the announcement on the former Tops site at Garrett Square, including a grocery store and an discount apparel store that's making it's Ohio debut at this site (is anyone familiar with this chain?): Save-A-Lot to anchor Cleveland redevelopment By jmosscrop Cleveland -- CenterMark Development LLC announced that Save-A-Lot Food Stores, along with the Ohio debut of discount apparel retailer Forman Mills, will anchor The Shops at Garrett Square. The 65,000-sq.-ft. project is the first phase of a neighborhood revitalization plan envisioned by city officials seven years ago, and plans call for subsequent development of up to two more retail outlots targeting much‐needed retail uses. CenterMark said it expects to complete its $1.3 million rehabilitation and turn over the retail spaces to tenants in December in order for them to tailor their interior improvements. Grand opening is expected in spring 2012. “As a value‐minded neighborhood grocer, Save‐A‐Lot is pleased to be part of this neighborhood revitalization project by bringing a new grocery store and more than 20 new jobs to this community,” said Chon Tomlin, external communications manager for Save‐A‐Lot. Source URL: http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/save-lot-anchor-cleveland-redevelopment

I went to a meeting a few weeks ago. This redvelopment will bring a MUCH needed grocery chain plus another store to this long vacant Tops site. I cannot name the names yet, but things should be made public on October 15th. Tim Smith's group purchased the former St. Georges Church at East 66th and Superior and has already constructed a hoop house as well as planted an orchard and other crops.

I grew up here and this is still an awesome area. Some areas of Glenville are challenged while other areas are flourishing and always have...same is true of OC, DS, Tremont, etc. It's all in how an area is portrayed in the media and thus in people's minds. I'm hopeful that the work Greater UCI is doing iwill continue to spill into the Glenville community, which really should be a bedroom community for UC, which is right next door. Anyway awesome post!!

Details of the casino deal from the PD - this looks like a win-win after all, solidly clearing the way for the phase 2...I mean 2nd casino downtown! :-D Cleveland casino developer will pay Ohio $110 million over 10 years Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 11:36 AM Updated: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 1:03 PM Dave Davis, The Plain Dealer By Dave Davis, The Plain Dealer The agreement between Ohio and Gilbert's company, Rock Gaming LLC, and its casino partner, Caesars Entertainment Inc., will require the developer to pay the state a total of about $110 million over 10 years in annual installments.... In exchange for the additional payments, Rock Ohio Caesars will be allowed to add slot machines at the Thistledown, the North Randall thoroughbred track owned by the joint venture, according to a summary released Wednesday morning. And a requirement that the casino now being built in Cleveland's Higbee building must close within two years of a larger, so-called "phase II" casino opening nearby on Huron Road will be eliminated, clearing the way for Rock Ohio Caesars to operate what would be essentially two casinos in downtown Cleveland with a total investment approaching $1 billion. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/06/cleveland_casino_developer_wil.html

You all should really try Zanzibar's Soul Fusion in Shaker Square...great bar, great decor, and YUMMY food!! (Unfortunately I'll be at that same community meeting in Hough as Oldmanladyluck on the 17th) :-(

No no...this is definitely a positive and like Cleburger said Dan Gillbert is no economic slouch. I'm happy we'll have the biggest and most expensive casino in the state when it's all built...it says something about how bullish they are on the opportunity here in Cleveland. I guess I was just caught off guard by the total cost...but this is definitely a great day for downtown and I don't want to take from that or inject negativity at all.

I may be a worry wart...but is anyone else concerned about these two announcements. $350M for the temporary casino PLUS $600M for the permanent casino... At first I was worried the temporary casino was in danger of becoming permanent given this level of investment, but I see Rock Caesars paid FCE $85M for the land to build the permanent casino, so I sure this will be built too. All that to say the other Ohio casino's are being built for waaaay less than the nearly $1B the Cleveland facilities will be built for (although it seems like we're really getting two casino's out of the deal). I'm just worried if Cleveland's "gambling market" (and I admit I don't know what that is) can support such an investment. I believe the Pittsburgh casino was built for way less than this and yet is struggling...different state and circumstances...but I'm just saying. I'd hate for this to fail... Any thoughts?? Does anyone else have concerns given this massive investment??

Will Smith for me...his looks and personality...OOH WEE!! As for the ladies Stacy Dash is BEAUTIFUL...flat out beautiful!

National praise for Gordon Square! Gordon Square Arts District in Cleveland wins national recognition Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer Gordon Square, the emerging art district in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood on Cleveland's West Side, has won big time kudos from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National League of Cities. It has also pulled down $2.7 million in recent federal, state and local grants, which will be used to build or renovate community theaters that are central to its vision of using the arts to revive a city neighborhood. "Lots of good stuff is happening," said Joy Roller, the district's executive director. "To me, it's an acknowledgement that what we're doing is not only successful, but is a novel approach, a unique approach on how to revitalize an urban core." The NEA announced earlier this month that Gordon Square is one of 14 case studies in a new publication, "Creative Placemaking." http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/11/gordon_square_arts_district_in.html

Here's the PD article on this...of course their lead into the story is a bit more negative: Cleveland needs to prove that its airport can be profitable, United CEO Jeff Smisek says CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland needs to prove that its airport can be profitable for the newly merged Continental and United airlines, Executive Jeff Smisek said Wednesday. "God does not come from on high and grant you hub status," he said in remarks to a luncheon gathering at the Jones Day law firm. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/11/cleveland_needs_to_prove_that_its_airport_can_be_profitable_united_ceo_jeff_smisek_says.html

Welcome to town! Trust me no matter where you pick to live traffic will not be as bad as trying to get through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel in the morning...or afternoon...or at anytime!

WOW!!! I can only begin to imagine how our city would have developed differently these past 100 years had the river been straightened/altered this much back then. It would certainly solve a lot of transportation and development issues, but would it create environmental issues with erosion and pollution? Guess we'll never know...

^ I have to agree...Shaker Square is where it's at! I just brought my first house one block from the square this summer and I LOVE IT!! Where did you go to school in Pittsburgh? Pitt Panther here, 2001.

From the Downtown Cleveland Alliance Fall newsletter: "Next Spring construction will begin on 320 new housing units on its North Campus. The new $40 million North Campus neighborhood will be a mixed-use neighborhood that will feature housing aimed at graduate students, faculty members, staff and young professionals. The buildings along Chester between East 21st and East 24th Streets will have retail space at street level and apartments above. There is even the possibility of a new CSU baseball field." Sounds like the north residential complex is moving forward nicely. And with regards to the new dorms on Euclid, also from the DCA newsletter: "CSU's $500 million master plan envisions building enough dorms and apartments to triple the number of students living on or near the campus. Currently, 900 students live in CSU's residence halls. Phase 1 of the Euclid Commons dorms were completed this past summer and welcomed 330 new undergraduate students, while Phase 2will be completed a year from now and will double the amount of students living on campus."

Not that this will happen, but I totally think that they should re-explore the public auditorium option. The existing meeting rooms are below public auditorium, and at least placing the meeting rooms back there means we can have closer to 300K SF in exhibition space...which is more on par with competing centers in mid-sized cities. AND if they are already dipping into the reserves by $40M, I would think they could figure this out. Maybe county/MMPI can redo the meeting rooms under public auditorium, and later the city/developer look for historic tax credits or something for the above-ground portion.

Surprised this hasn't been posted here or on the Hopkins board... Southwest Airlines to buy AirTran for $1.4 billion By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer POSTED: 07:48 a.m. EDT, Sep 27, 2010 Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines announced this morning that it was acquiring another low-cost carrier, AirTran Airways. Southwest currently operates out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and AirTran is Akron-Canton Airport's largest carrier. http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/103848529.html

I was thinking of the inconveniences the construction projects may present logistically, versus hosting the convention when everything is complete and brand new. That said you're correct in that you could always spin the construction as a positive sign of things to come, and encourage people to come back to see the finished product.

I'd personally rather see us land something like this in 2016, when many of the planned developments will be complete. 2012 is so close it means the delegates will come Cleveland basically as it is now, lacking many of the things mentioned here, AND with the inconvenience of being largely under construction (MM & CC, casino, FEB, innerbelt bridge). Ohio will still be an important democratic state in 2016, and while this is probably not a popular view I'd rather see us wait and make a bid when the city is in a better position. I'd hate to win it in 2012 and leave a bad taste in the delegates mouths.

You know, at first I thought bball courts and the like were the WORST idea for our grand public space, but after seeing this mock-up and thinking about the attached convention center and med mart, what better diversion from a boring conference than a center that offers bball courts, rock climbing and the like right at the front door! Especially since people are moving to a more active lifestyle these days. It may put us at the forefront of an "active" convention movement and it would certainly make our convention center stand out from the rest.

Can I just say the street lights in the last few pics puts our current snakeheads to shame! (a couple snakeheads do pop up in these 60's shots though)

Medical Mart "Location of the Month" Saga Continues (but this looks like good news)... Cuyahoga County land deal could keep medical mart off Mall By Laura Johnston, The Plain Dealer December 24, 2009, 4:05AM "CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County is close to a land deal that could keep a proposed medical mart off Cleveland's downtown Mall. By next week, the county could sign an option to buy an office building and parking garage on the northeast corner of St. Clair Avenue and Ontario Street, said the property owner's attorney, Joseph Tegreene. The option would allow Chicago developer MMPI to demolish the structures to make way for the showcase of medical technology and abandon plans to build on the north end of Mall C." http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2009/12/cuyahoga_county_land_deal_could_keep_medical_mart_off_mall.html