Cuyahoga County Council considers 40-year hotel tax extension

By Jeremy Pelzer, Northeast Ohio Media Group

on July 23, 2014 at 5:17 PM, updated July 23, 2014 at 7:43 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Council will hold a final vote Aug. 12 on a four-decade extension of its portion of the county's 4.5 percent hotel tax, according to county officials.

 

The council voted unanimously on Tuesday to double the proposed length of its 1.5 percent share of the bed tax from 20 to 40 years, according to County Executive Ed FitzGerald spokesman Rich Luchette and legislative budget advisor Trevor McAleer.

 

The tax extension, initially proposed by FitzGerald and Council Vice-President Dan Brady, would pay for unspecified tourism-related projects.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/07/cuyahoga_county_council_consid.html

/\/\/\

Not saying this a bad thing, but it's one of those taxes where you are told it has an end date, which it does, and then they find another way to use the money and pay for something else. So the tax never goes away. "NOT A NEW TAX", right?

It's not out of the ordinary, this tax is industry standard.

 

I look at this as the price to compete.

/\/\/\

Not saying this a bad thing, but it's one of those taxes where you are told it has an end date, which it does, and then they find another way to use the money and pay for something else. So the tax never goes away. "NOT A NEW TAX", right?

 

True.

 

BTW, $750,000 per year would support a 20-year, 3% interest-rate, $10 million bond issue which I would use for the local share for the Intermodal Transportation Center on the lakefront. If the county wants to use the tax to support a tourism activity, what is more touristy than a transportation center that would host 1 million boardings per year? That's more than the annual boardings at Akron-Canton Airport.

Anyone know whats going on with the Euclid Ave side of the PNC tower lobby?  All the windows have paper in them and they removed the revolving door.

Anyone know what is happening on the southeast corner of E30th and Chester?  Old lube stop was leveled.  Some sort of site preparations are ongoing.

Anyone know what is happening on the southeast corner of E30th and Chester?  Old lube stop was leveled.  Some sort of site preparations are ongoing.

 

It looks like that parcel transferred to SCRIPPS MEDIA INC on 27-MAY-14.  (Search PPN: 103-06-032 on the Fiscal Officer's site: http://fiscalofficer.cuyahogacounty.us/AuditorApps/real-property/REPI/transfer.asp

 

I hope it's not a billboard...yuck

 

 

I hope it's not a billboard...yuck

 

It's not a billboard. You don't spend $412,500 for a half-acre parcel to erect a billboard. Scripps-Howard owns WEWS-TV, which is on the NE corner of Euclid and East 30th. But the two parcels in between the Chester and Euclid properties are owned by the State of Ohio -- not Scripps-Howard. So it doesn't appear to be an expansion of the WEWS studios. But I suppose it could be a replacement of them. WEWS has been at the corner of Euclid and 30th since it was a radio station in the 1930s.

It's not a billboard. You don't spend $412,500 for a half-acre parcel to erect a billboard.

 

I wouldn't be so sure nowadays.  I'm not saying it is going to be a billboard, just that the investment wouldn't be so ridiculous given the location and the current state of the market for billboards.  Digital billboards can generate upwards of $25,000/month, depending on the frequency of the intervals and quality of advertisers. 

^What is the parking lot situation for WEWS?  Is the station lot always full?  Just a guess but maybe they are looking for an over flow lot close to the station.

Don't know where else to put this, so it's going here for now. A pilot program to remote-control movable bridges on the Cuyahoga is up for consideration. This is on City Council's agenda.....

 

 

 

City Planning Committee

WEDNESDAY, November 30, 2011

1:30 p.m.

MERCEDES COTNER COMMITTEE ROOM

217 CITY HALL

 

 

 

Ord. No. 1204-11

By Council Members Cimperman, Miller, Cleveland, and Sweeney (by departmental request)

 

Authorizing the Director of Capital Projects to employ one or more professional consultants to conduct a remote bridge operation feasibility study for up to six moveable bridges and to recommend improvements; determining the method of making the public improvement of constructing the accepted improvements regarding bridge operation; authorizing the Director of Capital Projects to enter into one or more public improvement contracts for the making of the improvement; authorizing the Commissioner of Purchases and Supplies to acquire for right-of-way purposes such real property as is necessary to make the public improvement; to apply for and accept grants from public and private entities; authorizing the director to enter into one or more contracts with the railroad company and/or the GCRTA to obtain services and enter into agreements; authorizing the director to enter into a Local Project Administration agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to make the improvement; and authorizing an agreement with the United States Coast Guard.

 

Estimated Cost:  $200,000

 

Remarks by Director of Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects:  See Legislation.

 

Remarks by Director of Law Department:  There is no legal objection to the passage of this legislation if amended.

 

PASSAGE RECOMMENDED BY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE.

PREVIOUSLY HELD BY COMMITTEE ON CITY PLANNING.

 

Noticed that the new Columbus Rd. Bridge still has an operators booth on it. Did anything come of this study?  I poked around a little and other than the RFP document I don't see any evidence that a study was ever done.

 

It was interesting to see that the recommendation to look into this as a money saving possibility came in a 2009 consultant's report and it took council two years to get around to requesting the study. And then (perhaps) nothing...

 

Estimated savings, by the way, of over $700K per year.

 

One other question came to mind: This is all around the six lift/swing bridges the city runs. How are the various rail bridges controlled?

 

 

 

 

One other question came to mind: This is all around the six lift/swing bridges the city runs. How are the various rail bridges controlled?

 

Nearly all of the busy railroad bridges are staffed 24/7 and paid by the railroad companies. The drawbridge at the mouth of the river also controls nearby switches and rail traffic control signals.

 

Some bridges farther upriver, such as the CSX lift bridge under I-490, is staffed only on an as-needed basis when a train takes some coal cars up to Cleveland Thermal (steam heating plant for older downtown buildings). Otherwise this bridge is kept in the raised position.

 

I've heard there is another lift bridge owned by The Crow (aka ArcelorMittal Steel Cleveland Works Railway) which is remotely controlled but I can't find anything on the web to confirm. So my memory may be playing tricks on me.

 

 

Nearly all of the busy railroad bridges are staffed 24/7 and paid by the railroad companies. The drawbridge at the mouth of the river also controls nearby switches and rail traffic control signals.

 

Some bridges farther upriver, such as the CSX lift bridge under I-490, is staffed only on an as-needed basis when a train takes some coal cars up to Cleveland Thermal (steam heating plant for older downtown buildings). Otherwise this bridge is kept in the raised position.

 

I've heard there is another lift bridge owned by The Crow (aka ArcelorMittal Steel Cleveland Works Railway) which is remotely controlled but I can't find anything on the web to confirm. So my memory may be playing tricks on me.

 

Is this the bridge on the route the CVSR would/could use to reach downtown Cleveland?

Is this the bridge on the route the CVSR would/could use to reach downtown Cleveland?

 

Yes.

Is this the bridge on the route the CVSR would/could use to reach downtown Cleveland?

 

Yes.

 

If this route is so lightly used, why is it such a hassle to CSX if CVSR rented it for the downtown service?

Responded to here.....

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3566.msg721274.html#msg721274

Anyone know what is happening on the southeast corner of E30th and Chester?  Old lube stop was leveled.  Some sort of site preparations are ongoing.

 

It looks like that parcel transferred to SCRIPPS MEDIA INC on 27-MAY-14.  (Search PPN: 103-06-032 on the Fiscal Officer's site: http://fiscalofficer.cuyahogacounty.us/AuditorApps/real-property/REPI/transfer.asp

 

And after further construction, it appears that Cleveland has a new parking lot.... hooray.    :-(

New Third District Cleveland Police Department station on Chester Avenue, just west of East 55th Street.

Not sure where this belongs but KJP I believe prophesied this ;)

 

"75 Public Square office building sold to Millennia Cos., slated for apartment conversion"

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/09/75_public_square_office_buildi.html#incart_river

Not sure where this belongs but KJP I believe prophesied this ;)

 

"75 Public Square office building sold to Millennia Cos., slated for apartment conversion"

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/09/75_public_square_office_buildi.html#incart_river

 

You're the second person to post that article in this thread. To everyone: please search for relevant threads before posting in a catch-all thread like this. When you don't devote the tiniest amount of time to find the right thread, then I have to spend my time looking for it and moving your posts to the most relevant thread. It adds up. Thanks.

 

 

Long time lurker, first time poster. This could be huge, Huntington bulding looking for the same Tax credit as the May Company building for a mixed use rehab. I'm not sure how to post links but it is in today's Crain's Cleveland.

 

Thanks. But they're quick around here, someone already beat you to it in the Downtown Office Development News thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4266.msg725135/topicseen.html#new

FYI.....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2014/crr09-22-2014.pdf

 

Board of Zoning Appeals

September 22, 2014

City Hall - Room 514

 

9:30 Ward 3 Calendar No. 14-166: 2013 Ontario Street Joe Cimperman

Southworth, LLC, owner, proposes to change use from a restaurant to an 18 unit apartment building

located in an E5 General Retail Business District. The owner appeals for relief from the strict

application of the following sections of the Cleveland Codified Ordinances:

1. Section 355.04 which states that the permitted maximum building coverage in an ‘E’ Area

District is 1 ½ the total lot area. In this case the total lot area for the subject property is 5,455

square feet and therefore 8,183 square feet is permitted and 19,730 square feet are proposed.

2. Section 357.08(b)(2) states that the required rear yard must be equal to one-half the height of

the main building or in this case 31 feet and no rear yard is proposed.

3. 357.09(b)(2)© which states that the interior side yard must be equal to ¼ the height of the

building, or in this case 15.5” and no interior side yard is shown. (filed August 20, 2014).

FYI.....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2014/crr09-22-2014.pdf

 

Board of Zoning Appeals

September 22, 2014

City Hall - Room 514

 

9:30 Ward 3 Calendar No. 14-166: 2013 Ontario Street Joe Cimperman

Southworth, LLC, owner, proposes to change use from a restaurant to an 18 unit apartment building

located in an E5 General Retail Business District. The owner appeals for relief from the strict

application of the following sections of the Cleveland Codified Ordinances:

1. Section 355.04 which states that the permitted maximum building coverage in an ‘E’ Area

District is 1 ½ the total lot area. In this case the total lot area for the subject property is 5,455

square feet and therefore 8,183 square feet is permitted and 19,730 square feet are proposed.

2. Section 357.08(b)(2) states that the required rear yard must be equal to one-half the height of

the main building or in this case 31 feet and no rear yard is proposed.

3. 357.09(b)(2)© which states that the interior side yard must be equal to ¼ the height of the

building, or in this case 15.5” and no interior side yard is shown. (filed August 20, 2014).

Huh?? From a restaurant? The entire building was zoned restaurant?? I must be missing something or not understanding zoning lol.

There is something very odd about this property, which is outlined in a much large "block" than just the Southworth and Park buildings, yet both are within the drawn boundary on the parcel map. It appears that different levels of the building have different parcel numbers which would make sense since the Park Building is a condominium above the first floor. However, these extend beyond just the Park Building. In fact, I have identified at least five parcel numbers which appear to be part of the Park-Southworth block which are otherwise not subdivided on the map: 10126027, 10126056, 10126372, 10126373 and 10126374. The base parcel for which general info exists is 10126372 and shows the owner as Craig A. & Sandy M. Buffie who bought it in March 2013.

 

And I must be in the right place because the building is zoned as GR-E5. E is the Zoning Area District and 5 is the Zoning Height District. This also applies to the Park Condo portion of the block, but may have a conditional use permit to allow the residential. Apparently a strict application of the code for restaurant use was provided for in the past to prevent some other, possibly undesirable use from entering this property and at this specific parcel within the block. The owner is apparently seeking to lift this strict application, possibly via a conditional use permit, to allow the residential in the Southworth portion of the block.

COLLIERS MARKET REPORT

Knowledge That Sells

Cleveland, Ohio

September 2014

 

http://www.colliers.com/-/media/673E37909FCA4EA99D3E17DF96426CAF.ashx

At least it's an attractive reuse for a self-storage building, IMHO.

 

Amsdell Cos. opens 50,000-square-foot self-storage operation in downtown Cleveland

By STAN BULLARD

September 25, 2014 2:22 PM

 

Cleveland-based Amsdell Cos. announced Thursday, Sept. 25, that its new Compass Self Storage mini-warehouse is open at 1549 Superior Ave. in downtown Cleveland.

 

The 50,000-square-foot self storage operation is the first under the Compass brand in Cleveland, Amsdell said, although it will add a second next spring in Shaker Heights. The Amsdell family has operated self-storage centers in the region under other names, but this is the first here under the Compass brand it launched in 2007.

 

In a news release, Todd Amsdell, president, said, “We are excited to be a part of the positive news happening in Cleveland’s revitalization. We believe this storage center will help serve the needs of the growing downtown residential and business population.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140925/FREE/140929883

A nice little round up of a few projects.....

 

but wait, there's more! 10 huge projects clevelanders are eagerly anticipating

ERIN O'BRIEN | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

 

To keen followers, Cleveland's renaissance has been years in the making. But lately, it seems, the entire nation is beginning to follow along as well. And why shouldn't they be? A new energy is crackling all across the 216, from the ambitious new developments taking shape downtown and in University Circle, to bike-friendly avenues and the transformation of blight into pedestrian-friendly green space.

 

But the fun’s just getting started. Fresh Water rounded up 10 of the most exciting projects on the horizon that have us shaking with anticipation.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/top10projects091814.aspx

 

Speaking of weekends amd mornings, this is from one of those - a few weeks ago

 

 

 

Nice job!

National General Insurance relocated from the suburbs to downtown. How progressive of them! ;)

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/10032014/index.php

 

City Planning Commission

Agenda for October 3, 2014

 

DOWNTOWN/FLATS DESIGN REVIEW

1. DF2014-057 - National General Insurance Sign Proposal

Project Address: 800 Superior Avenue

Project Representative: TBD

 

 

^ Good to see they got the signage. There was actually some controversy about that because there's some rule in Cleveland that an office tower can't have more than one company's sign on it. A new precedence was set when that Cliff's sign was added on the lower level of 200 Public Square, and that probably helped National General's case. I think as long as the signs aren't on the same side of the building, then it looks just fine. This is also a really great problem to have in an office building that was practically empty a few years ago!

Now if they could improve the street level entrances and the empty parking garage retail spots... Wasn't there some exterior upgrades to the entrances on the planning commission agenda a while back? What happened?

Now if they could improve the street level entrances and the empty parking garage retail spots... Wasn't there some exterior upgrades to the entrances on the planning commission agenda a while back? What happened?

 

I don't remember upgrades to the entrances, but the building was to receive $20 million in overall upgrades to bring it up to Class A standards.

AmTrust owns NatGen and it's actually already pretty nice inside. I don't know if they're doing exterior upgrades though

 

Now if they could improve the street level entrances and the empty parking garage retail spots... Wasn't there some exterior upgrades to the entrances on the planning commission agenda a while back? What happened?

 

I don't remember upgrades to the entrances, but the building was to receive $20 million in overall upgrades to bring it up to Class A standards.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2013/04052013/index.php

 

From way back in April 2013!

Construction of the new John Marshall, Max Hayes and School of the Arts high schools in Cleveland is on schedule for fall 2015 opening

By Patrick O'Donnell, The Plain Dealer

on October 15, 2014 at 12:00 PM, updated October 15, 2014 at 12:07 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Construction of three new high schools in Cleveland is on time and on budget, with all three on track to be open for classes for the start of school in August.

 

The foundations and frames of all three are in good shape, Patrick Zohn, chief operating officer of the Cleveland school district, reports. Contractors expect to have full walls built by winter, he said, so work inside can continue through the bad weather.

 

And the district has finalized some details about decorations and landscaping of the sites as construction continues.

 

The district broke ground in 2013 for the reconstruction of Max S. Hayes Vocational High School, John Marshall High School and the Cleveland School of the Arts (CSA).

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/10/construction_of_the_new_john_marshall_max_hayes_and_school_of_the_arts_high_schools_in_cleveland_is_on_schedule_for_fall_2015_opening.html

 

One of my volunteers who lives in Riverview Towers (on 25th, the CMHA complex) attended a residents meeting last week with Joe Cimperman.

 

The Columbus Bridge, scheduled to be opened sometime this month, has been pushed back to December.

 

(mini-rant: This is the 2nd time that it has been pushed back. Originally scheduled to be open in June 16th, 2014, and then was postponed to October. No mention of it on the county site yet. publicworks.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/ColumburRd-LiftBrdg-1007.aspx

 

This Sept. article from FWC states that it's scheduled to be open tomorrow, Oct. 21.... http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/brickandbarrel092414.aspx

 

*fingers crossed that the volunteer is wrong*

 

Not verified but the end of this OCBC (bike coop) update, says contractors are fined each day it's not open after 10/23 - http://ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180:with-deck-in-place-columbus-rd-bridge-is-almost-ready-to-open-but-will-it-be-safe-for-cyclists&catid=1:latest

This demolition would clear the east side of West 25th from Kinkel south to Prame of structures for development of a new user, Crete Industrial Services, Inc.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/pdf/N_W_Meeting_Agenda10-22-14.pdf

 

Near West Design Review District

Agenda

(8:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014)

Dollar Bank, 3115 West 25th Street

 

8:30 a.m. 1. NW 2014-018: Commercial Building Demolition ©

3139 West 25th Street

. Project Representatives – George Hohlakis, Property Owner; John

Skordeles, Crete Industrial Services, Inc.

Proposed demolition of 8,000 s.f. commercial building.

October 20, 2014

Value Place Opens New, 124-Room Hotel in Cleveland

By Adrian Maties, Associate Editor

 

Value Place continues to expand. The extended-stay hotel chain has announced the opening of another hotel in Cleveland. It is the company’s 10th Ohio hotel and its third in the Cleveland metro area.

 

The newly constructed property is located at 20829 Emerald Parkway, close to  the Hopkins International Airport. Value Place did not disclose the cost of the project. Although the hotel opened to the public on Oct. 10, the company said it will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 23.

 

According to Value Place, extended-stay hotels are an appealing option for government employees, construction workers, business travelers and other people with jobs that require them to travel and stay for extended periods of time. The company’s new Cleveland hotel has 124 rooms, on four stories. It offers laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, kitchens and many other amenities. On its website, Value Place says rooms in the hotel cost between $250 and $310 per week.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cpexecutive.com/cities/cleveland/value-place-opens-new-124-room-hotel-in-cleveland/1004105864.html

Great article. A must-read to help get a feel for the overall downtown office and housing market.....

 

Developers are padding portfolios at rapid rate

Downtown market is in midst of an acquisition round that might outpace the early 1990s boom

By STAN BULLARD

Originally Published: October 25, 2014 4:30 AM  Modified: October 27, 2014 8:52 AM

 

LeBron James. Johnny Manziel. The Republican National Convention for the 2016 presidential contest.

 

Amid those big-league developments, others played out this year: the resurgence of acquisition action in downtown Cleveland with buildings and sites selling at a pace rivaling the first round of a Monopoly board game.

 

Like the classic property-based board game, who wins and loses or by how much will not be known for a long time. However, in this case, it may be years.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141025/SUB1/310269995/developers-are-padding-portfolios-at-rapid-rate

Channel 5 is reporting this morning that Mayor Jackson is having a major development news conference today on PS at 1:30pm.

 

Does anyone have any idea as to what this announcement is about? Is it related to KJP's post on the casino tax money being divided up between numerous other downtown projects?

My guess is that the last pieces of funding for PS are in place, and construction will go forward.  It would be great if some type of surprise development was announced today though (Jacobs lot? East Bank Phase 3? Parking-Lot District lots?).

I doubt Mayor Jackson would be making any such 'surprise' announcement.  Don't get your hopes up.  It surely has to do with something that is heavily controlled by the public sector, such as Public Square.  Besides, if it was any game-changer, Michelle would have already scooped it.

Channel 5 is reporting this morning that Mayor Jackson is having a major development news conference today on PS at 1:30pm.

 

Does anyone have any idea as to what this announcement is about? Is it related to KJP's post on the casino tax money being divided up between numerous other downtown projects?

My guess is that the last pieces of funding for PS are in place, and construction will go forward.  It would be great if some type of surprise development was announced today though (Jacobs lot? East Bank Phase 3? Parking-Lot District lots?).

 

My guess that it would also have to do with Public Square, especially given the location of the news conference.  I don't know why Jackson would be making any announcement about the casino money proposal since that is County money (and at this stage is just a proposal and still would have to be considered by the County Council).

I think it's fairly obvious that he will be talking about the PS project, however, there may be some take-aways from it that hint at private investment on the parking lots.  Just my thoughts. 

I wasn't sure where to put this link, but it's a fascinating historical map resource.  A good way to waste an entire weekend.

 

http://peoplemaps.esri.com/cleveland/

^ Great, there goes all my productivity for the next couple days :P

^^Whoa, that site is amazing!

If only it had street view...

I wasn't sure where to put this link, but it's a fascinating historical map resource.  A good way to waste an entire weekend.

 

http://peoplemaps.esri.com/cleveland/

 

Thanks a lot. Now I'm never going to get any work done today..... :)