http://clevelandmagazinepolitics.blogspot.com/2009/04/mmpis-falanga-case-for-med-mart.htmlFriday, April 10, 2009

MMPI's Falanga: the case for a Med Mart

I talked today with MMPI vice-president Mark Falanga, who gave me a better explanation than I've heard before about why MMPI thinks the Medical Mart will be successful.

 

To succeed, Cleveland's Medical Mart has to attract at least three audiences. 1) Medical manufacturers have to rent showrooms in the mart. 2) Medical conferences and trade shows have to book the convention center. 3) Non-medical conventions have to book the convention center too.

 

The showrooms will offer "tremendous economic benefits for a company," Falanga says. "They can set up their equipment in a manner best suited for showing off the benefits of their equipment. They'll have permanent displays, and not have to move all over the country. The company can benefit from the traffic of each of the trade shows cycling through the facility over a year."

 

The Medical Mart should give Cleveland an advantage in attracting medical conferences and trade shows. "The showrooms will, by and large, be occupied by anchor companies... with more customers than anyone else," Falanga forecasts. So, "each of those trade shows will be anchored by some of the largest manufacturers in the business. Those manufacturers will drive a lot of customers into those shows." So the showrooms will attract more attendees -- medical equipment buyers. The promise of more buyers will attract more temporary exhibitors, and vice-versa, making the trade shows successful, MMPI believes.

 

That's how MMPI's other facilities, including the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, succeed. "We pioneered this concept of marrying a temporary trade show to a permanent showroom," Falanga says.

 

But it hasn't been done in the medical industry before. Talking to Cleveland city council in February, Falanga talked about the possibility of Cleveland attracting 10 percent of all the nation's medical trade shows and 5 percent of all medical conventions -- or 60 shows and 100 conferences a year. That's what MMPI's estimate of $1 billion a year in economic spinoff is based on. "I was using that as hypothetical example," Falanga says. "I just wanted to put into perspective how attainable that is."

 

Last month the Plain Dealer cast doubt on the $1 billion a year figure, in part by asking if 60 medical shows will really come to Cleveland. The PD noted that San Diego -- which doesn't have a Med Mart, but does have immaculate weather -- hosts 16 medical conventions in a year.

 

Is 60 shows optimistic? "It might be," says Falanga. "We’ll see how it all goes."

 

The worst-case scenario is spelled out in the county's deal with MMPI. If the company can't book five trade shows or conferences and 10 showrooms in the next year, the county can back out.

 

Falanga says the bookings may start slow, but will build on each other. "The reality is, we'll attract some showrooms, which will attract trade shows and conferences, but doing that will attract more showrooms, so we'll be able to attract more trade shows and conferences," Falanga says.

 

"It’s going to take many years for this to ramp up, for Cleveland to prove itself to the medical community. It’s a long term plan, but we’ve got a clear focus on what we’re going after, and we think it’s all attainable."

 

I'll post more about my conversation with Falanga this weekend.

It could be possible .. if the business community/political figures/newspaper/naysayers stop squabbling and learn to work together to move the region forward. Without cooperation and less bickering and backbiting, nothing will be possible.

It is still better reporting than anything that has been in the PD over the past two months

It is still better reporting than anything that has been in the PD over the past two decades

 

I fixed the above for you.

Is anyone going to post the disingenuous drivel in todays sorry excuse for a newspaper? Not me.

Dammit, I guess I'll be the drivel poster...

 

 

 

Dan Gilbert, Paul Dolan push for delay of medical mart agreement vote

by Michael Scott, Joe Guillen, Jim Nichols

Thursday April 16, 2009, 4:00 AM

 

The owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and president of the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday pushed for Cuyahoga County commissioners to allow for more public debate by postponing today's expected deal with a private developer to bring a $425 million medical mart and convention center to the city.

 

"It would be irresponsible at this point, without further discussion, for them to approve this thing," Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said regarding the county's pending deal with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. of Chicago. "This is about the redevelopment of this city, not just a site and contract."

 

more at:  http://www.cleveland.com/medical/index.ssf/2009/04/dan_gilbert_paul_dolan_push_fo.html

OMFG

^ditto

What's next?  Let's go interview the guy who plays the sax outside the stadiums and see where he thinks the Med Mart should go?  How about Mr. Dolan and Mr. Gilbert stick to building winning teams on the court/field.  Now I'm gonna be pissed off at the Cavs playoff games knowing their owner is behaving like a dolt.

I can honestly say on this project my future involvement in this community depends. It's good bye Ohio. I will consider my life to short to waste on a dysfunctional corrupt oligarchy. 

Mayor Frank Jackson confirmed the commissioners had aimed to purchase the convention center and complete the site selection before this morning's meeting. But as of Wednesday night, that looked unlikely.

 

So, FCE's best hope is Frank Jackson right now.  Its time for Frank to decide who he works for, the City of Cleveland or Forest City.

 

 

Gilbert urged leaders in Cleveland - from the commissioners to the mayor to City Council to business leaders - not to "repeat Detroit's mistake" by spreading out downtown developments instead of clustering them.

 

He was most critical about the county's plan to build the convention center underground.

"Usually death is underground and life is above ground," he said. "If you want to bring a city to life, build above ground, not below."

 

You know, its like the reporter from the Forest City Hearld (PD) had to remind him of the talking points he was required to make.  Connectivity, Parking, underground.  I really dont know if I should laugh, cry or fly up to Cleveland and start kicking ass. :whip:

 

 

By the way, did you read how many well structured comments supporting FCE were written at 5 in the morning? 

Should they remind FCE that they built their mall underground?

 

By the way, here is the link to the article posted above:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/04/dan_gilbert_paul_dolan_push_fo.html

 

As usual, the comments are outstanding.

There is definitely a paid PR Campaign in place. Frank Jackson will continue to stall.

Gilbert is not a county resident.  He has no say!  FCE is gathering an army

[*]Why didn't Gilbert speak up months ago?

[*]This is exactly the type of dysfunction that Kennedy spoke about in his earlier statement

 

This is a complete clusterfuck and the Plain Dealer is the tool.

 

 

We need to bombard the comments section it seems.

This is unreal. What does FCE gain by killing the project?

This is unreal. What does FCE gain by killing the project?

 

Time to regroup their minions.

I can honestly say on this project my future involvement in this community depends. It's good bye Ohio. I will consider my life to short to waste on a dysfunctional corrupt oligarchy.  

 

I understand how you feel.  As long as their will remains stronger than the sum total of everyone else's, we're screwed here.

Any bets on when the first post-agreement lawsuit is filed by a concerned Cuyahoga county citizen? I say under 60 minutes.

Do any of you think Frank is going to sell or is he going to sit on the convention center?

Forest City can benefit by killing this deal.  This all went south for them once MMPI came in.  If they can drive MMPI out of Cleveland, and have one of the politicians in thier pocket run against Hagan, the CC will be at Tower City in an amazingly sweet deal for FCE.  Looks like Gilbert will get a cut.

Cleveland, however, gets screwed.

^Who knows... time will tell how much of a hold FC has on the mayor, as it seems he's the one who will possibly hold up the show.

"Tell Gilbert to move to Cuyahoga County and run for county commissioner," Hagan said, referring to the fact that the Cavaliers' owner is a Detroit native who still lives in Michigan. "I find the comments self-serving."

 

Easy Hagan.  Gilbert has invested millions in our city (Quicken Loans, Cavs, Monsters) unlike FCE.  You can't just go around spouting your mouth yelling at everyone that gets in your way.  Very childish response from him, but they've all looked like children lately.  I'm about to break, and I really doubt this ever gets built.  MMPI will back out, I don't know how they've lasted this long, but I guess the have a lot of costs put in already.  I would just be absolutely livid about the snails pace and snags that go along with it.  It makes us all look like clowns, leading anyone else who ever want to do business here to steer as clear of this mismanagement and infighting as humanly possible.  It's really a shame.

^Seeing that this thread was started in December of 2004, I would have to agree :(

You are basing his response on the quotes the PD chose to print.  The same PD editors who called Hagan a pimp for MMPI.  (how dare an outsider want to invest in this town, they must be some sort of whore) 

Don't be suckered.

 

(OMG, I am turning into Greener Pastures (no offense GP))

Clearly, being able to travel around the TC/gateway area via in indoor walkway adds street life.....

Substitute "connectivity" with "children"  and start running around the city screaming like Mrs. Lovejoy from the Simpsons

"Tell Gilbert to move to Cuyahoga County and run for county commissioner," Hagan said, referring to the fact that the Cavaliers' owner is a Detroit native who still lives in Michigan. "I find the comments self-serving."

 

Easy Hagan.  Gilbert has invested millions in our city (Quicken Loans, Cavs, Monsters) unlike FCE.  You can't just go around spouting your mouth yelling at everyone that gets in your way.  Very childish response from him, but they've all looked like children lately.  I'm about to break, and I really doubt this ever gets built.  MMPI will back out, I don't know how they've lasted this long, but I guess the have a lot of costs put in already.  I would just be absolutely livid about the snails pace and snags that go along with it.  It makes us all look like clowns, leading anyone else who ever want to do business here to steer as clear of this mismanagement and infighting as humanly possible.  It's really a shame.

 

You're right about Hagan's comments.  They did sound pretty childish, but I understand his frustration.  Why do Dolan and Gilbert wait until the day the agreement is to be signed to voice their objections?  Of course they would rather have the convention center behind TC, but it's not going there... get over it.  I think Hagan is desperately trying to be the leader everyone is calling for to get this thing done, but I'm not sure he's up to the task.  FCE's political influence in this town is unbelievable.

 

Now for something that irked me in the comments section of the article.  People that claim the convention center would be better served tied to the Q are simply choosing to ignore Public Auditorium at the mall site.  Why serve the Q (a profitable arena on its own) when we can save the city owned (soon to be county owned) 12,000 seat public hall which currently has zero activity.  Not to mention the fact that it's an architectural gem.  Ugh.  This is hard to watch.

I'm starting to think Terminal Tower should go the way of the Green Bay Packers.  It's ours.  Forest City might as well be spraying "HEK" all over downtown.  Get them outta here, and make them leave the name behind just like Art Modell.

Why don't these people get that COOPERATION is needed now, more than ever. Why don't they get that there MUST be change in the way the city is run?? Will this not stop until Cleveland is a fucking hole in the ground??

 

I mean, is this process normal for a project this size?? If it is, I take my comments back. But especially for a region like Cleveland's, there should be some understanding that the circumstances there are extraordinary, and any ego/backbiting/selfishness should really get put on the shelf for the greater good of the REGION.

You are basing his response on the quotes the PD chose to print.  The same PD editors who called Hagan a pimp for MMPI.  (how dare an outsider want to invest in this town, they must be some sort of whore) 

Don't be suckered.

 

(OMG, I am turning into Greener Pastures (no offense GP))

 

^^^

 

^^^

You are basing his response on the quotes the PD chose to print.  The same PD editors who called Hagan a pimp for MMPI.  (how dare an outsider want to invest in this town, they must be some sort of whore) 

Don't be suckered.

 

(OMG, I am turning into Greener Pastures (no offense GP))

 

And sorry for the cleveland.bomb comment, but I'm pissed, and I think a lot of people around here are starting to feel/have felt the same way.  It's just never ending.  This could be a huge positive for our city and it just keeps getting dragged on and on.  LET'S GO.

Somebody please put a bullet into my head and make this stop....

 

Wow is all that I have to say.

I am glad to see that Gilbert is all of a sudden so interested in downtown development.  It seems to me somewhat strange given the fact that when he had the opportunity to build a state of the art practice facility on a dreary surface parking lot RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE Q (by the way I hate that nickname but I digress) he choose instead to plop it in a field in the suburbs.

Great point!

No offense, but you guys are sounding like Cleveland.com.

 

Criticizing Gilbert for speaking his mind?  So what.  The man has an opinion.

 

Criticizing Gilbert for not building the practice facility downtown?  That was a move to appease Lebron, which is 1000000000000000000000x more important than putting a practice facility downtown. 

 

The guy moved hundreds of jobs here, has invested millions into the Q and the team, and you guys are bitching because he has a different opinion than the majority of you.  GET REAL.  :whip: :whip: :whip:

 

The comments on here is the same $hit we criticize about Cleveland.com.

 

^First, this forum is nothing like Cleveland.com because MOST people on this board actually care about the city.

 

Second, Gilbert deserves criticism because he is cloaking his own self interesting in terms of what is allegedly best for the city (and at the last minute).  He lacks total credibility in my mind.

No offense, but you guys are sounding like Cleveland.com.

 

Criticizing Gilbert for speaking his mind?  So what.  The man has an opinion.

 

Criticizing Gilbert for not building the practice facility downtown?  That was a move to appease Lebron, which is 1000000000000000000000x more important than putting a practice facility downtown. 

 

The guy moved hundreds of jobs here, has invested millions into the Q and the team, and you guys are bitching because he has a different opinion than the majority of you.  GET REAL.   :whip: :whip: :whip:

 

The comments on here is the same $hit we criticize about Cleveland.com.

 

 

 

It is the timing that makes his remarks suspect.

 

This is the first of 3 contracts with MMPI that need to be inked, before the deal is done. This is going to get worse. Reason has left the building.

 

This is about "Pride of the Powerful" How greed and self interest of the powerful brought a city to despair and ruin.

My new book:)

This is the kind of stuff that happens in small towns, where one big company has too much power over the politicians and acts as if the town is theirs. If this is a taste of what Cleveland is increasingly going to be like as it shrinks in population, then I don't think I want to be a part of it.

 

I think Forest City needs to leave town. Yes, it will hurt in the short term. But in the long term I think it's essential for the future of Cleveland.

He would financially benefit if the CC was at Tower City.  MMPI will not go there.  So, he is now working with FCE to kill the deal. He deserves scorn.

 

I started this thread over 4 years ago, I have the right to my opinion.

This is the statement I was referring to.  Absurd.

 

I am glad to see that Gilbert is all of a sudden so interested in downtown development.  It seems to me somewhat strange given the fact that when he had the opportunity to build a state of the art practice facility on a dreary surface parking lot RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE Q (by the way I hate that nickname but I digress) he choose instead to plop it in a field in the suburbs.

 

He brought hundreds of jobs here and has invested millions in the team and arena.  Regarding the practice facility, that is what Lebron wanted.  Keeping Lebron happy and keeping him here will create exponentially more benefits than having a practice facility downtown.  Doubt he cares more, but I would venture to guess he's probably done more than all of us combined. 

 

Go ahead and criticize his opinion, but your character assassinations and utter denial of what he has contributed to this city is ridiculous. 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/04/cuyahoga_county_commissioners_6.html

 

CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga Board of County Commissioners will vote this morning on whether to approve a development agreement with a private Chicago company to build a $425 million medical mart and convention center.

 

The deal will turn more than $900 million in taxpayer money to Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. to build and operate the mart and convention center. The money -- almost entirely raised by a 2007 quarter-cent sales-tax hike -- will cover construction, operating expenses and interest payments on the loan for construction and design of the complex...

^My statement is neither absurd or ridiculous.  The practice facility belongs downtown (in my opinion...I see you disagree but I refrain from name calling) and it was a great opportunity which was missed.

I think the timing of this is what is really annoying.

 

It reeks of desperation of behalf of FCE, not of a sincere interest in redeveloping the city or the backyard of Gateway  The MM/CC debate has been going on for years...both owners have been here for years...The fact that this surfaces TODAY is disgusting and suspicious.

I think the timing of this is what is really annoying.

 

It reeks of desperation of behalf of FCE, not of a sincere interest in redeveloping the city or the backyard of Gateway  The MM/CC debate has been going on for years...both owners have been here for years...The fact that this surfaces TODAY is disgusting and suspicious.

 

I couldn't agree more.  It doesn't take that much thought to figure out that they spoke together about the benefits of having it behind Tower City.  This vote has been a long time coming, and I can't wait for the "official" site selection.  We, as a region, need this project done.  Enough stalling. 

I would take Gilbert's advice to heart.  Here is a guy who has been successful is just about everything he has done.  Hagan is letting his stubborn pride get the way (why he has any pride is beyond me)

Like all businessmen, Gilbert has been successful by getting people to do things in his interest instead of their own.  It's never in anyone's immediate interest to cover someone else's margins.  I question taking people's advice to heart when they stand to gain a whole bunch from what they're advising me to do.

Just a thought.

Gilbert does own a sports team. He must be smart. Look what he has done for Detroit.

 

MMPI  is in the business of successfully building and operating Merchandise Marts and organizing Trade Shows. What would they know about convention centers??

 

FCE knows how to successfully milk private/public partnerships and peddle real estate to the taxpayer.

 

If you combine the MMPI medical, Gilbert sport, and know how of FCE you could keep Sam alive and Lebron playing in the Q  till the cows come home.

How AWESOME would it be if the PD started every article with "Defying the wishes of 327, the County Commissioners voted to blah blah blah..."

 

Cuyahoga commissioners approve medical mart deal

Posted by Joe Guillen April 16, 2009 11:28AM

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/04/cuyahoga_commissioners_approve_1.html

 

CLEVELAND — Defying the wishes of several prominent business leaders, Cuyahoga County commissioners on Thursday voted to approve a deal with a Chicago-based developer to build and operate a convention center and related mart to showcase medical technology and devices.

 

All three commissioners -- Jimmy Dimora, Tim Hagan and Peter Lawson Jones -- voted yes, a display of unity in the face of mounting criticism of their deal with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. as well as the proposed location, the site of the existing Cleveland convention center...