May 1, 200916 yr Nothing from the city today about the county's deadline... oh what tomorrow will bring! Im afraid to read the paper or any local media website. A positive person like me, has a pit in my stomach. You know, that something is wrong feeling? I don't even want to open up this thread or log onto UO. :cry:
May 1, 200916 yr Channel 3 "News" says the movie people are going to interview for 1500 movie production people in 2 weeks. This is a bad joke. Probably financed by FCE. Is it any wonder how Cleveland gets it's reputation of being a mistake. Good night, don't forget to turn out the lights.
May 1, 200916 yr Why is this a bad joke? The movie people have signed a lease for a year (I believe) at the current convention center. That's a done deal. They are planning on occupying that space, and they want to get started once Ohio's film credits get passed, which is supposedly going to happen this summer, possibly. If the current convention center site becomes the MM/new convention center site, the movie people will have to find new digs. But they will be using that site at this point for at least a year.
May 1, 200916 yr Author ^again, tell me why they were signed to a lease after the annoucement that the mall was selected?
May 1, 200916 yr I think the argument was that the space will be given to them as a "wait and see" type of thing .. to prove themselves as a vital new part to Cleveland's economy, basically. Peter Lawson Jones said something in the article in the PD .. something along the lines of, since the site won't be ready for another year anyway, let's let Nehst Studios use it for a year, and it will be a good chance for them to see what kind of impact they really make. After that year, we can decide whether or not it's worth helping them to build their own facility, if the current convention center site is actually chosen for the new one. I personally don't see a problem with this line of thinking. But then, I don't know all the ins and outs of this whole thing.
May 1, 200916 yr Why is this a bad joke? Why is this a bad joke? Because Nehst, along with whoever is inserting them into this debate, is selling us a bill of goods! The Weinstein Company has about 200 employees. DreamWorks (DREAMWORKS!!) has a grand total of 140 employees. Sure, they'll hire additional "production crew" jobs as their needs arise, but to say this gonna create 1500-1800 jobs is a complete and utter sham! Now, in general I'm glad Nehst is here, and I think we have a real shot at growing our film industry, a la Baltimore, Pittsburgh, etc. But I think the Nehst and a Cleveland film industry and the Convention Center/Med Mart can co-exist peacefully, so it can only be with ulterior motives that they are being inserted in the discussion.
May 1, 200916 yr But I think the Nehst and a Cleveland film industry and the Convention Center/Med Mart can co-exist peacefully, so it can only be with ulterior motives that they are being inserted in the discussion. I'm not disputing that part at all. The PD has an obvious agenda on this issue.
May 1, 200916 yr It's like not building the Rock Hall on the lake out of fear it would damage Cleveland's booming surfing industry. no one gave you proper credit for this soo.... roflmao! sending letters now..
May 1, 200916 yr But I think the Nehst and a Cleveland film industry and the Convention Center/Med Mart can co-exist peacefully, so it can only be with ulterior motives that they are being inserted in the discussion. I'm not disputing that part at all. The PD has an obvious agenda on this issue. Completely understood, I didn't mean to imply that was your viewpoint. It's like not building the Rock Hall on the lake out of fear it would damage Cleveland's booming surfing industry. no one gave you proper credit for this soo.... roflmao! sending letters now.. I dunno...we might wanna check with Surfohio on that one! ;)
May 1, 200916 yr There is NO film "industry" in Ohio. It is a pipe dream at this point in time. It is a red herring. Hey! Over here. Look at the bubbles.
May 1, 200916 yr "Nehst (pronounced "next") founder Larry Meistrich downplayed the center's importance to his company's success. He said that he is trying to establish a film industry in Ohio and that passage of the tax incentive plan is necessary. "The physical space is one minor part of that," Meistrich said. "The convention center's great. But it's not the end-all or be-all." The above quote is from the PD article posted Wednesday concerning the usage of the CC space for the film industry. This is from the owner of the film company. He states that the CC is not a critical component of the deal. IMO this is just more posturing by the those who don't have the city's best interests in mind. If this doesn't work look for a new angle very soon.
May 1, 200916 yr Author ^I think Hillary called it the "kitchen sink" strategy when she was running against Obama. Throw everything at your opponant. Here is my letter to the editor. I will also reach out to all of the columnists, as well as our two Senators, the Governor and yes, the President. The Medical Mart is a transformative opportunity for Cleveland, and the Plain Dealer is trying to kill the project. I grew up in Euclid, and earned my engineering degree at Ohio State. My career has taken me away from Ohio, but I have always wanted to return, there simply has not been the opportunity. The medical device manufacturers that would likely set up shop near the MM would be the opportunity for me to grow in my career and return to the community I love. Everything was going along great, until MMPI and the County Commissioners selected the Mall site. Whether it was an editor insulting Tim Hagan on a radio show, articles slamming a secret process, or silly arguments such the Medical Mart could hurt the Cleveland film industry, all of the Plain Dealer’s energy lately has been used against the project. The most egregious example was the front page articles presenting Dan Gilbert as a simple concerned business man advocating for the Tower City site. The Mall site, he said, was too far removed from Cleveland attractions. That article contained two maps, one of downtown Cleveland and Detroi, trying to show what Mr. Gilbert was advocating. The problem was that Mr. Gilbert stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars if the convention center is used as a lobby for his proposed casino at Tower City. The maps offered in the article were nearly three times out of scale. The truth is, if you honestly presented a map of downtown, the Mall is in the center of the attractions of North Coast harbor, Gateway and Public Square. This is not journalism, it is advocacy. The Plain Dealer is a member of the Greater Cleveland Partnership. GCP met in private with Mayor Jackson and decided that Tower City was the ideal choice for the Convention Center. MMPI came in, looked at the options and decided differently. Now the Greater Cleveland Partnership wants to drive MMPI out of town, presumably so they can continue to make the decisions for Cleveland without question, to the benefit of its member companies. My question for the Plain Dealer is, what is more important, your seat at the table of the GCP, or a commitment to fair and responsible reporting? Patrick Staunton [email protected] New Orleans, LA
May 1, 200916 yr "Nehst (pronounced "next") founder Larry Meistrich downplayed the center's importance to his company's success. He said that he is trying to establish a film industry in Ohio and that passage of the tax incentive plan is necessary. "The physical space is one minor part of that," Meistrich said. "The convention center's great. But it's not the end-all or be-all." The above quote is from the PD article posted Wednesday concerning the usage of the CC space for the film industry. This is from the owner of the film company. He states that the CC is not a critical component of the deal. IMO this is just more posturing by the those who don't have the city's best interests in mind. If this doesn't work look for a new angle very soon. Freethink, you beat me to posting the exact same thing. Is'nt this opinion what should matter? Again the main issue should be the establishment of the tax credits, not the location. Of course that article is titled "Some fear medical mart deal could damage local film industry"...!!!
May 1, 200916 yr Author I just called Mayor Jackson's office, it took about 30 seconds. I said I was calling to urge the mayor to accept the medical mart deal for the convention center. His secretarty took my name and number. Give it a try 216.664.3990
May 1, 200916 yr reply from the plain dealer/ Dear Scott, I'm sorry you feel that way. Be assured we are not trying to kill anything, and in fact have repeatedly editorialized for the Medical Mart and also in favor of this location. In addition, I think you must have missed critic Steve Litt's coverage - he very much supports the mall site. It is our job to raise questions about the contract and about the location, and we will continue to do so, given the enormous public investment in this project. Thanks for taking the time to write, Susan. letter/ Dear Susan Goldberg, The Plain Dealer has moved far beyond the boundaries of honest journalism regarding the medical mart project. I am finally convinced that the newspaper is still lobbying on behalf of the Tower City site, or worse, hell bent on killing off this entire project. After so many years of service in this city, It seems quite a shame that The Plain Dealer would do such blatant, irreparable harm to its reputation over this matter. Sincerely, Scott in Lakewood
May 1, 200916 yr They've editorialized "in favor of this location?" In what way? And does she not realize the Litt thing looked from the start like misdirection? When does the Peter Principle kick in?
May 1, 200916 yr Susan Goldberg is apparently just sending out the same message to everyone as a form letter. I got the exact same email from her in reply to a letter I sent yesterday afternoon.
May 1, 200916 yr They use Litt to cover their butts and show their "fairness in reporting". She must think we are stupid. I did not even get a acknowledgment to a fine letter.
May 1, 200916 yr Coming up on t-minus 3 hours for some good news about the deal deadline... Cleveland mayor vows that the city will get more than $17.5 million for the city's old convention center http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/cleveland_mayor_vows_that_the.html Posted by Joe Guillen May 01, 2009 13:34PM CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County commissioners won't get the Cleveland Convention Center for $17.5 million as they hoped, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said this afternoon as negotiations continue on the downtown property. "The price will be higher than the 'ultimatum,'" Jackson said in a statement released minutes ago. "And, just as importantly, my concerns surrounding agreement details that protect the public's interest are also being addressed."...
May 1, 200916 yr Just curious...what's stopping the County from matching the 20 MM offer that Jackson would probably accept from FCE?
May 1, 200916 yr It's good that progress is being made, and I feel a little bit better about this now. We might make it through today without the County saying they will look at other sites...
May 1, 200916 yr It's good that progress is being made, and I feel a little bit better about this now. We might make it through today without the County saying they will look at other sites... Haha .. I hope not. I really want to believe that there isn't any ulterior motive behind Mayor Jackson's desire for more money for this site. I think he should fight to get as much money as he can for it, but if he's doing this to pressure the Commissioners and MMPI to look for another site, then that's just completely crooked.
May 1, 200916 yr Just curious...what's stopping the County from matching the 20 MM offer that Jackson would probably accept from FCE? That does sound like a workable resolution. I'm more concerned about the Postively Cleveland angle than the money. I don't think there's any way MMPI would want their marketing done by this group, given that MMPI is supposed to save the battle that PC hasn't been winning on its own.
May 1, 200916 yr http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20090501/FREE/905019947 Cleveland's mayor indicates convention center sale near By JAY MILLER 2:55 pm, May 1, 2009 Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said Friday afternoon that he expects to have an agreement on the sale of the Cleveland Convention Center to Cuyahoga County soon. “We’re getting a better price and a tighter agreement on concerns not related to price,” the mayor said at the end of a tour of the Goodrich Landing Gear manufacturing plant in Cleveland’s Slavic Village. The company is donating three acres to the city that will be used to market the city to new industrial businesses. Mayor Jackson added that he was glad to help the county commissioners meet their deadline to complete a deal to build a new convention center and medical merchandise mart on the site of the current convention center. The commissioners have missed deadlines over several years for getting a deal done with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. of Chicago to develop the new trade show complex. The county commissioners had set a Friday deadline for completing negotiations with the city, but Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, who has been leading the county team negotiating with the city, said Friday afternoon, “We’re not going to be inflexible.” Mayor Jackson made it clear in recent weeks that he had no intention of killing the chance for a new convention center and medical mart in Cleveland. However, the city and the county have been wrangling for weeks over an agreement to sell the existing convention center. The county initially assumed the city simply would donate the money-losing property. The mayor, though, sees it as a valuable asset and has explained that the city will incur significant costs if it sells the property. Mayor Jackson has bargained the price beyond $16 million to cover the costs of a recent $1 million renovation of Public Auditorium and to recoup the cost of moving several city departments with offices in the building. In addition, the mayor wants to ensure that efforts will be made to hire Clevelanders and other Cuyahoga County residents during construction, and that locally owned minority- and female-owned businesses will have a fair opportunity to win construction and operating contracts for the new trade show center.
May 1, 200916 yr Well, there's a much more positive spin on everything. I just want to go home happy today, knowing that we're out of the woods with this.
May 1, 200916 yr Author maybe they are not automated, simply just cut and paste. I recieved this e-mail from Susan Goldberg, a response to my response. Thank God for this tread, I am going to do some data mining this weekend. I don't recall them ever saying it was the only site, but at a time it defintely was the lead site. That was about the time FCE would only sell the air rights. SUSAN GOLDBERG to me show details 3:48 PM (1 hour ago) Reply Essentially all of our coverage has been framed around the assumptions of the commissioners — that the Mall was the site. Our job is to ask questions about that, especially in light of their refusal to weigh more than one location. I went back to look at our stories about this from 2007. Did you know that the commissioners and MMPI all said the only place to build it was behind Tower City? Pretty odd, then, that there would be a total turnaround without explanation. Also, it would be hard to ignore someone of the stature of Dan Gilbert/Paul Dolan, making a detailed presentation about why they think the Mall is a poorer location. Yes, there is some self interest there — as the story pointed out. If there is a prominent business person who wants to tell us in detail why the Mall is much better, we'd be happy to write about it. But at this point, the location is all but a done deal, it would seem to me. s. - Show quoted text - Sign up for FREE breaking news updates at cleveland.com/updates
May 2, 200916 yr Completely understood, I didn't mean to imply that was your viewpoint. It's like not building the Rock Hall on the lake out of fear it would damage Cleveland's booming surfing industry. no one gave you proper credit for this soo.... roflmao! sending letters now.. I dunno...we might wanna check with Surfohio on that one! ;) Hey now, the surfing craze is finally catching on!!! Haven't you ever heard of the Beach Boys and all of their hip songs about Cleveland...lol.
May 2, 200916 yr Peter Lawson Jones has announced they have a deal with the City. No specifics on the numbers yet. Source 19 News You heard it here first :drunk: :wave: :clap:
May 2, 200916 yr Peter Lawson Jones has announced they have a deal with the City. No specifics on the numbers yet. Source 19 News You heard it here first :drunk: :wave: :clap: :-o :clap: https://www.instagram.com/cle_and_beyond/https://www.instagram.com/jbkaufer/
May 2, 200916 yr Channel 19 didn't mention this at all on their 10pm newscast and they have since removed the MM/CC story from their 'top stories'. I hope the above post is not premature.
May 2, 200916 yr all i want is to see this project done and done right asap if possible i dont care where and by the way is the convention center getting as much use from the film industry as they say or is that just hype?
May 2, 200916 yr Channel 19 didn't mention this at all on their 10pm newscast and they have since removed the MM/CC story from their 'top stories'. I hope the above post is not premature. No offense, but until other, more reputable news outlets report the same thing, I'll take anything Channel 19 ACTION NEWS says with a grain of salt.
May 2, 200916 yr http://www.medcitynews.com/index.php/2009/05/medical-mart-land-purchase-announcement-could-wait-until-monday/ Medical Mart land purchase announcement could wait until Monday May 1, 2009 by Chris Seper Filed under Community, Feature, Top Story Leave a Comment Updated: 5:15 p.m. CLEVELAND, OHIO – Negotiations to acquire public land for a new medical mart and convention center continued, though the talks will push past today’s deadline and through the weekend to arrive at a deal. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said the final price for the land would be higher than the “ultimatum” price of $17.5 million demanded by county officials earlier. “Just as importantly, my concerns surrounding agreement details that protect the public’s interest are also being addressed,” Jackson stated. “I look forward to moving ahead with this very important project for the city and the region.” Mark Falanga, senior vice president for Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) that would operate facility, said he was “optistic.” He pointed out that spending too much on the land could hurt the final product, though he said he didn’t know how much would be too much for the land. “For every dollar that is spent on non-facility components — the land and things of that nature — is one less dollar that goes into the building,” said Falanga, whose company was in today’s negotiation sessions. “Again, everyone involved in this project wants a competitive facility that allows us to meet our objectives.” Cuyahoga County Administrator Jim McCafferty said Friday evening an announcement wouldn’t be made until Monday. “We’re moving in the right direction,” McCafferty added. County officials had set a deadline of Friday to complete a land deal, saying they would start looking for another site — most likely in the city’s hospital-heavy University Circle area — if they couldn’t have the convention center property. While the county has offered $17.5 million for the property, the city wants $25 million. McCafferty refused to call any issue — including price — a “sticking point.” “In these kinds of deals, there’s lots of stuff to be cleaned up,” he said. Among the issues that may be addressed in a deal: concerns that the medical mart could undercut Positively Cleveland, the city’s visitors’ bureau. The county cinched an operating agreement on April 16 with MMPI in Chicago to build and manage the convention center and medical mart. The hope is that the medical mart complex will make Cleveland a hub for medical conventions and related commercial activity. Falanga said he did forsee any problems with additional requirements to, as Jackson said, “protect the public’s interest.” “We want to be embracing of the community,” Falanga said. McCafferty said MMPI has been consulted on the negotiations.
May 2, 200916 yr Cleveland convention center deal done? Answers differ Posted by Joe Guillen/Plain Dealer Reporter May 02, 2009 05:30AM Categories: Cuyahoga County government, Medical, Medical Mart, Real Estate News Impact, Real Time News Related content # Cleveland mayor vows that the city will get more than $17.5 million for the city's old convention center # Commissioners give Cleveland a deadline on convention center offer # More Medical Mart coverage Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones said late Friday that the county has agreed to buy Cleveland's convention center for $20 million -- $2.5 million more than what commissioners described this week as their final offer. More at http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/is_cleveland_convention_center.html#moreIs
May 2, 200916 yr There is a vote to be done, of course. I have never known Jones to be anything but forthright and honest, so I believe we have a deal.
May 3, 200916 yr Channel 19 didn't mention this at all on their 10pm newscast and they have since removed the MM/CC story from their 'top stories'. I hope the above post is not premature. No offense, but until other, more reputable news outlets report the same thing, I'll take anything Channel 19 ACTION NEWS says with a grain of salt. UrbanOhio IS the most reputable news source and in depth annalists on the Medical Mart. :clap:
May 3, 200916 yr ^ at first I read that as in depth "analists" which has a whole 'nother meaning... :wink: (Is the yikes girl back from her vacation?)
May 3, 200916 yr ^ at first I read that as in depth "analists" which has a whole 'nother meaning... :wink: (Is the yikes girl back from her vacation?) What? You people don't like me?? What am I, chopped liver?
May 4, 200916 yr Author any news, rumors....anything? This is from the PD As med mart takes shape, Positively Cleveland has to stay flexible by The editors Monday May 04, 2009, 4:33 AM Whatever happens with plans to construct a medical mart and convention center in downtown Cleveland, it's clear that someone will still have to market the city and the region as a destination for meetings and tourists. Right now, that task falls to Positively Cleveland, the city's convention and visitors bureau with a jazzed-up name. Businesses engaged in hospitality contribute some of the agency's money, but most of its budget comes from a hotel tax levied by Cuyahoga County. The bureau now spends about $5.6 million a year -- $2 million less than Columbus, and barely half what Pittsburgh and Indianapolis spend to pitch potential visitors. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com
May 4, 200916 yr Author Plain Dealer reader rep (this time with a link) http://www.cleveland.com/news-videos/index.ssf/2009/05/reader_rep_ted_diadiun_takes_y_3.html will answer questions at 11
May 4, 200916 yr I do not see losing existing business. The Rock Hall already receives 33% of the bed tax. Why duplicate marketing ? Politics.
May 4, 200916 yr Author From ideastream http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/26027/ Last Friday, word was out to area media that a deal may have reached on the site chosen for a new convention center and medical mart, and that an announcement could be forthcoming. It didn't happen, but at least one Cuyahoga County Commissioner thinks the deal is, for the most part, settled. ideastream®'s Bill Rice reports. Heading into the weekend, the Plain Dealer reported that Commissioners Peter Lawson Jones and Tim Hagan had issued seemingly conflicting statements on a deal for the downtown mall site - Jones saying that Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson had agreed to a 20 million dollar price tag for the mall site; Hagan saying that no such figure had been settled on. Then Saturday’s paper quoted Mayor Frank Jackson as saying he thought the commissioners were on track for a final agreement Monday. And on Sunday, Commissioner Jones was equally confident that the terms had been all but spelled out in writing. The mayor was aware of the terms… For weeks the mayor has insisted he would drive a hard bargain for the property, and last week rejected an offer by the county of 17.5 million dollars. Jones said he expects a formal announcement of an agreement sometime this week.
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