Wow, neat! LeBron needs to get us a Niketown or whatever they're called.

Proximity to Gateway would help, as well as hopefully this would bring some traffic to that corner along with Fat Fish which is one of my personal favorite spots, but to me never seems to be the location that it could be.  Also could help if MRN continues down Prospect from E. 4th...

I know downtown has its fill of sportsbars, but ESPN Zone is a cut above; a place to be.  I certainly think ESPN has wrongly overlooked Cleveland as a spot for a Zone as sports crazed as this town is.  I mean, are you going to tell me stinkin' Baltimore (where a major ESPN Zone is in the Inner Harbor) is a better sports town the Cleveland?

 

I'd love to get a Niketown, as well.

ESPN, with its obscene amount of arcade/interactive gaming, can also be a destination for familes before/after games or just another reason for families to come downtown for a little fun.

That spot would be good in that it would add another (ground level) link between the Gateway district and Public Square/Tower City, allowing more of a street presence. 

Not initially crazy about the idea of the big name places (like when Hard Rock was announced), but is a destination place that may not have oversaturated the country yet.     

Wow! With all these potential new retail and restaurants, residential space and a rebounding office market Cleveland may have one of the best downtowns in all the US in a few years. This is great.

Wow! With all these potential new retail and restaurants, residential space and a rebounding office market Cleveland may have one of the best downtowns in all the US in a few years. This is great.

 

woah, easy now.

 

That would be like Cleveland saying, "well, that's good enough for me" after winning that lame "Best city in America Award"

Looking at the map above, I've also noticed someone working a site plan here in the office of the area west of the Ontario triangle.  I'll do some investigating...

^If we ever get to be one of the best downtowns again we have to work to keep it one of the best and to make it better. We are still a bit away from being among the best, but as long as this investment continues we'll be getting there.

let me rephrase in a less naysayer way, "there will always be room to improve cleveland's downtown."

^^ Well, you could say that about ANY place!

 

 

 

 

let me rephrase in a less naysayer way, "there will always be room to improve cleveland's downtown."

 

Exactly, and this is also true for pretty much every downtown in existence. There is always room to be better, even if you're the best.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at the map above, I've also noticed someone working a site plan here in the office of the area west of the Ontario triangle.  I'll do some investigating...

 

I would be very interested in hearing about that. And if there's any further info about the ESPN Zone, feel free to post that or please send me a PM. I'd love to write an article about both!

gosh, espn zones, those are so 90s.

totally agree -- are they still fiscally sound? i mean look what happened to the planet hollywoods. still it would be nice to have on that corner --- anything that draws families is a good thing.

 

i hope the medical mart comes thru for the fcr river site.

 

otoh the cc site should remain where it is and be renovated.

 

i mean come on look at this, it's the bottom rendering looking toward lake erie. it shows they can do it creatively w/o a space hogging big box -- this potentially improves transit and is just an absolutely stunning idea!!

 

http://www.conventioncleveland.com/la.html

 

Someone here should remember this: wasn't ESPN Zone looking at various sites in cleveland some time ago but decided against it for whatever reason. I think it was right after Jacobs Field opened.

That was 13 years ago, though. I would think that ESPN wouldn't relay on data that is that stale.

Maybe it was Art Modell doing the "unthinkable". One good reason was not to locate such a sports oriented business in a pro sports city that was about to take a major loss... This would be just about the time after the Jake opened.

As I've noted before, if the Medical Merchandise Mart people are ready to build and either they and/or FCE are prepared to, in part fund a convention center at TOWER city, I'd say build on that site.

 

As to the Mall site, what about the idea floated for turning Public Hall into a film stage/studio.  This would make an ideal site as well as preserve the exterior of our historic, gorgeous Italian Renaissance edifice.  Then, why not offer tax incentives for Hollywood and/or indy film studios to film here -- maybe we could stem the tide of filmmakers going to Canada due to tax or SAG issues (whatever the reason is, I'm not quite versed).  We can at least get Cleveland on the film/TV map the way Baltimore has been since Barry Levinson blew up his hometown in the 80s -- and it's been going strong ever since on up to, currently, HBO's the critically acclaimed "The Wire."   ... Cuyawood, anyone?

Maybe it was Art Modell doing the "unthinkable". One good reason not to locate such a sports oriented business in a pro sports city that was about to take a major loss... This would be just about the time after the Jake opened.

 

Baltimore lost its NBA team back in the early 70s, and sat w/o an NFL club for over a decade and was not on the brink of getting one until Modell swiped the Browns and made a deal with the devil (or maybe it was the other way around).  Marylanders griped about the steep price they had to pay for the Ravens... I think most of that griping stopped after Modell's boys won the Super Bowl 2001... Nevertheless, my point being -- as you seem to recognize -- is that Cleveland is a better sports town and more worthy site for an ESPN Zone.  Of course, part of the criteria for a Zone, I'm sure, is a lively downtown area -- unfortunately, at the moment, B'more's plastic Inner Harbor has us beat in that sense -- again I stress: at the moment.

Modell swiped the Browns and made a deal with the devil (or maybe it was the other way around)

 

Yes probably the latter.  :-D

What is a medical mart exactly?  A big conglomeration of medical supplier outlets?

I hope the ESPN thing happens just because it'd be a good infusion of mass-market life downtown. We need to show regular people that downtown is a fun place to be. In my opinion, even the idea of putting an ESPN Zone in Cleveland is all about LeBron. We need to milk his superstar status like there is no tomorrow. We only have a finite amount of time with him, even if he (improbably) stayed here his whole career. Without LeBron, we'd have no national spotlight whatsoever besides being poor. LeBron brings media attention to Cleveland, which means that companies are going to want have something in Cleveland to showcase, too, which is why I think that Niketown needs to get down here. It'd be perfect for their marketing/advertising, too.

 

Second, I am 100% behind turning the old convention center into a film center, but those dummies in Columbus (legislators) have to "study" the tax incentives. Those idiots. What the hell is wrong with them?! We need to do whatever we can to get some money in Ohio and create jobs. We're about to lose seats in Congress because of population shrinkage, and they need to think about tax incentives on an industry that doesn't even exist yet. What do we have to lose?!

Do we need a seperate CC and soundstage?  Is there enough business for both, or would we be better having both functions in one building?

Jamiec I agree Forest City, Stark, Wolstein or the owners of some of those abandoned storefronts on Euclid and Prospect need to get them (Niketown) here ASAP. That would be a great addition to downtown and may attract other retailers. I wonder what is really going on at the Tower city mgt offices, they can't be oblivious to all the posibilities existing and potential surrounding them right now.

Yes they can. They seem to be preoccupied with Stapleton and Atlantic Yards right now.

 

What is a medical mart exactly?  A big conglomeration of medical supplier outlets?

 

Hard to explain, but it would be like a marketplace or showcase of medical products and services from around the world. It would cater to those in the health care professions to "kick the tires" on the latest offerings to hit the market, talk to the supplier/manufacturer, and be able to order goods/services on the spot.

 

For more information on the "mart" concept, visit these websites for merchandise marts in various cities:

 

http://www.merchandisemart.com/mmart/

http://www.denvermart.com/

http://www.carolinasmart.com/

http://www.americasmart.com/

http://www.41madison.com/

Rather than creating an "intraverted" medical mall inside a building, I wish they'd reuse some of the vacant storefronts along, say, lower Prospect Avenue, and fill in the surface lots with new ground-floor-retail buildings. Similar to the District of Design concept. I know it would be complicated to get control of multiple properties, but worthwhile for the potential street life.

^Hmmm...I can imagine some pretty creepy window displays involving medical instruments...not sure that's what I want for street level retail!

^^ They had this in Polsky's in Akron (I think) for Akron U's nursing department, and it freaked me out when I was little.

what about the existing center, I think it would be reasonable to put it there instead of building a vacumm/fortress around towercity.

 

 

So, what are the odds that FCE and Frank Jackson are working on a knock your socks off development proposal for the new medical mart/convention center.  Something that would also develop Scranton Penn and the west side of Ontario.

I am feeling old when I do the math, but soon it will be 20 years since the FCE redeveloped Terminal Tower and maybe they are ready to make another big proposal.

 

Now if that actually follow up on the proposal.....

I would say it is pretty high.

But what I'm really interested in right now is what the Mayor plans on doing with the current center?

It appears his Capital Plan that was just released (draft) has about $1.7 million worth of projects for the current center starting this year and ending in 2011.

What could all of that be for if they are building new?

Is it possibly for the oft discussed film and soundstage?

 

 

scroll>>>>>>>>

This is sort of random but I was doing some research on the Mall and I really wish the Convention Center would remain in its current location and expand so that area can develop further.  Good way to to tie in a new train station? McCormick Place here in Chicago is expanding exponentially overnight and dozens and dozens of towhomes and condo towers are under construction in the immediate vicinity.  In fact, between Millennium Park and McCormick Place, the building boom is very unbelievable.  Wouldn't it be nice to have the Mall surrounded by a bunch of condos and hotels, as people picnic and utilize the Mall as downtown's ped friendly gathering spot?  (Maybe Public Square one day, but not right now).  Some of the country's finer cities use green space in the dense core as a focal point for high density construction.  Mmm....

 

Whether or not you like D. Burnham or his plan, the Mall is unique space that only a few cities can boast.  The architecture and the vast green space is a sign of Cleveland's longevity.  A celebration of the city.  A celebration of her people.  A celebration of movement.  The concept of "lawn" and the many aspects associated with lawns is rather dynamic.  Look at the examples throughout the world. 

Things won't change overnight but I hope that Cleveland realizes the value of the Mall and takes advantage of it in as many ways possible.  (We're pretty lucky to have a lake and river too but that's another issue ;))

 

Does anyone get goosebumps from thinking about the potential that this city has up its sleeves?!  Not that it's a bad place now, but we all know what's lurking beneath the surface and the day it emerges from the cloudy depths, we'll all be there with tears in our eyes.  :cry: :lol:

 

...a renaissance of Cleveland that her people cannot fathom.  The Sixth City returns!  :clap: :clap:

Great post Cle2032.

 

And I agree with MTC, but it still looks complicated with the shoreway there.  Either way, we still need another pedestrian bridge connecting from the convention center area to the lake (and I mean a different one than the little things that connects to browns stadium).  *sigh*

heres something interesting to think about...what to do with the old cc if the decision is made to build a new one behind tower city -- i just saw it in the nypost. no reason clev cant do the same with the old cc:

 

B'klyn going Hollywood

 

Blockbuster expansion in script for boro film studio

 

BY JOTHAM SEDERSTROM

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

 

 

Brooklyn's largest film studio - host to "Spider-Man 3" and Spike Lee's "Inside Man" - will nearly double in size to better compete with Hollywood, city officials said yesterday.

Steiner Studios, part of New York's so-called Hollywood East, plans to expand its studio space to 600,000 square feet by renovating a seven-story building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

 

The expansion will put the two-year-old studio in the same league as many of its Tinseltown competitors.

 

"This is a deeply significant step for both the film and TV production industry in New York City as well as the continued development of the Brooklyn Navy Yard," Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff told the Daily News.

 

Doctoroff said the expansion will add another 550 jobs to the Navy Yard, which already saw the creation of 800 jobs in October through the construction of retail and industrial space.

 

"We have always had a vision in mind of creating a full-blown media campus to be on par with any of the major lots in Hollywood," said a source close to Steiner Studios.

 

Since opening, Steiner Studios has lured more than a dozen TV shows and movies to New York, furrowing brows in Hollywood, where movie production dropped 7.5% last year, according to the Entertainment Industry Development Corp.

 

The expansion will create a 289,000-square-foot Washington Ave. "media campus." The building will house businesses with ties to the movie and TV industries, including stylists and art designers, a source said.

 

Steiner is the city's second-largest film studio, behind only Silvercup Studios, the production home of "The Sopranos" and "Sex and the City," in Long Island City, Queens.

 

The number of film, TV and video productions in the city surged to an all-time high last year, according to the city Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, in part because of tax incentives to film in the five boroughs.

 

Originally published on February 14, 2007

 

 

Wouldn't it be neat if they built the convention center over the tracks so then you could have a station inside the convention hall! This is probably crazy talk.

 

I'd like to see the old CC turn into a movie studio, as well, but the state is CC-blockin' us on the tax issue!

Wouldn't it be neat if they built the convention center over the tracks so then you could have a station inside the convention hall! This is probably crazy talk.

 

I'd like to see the old CC turn into a movie studio, as well, but the state is CC-blockin' us on the tax issue!

 

Not too crazy. It's been in a couple of city/RTA plans.

Wouldn't it be neat if they built the convention center over the tracks so then you could have a station inside the convention hall! This is probably crazy talk.

 

 

smartest, brightest, coolest and most sensible crazy talk i have ever heard!

 

The only idea I like and will support, is rehabilitating the current convention center and expanding it over track/shoreway!

I totally forgot to post this... mainly because I told my source (when he told me on December 18 at Becky's) that I would wait until after the new year before blabbing about it. So I would file this as news... as of December 18 - but you should consider it a rumor. At least until there is something more official announced.

 

My very, very reliable source (who was a member of the Convention Facilities blah, blah, blah) told me under gin induced breath, the Medical Mart is a go. This has everything to do with the convention center and its location - Tower City.

 

I was told the Medical Mart people loved whatever proposal was given them and are very excited about building here. Apparently there are/were some small details that needed to be worked out before any announcement is/was to be made, and it looks like those details may not have been worked out yet.

 

 

Any new secrets spilled at Becky's there musky?

^ Yeah, Musky!  I was wondering what was going to happen regarding your secret information.

Trade shows: new Rx for city?

Medical Mart wants showroom in old Higbee building, but the project hinges on a new convention center

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Sarah Hollander and Joan Mazzolini

Plain Dealer Reporters

 

Cleveland may not have the beaches, weather and entertainment needed to attract all conventions, but the city can become a top destination for medical trade shows, according to a company that wants to open a Medical Mart showroom downtown.

 

Executives with Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties say they can sell the concept by building on the reputation of the Cleveland Clinic and the community's other medical strengths.

 

"We think a Medical Mart is a great idea for Cleveland," company President Christopher Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, said during a visit here Tuesday. "It is in many ways the medical capital of the U.S."

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

Kucinich had a discussion of this and sports stadiums on Capitol Hill last week, which I saw on C-SPAN. After hearing that, this to me sounds like a waste of time.

Sadly, I've learned to understand that Kucinich puts his own goals ahead of the region's goals.

 

There is a big difference between a large stadium that hosts 10 football games a year and a medical mart that could serve as a draw for medical device and sales companies to set up shop in the region as well as attract as many as 50 medical trade shows a year. - (6,000 visitors per show - $331 million in direct spending).

 

http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/other/1175676257302590.xml&coll=2

 

 

^ And granted, I'm a little rusty in the whole Keynesian multiplier department, but when looking at their respective economic impacts:

 

- Trade shows would import dollars primarily from outside the region; sports complexes draw some outside patronage, but the majority of money comes from people who live in Northeast Ohio (that being said, stadiums might increase locals' propensity to consume locally, rather than spending their entertainment dollars outside the region (e.g. other sporting events, cable, etc.).

 

- A medical mart could increase the visibility of local medical device production and increase sales of these items, thus increasing revenues gained from exporting products from the region. I can't think of anything of significance at sporting events that would have the same export effect.

 

- Both currently require substantial public investments; if this requires increasing taxes, that can be a drag on the overall economic impact. My question here would be who would the $331 million in direct spending go to? Granted, some would be to service providers like caterers and transportation people, but what would go to Forest City, to Merchandise Mart and to Cuyahoga County? If the county realizes direct returns in addition to hopefully higher revenues from sales tax, bed tax, etc., I would think this would show a much faster return on investment than if the county was only realizing tax revenue (as could be the case with privately owned stadiums, depending on the initial agreement).

 

This article leaves a lot of questions to be answered. Did Medical Mart want to go public at this time or was it just leaked?

 

If they are planning on this many conventions, then they'd have to build a convention hotel.

It wasn't him ranting, what I heard at least. He was just sitting there. It was experts from universities talking. They pointed out that in 10 years, convention hall square footage has doubled in the U.S., which is driving down demand. They also said that the public investment required only, in rare instances, has paid off by the returns of the convention centers.

 

OK, these guys might not be unbiased when it comes to these topics, but I don't want to blow a bunch of public money on some building that's not going to be worth it. http://therealestate.observer.com/2007/03/testifying-their-yankee-stadium-love.html

^Did you not see the part about the medical mart?

Yes, I'm not a dummy, I saw the Medical Mart stuff, but how come we always have to take people's word for it? Around here, big decisions are always begun with the phrase "Trust me..."

 

All I want is some objective proof that can assure me this is worth it. I'm not against spending big money for big projects, I just think we don't have much room for error anymore.

 

 

Finally. My contact kept telling me: "Trust me, it's coming," "Don't worry about it, its coming."

 

Here is an article and video from WKYC:

 

Medical Mart: Downtown project picking up steam

 

 

 

Tom Beres 

 

CLEVELAND -- The push for a big downtown project that many think could pump new life into the heart of the city is picking up momentum.

Cuyahoga County Commissioners are trying to combine a new convention center with a Medical Mart.

 

The Medical Mart would be a giant supermarket to display the latest in medical technology and could draw visitors and groups from around the world, modeled after the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

 

Chris Kennedy, the son of the late Senator Robert Kennedy and a friend of Commissioner Tim Hagan lead a team for the project making a pitch Tuesday to the Plain Dealer.

 

 

 

 

More at:

 

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=32942&bw=

 

 

There is also a long interview with Sam Miller from Forest City here:

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=32911&sid=65390&bw=

 

He does not really seem like he wants to put up for this. Although he says, "It is going to happen!"

I think it is very interesting that he has been speaking up so much right before this is announced.