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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:whip: Dammit!  At least it should be good news...

:Conspiracy theory alert:

 

Is Jackson trying to start a bidding war; taking the county's best offer to FCE?  Have them match it, have MMPI drop out, then,of course, the foundation of the mall site will develop a crack, and the CC goes to Tower City.

:Conspiracy theory alert:

 

Is Jackson trying to start a bidding war; taking the county's best offer to FCE?  Have them match it, have MMPI drop out, then,of course, the foundation of the mall site will develop a crack, and the CC goes to Tower City.

 

Dude, seriously, relax.  LOL  I, personally, appreciate him getting the best deal and hammering out things like Cleveland plus and the marketing of the City and the complex.

 

Why just "turn it over"?  I think he's doing the right thing.  Not just for today but for the future.

If Jackson ends up getting a few extra million for the city, good for him.  Good for everybody.  They'll need it to balance the budget again next year.  It didn't look like that was his only goal over the past month or so... but if that's what he ultimately gets done, then he's done very well.

If Jackson ends up getting a few extra million for the city, good for him. Good for everybody. They'll need it to balance the budget again next year. It didn't look like that was his only goal over the past month or so... but if that's what he ultimately gets done, then he's done very well.

 

I wonder what the City would do with the money? While there will be costs to move some employees, etc, we should have a nice chunk of cash left over. I hope that we use it to 1. lure some large employer downtown, 2. help build something catalytic downtown, 3. put some away in a rainy day fund--i'd bet that the city budget will be tough to balance over the next few years.

The problem is, IIRC, MMPI did not budget the cost of the CC into their cost estimates.  That made sense at the time, since it is a money losing operation, it was thought the city would like to get rid of it's expenses while still reaping its benefits.

So, if Jackson is asking too much, it may make the whole mall site too expensive, then we move to UC.  Then the PD has scandelous headlines saying "Hagan to move CC out of downtown!"

If Jackson ends up getting a few extra million for the city, good for him.  Good for everybody.  They'll need it to balance the budget again next year.  It didn't look like that was his only goal over the past month or so... but if that's what he ultimately gets done, then he's done very well.

 

I wonder what the City would do with the money? While there will be costs to move some employees, etc, we should have a nice chunk of cash left over. I hope that we use it to 1. lure some large employer downtown, 2. help build something catalytic downtown, 3. put some away in a rainy day fund--i'd bet that the city budget will be tough to balance over the next few years.

 

I think it should be spread all over the city.  I don't want cleveland to do a Philly or DC (especially Philly) and continue to concentrate so much effort/money on Downtown the outer neighborhoods suffer.

If Jackson ends up getting a few extra million for the city, good for him.  Good for everybody.  They'll need it to balance the budget again next year.  It didn't look like that was his only goal over the past month or so... but if that's what he ultimately gets done, then he's done very well.

 

I wonder what the City would do with the money? While there will be costs to move some employees, etc, we should have a nice chunk of cash left over. I hope that we use it to 1. lure some large employer downtown, 2. help build something catalytic downtown, 3. put some away in a rainy day fund--i'd bet that the city budget will be tough to balance over the next few years.

 

My understanding is that they balanced the budget this year with one-time cash flows-- they called in outstanding loans and let them be paid off early with discounts.  If this is the case, they would need the additional inflow from the CC sale to avoid serious cuts going forward.  Then they'll also need another large one-time cash dump next year, and so on.  Sustainability may be a concern.

 

If Jackson ends up getting a few extra million for the city, good for him.  Good for everybody.  They'll need it to balance the budget again next year.  It didn't look like that was his only goal over the past month or so... but if that's what he ultimately gets done, then he's done very well.

 

I wonder what the City would do with the money? While there will be costs to move some employees, etc, we should have a nice chunk of cash left over. I hope that we use it to 1. lure some large employer downtown, 2. help build something catalytic downtown, 3. put some away in a rainy day fund--i'd bet that the city budget will be tough to balance over the next few years.

 

I think it should be spread all over the city.  I don't want cleveland to do a Philly or DC (especially Philly) and continue to concentrate so much effort/money on Downtown the outer neighborhoods suffer.

 

Perhaps, and this has been a key point for Jackson.  I would argue that our downtown still needs significant work and I might continue to target it with disproportionate effort/money.  If MM/CC works out to everyone's expectations, we may soon be able to start spreading out the efforts more.

From:      Salamone, Dan ([email protected])

Medium riskYou may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as junk

Sent: Mon 5/04/09 9:49 AM

To:

 

The mayor has also stated that there is a deal and we expect the details to come out today and we have Paul Orlousky down at city hall getting the story for later in the day. Thanks for writing.

 

-----Original Message-----

From:

Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 8:14 AM

To:

Subject: Medical Mart

 

Friday night your news department reported that Commissioner Jones announced

a deal with the City had been reached. Is it the truth or not? Is your news

department credible? No other news media has made a similar statement. Your

people have given no follow up. If you do not have credible reporting, why

should I continue to watch your newscasts?

 

Your prompt attention would be appreciated. Please contact me with the truth

as soon as possible.

 

 

 

This is what I got.

 

 

Perhaps, and this has been a key point for Jackson.  I would argue that our downtown still needs significant work and I might continue to target it with disproportionate effort/money.  If MM/CC works out to everyone's expectations, we may soon be able to start spreading out the efforts more.

 

Well as a tax payer I don't like it.  I want it spread out so that everyone gets a piece of the pie. 

 

When cippermans ward get more than everyone else, it sets a bad precedent.

 

Look at all the development in centrer city, then you go to one of the adjacent wards it's like a war zone.  Imagine, east 55 & chester at east 21 street.

City, county officials to announce convention center deal today

Posted by Jim Nichols/Plain Dealer Reporter May 04, 2009 11:51AM

Categories: Breaking News, Business Impact, Cleveland City Hall, Cuyahoga County government, Medical, Medical Mart, Real Estate News Impact, Real Time News

 

 

Related content  http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/city_county_officials_to_annou.html

 

• Is Cleveland convention center deal done? Answers differ

 

• For more coverage: cleveland.com/medicalmart

CLEVELAND — Cleveland and Cuyahoga County will announce by early afternoon that they have struck a deal for the county to buy the old Cleveland Convention Center and build a new convention center and medical mart there, a county commissioner said this morning.

 

More at http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/city_county_officials_to_annou.html

 

City, county officials  :fight: to announce convention center deal today

Posted by kturner May 04, 2009 11:51AM

 

 

•Fine, beaten my GP, but I am still going to keep my emoticons

FIRST DIBS !

I like the Perk Park angle, although I still think sight lines aren't the best thing for a park.  I would rather just dump the 2.5m into police salaries or into hiring private security for downtown.  Still, this is a nice way for all sides to save face in the negotiations.

^I don't think the commissioners had any more money to pay the city due to the agreement with MMPI, the Perk Park agreement is a quite intelligent compromise.

 

Whew, maybe I can get some work done now

^I don't think the commissioners had any more money to pay the city due to the agreement with MMPI, the Perk Park agreement is a quite intelligent compromise.

 

Whew, maybe I can get some work done now

 

Or atleast stop worrying.  You probably have no fingernails.  LOL  You poor thing.

:clap: :drunk: YEAH!!!

 

Through all of the private and political bickering over the site selection, we actually got it done right!!    :-D

Finally done.. and all it took was for the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga county to look like a bunch of unorganized douche bags throughout the process.

Now we just need a new home for our nascent film industry.

In all fairness most of the douchebaggery is due primarily to the local paper giving a voice to every possible person who could have weighed in on this.  Almost 90% of the "Oh my f*cking god, these people are crazy!" and paranoia came from our weekly sunday hatchet jobs that raised blood pressure, but didn't really do much else other than p*ss people off and garner "reactions".

Now we just need a new home for our nascent film industry.

 

I'm actually quite excited about that development. I hope their year's lease turns into good things for Cleveland, and that it becomes worth further investment. But I'm excited that the convention center site seems to be picking up steam as the site for the new convention center.

It's official!!!

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/cleveland_commissioners_agree.html

 

Cleveland, commissioners agree on $20 million deal for convention centerPosted by Jim Nichols/Plain Dealer Reporter May 04, 2009 14:00PM

 

Plain Dealer fileCleveland's aging convention center will likely be sold. Cuyahoga County will use the downtown site for a new convention center and medical mart.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson formally announced a deal this afternoon to sell the city's downtown convention center to Cuyahoga County for $20 million, $2.5 million more than the final offer made earlier by commissioners.

 

At a City Hall news conference, Jackson noted that the deal still must be approved by City Council if the county is to acquire the downtown site for a $425 million convention center and medical mart...

now that I can catch my breath, I am glad the county and the Mayor were able to get this deal done, it is a win-win!

GreenPastures and Punch, please take some much needed time off!  LOL 

You both need it!

I just feel bad for those poor people Forest City hired to post comments on cleveland.bomb, they are going to have to go back to thier shamwow telemarketing jobs.

I just feel bad for those poor people Forest City hired to post comments on cleveland.bomb, they are going to have to go back to thier shamwow telemarketing jobs.

 

As my mother says, "You're better than that.  There is no need to put someone down for what they believe is best, even if they are wrong.  Be the bigger person - smile, shake their hand, offer a condolence, and walk away."

Yahoo!!!!  :banger:

when is City Council scheduled to vote on it?

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport.  WOW!

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport. WOW!

 

Whoa, now .. baby steps. lol.

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport.  WOW!

 

Whoaa.......

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport.  WOW!

 

Whoa, now .. baby steps. lol.

 

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport.  WOW!

 

Whoaa.......

 

It's high time we start redeveloping this town as if we mean to get it done in our lifetimes.  Momentum is building and we must jump on it.  Now Now Now!  We just watched a story unfold where someone wanted to build something cool here, and all anyone in power wanted them to do was slow their roll.  Enough of that.

It's high time we start redeveloping this town as if we mean to get it done in our lifetimes. Momentum is building and we must jump on it. Now Now Now! We just watched a story unfold where someone wanted to build something cool here, and all anyone in power wanted them to do was slow their roll. Enough of that.

 

Which project was this?

 

By the way, enthusiasm is good. However, I've developed a wait-and-see attitude regarding anything anymore. I want those projects to happen, too, and I really hope they do.

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport.  WOW!

 

Whoa, now .. baby steps. lol.

 

So, we will have a renovated Mall, most likely a high speed train station, and the port will develop the land from the tracks to the lake, from the river to the airport.  WOW!

 

Whoaa.......

 

It's high time we start redeveloping this town as if we mean to get it done in our lifetimes.  Momentum is building and we must jump on it.  Now Now Now!  We just watched a story unfold where someone wanted to build something cool here, and all anyone in power wanted them to do was slow their roll.  Enough of that.

 

sigh....once again.....planned and signed development vs. wishful thinking.  I don't think (and I don't want to speak for anyone else) anyone is down playing the significance of the CC/MM agreement or any planned/future  adjacent/attached spin off development.

 

What Punch wants is a wish, not a reality at the moment.  If those things materialize, great!  Right now they are not apart of the plan.

 

Once again....we're veering off topic.  Sigh.

Ahhhhhh :drunk: Off top but I have noticed a significant drop in comments on da .bomb the last few articles, almost like "someone" turned of the tap. While I am not one to suggest conspiracy theories...politics is a unsavory business that is not going away soon. 

Once again....we're veering off topic. Sigh.

 

No, we aren't.  We're talking about how to take this news we just got.  Some see it as the beginning of a bright new future.  They will continue to see it that way, even if you don't like it when they say so. 

 

Optimism 1  MTS 0

It's high time we start redeveloping this town as if we mean to get it done in our lifetimes. Momentum is building and we must jump on it. Now Now Now! We just watched a story unfold where someone wanted to build something cool here, and all anyone in power wanted them to do was slow their roll. Enough of that.

 

Which project was this?

 

By the way, enthusiasm is good. However, I've developed a wait-and-see attitude regarding anything anymore. I want those projects to happen, too, and I really hope they do.

 

Exactly. We all want to see all these projects happen, and it does look good, but don't hold your breath.

 

- The Mall looks like its almost a sure thing, but with construction not kicking off till Fall 2010, don't expect to be playing frisbee on that nice new mall till at least 2012.

 

- As for the train station, I'm not getting my hopes up. RTA hasn't been pushing for the NorthCoast Transit Center, nor has anyone else official that I'm aware of. So I'm expecting a slightly nicer AmShack, but hoping I'm wrong.

 

- The port is intending to move over the next couple decades, but nothing is set in stone yet. And without seeing their plans we don't yet know if we should be too excited.

 

With all that said, I will agree that momentum is building, and this is great news.

 

I'm a firm believer in keeping celebrations low key so I don't look like an idiot when stuff happens.

It's high time we start redeveloping this town as if we mean to get it done in our lifetimes.  Momentum is building and we must jump on it.  Now Now Now!  We just watched a story unfold where someone wanted to build something cool here, and all anyone in power wanted them to do was slow their roll.  Enough of that.

 

Which project was this?

 

By the way, enthusiasm is good. However, I've developed a wait-and-see attitude regarding anything anymore. I want those projects to happen, too, and I really hope they do.

 

Exactly. We all want to see all these projects happen, and it does look good, but don't hold your breath.

 

- The Mall looks like its almost a sure thing, but with construction not kicking off till Fall 2010, don't expect to be playing frisbee on that nice new mall till at least 2012.

 

- As for the train station, I'm not getting my hopes up. RTA hasn't been pushing for the NorthCoast Transit Center, nor has anyone else official that I'm aware of. So I'm expecting a slightly nicer AmShack, but hoping I'm wrong.

 

- The port is intending to move over the next couple decades, but nothing is set in stone yet. And without seeing their plans we don't yet know if we should be too excited.

 

With all that said, I will agree that momentum is building, and this is great news.

 

I'm a firm believer in keeping celebrations low key so I don't look like an idiot when stuff happens.

 

I agree with grumpy smurf!

Make no small plans....

What a great day for the city!  Convention center/medical mart deal is complete (except for the vote from city council, which SHOULD pass), along with Bron winning MVP!! 

 

I couldn't be happier about this news! 

Make no small plans....

 

I love big plans. I think I've just been disappointed one too many times .. I like to refer to myself as cautiously optimistic. :)

:drunk: Let's debate later.  Party time  :mrgreen:

. Bomb is no longer putting the full print edition articles on line. "Less news is more" is the thinking. $$

 

Okay, KJP. Your smiley privileges are officially under review.

From Med City News...

 

Medical conferences could come to Cleveland a year from now

May 5, 2009 by Chris Seper 

 

 

CLEVELAND, OHIO — The private company that will build and run Cleveland’s upcoming medical mart and convention center will consider creative construction to hold its first medical conference a year from now, a Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. executive said.

 

MMPI officials have long said they could quickly use the public auditorium of the city’s old convention center if that was the site selected to build the new facility. The City of Cleveland on Monday agreed to sell the old convention center Cuyahoga County, which will give the property to MMPI to build and operate the new convention center.

 

More at

http://www.medcitynews.com/index.php/2009/05/medical-conferences-could-come-to-cleveland-a-year-from-now/

For a second I thought that was in the PD, and I was like wow they had a change of heart all the sudden about this project.  Than I saw the link.  Good news, and just more reasons why the Mall site is the best.

^^I know, isn't the tone completely different??  It doesn't give me a headache and it's smooth to read.

 

If this is true, then this is starting better than any of us expected.  Fingers crossed obviously, but hope this serves as a prelude to successful medical conventioners coming to Cleveland.

The word "smooth" definitely describes the article best.  These was no boiling of my stomach while reading it.  Strange.

Gee, I wonder how long it will be before this news about the Public Hall hosting medical conferences in a year makes it into the local catbox liner? And if this news does make it, will it be FCE-free?

 

I'm taking wagers...