Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog

In his second State of the County address, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald highlighted his accomplishments and introduced the Western Reserve Plan. He presented its 12 principles and his long range vision to an audience of more than 850 people. A Plain Dealer editorial said that County Executive FitzGerald deserves "credit for setting big goals when he has the political capital to pursue them." Audio (MP3, 53.0 MB) and a transcript (PDF) of the address are available.

Update: some suburban leaders expressed interest in sharing services.

Update 2: an Akron Beacon Journal editorial supports County Executive FitzGerald's approach. Video of the address is now online.

The final recommendations of RTA's Blue Line Corridor Extension Study (PDF) include the construction of a new intermodal transit center, a new express bus line, and new park-and-ride lots. It does not recommend extending rail service or adding new bus rapid transit routes. All Aboard Ohio offered some suggestions, and Marc Lefkowitz considered what would be required for successful transit-oriented development.

In a presentation to Cleveland City Council about the region's housing market, Tom Bier said that Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs must work together on redevelopment efforts.

To date, 20 of Cuyahoga County's 57 cities and villages, including Lakewood, Mayfield Village, North Olmsted, and South Euclid, have agreed to Cuyahoga County's anti-poaching pledge.

At its January 24 meeting, Cuyahoga County Council approved the establishment of a $100 million economic development fund. Creating the fund was one of County Executive FitzGerald's campaign promises. The County will use $5 million from the fund as loan guarantees, which will leverage an additional $100 million in small-business loans from seven area banks.

Cuyahoga County Executive FitzGerald announced that the County will prioritize and select which major road projects it will finance, and instituted a two-year moratorium on the required local funding match.

The Federal Transit Administration awarded $40.8 million to improve access to the country's national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. The FTA funds will support 58 projects, including $3.2 million for five Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad projects. The largest of the five awards is a $1.4 million grant for a pedestrian bridge across the Cuyahoga River.

RTA reports that it served more than 46 million riders in 2011, an increase of almost 4% over 2010.

The U.S. EPA introduced its Greenhouse Gas Inventory. It provides public access to 2010 greenhouse gas emissions data from large facilities for the entire United States. Ohio's largest group of emitters were power plants, and the largest single emitter in Cuyahoga County was the ArcelorMittal steel mill in Cleveland. Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal announced that it would reopen the west side of the plant.

Policy Matters Ohio reported that Ohio housing foreclosure filings decreased slightly in 2010, but remained at historically high levels. Bill Callahan looked at the 2011 totals for Cuyahoga County, and noted that last year was the county's sixth consecutive year with over 10,000 foreclosure filings.

A real estate study conducted for Cuyahoga County leaders provided recommendations for each property in the county portfolio, and divided them into opportunities for investment, holding, or divestment. The study (PowerPoint) recommended the sale of the Ameritrust complex, the County Administration Building, and the former Juvenile Justice Center, among other structures. A Plain Dealer editorial says that the "upshot of all this is that the county may soon become an important player in the local real estate market."

The U.S. EPA issued its annual analysis of data from the national Toxics Release Inventory. After several years of decreases, U.S. toxic chemical releases increased by 16% from 2009 to 2010. Releases in Ohio grew by 2.3%. Cuyahoga County's largest emitters were the ArcelorMittal and Charter Steel facilities.

A 60 Minutes segment looked at the impacts of the housing crisis in Cuyahoga County and at how local governments and residents are responding to foreclosures, abandonment, and underwater mortgages. The Plain Dealer's Brent Larkin also described the struggles. Rob Pitingolo said that exurban housing construction and regional population declines contributed to the problems.

Update: Businessweek also looked at the local housing market.

Public transit usage increased nationally in the third quarter of 2011. RTA experienced the largest ridership increase in the country, with a 9.7% increase over the same period in 2010.

Update: Ben Wickizer of the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter says that state leaders "should take bold action and commit Ohio to becoming a leader in the development of transit infrastructure."

The Cuyahoga Land Bank and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development renewed their agreement for a second one-year term. HUD will continue to transfer low-value properties (PDF) to the land bank for $100.

The land bank will also partner with the International Services Center in the new Discovering Home program (PDF). Through the program, the land bank will provide houses to refugees settling in the county, and the refugees will participate in renovating the houses. The first house in the program is on Hopkins Avenue in Lakewood.

Longtime Cleveland Metroparks Commissioner David Whitehead announced that he will step down from the board. Judge Russo said he will name a replacement soon.

Update: Judge Russo appointed Debbie Berry to the Metroparks board of commissioners.

On Tuesday, RTA's board approved the agency's 2012 budget. It includes funding for a number of service increases.

RTA's proposed 2012 Service Management Plan (PDF) calls for adding service on 20 bus routes, plus the creation of two new trolleybus routes and a shuttle route.

Cuyahoga County Council approved a new funding formula for the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.

RTA's budget projections (PDF) for 2012 show an improved financial outlook. It may allow the agency to increase service on several lines, including the Red Line and HealthLine.

The Cuyahoga County Land Bank adopted new bylaws and selected a new board chairman and vice-chairman (PDF). The changes resolved a dispute with County Executive FitzGerald.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial called it "a reasonable compromise that will enable the land bank ... to focus on its critically important mission".

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority President William Friedman testified before the U.S. House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. He urged Congress to take up a comprehensive reform of the Water Resources Development Act. The port authority would like the ability to manage its dredge material without waiting for approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The New York Times used Greater Cleveland as an example of the increasing suburbanization of poverty. The authors of a new Brookings Institution report said that the shift in housing voucher usage "shouldn't be a huge surprise."

The West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force held a series of public meetings to present public transit options for the corridor between Cleveland and Sandusky. The lack of funding for public transit in Lorain County presents a challenge.

Update: the Morning Journal summarized the meeting in Lorain.

The Federal Transit Administration awarded $928.5 million for more than 300 transit projects across the nation. RTA received three grants for a total of $7.1 million.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald promoted his anti-poaching protocol in a Plain Dealer op-ed, calling the agreement "an eminently reasonable step toward fostering cooperation in the interest of economic development."

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority President William Friedman spoke at the City Club (MP3, 52.1 MB) about the Port's plans and accomplishments. The Port Authority has also identified a preferred provider for the planned Lake Erie ferry.

Update: Bill Callahan posted more information about the ferry plans.

The Cuyahoga County Land Bank continues to gather national attention, as the Washington Post explored the agency's approach to the foreclosure crisis.

Update: the newspaper also published an article on local deconstruction and salvage operations.

The St. Luke's Foundation awarded $1.8 million in grants (PDF), including $37,063 to the City Club to conduct a series on the geographic aspects of health disparities. The first event in the four-part Why Place Matters series will feature Dr. Gail Christopher (PDF) of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on October 21. The Levin College Forum will host an event on health disparities on October 20.

Update: audio (MP3, 52.8 MB) and video of Dr. Christopher's talk are now available.

Update 2: guests on WDOK's Cleveland Connection show also discussed the topic.

Consultants working on the West Shore Corridor project said that the potential commuter rail line would take 10 to 15 years to realize.

Leaders in Berea anticipate adopting Cuyahoga County Executive FitzGerald's anti-poaching agreement, while Highland Heights City Council rejected the agreement. Strongsville officials are considering the proposal.

Update: the Sun Messenger says that Highland Heights City Council wants more information on the plan before deciding.

On Monday, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court opened for business in the new Juvenile Justice Center at East 93rd Street and Quincy Avenue in Cleveland. The $189 million complex's first full day of business will be October 11.

In East Cleveland, the new Cleveland Clinic Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center also opened on Monday. The three-floor, 50,000-square-foot facility is on Euclid Avenue adjacent to the former Huron Hospital. The hospital permanently closed on Friday.

Over the next three years, the Cuyahoga County Public Library will invest $100 million to implement its facilities master plan. The work includes construction and renovation at 15 of its 28 branches. New libraries will be built in Garfield Heights, Mayfield Village, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Parma, and Warrensville Heights.

Last Wednesday, the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority voted to adopt its new strategic (PDF) action plan, despite a late objection from developers of the Flats east bank project.

Cuyahoga County Council did not vote on a proposal for a new funding formula for the Cuyahoga County Land Bank. Members want to wait until a dispute about the land bank's board composition is resolved.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald announced his revised Business Attraction and Anti-Poaching Protocol. It's intended to reduce incentives for business relocations that that do not add to the region's economic output. The proposed agreement is less ambitious than the initial concept.

Update: the Plain Dealer provided more details, and in an editorial, said that the agreement "embodies two principles critical to the future of this area."

Update 2: reactions from suburban leaders have been mixed.

Update 3: Mayor DePiero of Parma signed and Pepper Pike City Council approved the agreement.

The public response was positive at a Wednesday meeting on the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority's draft strategic plan. The Port Authority board may vote to adopt the plan at its September 21 meeting.

A new report from the Planning and Community Health Research Center offers an overview of food policy councils and how planners can participate in them, based on the experiences of efforts in four cities, including the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition.

At GreenCityBlueLake, Marc Lefkowitz wrote about the green zoning initiative in Cleveland Heights and about sustainability efforts at RTA.

Officials with the Cuyahoga County Land Bank want to enhance its revenue stream by adding funding from delinquent property taxes. The change would need approval from County Council. County Executive Ed FitzGerald and Neighborhood Progress Inc. CEO Joel Ratner praised the land bank in a Plain Dealer op-ed, while NPR's Morning Edition and Time highlighted the land bank's activities.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Stan Austin spoke at the Akron Roundtable last week. He talked about the park's assets, plans, and areas for improvement.

Participants on Monday's Sound of Ideas program discussed Northeast Ohio invasive plant issues. The guest on Tuesday's program was Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority President William Friedman.

At a meeting on Thursday, local mountain bikers urged the Cleveland Metroparks Commissioners to provide them with greater access in the park district. An environmental impact study is currently underway.

NOACA's governing board approved a $34,100 grant to Cuyahoga County to support a study of the potential merger of Moreland Hills, Orange, Pepper Pike, and Woodmere. The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission will conduct the study.

The U.S. Census Bureau released Census 2010 Summary File 1 data for Ohio. It includes detailed tables on "age, sex, households, families, relationship to householder, housing units, detailed race and Hispanic or Latino origin groups, and group quarters," and showed a 51% increase in same-sex partner households in Ohio between 2000 and 2010. Demographic profiles of Cuyahoga County communities are now available.

A new study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland says that in Cuyahoga County, "foreclosed homes go through more than a year of very high vacancy rates following the auction and are substantially more likely to be vacant up to 60 months after the foreclosure."

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority released (PDF) a draft of its strategic action plan. Its recommendations include ways to "deliver on community ambitions for waterfront renewal, job creation, and economic vitality." If adopted, it would replace the earlier port relocation plan. Steven Litt said that its suggestion to concurrently plan for the future of the Lake Erie and Cuyahoga River waterfronts "is embarrassingly close to a head-slapping moment of blinding clarity." The public can provide feedback through a survey and at the Civic Commons. The Port Authority also announced that it will relocate its offices to a building on West 9th Street and the hiring of Jim White (PDF) as its first director of sustainable infrastructure programs.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that the plan "actually makes sense for the port and the region," but that implementing it may be a challenge.

Update 2: WKSU's Kabir Bhatia spoke with Port Authority President William Friedman.

With funding provided by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, communities in Cuyahoga County are creating rain gardens, bioswales, and other projects to control stormwater and create neighborhood greenspace.

U.S. House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica proposed a six-year transportation reauthorization bill that would reduce federal transportation spending by about one-third. RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese said that if the proposal is approved, it would force the agency to make a 7.5% cut in bus and rail service. Yonah Freemark of the Transport Politic said that transit agencies would have no good options.

Two banks will donate vacant foreclosed properties to the Cuyahoga County Land Bank for demolition or rehabilitation. Wells Fargo has donated 26 properties so far and Bank of America will donate up to 100 properties. The banks will contribute $3,500 or $7,500 per property to cover demolition costs.

After two years of ridership decreases, RTA ridership figures are stabilizing in 2011. Through May, bus ridership fell by 2.9% and rapid ridership grew by 9%. Officials attribute the changes to the improving economy and high gas prices.

Cuyahoga County received a $500,000 grant for community-wide brownfield remediation from the U.S. EPA. It was part of the $76 million the agency awarded for cleanup projects (PDF) in 40 states.

Governor Kasich said that he and legislative leaders intend to appoint a commission that will study governmental consolidations. The budget bill approved by the Ohio House included $250,000 to encourage collaborations, but the Ohio Senate did not include the funding in its bill. In a Plain Dealer op-ed, Tom Bier calls for Cuyahoga County communities to adopt a new principle of shared responsibility.

Update: the Plain Dealer's Joe Frolik says that collaborations and consolidations should be an important issue in municipal elections.

On Thursday morning, County Executive FitzGerald met with representatives of about 20 Cuyahoga County communities to present a draft of a new anti-poaching protocol (PDF). Under the agreement, communities would not actively recruit businesses located in another Cuyahoga County community. He hopes to finalize the agreement by the end of September. Communities that sign on would be given an advantage when seeking support from the County's planned $100 million economic development fund.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that cities should sign the pact.

The Plain Dealer scrutinized Judge Anthony Russo's role in determining whether the Cleveland Metroparks expands its scope to include lakefront parks.

The Plain Dealer provided updates on the experimental wind turbine initiative at Cleveland State University and the status of trail planning for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

On Wednesday, the Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission approved an initial five-year economic development plan. County Council's Economic Development and Planning Committee will review and discuss the plan on June 6.

Update: the Plain Dealer provided more information about the draft plan and posted the document (PDF).

Update 2: the plan is available from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development.

Cleveland State University Provost Geoffrey Mearns will mediate the dispute between the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and suburban mayors over fees associated with the District's stormwater management program.

The American Lung Association's 12th annual State of the Air report says that Cuyahoga County's air quality continues to improve, but it again gave the County failing grades for its levels of ozone and particulate pollution. The eight-county Cleveland metropolitan area was ranked as having the nation's 12th-highest level of year-round particulate pollution. Previous reports: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

Cleveland Metroparks Commissioner Dan T. Moore, appointed in January, is interested in public access to Lake Erie and lakefront parks. The Metroparks are in the midst of a master planning process, which includes an examination of a greater lakefront presence.

Dan Moulthrop and Luke Frazier of the Civic Commons spoke with Cuyahoga County Deputy Chief of Staff Nathan Kelly about the County's recently-announced $100 million economic development fund. The Foundation Center's Cynthia Bailie talked to Christine Amer Mayer of Akron's GAR Foundation about the foundation's involvement in economic development. With the State of Ohio poised to spend $1.4 billion on economic development this year, USA Today compared Ohio's approach with those of other states.

The May issue of Cleveland Magazine includes a profile of Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Stan Austin and a piece by Michael Roberts on the history of downtown Cleveland planning problems.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Pokorny ruled that the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has the authority to implement its stormwater management program, but did not rule on a challenge by several suburban communities. The district filed for a declaratory judgment in January 2010. Judge Pokorny's decision (PDF) removes seven Summit County communities from the program. The Summit County Engineer's Office continues to develop its own stormwater management program.

Update: an Akron Beacon Journal editorial encourages communities to work cooperatively instead of through the courts.

Putting Artists on the Map, a five-part research series from the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, examines the housing and space preferences of Cuyahoga County artists. The first three parts are available. Part one (PDF) is a summary report, part two (PDF) describes the neighborhoods that have concentrations of artists, and part three (PDF) focuses on survey results.

Update: Part four (PDF) presents a model of neighborhood characteristics. Part five (PDF) looks at artists' housing preferences.

Update 2: Fresh Water summarized the findings.

The Center for Public Management at CSU's Levin College of Urban Affairs prepared a study (PDFs: executive summary, complete report) on the feasibility of developing an aerotropolis around Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It says that the area "has potential as an aerotropolis, but its particular challenges require the development of a strategy that fits the Cleveland area's unique strengths and needs."

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority President William Friedman outlined a new strategic business plan to the Port's Maritime Committee. It identifies four markets for growth, which Crain's Cleveland Business describes as "land- and marine-based wind energy development, especially in light of plans for a wind farm in Lake Erie north of Cleveland; new ferry service across Lake Erie from Canada; a shuttle service that would bring containers from Europe and beyond into the Port of Cleveland; and an increase in steel and other traditional lake cargo." He expects that the plan will be completed in the next 60 days.

In a meeting facilitated by Cuyahoga County Executive FitzGerald, local mayors met with NEORSD officials to discuss the agency's contentious stormwater management program. Both sides agreed to to participate in mediation.

In the first State of the County Address, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald laid out plans to create a $100 million economic development fund, facilitate municipal collaborations, and support education and community safety programs. He said that his agenda represents "a sweeping and ambitious plan for the recovery of Cuyahoga County."

Update: the text and presentation from County Executive FitzGerald's speech are now online. The City Club posted audio (MP3, 52.1 MB) and video of the event.

The City of Cleveland Heights completed work on four houses it was renovating through the use of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding. The houses are now on the market, and proceeds from the sales will be used to renovate or demolish other neglected houses. The City of South Euclid is finalizing the sale of the first house renovated through its Green Neighborhoods Initiative.

Update: information about renovated homes in 11 Cuyahoga County cities is available through the Ideal Homes Program.

The second annual County Health Rankings from the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranked the health of counties by state. In Ohio, Cuyahoga County again ranked well in health factors and lower in health outcomes. Both rankings were improvements over last year's scores. Geauga and Medina counties appeared near the top of both lists.

Update: an Akron Beacon Journal editorial and PBS's The Rundown weblog reflected on the report.

A Plain Dealer editorial supports Cuyahoga County's exploration of utilizing local hospitals for mental health care, in light of the state's decision to abandon plans for a regional psychiatric hospital in Cleveland. Tracy Plouck, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, says that the decision "was based on the rationale that the state will be able to offer the same amount of inpatient hospital capacity to the region at $4 million less per year."

On Friday, NOACA awarded $845,000 in Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative grants to 13 transportation projects (PDF) in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Lorain counties. Eight of the selected planning studies are in the City of Cleveland, and the others are in Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Euclid, Eastlake, and Elyria. Eastlake City Council refused its grant.

Update: the Sun Press described the projects in Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights.

Cleveland Metroparks leaders anticipate that the system's revenue will rise in 2011 due to its acquisition of Seneca Golf Course and the completion of the zoo's African Elephant Crossing exhibit.

RTA reports that Red Line ridership grew by about 9% in January and February. The increase may be related to rising gas prices.

Governor Kasich's proposed fiscal year 2012-2013 budget includes higher than anticipated cuts to the state's local government fund. Cuyahoga County leaders are promoting cost-saving regionalism initiatives.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that the budget will force local governments to collaborate.

The U.S. Census Bureau today published the first set of detailed Census 2010 demographics for Ohio, redistricting data that covers population, race, Hispanic origin, and housing occupancy. Between 2000 and 2010, the population of Cuyahoga County fell by 113,856 to 1,280,122, a decrease of 8.2%. The City of Cleveland's population declined by 17.1% to 396,815, and most of its inner-ring suburbs also lost population. The populations of Cleveland Heights and Euclid each fell below 50,000, putting their status as entitlement communities into question. Lakewood's population remained over 50,000. We have posted population figures for Cuyahoga County communities and will provide other tables soon.

The eight-county Cleveland-Akron CSA's population declined by only 2.2%, as Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Portage counties gained population. The City of Columbus grew by 10.6%, but all of Ohio's other major cities saw population decreases. The Census Bureau will release additional data in the coming months.

Update: area newspapers reported on the release, including the Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal, News-Herald, Morning Journal, Chronicle-Telegram, Record-Courier, and the Medina County Gazette. In addition to posting the Cuyahoga County population figures, we posted data and maps on the county's racial distribution, Latino population, and housing occupancy.

Update 2: Ohio's Office of Policy Research and Strategic Planning compiled population data for every county, city, village, and township (PDF) in the state.

Update 3: the Plain Dealer published a corrected population change map.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald selected Larry Benders to lead the Cuyahoga County Department of Development. He will begin work in April and will succeed Dorothy Baunach, who has been serving as the department's interim director.

Update: the Plain Dealer has more information.

American Greetings leaders announced on Monday that the company will keep its headquarters in Northeast Ohio, but added that they have not decided on a location in the area. The company is considering its current location in Brooklyn and four other sites in suburban Cuyahoga County. Ohio legislators passed a tax incentive aimed at keeping the company in the state, and Governor Kasich signed the bill (PDF) on Monday. A Plain Dealer editorial called it "a win for the home team."

Update: Ed FitzGerald does not want to encourage the company to relocate from one Cuyahoga County city to another, and will not offer any financial incentives.

After 15 years of increases, Ohio's foreclosure rate declined in 2010. There were 85,483 new foreclosure filings in 2010, down from the record-high 89,053 filings in 2009, a 4% decrease. Some of the drop can be attributed to the robo-signing moratorium. Filings in Cuyahoga County fell by 9.5% over the same period, but the county had 12,825 filings, the most of any Ohio county. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial says that the "task to drive down the risk of foreclosure in Ohio is no less urgent than it has been the past decade."

A new study from Enterprise Community Partners "examines the value of parcel-level real estate data for neighborhood stabilization programs in general, and looks specifically at how the Northeast Ohio Community and Neighborhood Data for Organizing system (NEO CANDO) is used in Cleveland."

Ohio Department of Transportation leaders announced that the agency will rescind a large portion of the funding it pledged for public transportation, reducing the three-year, $150 program to $80 million. RTA will lose the $2.2 million in funding it received in January, and will not be able to initiate planned new services.

ODOT Director Jerry Wray added that Ohio will not be participating in the proposed new $53 billion federal high-speed rail initiative. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said that the state's absence will not harm the program.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial said that the decision to cut public transit funding is a mistake. A Blade editorial said that it "may cost the state tax revenue from business activity in the long run."

A new report from the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at Case Western Reserve University examines bank walkaways and "stalled foreclosure cases in Cuyahoga County in order to describe the factors involved in delayed foreclosure cases."

A piece by the Plain Dealer editorial board highlights positive news about Cleveland and offers a set of goals for this year. It proposes ways to rebuild human capital, rebrand the city, and reform government and civic life. The newspaper also published a set of ideas from readers.

The Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday. At the meeting, County Executive FitzGerald announced more than $1 million in loans for three development projects.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial offers the Commission some advice.

The newly-established Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission will meet for the first time on January 25. Seven of its nine seats have been filled. At the state level, Governor Kasich revealed more details about his plans to privatize the Ohio Department of Development and create the JobsOhio development corporation.

Update: an Akron Beacon Journal says that Governor Kasich should be alert to the hazards of privatization. The Cincinnati Enquirer interviewed Mark Kvamme, director of the Ohio Department of Development.

Update 2: legislation introduced in the Ohio House to create JobsOhio would allow the development corporation to operate in private. An amendment would give the Ohio inspector general the ability to investigate the corporation.

The draft of RTA's new strategic plan calls for strengthening service along the agency's busiest corridors. RTA ridership fell by approximately 10% in 2010, the second consecutive year it experienced a significant decrease.

The Greater Cleveland RTA is seeking public input on Re: imagine RTA, its 2010-2020 strategic plan, and will hold a community meeting on January 13 at its offices on West 6th Street. The agency is also conducting a survey. Officials in Lorain County and the the Morning Journal encourage Lorain County residents to participate.

Cuyahoga County Executive FitzGerald's latest appointments include Ed Jerse as Regional Collaboration Director and Nathan Kelly as Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development.

Update: in addition, FitzGerald named former ODOT District 12 Deputy Director Bonnie Teeuwen as the County's first public works director.

The Coral Company is resuming construction of homes at its Westhampton at Crocker Park development in Westlake. Other local residential developers have also revived stalled projects.

Update: the Coral Company anticipates completing the 125-unit Westhampton development in four to five years.

The Ohio Department of Transportation awarded $2.2 million through its 21st Century Transit Partnerships for Ohio's Next Generation program to RTA to create and operate new services for one year. RTA will use the funds for several new routes.

Update: the Plain Dealer has more information.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald appointed Dorothy Baunach as the County's interim Director of Development. She succeeds Paul Oyaski, who did not continue through the county government transition. Baunach led NorTech from 1999 to 2009, and is now its president emeritus.

Judge Russo appointed businessman Dan T. Moore to succeed Fred Rzepka as one of the three Cleveland Metroparks commissioners. Moore joins Bruce Rinker and David Whitehead as members of the board.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that "Moore seems like a good fit".

Jim Rokakis, the outgoing Cuyahoga County Treasurer, was the sole guest on Tuesday's Sound of Ideas program. He talked about his work, his 33 years of public service, and the changes in county government. After leaving office, he may lead a new urban land institute at CSU's Levin College of Urban Affairs.

A Plain Dealer editorial supports Cuyahoga County Executive-elect FitzGerald's call for increased municipal collaboration. Mayor DePiero of Parma also backs the idea.

The U.S. EPA released its annual analysis of data from the Toxics Release Inventory. Nationwide, releases of toxic chemicals fell by 12% to 3.37 billion pounds from 2008 to 2009. Releases in Ohio fell from 224 million pounds in 2008 to 159 million pounds in 2009, a decrease of over 29%. Cuyahoga County's top polluter in 2009 was the Charter Steel mill in Cuyahoga Heights. The ArcelorMittal steel plant in Cleveland was idled for much of the year.

Update: businesses in Ohio continued to emit more toxic air pollutants than those of any other state. Officials attribute the decreases to pollution control equipment, the recession, and new processes.

Cuyahoga County Executive-elect Ed FitzGerald spoke at Thursday's meeting of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association. He called on municipal leaders to work cooperatively instead of competing with one another.

The RTA Board of Trustees approved a budget that maintains current levels of service and fares for 2011. The agency's revenue was bolstered by a $5.4 million allocation from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Longtime Cleveland Metroparks Commissioner Fred Rzepka announced that he will step down at the end of the year. The Plain Dealer's Brent Larkin recently profiled Rzepka, and said that he may be the best commissioner in Metroparks history.

Update: Rzepka served on the board for 24 years, longer than any other commissioner.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association will change its name to the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. An official announcement is expected in January.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad expects to serve a record-high 180,000 passengers in 2010. Since 2006, the National Park Service has invested close to $9 million in capital improvements for the railroad.

WKSU's Jeff St. Clair interviewed Stan Austin, the superintendent of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

American Greetings revealed that company officials are considering seven sites for its corporate headquarters. The locations include the current headquarters in Brooklyn, four other suburban Cuyahoga County sites, and two locations in the Chicago area. The company wants to make a decision by the end of February.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorials says that retaining the company should be a priority for Greater Cleveland.

Brian Zimmerman, executive director of the Cleveland Metroparks, spoke at the City Club on Wednesday (MP3, 53.1 MB). He talked about what he has learned in his time in Cleveland and the future of the park district.

RTA will use about $1 million of its recent allocation from ODOT to create two new bus routes, increase service for six others, and expand paratransit service.

The new leaders of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland Metroparks appeared on Tuesday's Sound of Ideas program. CVNP Superintendent Stan Austin and Metroparks Director Brian Zimmerman spoke about the future of the parks.

In the first round of the Ohio New Markets Tax Credit program, the Ohio Department of Development made $10 million in credits available to four Ohio entities. About half of the credits were awarded to two Cuyahoga County recipients, one affiliated with KeyBank and the other associated with the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. The credits may be used to support the Allen Theatre renovations and the Evergreen Cooperatives, among other initiatives.

In addition to the two funding announcements made earlier this week, RTA received $4.2 million from the Federal Transportation Administration. The award was part of the $776 million State of Good Repair discretionary grant program. RTA will use its funds to upgrade equipment and facilities at three garages.

Through a program called 21st Century Transit Partnerships for Ohio's Next Generation, the Ohio Department of Transportation will provide $150 million over the next three years to public transit agencies in Ohio. RTA will receive $5.4 million each year, for a total of $16.2 million.

Update: the Columbus Dispatch has more information.

While Cleveland Metroparks employees are working to restore natural habitats and reintroduce native species, new Executive Director Brian Zimmerman is helping to guide the park district's strategic planning process. He will speak at the City Club on November 17.

NOACA conducted counts of bicycle traffic at 17 locations in Cuyahoga County in 2006 and 2010. Over the four-year period, bicycle counts increased by an average of 50%.

Update: Channel 5 reported on the figures.

Update 2: the Plain Dealer published more information.

The six candidates for Cuyahoga County executive discussed regional transportation issues at a Cleveland State University forum on Tuesday evening. They expressed different views about priorities and funding.

Stan Austin began his tenure as superintendent of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park last week. He said that he is "going to take it to the next level."

A commuter rail study being conducted as part of the Westshore Corridor Transportation Project should be completed by the end of the year. Potential users of the proposed line between Cleveland and Sandusky can complete a survey.

Data compiled by the Housing Research & Advocacy Center indicates that in 2008, Clevelanders received subprime mortgages at a rate more than twice the national average. They also found that minority homebuyers in Cuyahoga County are more likely to obtain high-interest mortgages than whites.

The 12 Cuyahoga County suburbs that are challenging NEORSD's stormwater management program jointly issued a statement. It characterizes the program as an "involuntary tax disguised as a fee."

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial criticizes the cities' decision to fight the program.

The National Park Service developed six alternatives for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trail Management Plan. They range from no action (alternative one) to an overhaul of the park's trail network (alternative six). The draft alternatives will be presented at public meetings on September 22, 23, and 26 at the Happy Days Lodge in Peninsula. The public comment period is open through October 30.

Cuyahoga Community College's new Center for Creative Arts in Cleveland is the first of the college's seven building projects currently underway. The work includes new campuses in Westlake and Brunswick, both scheduled to open in January.

Erick Trickey interviewed new Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority CEO William Friedman for the September/October issue of Inside Business.

In the third round of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $970 million in grants. Allocations in Ohio totaled $52 million, including $6.8 million to the City of Cleveland, $2.6 million to Cuyahoga County, $1 million to the City of East Cleveland, and $1 million to the City of Euclid.

The Plain Dealer's Brent Larkin described how the Cleveland Foundation is funding the Northeast Ohio Local Food Assessment and Plan, which is intended to "create a significant economic development strategy for the region based on the production, processing, and distribution of local food."

The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University jointly published An Analysis of Health Disparities in Northeast Ohio (PDF). They found that "African Americans, and to a lesser extent, Hispanics, have significantly poorer health status, access to care and health care utilization than do Whites" in the eight-county Greater Cleveland area. Earlier this year, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health released an update of its Child and Family Health Services Indicators Report (PDF). It includes an analysis of maternal and child heath indicators for each community in the county.

Participants on Thursday's Sound of Ideas program discussed the future of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and shipping issues in Cleveland. The guests, including new port CEO William Friedman, also discussed dredging plans.

In this week's issue of Scene, Michael Roberts revisits the history of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority's fruitless lakefront planning efforts. He attributes many of the problems to the machinations of board member John Carney.

Tuesday's Sound of Ideas program on WCPN featured a spirited debate about municipal revenue sharing and the 16-county Regional Prosperity Initiative. The guests were Medina County Commissioner Stephen Hambley, Aurora Mayor Lynn McGill, and Professor Tom Bier, who recently wrote an op-ed about ideas for improving Northeast Ohio's older cities.

Richard M. Todd of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis examined residential foreclosure trends for non-owner-occupied properties in Cuyahoga County. Building upon research conducted by Case Western Reserve University, he concluded that "the incidence of non-occupant foreclosures in Cuyahoga County was very high by national standards and was even higher for loans to minority borrowers made by non-local lenders in low-cost, low-income, minority neighborhoods" for loans originated in 2005–2006.

(via the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland)

The West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force named Jeanette Corlett McGovern of MAC Development Associates as an adviser for a study of the proposed passenger rail line between Cleveland and Sandusky.

Marc Lefkowitz considered the priorities of RTA's transit waiting environment program and its attempts to balance design and functionality. In addition to rethinking bus shelter designs, the program is funding the installation of four covered bike shelters at transit stops.

Work on the Chagrin Falls Region Alternate Transportation Study is nearing completion. A final public meeting took place on July 6, and a final stakeholders meeting will be held on August 4.

In the first six months of 2010, foreclosure filings in Cuyahoga County increased by more than 12%, compared to the same period last year. Levels in Cleveland remained similar, while levels rose in both inner-ring and outer-ring suburbs.

The Premcor Refining Group of San Antonio reached a settlement with the State of Ohio. The company agreed to clean up leaking underground storage tanks at 55 former Clark gas station sites in 26 counties and to pay $4 million in penalties. Nine of the locations (PDF) are in Cuyahoga County.

In a Plain Dealer op-ed, Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis said that the Cuyahoga County Land Bank is "the most effective and comprehensive program in the country to deal with vacant properties due to its entrepreneurial transactional capabilities and funding." Officials in South Euclid are pleased with the Land Bank's recent agreement with HUD. Next American City cited Cleveland's experience with HUD as an example of "the real danger of this newfound culture of thrift and austerity in Washington."

"Facing the Foreclosure Crisis in Greater Cleveland" (PDF, 29.7 MB) is a new report from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. It "spells out what happened here, relating the symptoms and progressive stages of the crisis as it played out across the region" and "points to representative examples of programs developed and implemented locally to address particular aspects of the crisis."

Will Friedman, the new CEO of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, spoke about the future of the port on Sunday's Between the Lines program.

RTA budget officials expect that fares and service levels will remain unchanged in 2011, but anticipate a $15 million deficit in 2012.

After being criticized for ending a program with the City of Cleveland, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reached an agreement with the Cuyahoga County Land Bank. Under the new agreement, the land bank can acquire distressed HUD-owned houses for as little as $100. Officials with the land bank, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, anticipate that they will need to demolish at least 80% of the properties they purchase. Sherrod Brown praised the agreement, calling it "a victory for Cuyahoga County."

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial congratulates the land bank on its productive first year.

The Plain Dealer looked at how local government agencies intend to use Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to reduce bacteria levels at area beaches. Meanwhile, the ODNR Office of Coastal Management awarded $311,835 in Coastal Management Assistance Grants.

Fortune highlighted the efforts of the Cuyahoga County Land Bank and similar initiatives in other cities to increase levels of urban greenspace.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library's board of trustees unanimously voted to adopt the system's facilities master plan.

The Bainbridge Township Trustees raised several questions about the Chagrin Falls Region Alternate Transportation Study.

Update: the Chagrin Valley Times has more information.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport recently released a draft (PDF, 46.5 MB) of its noise and land use study, and last week (PDF) held two open houses where residents shared their concerns. The document is open to public comment through June 30.

Update: the Sun Post-Herald has more details.

Thirteen water quality improvement projects (PDF) in Cuyahoga County will receive a total of $2.3 million in grants (PDF) from Ohio's Surface Water Improvement Fund and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Consultants have prepared a preliminary concept plan for the Chagrin Falls Region Alternate Transportation Study. The study should be completed by August or September. Two public meetings have been held, and the final one take place on July 6.

Stan Austin (PDF) will be the new superintendent of the Cuyahoga National Park. He is currently the superintendent of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona and will become the National Park's fourth superintendent on August 22. He succeeds John Debo, who retired last July.

Update: Austin spoke with WKSU's Jeff St. Clair.

The closed Kellstone Quarry on Kelleys Island is being considered as an alternative to building a confined disposal facility for dredge material from the Port of Cleveland and Cuyahoga River. Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority officials estimate that the 200-acre quarry has enough capacity to last 28 years.

Update: the Ohio EPA rejected the proposal and said that the site is unsuitable for storing contaminated sediment.

Update 2: a Plain Dealer editorial said that "the quarry warrants further study."

The Cleveland Clinic is expanding its community health outreach efforts by opening more farmers markets its health centers. The Clinic has had a market at its main campus since 2008, recently opened a second in Solon, and plans to open a third at Hillcrest Hospital.

Outgoing Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority interim CEO Peter Raskind shared his observations about the port in a Plain Dealer op-ed. He wrote about the port's priorities, finances, and said that the "plan to move the port to East 55th Street was ill conceived and built upon layers of questionable assumptions." Cleveland Magazine's Erick Trickey believes that Raskind was "throwing out the old regime's troubled ideas so the new guy can start with a clean desk" and "may also be providing cover for the port board."

The Cuyahoga County Public Library's Facilities Master Plan provides "background data to support future decisions about capital improvements within the system." Branch libraries may be consolidated, expanded, repaired, or replaced. The plan is open to public comment through June 16.

Update: the Plain Dealer has more details.

As part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's trail management plan update, park staffers and volunteers are exploring potential locations for new trails.

This week's issue of Scene presents a "Beginner's Guide to Dead Zones," a look at five vacant Cuyahoga County landmarks, plus several local examples of successful adaptive reuse.

A Plain Dealer editorial says that incoming Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority CEO William Friedman has many challenges awaiting him.

Two state legislators from Greater Cleveland intend to introduce legislation that would make it easier for communities to collaborate on municipal services. The changes would allow the City of South Euclid to contract with the City of Cleveland for trash collection. Cleveland may be able provide the service at a lower cost than a private company.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority named William Friedman (PDF) as its new president and CEO. Previously, he worked at the Port of Seattle from 1990 to 2000 and served as the CEO of the Ports of Indiana from 2000 to 2004. Friedman will succeed interim CEO Peter Raskind when he begins on June 1.

Update: the Plain Dealer approves of the Port Authority's choice.

Marc Lefkowitz describes the Re-Imagining Cleveland process as "a surgical first strike that aims to put vacant properties back into productive use."

The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report shows that the air quality in Cleveland and other Midwestern cities has improved, but that pollution levels remain dangerously high. Greater Cleveland was ranked as having the country's 19th-worst year-round particulate pollution, an improvement over last year. Cuyahoga County again received failing grades for its its levels of ozone and particulate pollution.

The Cleveland Catholic Diocese will sell more than 50 closed churches, and placed 17 of them on the market. The properties in Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Summit counties have a total asking price of $11.8 million.

On Friday, Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis spoke at the City Club about foreclosure problems in Greater Cleveland (MP3, 52.5 MB) and the ways that the Cuyahoga County Land Bank is addressing the issues.

Chagrin Falls officials and consultants with Behnke Associates have begun work on the alternative transportation study for a group of Chagrin Valley communities. The first public meeting will be held on Tuesday evening.

Ed FitzGerald, the mayor of Lakewood and a candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive, proposed establishing a county Office of Regional Collaboration. It would have a cabinet-level director and would encourage collaboration (PDF) within the county and the region.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority narrowed its list of CEO candidates to three: Diane Downing, William Friedman, and James Weakley (PDFs). The Port Authority's board expects to make a selection by May.

Update: the Plain Dealer is impressed with the finalists.

The U.S. EPA today announced $78.9 million in brownfields grants to communities in 40 states. The Cuyahoga County Land Bank received a $400,000 grant to conduct brownfield assessments.

Update: the Plain Dealer has more information.

Marc Lefkowitz described the latest happenings in the Re-Imagining Cleveland process and the growth of a new green movement in Cuyahoga County.

Stormwater runoff from developments surrounding the Cleveland Metroparks creates extensive erosion problems within the reservations.

A grant from the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association will fund the fourth year of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Bike Aboard program in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The program drew a record 21,500 cyclists in 2009.

The U.S. Census Bureau's annual county population estimates say that Cuyahoga County's population fell by 7,171 people between July 2008 and July 2009. The decrease of 0.56% was smaller than in previous years, but Cleveland State's Tom Bier believes that outmigration will increase once the economy improves. The eight-county Cleveland CSA lost an estimated 2,990 residents over the same period. Many of the decade's fastest-growing counties were in Texas.

Update: the Plain Dealer looked at the trends.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Interim CEO Peter Raskind and Vice Chairman Robert Smith were the guests on Monday's Sound of Ideas program.

The March issue of Cleveland Magazine describes the extent of the challenges posed by abandoned houses in Cuyahoga County.

Chagrin Falls Village Council voted to accept a $68,000 TLCI grant for the Chagrin Falls Region Alternative Transportation Study. The $85,000 study will be conducted by Behnke Associates.

At its meeting on Wednesday, the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority reappointed Chairman Steven Williams, but did not reappoint Vice Chairman Richard Knoth. Robert Smith was selected to replace him. Much of the meeting was conducted in private, and a Plain Dealer editorial again urges the board to be less secretive.

A Plain Dealer editorial challenges the leaders of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority to be less secretive.

At a recent public meeting, consultants for RTA described the five alternatives being studied in the Blue Line Corridor Extension Study.

Update: a Chagrin Solon Sun editorial says that the line should be extended to the Chagrin Highlands.

Brent Larkin believes that Cleveland needs to close Burke Lakefront Airport and turn it into "a world-class development that could transform downtown." An editorial in the Sun Messenger encourages Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials to coordinate their positions on the region's airports.

In a Plain Dealer op-ed, Dominic LoGalbo criticizes the disarray at the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, and encourages local leaders to reconsider the agency's roles.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership outlined its agenda for the year at its annual meeting on Thursday. The chamber's priorities include county government reform, renewal of the county health and human services levy and the state Third Frontier program, and investing in downtown Cleveland projects. Roldo Bartimole was indignant at the suggestions.

An article in this week's issue of West Life offers more information about the Aerotropolis study being conducted by Cleveland State University. The study should be completed by the end of the month.

The Plain Dealer again called for reform of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority's board, this time saying that its size should be reduced by one-third.

A new report from the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranked health outcomes and health factors in the United States by county for each state. In Ohio, Geauga and Medina counties were among the state's healthiest. Cuyahoga County ranked highly in clinical care, but poorly in morbidity, social and economic factors, and physical environment.

Update: the report was the subject of a Sound of Ideas program on WCPN.

The Greater Cleveland RTA's board of trustees approved the revised 2010 budget. It includes service cutbacks, workforce reductions, and it made permanent earlier temporary fare increases.

The Plain Dealer highlighted claims that the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority leadership needs more representation from maritime interests.

While many communities are using their federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants to rehabilitate foreclosed homes, the majority of the local $40.8 million award will be used to demolish abandoned houses.

(via Community Research Partners)

Trail users provided input at public open houses last week for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's trail management plan.

An RTA board committee yesterday approved service cuts that will eliminate 12% of the agency's bus routes. Some of the changes were modified in response to comments made at last month's public hearings. The reductions will be implemented on April 4.

Update: RTA listed the revisions to the service changes.

Frank Jackson named Paul Hoogenboom (PDF) of RPM International in Medina to fill one of the two vacant seats on the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. A Plain Dealer editorial says that Mayor "Jackson needs to find someone with extensive maritime experience" to fill the remaining vacancy.

In conjunction with the planned reconfiguration of the Warrensville-Van Aken intersection in Shaker Heights, RTA is revisiting its plans to extend the Blue Line corridor into southeastern Cuyahoga County. The study area of the Blue Line Corridor Extension Study includes all or parts of 10 municipalities. RTA will hold a public meeting on February 22 at the Warrensville Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, and has a Blue Line Extension Analysis Survey.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial notes that the study's timing is awkward.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority laid off two more employees: Sustainability Manager Pam Davis and Human Resources Director Nancy Spelman.

Cuyahoga County foreclosure filing figures stayed elevated in 2009. While the number of filings remained similar, the problem is increasingly becoming a suburban issue. Experts expect the levels to remain high.

James Ewinger of the Plain Dealer spoke with incoming Cleveland Metroparks Executive Director Brian Zimmerman.

Brian Zimmerman of Milwaukee was selected to succeed Vern Hartenburg as executive director of the Cleveland Metroparks. He's scheduled to start work in March.

Mayor Jackson reappointed Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Chairman Steven Williams to another four-year term, but board member Rose Rodriguez-Bardwell chose not to seek reappointment. Board member Brian Hall is also stepping down (PDF).

On February 11, the Levin College Forum and the First Suburbs Consortium will host the Cleveland premiere of The New Metropolis, a two-part documentary series on America's inner-ring suburbs. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.

Planners of the proposed aerotropolis around Cleveland Hopkins International Airport began receiving feedback at the first of the aerotropolis stakeholder sessions yesterday.

At its first meeting (PDF) of the year, the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority today set its priorities for 2010. The board also approved $34.8 million in bonds for the Flats east bank project. Board member Rose Rodriguez-Bardwell was recently fired from her position at the Spanish American Committee, and the Plain Dealer again urged Mayor Jackson to replace Rodriguez-Bardwell and Chairman Steven Williams when their terms expire on January 28.

Update: the Plain Dealer found the meeting encouraging.

The Ohio Housing Finance Agency used federal stimulus funds to approve more than $53 million in tax credits. Three projects in Cuyahoga County were among the recipients: Emerald Alliance V on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Independence Place at the Prospect Avenue YWCA in Cleveland, and the Library Court senior housing development on Chagrin Boulevard in Shaker Heights.

The Cleveland Metroparks commissioners, including new Commissioner Bruce Rinker, have narrowed the list of prospective new executive directors to three. Current Executive Director Vern Hartenburg announced his retirement last September.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $2 billion in the second round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants. Ohio governments received $175 million, and $40.8 million of that went to a consortium (PDF) led by the Cuyahoga County Land Revitalization Corporation. The land bank will invest the funds in 15 Cleveland neighborhoods and parts of five inner-ring suburbs.

Scene's Damian Guevara interviewed RTA CEO Joe Calabrese about the challenges facing his agency.

The Plain Dealer asked if Cleveland still needs a port authority. It looked at the arguments for retaining the port authority and the arguments for dismantling it.

On Thursday, the board of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District unanimously approved the new stormwater management program. The district has identified more than $220 million of critical stormwater projects, which will be financed by the new impervious surface fee. Once the board adopted the plan, NEORSD asked the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to confirm the district's authority to implement the plan.

About 1,000 people attended the 10 public hearings held by RTA last week to share their thoughts about the agency's proposed service changes. RTA is accepting comments until January 21, and will finalize the changes around March 1.

At the first of this week's public hearings, RTA riders shared their displeasure about the proposed service reductions. RTA has proposed cutting 12% of its routes in order to balance its budget. The public hearings will continue through Thursday.

With the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District expected to vote on the proposed stormwater management program on Thursday, the Summit County prosecutor asked a court to issue a permanent injunction against any fees. Leaders in outer-ring Cuyahoga County suburbs also dislike the proposal. NEORSD Executive Director Julius Ciaccia discussed the approach on Channel 3's Between the Lines.

Update: the Akron Beacon Journal and WKSU have more details. Joe Koncelik considered the implications of the proposed regulations.

Although it obtained federal dollars to preserve transit service, Lorain County Transit may reduce its number of routes from 12 to two. Officials in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties have begun to discuss the potential for a partnership between RTA and Lorain County Transit. Meanwhile, a coalition of organizations unveiled the Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! campaign to advocate for public transportation.

Update: the Columbus Government Examiner has more details about the campaign's objectives. A Morning Journal editorial says that a Cuyahoga County-Lorain County public transit partnership is "worth talking about".

The Chagrin Falls Region Alternative Transportation Study was one of the 13 projects awarded a TLCI planning grant earlier this month. The study will begin in January, and will develop a plan for a trail network in eastern Cuyahoga County and western Geauga County.

Judge Anthony Russo shared his vision for the Cleveland Metroparks in a Plain Dealer op-ed: "As the advent of regionalism looms on the horizon, the time has come to develop and implement a master plan whereby the Cleveland Metroparks undertakes stewardship of all available public property on the lakefront, creating a new Cleveland Lakefront Metroparks."

Three local investors are purchasing and rehabilitating distressed houses in Cleveland's inner-ring suburbs. The partners have bought 38 houses since July.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's trustees rejected a proposed 2010 budget and associated service reductions. The board passed a three-month budget, and the proposed cuts will be discussed at public hearings in January. A statewide coalition is organizing a campaign to advocate for increasing investments in public transit.

In a first-of-its-kind agreement, Fannie Mae will sell distressed houses to the Cuyahoga County Land Bank for $1. For each house deemed beyond repair, Fannie Mae will contribute $3,500 towards its demolition. The land bank will acquire the first 25 properties under the agreement later this month.

Cuyahoga County Probate Judge Anthony Russo, the judge who appoints the three Cleveland Metroparks commissioners, has been active in the search process for the park district's new executive director. Judge Russo also chose not to reappoint William Ryan as a commissioner, selecting Mayfield Village Mayor Bruce Rinker to replace him. A Plain Dealer editorial says that Judge Russo should back off.

Update: Brent Larkin added that "Russo has to get this right or risk being forever remembered as the guy who messed with the Metroparks and damaged one of Greater Cleveland's most cherished assets."

Public transit agencies would like additional federal funding and greater flexibility in assigning the dollars. RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese was among those who testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Thursday. Lorain County leaders are seeking congressional approval to redirect unspent stimulus money in order to save Lorain County Transit.

A group of Lorain pastors wants the Lorain County Commissioners to restore funding for Lorain County Transit. RTA, meanwhile, will hold 10 public hearings from January 4 through January 7 about its proposed service reductions. Laketran, which made cuts and raised fares in July, does not plan further changes.

The U.S. EPA released its annual analysis of Toxics Release Inventory data. In 2008, pollution releases at the national level fell by 6% from 2007 levels. Ohio reduced its releases of toxic air pollutants by 22%, but remained the nation's top emitter of toxic airborne compounds. Toxic releases in Cuyahoga County fell from 12.2 million tons in 2007 to 9.9 million tons in 2008. The ArcelorMittal steel mill in Cleveland was the County's top polluter.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority continues to undergo changes. The Port Authority's board laid off four employees and named former National City CEO (PDF) Peter Raskind (PDF) as the port's interim CEO. He expects to serve for three to six months and will be paid $1.00. Raskind spoke with WCPN's Rick Jackson and WKSU's Kevin Niedermier. The Port Authority's board will not see changes, as Mayor Jackson intends to reappoint board Chairman Steven Williams and board member Rose Rodriguez-Bardwell when their terms expire in January. A Plain Dealer editorial said that "Jackson is passing up the chance to help restore public confidence in the port authority board by introducing fresh faces and new ideas."

The efforts of the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force to build offshore wind turbines expanded beyond Cuyahoga County, as Lorain County joined the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDCo).

In addition to proposed service reductions, RTA is pursuing cost-savings measures that include several methods of reducing utility expenses and reducing service levels for the final week of 2009. A Plain Dealer editorial says that the state and federal governments need to provide more financial support.

On Monday, Governor Strickland announced that 25 Ohio energy projects will receive more than $13 million in federal stimulus grants. Seven of the wind and solar projects are in Cuyahoga County.

Update: Middleburg Heights leaders continue to discuss the proposed wind turbine at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority is using the $69 million it received in federal stimulus grants to improve conditions at its Garden Valley Estates, Woodhill Homes, and other public housing estates.

Local officials remain disenchanted with the way HUD manages its inventory of vacant houses. Earlier this month, HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Mercedes Marquez defended the department's practices in a Plain Dealer op-ed.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that "the problems could be resolved if HUD had open and frequent communication with cities and housing groups".

In order to balance its 2010 budget, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority proposed cutbacks of between 12% and 21% of current service levels. A 12% reduction would entail the discontinuation of all or most of 32 bus routes. RTA will hold eight public hearings in early January.

In the wake of Adam Wasserman's departure from the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, a Plain Dealer editorial said that "the port has to change, and it will change if it wants its trajectory to be up, not down and out." Brent Larkin thinks that more dramatic changes are necessary.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District issued two reports: a survey of water quality and habitat in the middle Cuyahoga River (PDF) and an assessment of West Creek (PDF).

The Cleveland Metroparks are using geographic information systems technologies to help manage their 22,000-acre network of parks.

In order to balance its 2010 budget, RTA leaders are considering additional service cuts and extending earlier temporary fare increases.

Update: WCPN has more details.

The board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is being criticized for its silence about the departure of CEO Adam Wasserman and his $300,000 buyout. A Plain Dealer editorial says that "Wasserman's exit puts the onus for more transparency and accountability on the nine-member Port Authority board to which he supposedly answered."

Update: Channel 3's Tom Beres spoke with Cuyahoga County Commissioners Hagan and Jones.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority President and CEO Adam Waserman stepped down today. The Port Authority board spent hours in closed-door meetings over the past week. Wasserman had held the post since 2007. Maritime Director Patrick Coyle resigned last month after only three months on the job. CFO Brent Leslie will oversee the Port until a new president is named.

The Lorain County Commissioners hired Parsons Brinckerhoff to conduct a study of the proposed West Shore Corridor commuter rail line.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded $6.25 million in grants from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund to 25 projects, including three in Cuyahoga County. Bedford Heights received $374,726 for the Richmond Road All-Purpose Trail, Cuyahoga Heights received $500,000 for the Cuyahoga Heights Multi-Use Trail, and the West Creek Preservation Committee received $103,125 for the O'Malley-Henninger Greenway.

The Cuyahoga County Commissioners are expected to approve a funding mechanism for the new county land bank today. The land bank will also be the subject of the next event in the Levin College Forum's Building Our Future Beyond Foreclosure series. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and land bank president Gus Frangos will participate in the form on November 19.

Marc Lefkowitz looked at proposals for multipurpose trails and greenways in suburban Cuyahoga County and described the process that led to the construction of the Lake to Lake Trail in Middleburg Heights

Rob Pitingolo examined the relationship between RTA ridership and some of the factors that may influence it, including fares, gas prices, population changes, and unemployment rates.

In a Plain Dealer op-ed, Terry Allan of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health highlights inequities in public health faced by residents in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Projections of RTA ridership figures indicate that the transit agency will experience a record low number of riders in 2009. Through August, ridership was down 11.6% for the year.

CWRU's Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development mapped changes in food stamp recipients over time to illustrate the shifting demographics of Cuyahoga County.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park's first step in updating its trails plan is an informal survey of area stakeholders. Backpackers, equestrians, and mountain bikers would all like to see more trails.

Members of the West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force intend to begin work on a study of the proposed line between Cleveland and Sandusky. They envision a multimodal transportation hub at Black River Landing in Lorain.

Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and Dan Moulthroup of WCPN described the new Cuyahoga County Land Bank on The Take Away.

A draft of a study (PDF) by the Ohio EPA of 30 construction and demolition debris landfills found pollutants in their leachate. Each landfill had 3–29 pollutants at levels in excess of health or water quality standards. Five of the landfills surveyed are in Cuyahoga County.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association and the National Park Service are launching the new Trails Forever initiative, an effort to repair and expand the park's trail network. One of their goals is to raise a $10 million endowment by 2016, the interest from which would be used to enhance the trails. Meanwhile, the environmental cleanup of the former Krejci Dump in the park was extended through the end of November 2011. Contamination at the site is more extensive than anticipated.

RTA is proposing a new Weekly Shopper Service, a scaled-back replacement of its eliminated community circulator service. The one-year pilot project would require partnerships to cover 50% of its operating costs, and could begin operations in January.

The U.S. EPA and a group of local partners are conducting the Cleveland Multiple Air Pollutant Study, a two-part air quality study of Cleveland and the surrounding area. The program is a national model intended to help identify the sources (PDF) of a variety of specific pollutants.

Cleveland Metroparks Executive Director Vern Hartenburg announced his retirement on Wednesday. He has held the position since 1988, and will stay on until a replacement is selected in the spring. A Plain Dealer editorial said that "he will be sorely missed".

RTA's 25¢ fare increase went into effect yesterday, and the cash fare is now $2.25. Rob Pitingolo compared RTA's prices with those of other transit agencies.

The new Cuyahoga County Land Bank may acquire its first properties this week, and about 250 parcels by the end of the year. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis thinks that it also can help prevent abandoned houses. The Land Bank's board adopted a new six-month business plan on Friday.

In spite of cutbacks and fare increases this year, RTA faces a possible $20 million deficit for 2010, which could force additional cuts in service. Transportation for America compiled the financial problems of public transit agencies across the country in a new report titled Stranded at the Station.

Update: RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese met with Cleveland City Council on Wednesday.

Berea leaders want the new Cuyahoga County Land Bank to be active in their city. A News Sun editorial says that the Land Bank could help Berea.

Over the last 10 years, the Housing Enhancement Loan Program has provided $103 million in low-interest loans to more that 7,500 Cuyahoga County homeowners.

NOACA's Executive Committee recommended allocating $34,600 to Lorain County for a study of the proposed West Shore Corridor commuter rail line. It would match funds raised by the West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force. The Governing Board may approve the funding on Friday.

Update: the board approved the funds.

RTA began operating its proof-of-payment system on the Red Line rapid today. The system was first introduced on the HealthLine. RTA also announced the 15 bus routes that will be cut back or eliminated on September 20. The reductions are in addition to the elimination of the community circulators.

An editorial in the newly-consolidated Chagrin Solon Sun says that "it's time for Chagrin Valley municipalities to put bike racks around town."

The discussion on this morning's Sound of Ideas program on WCPN was about the impending service cuts and fare increases by RTA and other local public transit agencies. The City of Lakewood objects to the elimination of its community circulator route, and Cleveland City Council asked RTA leaders to reconsider their decision to end circulator service. RTA will hold a community meeting in each neighborhood served by a circulator.

To help balance its 2009 budget, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will eliminate its 12 community circulator routes and implement a 25¢ fare increase. RTA will also modify 12–15 other routes with low ridership. The fare increase will go into effect on September 1 and community circulator service will end on September 20. Transit agencies across the country are taking similar steps.

Update: RTA may adjust some of its bus routes to compensate for the loss of the circulators.

The Cuyahoga County Land Bank's site is now available. It includes information about the land reutilization corporation and its policies for demolition and vacant land, housing, property preservation, and land assembly.

In order to address its budget shortfall, RTA leaders are considering service cuts and fare increases. General Manager Joe Calabrese recommended eliminating the community circulators and instituting a temporary 25¢ fare increase. The agency's board held a special meeting last week, but did not reach a decision. The board's next scheduled meeting is on July 28. A Plain Dealer editorial says that RTA "has no choice but to look at some combination of fare increases and service cuts."

The six Cuyahoga County cities in the Westshore Council of Governments and the City of North Ridgeville hired Emergency Services Consulting International to study the proposed Westshore Regional Fire District. The proposal is one of nine finalists in the EfficientGovNow grant competition.

The Cleveland Memory Project scanned and posted the 17 volumes of highway Route Location Studies produced in the 1960s, plus the 1955 Comprehensive Arterial Highway Plan for Cuyahoga County. They detail plans for built and unbuilt sections of the county's freeway system.

RTA's budget projections (PDFs) indicate that the agency's sales tax collections will be $15 to $16 million less than anticipated. RTA ridership figures also fell in April and May after several years of increases. Officials attribute the drop to rising unemployment.

Family Homelessness in Cuyahoga County, a new paper from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, examined data on families at risk of becoming homeless and on those using residential homeless services. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also released a pair of reports about changes in homelessness at the national level. The 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (PDF) found increasing rates of family homelessness in suburban and rural areas. Cleveland and Cuyahoga County were one of nine areas studied in the agency's first Homeless Pulse Project (PDF) report.

Unlike Chrysler, General Motors intends to retain around 67% of its stores in the Cleveland-Akron area, including around 79% in Cuyahoga County.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is conducting an update of its Noise Compatibility Program. Work on the 18–24-month noise study, last completed in 2000, began in January.

Later this year, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will begin work on a new trails plan. The current trails plan was prepared in 1985. Meanwhile, National Park Superintendent John Debo announced his retirement today (PDF), effective July 3. In August, he will become the chief development officer of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association. Debo has served as superintendent for 21 years.

Update: the Akron Beacon Journal and WKSU have more information about Debo's departure. The Beacon Journal also published a very positive editorial.

Local municipal officials welcome the new Cuyahoga County Land Bank, viewing it as a good tool for combating housing abandonment.

Cuyahoga County is distributing $1.3 million in federal funds to suburbs with populations below 50,000. The money is being used to demolish distressed housing.

The Plain Dealer's Year of the River series looked at the steadily improving health of the middle Cuyahoga River and the increasing quantity and diversity of its fish. Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District staffers conduct electrofishing surveys to assess the fish populations.

Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and Budget Director Sandy Turk disagree sharply about the projected costs (PDF) of the new Cuyahoga County Land Bank.

The proposed seven-city Westshore Regional Fire District is one of the projects competing for funding through the EfficientGovNow program. The Westshore Council of Governments would use the money to conduct a six-month study of the concept.

Update: the COG is interviewing consultants for the study.

A Plain Dealer editorial calls the new Cuyahoga County Land Bank "the most ambitious and aggressive weapon local leaders can use to push back against the foreclosure crisis and its profiteers."

While automakers have favored suburban locations for car dealers in recent years, the recently announced Chrysler dealer closings appear to indicate a preference for exurban dealerships. Of the 14 Greater Cleveland dealerships slated to close, eight are in Cuyahoga County. Only four will remain open in Cuyahoga County.

As the Cuyahoga County Land Bank prepares to launch, Steven Litt looks at the issues and expectations facing the new organization. The Land Bank's board will hold its first meeting on Friday morning.

When it begins work, the new Cuyahoga County land bank will first focus on Cleveland's Slavic Village and Glenville neighborhoods. The Plain Dealer looked at the efforts to reinvigorate Slavic Village with an op-ed by Marie Kittredge of the Slavic Village Development Corporation and a column by Joe Frolik.

Last week, the U.S. EPA announced $111.9 million in grants, of which $5.6 million will be for projects in Ohio. Cuyahoga County received a $1 million grant to conduct brownfields assessments at about 35 sites. The grants were "bolstered by funds" from the federal stimulus bill.

A panel of mayors of inner-ring Cuyahoga County suburbs discussed the impacts of the foreclosure crisis (MP3, 51.6 MB) on their communities at the City Club on Wednesday. County Treasurer Jim Rokakis was the moderator.

The City of Cleveland and a group of neighboring communities hope to create an aerotropolis around Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Mayor Jackson proposed the concept in 2007. Cleveland officials also want to build retail on City-owned property near the airport.

The American Lung Association's 2009 State of the Air report gave Cuyahoga County failing grades for its levels of ozone and particulate pollution. The 10th annual report listed Greater Cleveland as having the nation's 10th worst year-round particle pollution, but unlike last year, did not include the metropolitan area in the list of cities with the worst short-term particle pollution.

Update: the report (PDF) noted that Greater Cleveland's air quality has significantly improved over the past five years.

University Circle Incorporated President Chris Ronayne wrote a Plain Dealer op-ed in which he calls on local leaders to adopt a smart growth strategy that includes city-county consolidation, regional tax sharing, and changes to state policies that enable urban sprawl.

The new Cuyahoga County Community Planning GIS was unveiled at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission meeting yesterday. Built upon the CEGIS platform, it succeeds our Brownfields GIS application and offers many data layers and spatial analysis tools. We will be working to enhance and improve the application and welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

The Ohio EPA yesterday announced plans to invest $1.1 billion in federal stimulus funds and low-interest state loans in water and sewer infrastructure projects. Approximately $46 million will go to projects in Northeast Ohio, including $5 million for two NEORSD sewer projects. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Interior unveiled plans for $750 million in stimulus funds, of which the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will receive about $7.8 million. The award will fund five projects in the Park. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial says that the dollars (PDF) will help address the Park's maintenance backlog. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced that it will reallocate $115 million of the $200 million in stimulus funds it recently assigned to the Innerbelt Bridge project in Cleveland to 52 other projects across the state. ODOT officials say that the funding will be replaced with other state and federal dollars.

On Tuesday, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Board of Trustees awarded contracts for the construction of the new Puritas rapid transit station. A May groundbreaking is planned. General Manager Joe Calabrese also updated the board on the agency's projected budget shortfall.

Update: the Plain Dealer published more details about RTA's budget situation.

Council members from Beachwood, Cleveland Heights, Lyndhurst, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights will meet next week to discuss a possible application to the EfficientGovNow program.

Update: the cities probably will not apply for a grant.

Prompted by the recent proposal from Cleveland Heights Councilman Mark Tumeo, this morning's Sound of Ideas program on WCPN was devoted to a discussion of municipal mergers and collaborations. Mayor Rothschild of University Heights remains strongly opposed to the concept.

The federal stimulus bill passed in February includes $3.2 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The grants are available to fund projects that reduce energy use or improve energy efficiency. Ohio's share of the allocations is $84 million. Cuyahoga County will receive $5.8 million and the City of Cleveland will receive $4.5 million.

Larger than anticipated declines in sales tax revenue have led to a $12–13 million budget shortfall at RTA. If the agency cannot find $9 million to offset the losses, it will have to cut 200–300 jobs and reduce service by by 9–12%. General Manager Joe Calabrese has asked Ohio and NOACA officials for assistance, and is exploring ways to redirect federal stimulus funds. The agency is not considering further fare increases.

The U.S. Census Bureau's annual county population estimates show that Cuyahoga County lost 11,262 people between July 2007 and July 2008. However, the rate of decrease slowed for the second consecutive year. The County's rate of population change peaked at -1.32% in 2006, was -0.97% in 2007, and was -0.87% in 2008. The other four counties in the Cleveland MSA continued to gain population, but their increases did not completely offset the decrease in Cuyahoga County. The metropolitan area's population fell by 6,594 between July 2007 and July 2008. Population losses slowed across the Midwest, while increases slowed in the South and West. Some attribute the changes in migration patterns to the poor economy.

Policy Matters Ohio's annual foreclosure report says that the 85,782 new foreclosure filings in Ohio last year were a record high. Cuyahoga County had the most filings for the fourth consecutive year, but the number of filings in Cuyahoga County was 7.3% lower in 2008 than in 2007. The largest increases in foreclosure filings were in the state's rural counties.

The New York Times Magazine focused national attention on Cleveland with a feature about how the foreclosure crisis has disrupted life in Slavic Village. National and international media outlets have used the neighborhood to highlight the weight of the problem, and many expect that the repercussions experienced in Cleveland will soon be felt in cities across the country. The Plain Dealer, meanwhile, posted maps and databases of the more than 45,000 foreclosures in Cuyahoga County since January 2006, and published a story about the implications of low housing prices. While Cleveland neighborhoods no longer have the nation's highest foreclosure rate, Cuyahoga County remains in the top 35. Rust Wire has a photo essay of the impacts on Cleveland's St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

Update: Charles Buki says that the New York Times article illustrates the need to rethink community development processes and reimagine cities.

The outdoor advertising industry is using a pair of 2007 studies conducted in the Cleveland area in their efforts to gain authorization to install digital billboards elsewhere in the nation. A study of Cuyahoga County statistics (PDF) by Tantala Associates says that "digital billboards have no statistical relationship with the occurrence of accidents." A study of Cleveland drivers (PDF) by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute says that "digital billboards seem to attract more attention than the conventional billboards" but that "no conclusions can be drawn regarding the ultimate safety of digital billboards."

The Plain Dealer examined the 2007 Census of Agriculture's figures for the seven-county Greater Cleveland area. The region lost 100,000 acres farmland between 2002 and 2007, 20% of the total supply. Cuyahoga and Summit counties saw some the most rapid drops in Ohio, while Lorain and Medina counties experienced some of the state's highest losses of agricultural land.

The Edgar Farm in Valley View, one of the farms in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, will be offered for lease through the Countryside Initiative later this year.

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority will receive $35 million in federal stimulus funds, and eight other Northeast Ohio public housing agencies will receive an additional $18 million. Fifteen area cities and counties will also receive a total of $12.5 million in Community Development Block Grants. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $10.1 billion.

The Cuyahoga County Office of Sustainability launched a new website today. It features information about the County's climate change initiative.

Governor Strickland signed the county land bank bill in a ceremony at Cleveland State University on Friday. The bill, which creates a two-year pilot program in Cuyahoga County, was passed by the Ohio legislature in December.

While most government agencies are waiting to learn what they will receive from the federal stimulus package, RTA officials know that their agency will receive $42 million. The funds will be used to build the East Side Transit Center, replace two rapid transit stations, and to overhaul Red Line rail cars.

Scientists continue to collect data for the proposed demonstration Lake Erie wind farm. They recently positioned a sonar device that will gauge the thickness of ice on the lake and used a LIDAR unit to measure wind shear above the lake. The Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force announced the receipt of $672,000 from the Cleveland Foundation and that Steve Dever will take a leave of absence from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office to serve as the Task Force's executive director.

Two commuter rail advocacy groups merged to form the West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force, and together will promote a proposed line that would run from Vermilion to Cleveland. The group has raised half of the $68,000 needed as a local match for a $343,000 federal grant obtained by Representative Sutton in 2007. Meanwhile, ONN spoke with NOACA's Howard Maier about the prospects for high-speed rail in Ohio.

Update: GreenCityBlueLake has a roundup of intercity rail news, and Greater Ohio's Gene Krebs spoke at a Columbus Metropolitan Club event about the Real Reasons for Rail.

Cuyahoga County's $420 million wish list for federal stimulus dollars includes gray and green infrastructure projects, green energy initiatives, and social service programs. The State of Ohio is accepting suggestions for stimulus projects at a special website.

Update: this week's Sun Newspapers have more details about the requests made by Euclid and Broadview Heights leaders.

The Cuyahoga County Department of Development's 2008 Annual Report (PDF) highlights its programming, partnerships, and accomplishments.

Cuyahoga County leaders are seeking federal stimulus money for the proposed offshore wind turbine demonstration project in Lake Erie. A European wind turbine manufacturer is willing to pay for half of the project, so the County is requesting $28 million to erect the turbines and $17 million for a warehouse that would be used to assemble and ship turbines.

Preliminary work on the I-77 widening project in southern Cuyahoga County is nearing completion, and the first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in March.

RTA's ridership numbers grew last year, the sixth consecutive year with an increase. The 2008 ridership was 57.9 million, a 1.1% increase over the 57.3 million figure recorded in 2007.

Runoff from increased exurban development around the Cuyahoga Valley National Park continues to cause erosion problems along the Cuyahoga River. Park officials are developing natural systems approaches to controlling erosion.

The Ohio Department of Development will distribute more than $83 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds to communities across the state. Cuyahoga County will receive $1.3 million, the City of Cleveland will receive $9.4 million, and Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Lakewood, and Parma will also receive awards. The dollars are in addition to the appropriations directly awarded to cities and counties in September. The Ohio Department of Development also announced that Cuyahoga County will receive a $2.15 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant. It will be used to remediate property along the Cuyahoga River's Old Channel and prepare it for Great Lakes Towing Company's $23 million ship building project.

Update: Cuyahoga County and the Great Lakes Towing Company will supply local matches for the Clean Ohio grant.

The Plain Dealer examined how Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Adam Wasserman has transformed the agency's staff in an effort to make it a more powerful economic driver for the region.

The Ohio House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the county land bank legislation on its final day of business last week, and the Ohio Senate concurred with the House version of the bill. The legislation was revised to so that it applies only to Cuyahoga County. Governor Strickland is expected to sign the bill, and Cuyahoga County officials hope to begin operating the land bank early next year.

Last week, the Cleveland Foundation awarded $18.8 million in grants and loans for the fourth quarter of 2008. The grants include $4 million to the Fund for Our Economic Future, $272,500 to Cuyahoga County for the Great Lakes Wind Energy Center, and $225,000 to ParkWorks.

RTA is counting on receiving a $5 million allocation from 2009 Ohio budget in order to avert further service cuts and fare increases. The agency is also considering entering the derivatives market in an attempt to stabilize its diesel fuel costs.

The Ohio Senate approved the countywide land bank legislation on Wednesday. It now moves to the Ohio House, where a vote may be held next week.

Update: WKSU has more information.

A group of Cleveland State University undergraduate history students assembled a collection of historic images from the Cuyahoga County Archives.

The First Suburbs Development Council's storefront renovation program has lost funding due to Cuyahoga County budget cuts.

Beyond REO, a new report from Case's Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, tracked property transfers of Cuyahoga County houses following sheriff's sales. In 2005, 3.62% of these houses sold at extremely depressed prices. By June 2008, the proportion had grown to 42.26%. Many of these properties are in Cleveland's east side neighborhoods. The report identified the proposed countywide land banks as a potential method of returning distressed properties to productive use.

Meanwhile, a new policy discussion paper (PDF) from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland describes the countywide land bank legislation. In addition, University of Missouri - St. Louis Professor Todd Swanstrom compared the ways that Cleveland and St. Louis have responded to the foreclosure crisis (PDF).

While public transit ridership figures rose in most American cities, RTA's ridership numbers slipped slightly in the first nine months of 2008. RTA attributes the decrease to the poor economy.

Frank Jackson did not reappoint attorney Michael Wager to the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, and instead nominated attorney Marc Krantz. Wager, who has been serving as the board's chairmain, recently spoke about the future of the port at the City Club. Audio of his talk (MP3, 20.7 MB) is now available.

This week, the American Wind Energy Association held its national Supply Chain Workshop in Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University will hold a conference on offshore wind turbine development. The Plain Dealer published an overview of the plans for a Lake Erie wind farm three miles north of Cleveland, WKSU examined the wind turbine industry in Northeast Ohio, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looked at offshore turbine proposals from across the region.

Update: Governor Strickland addressed the workshop on Tuesday.

Mayor Kurtz of Independence proposed the creation of the Southern Suburban Communities Council, an organization that would facilitate cooperation among eight suburban municipalities in southern Cuyahoga County.

A USGS study of Tinkers Creek and its tributaries detected "a total of 12 antibiotic, 20 pharmaceutical, 41 wastewater, and 22 hydrophobic compounds" in the water at one or more sites. It did not identify whether their presence poses a threat to plants, wildlife, or humans. Further testing is planned.

A group of Greater Clevelanders traveled to Columbus yesterday to advocate for Senate Bill 353, the countywide land bank bill. Supporters hope that the Ohio legislature will approve the bill in this month's lame duck session.

Update: WCPN has more details.

The proposed seven-city joint fire district is down to two communities now that Brook Park has pulled out of the the study. The Cities of Parma and Parma Heights are the only remaining participants.

Officials from northern Summit County formed a working group to discuss whether they will oppose the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's plans for a regional stormwater management program.

Legislation for countywide land banks was the subject of discussion on this morning's Sound of Ideas program. Hearings on the proposal are expected to begin soon in the Ohio legislature. The program also examined the topic in November 2007.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's plans for a regional stormwater management program are controversial in northern Summit County. Some leaders worry that money from their communities will be directed to projects in Cuyahoga County.

Calling it "Greater Cleveland's last, best chance to end the foreclosure feeding frenzy that is consuming neighborhoods and eviscerating property values," a Plain Dealer editorial urges state and local officials to support countywide land bank legislation.

Update: Becky Gaylord feels that Cleveland needs "bold, strong action, such as creating a regional land bank."

Over 18,000 bicyclists used the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway's Bike Aboard! program this year, nearly three times as many as in 2007. The service will resume in April with the same $2.00 fare.

The City of Middleburg Heights withdrew from the regional fire district proposed for southwest Cuyahoga County. A revised proposal reduced the number of participating cities from seven to four due to the City of Berea's earlier withdrawal (which automatically eliminated Olmsted Falls) and a lack of interest from Brooklyn leaders. Officials in Brook Park, Parma, and Parma Heights are reviewing the revised plan.

Homebuilder Rysar Properties is struggling in the poor housing market. The company has lost $4 million and is shifting its focus from construction to renovation.

Election recap

Ohio
Issue 2 (Clean Ohio renewal): passed
Issue 3 (water rights amendment): passed

Brecksville
Issue 14 (Pilgrim Inn zoning overlay): passed

Broadview Heights
Issues 15-16, 20-25 (rezonings): passed
Issues 17-19 (Zoning Board of Appeals changes): passed

Chagrin Falls
Issue 32 (Architectural Review Board changes): passed

Highland Heights
Issue 63 (development in parks): passed

Oakwood
Issue 83 (hazardous storage buffer): passed

Pepper Pike
Issue 86 (sign regulations): passed
Issue 87 (police station rezoning): passed

Solon
Issue 103 (O-2 district changes): passed
Issue 105 (retail rezoning): passed

South Euclid
Issue 106 (remove point-of-sale inspections): passed

Tri-City Joint Recreation District
Issue 136 (1 mill levy): failed

Avon
Issue 10 (retail rezoning): passed

Portage County
Issue 10 (Park District levy): failed

Twinsburg
Issues 32-35 (zoning code changes): passed

For more results, visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Openers, or the Sun News.

Tuesday's election will include the following issues in Cuyahoga County communities:

• Issue 14 in Brecksville is a planned development overlay for the Pilgrim Inn property.
• Issue 32 in Chagrin Falls would change the composition of the Architectural Review Board.
• Issue 63 in Highland Heights would require voter approval for development or drilling in city parks.
• Issue 83 in Oakwood would mandate a buffer for certain facilities.
• Issue 87 in Pepper Pike would rezone land for a new police station.
• Issue 103 in Solon would allow medical offices in areas zoned O-2.

• Issue 10 in Avon is a commercial rezoning for a half-acre property on Detroit Road.
• Issue 32 in Portage County is a levy for the Portage Park District.
• Issue 32 in Twinsburg would create a new mixed-use zoning classification for the city center.

The Plain Dealer recounts the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association's dispute with the Cleveland Metroparks over building trails in the park system. Meanwhile, the National Park Service is preparing a rule that will transfer decision making-power about bicycle trails to local park administrators. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park will use funds from the Krejci dump settlement to study the possibility of building trails.

A protracted credit crunch could force delays or cancellations of proposed commercial developments in and around Cleveland, including downtown office towers, suburban retail developments, and mixed-use projects.

Yesterday, the RTA board approved adding a fuel surcharge to public transit fares. The surcharge depends on the price of diesel fuel, and will be 25¢ per ride until September 2009. The maximum surcharge is $1.00, and it will disappear if the price of diesel falls below $3.00 per gallon. It will go into effect on October 27. RTA will also implement a proof-of-payment system for the HealthLine on October 27.

The first of three reports revealed "no major hurdles" in the feasibility of building a demonstration wind turbine project in Lake Erie. The entire study should be completed by next April. Meanwhile, Case Western Reserve University hired Dianne Anderson as the first executive director of the Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation.

The Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association reports that it has been unsuccessful in its efforts to get the Cleveland Metroparks to allow the expansion of a bike trail network.

(via Cool Cleveland)

Ohio received more than $258 million of the $3.92 billion allocated by HUD for foreclosure relief. Cleveland's share was $16.1 million, and Cuyahoga County's was $11.2 million. The cities of Akron, Elyria, Euclid, and Lorain also received funds, as did Lake and Summit counties.

In addition to the proposed southwest Cuyahoga County regional fire district, the cities of Bay Village, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Rocky River, and Westlake have begun exploring the formation of a joint fire district.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority hired Pam Davis to fill its new environmental/sustainability manager position.

On Tuesday, the RTA board approved changes that include a small reduction in service. Because it received $9 million in federal CMAQ funds from NOACA, RTA was able to make more modest cutbacks than initially proposed.

The second piece in WKSU's NEO Development series examines the work being undertaken by the partners participating in the Cuyahoga Valley Initiative.

The Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium is seeking funding from the state's Local Government Services and Regional Collaboration Grant Program for a new study.

Yesterday, RTA staff outlined their suggestions for more modest service cuts and fare increases. The recommendations include reducing service by 3% and adding a 25¢ fuel surcharge. If approved by the RTA board on September 23, the changes will be implemented on November 2.

The Ohio EPA is preparing to submit a plan for bringing into compliance the 27 counties that do not meet federal particulate pollution standards. Cuyahoga County is the only one expected to have problems meeting the standards by the April 5, 2010 deadline. The Ohio EPA will hold a public hearing on September 17 at the Twinsburg Public Library. Meanwhile, the U.S. EPA is in the process of designating nonattainment areas under new, more stringent particulate rules.

Brook Park City Council has begun discussing the proposed seven city regional fire district. Some members appear to favor a more modest regional dispatching center as an alternative.

Audio (MP3, 25.0 MB) and a transcript of Friday's City Club talk by RTA CEO Joe Calabrese are now online.

Yesterday, the U.S. Census Bureau released annual income, poverty, and health insurance coverage statistics from the 2007 American Community Survey. In Cuyahoga County, the median household income grew from $41,522 in 2006 to $44,358 in 2007 (a 6.8% increase), while the poverty rate rose from 14.8% to 15.5% (a 4.7% increase). The City of Cleveland's poverty rate also rose, from 27.0% in 2006 to 29.5% in 2007, the nation's second-highest figure among big cities. Detroit had the highest poverty rate for the second consecutive year.

Commissioner Jones scheduled two public forums to discuss the Medical Mart and convention center plans. The first will be held on September 2 at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, and the second will be on September 4 at the Middleburg Heights Community Center.

RTA's Joe Calabrese will speak at the City Club on August 29 about "the many challenges facing the public transit industry during a climate of increased ridership, both locally and nationally."

RTA leaders anticipate that the expected infusion of funds from NOACA will eliminate the need for major service cuts in the short term. The agency is now planning modest cuts and a fuel surcharge of 25¢ in place of the 50¢ surcharge proposed earlier. RTA will revisit the cuts next year if the state budget does not include increased funding for public transportation.

Update: Medina County Commissioner Stephen Hambley wants to see a greater percentage of the dollars allocated to the public transit agencies of Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties.

Backers of the proposed seven city regional fire district are waiting for leaders in the southwest Cuyahoga County communities to decide if they want to continue their participation. The City of Berea may opt out of the process, which could affect the involvement of Olmsted Falls.

RTA leaders postponed a decision on proposed service reductions and fare hikes until next month. Unallocated local CMAQ funding may be diverted to RTA to help reduce the need for cuts.

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin indicate that between 2000 and 2007, Cuyahoga County's Asian population increased by 4,766 and its Latino population increased by 5,882, while the white population declined by 95,307 and the black population declined by 7,006. Nationwide, racial and ethnic minorities now comprise 43% of Americans under 20. The Census Bureau also projects that minorities will account for over half of the country's total population by 2042.

The nonprofit Fast Track Cycling will select a Northeast Ohio location for its proposed velodrome today. Once the location is named, the group will begin a capital campaign to raise funding for the $10 million project.

While many are upset over RTA's plans to increase fares and reduce bus service, its plans to cut service hours on the Waterfont Line have generated few complaints. RTA officials will revisit its schedule when parts of the Flats east bank development are finished.

The National Park Service is working to reduce automobile traffic in its parks. In the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Bike Aboard service has tripled in popularity this summer. It offers cyclists the opportunity to bike the Towpath Trail in one direction and ride the train in the other for a $2 fare.

The Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium is seeking an $80,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to assist with economic development efforts in its member cities. The funds would also be used to improve the organization's advocacy and outreach capabilities.

About 300 people attended the first of five public hearings about RTA's proposed service cuts and fare surcharge. Roughly 500 people attended a second hearing this afternoon, and additional hearings will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

Update: Due to the intense public interest, RTA added another hearing to the schedule.

Renewable Energy World summarizes wind power initiatives in Greater Cleveland, including the Great Lakes Science Center's wind turbine and the potential for an offshore wind farm.

The housing bill signed by President Bush yesterday will eventually bring $26.6 million to Cuyahoga County communities for acquisition and rehabilitation or demolition of abandoned houses. The City of Cleveland is expected to receive the majority of the money.

Update: the Plain Dealer analyzed the legislation and clarified that the $26.6 million figure is only an estimate. The Christian Science Monitor also interviewed local officials about its likely implications.

At a public meeting in Lakewood yesterday, residents voiced their opposition to proposed RTA service cuts. Leaders in other communities are also concerned about the impacts of the cuts.

Update: mayors of Westshore suburbs expressed their concerns about the proposed cuts.

On Friday, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority pledged make at least 482 of its housing units fully accessible to disabled residents within seven years.

Backers of the proposed West Shore Corridor are raising funds for a feasibility study of the commuter rail line that would connect Cleveland and Lorain. They are also seeking a state grant to finance the study.

Update: an editorial in the Morning Journal backs the initiative.

GreenCityBlueLake cites a new study from the National Resources Defense Council to explain why RTA is experiencing financial difficulties, noting that Ohio was "ranked 40th in transit spending (.77% spent on transit compared to highway spending in 2006)."

RTA outlined its proposed service cuts and fare increases. The proposal calls for eliminating all of the community circulators and 12 regular bus routes, as well as reducing service on the Waterfront Line and 21 bus routes. Bus and rapid fares would be raised from $1.75 to $2.25-$2.50. RTA's board is scheduled to vote on the proposals on August 19, and the changes would become effective in October.

Enabling legislation for proposed countywide land banks was introduced in both branches of the Ohio Legislature yesterday. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis has been promoting the concept since last year.

Update: WCPN has more information.

Leaders of a youth football program are interested in building a fieldhouse on a ten acre site in south or southwest Cuyahoga County. The group has met with officials in Broadview Heights and North Royalton to discuss a possible joint venture.

RTA will hold five public hearings in early August to discuss a proposed fuel surcharge and service reductions.

The Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office today announced the launch (PDF) of a beta version of the Cuyahoga Enterprise Geographic Information System, an online countywide GIS application.

Update: the Plan Dealer has more information about the site.

RTA may cancel routes to Brunswick and Avon Lake because of budget shortfalls. Most of RTA's revenue comes from a Cuyahoga County sales tax, and surrounding counties do not contribute. RTA's Joe Calabrese and Gale Fisk discussed the agency's fiscal challenges on this morning's Sound of Ideas show.

An RTA committee recommended this morning that the agency should consider making cuts in service and adding a $.50 fuel surcharge per ticket. RTA's projections indicate that it would lose $20 million next year if no changes are made. A Plain Dealer editorial suggests that fare increases are preferable to service cuts, and that "Ohio should find new, creative ways to funnel more money to public transit."

Update: The RTA provides budget scenarios in a summary of the meeting. A Morning Journal editorial says that transit funding shortages are a "financial challenge that can only be met by spreading the cost nationwide."

Rising fuel prices and falling sales tax revenue may force RTA to make cuts in service, despite recent ridership increases. General Manager Joe Calabrese anticipates that RTA will lose $8 million this year.

Collateral Damage, a new report from Policy Matters Ohio, says that renters in Cuyahoga County increasingly face evictions due to lenders foreclosing on their landlords. The report estimates that there were 3,918 foreclosure filings on rental units in Cuyahoga County last year, a 29% increase from 2006.

An editorial in today's Plain Dealer says that the proposed seven city joint fire district "should not be abandoned simply because some with parochial interests are voicing concerns."

Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services held a field hearing in Cleveland about the foreclosure crisis. Committee chairwoman Maxine Waters led the nearly five hour meeting, which was also attended by five members of Ohio's congressional delegation. Recent stories about Cleveland in the national media have drawn attention to the issue, and the Plain Dealer used East 144th Street in Mount Pleasant as an example of the impacts of foreclosures.

Update: an Akron Beacon Journal editorial says that the subcommittee's Cleveland appearance "reflects the severe financial and social repercussions across the country."

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport received an $880,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to study noise pollution issues. The funds will be used to place sound monitors in communities near the airport. If areas with noise levels that exceed federal standards are found, Hopkins officials will seek federal funding for soundproofing homes.

RTA Park-N-Ride buses are becoming crowded due to recent ridership increases. High fuel costs and budget constraints prevent RTA from running additional buses.

Update: the Plain Dealer also covered the subject.

Concerned by the continuing increase in the number of new natural gas and oil wells, the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association is examining what local communities can do to address noise and safety issues.

The fire chiefs of seven cities in southwest Cuyahoga County wrote a seven page letter listing their concerns about the proposed seven city joint district. They suggested a more gradual approach, starting with a two or three city district.

Audio of Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis's (MP3, 26.1 MB) recent talk about the foreclosure crisis and the proposed countywide land bank is now available from the City Club.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority will present the port relocation plan at a second public meeting on June 16 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Cleveland.

North Randall officials are preparing for the financial repercussions from the impending closure of Randall Park Mall, which accounts for 33% of the Village's general fund. Mayor Smith asked the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office for assistance with late-night patrols.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that this is "a textbook case of why we need" a regional approach to governing.

The City of Berea is the newest member of the Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium.

On Wednesday, Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis told a City Club audience that he is confident that state legislators will pass a law that will enable urban counties to create land banks.

Many questions surround the siting of a proposed new psychiatric hospital in Cuyahoga County.

Update: Cleveland Councilman Roosevelt Coates proposed building the facility in Collinwood.

Continued ridership increases led RTA to plan the purchase of 20 articulated buses. The 60 foot long buses can hold up to 110 people and will be used on the busiest routes.

The Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association is trying to convince the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Metroparks systems in Cuyahoga and Summit counties to build a 100 mile network of unpaved trails.