Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog

Local developer David Lewanski's proposed Pinecrest development in Orange would replace a 76-acre residential area with retail, offices, and housing. If Village officials and voters approve a rezoning, it would add 390,500 square feet of upscale retail, 30,000 square feet of office space and 266 residential units (PDF) to an area near the Chagrin Highlands. Lewanski said he has acquired has long-term purchase options on most of the area's existing houses and that he will not seek development incentives for the project.

The Parma Planning Commission approved plans for Parmatown Mall's new facade and for one of six proposed outbuildings. City Council passed 18 zoning variances for the construction of the outbuildings. The renovated mall will be renamed The Shoppes at Parma.

The site plan for proposed retail development at West 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard in Cleveland's Edgewater neighborhood shows a suburban-style shopping strip and includes the demolition of the former Fifth Church of Christ Scientist. A neighborhood group is seeking "good urban design promoting a pedestrian-friendly plan well suited for a historic district" and the rehabilitation of the historic church.

Update: the Sun News looked at a previous attempt to redevelop the church.

Update 2: the neighborhood group offered a plan for a park on the church site. The plan calls for retaining the portico and demolishing the remainder of the building.

General Growth Partners, the owner of Beachwood Place, would like to rezone 11 parcels along Richmond Road from residential to retail. The rezoning could be the first step in an expansion of the mall, but the company hasn't presented any plans. The mall was last renovated in 2007.

In North Olmsted, Westfield Great Northern officials announced plans for a 55,000-square-foot expansion that includes a 10-screen movie theater, three new restaurants, and a new main entrance. They're scheduled to open in December.

In Parma, the redevelopment plans for Parmatown Mall include the construction of six outbuildings along West Ridgewood Drive.

Update: the work at Parmatown Mall will include the demolition of the Dick's Sporting Goods store and the former Macy's store. A Sun News editorial said it "seems real progress is being made".

Update 2: Demolition is underway at Great Northern.

Steven Litt critiqued the preliminary plans for the Upper Chester development in Cleveland. He called the design "deeply underwhelming" but added that it "clearly has enormous potential" and that its developer would be wise to emulate the "high-quality thinking and institutional collaboration that went into Uptown."

A a retail strip at Clifton Boulevard and West 117th Street in Cleveland has been demolished for the Shoppes at Clifton, a proposed retail development. The project could include the demolition of the landmark former Fifth Church of Christ Scientist. Gordon Food Service plans to build a 15,000-square-foot GFS Marketplace store nearby, which would be in a cluster of grocers.

The Finch Group of Florida submitted updated plans for the Upper Chester development on 38 acres north of Chester Avenue, between East 93rd and East 101st streets. The Cleveland City Planning Commission and Cleveland City Council approved plans for the $94 million first phase that would include apartments and retail. Construction could begin in late 2013.

Phillips Edison & Co., the new owner of Parmatown Mall, is assembling a design team to develop plans for the mall. The company expects that the redesign and redevelopment process will take three years.

Update: the company's plans include indoor mall and exterior-facing storefront components.

The Ohio EPA declared that brownfield remediation has been completed at the 21-acre Midland Steel property on Madison Avenue and at a 6-acre property at the second phase of the Midtown Tech Park on Euclid Avenue. The agency is also considering a request for an Urban Setting Designation at the former Penguin Cleaners site on Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst. The property was redeveloped as a Key Bank branch in 2010.

Aurora City Council approved a JEDD agreement for the Marketplace at Four Corners development in Bainbridge Township. The Bainbridge Township Trustees approved the agreement in May.

Five to 10 new independent retailers will open along St. Clair Avenue between East 61st Street and Addison Avenue through a new program of the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. Inspired by Oakland's Popuphood initiative, the program includes six months free rent, storefront renovations, marketing assistance, security, and business training for merchants.

Update: more than 80 people applied for the program.

The Strongsville Planning Commission approved plans for a 110,000-square-foot Market District supermarket on Pearl Road. The City's Architectural Review Board also approved the plans. Giant Eagle intends to break ground in September or October and open the store next summer.

Voters in Solon could see two zoning issues on the November ballot. One would modify permitted uses in the city's C-5 industrial district, while the other would allow pet stores in the city's C-2 commercial district. Voters in Fairview Park may decide a rezoning issue for Journey Church on Lorain Road.

Update: Westlake voters may decide a rezoning issue for a portion of the Promenade shopping center.

Several local construction projects celebrated milestones:

• Developers broke ground in Lakewood for the 17-unit Clifton Pointe townhouse project. Three Sloane Avenue houses were demolished. The first units are scheduled to be ready next spring.
• The Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland broke ground on a 20,000-square-foot expansion. When completed, it will provide space for an additional 17 families per night.
• The celebration of the West Side Market's centennial began with the opening of the renovated Market Square Park.
• Cleveland's Croatian community dedicated the new Croatian Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park.
• In South Euclid, developers and officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Oakwood Commons shopping center.
• Solon officials formally broke ground on Solon Village Plaza, the redevelopment of the former Solar Shopping Center.
• A topping off ceremony took place for the 18-story office tower, the main component in the first phase of the Flats East Bank development. It's scheduled to open next year.

Bainbridge Township and the City of Aurora have resumed talks about a proposed JEDD for the Marketplace shopping center. For the first several years, 80% of the proceeds would go to the developer. Talks about the proposal were revived last year.

Update: the Aurora Advocate has more information.

Solon City Council approved plans for the redevelopment of Solar Shopping Center and its Giant Eagle store. In Strongsville, City Council approved a rezoning for the planned Market District supermarket on Pearl Road. Some Strongsville residents said that they would like to be more involved in the planning process.

The Plain Dealer examined how Wal-Mart has transitioned its Greater Cleveland inventory of stores from its traditional model to the supercenter concept. On average, its regular stores are 108,000 square feet, and its supercenters occupy 185,000 square feet. The company is continuing the trend by relocating stores from Cleveland Heights to South Euclid, from Fairlawn to Copley Township, and by expanding its store in Avon.

First Interstate Properties confirmed that the Oakwood Commons retail development in South Euclid will include a 177,000-square-foot Wal-Mart superstore. Construction of the store is scheduled to begin in September.

Update: Wal-Mart verified that the supercenter will replace its store at Severance Town Center in Cleveland Heights.

Strongsville residents approved a rezoning issue for a proposed Market District supermarket on Pearl Road. Construction of the 110,000-square-foot store could begin as early as July. Opponents said they lacked the time to properly organize. Voters also approved a rezoning for a potential expansion of Strongsville United Church of Christ on Royalton Road.

The Solon Planning Commission approved plans for the redevelopment of Solar Shopping Center. City Council's Safety Committee also approved the plans, and City Council is expected to consider the plans this month. Retailers are signing leases for space in the renovated center.

Plans for the Oakwood Commons shopping center under construction in South Euclid include a 180,000-square-foot Wal-Mart supercenter. Wal-Mart currently operates a store less than a mile away at Severance Town Center in Cleveland Heights. At GreenCityBlueLake, Marc Lefkowitz explored redevelopment and retrofitting examples that could be employed if Wal-Mart closes its Severance Center location.

Giant Eagle modified its plans for a Market District store in Strongsville, increasing the size of the proposed buffer adjacent to neighboring houses. Councilman Matt Schonhut favors the project. The Sun News endorsed the rezoning issue, calling it "a development Strongsville residents can live with." Company officials said they would not come back to voters if the rezoning issue fails.

Update: proponents and opponents of the project are debating its merits.

The New York Times looked at creative new uses for struggling shopping malls, including the Galleria in downtown Cleveland.

Giant Eagle increased the size of its proposed new Strongsville supermarket from 92,600 square feet to 110,000 square feet. It would be the first Northeast Ohio store to carry the retailer's Market District name. The first of three public meetings about the plans will be held on January 18 at St. John Neumann Church. Giant Eagle also may be interested in building a Market District store in Lakewood.

Update: more than 200 people attended the public meeting.

The stalled plans for the redevelopment of Solar Shopping Center in Solon have resumed motion. Echo Development of Pittsburgh is scheduled to present preliminary plans to the Solon Planning Commission on January 24, and the City recently approved a traffic study for the development. A Chagrin Solon Sun editorial says it's "a project that needs to move forward."

Update: Solon City Council approved a development agreement for the project.

Macy's announced that its store at Parmatown Mall is among five locations it will close this spring. The 288,000-square-foot store opened in 1960.

Update: Parmatown's court-appointed receiver says it could make the mall more attractive to developers.

Giant Eagle wants to build a 92,600-square-foot supermarket and a gas station on the 13.5-acre Strongsville Golf property on Pearl Road. The new store would replace the existing Giant Eagle next to SouthPark Center. The site's zoning is currently spit between residential and recreation/restaurant classifications, and City Council voted to place the rezoning on the March ballot.

Update: Rust Wire criticized the project, calling it a prime example of urban sprawl.

Despite protests by residents, the Lakewood Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for a McDonald's restaurant on the current site of the closed Detroit Theater. The company plans to begin work immediately. City officials hope to install a traffic light at the intersection of Detroit and Woodward avenues.

Update: the Sun Post-Herald has more details.

As the West Side Market approaches its 2012 centennial, Ohio City Incorporated is raising funds for events and improvements.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial called it a "long-term, long-overdue commitment to Cleveland's culinary treasure."

South Euclid City Council approved the sale of approximately seven acres of the Cedar Center property to developer the Coral Co, and company president Peter Rubin revealed some of the tenants coming to the redeveloped shopping center. The City also recently sold an outlot to Bob Evans, and the GFS Marketplace store held its grand opening.

A traffic study conducted for the proposed McDonald's in Lakewood said that the restaurant would not have an adverse impact on traffic. Neighbors were not satisfied with the report's recommendations. The City's Planning Commission postponed its vote on the proposal to build the McDonald's on the site of the closed Detroit Theater.

CenterMark Development will redevelop a former Tops supermarket on Superior Avenue in Glenville. The 65,000-square-foot Shops at Garrett Square will include a Save-A-Lot grocery store and a discount clothing retailer.

The retail portion in the first phase of the Uptown development is 95% leased. It will include a grocer, a bookstore, and restaurants when construction is completed in the spring. The $44.5 million phase one will add 102 apartments and over 56,000 square feet of retail in University Circle.

The Coral Co. plans to begin construction of 60,000 square feet of retail space at Cedar Center within 30 to 60 days. The company intends to complete the first phase of the redevelopment project in South Euclid by the end of 2012.

By a vote of 6 to 1 (PDF), the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a South Euclid group properly submitted a referendum petition on the rezoning of the Oakwood Club property. The Court said that the City must either rescind the rezoning or place the issue on the November ballot. The citizens group was pleased and the developer was disappointed.

Update: City Council unanimously voted to put the rezoning issue on the November ballot.

The Lakewood Architectural Board of Review approved designs for a McDonald's restaurant on the site of the closed Detroit Theater. The City's Planning Commission may discuss the plans in October.

Update: Lakewood Patch has more information.

McDonald's is pursuing its proposal to build a restaurant on the current site of the closed Detroit Theater in Lakewood, and submitted plans to the City. The Lakewood Architectural Board of Review will discuss the proposal at its September 8 meeting.

Parmatown Mall's court-appointed receiver said that the mall is a candidate for demalling, citing the redevelopment of Westgate as an example.

In July, opponents of the planned Oakwood Commons development submitted a petition for a referendum on the rezoning of the property. On Monday, South Euclid City Council rejected the petition, saying that petitioners failed to file a certified copy of the ordinance with the City prior to its circulation.

Update: City Council rejected the petition because the certified copy was submitted to the clerk of council instead of the finance director.

Update 2: a citizens group is challenging the decision. A Sun News editorial says that residents "should be given the chance to speak their minds at the ballot box."

At a Lakewood Architectural Board of Review meeting, McDonald's representatives shared a conceptual site plan for a restaurant on the site of the closed Detroit Theater. Members of the board had several concerns about the design. The company is expected to formally present plans at the board's next meeting on August 11. Michael Gill said that board members will need courage as the process proceeds.

Parmatown Mall was placed in receivership at the request of its mortgage lender. The mall will be put up for sale. Mayor DePiero of Parma said that he remains cautiously optimistic (PDF) about the future of the mall.

Update: City officials have recommended redeveloping the mall.

Representatives of McDonald's will present conceptual designs for a restaurant on the site of the closed Detroit Theater at a Lakewood Architectural Board of Review work session on July 14. A group of residents is trying to save the theater.

Property owners in Kamm's Corners (PDF) are considering the creation of a special improvement district. Several other Cleveland neighborhoods have SIDs in place. Businesses in the Cedar-Taylor area may form a merchants association.

South Euclid City Council unanimously voted to rezone 40.7 acres of the former Oakwood Club for developer Mitchell Schneider's proposed Oakwood Commons shopping center. Schneider hopes to break ground in September. Opponents want to to place a referendum on the November ballot.

Developer Mitchell Schneider told South Euclid City Council that he intends to increase the amount of permeable pavement at his proposed Oakwood Commons retail development and that he would pay the City $12,000 per year for maintenance of the undeveloped portion of the property. He also shared two conceptual designs (PDFs) for the project.

In late May, McDonald's informed the City of Lakewood that it was interested in building on the site of the closed Detroit Theater. More than 150 people attended a public forum on Wednesday evening, where City officials described the issues and the process. The residents in attendance overwhelmingly opposed demolition of the theater.

On Monday, developer Mitchell Schneider spoke with South Euclid City Council's Planning and Zoning Committee about his proposed Oakwood Commons retail development.

A Wednesday public hearing about the proposal to rezone the South Euclid portion of the former Oakwood Club property attracted a large audience. Prior to the meeting, a group of citizens protested outside. The 72 residents who spoke at the meeting expressed a variety of opinions.

Plans to demolish the former St. Paul Lutheran Church on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood for a CVS store are proceeding through the review process. Meanwhile, Michael Gill looked to Cleveland's Hessler Road and Collinwood neighborhoods for ideas about saving the closed Detroit Theater from possible demolition. Several construction projects are also planned for the West 117th Street corridor along the Cleveland-Lakewood border.

Northeast Ohio retail developers at the annual International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Las Vegas are focusing on renovations and expansions of existing shopping centers. Stark Enterprises is seeking upscale retailers for the final phase of Crocker Park in Westlake.

The South Euclid Planning Commission discussed the Coral Co.'s plans for the redevelopment of the north side of Cedar Center. Developer Peter Rubin said he will incorporate the feedback into the plans. A GFS Marketplace store at the western end of the site was approved in January, and Gordon Food Service purchased 1.4 acres of the property for the store in February. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in April.

When Giant Eagle opens its new store in Broadview Heights next year, the company intends to close its store on Chippewa Road in Brecksville.

On Thursday, the South Euclid Planning Commission unanimously voted to rezone 40.7 acres of the former Oakwood Club property from residential to retail for the proposed Oakwood Commons development and to change the City's comprehensive plan (PDF). The issue now moves to City Council, which will hold public hearings (PDF) on May 18 and May 25.

Fresh Water looked at how Cleveland artists are using temporary pop-up shops to revive vacant storefronts, market their wares, and establish connections.

More than 100 people attended a Thursday FutureHeights forum prompted by the proposed Oakwood Commons development. At the event, Terry Schwarz, Hunter Morrison, and Ed Jerse spoke about land use, regionalism, urban sprawl, and the importance of master planning.

Update: video of the forum is now available.

The West Side Market Centennial Commission's final report (PDF) includes suggestions for improving market operations, enhancing the Market District, and for the market's centennial celebration.

More than 150 people attended a meeting of the South Euclid Planning Commission on Thursday to discuss the proposed Oakwood Commons retail development. Most of those who spoke opposed the project. Consultants with McKenna Associates recently completed a review of the rezoning proposal. Earlier in the week, developer First Interstate Properties announced that it is exercising its option to purchase the 90-acre Cleveland Heights portion of the property. The company has not finalized its concept for the land in Cleveland Heights. Blogger Bob Rosenbaum considered the rhetoric surrounding the proposed development.

Update: the Sun News summarized the report from McKenna Associates.

Update 2: the Sun Messenger continues to support the proposal.

Solon City Council voted unanimously to renew to extend the Solar Shopping Center redevelopment agreement for the third time. Its developers are optimistic that they will be able to reach a deal with anchor store Giant Eagle.

Developer Andrew Brickman would like to demolish an Edgewater Drive estate in Lakewood and build the Townhomes of Edgewater on the 2.6-acre site. The new development would consist of 14 detached 1,800 to 2,000-square-foot townhouses. Lakewood officials are also considering a proposal to raze the former St. Paul Lutheran Church on Detroit Avenue to make way for a new 14,000-square-foot CVS store.

Construction of the Renaissance Park shopping center in Strongsville remains stalled while its former developer's bankruptcy issues remain unsettled. The Timberstone Group of Toledo filed for bankruptcy in September 2009.

Civic Economics and the American Booksellers Association issued the Indie City Index, a comparison of the strength of independent retailers by metropolitan area. It assigned a score to each metropolitan area in the United States. Of the 363 metropolitan areas, the Cleveland MSA was ranked 356th, earning the lowest score among metropolitan areas with populations between 1 and 3 million.

South Euclid City Council referred the proposed rezoning for the Oakwood Commons development to the City's Planning Commission. Residents at the City Council meeting expressed their objections to the proposed big box retail. Community Services Director Keith Benjamin believes the area can support additional stores, and Ward 4 Councilwoman Jane Goodman supports the project. Oakwood Club leaders are satisfied with the sale to First Interstate Properties.

Update: Thursday's Sound of Ideas program was devoted to a discussion of the issues. Fresh Water asked if the area can support more retail, while a Sun Messenger editorial backed the proposed development.

South Euclid boards and commissions approved plans for the first phase of the Cedar Center redevelopment, which will be anchored by a GFS Marketplace store. It's scheduled to open this fall.

Developer First Interstate Properties of Lyndhurst is purchasing the 154-acre former Oakwood Club site. It paid $1.8 million for 62 acres in South Euclid and has a contract to buy the other 92 acres in Cleveland Heights. The company plans to develop the property as Oakwood Commons, which would consist of 22 acres of apartments around the former clubhouse building, 63 acres of retail with 500,000 square feet of stores, and 69 acres of parkland. The Cleveland Heights portion is zoned for residential use, and would require a rezoning. Neighbors of the property are trying to preserve the entire site as a park, and say that the development would destroy too much greenspace.

Update: many residents are opposed to the development, although not as vehemently as in the 1990s. They shared their concerns at at Cleveland Heights City Council meeting, which drew about 75 people. Blogger Hank Drake considered whether the area has too much retail.

The Broadview Heights Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals approved plans for a new Giant Eagle supermarket on Route 82. The proposal had been tabled earlier this month. The Board of Zoning Appeals granted six zoning variances for the development.

This week's issue of Scene looked at the emerging clothing district at Coventry Village in Cleveland Heights.

The Cuyahoga County Department of Development posted the Randall Park Mall Redevelopment Plan, a document prepared by Larry Finch for the Devland Group.

Fairlawn leaders are concerned about plans to build new Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in neighboring Copley Township, and may close two roads in an effort to keep the stores in Fairlawn. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart recently completed a 46,000-square-foot expansion of its Macedonia store, and Giant Eagle hopes to build a 14,184-square-foot expansion of its Brunswick store.

Following voter approval of a zoning change for a proposed Giant Eagle store, officials in Broadview Heights have begun reviewing plans for the supermarket. It is expected to be 84,000 square feet and will include a gas station.

South African developer Neill Bernstein elaborated on his plans for Devland City, his proposed redevelopment of Randall Park Mall. The closed North Randall shopping mall would become a mixed-use facility for offices, manufacturing, distribution, and events, but not retail. He is scheduled to acquire the mall and two of its anchors in December, and he intends to use it as a model for redeveloping other malls across the country.

Giant Eagle revealed that it is the previously-unidentified company that has proposed building a supermarket in Broadview Heights. Voters will decide a rezoning issue for the property on November 2.

Research conducted by the Brookings Institution and the Reinvestment Fund examined access to supermarkets in 10 metropolitan areas, including Cleveland. In the Cleveland MSA (PDF), they found that 11.3% of the population lives in areas with poor access to supermarkets. Results of the analysis for the 10 profiled areas and for the entire nation are available at the Reinvestment Fund's PolicyMap.

The planned Market District in Ohio City is attracting new and relocated retail establishments to the area.

Voters in Broadview Heights will decide a proposed retail rezoning for three parcels on Royalton Road. An undisclosed developer is interested in building a supermarket there. An earlier rezoning issue for the area was approved by voters in November 2008.

The Parma Planning Commission approved expansion plans for the Wal-Mart store at Parmatown Mall. The store will become a supercenter, and the 10,034-square-foot addition will increase its size to 161,840 square feet.

As the 2012 centennial of Cleveland's West Side Market approaches, the City's West Side Market Centennial Commission has begun to explore potential changes to the market and its surrounding neighborhood.

An Akron Beacon Journal article summarized the recent AMATS study on the proposed relocation of the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in Montrose. An editorial says that "the challenge is for communities to examine together the impact of the proposed move."

An Akron developer has proposed building a retail development on Rothrock Road in Copley Township, possibly to attract the Wal-Mart store from neighboring Fairlawn. Rothrock Road Retail Center would consist of a 147,806-square-foot building and a 136,367-square-foot building. Fairlawn officials are leery of losing the store, and residents in Copley are concerned about the impacts of new development.

Update: AMATS published the Rothrock Road/Montrose Planning Study. It's intended to "offer a clear‐headed, fair‐minded, and accurate planning‐level assessment of the likely consequences that the development and eventual build‐out of the west side of Rothrock Road will have on the transportation system in Montrose."

Several retailers, including Wal-Mart, plan to open or expand stores at Macedonia Commons. Wal-Mart's 46,000-square-foot addition should be finished this year.

Operators of Solar Shopping Center still intend to proceed with stalled redevelopment plans, but some members of Solon City Council do not share their optimism.

At yesterday's Cleveland Housing Court hearing, three neighbors of a neglected house in Cleveland filed restitution claims. The City of Cleveland also filed a claim.

Plans for the Twinsburg Fashion Place lifestyle center remain stalled. A representative of the developer said that the project is not dead.

Brunswick leaders attended an International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas, and repeated that a "major outdoor retailer" has plans to build in the city by 2011.

Businesses in Strongsville are reusing formerly-vacant properties.

Issue 46 failed by 25 votes in Strongsville's Ward 4, according to unofficial election results. Developers will wait for an official tally on the rezoning issue before deciding their next steps.

The Ohio City Near West Development Corporation plans to attract specialty and independent retailers to the area around the West Side Market, and brand the neighborhood as the Market District.

RMS Investment Corp.'s plans for Parmatown Mall include the construction of five freestanding buildings in the parking lot around the mall, and a 10,034-square-foot expansion of its Wal-Mart. The Parma Planning Commission approved a portion of the proposal.

Devland Holdings signed a contract to buy Randall Park Mall in North Randall. The company plans to redevelop the mall as a mixed-use project that would include light industry and research and development space.

Little has happened at Solar Shopping Center since Solon voters approved a rezoning in November. A Giant Eagle spokesman said that "the future of the site remains unclear".

Issue 46 in Strongsville is a proposal to rezone portions of a 1.4-acre site at the southeastern corner of Royalton and Prospect roads from residential to retail. Heritage Development Company wants to build a 25,000-square-foot drug store and a 25,000-square-foot strip mall on the wooded property.

As part of the Fighting Fat coverage, WCPN's Eric Wellman explored Cleveland's food deserts.

The Ohio EPA announced that two local brownfield sites have completed the state's Voluntary Action Program and are ready for redevelopment. The properties are a 2.78-acre site on Cedar Avenue in Cleveland (PDF) and a 16-acre site on Northfield Road in Warrensville Heights (PDF).

A real estate consultant told Broadview Heights officials that the area around Route 82 and Broadview Road should be developed as a community-scale retail center.

The Berea Municipal Planning Commission approved the West Bagley Road Commercial District, a new zoning classification. The district's permitted uses include office, retail, and adult-oriented businesses.

Update: Berea City Council also approved the rezoning.

Giant Eagle exercised a right in its lease and vetoed the plans to reopen the former Wal-Mart store at City View Center as the Cuyahoga Convention Center.

A new food co-op opened on Carnegie Avenue. The Central Community Co-op will supply fresh produce to residents of Cleveland's Central neighborhood.

The City of Brunswick will use $16 million in federal Recovery Zone bonds for a $114 million, 83-acre retail development at I-71 and State Route 303. It will include "the only Northeast Ohio store for a renowned national outdoor retailer." City officials did not identify the company, but previously had been in negotiations with Cabela's.

Update: the Brunswick Sun has more details.

The former Wal-Mart store at City View Center in Garfield Heights will reopen next month as the Cuyahoga Convention Center. The struggling shopping center lost another tenant last week, when its Dick's Sporting Goods store closed. A similar convention facility will open in Euclid later this month.

The Brooklyn Planning Commission tabled plans for a 35,680-square-foot expansion of the Wal-Mart store on Brookpark Road.

Update: the Planning Commission discussed the plans further, but again did not approve them.

The Ohio Department of Development awarded a $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant to the City of Lyndhurst for brownfield remediation at the northeast corner of Mayfield and Brainard roads. The site will be redeveloped as a Key Bank branch. Cuyahoga County also received a $2.5 million grant for remediation at the Ben Venue Laboratories expansion in Bedford. The State awarded a total of 16 grants.

The new 147,244-square-foot Costco in Strongsville is scheduled to open next week. Meanwhile, specialty grocer Chandler & Rudd in Shaker Heights closed earlier this month after 145 years of business.

The exterior renovation of the Bailey Building in downtown Lakewood began last week. The work is scheduled to finish in the spring.

Update: the Lakewood Observer and Sun Post-Herald have more details.

Issue 83 in Solon is the proposed rezoning of Solar Shopping Center to the new C3-A commercial shopping center classification.

The Great Lakes Expo Center is a new meeting and convention center in Euclid. The 215,000-square-foot facility on Babbitt Road is a former Kmart store.

The interior makeover of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is half complete, as manager BAA modernizes the terminal and converts the airport's retail establishments to its airmall concept.

The owners of the Bailey Building in downtown Lakewood plan to remove its 1960s concrete facade to reveal the original 1920s brick building.

Solon City Council voted to place a rezoning issue on the November ballot for the proposed new Giant Eagle supermarket and Get-Go gas station at Solar Shopping Center. If approved by voters, the 20.99-acre site would be rezoned from C-3 commercial and O-3 office zoning to the newly-created C3-A commercial shopping center classification.

Update: the Solon Times spoke with residents about the proposal.

Keeping the aging commercial spaces along Pearl Road occupied poses a challenge for Parma Heights leaders.

The expanded Wal-Mart on Pearl Road in Strongsville opened on Wednesday. The renovation doubled the size of the store and converted it to a supercenter.

Update: the Sun Star Courier has more details.

Last week, North Olmsted City Council's Building, Zoning & Development Committee approved the proposed renovations of Great Northern Mall.

The Solon Planning Commission approved a new zoning classification. The C3-A classification could be used for the proposed new Giant Eagle supermarket and Get-Go gas station at Solar Shopping Center.

Giant Eagle executives have made their proposed new Solon store contingent upon the inclusion of a new on-site gas station. Construction could not occur without a rezoning. A Chagrin Solon Sun editorial says that Giant Eagle should instead revive of one of the City's vacant gas stations.

The Sun Post-Herald has more information about the planned renovation of Great Northern Mall.

Update: the North Olmsted Board of Zoning Appeals approved signage variances for the project.

Great Northern Mall officials are planning a multimillion-dollar renovation of the mall, including updates to the interior and exterior.

Citing financial difficulties, Timberstone Group of Toledo dropped its plans to build to build more retail at Renaissance Park in Strongsville. The company's other project in Strongsville, a partially-completed outlot at SouthPark Center, is facing foreclosure.

The owners of Solar Shopping Center are planning major renovations and an expansion of the plaza, including the construction of a 90,900-square-foot Giant Eagle supermarket. The proposal calls for rezoning several parcels. The City of Solon recently hired a law firm to assist in its negotiations.

Most retailers at First & Main in Hudson are surviving the recession. The mixed-use development will celebrate its fifth anniversary in October.

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

The Ohio EPA is offering financial assistance for the design and construction of methane extraction systems at City View Center in Garfield Heights.

Proposals in a draft of the new Solon master plan would enlarge the City's commercial areas. Meanwhile, Giant Eagle hopes to double the size of its Solar Center store to 99,900 square feet. Six parcels on Aurora Road must be rezoned by residents in order for the expansion to proceed.

Solon Planning Director Rob Frankland told City Council that major local firms are interested in redeveloping Solon Square and Solar shopping centers.

North Royalton officials attended the recent ICSC conference in Las Vegas and came to the conclusion that the Town Center district must be developed in phases. Community Development Director Thomas Jordan said that "the concept of getting 300 acres under development all at one time and getting a bank to finance the acquisition and construction in one large loan is unrealistic."

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.

The Ohio EPA filed contempt of court charges (PDF) against developer John McGill for failing to make environmental improvements at City View Center in Garfield Heights. McGill Property Group officials say that the company lacks the money to install the systems at the shopping center. John McGill recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Florida.

Fairview Park officials are developing a strategy to address the elevated number of retail vacancies along Lorain Road.

Hemingway Development purchased the St. Jude Parish property in Warrensville Heights from the Diocese of Cleveland for $2 million. They plan to redevelop it as Hemingway at Richmond, an office park with a retail component.

Solon Planning Director Rob Frankland told City Council that they may have to allow the construction of big box retail developments for the City's shopping centers to remain competitive. Simultaneously, Giant Eagle has begun talking about building a new store at an undisclosed site that is not near Solon's other retail establishments. As part of the master planning process, Frankland suggested enlarging the City's commercial districts. He also said the plan may call for widening Solon Road. The City has posted two sections of the draft master plan (PDFs). Two more special meetings will be held in early June.

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 Ohio EPA approved a methane extraction plan for the City View Center site in Garfield Heights. The property's court-appointed receiver is optimistic about the shopping center's future.

Aurora City Council voted to begin a "meaningful dialogue" about the proposed Aurora-Bainbridge JEDD, but the Bainbridge Township Trustees rejected the proposal by a vote of 2-1.

The Euclid City Schools will not convert Euclid Square Mall into a school building, but leaders are considering other options for building large middle and elementary schools.

The owner of the deteriorating Hilliard Square Theatre in Lakewood hopes to sell the building to someone who would restore it.

As part of their proposal to create an Aurora-Bainbridge Township JEDD, officials with shopping center developers McGill Property Group are seeking $600,000 from Bainbridge Township and $600,000 from the City of Aurora.

The retail consultant who last year proposed a retail strategy for Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland has refined his suggestion to include a collection of upscale outlet stores. Reactions to the concept have been generally favorable.

Costco has received permits to build a 147,244-square-foot store at the new Plaza at SouthPark shopping center in Strongsville. The store is scheduled to open in November. When completed, the shopping center at I-71 and Royalton Road will have 300,000 square feet of retail space.

City View Center in Garfield Heights landed in receivership after owner City View Center LLC defaulted on its loan. The investor group purchased the troubled shopping center from the McGill Property Group in 2006 for a reported $100 million.

Update: the Plain Dealer described the situation as going "from fairy-tale development to nightmare".

Solon's new master plan may call for tearing down three shopping centers and replacing them with new retail and mixed-use construction that would stand closer to the street.

Mayor Longo of Garfield Heights said that a new developer is partnering with Snider-Cannata Interests on the troubled Bridgeview Crossing shopping center, but did not name the developer.

The Ohio EPA will monitor construction at the closed Matousek landfill in Garfield Heights. Developers have proposed building a second phase of the City View Center retail development, as well as a quarter-mile extension of Transportation Boulevard to Rockside Road.

The expansion of the Renaissance Park shopping center at Pearl and Whitney Roads in Strongsville is proceeding, but at a slower pace than anticipated. The expansion of the nearby Wal-Mart should be completed by late spring or early summer.

The McGill Property Group wants the Bainbridge-Solon JEDD to be expanded to include the company's Shops at Marketplace development in Bainbridge. The JEDD currently encompasses McGill's Marketplace North center.

Update: McGill also proposed establishing a new Aurora-Bainbridge JEDD.

The City of Fairview Park reached an agreement with the owner of the Cleveland Motel. The owner will demolish the Lorain Road building, and the City of Fairview Park will purchase the site for $120,000. The City also bought the Country Inn Motel last fall. Both were acquired for future redevelopment.

Update: Fairview Park City Council approved the agreement.

The McGill Property Group says that it is unable to reimburse the City of Parma Heights for the $133,000 in fees it incurred as part of the Greenbrier Crossing development. The City will attempt to recoup the money in court, and will also proceed with property maintenance violation charges.

Independence City Council is considering legislation to put a downtown zoning overlay district on the May ballot. The overlay would permit retail and multi-family development, including senior housing. Multi-family housing is not currently allowed in the City. Last year, the City surveyed Independence seniors about their preferences.

Update: the overlay district will appear on the May ballot.

Demolition of the north side of Cedar Center was scheduled to begin earlier this week.

The Jacobs Group dropped its plans to build retail on a 30-acre portion of the former Geauga Lake site in Bainbridge Township after the development's would-be anchor store pulled out of the project.

Update: Crain's Cleveland Business has more details.

The Macedonia Planning Commission approved expansion plans for the Wal-Mart at Macedonia Commons. The plans call for converting the store to a supercenter by building a 46,000-square-foot addition to the 121,000-square-foot store.

Contractors that have worked on the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights filed about $9.5 million in liens against the property this month.

Valley View officials say that their concerns about City View Center have been addressed by the recent settlement between shopping center owners and the Ohio EPA.

The Plain Dealer looked at the renovation plans for the closed Variety Theater on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland's West Boulevard neighborhood and the La Salle Theater on East 185th Street in North Collinwood.

With the Ohio EPA lawsuit resolved, McGill Property Group hopes to proceed with a second phase of construction at City View shopping center in Garfield Heights. Developers of the nearby Bridgeview Crossing shopping center may ask City Council to approve modified plans for its development.

South Euclid City Council authorized the expenditure of $1.8 million to raze the north side of Cedar Center. Demolition is expected to begin later this month.

McGill Properties wants to restructure the tax increment financing agreement for its Greenbriar Crossing development in Parma Heights, without which the company may be unable to proceed with construction.

The Bridgeview Crossing shopping center under construction in Garfield Heights continues to experience financial setbacks. In addition to the previously reported issues with the Lowe's store, Target has not closed on the purchase of 8.5 acres for its store. Port Authority bonds for the development are on hold.

The City of Cleveland sued Standex International, the former owner of the Trinity property on Detroit Road, and is seeking more than $1.5 million in compensation for the environmental cleanup of the site. Meanwhile, the Ohio EPA reached a settlement with the owners of City View Center in Garfield Heights. The developers agreed to make major infrastructure improvements (PDF) and pay a $1.2 million fine.

The Ohio EPA is close to reaching a settlement with developers and the City of Garfield Heights in the City View Center lawsuit. A trial was scheduled to begin on December 8, but was pushed back to December 15.

Lowe's "has backed away from closing" on its store at Bridgeview Crossing, creating another delay for the shopping center under development in Garfield Heights. The Plain Dealer reports that it's unclear if Lowe's has pulled out of the project entirely.

The old Commodore Theater in Collinwood has been demolished.

Wal-Mart wants to convert its store at Macedonia Commons to a supercenter with a 46,000-square-foot expansion of the 121,000-square-foot store. Mayor Kuchta supports the plans.

The City of Twinsburg will hire a consultant to help analyze the costs and benefits of the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center. The results will inform City officials in anticipated tax increment financing negotiations.

The Jacobs Group is under contract to purchase 30 acres of the 540-acre Geauga Lake site from Cedar Fair. The property is in Bainbridge Township, and the company intends develop it as big box retail.

Update: the Aurora Advocate has more information.

The City of Fairview Park may purchase the Country Inn Motel on Lorain Road. Plans call for making the property attractive to developers by demolishing the building and preparing the site for redevelopment.

The final anchor store in the redeveloped Westgate shopping center opened late last month. Developers, retailers, and municipal officials in Fairview Park and Rocky River are all pleased with the project.

Midwest Real Estate News spoke with four Greater Cleveland real estate professionals about the local commercial real estate market.

Crain's Cleveland Business looked at the storefront renovation programs in Cleveland Heights, Gates Mills, and Parma.

This year, 11 businesses in Parma Heights participated in a storefront renovation program offered by the First Suburbs Development Council.

Issue 105 in Solon is a proposal to rezone 3.4 acres adjacent to Solar Shopping Center from office to retail. The land might be used for a new Giant Eagle supermarket.

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.

CNNMoney.com used North Randall as an example of the social and economic impacts of a declining mall. The article quotes Peter Lawson Jones as saying that the Village "could become the first municipal fatality in North Ohio" if it is unable to revitalize Randall Park Mall.

While market conditions have forced the cancellation of some proposed retail projects, developers of the upscale Twinsburg Fashion Place in Summit County and the Cedar Center redevelopment in South Euclid are proceeding with their plans.

The newly formed Madison Avenue Business Association in Lakewood is working to promote independent retailers and enhance the street's historical character.

Plans have bogged down for a $25 million retail/office complex at Tuxedo Avenue and Granger Road in Brooklyn Heights, but Mayor Procuk said that the "deal is not dead in the water."

Because of the changing financial climate, developers of the Renaissance Park retail development in Strongsville opted to use traditional financing instead of the TIF package approved last year.

Shaker Heights City Council confirmed its support of the redevelopment plan for the Warrensville-Van Aken area. The City will work with the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office to obtain an ODOT grant for reconfiguring the six-way intersection.

WKSU's NEO Development series continues with a look at the future of mixed-use development in Northeast Ohio and how economic issues are affecting the development landscape.

Solon City Council rejected a rezoning request for a 2.38 acre site at the southeast corner of SOM Center and Miles roads. A Mentor developer had hoped to build a gas station or retail on the property.

Visconsi Companies announced that the Plaza at SouthPark will be anchored by a 147,000 square foot Costco. The shopping center under construction at I-71 and Route 82 in Strongsville will also include a Best Buy and a Bed Bath & Beyond. The stores are expected to open in fall 2009.

Update: the Sun Star has more information.

Citing safety concerns, Wal-Mart indefinitely closed its store at City View Center this morning. A company spokesperson said that the list of problems includes "structural shifts, foundation issues, electrical issues, methane gas level issues, sewage backup," and that Wal-Mart does not intend to reopen the store.

Update: the Plain Dealer and WTAM have more details.

Mayor Longo of Garfield Heights is confident that the Ohio EPA's lawsuit against City View Center will be resolved soon.

While the developer of Mayfield Heights Town Center is happy with the performance of the shopping center, Brunswick Town Center in Medina County has not lived up to expectations.

The Ohio EPA remains unsatisfied with the efforts to monitor and vent methane gas at City View Center, and has threatened to shut down the shopping center in Garfield Heights if the issues are not resolved.

The old Commodore Theater at Lake Shore Boulevard and East 152nd Street in Collinwood may be demolished this year.

The Avon Planning Commission approved plans for the planned new YMCA and for Heritage Village, a 79,000 square foot shopping center proposed for Detroit Road.

Parma Heights City Council passed a tax increment financing agreement for the Greenbriar Crossing development at West 130th Street and Pearl Road. The agreement also requires the approval of the Parma Board of Education.

Solon City Council agreed to place one of the two Solar Shopping Center rezoning proposals on the November ballot. An office to retail rezoning issue for a 3.4 acre parcel on SOM Center Road will appear on the ballot, but a similar issue for a 2.6 acre parcel on Aurora Road will not.

The planned redevelopment of the South Euclid side of Cedar Center will require public investment, thought the precise cost has yet to be established. The Cuyahoga County Department of Development is assisting the City with the environmental cleanup of the property.

The Village of North Randall is facing financial adversity caused by the decline of its commercial areas. It was designated a situational distressed community and is receiving assistance from the the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office. If conditions do not improve, the Village may need to merge into a neighboring community.

Demolition of the structures at Pearl and Whitney Roads in Strongsville is underway, and an expansion of the Renaissance Park shopping center will be built on the site. The first 6,200 square foot building in the 125,000 square foot development (PDF) will open in April.

Broadview Heights voters may see additional rezoning issues on the November ballot. The Jacobs Group wants to rezone five parcels along Route 82 from office laboratory to general retail.

Valley View officials are confident that stormwater controls at the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center under construction in neighboring Garfield Heights will prevent additional flooding in Valley View.

Parma Heights City Council will be asked to approve a tax increment financing package for the Greenbrier Crossing development at Pearl Road and West 130th Street.

The developers of the proposed retail and office project and at Tuxedo Avenue and Granger Road in Brooklyn Heights have modified their plans to include two office buildings instead of one. They are still seeking tenants for the development.

The Twinsburg Township Trustees unanimously voted to rezone the site of the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center from residential and neighborhood commercial to interchange mixed use.

Update: the Twinsburg Bulletin supplies more details.

Paperwork problems have caused another delay for the Bridgeview Crossing project in Garfield Heights.

By a vote of 3-2, the Solon Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a request to rezone two parcels adjacent to Solar Shopping Center, saying that the plans for the properties were too vague and kept changing.

The Brooklyn Planning Commission denied a proposal for an extended-stay hotel at I-480 and Tiedeman Road. The company is pursuing an alternate site in Cleveland.

One homeowner on the site of the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center is refusing to sell her house. Developer Dr. Bahman Guyuron said that "the project is going to go forward, whether she cooperates or not."

Alcoa accepted a bid from a partnership of three Chagrin Valley residents for the historic Ivex mill in Chagrin Falls. The price was not disclosed. They plan to convert the 1841 building to a community center featuring a hotel, theater, and microbrewery.

The developer of Bridgeview Crossing said that its pace of construction will increase soon. Work on the shopping center in Garfield Heights is behind schedule. Major tenants in the development are expected to include Aldi, Lowe's, JC Penney, and Target.

A company is seeking a conditional use permit to build a four-story extended stay hotel near the I-480 exit at Tiedeman Road. Brooklyn officials are concerned that it could interfere with their plans to redesign the interchange.

At the request of the Ohio EPA, the Ohio Attorney General's Office filed a 25-count complaint against the owners and operators of City View Center in Garfield Heights. The lawsuit alleges (PDF) that departures from approved plans resulted in insufficient controls for erosion, leachate management, and methane collection.

Update: the Garfield-Maple Sun supplies more details.

A story in yesterday's Akron Beacon Journal examines the overbuilt retail market in Summit County. It references the Northeast Ohio Regional Retail Analysis and the 2007 follow-up study done by Cleveland State students.

If the proposed rezoning for the Twinsburg Fashion Place development is approved, members of the Twinsburg Board of Education expect that they will be asked to authorize a TIF package for the retail project.

A 140 room hotel has been proposed for a property near the I-480 interchange at Great Northern Boulevard in North Olmsted. The 13.59 acre site is currently zoned for office development, and would require a rezoning to proceed.

The City of Parma Heights is suing Matt McGill of the McGill Property Group over the poor conditions at the site of the planned Greenbriar Crossing development.

Road improvements will be needed if the proposed Central Park project is approved. Solon City Council is considering two road improvement plans, both of which include a new connector road between Aurora and Solon Roads. Meanwhile, the Coral Co. denied an accusation that it's trying to lure tenants from Solar Shopping Center to Central Park. The City will hold a public hearing about Central Park on August 4.

The historic May Company building on Public Square in Cleveland will be redeveloped as retail and residential space. The ground floor is slated to house a restaurant and a nightclub, and the upper stories will be renovated as residences and possibly a small hotel. An earlier renovation attempt called for converting it into the Public Square Tech Center.

Site preparation is continuing for the retail development at I-71 and Route 82 in Strongsville, although no plans have been officially announced. Developer Visconsi Companies may reveal its plans in July.

The Coral Co. decided not to pursue an assisted living component for the mixed-use Central Park project. Meanwhile, the owner of nearby Solar Shopping Center accused the Coral Co. of trying to steal his tenants for the proposed development.

The sale of Randall Park Mall is not proceeding as expected. Mayor Smith of North Randall said that "Cincinnati United Contractors is still involved, but at this point it's hard for me to say at what level - if it will be a significant level or if it will be a minimal level." Officials also asked the state to designate the Village as a situational distress area, which would give it priority in state loan and grant programs.

The City of Rocky River maintains a spreadsheet of vacant office, warehouse, and commercial properties that are for sale or lease. It is available on the City's website.

The Euclid City Schools expect to receive school construction funds from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, and will either convert Euclid Square Mall into the proposed K-8 Euclid Educational Center or will build new elementary and middle schools. One drawback of the mall site is that it would necessitate busing for nearly all students.

The final draft of the redevelopment plan for the 60 acre Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district was shown to Shaker Heights City Council this week. Council members were generally positive about the plan, but had questions about finding funds for the $70 million redevelopment and reconfiguration.

South Euclid officials say that demolition of the north side of Cedar Center may begin in August. At Cleveland State, exterior demolition of University Center started this morning.

A Cincinnati company signed a contract to purchase Randall Park Mall for an undisclosed price. The company plans to keep the mall open while it explores ideas for redeveloping the property. Redevelopment possibilities include schools, medical businesses, offices, hotels, or retail.

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.

Yesterday's Plain Dealer included a rundown of the downtown Cleveland development projects that have a retail component. The article examined Bob Stark's Warehouse District plans, ideas for the redevelopment of Euclid Avenue, the Avenue District, and the Flats east bank development.

On Friday, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority voted to issue $40 million in tax-exempt bonds for the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights. Some hope that the new center will create a regional draw when it is added to nearby retail development. Critics of the decision say that the Port Authority should not be subsidizing retail developments.

Randall Park Mall will close on June 12, although the anchors with exterior entrances will remain open. Mayor Smith of North Randall views it as an opportunity for redevelopment. Meanwhile, consultants for the Euclid Board of Education raised the possibility of turning Euclid Square Mall into the Euclid Educational Center.

The Solon Planning and Zoning Commission needs more information about the proposed expansion of Solar Shopping Center before it can rule on the project.

The planned retail development on the site of the former Boston Hills Country Club continues to be a source of controversy, and a Boston Heights resident is now suing the Village for overriding last year's referendum issue.

The poor national retail climate has led many large retailers to scale back their expansion plans. Cabela's recently announced that it would join them, which means that the company's plans for a Brunswick store have been delayed.

The challenges experienced by the owners and staff of the movie theater at Randall Park Mall exemplify the problems facing retailers in North Randall's struggling mall.

Ernst & Young confirmed that it will move to a new office tower in the Flats east bank development. The 21 story building will be known as Ernst & Young Tower. A Plain Dealer editorial says that this "means that the mammoth task of revitalizing the Flats" east bank "is really going to happen." Developers also unveiled new conceptual images of the planned mixed-use project, and announced that they secured $4 million from HUD for an unidentified supermarket in the development. Half of the award is a grant, and the other half is a loan.

The University Square shopping center in University Heights has not performed up to expectations, both financially and physically. It has never been fully leased, and cracks in its garage support beams were discovered in March.

On Monday, Shaker Heights City Council approved plans to redevelop the Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district and reconfigure its six-way intersection.

The Village of Boston Heights settled a lawsuit with the developers seeking to build on the former Boston Heights Country Club site. The settlement (PDF) allows the developers to construct retail and office space on 100 acres of the 160 acre property.

Avon City Council recently approved two rezoning requests for land near the planned I-90 interchange at Nagel Road. An 18 acre site at Jaycox and Chester Roads was rezoned to permit commercial development, and a 32 acre site at Nagel Road and I-90 was rezoned from residential to general business. City Council tabled two other rezoning requests for properties at Center and Detroit Roads that are involved in a legal battle.

Owners of properties near the I-77 interchange at Route 82 had mixed reactions to Mayor Alai's proposal for rezoning the area. Broadview Heights voters will have the opportunity to vote on two rezoning issues in November.

A business on Transportation Boulevard is contesting an eviction notice filed by the City of Garfield Heights. Last month, the City took ownership of the building that houses the company.

The City of Garfield Heights is attempting to evict tenants from buildings it is acquiring via eminent domain. The City intends to take 56 parcels for roads leading to the under construction Bridgeview Crossing shopping center.

At a work session last week, Shaker Heights City Council discussed the final plans for the redevelopment of the Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district. Council is expected to vote on the plans on April 28.

Update: the Plain Dealer provides additional details.

Brunswick officials say that Cabela's still plans to build a store at Center Road and I-71, although there have been rumors to the contrary.

The Ohio EPA has cited the owners of City View Center for at least 20 environmental violations, including a buildup of methane gas and seepage of polluted water into storm and sanitary sewers. The shopping center in Garfield Heights was the first major commercial development in the state to be built atop a closed landfill.

The Village of Boston Heights reached a tentative settlement (PDF) with the developer seeking to build big box retail and possibly a hospital on the site of the former Boston Hills Country Club. Village leaders approved a similar development last spring, but it was rejected by voters in a November referendum issue. The developer responded by suing the Village. Residents are now considering litigation of their own.

At a public hearing in Twinsburg Township, some residents expressed their support for the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center, but were concerned that the City of Twinsburg might attempt to annex the property. Developer Bahman Guyuron characterized the situation as a race between his project and the proposed mixed-use Central Parc development in Solon.

Central Parc is facing a potential delay due to issues surrounding the planned expansion of a stormwater detention basin near North Huntington Drive. The development could also create increased costs for the City due to the projected need to hire additional safety personnel.

The owners of Solar Shopping Center are planning $10 million in renovations to the center at Aurora and SOM Center Roads in Solon. Their plans also call for the expansion of the Giant Eagle supermarket from 56,000 square feet to 80,000-90,000 square feet, plus the construction of a GetGo gas station, additional retail space, and an unidentified restaurant. The project includes a proposed office to retail rezoning, which would require voter approval.

The Chagrin Falls Board of Zoning Appeals tabled developer Larry Shibley's plan for the commercial portion of the property at Williams and West Orange Streets because it lacked sufficient parking. The BZA approved his condominium plans in February.

The Board of Zoning Appeals also approved a variance for the residential development at the Windsor Hospital site, authorizing the construction of 38 houses instead of the permitted 31.

Parma Heights officials are unhappy with the condition of the Greenbrier Crossing construction site at Pearl Road and West 130th Street.

The Twinsburg Township Zoning Commission is considering a rezoning request by the developer of the proposed 803,731 square foot Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center. The Zoning Commission is also contemplating the development's traffic implications. Developer Bahman Guyuron wants to begin construction as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Peter Rubin of the Coral Co. says that his proposed Central Parc development in Solon needs to be built first in order to reach its full economic potential.

The Lakewood Observer reports that Lakewood officials signed a memorandum of understanding last year to sell Kauffman Park to developers, but that the new mayoral administration considers the agreement to be "off the table".

Visconsi Companies has begun site preparation for the Plaza at Southpark, a retail development on 53 acres on Royalton Road near I-71 in Strongsville. The company would not comment on the project, but City officials say it will be anchored by a Costco.

This week's Twinsburg Sun asks many questions about Twinsburg Fashion Place, the proposed lifestyle center in Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township. Representatives of the developer will appear at the Twinsburg Township Zoning Commission meeting on Monday.

The last tenants in the South Euclid side of Cedar Center will leave by the end of May, and demolition might begin in June or July. The shopping center will be replaced with a 240,000 square foot mixed-use district with retail, office, residential, and civic space.

The City of Avon has seen a great deal of recent retail development, and more stores are planned or under construction. Additional requests for retail rezonings (PDF) have prompted some observers to ask if the area is at a saturation point.

Channel 8 reports that the Westgate redevelopment in Fairview Park and Rocky River is nearly complete.

Two rezoning requests are making their way through the approval process in Broadview Heights. Both properties are near the I-77 interchange at Route 82, and would be rezoned to general commercial, which would permit retail development.

Garfield Heights City Council approved the use of eminent domain for 20 parcels needed for the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center.

Construction of a 59,000 square foot addition to the Pearl Road Wal-Mart in Strongsville is expected to start this spring. When the expansion is complete, the store will become a supercenter.

Four Solon city councilmen will travel to Las Vegas in May to promote the City at the annual International Council of Shopping Centers convention.

Plans for the Twinsburg Fashion Place lifestyle center were unveiled yesterday. The proposed $100 million retail development would sit on 95 acres in Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township. Developers asserted that the project could create 1,200 jobs.

Update: the Plain Dealer gathered reactions to the announcement.

Now that Brooklyn Heights voters have approved a liquor law, the Krone Group will begin preparing site plans for its proposed retail development on Granger Road.

At the third and final public workshop last month, consultants for Shaker Heights presented a preferred redevelopment alternative for the 60 acre Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district. The plans (PDF) call for turning the six-way intersection into a four-way intersection, rebuilding the area as a mixed-use district, and relocating the intermodal transit center to a site south of Chagrin Boulevard.

The 203,000 square foot Wal-Mart supercenter on Rockside Road in Bedford opened on Friday. It is the company's second supercenter in Cuyahoga County.

Developer Greg Romes of Lake Pointe Construction plans to demolish the former Avon Center School on Detroit Road to make way for a shopping center. The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1910.

Construction of the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights is behind schedule. It was originally scheduled to open in November 2008, but the first stores are not expected to open until March 2009.

Beachwood City Council approved plans for a 113,000 square foot Life Time Fitness Center at Spectrum Parkway and Richmond Road in the Chagrin Highlands. Construction is expected to begin within one or two months.

The Lyndhurst Planning Commission was disappointed by the preliminary designs for a proposed Aldi supermarket on the site of the demolished Richmond Theatre on Mayfield Road. The City is currently under a six month development moratorium that was enacted in November.

Cities such as Cleveland, Westlake, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, and Avon Lake are still dealing with the withdrawal of Tops Supermarkets from Northeast Ohio in 2006.

Retail redevelopment may take place at the intersection of West 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard, including the Fifth Church of Scientist building, given the impending opening of the Giant Eagle supermarket at West 117th Street and I-90.

Bahman Guyuran is now proposing a mixed-use development on 42 acres at I-480 and Hadden Road. The previous proposal called for a large shopping mall. The Summit County Planning Commission will review the project, which will also be considered by the Twinsburg Zoning Commission at 7:00 p.m. this Monday.

Attendees at a South Euclid Planning and Zoning Committee meeting suggested that the City consider expanding its plans to create a Mayfield-Green mixed use district in order to create a Crocker Park-like development that would complement Cedar Center. City Council may act on the rezoning proposal at its February 25th meeting.

One year after the opening of its first store, the Steelyard Commons shopping center in Cleveland is meeting or exceeding expectations. With 97% of the space in its first phase accounted for, owner First Interstate Properties plans to break ground on the 250,000 square foot second phase as early as this fall.

The owner of Rocky River's Beachcliff Market Square is "very unhappy" with the results of the shopping center's 2006 renovation and expansion, and plans to invest in additional improvements. Rockport Shopping Center will also be redesigned. Preliminary plans call for dividing the former Target store into five smaller spaces and replacing the buildings to its east.

Cleveland officials proposed offering $5.1 million in loans to the K&D Group for the redevelopment of the 668 Euclid complex, in addition to other incentives. Cleveland City Council may vote on the proposal as early as Monday.

Update: City Council unanimously approved the loan.

Upscale shopping centers Crocker Park in Westlake and Beachcliff Market Square in Rocky River are competing for customers.

The existing structures at I-71 and Royalton Road in Strongsville will be razed within the next few months to make way for a new retail development. Visconsi Companies is expected to reveal details about the project by March 1.

Achievement Centers for Children, which operates Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, agreed to purchase a five acre property adjacent to the camp, effectively canceling a proposal to built a hotel on the site. The organization does not intend to develop or sell the land.

This week's Free Times summarizes the history of South Euclid's plans to redevelop the north side of Cedar Center, as well as the adverse repercussions it has had on the shopping center's merchants.

The Ohio EPA announced yesterday that Home Depot has completed brownfield cleanup for its Steelyard Commons store under Ohio's Voluntary Action Program.

The Plain Dealer presents information about the proposed retail development in Brooklyn Heights. The proposal has been met with mixed reactions from residents.

Stark Enterprises' decision to drop its proposal for a mixed-use development in Solon does not necessarily mean that the City will approve the competing proposal from The Coral Co. City Council is now expected to slow down the process and take weeks or months before reaching a conclusion. Stark, meanwhile, now envisions redeveloping Solon Shopping Center as a project similar to his Eton shopping center in Woodmere.

The planned construction of an I-90 interchange at Nagel Road in Avon prompted rezoning requests from developers wanting to build on surrounding properties. The Avon Planning Commission heard requests to rezone 120 nearby acres for retail space and medical offices.

Euclid City Council's Executive and Finance Committee unanimously voted to establish a 25 year TIF for the forthcoming CVS store on Lake Shore Boulevard. The precise boundaries of the TIF zone have yet to be determined.

Stark Enterprises will drop its plans for a mixed-use development at the intersection of SOM Center and Aurora Roads in Solon. The company was unable to proceed with its plans after Gross Builders withdrew from a development partnership. Gross Builders' reasons for leaving the partnership remain unclear. Stark will now try to build a scaled-back, retail-only development.

Update: Monday's Plain Dealer has more details.

The 195,000 square foot Wal-Mart Supercenter at Meadowbrook Market Square in Bedford is scheduled to open on March 7.

The K&D Group's plans for renovating the former Atrium Office Plaza on lower Euclid Avenue include the demolition of the adjacent former Continental Savings headquarters building.

Although it's too early to judge the full impact of Steelyard Commons, the shopping center appears to be having a successful first holiday season.

Developers of the proposed retail center at Granger Road and Tuxedo Avenue collected enough signatures for a liquor referendum and are preparing to file the petitions with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. If the Board of Elections approves the petitions, the issue will appear on the March 4 ballot in Brooklyn Heights.

Brunswick officials say that negotiations to bring a Cabela's store to the City are nearly finished.

The K&D Group has filed for $1.1 million in loans from Cuyahoga County for the redevelopment of the 668 Euclid building in downtown Cleveland, which also recently received $16.4 million in state tax credits. The company does not yet own the building, but the sale could close in January. They want to redevelop the vacant structure as 47,000 square feet of retail and 215 apartments.

Demolition of the partially-built Cornerstone project at Pearl Road and West 130th Street is underway. Work should be completed in 30 to 40 days. Parma Heights City Council approved the preliminary development plan for Greenbriar Crossing, which will be built on the site, and the City's Planning Commission will review the final development plan this week.

In response to feedback from Village Council and residents, developers revised the plans for the proposed retail and office project at Granger Road and Tuxedo Avenue in Brooklyn Heights.

Developers of the Ahek and LaPine properties at I-77 and Route 82 hope to have a development proposal ready early next year. The 40 acre site was recently rezoned by Broadview Heights voters.

Officials with Cabela's and the City of Brunswick are negotiating details about the company's proposed 125,000-150,000 square foot store at Center Road and I-71.

Developers in Brooklyn Heights will soon begin the petition process for getting a liquor referendum on the March ballot. The issue is seen as a key component of the proposed retail development at Granger Road and Tuxedo Avenue.

The City of Parma is working to redevelop vacant retail properties, including the planned construction of a new Giant Eagle on the site of former Tops and Circuit City stores on Day Drive.

Because Boston Heights voters rejected the retail development proposal for the site of the former Boston Hills County Club, the developer's $10 million lawsuit against the Village will continue. He says that the issue left the property without an economically viable use.

The Village of Brooklyn Heights will hold a public meeting about the proposed $25 million retail development along Granger Road, but the time and place have not yet been determined.

Supporters of Camp Cheerful in Strongsville are opposed to a proposed rezoning to permit construction of a hotel on an adjacent site. They say that it would destroy the natural buffer around the camp.

Garfield Heights City Council unanimously approved easements at Bridgeview Crossing for sewer and water lines and for signage.

Keith Hamulak of CB Richard Ellis shared his retail outlook for 2008. If voters in several suburbs approve rezoning initiatives, Greater Cleveland "could experience more than one million square feet of new construction in 2008."

Lakewood Planning and Development Director Tom Jordan reassured residents that the future of Kauffman Park will be determined by a public process with due diligence.

The rent subsidy program proposed for downtown Bedford received mixed reviews from downtown business owners.

In Boston Heights, two retail zoning issues will appear on next Tuesday's ballot as the result of referendums. Issue 51 is a vote on the retail rezoning of the former Boston Hills Country Club, and Issue 52 is about adding big box stores as a conditional use in retail business districts.

Developers are working to obtain municipal approval for the second phase of the Renaissance Park retail development in Strongsville. They continue to seek a TIF package for the 125,000 square foot project (PDF).

Up to $40,000 has been made available to conduct an economic development study for the site of the proposed soccer stadium and retail complex in Macedonia. Mayor Kuchta stated that he would prefer the development to remain on hold until the study is completed.

When the new Wal-Mart at Steelyard Commons opens tomorrow, the 217,000 square foot store will become the company's first supercenter in Cuyahoga County. Dave's Markets responded by turning its store near Ridge Road and Denison Avenue into Dave's Mercado, a supermarket for the Hispanic community.

An agreement with Orion Capital Partners expired this summer, and yesterday, South Euclid City Council approved a development agreement with the Coral Company to redevelop the north side of Cedar Center as a mixed-use project. Demolition of the shopping center is expected to begin in fall 2008.

(Update: this week's Sun Messenger has more information.)

The Plain Dealer notes that if Lakewood officials opt to sell Kauffman Park for commercial development, it would be an unusual decision.

The Garfield Heights Board of Education approved an amended compensation agreement for payments in lieu of taxes in the Bridgeview Crossing TIF package. A $3 million dollar payment originally scheduled for June was shifted to December 31.

Target plans to build a 145,000 square foot store at the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center under construction in Garfield Heights. It is tentatively scheduled to open in October 2008.

By a vote of 6-1, the Broadview Heights Board of Zoning Appeals approved a zoning variance that will permit developer Sam Petros to increase the size of anchor stores for his proposed retail development at Broadview and Royalton Roads.

Last night, Bob Stark unveiled plans for his proposed mixed-use Garden District at Aurora and SOM Center Roads in Solon. The 75 acre, $750 million development would include offices, retail, housing, an arts center, health facilities, college classrooms, a hotel, and a movie theater.

Sunday's Plain Dealer included a look at the changes in retail at Tower City Center since the mall opened in 1990 and an examination of what the future may hold for the mixed-use downtown landmark.

The prospects for a proposed retail development on a 16.3 acre site on Granger Road in Brooklyn Heights are dependent upon voters approving a liquor referendum. The entire Village is currently dry.

In addition to considering a site in Brunswick, outdoors retailer Cabela's is rumored to be considering a proposed development in Twinsburg or Twinsburg Township for its first Northeast Ohio store.

Developer Sam Petros is seeking a zoning variance from the Broadview Heights Board of Zoning Appeals that would allow him to increase the size anchor stores at his proposed retail development at Broadview and Royalton Roads. The maximum size store permitted in the code is 60,000 square feet, and he wants to build stores of 134,000 and 85,000 square feet.

Neighbors of Greenbriar Crossing in Parma Heights are concerned that the proposed residential and retail development will increase runoff and traffic problems. The project is under review by the Parma Heights Planning Commission.

Orange residents may have the opportunity to vote on a rezoning issue for the proposed Woodland Preserve development in November 2008, instead of the March vote that the developers initially wanted.

(Update: this week's Chagrin Herald Sun has more details.)

The Coral Co. has obtained over 40 acres of land for Central Parc, its proposed 90 acre lifestyle center in Solon, and hopes that the first stores will open in 2011. A rezoning issue for the site may appear on the March ballot.

Scene asked if the possible development of Kauffman Park in Lakewood will reduce the City's amount of greenspace, and Mayor George replied that there will be no net loss of park areas.

(Update: The Plain Dealer has more details.)

The Jacobs Group has begun the construction of Avon Crossing, a 270,000 square foot shopping center at I-90 and State Route 83. It will be anchored by a 140,000 square foot Lowe's and a 100,000 square foot J.C. Penney store.

Developers of the proposed Woodland Preserve development in Orange were informed that they "don't have a chance" of putting a rezoning issue on the March ballot. Stelex Equities is expected to present their plans to Village Council on October 3.

McGill Property Group representatives say they are in final negotiations with an unidentified retailer to fill an 80,000 square foot space at their Shops at Marketplace development in Bainbridge.

Brunswick officials are waiting to hear if I-71 at Center Road has been selected as the site of a Ohio's first Cabela's store.

Solon officials say that several developers are interested in building a lifestyle center somewhere in Solon.

Some Orange leaders are not pleased with how information about the proposed Woodland Preserve development was released, and that Mayor Mulcahy met with the developer for months prior to last month's presentation.

Demolition of the South Euclid side of Cedar Center is expected to begin this winter. The City is attempting to obtain grants for environmental cleanup of the site.

The new Towpath Trail segment through Steelyard Commons in Cleveland was formally dedicated yesterday. Steelyard Commons will hold a grand opening celebration (PDF) on Thursday.

(Update: The West Side Sun News offers additional details about the dedication and the grand opening.)

Plans for the Woodland Preserve, the proposed development on the Weintraub property in Orange, include 663 housing units, public space, a medical building, and a small retail center. The area is currently zoned for single-family residential development, and developers hope to get a rezoning issue on the March ballot.

Developers are interested in purchasing Lakewood's Kaufmann Park for use in the redevelopment of a neighboring shopping center. They want to build a new shopping center that would be set back further from Detroit Road. The City hired consultants to prepare a study of the park, and it should be finished in September.

After receiving approval from Cleveland officials, Giant Eagle plans to begin construction of a new store at I-90 and West 117th Street in November. They hope to complete the 87,000 square foot store by June 2008.

On Monday, the Moreland Hills Planning and Zoning Commission will review plans for Moreland Town Center, a planned redevelopment of the northwest corner of the Chagrin Boulevard and SOM Center Road intersection.

(Update: demolition of the corner's existing structures is underway.)

Royalton Place, a 132,000 square foot retail center with an additional 38,000 square feet of outlots, has been proposed for the northeast corner of Royalton and York Roads in North Royalton. The 32 acre site includes 7.32 acres of wetlands, and the Ohio EPA will accept public comments on the development until September 5.

Summit County leaders want more information about the proposed soccer stadium and retail complex in Macedonia before they decide whether to put a sin tax for the stadium on the ballot.

On August 22, the City of Brecksville will hold a public meeting to gather input about proposed retail developments at the Crow property and the Veterans Administration site. Mayor Hruby would like to see about 400,000 square feet of retail built on the VA property, but opposes building a big box store.

Ryan Homes will build 147 houses and condominiums at Greenbriar Crossing, the former Cornerstone development in Parma Heights now owned by the McGill Property Group. McGill will also renovate the existing 150,000 square foot retail building on the site.

On Friday, the Cleveland City Planning Commission tentatively approved plans for the new Giant Eagle supermarket at West 117th Street and I-90.

The City of Avon and Lake Pointe Construction have been unable to resolve their differences about the proposed residential to retail rezoning of about 24 acres at the southeast corner of Detroit and Center Roads, and the lawsuit is growing more complicated.

Developers of the proposed soccer stadium and retail development scaled back the complex to 125 acres in Macedeonia and dropped the proposed annexation of 200 acres of Northfield Township.

Giant Eagle wants to build an 87,000 square foot store adjacent to the new Target store at West 117th Street and I-90 in Cleveland. Designs for the supermarket will be presented at the Friday meeting of the Cleveland City Planning Commission.

Channel 3 took a look at the redevelopment of the Westgate shopping center in Fairview Park.

Summit County Council decided not to place a sin tax for the proposed soccer stadium on the November ballot. Officials felt that the timing was wrong because there are two other countywide levies on the November ballot. The sin tax may appear on the March ballot. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial says that it was a wise decision.

In November, Highland Heights residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed rezoning of the former gas station at Wilson Mills Road and Alpha Drive from motor service district to general business. The owner of a neighboring shopping center wants to use the gas station site as part of a revitalization of the shopping strip.

The new Target store at the Westgate shopping center opened yesterday, and the Jacobs Group announced ten new tenants for the redeveloped 600,000 square foot center.

Officials in Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township are awaiting details of the proposed retail and medical research center development on 90 acres off of I-480.

The developer of a proposed shopping center on the site of the former Boston Hills Country Club filed a complaint in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. The complaint asks for $10 million from the Village of Boston Heights if residents are successful in an effort to get the retail rezoning on the ballot via referendum.

Officials from Macedonia and Northfield Center Township reached a tentative agreement that calls for Macedonia to annex more than 200 acres along Route 8 south of Highland Road for the proposed soccer stadium complex. On August 6, Summit County Council is expected to vote on placing the proposed sin tax on the November ballot.

(Update: annexation talks are continuing, and Summit County Council has not yet voted on the sin tax proposal.)

Two realtors are marketing 53 acres along Pine Crest Drive and Harvard Road in Orage to commercial and retail developers. The land is currently occupied by 27 homes, and most homeowners have signed a three year listing agreement. Voters would have to approve a rezoning issue for construction to occur.

Bahman Guyuron, a Lyndhurst-based plastic surgeon, wants to build a shopping center on 90 acres in Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township. He owns all but one property in the area south of I-480 and east of Hadden Road, and the Twinsburg Township Trustees initiated the process to acquire the remaining property via eminent domain in March. The development would require the Twinsburg Township portion to be rezoned from residential to commercial, and Guyuron also wants the City and Township to establish a JEDD.

The Ohio Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision and rejected a citizen group's lawsuit over a proposed retail development on a 49 acre wooded property at Royalton Road and I-71. The decision may mark the end of a 14 year legal battle. A 2005 agreement with the city calls for 17 acres of the site to preserved as a conservation area.

The planned renovations to Southland Shopping Center in Middleburg Heights are well underway. Jo-Ann Fabrics recently opened a new 22,515 square foot store, and the portion of the center slated for a new Giant Eagle supermarket is being demolished.

The Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce wants to establish a special improvement district along the Pearl Road corridor in Brunswick and Brunswick Township. They hope to revitalize the area by attracting new businesses and residents, and making it more pedestrian friendly.

Stark Enterprises would like to build a hotel at Crocker Park next to the office building currently under construction on a 6.8 acre site at the corner of Crocker and Detroit Roads. The proposal requires a rezoning, which needs approval from the Westlake Planning Commission, City Council, and voters. The rezoning also includes a request to add the The Promenade shopping center to the adjacent Crocker Park PUD.

The construction of the Shoppes of Solon North (PDF) at Miles and Brainard Road has led to disagreements between the developer and neighbors of the shopping center.

By a vote of 7-1, Broadview Heights City Council reversed its earlier decision and placed a rezoning issue for the Ahek property on the November ballot. If approved by voters, 60% of the 57.5 acre site at the northwest corner of I-77 and Route 82 would be rezoned from office laboratory to retail.

Demolition of the partially-constructed Cornerstone development is underway in Parma Heights. The McGill Property Group has not submitted final plans for the development of the site at Pearl Road and West 130th Street, but preliminary plans call for up to 150 residential units in single family homes and townhouses and a small amount of retail.

Developer Paul Garofolo presented his plans for the proposed soccer stadium complex to Summit County Council on Monday. In addition to the retractable roof stadium, the plans call for a large retail component, a medical campus, and hotel development. He said the project could bring as much as $12 billion dollars to the county over the next 30 years.

An Akron Beacon Journal editorial concludes that Summit County Council "must have a clear understanding of the net benefit before giving their approval" to a sin tax issue to support the proposed soccer stadium complex.

Cabela's officials want to build at I-71 and Route 303 in Brunswick, calling it the company's "preferred site". If the 130,000 to 150,000 square foot store opens in 2009, Brunswick leaders expect it would draw at least three million visitors per year and stimulate additional nearby retail, restaurant, and hotel construction.

Yesterday, a resolution for a sin tax to support the proposed Summit County soccer stadium complex was introduced in Summit County Council. The 35-year tax on cigarettes, wine, and beer would be used to raise $100 million for the development of the 400 acre site in Macedonia and Northfield Center Township. The proposed tax will appear on the November ballot if it's approved by August 23.

Additional incentives beyond the approved $1.5 million sales tax rebate may be necessary to lure Bass Pro Shops to Akron. Other communities that have attracted stores offered infrastructure improvements, increased tax breaks, and site preparation work as incentives.

Although Summit County Council recently approved incentives to attract Bass Pro Shops to Akron, Summit and Medina County leaders continue to pursue a Cabela's store. Summit County hopes to link a Cabela's to the proposed domed soccer stadium, and the Medina County Commissioners approved a sales tax break if the company builds a store near I-71 and Route 303 in Brunswick.

The retail study update and presentation by CSU Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development students is now available online at a permanent location.

Target has expressed an interest in building a store on an 11.23 acre property at the southwest corner of the Brunswick Town Square development. Plans for the project earlier called for the construction of 141 townhouses on the site.

Local developers and municipal officials are among those attending the annual International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas. The developers of the proposed projects for the east and west banks of the Flats are jointly marketing their developments at the convention, and Cleveland.com presents their plans as a JPG and as a PDF.

This spring, the capstone class in the Master of Urban Planning, Design & Development program at Cleveland State updated elements of the Northeast Ohio Regional Retail Analysis. They found, among other conclusions, that the region's retail space grew by 22% between 2000 and 2007.

(Update: the Plain Dealer published a full story with a graphic on Saturday.)

The Parma Sun Post profiles the efforts of southwest Cuyahoga County communities to increase their tax bases by promoting retail, office, and industrial development.

Developers of Bridgeview Crossing have obtained some, but not all, of the stormwater permits needed to resume construction of the shopping center.

The Sun Courier offers more information about the Broadview Heights retail development proposed by Sam Petros for the southwest corner of state Route 82 and Broadview Road. Plans for a 125,000-145,000 square foot department store would require a zoning variance from the City's 60,000 square foot size cap.

Developers of the proposed northern Summit County soccer stadium complex asked the board of the Nordonia Hills City Schools District to extend the 2006 compensation agreement until June 30, 2008. The agreement expired last December. Developer Paul Garofolo indicated that he hopes to seek voter approval for public funding of a retractable dome for the proposed stadium in November.

Today's Plain Dealer examines the challenges facing Rolling Acres Mall in Akron and the strengths and weaknesses of other Greater Cleveland malls.

The City of South Euclid selected Orion Capital Partners of Little Rock, Arkansas to redevelop the north side of the Cedar Center shopping strip. The company offered $17 million for the property, and wants to redevelop it as a retail/residential mixed-use project. The company has 45 days to reach a deal with the City, which will require City Council approval.

Developer Sam Petros wants to construct retail on 15 acres at the southwest corner of Route 82 and Broadview Road in Broadview Heights. He hopes to attract a department store, a drugstore, and a national restaurant chain as anchors.

Yesterday, Boston Heights residents delivered referendum petitions to the Village regarding the rezoning of the former Boston Hills Country Club. If the signatures are certified, the issue may appear on the November ballot.

On Friday, the Cleveland City Planning Commission approved plans by Dollar Bank to convert the southwest corner of the Galleria into a two-story flagship branch. A high-definition electronic signboard will be installed on the East 9th Street facade. Construction should be completed this year.

Cuyahoga County Probate Judge John Donnelly ruled against a group of Cedar Center tenants who sought to keep the City of South Euclid from acquiring the northern half of the shopping center. The City will purchase the property for $16.4 million and select one of the four developers interested in redeveloping it as a mixed-use project.

Although demolition work continues, construction of the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights remains halted while a stormwater management plan is reviewed. Developer Snider-Cannata Interests submitted a plan on April 6.

Boston Heights Village Council approved a controversial rezoning of the former Boston Hills County Club, rezoning almost 66 acres from residential to retail. Developers want to build a shopping center on the rezoned portion of the site and 100 houses on the remaining area. Residents opposed to the development plan to fight the rezoning.

Strongsville officials approved expansion plans for the Wal-Mart on Pearl Road, and a groundbreaking is expected within weeks. A 60,000 square foot addition will constructed for the existing 125,000 square foot store, which will be converted to a supercenter. They hope to complete construction by late summer.

The Dalad Group and Richard E. Jacobs Group want to develop the 64 acre Crow property on Miller Road between I-77 and Brecksville Road in Brecksville. They would like to build 400,000 square feet of upscale retail on the site and a gated residential community at its north end. Their plans also call for developing part of the neighboring VA property that was recently obtained by the City.

CB Richard Ellis expects Greater Cleveland retail construction to slow in 2007. "It's a time when you've had so much development come onto the market in such a short period of time, the market just needs to adjust itself," explains Keith Hamulak. He also predicts that a lifestyle center will be built on the site of the former Brecksville VA hospital.

Three nonprofit organizations are funding a $100,000 study by TerreMark Partners on the feasibility of retail on lower Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

Early last week, the City of Garfield Heights shut down construction of the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center because the builders had no plan for stormwater management at the construction site. Developer Snider-Cannata plans to submit plans soon.

Boston Heights Village Council is considering raising the maximum permitted size of single-story retail establishments from 50,000 square feet to 125,000 square feet. If approved, it would permit the construction of proposed big box stores.

Great Lakes Resources was the only company to submit a bid to CMHA to develop a shopping center adjacent to the planned CMHA headquarters at East 80th Street and Kinsman Road in Cleveland's Forgotten Triangle. Great Lakes offered to purchase five acres for $825,000 to build a 52,000 square foot center, or to lease 3.25 acres to build a 21,000 square foot center.

Project for Public Spaces Vice President Cynthia Nikitin will speak about placemaking and revitalizing neighborhood commercial corridors on May 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Forest Hill Church in Cleveland Heights. The session is free and open to the public.

The Stark House, one of Garfield Heights' oldest homes, was razed to accommodate construction of the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center at Granger Road and Transportation Boulevard. The owner of the 1864 house sold it to developers for $150,000 in January.

The co-owners of Southland Shopping Center in Middleburg Heights are planning major renovations to the shopping center that include new stores for Giant Eagle and Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Developers have submitted plans for retail development on the three acre site of the former vegetable packing plant on Bagley Road in Berea. The City may give an adjacent 60 by 100 foot piece of property to the developer in exchange for turning the site into a "viable retail location."

Two tenants in the north side of the Cedar Center shopping center are in court this week, challenging the City of South Euclid's plans for a mixed-use redevelopment of the site. Judge John Donnelly toured the property yesterday.

Several state officials have raised questions about whether the buildings at Steelyard Commons are eligible for tax abatements. "The exemption only applies to the land and the existing buildings on the property, not to new buildings on the property. There are exceptions that apply to new buildings," explained an Ohio EPA attorney.

Broadview Heights City Council turned down a proposed settlement that would have put a rezoning issue for a 49.5 acre site at the northwest corner of I-77 and Route 82 on the May ballot. The property is currently zoned for offices, but property owners want to build big box retail on the site. The case is scheduled to go to trial on June 18.

The 13 Garfield Heights landowners who are involved in eminent domain cases appear to be challenging the buyout figures offered by the developer, not the City's eminent domain power. The properties are on the site of the planned Bridgeview Crossing (PDFs) shopping center, and much of the neighborhood has already been demolished.

Four developers have expressed an interest in redeveloping the South Euclid side of Cedar Center. The City should take ownership of the properties around March 12, and officials expect to choose a firm in two or three weeks.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not support the proposed retail and residential development on the site of the former Boston Hills Country Club, because it would cause increased flooding, erosion, and sedimentation problems along Brandywine Creek, and also create traffic congestion, ruin the area's rural character, and degrade the National Park.

On Monday, Wal-Mart announced that they would decline the tax abatement that their Steelyard Commons store received. City officials hope to convince Home Depot and Target to also forgo the tax break. In addition, Wal-Mart named Cleveland as one of nine communities selected as "Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zones." A Plain Dealer editorial says that Wal-Mart and First Interstate Properties did the right thing by giving up their tax abatements.

About 30 Boston Heights residents attended a public meeting on Wednesday about the residential and retail development proposed for the site of Boston Heights Country Club. Many in attendance did not support the plans. "I don't think anyone here wants our community to turn into Macedonia," said one.

Developers of the proposed soccer stadium and retail development in northern Summit County submitted an "amended and restated compensation agreement" to the Nordonia Hills City Schools, after the previous agreement approved last April expired at the end of 2006.

In addition to the planned 40 acre Avon Crossings retail center on State Route 83, additional retail development is planned in Avon for a 12 acre site at Route 83 and Route 254 and for a property on Detroit Road near Avon Commons.

A Plain Dealer editorial on the Steelyard Commons tax abatement news concludes that the shopping center "can yet be a win for this city" if the big-box retailers agree to turn down their tax exemptions.

Although the developer of Steelyard Commons in Cleveland claimed that it would not use public subsidies, big-box stores at Steelyard Commons will have tax abatements. Properties that successfully complete brownfields remediation through Ohio's Voluntary Action Program are automatically eligible for a 10 year tax abatement. Wal-Mart has been approved for the tax break and the Home Depot has applied for it. Taxes generated by the property were intended to fund the extension of the Towpath Trail through Cleveland.

(Update: recent legislation allows property owners to decline the tax exemption (PDF) or to discontinue existing exemptions.)

With the opening of the first store at Steelyard Commons, the Plain Dealer examined the past and future of the controversial shopping center. Developers are working to line up retailers for phase two of the Cleveland development, scheduled to open in fall 2008.

Construction of the new Westgate shopping complex is slightly ahead of schedule, and more retailers have agreed to leases in the development. The center's Target anchor will open on July 27, and Lowe's is scheduled to open in November.

Some residents of the area slated for redevelopment as the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights feel that developer Snider-Cannata Interests has not treated them fairly. Eminent domain cases are scheduled to be heard next Wednesday.

The Avon Planning Commission approved a general development plan for the 36 acre Avon Crossing shopping center at State Route 83 and Chester Road. It's slated to be anchored by a Lowe's and an unnamed 100,000 square foot store.

(via Urban Ohio)

Steelyard Drive in Cleveland opened to traffic yesterday. The first store at Steelyard Commons, a Home Depot, will hold its grand opening on Wednesday.

Brownfields remediation at Steelyard Commons has been completed, and the Ohio EPA issued a covenant not to sue. Also, Steelyard Drive, the five lane road that runs through the shopping complex, will open this week.

Rural Boston Heights in Summit County has become very attractive to retail developers, and Village leaders are dealing with proposals for two major retail centers near the intersection of the Ohio Turnpike and State Route 8. The site of the proposed Summit County soccer stadium/retail development is also nearby.

South Euclid City Council unanimously voted to issue up to $17 million in bonds for the purchase of the north side of Cedar Center. Some storeowners remain opposed to deal, and the City is continuing to negotiate with developers.

Visconsi Companies plans to build The Plaza at SouthPark, a 300,000 square foot retail center on 53 acres at I-71 and Royalton Road in Strongsville, across the street from SouthPark mall. The Ohio EPA will hold a public meeting about its potential impacts on water quality on January 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Strongsville Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

(via Cleveland.com)