Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog: Downtown Cleveland

Reactions to waterfront plans

2012-02-01T04:52:49Z

Cleveland residents asked questions about the City's new lakefront plans at a public meeting last week. Meanwhile, Lute Harmon of Inside Business advocated for following Chicago's example and reserving the waterfront for public uses.

Recommendations for county properties

2012-01-08T04:55:54Z

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

Casino opening delayed

2012-01-08T04:37:58Z

The opening date of the Cleveland casino will be pushed back from late March to May or June. The state Casino Control Commission needs more time to conduct required background checks. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial concludes that the Commission "is providing the necessary counterweight by insisting on transparency and accountability."

Public Square pros and cons

2011-12-31T04:53:02Z

Cleveland Magazine briefly considered arguments for and against the possible reconfiguration of downtown's Public Square.

Hanna Building Annex redevelopment

2011-12-30T04:42:27Z

The Playhouse Square Foundation agreed to sell the Hanna Building Annex on East 14th Street to the K&D Group of Willoughby. The company plans to convert the office building to 102 apartments. Work may begin in June.

Ohio Preservation Tax Credits, round seven

2011-12-30T04:41:31Z

The Ohio Department of Development awarded $14.9 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for 13 rehabilitation projects. Eight of the projects are in Northeast Ohio, and four are in Cleveland. The Victory Building at Euclid Avenue and East 71st Street received a $4.38 million credit, the Park and Southworth Buildings on Public Square received a $1.98 million credit, the Rialto Theater on West 25th Street received a $484,108 credit, and the Gifford House on Prospect Avenue received a $108,914 credit. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial supports the tax credit program.

Mather Mansion plans

2011-12-17T04:48:32Z

Cleveland State University's landmark Mather Mansion on Euclid Avenue could be converted to a boutique hotel. The university is seeking proposals from developers interested in renovating and operating the property.

New landmark designations

2011-12-17T04:23:02Z

The Cleveland Landmarks Commission designated Fenn Tower, Howe Mansion, and the Stager-Beckwith Mansion as Cleveland landmarks. The Commission will continue to discuss the proposed designation of the Wolfe's Music Store building.

Cleveland's coming casino considered

2011-12-08T04:43:22Z

WKSU is airing a series of reports on the plans for the downtown Cleveland casino. The series includes an examination of its urban connectivity, a look at its potential regional impacts, and lessons that can be learned from Pittsburgh's casino.

AmTrust invests in Cleveland

2011-12-08T04:37:59Z

Insurance company AmTrust Financial Services announced that it will bring its offices to downtown Cleveland. The company plans to relocate 245 jobs from Seven Hills and create up to 800 new jobs over three years. AmTrust will make at least $20 million in upgrades to the Key Center tower at Superior Avenue and East 9th Street. It purchased the building in July for $7.1 million.

Rhodes Tower's future

2011-12-08T04:36:58Z

Cleveland State University intends to mothball most of its Rhodes Tower because of the high cost of renovations. A study estimated that it would cost about $37 million to renovate and upgrade the tower.

Low rental vacancy rates downtown

2011-11-30T22:49:39Z

In the downtown Cleveland apartment market, demand is up and vacancy rates are down. Rent levels have remained stable. The Downtown Cleveland Alliance is encouraging developers to focus on housing.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that downtown's "draw is dynamic."

Redeveloping Cleveland brownfields

2011-11-23T22:26:53Z

State officials awarded more than $27.5 million in Clean Ohio Fund grants for 15 brownfield cleanup initiatives, including two local projects. Cuyahoga County received $2 million for demolition and remediation of Cleveland State University's Viking Hall and Wolfe's Music Store building. The university now plans to build a health and life sciences building on the site. The City of Cleveland received $2.99 million for infrastructure, demolition, and remediation in the Miceli Dairy expansion. The project broke ground in October.

Update: Cleveland Councilman Jeff Johnson wants to save the Wolfe's Music Store building.

Perk Park reopens

2011-11-23T22:20:03Z

Local officials celebrated the opening of downtown Cleveland's rebuilt Perk Park on Monday.

Frank Jackson's lakefront vision

2011-11-16T04:33:04Z

Mayor Jackson unveiled his plans for the downtown Cleveland waterfront. Prepared by EE&K Architects of New York and Van Auken Akins Architects of Cleveland, it complements lakefront planning efforts by the Port Authority and Cleveland Browns, and calls for Burke Lakefront Airport and the Port of Cleveland to remain in place. The plan seeks to balance recreation and entertainment with port and airport operations, while strengthening connections to downtown. Steven Litt described the plan as a "collection of the most logical and sensible concepts for the downtown portion of the lakefront that have surfaced in earlier plans." A Plan Dealer editorial supports the concepts.

Update: Scene's Michael Roberts was more skeptical about the ideas.