Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog

Liveable streets and alternative transportation advocate Mark Gorton spoke at the City Club. He said that Cleveland leaders could easily and inexpensively make the City more friendly to bicyclists and walkers, and that overemphasizing the movement of cars is harmful to cities. The City Club posted video of his talk and the panel discussion that followed.

With the opening of a 0.6-mile section of the Towpath Trail in Barberton, Summit County became the first county to complete its construction of the trail. A variety of events will be held on July 7 to celebrate the milestone (PDF). The City of Akron completed its portion of the construction last year.

Under guidelines released by the Ohio Attorney General's office, Cuyahoga County is eligible to receive $11.85 million of the $75 million the office budgeted to assist communities in the demolition of abandoned houses. The funds will be awarded on August 1. A Plain Dealer editorial said that the Cuyahoga Land Bank is the "perfect entity to administer the demolition grant."

HBO recently aired The Weight of the Nation, a four-part documentary on obesity in the United States, and made the series available online. It highlighted the 24-year disparity in life expectancy between Hough and Lyndhurst. A panel discussed the issues at the Great Lakes Science Center, and the City of Cleveland held its first Healthy Cleveland Summit. Earlier this year, the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods issued a set of three data briefs that describe health trends in Cleveland neighborhoods. A Plain Dealer editorial urged coordinated regional action to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

Bike Cleveland is working with Cleveland City Council on a a package of measures intended to enhance safety for cyclists. One portion of the ordinance would require motorists to give cyclists a three-foot passing clearance.

Lakewood officials are focusing on maintaining the quality of the City's housing stock. They recently completed a citywide housing survey, which rated the condition of 12,661 homes (PDF). They also held a community forum to discuss the City's housing strategy and assistance programs available to residents. The fourth annual Old House Fair took place earlier this month, as well.

The Plain Dealer's Steven Litt said that "it makes sense to explore" a proposed sale and possible hotel conversion of the Cleveland Board of Education Building, and that the building is a good candidate for adaptive reuse.

A consultant for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is preparing a study that will recommend storage and reuse options for dredge material from the Cuyahoga River. The Port's Cleveland Harbor Dredge Task Force continues to meet quarterly.

As anticipated, the U.S. EPA designated an eight-county Greater Cleveland region as a marginal nonattainment area under 2008 federal ozone standards. The area must meet the new limits within three years. Meanwhile, the Ohio EPA intends to ask the U.S. EPA to declare (PDF) that six Greater Cleveland counties meet 2006 federal fine particulate standards. The Ohio EPA will hold a public hearing on May 21.

Update: the Akron Beacon Journal has more information about the proposed fine particulate redesignation.

The company that manages the electrical grid from Ohio to the East Coast determined that FirstEnergy's plans to shut down three area coal-fired power plants in September would create reliability problems and that the plants will remain open until April 2015. FirstEnergy's revised plans include the installation of combustion turbines at its Eastlake plant.

The cost of a consultant's study of the Ohio Turnpike increased again, rising from $2.85 million to $3.4 million. A Plain Dealer editorial questioned the added cost and the underlying fairness of privatizing the Turnpike. Meanwhile, Cuyahoga County Executive FitzGerald said that more counties have expressed interest in participating in an alternate study.

On March 26, the board of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority appointed Jeffery K. Patterson as its new CEO (PDF). Former agency head George Phillips-Olivier was recently sentenced to 10 months in prison for lying to the FBI. A Plain Dealer editorial said that the board has suffered from a "lack of oversight and accountability".

While parking lot operators in downtown Cleveland are raising prices because of expected increases in demand, they don't anticipate a shortage of parking. Ken Silliman, Mayor Jackson's chief of staff, said that "a significant part of the new demand can be met by existing garage and lots" and that the administration is "building the city around the movement of people more than the movement of cars." Jason Russell of the Civic Commons called for taking "a more pragmatic approach to parking."

Judge Pianka of Cleveland Housing Court ordered Macron Investment Co., the partnership that owns the Stanley Block in downtown Cleveland, to either repair or demolish the historic building. In a related decision, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge ruled in March that the ownership is evenly divided between the Maloof and Anter families and casino developer Rock Ohio Caesars.

MMPI released renderings of the Medical Mart and convention center under construction in downtown Cleveland, and announced that they have secured lease agreements with 20 tenants. In March, they shared a virtural tour. With a new senior vice president and director of operations in place, Brandon Glenn of MedCity News said that "things might finally be turning around for the medical mart."

The City of Shaker Heights hired Berusch Development Partners of Cleveland Heights to help develop plans for a walkable, mixed-use business district as part of the Warrensville-Van Aken intersection reconfiguration project.

By a vote of 59-38, the Ohio House of Representatives approved implementing legislation for the Great Lakes Compact. The bill, which includes limits on water withdrawals from Lake Erie and its tributaries, now moves to the Ohio Senate. Environmental groups maintain their objections to provisions of the legislation, calling it "an unbalanced bill". An editorial in Toledo's Blade said the bill is "not good enough", while Plain Dealer editorials encourage the Senate to "examine deficiencies glossed over in the House" and criticize State Rep. Lynn Wachtmann's involvement.

Update: another Plain Dealer editorial says that "lawmakers must dig deeper and fix the flaws" in the bill and an Akron Beacon Journal editorial says that the "Ohio Senate still has an opportunity to craft improved legislation".

The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report again gave Cuyahoga County an F for its ozone levels, while the county's grade for particulate pollution improved to a D. Air quality in the eight-county Cleveland metropolitan area continued to improve, but was ranked as having the nation's 14th-highest level of year-round particulate pollution. Nationwide, cities reported the lowest levels of air pollution in the 13-year history of the report.

Fast Track Cycling signed a signed a purchase contract for a velodrome track and broke ground in Slavic Village this week. The steel-and-plywood track is scheduled to open on June 16, and the nonprofit is seeking volunteers to help with construction.

One year into its three-year timeline, the 12-county Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium is starting to shift from organization and data collection to public engagement around regional planning and urban sprawl. A Plain Dealer editorial highlighted the need for regional unity, while Marc Lefkowitz wondered whether members will create a new vision and inspire action. Stephen Hambley, Hunter Morrison, and Brad Whitehead discussed the consortium on WCPN's Sound of Ideas. The consortium has held several events for young leaders across Northeast Ohio, and will host an event in Cleveland on May 16.

Update: Steve Hoffman of the Akron Beacon Journal said that "pushing ahead [with regionalism] may be the only option for major metropolitan areas."

As the Variety Theater in Cleveland continues to undergo a slow renovation process, the stretch of Lorain Avenue between West 110th and West 130th streets has been experiencing a revitalization.

The Beachwood Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for a 70,000-square-foot Aloft Hotel in the Chagrin Highlands. The developer hopes to break ground for the four-story hotel in July and complete construction the following summer.

The lakefront plan recently adopted by the City of Cleveland includes a floating office harbor west of Burke Lakefront Airport. Planners hope it can attract innovative companies and talent.

A USA Today investigative report examined lead levels in areas near hundreds of former lead factories and smelters across the United States, including several in Cleveland. The newspaper conducted soil testing and documented inaction by federal and state regulators. The sites identified in Cleveland were Tyroler Metals on Sweeney Avenue, Metals Refining Co. on Madison, Atlas Metal on East 75th Street, H&L Metal on East 79th Street, Lockport Lead on Bessemer Avenue, and Mowery Metal on Kinsman Avenue.

The Ohio Department of Development approved $10 million in grants for nine projects through the Ohio Job Ready Sites Program. The City of Cleveland will receive a $1 million grant to support infrastructure and building improvements to the Victory Building on Euclid Avenue.

The Ohio City SID now has a "Clean & Safe" program like the one in downtown Cleveland. The program's ambassadors will help make the area more welcoming. It's one of several changes in the Market District area. Ohio City Incorporated is also preparing to launch its volunteer Ohio City Shines initiative.

Through its Pop Up Rockwell event underway this week, the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative has created a temporary complete and green street along five blocks in downtown Cleveland. It includes a two-way cycle track, and Marc Lefkowitz said that the project provides "the kind of creative spark Cleveland needs to see." In Old Brooklyn, the second annual Pop UP Pearl event will take place on May 19. It will include a DIY Urbanism Competition.

Update: West Life described the Pop Up Rockwell project.

Cuyahoga County selected CBRE Group Inc. to market up to 22 buildings, evaluate potential new office space, and negotiate sales or leases. The process may begin next month.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is seeking bids (PDF) from boat builders for a pair of debris-removal barges. Port Authority staff hope to have them operating on the Cuyahoga River this summer.

Bishop Richard Lennon said that he will not appeal a Vatican decree and that the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will reopen 12 closed parishes. He did not say when they would reopen. Earlier reports incorrectly said that the ruling covered 13 parishes. Parishioners celebrated his decision and a Plain Dealer editorial said that Bishop "Lennon deserves strong praise for choosing conciliation" over conflict.

Update: NPR's Tell Me More interviewed one of the appellants. Parishioners at the 13th parish, Saint Margaret Mary Church in South Euclid, are appealing to the Vatican.

RTA ridership figures continue to rise, increasing by 5.3% between March 2011 and March 2012, and the agency is working to attract discretionary transit users. In Cleveland Heights and University Circle, consultants are developing plans for improving non-automobile transportation options and are conducting a survey. Marc Lefkowitz said that they face challenges and opportunities.

On Wednesday, members of a City Club panel discussed urban agriculture and sustainability in Cleveland (MP3, 74.5 MB). Will Allen of Growing Power had been scheduled to participate, but was unable to attend.

Cleveland Metropolitan School District leaders are still considering plans to sell the District's administration building on East 6th Street in downtown Cleveland. Roldo Bartimole strongly opposes the proposal.

Developers of the Flats East Bank project announced that the project will include five new restaurants, and that its $120 million second phase will feature (PDF) a 140-unit apartment complex. They will seek additional public financing for the development. Its first phase is scheduled to open next spring.

Environmental groups continue to express concerns about the Great Lakes Compact implementing legislation under discussion in the Ohio House of Representatives. Editorials in the Akron Beacon Journal and the Blade reflected those concerns. Governor Kasich and Representative Wachtmann, the bill's sponsor, announced that they reached an agreement (PDF) about the legislation. Details of the agreement are not yet available.

Update: an Akron Beacon Journal editorial identified opportunities for improving the legislation. A Plain Dealer editorial said that if Governor "Kasich is serious about legislation to protect Lake Erie, he needs to find a more credible sponsor than State Rep. Lynn Wachtmann."

Update 2: the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee approved the bill on a party-line vote. A floor vote may be held soon. Environmentalists continue to object to provisions in the bill.

With the JobsOhio development agency in place, state legislators and the Kasich administration introduced legislation that would restructure the Ohio Department of Development. The department would have reduced responsibilities and would be renamed the Development Services Agency.

At a recent Cleveland Museum of Art panel discussion, leaders from East Cleveland and Fairfax talked about ways that growth in University Circle is improving their communities.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History sold its SmartHome to a couple from Maryland for $331,000. The passive house was relocated from the museum grounds to its permanent site on Wade Park Avenue in October.

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.

Cuyahoga County's scores improved slightly in the third annual County Health Rankings from the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Among Ohio's 88 counties, Cuyahoga County was 65th in heath outcomes and 53rd in health factors. Geauga County and Medina County were among the top-ranked counties in the state. The report also supplied data on nationwide trends.

The owner of Northfield Park announced plans to partner with Hard Rock International to bring slot machines and related developments to the harness racing track in Summit County. They said that the plan for a $275 million Hard Rock Gaming and Entertainment Facility is unrelated to possible changes to Thistledown, but does depend on the outcome of a lawsuit on the legality of slot machines at racetracks.

Update: the partners unveiled conceptual designs (PDF) for the project, but did not identify a construction start date.

The U.S. Census Bureau's release of metropolitan area and county population estimates showed a trend of population growth in core counties and decreases in exurban counties. Cuyahoga County's estimated population fell from 1,278,000 in July 2010 to 1,270,294 in July 2011. It was one of only two counties with a population greater than 1 million people to register a decrease. Of Ohio's six large urban counties, only Franklin and Montgomery counties showed growth. The Census Bureau also released Census 2010 Summary File 2 data for Ohio. It includes detailed population and housing data by race and ethnicity.

The Plain Dealer's Steven Litt says that the buildings in the first phase of University Circle's Uptown development "are crisp, lean and decidedly contemporary, yet they also contributing powerfully to the larger urban environment" and that the project "is one of the most exciting and sophisticated architectural ensembles in the history of Cleveland."

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald announced that eight more suburbs, including Brecksville and Lyndhurst, have signed the County's anti-poaching pledge, bringing the total to 28 communities.

HousingWire and NPR looked at how Cleveland is demolishing houses that are considered beyond saving.

(via the Cleveland Restoration Society)

Crain's Cleveland Business explored the remaking of Ohio City's West 25th Street in a series of articles, interviews, photographs, and maps.

New maps from the Ohio Geological Survey illustrate the portions of the state where Utica shale deposits are expected to yield the most oil and gas. Previous maps included Cuyahoga, Lake, and Lorain counties in this area, but they are mostly excluded in the revised maps.

The Cleveland Rowing Foundation will transfer ownership and operations of a 2.8-acre portion of its Rivergate Park in the Flats to the Cleveland Metroparks. It is part of an existing and planned network of greenspaces and trails along the lower Cuyahoga River. The Rowing Foundation will continue its boathouse and rowing operations on the remainder of the 6.5-acre site.

Update: WKSU and Fresh Water reported on the new park, and the Metroparks posted video of the press conference.

Policy Matters Ohio's annual analysis of foreclosure statistics says that while foreclosure filings in Ohio declined in 2011, the levels remain elevated. Cuyahoga County had both the largest number of filings and the highest rate of filings per capita.

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.

Delaying the construction of the second new Innerbelt Bridge in Cleveland will create more expenses for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Repairs to extend the lifespan of the existing Innerbelt Bridge by five years will cost $65 million, and extending it by ten years will cost $89 million.

Despite urges from across the state, the Ohio Senate approved a $1.74 billion capital budget that included minimal funding for the Clean Ohio program. The future of the program is unclear.

Update: a Columbus Dispatch editorial noted that the program remains popular with the public.

Update 2: an editorial in Toledo's Blade says that the "program deserves better".

Update 3: a Plain Dealer editorial urges state legislators to approve bond sales for the program.

On Thursday, Jeff Finkle, Lee Fisher, and Joe Marinucci participated in a panel discussion, the annual State of Downtown forum at the City Club (MP3, 54.0 MB). They expressed optimism about the future of downtown Cleveland. That morning on WCPN's Sound of Ideas, Joe Calabrese of RTA and Bob Pfaff of Akron METRO talked about public transit in Greater Cleveland.

Update: video of the State of Downtown forum is now online.

In an effort to avoid competing with the downtown Cleveland casino, Rock Ohio Caesars may move Thistledown racetrack from North Randall to the Akron area. A site in Green near the Akron-Canton Airport is a possibility. The Kasich administration is considering the proposal. The company acquired Thistledown in 2010, and last year said there were no plans to move it.

Update: Mayor Norton of Green said that he is not supporting or opposing the project. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial said that casinos won't "make a significant impact on economic development in the long run".

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.

Neighborhood Progress Inc. may begin working with communities like Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights. It would be the organization's first activity in inner-ring suburbs. The City of Shaker Heights is increasing its funding for property acquisition, upkeep, and demolition.

Fairview Park officials selected City Architecture to prepare an update of the City's master plan.

The Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee is considering the Great Lakes Compact implementing legislation recently introduced by Representative Lynn Wachtmann of Napoleon. Business interests said they have "serious reservations" about the bill.

More energy companies are acquiring rights to drill in Ohio's Utica shale, and have leased or purchased rights to 3.8 million acres in the state. Projections anticipate that 160 wells will be drilled in 2012, 650 wells in 2013, and 1,075 wells in 2014.

The wind turbine at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds was delivered and erected this month. The 265-foot turbine will begin generating electricity in a few weeks. At Cleveland's Progressive Field, workers installed a corkscrew-shaped turbine designed by a Cleveland State University professor.

Update: the turbine at the fairgrounds was officially dedicated, and WKSU reported on local wind energy initiatives.

The K&D Group of Willoughby recently signed a contract to buy the vacant 1717 East 9th Building and its 550-space parking garage from Sovereign Partners. K&D plans to convert the former East Ohio Building into a 223-unit apartment building. The company has one year to complete its purchase of the downtown office tower.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial backs the plans.

The City of Cleveland recently began construction of the Lake to Lakes Trail. It will connect Lake Erie with the Shaker Lakes.

On World Water Day, Environment America released a report titled Wasting Our Waterways 2012. It used Toxics Release Inventory data to identify the states and waterways with the most industrial pollution, and said industrial facilities released 9,184,661 pounds of toxic materials into Ohio waterways in 2010.

Beachwood City Council approved a rezoning for apartments on the current site of the Commerce Park I, II, and III office buildings.

PNC unveiled plans for a new community resource center in Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood. The 6,400-square-foot PNC Fairfax Connection is intended to offer a variety of community resources at the corner of Carnegie Avenue and East 83rd Street.

Update: the Plain Dealer has more details.