Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog

Innerbelt Bridge scrutinized

2008-11-18T15:37:00.003-05:00

Today's Plain Dealer examined the Innerbelt Bridge's weakest beam and the problems it has created. The bridge was also the subject of yesterday's Sound of Ideas program on WCPN, where panelists discussed the future of the span. Starting tomorrow, trucks and buses will be banned from the bridge, and alternate routes are already seeing increased congestion.

University Circle update

2008-11-18T14:25:00.003-05:00

Planning efforts continue for University Circle developments, including two hotels, the Uptown project, and several townhome developments. University Circle Incorporated is taking a more active role in planning and promoting proposed projects.

Ed Hauser dies

2008-11-17T16:31:00.008-05:00

"Citizen" Ed Hauser, the activist known to many as the "Mayor of Whiskey Island" passed away unexpectedly on Friday at age 47. Marc Lefkowitz, Bill Callahan, George Nemeth, Carole Cohen, Roldo Bartimole, Jill Miller Zimon, Erick Trickey, Dru McKeown, and Kelly Ferjutz have all posted remembrances, as have members of RealNEO, a site where he participated.

No action on proposal for old Howard Johnson's

2008-11-17T16:27:00.002-05:00

Plans to convert the former Howard Johnson's near the East Shoreway and East 55th Street to condominiums remain on the drawing board.

Concerns about regional stormwater management

2008-11-17T16:18:00.003-05:00

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

Cleveland livestock ordinance

2008-11-17T16:11:00.004-05:00

On Friday, the Cleveland City Planning Commission unanimously approved an ordinance that would allow more residents to raise livestock and bees near their homes. City Council committees are expected to begin discussing the proposal later this month, and community meetings will be held on November 25 and December 3.

Towpath Trail meeting

2008-11-17T15:59:00.003-05:00

A public meeting about stage 3 construction of the Towpath Trail will take place on November 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sokolowski's University Inn in Tremont. This leg of the trail will connect Steelyard Commons to Literary Road.

Broadview Heights master plan

2008-11-17T15:47:00.003-05:00

Broadview Heights officials are seeking CDBG funds to pay for a new municipal master plan.

PD land bank editorial

2008-11-17T15:39:00.004-05:00

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

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

Hudson-Boston Heights partnership

2008-11-14T23:55:00.005-05:00

On Thursday, the mayors of Hudson and Boston Heights signed an memorandum of understanding. It marks the start of a joint effort to coordinate the development of about 650 acres along the border of the two communities.

Update: the Hudson Hub Times provides more details.

Tri-City studies options

2008-11-14T23:51:00.001-05:00

Following the failure of the Tri-City Joint Recreation District's levy, its board will "continue to study other options and wait and see what the cities would like to do."

Olmsted Township rejects rezoning

2008-11-14T23:41:00.003-05:00

The Olmsted Township Trustees refused to rezone a property on Stearns Road for a proposed apartment complex, because a project that would provide sewers for the property has not been completed.

Twinsburg to study retail proposal

2008-11-14T23:28:00.003-05:00

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.

Chagrin Falls to hold special election

2008-11-14T23:19:00.003-05:00

Chagrin Falls voters will decide a rezoning issue for a proposed "family friendly" redevelopment of the Ivex mill in a special election on February 3.

2008 Job Ready Sites grants

2008-11-13T23:58:00.003-05:00

The Ohio Department of Development awarded 12 Job Ready Sites program grants, two of which were for projects in Cuyahoga County. The City of Cleveland received $5 million for the Cuyahoga Valley Industrial Center, a planned redevelopment of a 57-acre brownfield site near the Cuyahoga River. Ray Fogg Building Methods received $4.3 million to assist in the development of an industrial park on the 80-acre PMX site in Euclid.

Jacobs to buy part of Geauga Lake site

2008-11-13T23:51:00.003-05:00

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.

Dissatisfaction over Innerbelt Bridge plans

2008-11-13T23:40:00.004-05:00

The Ohio Department of Transportation may drop its proposed two-bridge plan for carrying I-90 over the Cuyahoga River valley due to the rapid decay of the Innerbelt Bridge. One proposal calls for building a steel girder bridge under the existing truss bridge, which would require closing the bridge for two years. Meanwhile, a group of Tremont residents protested the continued closure of the West 14th Street entrance ramp to the bridge.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that shutting down the bridge "would be disastrous for Cleveland."

Bike Aboard triples in popularity

2008-11-13T23:31:00.003-05:00

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

2008 Lakewood Housing Initiative

2008-11-13T23:22:00.002-05:00

The Lakewood Observer has a summary of Mayor FitzGerald's proposed housing initiative. It focuses on encouraging homeowners to reinvest in their properties and on strengthening the City's housing enforcement activities.

Wyse to move to 668 Euclid

2008-11-13T23:06:00.003-05:00

Advertising agency Wyse will be the anchor tenant in the K&D Group's redevelopment of the 668 Euclid building in downtown Cleveland. The company signed a 10-year lease for 25,000 square feet on the building's ground floor. The K&D Group is also pursuing nontraditional financing for its planned redevelopment of the nearby Ameritrust complex, including investments from labor union pension funds.

Stark drops Warehouse District proposal

2008-11-13T22:45:00.003-05:00

Developer Bob Stark abandoned his plans to redevelop large portions of Cleveland's Warehouse District after the property owners declined to extend his options to buy the properties. The Asher family, owners of much of the land, may attempt to proceed with similar plans through Weston Inc., their commercial real estate company.

Middleburg Heights drops out of regional fire district

2008-11-13T22:17:00.003-05:00

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

The Clinic's Avon plans

2008-11-13T21:57:00.004-05:00

The Cleveland Clinic submitted plans for the first phase of a new heath center in Avon on 40 acres near the planned I-90 interchange at Nagel Road. The plans show an 181,000-square foot facility with medical offices and an outpatient surgical center.

Urban farming regulations

2008-11-13T21:22:00.003-05:00

The Cleveland City Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Friday to discuss a proposal that would allow more residents to raise livestock and bees on their properties. The Planning Commission will also review electronic billboard regulations at the meeting.

New Parma VA clinic

2008-11-13T21:06:00.005-05:00

The Veterans Administration announced plans to build an outpatient health clinic on the site of the Brookpark Golf Driving Range on Brookpark Road in Parma. Construction of the $7 million, 67,000-square foot building is expected to begin in the spring and end in mid-2010. The Brecksville outpatient clinic will be closed.