Port of Cleveland names new CEO

Jeff Epstein, who has worked for decades in various economic
development roles in Greater Cleveland, was nominated to
what is arguably the top development position in the region
(Port of Cleveland). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

The Port of Cleveland announced today that it has nominated Jeff Epstein to serve as its next president and chief executive officer, pending formal board approval. Epstein brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of economic development, public-private partnerships, and transformative urban investment.

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Gateway South soccer stadium ‘full steam ahead’

Looking from a soccer stadium in the Gateway South area, north toward Downtown
Cleveland. There could also be a soccer stadium where the Wolstein Center now
stands. But can Cleveland support two downtown soccer stadiums?
(CSG). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

A soccer stadium development company that responded to Cleveland State University’s (CSU) offer to repurpose its Wolstein Center site is doing so without coordinating with a non-profit group that has been seeking to develop a soccer stadium at the Gateway South area.

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Glenville’s ‘Circle North’ to expand north

Plans for GlenHAVEN in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood, are being refined through
the city’s design-review process. This proposed residential care facility would serve
seniors and others with chronic illnesses, disabilities or other health conditions
(Robert P. Madison International). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Just north of University Circle, the faded intersection of East 105th Street and Superior Avenue has seen development push toward it in recent years. But the tide of revitalization has yet to reach it and help restore its lost vibrancy and density of decades past.

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Abeona Therapeutics to expand in Midtown

Abeona Therapeutics is undertaking a significant expansion at Midtown Tech Park in
Cleveland following government approval of a new therapy to treat a rare genetic
skin disorder. The company is also developing treatments for a variety of eye
diseases (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Following government approval of a new therapy to treat a rare genetic skin disorder, Abeona Therapeutics Inc. revealed through public records that it plans another expansion of its footprint next to its Midtown Cleveland headquarters.

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CSU may repurpose Wolstein Center as soccer stadium

Cleveland State University accepted a proposal from the United Soccer
League to repurpose the 34-year-old arena as an outdoor soccer stadium
(CSU). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

The Cleveland State University (CSU) Board of Trustees voted today to approve the recommendation to begin negotiations with the United Soccer League (USL) and USL Cleveland on their proposal for the potential redevelopment of the current Wolstein Center site.

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County offers loans to build near transit

A Blue Line train reaches the end of the line at Warrensville Center Road and Van Aken
Boulevard in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights. The end of the line is now anchor-
ed by a growing Transit-Oriented Development  called the Van Aken District offering
housing, jobs and services within a comfortable walk of the transit hub — something
that Cuyahoga County officials want to encourage more of (NEOtrans).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

When hearing a government official prattle on about his vision for his jurisdiction, a wag once said “Don’t tell me what you support; show me your budget.” Similarly, for several years, Cuyahoga County officials have talked and planned about Transit Oriented Development (TOD). But now they’re putting their money where their mouths are.

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W. 117th GCRTA station reopens Friday

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s West 117th-Madison Red Line
station, where Cleveland meets Lakewood, is set to reopen early Friday morning
after being closed for major repairs for more than a year (NEOtrans).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

After more than one year of reconstruction work and an unexpected cost increase, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (GCRTA) West 117th-Madison Red Line station is due to reopen to rail passengers at the start of transit service on Friday. GCRTA announced the reopening today.

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Greater Cleveland recovers from Great Recession

Things are looking up for Greater Cleveland’s economy as multiple indicators are
showing growth for the region. Employment data is the latest to indicate good
news (NEOtrans). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Greater Cleveland’s workforce and number of employed people have grown to the highest levels since the start of the Great Recession (2009-11), according to preliminary employment data for the region that was released this week.

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Lakefront apartment complex planned near Downtown Cleveland

Outlined and shaded in red, the site for a new apartment complex proposed to be
called the Union At Cleveland Harbor is between the East 55th Marina in the fore-
ground and the Shoreline Apartments just beyond. In the distance is Downtown
Cleveland (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Earlier this month, a letter was sent by an Indianapolis-area real estate developer to Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and City Council notifying them of its desire to develop a lakefront apartment project and their intention to seek Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for it.

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Ex-Tick Tock Tavern space takes new journey

This 85-foot-long stretch of storefront on Clifton Boulevard between West 115th and
116th streets is starting to see new activity following the closure of the Tick Tock
Tavern and the removal of its signs, furnishings, equipment and infrastructure.
Now it will be renovated into the next stop on its dining journey (NEOtrans).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Renovation work is underway for a successor restaurant to the long-running Tick Tock Tavern in Cleveland’s Edgewater neighborhood. And public records reveal the new restaurant concept that will be taking the historic spot onto its next journey.

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Ridge Park Square sold to Atlanta investor

A wintertime aerial view looking southwest from Ridge Road over Ridge Park Square in
the western Cleveland suburb of Brooklyn (JLL). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

JLL Capital Markets announced today that it has secured the sale of Ridge Park Square, a rare dual-grocery anchored regional shopping center located northwest of the Interstate 480-Ridge Road interchange in the western Cleveland suburb of Brooklyn.

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Cleveland Clinic’s new medical research buildings reach construction milestone

Two new research buildings for the Cleveland Clinic along Cedar Avenue were topped-
out yesterday in a ceremony. The new buildings are the result of the Clinic’s collabora-
tion with other partners in the realization of a medical innovation district for Cleveland
(Cleveland Clinic). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Cleveland Clinic marked a major milestone late yesterday in the construction of two research buildings in the Cleveland Innovation District. A ceremonial beam-lifting event celebrated the placement of the two final steel beams in the skyway bridge that will span East 100th Street, connecting the new facilities.

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Next phase for Little Italy townhomes starting

The next four Woodhill Townhomes will be similar in design to the first four, seen here
along East 123rd Street in Cleveland’s Little Italy. The next four are due to rise soon
a block west on Coltman Road (Knez). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

It has been several years since the first phase of the 17-unit Woodhill Townhomes were built in Cleveland’s Little Italy. But the next phase is finally getting going and will bring a long-planned street presence to both sides of Coltman Road’s north end.

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Cleveland Christian Home to see major renovation into HOPE Campus

Built in 1924 as a new location for a children’s orphanage, the Cleveland Christian
Home on Lorain Avenue on Cleveland’s West Side was sold several years ago to The
Centers For Families and Children and will be extensively renovated starting by the
end of this year (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Construction is getting underway for the $6.8 million renovation of the HOPE Campus, 11401 Lorain Ave., in Cleveland’s Westown neighborhood. If the name of the campus doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because the renovation is part of a transition of the property from its century-long service as the Cleveland Christian Home (CCH).

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New UC tower is back, progressing

  A more economically achievable high-rise mixed-tower at the Circle
Square district in Cleveland’s University Circle was presented today at
City Planning Commission and won support from the panel (SCB).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Having previously received schematic design approval in October 2024, the East Stokes apartment tower in University Circle showed no signs of slowing down. But when the project never returned to the city planning commission for final approval, speculation about its future began.

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New Browns stadium denied ODOT-Aviation permit

In the center of this image is the proposed new Huntington Bank
Field in Brook Park. Just beyond it is Cleveland Hopkins International
Airport with an east-west runway. Its aircraft traffic patterns may
force the proposed stadium to trade places with its future
stadium village development in the foreground (HKS).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

A law firm representing the Haslam Sports Group was notified by the state’s aviation administrator that a permit application for building the new Huntington Bank Field in suburban Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was denied.

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Gordon Square apartment project finalizes financing

Called Canopy, this large multi-family development will be built next to
Herman Park in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood (Dimit).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

The development team for a large apartment project in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood closed on financing this week. That should allow it to start work on the new development this year. The development also has a name now — Canopy and a Web presence.

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Delayed west-side residential projects get new life

By the slimmest of margins, the 45 West mixed-use development in
Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood won approval by the city’s
Landmarks Commission. It was one of two projects on the West Side
to gain new life today (Vocon). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

A pair of residential projects in the works for several years were brought to today’s Landmarks Commission meeting. And while they differed in size and use, both were an expression of the continued development and investment occuring on Cleveland’s near-West Side.

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CSU to re-offer U-Pass, with changes

 

A significant number of Cleveland State University students use and
depend on the U-Pass for transit not only to get to classes but to go
grocery shopping, go to work and run errands. Without the pass,
they faced much higher expenses in trying to get an education and
improve their lives (NEOtrans). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Cleveland State University (CSU) officials announced today that the school will continue to offer students discounted passes to ride Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) buses and trains. But only those students seeking the discount, called the U-Pass, will be charged for it.

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Greater Cleveland’s ten megaprojects

The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center is the first
phase of Bedrock’s Riverfront development in Downtown
Cleveland. Combined with the next phase in the development
would meet NEOtrans’ definition of a megaproject, becoming the
tenth such project in or near Cleveland’s urban core  (NEOtrans).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Sometimes we’re in the weeds, hyperlocal, self-interested, pre-occupied with our own day-to-day lives. So sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the magnitude of things changing around us unless you step back and take a look at them in totality. NEOtrans did, and wow, there’s a lot of megaprojects to soak up just in Greater Cleveland!

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