Cleveland soccer stadium backers seek $90M in public funds

View of the proposed 12,500-seat soccer stadium from a video presentation about
the project. This view is looking northwest toward Downtown Cleveland from the
south side of the Inner Belt highway (CSG). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Backers of a long-proposed soccer stadium in Downtown Cleveland have issued renderings, a video and a request for $90 million in public-sector financing to help support a $150 million, 12,500-seat stadium. The request is being publicized now because backers of the project are submitting a bid for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team next month and a stadium is an essential ingredient of the application.

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Browns acquire, razing last house for big Berea project

A tree-studded neighborhood stood only months ago along Front Street at the north end
of Berea. It has been virtually cleared of all homes as well as a church for a large
mixed-use development led by the Cleveland Browns and its owner, the Haslam
Sports Group. The last few homes and the former Serpentini Collision Center,
at right, have been acquired by affiliates of the Cleveland Brown and ap-
proved for demolition (KJP). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Today, the Berea Planning Commission is expected to approve the demolition of a house that’s the final structure to be cleared for a $221 million mixed-use development planned by the Cleveland Browns and majority owner the Haslam Sports Group. That last house sold for a premium compared to the 43 other single-family homes plus other properties parcels that were acquired for the 38-acre development site.

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Cleveland-Cliffs commits to skyscraper

As one of 200 Public Square’s two largest tenants, Cleveland-Cliffs’ decision
to remain at Downtown Cleveland’s third-tallest skyscraper for a decade is a
relief to its new owners and puts to rest rumors of the steelmaker opting for
a new headquarters site (KJP). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Cleveland-Cliffs has put to rest rumors of its headquarters leaving downtown Cleveland’s third-tallest skyscraper for new digs by expanding and extending its lease at 200 Public Square. Not only did Cliffs add more space in the tower to just over 100,000 square feet, but it extended its lease there by another 10 years, according to a spokesman for the building’s leasing agent, Colliers International Group Inc.

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Ambassador Theatre building collapses

The south sidewalk and part of Superior Avenue in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood
were closed off this past weekend as the former Ambassador Theatre building began
collapsing into the street despite numerous warnings over the past month by city
officials to immediately evacuate the occupied building and take it down
(Khalid Hawthorne). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Despite multiple warnings over the past month by city officials of a potential collapse of the old Ambassador Theatre building, the building partially collapsed into Superior Avenue while a demolition request was due to be heard by a design-review committee in five days. Officials had instead urged an emergency evacuation of the occupied building and an expedited demolition.

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A ‘skinny-tall’ may rise in University Circle

Behind the historic Monmouth Building, seen here at center along Euclid Avenue
and East 116th Street in University Circle, a skinny but taller apartment building
may rise. WXZ Development of Fairview Park is planning to invest nearly $15
million in the project (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

A local company with much development experience intends to deliver 52 apartments and multiple retail spaces among two buildings — an historic structure and a new building up to nine stories high at 11619 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland’s University Circle. WXZ Development Inc. of Fairview Park intends to build the new mixed-use structure on a tiny parking lot behind a renovated, landmark Monmouth Building.

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Differing views, values on Downtown Lakefront causing Browns to consider Brook Park

Cleveland Browns Stadium sets on 30 acres of prime downtown lakefront land,
but for how long? City officials and Browns ownership have differing views on
how the land around the stadium should be used, prompting the Haslams to look
elsewhere for its next home venue. City officials seem okay with that (Google).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

As the old saying goes, “Show me your budget — I will tell you what you value.” Along those same lines, if you want to know what Cleveland city officials vs. the owners of the Cleveland Browns want from their returns on investment in the lakefront, show me your actions, not your words.

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Ohio City is first site for Whalen’s new venture

Dan Whalen, after 12 years of working for others in real estate, the former
quarterback at Willoughby South High School, Case Western Reserve
University and Cleveland Gladiators will now be quarterbacking his own
real estate firm (LinkedIn). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

What does a quarterback like to do? Run a winning team and call his own plays. With that, Cleveland-area native and former pro football quarterback Dan Whalen is taking the snap from center this week and launching his own real estate development and investment firm — Places Development. Not only is the new firm based in Cleveland, Whalen said much of his business focus will be on Cleveland.

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