Lee Chilcote
Recent media reports have highlighted neglect of Cleveland's lakefront park system by the State of Ohio, yet less attention has been paid to the dedicated volunteers and local heroes who have worked tirelessly to clean up our waterfront parks and offer free programming to the local community.
One such group is Friends of Edgewater State Park, which recently received a grant from the Cleveland Waterfront Coalition to support a cell phone tour of the park, and a grant from the Cleveland Colectivo to support a summer concert series.
This Thursday, July 12th beginning at 7 p.m, Cleveland artist Nate Jones will perform a free concert in the Lower Pavilion at Edgewater State Park. The event is the first of a four-part concert series to be held in the park.
"We wanted to connect back to the history of music in the park," says Mandy Metcalf, President of Friends of Edgewater State Park, noting that there was originally a dance hall and music pavilion when Edgewater Park was created. "We also want people to experience the park in a way they haven't before."
The Edgewater Park cell phone tour is now available, with six recorded messages on such topics as water quality, the Shoreway project and a history of the park.
Finally, Friends of Edgewater State Park, Euclid Adopt-a-Beach and Drink Local Drink Tap are launching a new Urban Beach Amassador program. It's a super-friends program that aims to give Cleveland's lakefront parks some much needed lovin'. Ambassadors are people who regularly tend to and look after their local parks. An initial training is scheduled for July 26th at Euclid Beach Park.
Source: Friends of Edgewater State Park
Writer: Lee Chilcote
One such group is Friends of Edgewater State Park, which recently received a grant from the Cleveland Waterfront Coalition to support a cell phone tour of the park, and a grant from the Cleveland Colectivo to support a summer concert series.
This Thursday, July 12th beginning at 7 p.m, Cleveland artist Nate Jones will perform a free concert in the Lower Pavilion at Edgewater State Park. The event is the first of a four-part concert series to be held in the park.
"We wanted to connect back to the history of music in the park," says Mandy Metcalf, President of Friends of Edgewater State Park, noting that there was originally a dance hall and music pavilion when Edgewater Park was created. "We also want people to experience the park in a way they haven't before."
The Edgewater Park cell phone tour is now available, with six recorded messages on such topics as water quality, the Shoreway project and a history of the park.
Finally, Friends of Edgewater State Park, Euclid Adopt-a-Beach and Drink Local Drink Tap are launching a new Urban Beach Amassador program. It's a super-friends program that aims to give Cleveland's lakefront parks some much needed lovin'. Ambassadors are people who regularly tend to and look after their local parks. An initial training is scheduled for July 26th at Euclid Beach Park.
Source: Friends of Edgewater State Park
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Lake Erie is a whole lot cleaner than it was decades ago, yet in the past 10 years, toxic algae has sprouted up en masse here, forcing state officials to post warning signs at popular area beaches.
The Healthy Lake Erie Fund, which was recently passed by the Ohio State Legislature and signed into law by Governor John Kasich, aims to address this problem by directing three state agencies -- the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency -- to work with farmers to help keep fertilizers and manures out of watersheds.
The $3 million fund could also help support projects such as enhanced education, soil testing, water quality monitoring and pilot efforts to reduce algae blooms.
"While we are all able to observe the harmful algal bloom problem, without effective research and monitoring programs, scientists and managers struggle to identify the causes and recommend, implement, and evaluate the most effective solutions," said Dr. Jeff Reutter of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab in a news release.
"Our $1 million annual monitoring budget of the 1970s and early 1980s was eliminated in the mid-1980s when people felt our work was done and the Lake had recovered from the 'Dead Lake Years' of the 1960s," he added. "I hope we have all learned that Lake Erie is simply too valuable to ever neglect again."
Source: Ohio Environmental Council
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Healthy Lake Erie Fund, which was recently passed by the Ohio State Legislature and signed into law by Governor John Kasich, aims to address this problem by directing three state agencies -- the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency -- to work with farmers to help keep fertilizers and manures out of watersheds.
The $3 million fund could also help support projects such as enhanced education, soil testing, water quality monitoring and pilot efforts to reduce algae blooms.
"While we are all able to observe the harmful algal bloom problem, without effective research and monitoring programs, scientists and managers struggle to identify the causes and recommend, implement, and evaluate the most effective solutions," said Dr. Jeff Reutter of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab in a news release.
"Our $1 million annual monitoring budget of the 1970s and early 1980s was eliminated in the mid-1980s when people felt our work was done and the Lake had recovered from the 'Dead Lake Years' of the 1960s," he added. "I hope we have all learned that Lake Erie is simply too valuable to ever neglect again."
Source: Ohio Environmental Council
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Is Lakewood enough of a draw to support adding a new hotel? City leaders aren't sure, but they're spending $7,000 to complete a feasibility study of the market here that will guide future decisions.
The hotel study, which will be paid for using money from the city's economic development fund, will examine whether Lakewood can capitalize on some of the development that is occurring in downtown Cleveland and its own revitalized city center to support a hotel. Currently, there are no hotel rooms in downtown Lakewood.
In the past, studies suggested that Lakewood could not support a hotel. However, millions of dollars have been pumped into downtown Lakewood in recent years, spurring dozens of new businesses and making the area a destination. One study area will be whether or not the hotel should be in downtown or closer to I-90.
"This is not something that was born out of a council meeting -- it came out of the Chamber of Commerce and LakewoodAlive," says Lakewood Councilman Shawn Juris. "What's always struck me is that Lakewood's main demographic is 20 to 40 year olds, yet we have no wedding industry here. We're studying the feasibility of adding a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast as well as a banquet facility."
"Have the major chains overlooked us because we don't fit their cookie cutter development model? That's one of the things we'll be looking at," he says.
City leaders also want to examine the possibility of converting vacant office space into hotel rooms. Lakewood Center North could benefit from such a conversion.
Source: City of Lakewood
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The hotel study, which will be paid for using money from the city's economic development fund, will examine whether Lakewood can capitalize on some of the development that is occurring in downtown Cleveland and its own revitalized city center to support a hotel. Currently, there are no hotel rooms in downtown Lakewood.
In the past, studies suggested that Lakewood could not support a hotel. However, millions of dollars have been pumped into downtown Lakewood in recent years, spurring dozens of new businesses and making the area a destination. One study area will be whether or not the hotel should be in downtown or closer to I-90.
"This is not something that was born out of a council meeting -- it came out of the Chamber of Commerce and LakewoodAlive," says Lakewood Councilman Shawn Juris. "What's always struck me is that Lakewood's main demographic is 20 to 40 year olds, yet we have no wedding industry here. We're studying the feasibility of adding a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast as well as a banquet facility."
"Have the major chains overlooked us because we don't fit their cookie cutter development model? That's one of the things we'll be looking at," he says.
City leaders also want to examine the possibility of converting vacant office space into hotel rooms. Lakewood Center North could benefit from such a conversion.
Source: City of Lakewood
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Virginia Marti College of Art and Design recently opened its new Couture Fashion Design Studio, a modern, light-filled space that it hopes will inspire Cleveland's next generation of fashion designers.
With large windows, light bamboo flooring and an open floor plan, the new space is a vast improvement over the old one, which was housed in the building's lower level without any windows or natural light. The Couture Fashion Design Studio houses the computer-aided drafting classroom for fashion design students.
Virginia Marti is a two-year college located on Detroit Avenue just west of West 117th Street in the City of Lakewood. The school offers five art-as-business programs geared towards helping arts entrepreneurs in their fields: digital media, fashion design, fashion merchandising, graphic design and interior design.
An exhibit of couturier garments from well-known fashion designers such as Giorgio Armani and Coco Chanel will be on display for several weeks in the new space. The garments are part of Virginia Marti-Veith's private collection.
Source: Virginia Marti College of Art and Design
Writer: Lee Chilcote
With large windows, light bamboo flooring and an open floor plan, the new space is a vast improvement over the old one, which was housed in the building's lower level without any windows or natural light. The Couture Fashion Design Studio houses the computer-aided drafting classroom for fashion design students.
Virginia Marti is a two-year college located on Detroit Avenue just west of West 117th Street in the City of Lakewood. The school offers five art-as-business programs geared towards helping arts entrepreneurs in their fields: digital media, fashion design, fashion merchandising, graphic design and interior design.
An exhibit of couturier garments from well-known fashion designers such as Giorgio Armani and Coco Chanel will be on display for several weeks in the new space. The garments are part of Virginia Marti-Veith's private collection.
Source: Virginia Marti College of Art and Design
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The National Park Service is proposing over $6 million of improvements to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including up to 10 miles of mountain bike trails, the addition of boat launch sites, and several new bike-in and paddle-in campsites.
The ambitious plan "aims to develop a blueprint that will guide the expansion, restoration, management, operations and use of the trail system and its associated amenities over the next 15 years, while keeping with the purpose, mission and significance of Cuyahoga Valley National Park," according to the NPS website.
The proposal would also add up to 46 miles of new trails, remove 12 miles of existing trails and add 30-plus miles of bike lanes on public roads within the park.
Park officials are holding public meetings to garner feedback this month, and the public comment period lasts until mid-August. The plan requires buy-in from several neighboring communities and park authorities, since only 19,000 of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's 33,000 acres are actually federally owned.
NPS officials hope to adopt a new plan by the end of the year.
Source: National Park Service
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The ambitious plan "aims to develop a blueprint that will guide the expansion, restoration, management, operations and use of the trail system and its associated amenities over the next 15 years, while keeping with the purpose, mission and significance of Cuyahoga Valley National Park," according to the NPS website.
The proposal would also add up to 46 miles of new trails, remove 12 miles of existing trails and add 30-plus miles of bike lanes on public roads within the park.
Park officials are holding public meetings to garner feedback this month, and the public comment period lasts until mid-August. The plan requires buy-in from several neighboring communities and park authorities, since only 19,000 of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's 33,000 acres are actually federally owned.
NPS officials hope to adopt a new plan by the end of the year.
Source: National Park Service
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Believe to Achieve, a program that teaches young people kindness, caring and respect as a means of achieving lifelong success, this year helped dozens of at-risk girls graduate from Collinwood High School.
Now the leaders of Project Love, the nonprofit that is spearheading the program, are planning to expand Believe to Achieve to 12 schools across the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD). They are currently seeking funding for that initiative.
"l ascribe our success to a very simple formula, and the formula is love," says Stuart Muszynski, President and CEO of the Project Love Remember the Children Foundation. "When people love themselves and understand what they stand for, then they understand the social and emotional part of being successful."
Seventy one girls entered the four-year trial program in 2008, and 51 of them recently received diplomas. Along the way, they were buttressed with constant mentoring, a character-building curriculum, summer jobs and 24/7 support.
Eric Gordon, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, also praised the program. "The successes we are celebrating at Collinwood show the power of collaborative investment in the social and emotional learning needs of our students," he said in a news release.
Source: Stuart Muszynski, Eric Gordon
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now the leaders of Project Love, the nonprofit that is spearheading the program, are planning to expand Believe to Achieve to 12 schools across the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD). They are currently seeking funding for that initiative.
"l ascribe our success to a very simple formula, and the formula is love," says Stuart Muszynski, President and CEO of the Project Love Remember the Children Foundation. "When people love themselves and understand what they stand for, then they understand the social and emotional part of being successful."
Seventy one girls entered the four-year trial program in 2008, and 51 of them recently received diplomas. Along the way, they were buttressed with constant mentoring, a character-building curriculum, summer jobs and 24/7 support.
Eric Gordon, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, also praised the program. "The successes we are celebrating at Collinwood show the power of collaborative investment in the social and emotional learning needs of our students," he said in a news release.
Source: Stuart Muszynski, Eric Gordon
Writer: Lee Chilcote
A partnership between Cleveland State University and the Northeast Ohio Medical University hopes to reach students as early as middle school and inspire them to consider a career in medicine.
Now, a recently awarded $500,000 grant from the Mt. Sinai Foundation will help to support a crucial piece of this program -- a mentoring program to ensure the success of students being trained as primary care physicians.
The three-year grant will focus on linking students with educators, clinicians and community champions in the neighborhoods where the students will be placed. The new urban-focused medical school, which will begin enrolling its first students in fall of 2013, aims to place students in neighborhoods throughout Cleveland.
Each year, up to 35 qualified NEOMED students will be eligible for full tuition scholarships if they agree to work in Cleveland for five years after receiving their medical degrees. One of the main purposes of the program is to train primary care physicians to serve in urban areas. Many city neighborhoods are currently underserved, and demand is expected to increase in coming years.
Source: Cleveland State University
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now, a recently awarded $500,000 grant from the Mt. Sinai Foundation will help to support a crucial piece of this program -- a mentoring program to ensure the success of students being trained as primary care physicians.
The three-year grant will focus on linking students with educators, clinicians and community champions in the neighborhoods where the students will be placed. The new urban-focused medical school, which will begin enrolling its first students in fall of 2013, aims to place students in neighborhoods throughout Cleveland.
Each year, up to 35 qualified NEOMED students will be eligible for full tuition scholarships if they agree to work in Cleveland for five years after receiving their medical degrees. One of the main purposes of the program is to train primary care physicians to serve in urban areas. Many city neighborhoods are currently underserved, and demand is expected to increase in coming years.
Source: Cleveland State University
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Cleveland Foundation recently awarded $19.9 million in grants, the second highest amount the foundation has awarded in a single quarter, including $2.25 million to strengthen college readiness and graduation rates among Cleveland students.
“Only 11 percent of Cleveland residents 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher,” said Robert Eckardt, executive vice president at the Cleveland Foundation, said in a news release. “Our team created a strategy last year to bolster secondary education success among local students. This quarter’s series of grants is a reflection of that commitment.”
The foundation's grants in this area include $1.01 million to College Now Greater Cleveland, $750,000 to Cuyahoga Community College for the College Success Program and $210,000 to support scholarships for nontraditional students.
The foundation also awarded $2.2 million to support economic development and $1.425 million to support the next phase of the Engaging the Future project, which is an initiative to attract a younger, more diverse audience to the arts.
Source: The Cleveland Foundation
Writer: Lee Chilcote
“Only 11 percent of Cleveland residents 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher,” said Robert Eckardt, executive vice president at the Cleveland Foundation, said in a news release. “Our team created a strategy last year to bolster secondary education success among local students. This quarter’s series of grants is a reflection of that commitment.”
The foundation's grants in this area include $1.01 million to College Now Greater Cleveland, $750,000 to Cuyahoga Community College for the College Success Program and $210,000 to support scholarships for nontraditional students.
The foundation also awarded $2.2 million to support economic development and $1.425 million to support the next phase of the Engaging the Future project, which is an initiative to attract a younger, more diverse audience to the arts.
Source: The Cleveland Foundation
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The State of Ohio has awarded $35.8 million in tax credits to 18 owners who are planning to rehabilitate 44 historic buildings across the state. Two of the projects, the Vincent building and the Truman building, are located in downtown Cleveland.
The Truman building, located on Euclid Avenue between E. 9th and 12th streets, will be renovated to include retail storefronts, office space, 18 market rate apartments and parking. Construction is expected to create at least 50 jobs.
The Vincent Tower, whose upper floors were refurbished for the digital marketing agency Rosetta, will be rehabbed to include 85 market rate apartments. The building, which is located at 629 Euclid Avenue, will receive a $7 million investment. The project will retain 400-plus jobs and create at least 50 construction jobs.
Both projects will feed the strong demand for apartments downtown. Currently, occupancy rates are at about 96 percent and many buildings have waiting lists.
Source: Ohio Department of Development
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Truman building, located on Euclid Avenue between E. 9th and 12th streets, will be renovated to include retail storefronts, office space, 18 market rate apartments and parking. Construction is expected to create at least 50 jobs.
The Vincent Tower, whose upper floors were refurbished for the digital marketing agency Rosetta, will be rehabbed to include 85 market rate apartments. The building, which is located at 629 Euclid Avenue, will receive a $7 million investment. The project will retain 400-plus jobs and create at least 50 construction jobs.
Both projects will feed the strong demand for apartments downtown. Currently, occupancy rates are at about 96 percent and many buildings have waiting lists.
Source: Ohio Department of Development
Writer: Lee Chilcote
An Olympic-style cycling track is being assembled by a group of dedicated volunteers on a patch of scruffy, vacant land in Slavic Village where St. Michael's Hospital stood until it was demolished years ago.
The Cleveland Velodrome met its initial $300,000 fundraising goal for the 166-meter, wood and steel banked track thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation and generous lead donors.
Later this month, cyclists should be able to go for a spin on the velodrome, which is the only one of its kind between the East Coast and Chicago. Backers of the project hope to eventually construct a multipurpose domed athletic center that will allow avid Cleveland cyclists and area youth to ride during the winter months, as well.
“After many years of hard work, we are thrilled to bring a velodrome track to Cleveland,” said Brett Davis, Board President or Fast Track Cycling, in a release. “Phase I allows Fast Track to implement youth and adult programming and will serve as a tool to raise additional funds to enclose the track for year-round use. While we are very pleased to reach the Phase I target, fund-raising will continue towards the ultimate goal of an enclosed, year-round track and sports center.”
“This is a terrific opportunity for Broadway Slavic Village,” said Marie Kittredge, Executive Director of Slavic Village Development. “The velodrome is a perfect fit for us, because of our central location, and our community’s commitment to active lifestyles and physical fitness. The velodrome will complement the gymnastics programming at the adjacent Sokol Czech Cultural Center, the community’s two new athletic fields, the First Tee Golf Course, and the Morgana Bike Trail.”
Fast Track Cycling is leasing the 8.4 acre site from the City of Cleveland for $1 per year. The Cleveland Velodrome is located on Broadway Ave. near Pershing Ave.
Source: Brett Davis, Marie Kittredge
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Cleveland Velodrome met its initial $300,000 fundraising goal for the 166-meter, wood and steel banked track thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation and generous lead donors.
Later this month, cyclists should be able to go for a spin on the velodrome, which is the only one of its kind between the East Coast and Chicago. Backers of the project hope to eventually construct a multipurpose domed athletic center that will allow avid Cleveland cyclists and area youth to ride during the winter months, as well.
“After many years of hard work, we are thrilled to bring a velodrome track to Cleveland,” said Brett Davis, Board President or Fast Track Cycling, in a release. “Phase I allows Fast Track to implement youth and adult programming and will serve as a tool to raise additional funds to enclose the track for year-round use. While we are very pleased to reach the Phase I target, fund-raising will continue towards the ultimate goal of an enclosed, year-round track and sports center.”
“This is a terrific opportunity for Broadway Slavic Village,” said Marie Kittredge, Executive Director of Slavic Village Development. “The velodrome is a perfect fit for us, because of our central location, and our community’s commitment to active lifestyles and physical fitness. The velodrome will complement the gymnastics programming at the adjacent Sokol Czech Cultural Center, the community’s two new athletic fields, the First Tee Golf Course, and the Morgana Bike Trail.”
Fast Track Cycling is leasing the 8.4 acre site from the City of Cleveland for $1 per year. The Cleveland Velodrome is located on Broadway Ave. near Pershing Ave.
Source: Brett Davis, Marie Kittredge
Writer: Lee Chilcote
With prominent wind turbines at Lincoln Electric and William Sopko and Sons, the City of Euclid has embraced alternative energy in recent years. This weekend, the lakefront city hosts the inaugural Euclid Wind Festival, which celebrates breezes by offering wind-themed crafts, food, live music, artwork and exhibits on wind energy.
Billed as "downtown Euclid's biggest party of the summer" according to a press release from the Shore Cultural Centre, the event will feature artists creating wind-themed works on site, live woodwind music and a giant wind chime.
The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), a nonprofit organization that advocates for wind energy development in Northeast Ohio, will educate visitors about wind energy and host an exhibit showcasing winning designs from the 2012 Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair.
The Euclid Wind Festival will take place on Saturday, July 7th from 11 am until 7 pm on the grounds of the Shore Cultural Centre at 291 East 222nd St. The event is sponsored by Shore, the City of Euclid and the Euclid Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Shore Cultural Centre
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Billed as "downtown Euclid's biggest party of the summer" according to a press release from the Shore Cultural Centre, the event will feature artists creating wind-themed works on site, live woodwind music and a giant wind chime.
The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), a nonprofit organization that advocates for wind energy development in Northeast Ohio, will educate visitors about wind energy and host an exhibit showcasing winning designs from the 2012 Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair.
The Euclid Wind Festival will take place on Saturday, July 7th from 11 am until 7 pm on the grounds of the Shore Cultural Centre at 291 East 222nd St. The event is sponsored by Shore, the City of Euclid and the Euclid Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Shore Cultural Centre
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now in its fourth year, Larchmere PorchFest has blossomed into one of the most beloved of summer festivals. This homespun event does more than bring music to the front porches of this diverse Cleveland neighborhood; it highlights local independent businesses, fosters a sense of community, and markets the area to future residents.
The Cleveland Public Library recently unveiled TechCentral, a new downtown computing hub that offers free use of laptops, tablets and desktop computers, wireless access and 3-D printing.
A library card is all one needs to access the center, which cost $1 million to build and is located in 7,000 square feet in the lower level of the Louis Stokes Wing.
In addition to being able to explore the latest technology on site, card holders will be able to borrow iPads and Kindles to take home for a week at a time. They will also be able to borrow laptops for use anywhere in the building -- including the Eastman Reading Garden -- but won't be able to take them off premises.
Other features of TechCentral include a flexible learning space and SMART board, cloud computing and computer instruction at the main library as well as branches.
CPL created TechCentral in part to provide city residents access to technology. Yet the library's intentions go beyond serving its core constituency of Cleveland residents to better connecting the library to new developments in downtown.
TechCentral is the first phase of CPL’s $12-13.5 million Downtown Destination Plan, which aims to better connect CPL’s downtown buildings with East 4th Street, the Horseshoe Casino, Public Square, the Medical Mart and Convention Center.
Source: Cleveland Public Library
Writer: Lee Chilcote
A library card is all one needs to access the center, which cost $1 million to build and is located in 7,000 square feet in the lower level of the Louis Stokes Wing.
In addition to being able to explore the latest technology on site, card holders will be able to borrow iPads and Kindles to take home for a week at a time. They will also be able to borrow laptops for use anywhere in the building -- including the Eastman Reading Garden -- but won't be able to take them off premises.
Other features of TechCentral include a flexible learning space and SMART board, cloud computing and computer instruction at the main library as well as branches.
CPL created TechCentral in part to provide city residents access to technology. Yet the library's intentions go beyond serving its core constituency of Cleveland residents to better connecting the library to new developments in downtown.
TechCentral is the first phase of CPL’s $12-13.5 million Downtown Destination Plan, which aims to better connect CPL’s downtown buildings with East 4th Street, the Horseshoe Casino, Public Square, the Medical Mart and Convention Center.
Source: Cleveland Public Library
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Famicos Foundation, a nonprofit community development group serving Glenville and Hough, recently completed a green renovation of the historic Doan School building into affordable apartments.
According to the Famicos Foundation website, "Originally constructed in 1904 and expanded in 1906 and 1950, Doan School, located at 1350 East 105th Street, is a national landmark that fell victim to the foreclosure epidemic. The structure was designed by Frank Barnum, a prominent Cleveland architect who designed many early twentieth-century public schools. In 1985 the building was converted to 45 units of low-income senior housing; in 2008 it became vacant and boarded."
Last year, Famicos began the $7.4 million renovation of Doan Classroom using low-interest deferred Neighborhood Stabilization Program loans provided by the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
Famicos also contributed its own tax credit equity to the deal. This equity was provided by the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing through syndication of federal Historic Tax Credits as well as Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
The Doan Classroom Apartments project not only demonstrates the principles of historic renovation, but also shows that they can be married with green building.
"This was a large school building that was not built for residential use, yet we were able to renovate it so that it meets Enterprise Green Community standards," says Chuck Ackerman, Associate Director of the Famicos Foundation.
Source: Chuck Ackerman
Writer: Lee Chilcote
According to the Famicos Foundation website, "Originally constructed in 1904 and expanded in 1906 and 1950, Doan School, located at 1350 East 105th Street, is a national landmark that fell victim to the foreclosure epidemic. The structure was designed by Frank Barnum, a prominent Cleveland architect who designed many early twentieth-century public schools. In 1985 the building was converted to 45 units of low-income senior housing; in 2008 it became vacant and boarded."
Last year, Famicos began the $7.4 million renovation of Doan Classroom using low-interest deferred Neighborhood Stabilization Program loans provided by the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
Famicos also contributed its own tax credit equity to the deal. This equity was provided by the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing through syndication of federal Historic Tax Credits as well as Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
The Doan Classroom Apartments project not only demonstrates the principles of historic renovation, but also shows that they can be married with green building.
"This was a large school building that was not built for residential use, yet we were able to renovate it so that it meets Enterprise Green Community standards," says Chuck Ackerman, Associate Director of the Famicos Foundation.
Source: Chuck Ackerman
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Architect Joe Hanna's design work can be found in restaurants and buildings from the Gordon Square Arts District to downtown Cleveland and Shaker Square. As owner of the Caxton Cafe in the early 1990s, he claims to have pioneered the rebirth of the Gateway District.
Recently, Hanna has set his sights on the funky, independent-minded Larchmere district, where cozy antique shops nudge up against friendly taverns and hip new boutiques. Twenty years later, Hanna has returned to the restaurant business, this time in a charming house-turned-cafe smack in the middle of Larchmere.
Bon Vivant, a French bistro that opened earlier this month, occupies the former Vine and Bean and Cafe Limbo space at Larchmere and East 127th Street. Hanna says the cafe will feature classic French dishes such as steak frite as well as vegetarian favorites favored by patrons of Limbo and Vine and Bean.
"Our goal is to give people another reason to frequent Larchmere," says Hanna, who has partnered with investor Marie-Rose Andriadi, chef Tom Rindleisch and artist James Longs on the cafe. "People have always loved the patio, so we've really made that an emphasis."
In addition to the cute backyard patio, Hanna spruced up the postage stamp yard in front and added five tables with umbrellas for a sidewalk dining experience. He has also added two outside bars on the rear patio and an outdoor lounge area. Finally, he renovated the interior with white marble tables and a fresh look.
Most of Bon Vivant's entrees are priced under $20, and Hanna plans to eventually open for lunch. For now, though, Bon Vivant is open daily from 4 pm until 12 am.
Source: Joe Hanna
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Recently, Hanna has set his sights on the funky, independent-minded Larchmere district, where cozy antique shops nudge up against friendly taverns and hip new boutiques. Twenty years later, Hanna has returned to the restaurant business, this time in a charming house-turned-cafe smack in the middle of Larchmere.
Bon Vivant, a French bistro that opened earlier this month, occupies the former Vine and Bean and Cafe Limbo space at Larchmere and East 127th Street. Hanna says the cafe will feature classic French dishes such as steak frite as well as vegetarian favorites favored by patrons of Limbo and Vine and Bean.
"Our goal is to give people another reason to frequent Larchmere," says Hanna, who has partnered with investor Marie-Rose Andriadi, chef Tom Rindleisch and artist James Longs on the cafe. "People have always loved the patio, so we've really made that an emphasis."
In addition to the cute backyard patio, Hanna spruced up the postage stamp yard in front and added five tables with umbrellas for a sidewalk dining experience. He has also added two outside bars on the rear patio and an outdoor lounge area. Finally, he renovated the interior with white marble tables and a fresh look.
Most of Bon Vivant's entrees are priced under $20, and Hanna plans to eventually open for lunch. For now, though, Bon Vivant is open daily from 4 pm until 12 am.
Source: Joe Hanna
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Don Hayes has a new vision for Cleveland's fashion industry, and the design coop that he's building in a renovated factory on the near west side is helping to make it real by spotlighting young, local designers.
"The fashion scene in Cleveland has a lot of potential," he says. "There are a number of designers here, but people aren't necessarily aware of them."
Recently, Hayes launched Design Lab Inc., a fashion co-op consisting of three separate companies: Cloud 9 Boutique, Project Model Academy and Cloud 9 Event and Royal Wedding Planning. Cloud 9 boutique showcases 11 local designers.
In a former torpedo factory off of Clark and West 33rd with exposed brick walls and lofted ceilings, Hayes and another designer create and sell clothes on site.
"You can literally watch clothes go from the sewing machine to the rack," Hayes says of the 2,500 square foot space, which is at once a studio, office and store.
Hayes also partners with Collinwood High School to offer interns the opportunity to work in the fashion industry. "You don't have to leave Cleveland to be successful, and it's helpful to have a mentor on that journey."
Source: Don Hayes
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"The fashion scene in Cleveland has a lot of potential," he says. "There are a number of designers here, but people aren't necessarily aware of them."
Recently, Hayes launched Design Lab Inc., a fashion co-op consisting of three separate companies: Cloud 9 Boutique, Project Model Academy and Cloud 9 Event and Royal Wedding Planning. Cloud 9 boutique showcases 11 local designers.
In a former torpedo factory off of Clark and West 33rd with exposed brick walls and lofted ceilings, Hayes and another designer create and sell clothes on site.
"You can literally watch clothes go from the sewing machine to the rack," Hayes says of the 2,500 square foot space, which is at once a studio, office and store.
Hayes also partners with Collinwood High School to offer interns the opportunity to work in the fashion industry. "You don't have to leave Cleveland to be successful, and it's helpful to have a mentor on that journey."
Source: Don Hayes
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Designer Will Kesling recently launched Pixel Thought Foundry, a web, motion and print design studio, in a cozy 750 square foot office suite above Geiger's Sporting Goods in downtown Lakewood.
In doing so, he not only gladly gave up his cluttered home office, but also joined the ranks of a growing number of entrepreneurs who are choosing Lakewood.
"Lakewood is really supportive of small businesses," says Kesling, a Pittsburgh native who moved to Cleveland to work for a major firm before going out on his own. "There's a lot of opportunity to start a business and keep your overhead low. Space is affordable, so you don't have to worry about whether you’ll make rent."
One of the advantages of doing business in downtown Lakewood, Kesling says, is that there are a bevy of like-minded firms within walking distance -- or even in the same building. Pixel Thought Foundry, for instance, is located on the same floor as Sprokets, another small, Lakewood-based web development firm.
"There's a really good network here, and we can provide the same services as larger companies by teaming up," says Kesling. "That's how we get our A team."
Pixel Thought Foundry specializes in helping clients to develop research-driven marketing and web development strategies. Recently, Kesling says, he's carved out a successful niche by helping authors to develop trailers for their new books.
Source: Will Kesling
Writer: Lee Chilcote
In doing so, he not only gladly gave up his cluttered home office, but also joined the ranks of a growing number of entrepreneurs who are choosing Lakewood.
"Lakewood is really supportive of small businesses," says Kesling, a Pittsburgh native who moved to Cleveland to work for a major firm before going out on his own. "There's a lot of opportunity to start a business and keep your overhead low. Space is affordable, so you don't have to worry about whether you’ll make rent."
One of the advantages of doing business in downtown Lakewood, Kesling says, is that there are a bevy of like-minded firms within walking distance -- or even in the same building. Pixel Thought Foundry, for instance, is located on the same floor as Sprokets, another small, Lakewood-based web development firm.
"There's a really good network here, and we can provide the same services as larger companies by teaming up," says Kesling. "That's how we get our A team."
Pixel Thought Foundry specializes in helping clients to develop research-driven marketing and web development strategies. Recently, Kesling says, he's carved out a successful niche by helping authors to develop trailers for their new books.
Source: Will Kesling
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Groundworks Dance Theater recently presented an original work choreographed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett that featured rousing Broadway-style choreography set to the music of the 80s band the Pretenders.
The show wasn't exactly what comes to mind when one thinks of contemporary dance, and audiences loved it. Groundworks General Manager Beth Rutkowski says her organization is using performances like this to reach new audiences in Cleveland.
"There are a lot of people who say, 'I'm not really a modern dance person and modern dance is weird,'" says Rutkowski. "Yet if we're able to get them in the door, they find our work is extremely accessible. It's getting past that barrier."
Connecting diverse, new audiences to Cleveland's rich arts and culture groups is the purpose of Engaging the Future, an initiative by the Cleveland Foundation to help arts organizations think differently about how to grow their audiences.
"It's about more than just putting butts in seats," says Rutkowski. "We're looking at ways to engage different people and a more diverse audience. Audiences for many arts organizations in Cleveland are getting older and are for the most part white. We want to look at new ways of thinking and share best practices."
Some of the new ideas Groundworks is considering include collaborating with other groups; stressing a more interactive relationship with its audience; offering performances online for younger audiences that want to "self-curate"; hosting evening gatherings of creative individuals, including entrepreneurs, to explore the relationship between art and creativity; and developing a series of videos called "It's Your Move" that connect dance to regular, everyday body movements.
Engaging the Future recently released a survey and hopes to glean audience information from it that will help organizations to chart a course in the future.
Source: Beth Rutkowski, Kristin Puch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The show wasn't exactly what comes to mind when one thinks of contemporary dance, and audiences loved it. Groundworks General Manager Beth Rutkowski says her organization is using performances like this to reach new audiences in Cleveland.
"There are a lot of people who say, 'I'm not really a modern dance person and modern dance is weird,'" says Rutkowski. "Yet if we're able to get them in the door, they find our work is extremely accessible. It's getting past that barrier."
Connecting diverse, new audiences to Cleveland's rich arts and culture groups is the purpose of Engaging the Future, an initiative by the Cleveland Foundation to help arts organizations think differently about how to grow their audiences.
"It's about more than just putting butts in seats," says Rutkowski. "We're looking at ways to engage different people and a more diverse audience. Audiences for many arts organizations in Cleveland are getting older and are for the most part white. We want to look at new ways of thinking and share best practices."
Some of the new ideas Groundworks is considering include collaborating with other groups; stressing a more interactive relationship with its audience; offering performances online for younger audiences that want to "self-curate"; hosting evening gatherings of creative individuals, including entrepreneurs, to explore the relationship between art and creativity; and developing a series of videos called "It's Your Move" that connect dance to regular, everyday body movements.
Engaging the Future recently released a survey and hopes to glean audience information from it that will help organizations to chart a course in the future.
Source: Beth Rutkowski, Kristin Puch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Before a packed house at Severance Hall, Cleveland Foundation President Ronn Richard touted the city's accomplishments in becoming a hub of innovation and taking bold steps to address big problems at the foundation's annual meeting this Tuesday.
Waxing poetic on the gilded stage for a moment, Richard harkened back to the foundation's early days in the 1910's as a time of tremendous innovation in Cleveland. "I still wonder if the past might be prologue," he mused, noting that the foundation's centennial is just two years away. "Can we envision the spirit of a second renaissance in Cleveland?"
Richard also posed a challenge to civic leaders to remain focused on true economic development and social change within the city. "Physical development, as wonderful as it is, must be coupled with investment in people and placemaking," he said, noting that the building spree of the 1990s was too focused on bricks and mortar projects. "We need to invest in connecting communities."
Among the foundation's projects, Richard touted the Cleveland schools plan that recently passed the state legislature, ongoing investments in high quality urban education, economic development programs such as the HealthTech Corridor and the Evergreen Cooperatives, and programs to connect new audiences to the arts.
Richard also told the audience that later this year the Cleveland Foundation will unveil a new microlending program for entrepreneurs seeking loans under $50,000 to help spur job creation and assist the creation of startups.
Source: Ronn Richard
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Waxing poetic on the gilded stage for a moment, Richard harkened back to the foundation's early days in the 1910's as a time of tremendous innovation in Cleveland. "I still wonder if the past might be prologue," he mused, noting that the foundation's centennial is just two years away. "Can we envision the spirit of a second renaissance in Cleveland?"
Richard also posed a challenge to civic leaders to remain focused on true economic development and social change within the city. "Physical development, as wonderful as it is, must be coupled with investment in people and placemaking," he said, noting that the building spree of the 1990s was too focused on bricks and mortar projects. "We need to invest in connecting communities."
Among the foundation's projects, Richard touted the Cleveland schools plan that recently passed the state legislature, ongoing investments in high quality urban education, economic development programs such as the HealthTech Corridor and the Evergreen Cooperatives, and programs to connect new audiences to the arts.
Richard also told the audience that later this year the Cleveland Foundation will unveil a new microlending program for entrepreneurs seeking loans under $50,000 to help spur job creation and assist the creation of startups.
Source: Ronn Richard
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Chloe Hopson knows firsthand the disparity between urban and suburban arts education programs. Having grown up on South Moreland on the edge of Shaker Heights and Cleveland, she flourished in the arts-rich Shaker Heights school system while many of her Cleveland friends lacked similar opportunities.
That's why Hopson founded the Passport Project 14 years ago. She wanted to provide arts programs to youth living in the Buckeye, Larchmere and Shaker Square neighborhoods, and expose them to different cultures across the globe. "We help kids in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to build literacy skills, and we also help them see that there's a whole world out there," she says.
Now this "local girl with a global perspective," as she calls herself, is working with other arts organizations, residents and businesses in the community to launch Shaker Square Arts. The new organization will offer a range of free programming and classes and will use the historic Shaker Square shopping plaza as its home base.
"We're looking to create a more vibrant neighborhood and one where we get to know each other," says Hopson, who now lives in the Larchmere neighborhood and operates the Passport Project in a storefront at Buckeye and East 128th Street. "We hope to bring people together across perceived lines of difference."
Some of the programs include West African dance and percussion classes, capoeira classes, storytelling workshops and "Drinks and Doodles." This "happy hour with a twist" will invite attendees to draw on a napkin and enter their creation into a contest to win a $25 gift certificate from a local Shaker Square merchant.
Some of the partners involved in Shaker Square Arts include the Passport Project, Lake Erie Artists, City Dance, the Coral Company and area artists and residents. The free classes are supported by a grant from Neighborhood Connections.
A Drinks and Doodles happy hour will take place on Thursday, June 21st from 5-7 pm at Dewey's Coffee Shop. A free West African percussion and dance class will be held this Saturday, June 23rd from 12:30-2 pm right before Larchmere Porchfest.
Source: Chloe Hopson
Writer: Lee Chilcote
That's why Hopson founded the Passport Project 14 years ago. She wanted to provide arts programs to youth living in the Buckeye, Larchmere and Shaker Square neighborhoods, and expose them to different cultures across the globe. "We help kids in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to build literacy skills, and we also help them see that there's a whole world out there," she says.
Now this "local girl with a global perspective," as she calls herself, is working with other arts organizations, residents and businesses in the community to launch Shaker Square Arts. The new organization will offer a range of free programming and classes and will use the historic Shaker Square shopping plaza as its home base.
"We're looking to create a more vibrant neighborhood and one where we get to know each other," says Hopson, who now lives in the Larchmere neighborhood and operates the Passport Project in a storefront at Buckeye and East 128th Street. "We hope to bring people together across perceived lines of difference."
Some of the programs include West African dance and percussion classes, capoeira classes, storytelling workshops and "Drinks and Doodles." This "happy hour with a twist" will invite attendees to draw on a napkin and enter their creation into a contest to win a $25 gift certificate from a local Shaker Square merchant.
Some of the partners involved in Shaker Square Arts include the Passport Project, Lake Erie Artists, City Dance, the Coral Company and area artists and residents. The free classes are supported by a grant from Neighborhood Connections.
A Drinks and Doodles happy hour will take place on Thursday, June 21st from 5-7 pm at Dewey's Coffee Shop. A free West African percussion and dance class will be held this Saturday, June 23rd from 12:30-2 pm right before Larchmere Porchfest.
Source: Chloe Hopson
Writer: Lee Chilcote