Downtown

clevelanders bullish on farm markets to the tune of $2.5 million
Clevelanders are having a love affair with locally grown, seasonal food -- and that romance is playing out at numerous farmers markets around town. These days, it's possible to shop at a different neighborhood farmers market practically every day of the week, a far cry from when just a handful existed. What's more: Cleveland-area farmers markets will reap approximately $2.5 million this year, great news for small entrepreneurs and the local economy.
photo slide show: farm market charm
With nearly a dozen different farmers markets setting up around town, it has never been easier to stock our larders with fresh, local food. In this pictorial feature, Fresh Water managing photographer Bob Perkoski takes us on a colorful tour of Cleveland's increasingly popular farmers markets. Bring cash, a cloth bag, and a healthy appetite.
paramount announces plans to shoot movie in cle
Lights, camera, action!

Paramount Pictures announced plans to shoot an untitled film this summer in Cleveland and surrounding areas. The movie, starring Nickelodeon's Victoria Justice, will be directed by Josh Schwartz and produced by Michael Beugg. It is one of three major motion pictures slated for production in Greater Cleveland this summer.

"I think it's going to be a very exciting summer," says Greater Cleveland Film Commission executive director Ivan Schwarz. "It's creating the infrastructure, jobs and economic development in the area." The film is expected to employ 545 people, including cast, crew and extras.

The Paramount movie is just one part of Schwarz's plan to create 2,500 film-related jobs in everything from driving trucks to catering. "I want to create an industry; I don't want a boutique," he says. "Young people in our state and our community have a choice to work in an industry that's cool and pays well."

The production has been approved to receive funding through the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Ohio Film Office.

Cleveland is becoming more and more attractive to filmmakers because of its diverse scenery. "There is nothing you can't film here except for mountains and desert," says Schwarz. Katie Sabatino, spokesperson for the Ohio Film Office, adds, "Cleveland has a fantastic cast and crew base. With the bigger city and the small towns, it will look like any city or town you need. That's been a really attractive selling point for the film industry."


Source: Ivan Schwarz
Writer: Karin Connelly

city of cle makes good on promise to pimp food truck policy
As promised, Cleveland City Council passed sweeping new legislation that will help food truck operators succeed. Despite a lengthy -- and at times contentious -- process, City Council not only made good on its promises to modernize and streamline the rules of play, but actually improved upon the proposed package.

Mayor Frank Jackson was expected to sign the legislation this week.

According to Councilman Joe Cimperman, whose ward includes much of downtown, the new legislation would have limited food trucks to only a handful of downtown zones. What passed appears to be broader, with as many as eight permissible spots at which to circle the chuck wagons.

City Council also lengthened the permissible hours of operation, giving truck operators access to the lucrative post-bar business.

Before this revision, truck operators were required to obtain over a dozen separate permits, provide detailed external and internal architectural plans of their rig, fill out a 50-page application, and pay as much as $3,000 in application fees. The prize waiting for those who made it out of that process was confusing, contradictory and business-killing regulations.

This is great news not only for the existing and planned food trucks, but also for the City of Cleveland.

"[Food trucks] are successful micro-economic development engines that are creating independent wealth in one of the worst recessions in decades," says Lizzy Caston, a communications pro who consults with cities on modernizing food truck policy.

'build it big' program boosts women-owned firms

Cleveland is an entrepreneurial hotspot right now, and big business in Cleveland wants to make sure local women-owned outfits have equal footing. Springboard Enterprises has joined forces with Ohio-based powerhouses KeyBank, Thompson Hine, and Meaden & Moore to provide women with the keys to building big businesses.

Build it Big is a business development program for women-owned businesses on the fast track to growth. "It's about educating business owners on how to find equity investors and financing," says Maria Coyne, executive vice president of business banking for Key. "It's really about targeting for growth and the desire to grow rapidly."

Applications are being taken through May 23. The number of applicants accepted into the program depends on how many apply, but all applicants will get at least some input. To qualify, companies must have a woman in a key management position with a significant ownership stake; demonstrate a qualified and profitable market opportunity, a track record of milestone achievement and a credible core management team or an ability to attract one.

Companies selected to participate will meet one-on-one with the Build It Big partners to chart effective strategies for growing their businesses, including choosing the right capital, getting the fiscal house in order, and important legal issues such as product licensing, royalties and protecting the company's intellectual property.

The program can only mean good things for Cleveland's entrepreneurial spirit. "We think it's great for Cleveland because we like to grow our own," says Coyne. "We have an entrepreneurial history. Build it Big improves sustainability and growth for all our businesses. And we want to have a shared interest in their success."


Source: Maria Coyne
Writer: Karin Connelly

pittsburgh contemplates forthcoming ohio casinos
A recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article discusses the development of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, which will be the first casino in Ohio when it opens early next year. The casino will be located in the historic Higbee Building downtown.

The development of casinos in Ohio will take a toll on already established casinos in Pennsylvania. About 20 percent of regular customers at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino come are from out of state, mainly Ohio and West Virginia.

But before they can even open, Ohio casinos have a few hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is an ambivalent new Republican governor.

"The state's new governor, John Kasich, voted against the 2009 constitutional amendment referendum that was approved in a statewide vote, eventually permitting the construction of casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati. But now he's charged with helping to craft the rules and regulations that will guide the industry in its formative years."

Kasich will also be the one who ultimately decides whether to sign off on a plan to legalize slot machines at Ohio racetracks. A portion of racetrack slot money goes toward prizes in Pennsylvania and Indiana, making race purses up to three times higher and in turn attracting better horses and jockeys.

Ohio is also in an unusual situation, because while casinos were approved in 2009, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which handles many regulatory matters, was appointed just two months ago.

Check out the entire article here.

time mag discusses the 'greening' of cle's fed building
A recent Time article titled "Greening the Skyline" discussed plans to make Cleveland's Celebrezze Federal Building more energy efficient. Built in 1967, the building is getting a new façade made of glass and aluminum that will envelop the original. The new construction will prevent heat loss in the 32-story building.

"Designed by architect Charles Young of Interactive Design Eight, the new facade will stand 2.5 ft. (75 cm) outside the old exterior," the article states. "Airflow between the old and new facade will insulate the building, yielding an estimated energy savings of $650,000 per year."

President Obama's stimulus program will contribute to funding the project.

The Time article also mentions recent improvements made to the Empire State Building, as well as the city of Melbourne's project aimed at reducing the energy consumption of about 1,200 office buildings 38% by 2020.

"Skyscrapers look modern, but they are among the worst culprits in urban areas when it comes to energy consumption and carbon emission, with outdated heating, cooling and lighting systems."

Read the rest of the article here.

q & a: daniel berry, president of magnet
When it comes to adapting to today's marketplace, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network -- aka MAGNET -- is a manufacturer's best friend. The Cleveland-based organization helps companies uncover new products, new markets, and new opportunities for growth. We recently spoke with CEO Daniel Berry about the current state of manufacturing in NEO.
cleveland public library scores sports research center
On April 25th, Cleveland Public Library (CPL) will celebrate the opening of the Sports Research Center, where visitors can explore favorite moments in local sports history, learn more about the history of black baseball, and meet sports icons from past and present.

The Center lets sports junkies travel back in time to the Indians' glory days. And given the Tribe's current first-place perch in the AL Central, perhaps this isn't just idle daydreaming.

The opening reception for the new facility and its inaugural exhibit, "Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience," will be held on April 25th at 3:30 p.m. on the main library's 5th floor.

"Pride and Passion" tells the story of the African-American baseball players who formed the Negro Leagues after being barred from Major League Baseball in the 1890s. Some of baseball's greatest players, including Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, played for the Negro Leagues in the early 20th century.

Negro League player Ernest Nimmons, who played alongside Hank Aaron for the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952, will be on hand to talk about his experiences at the event. Nimmons now lives in Elyria.

"Pride and Passion" is organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Additional highlights of the center's research materials include correspondence from Jackie Robinson, oral history interviews with 100+ baseball players, baseball fiction, boxing history and the Plain Dealer Historical Archive, an online sports news database.

The April 25th event is a partnership between CPL and the Cleveland Indians. The team's Vice President of Public Relations, Bob DiBiasio, and retired Indians player and 1980 American League Rookie of the Year, Joe Charboneau, will answer questions and sign autographs.

If you happen to miss the opening reception you won't have to "wait 'til next year." The Sports Research Center will be free and open to the public year round.


Source: Cleveland Public Library
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo: Lisa DeJong

oh, the places you'll stay: execs aim to steer info tech sector in 'rite' direction
Comprised of local IT execs and university reps, the RITE Board seeks to boost the quality and reputation of Cleveland's IT sector. By encouraging students to pursue careers in IT and improving IT internships, technology companies aim to capture young IT professionals before they leave town.
hell on wheels: why food truck owners are feeling the heat
Food trucks are all the rage -- both here and across the U.S. Despite one of the worst recessions in recent history, these plucky start-ups are thriving, adding jobs, injecting cash into the local economy, and putting smiles on the faces of hungry diners. But rather than encourage the proliferation of these economic development engines, food truck operators say the City of Cleveland is making it nearly impossible for them to succeed.
gone in 60 seconds: why pop-up shops are here to stay
The Punxsutawney Phil of the retail world, pop-up shops spontaneously appear, attract big crowds, and then vanish as quickly as they came. For retailers and artists without a bona fide storefront, pop-up shops provide a lease-free way to test products and build a following. Landlords love them because they plug vacant storefronts while attracting new feet to the street.
Video: Apollo Command Module Arrives At Science Center
Last summer, the Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module was moved into its new home at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center at the Great Lakes Science Center. How do you transport and install something like that? Here's how it was done.
the time is nigh for design in c-town
April and May bring out the best in design during the inaugural Cleveland Design Month-and-a-Half, which features two events that show off the talents of local design students as well as regional and national designers.

The Cleveland Institute of Art's annual Spring Design Show, a tradition for more than 20 years, kicks off on Tuesday, April 19, while the Cleveland Furniture Fair, hosted by Cleveland's District of Design, begins May 16.

In the spring show student work in industrial, interior and communication design will be on display for the public, as well as national employers in Case Western Reserve's Peter B. Lewis building. "More than 100 students show work and interview for internships," says CIA's head of industrial design, Dan Cuffaro. "It's a big job fair." A free public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. will kick off the event.

Throughout the week, designers hailing from some of the most progressive firms in the world will present a series of free lectures to the public.

The second annual Cleveland Furniture Fair will show off the brightest designers and manufacturers of furniture, lighting, millwork and more. This year's fair has a greater variety of designers from Northeast Ohio, unique seminars tailored specifically for exhibitors and the public, as well as pop-up retail shops and a variety of design-focused events.

Additionally, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cleveland Chapter has a calendar full of lectures, exhibitions, and tours open to the public that will introduce new and exciting architecture and design to Northeast Ohio.


Sources: Dan Cuffaro, Casey Burry
Writer: Karin Connelly
belfast writer sweet on great lakes region
A reporter for the Belfast Telegraph recently made a visit to the Great Lakes region -- including Cleveland -- and filed an entertaining travel guide on the matter in the publication.

"This was possibly one of the best holidays I've ever had," the writer declares at the outset.

While in Cleveland, the Belfast Telegraph writer toured Great Lakes Brewing Company and went fishing on Lake Erie. "Slept well at the Downtown Crowne Plaza Hotel before an early start for perch fishing on Lake Erie. All on board a charter boat with bait, tackle, licences and rods provided."

"I'd never ever gone fishing before but beginner's luck saw me thrilled, yet again, to catch three enormous yellow perch out in the depths."

While in the Buckeye State, the writer also visited Hocking Hills for some heart-stopping zip line and rappelling adventures.

The writer also stopped in Put-In-Bay, Sandusky, and Hell, Michigan.

Explore the rest here.
euclid ave corridor project finalist in national land-use prize
Urban Land Institute (ULI) has announced 20 finalists for its 2011 Awards for Excellence: The Americas Competition, "widely recognized as the land use industry's most prestigious recognition program."

"The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability."

Cleveland's Euclid Avenue Transportation Project, developed by Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and designed by Sasaki Associates, is one of the finalists.

"The $200 million Euclid Avenue Transportation Project brings bus rapid transit (BRT) and an improved streetscape along 8.3 miles of Cleveland's historic Euclid Avenue, connecting the central business district with major cultural, medical, and education users -- all at one-fourth the cost of light rail."

The project has also spurred $4.7 billion in spin-off investment and 11.4 million square feet of new and planned development.

Other finalists include Riverfront Park in Denver, Broadway Family Apartments in San Francisco, and Center for Urban Waters in Tacoma.

The winners will be announced on May 20 at the 2011 ULI Real Estate Summit in Phoenix.

Read the rest here.

despite population loss, cle attracts more young pros than ever
According to an article in USA Today, urban centers are attracting more and more educated young adults -- despite overall declines in population.

"In more than two-thirds of the nation's 51 largest cities, the young, college-educated population in the past decade grew twice as fast within three miles of the urban center as in the rest of the metropolitan area -- up an average 26 percent compared with 13 percent in other parts," the article states.

Cleveland is no exception.

Although the City of Cleveland lost 17 percent of its population between 2000 and 2009, the numbers of college-educated young professionals climbed by 49 percent thanks to 1,300 new residents between the ages of 25 to 34. This is good news for the economic future of urban cores.

Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Detroit were among the other cities with high percentages of young people moving downtown. The statistics count college-educated young people who live within three miles of a metro area's central business district.

Read the rest here.

philippe cousteau to give keynote at this year's green gala
Rather than make a beeline for warmer climes, environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau will leave the chilly Arctic Circle (current temps: brutal) and head straight to Cleveland. The handsome grandson of Captain Jacques Cousteau, and environmental correspondent for CNN, will be in town to headline the third annual Green Gala. To be held Friday, April 8 at Executive Caterers, the event is the principal fundraiser for EcoWatch, an Ohio-based nonprofit that provides a voice for environmental organizations. The organization's bimonthly newspaper EcoWatch Journal is available free at over 2000 locations statewide.

local universities conspire to improve "green" grades
When it comes to sustainability, we are all lifelong students. Cleveland's higher education institutions are not excluded from this learning process. In fact, area colleges and universities spent a year reflecting upon on-campus sustainability initiatives and ways to improve current practices.

The Collegiate Sustainable Practices Consortium (CSPC) brought together six local colleges and universities to talk about best practices regarding energy, water, food, building and other areas of sustainability. Led by David Kruger, director of Baldwin-Wallace's Institute for Sustainable Business Practice (ISBP), the group included B-W, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, John Carroll and Oberlin.

Kruger noted in a summary of the consortium that "with its highly industrialized, manufacturing base, [our region] carries a long legacy of sustainability-related challenges: slowly declining employment in several economic sectors; a large environmental and carbon footprint from our manufacturing base; continued population decline in our urban core and in our region at large; and an aging infrastructure."

A recently released report shows what some local higher learning institutions have implemented regarding sustainability:

Baldwin Wallace's Ernthausen Residence Hall became the first residence hall in Ohio to have a geothermal heating and cooling system. . B-W has gone so far in its green initiatives to remove light bulbs from vending machine to conserve energy.

Cleveland State University has been investing in efficient lighting, solar power, mechanical upgrades and recycling programs. The school has been promoting student involvement in its sustainability efforts.

Cuyahoga Community College has six commissioned projects aiming aim for LEED Silver Certification. Tri-C has also developed its own customized green building standards for new construction and renovation projects.


SOURCES: B-W, CSU, Tri-C, Institute for Sustainable Business Practice
WRITER: Diane DiPiero