Driving into the Future: The Innerbelt Project

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In this morning's PD - bathhouse without government funding (tax abatement) in a new neighborhood. Like Fong says, new developments begin with one artist or in this case, entrepreneur beginning in one building, and others who join that urban pioneer. We need more bath houses. I especially like that they have renovated without damaging the historical structures or details. See the link...
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/11485...

The ODOT Cleveland Innerbelt Project's- Project Development Process (PDP) & Public Involvement Process (PIP) seem to be in limbo since the last public meeting on November 17, 2005.  ODOT's and City of Cleveland's PDP & PIP Schedule has not been followed and appears to be five (5) months behind schedule.  The "Alternatives Report" and the "Economic Impact Analysis" were scheduled to be completed in December 2005, for public review and comment.  THE REPORT AND ANALYSIS - DO NOT EXIST AT THIS TIME.  Even though the general public has been effectively removed from the public processes, a lot of activity has been going on since November 2005.  Below is a brief update on some of those activities.  Please visit www.neobridge.net to participate in this community discussion and to get the latest updates on OUR Cleveland Innerbelt Project.

While looking for lead testing kits and information in East Cleveland, at Silvermans, I slipped into paparazzi mode as I spotted three future leaders of our NEO new economy, chilling on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. They let me snap their pictures, which will be worth a fortune when these guys are famous. It can happen, when we keep our kids lead free.

County officials to spend cash for innovation
Friday, May 19, 2006 - Tom Breckenridge - Plain Dealer Reporter

Cuyahoga County commissioners are plowing a growing amount of cash into the quest for business innovation.

 Celebrate the Region's Newest Waterfront Park - Wendy Park at Whiskey Island

CLEVELAND, OH—Kevin Phillips, a former GOP strategist, will speak about his newest book American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century at noon on Friday, May 26, 2006, at The City Club of Cleveland.

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This just in, from Greater Ohio... these economic incentives are important to historic preservation - perhaps it's not to late to save the dozens of historic buildings in and around the Flats and downtown Cleveland that are currently doomed to demolition by community planners... at least folks seem to care about preservation in Columbus... anyone care here?

Historic preservation tax credit passes Ohio House

Am Sub HB 149 passed the Ohio House with a unanimous vote Tuesday morning, May 16, marking an important victory for Greater Ohio and other groups supporting redevelopment of older communities. It now goes to the Senate where a companion bill, SB 60, has been considered but not passed. The Senate will take up the House version. (Compare the two bills.)

While I'm not a pro sports expert, I was very pleased to see today, having coffee at A. J. Rocco's, a friendly table of local sports experts including at least one of the Cleveland Cavliers - probably the only one I'd recognize out of uniform (and I don't mean King James). I asked if they minded me taking a picture but they weren't dressed for the press. So, if you want to hang out with the Cavs, in their hangouts, you'll have to come downtown to A.J. Rocco's yourself. Or, you could reach out to them...

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is flying ack to the sxities with swams of activities:
All you Tree Huggers and Flower Children are guaranteed a Rockin' good time!

* Groove to the live music of renowned children's musician Justin Roberts

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The Friends of the Crooked River has announced an exciting line-up of events for the 16th Annual RiverDay celebration to be held on Saturday, May 20, 2006. First held in 1991, RiverDay is a day long festival of activities celebrating the Cuyahoga River and its watershed. Join the celebration of the Cuyahoga River. This year's theme is “Bringing Down the Barriers- Opening the River, Hearts and Minds.”

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The Friends of the Crooked River has announced an exciting line-up of events for the 16th Annual RiverDay celebration to be held on Saturday, May 20, 2006.  First held in 1991, RiverDay is a day long festival of activities celebrating the Cuyahoga River and its watershed.  Join the celebration of the Cuyahoga River.  This year's theme is “Bringing Down the Barriers- Opening the River, Hearts and Minds.”

I commented, in a posting about an event at the Cleveland Playhouse, "I hate going to anything at the Cleveland Playhouse/MOCA complex - my last choice of venue for anything in NEO - which makes me sad, since I like good theater and they have the only significant Philip Johnson building in town".

I want to thank all in the RealNeo Network that helped promote the CAAO Online Silent Executive Auction.  You helped us raise the most money since we started this program two years ago.

Even though there were bidders participating in the auction from all areas of Ohio, the winning bidders in the auction are from 13 cities in Northeast Ohio.  Keep a look out for the 2007 CAAO Online Silent Executive Auction.  CAAO has already started recruiting executives for 2007.

The Coit Road Farmers Market
15000 Woodworth (between E. 152nd and Coit)
East Cleveland, Ohio 44112
(216) 249-5455
Map at www.coitmarket.org

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The Fund for Our Economic Future, an unprecedented collaboration among organized philanthropy of northeast Ohio to promote regional economic development, needs your help with its bold and exciting initiative, Voices & Choices.  Voices & Choices is the most extensive public engagement process ever undertaken in this country.  We will involve thousands of people across the region to create an agenda of economic development transformation. 

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Local IT Guru Dan Hanson interviewed Connie Atkins, Executive Director of CAAO.  To check out the pod cast go to http://www.greatlakesgeek.com/podaudio/bios/connieatkins.htm

Hello all,

You still have time to participate in Northeast Ohio's most innovative business matchmaker event.  There are some great opportunities still available.  To see the catalog of executives participating go to www.caao2006.cmarket.com

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One of the major challenges in Northeast Ohio is a lack of collaboration and alignment.

This dynamic is slowly changing, however. Here's some evidence of the shift. Team NEO, the region's's economic development organization, has formed a partnership with two major port authorities. The agreement establishes a structure to share prospects opportunities in a cooperative way.

Saturday and Sunday, April 29 & 30, 2006, the Tri-C JazzFest took the spectacular stage at the East Cleveland Public Library, custom built for jazz by world-class library leader Greg Reese, for two major FREE concerts that drew full house crowds to a community few know and so most don't appreciate. After this weekend, many more people understand East Cleveland is the coolest city in NEO.

Digital Movie Company Prelude2Cinema has become a Branded Entertainment Company

First, it looks like product placement, but it is not. It is the integration of a brand into a creative production. The integration must be done in a way that promotes the product, but also allows the creative production to entertain. This is a new field, but yet it has its roots in the beginning of movies and television.