"Make no small plans" is developer Bob Stark's sentiment toward visioning the future of Northeast Ohio with which I agree completely. Next Tuesday, October 17th, the public is invited to a forum at the Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, hosted by Dean Rosentraub, featuring Mr. Stark's development vision for Downtown Cleveland, with a panel discussion featuring Steven Fong, Dean, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, and Valerie McCall, Chief of Government Affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Cleveland. It is exciting to see such a collaborative approach to planning forming around such core stakeholders and the public. The opposite of the command and control process that is giving us the ODOT bridge from hell and so many other bad outcomes in NEO, this public multi-university, public-private exploration has the potential to connect important agendas for consensus building around sophisticated visions of the future of our region, starting with the heart of it all, downtown Cleveland.

The Program:

Developer Bob Stark will discuss his proposed 21-acre development to transform downtown Cleveland and the Warehouse District. With 1 million square feet of new street-level retail and 6 million square feet of new mixed residential and office space, this project would remake and brand a substantial portion of the central business district. Mr. Stark is also exploring connecting downtown and the Lakefront by extending the Warehouse District street grid to the land just west of Cleveland Browns Stadium. This massive undertaking will require the collaboration of many public and private institutions and individuals including Cleveland, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority,Cleveland’s foundation, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Mr. Stark lives by the challenge,“Make No Small Plans.”.

This forum will be an opportunity to hear Mr. Stark talk about his vision for Cleveland’s future. Join panelists, Steven Fong, Dean of the School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, Valarie McCall, Chief of Government Affairs, City of Cleveland, and Joe Cimperman, Councilman, Ward 13, City of Cleveland in considering the exciting opportunities and potential challenges raised by such a large scale development.

Agenda

• 4:00—4:10 p.m.: Registration
• 4:10—4:15 p.m.: Welcome and Overview. Mark S. Rosentraub, Dean and Professor, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
• 4:15—4:45 p.m.: A Vision for the Warehouse District. Robert L. Stark, President and CEO, Robert L. Stark Enterprises
• 4:45—5:15 p.m.: Panel Discussion
• Steven Fong, Dean, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University
• Valerie McCall, Chief of Government Affairs, Office of the Mayer, City of Cleveland
• 5:15—6:00 p.m.: Open Discussion

Presented by the Levin College Forum, a program of the Center for Civic Education in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University. Where the community gathers to discuss challenges, create opportunities, and celebrate accomplishments.

Location