University Circle

bizarro land: cleveland's weird, wacky and wholly unexpected delights
Now that we've emerged from our respective huts, it's time to stop squinting towards the sky and go do something. Sure, the usual line-up of outdoor activities awaits -- but aren't there any surprises left in CLE? You bet there are, and we're about to point you in the right direction.
community group rolls out clean and green trailer to help with neighborhood beautification projects
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and CharterOne Foundation have announced the creation of a Clean&Green Cleveland program, which offers a fully stocked trailer to assist neighborhood residents with beautification projects. The trailer comes equipped with all the tools and equipment necessary to clean up vacant lots, maintain community gardens, tackle neighborhood improvement projects, and more.

The nonprofit introduced the trailer as part of its ongoing efforts to beautify and reimagine vacant properties in Cleveland. The trailer is available on a "first come, first reserved" basis, according to the website. Applications, use forms, waivers and other information all can be found online, and groups are encouraged to apply. The trailer is for use in the City of Cleveland only.
 
In a release, CNP stated that the Clean&Green program will offer opportunities not only for beautification, but also for community building among neighbors.


Source: Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
Writer: Lee Chilcote
university circle announces plans for $130m high-rise apartment tower
University Circle Inc. has announced plans to construct a $130 million, 20-plus story apartment highrise on the current site of the Children's Museum, as well as surrounding land owned by UCI. The nonprofit has selected Mitchell Schneider of First Interstate Properties and Sam Petros of Petros Homes to lead the development team.

The announcement is the fruit of years of discussion about a luxury residential tower in University Circle. UCI has long set its sights on building such a tower, seeing unmet demand for housing in an area experiencing strong job growth, near 100-percent rental occupancy and growth in commercial amenities.

The project will include about 280 units ranging in size from 720 to 4,200 square feet. The structure will have floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the downtown skyline and Lake Erie. Initial plans call for a building that is 25 to 28 stories tall. The property also will be green-built and offer easy access to public transportation.
 
"There is substantial demand for this type of housing in University Circle," explained Chris Ronayne, President of UCI, in a release. "One University Circle will provide a quality urban design solution that meets a market demand, brings greater density to University Circle and supports neighborhood businesses with new residents. We believe this project will continue the momentum of University Circle and the renaissance underway in Cleveland... One University Circle will be a welcoming gateway to the institutions of University Circle and a home for their employees coming from all over the world.”

In keeping with a luxury urban apartment building, One University Circle will offer concierge services, a fitness center and an indoor pool. The project also will include a green rooftop and other shared amenities. Ronayne says work could begin in 2015, with the first residents moving in two years later.

The Children's Museum currently is seeking a new location in Cleveland that will accommodate its plans for expansion. The developers have announced that they intend to work with the City of Cleveland to craft a community benefits agreement for the project. The agreement will stipulate goals for hiring local and minority tradespeople and working with area high schools to provide internships.


Source: Chris Ronayne
Writer: Lee Chilcote
follow you, follow me: the social media mavens we can't get enough of
In Cleveland’s ever-evolving social media community, there is a wide variety of contributors to the civic dialogue. We've complied a list of some of our favorite voices -- a mix of up-and-comers and seasoned vets from different corners of the web who are using their blogs, podcasts and Twitter feeds to give the city a voice.
lab chat: conversations with the smartest people in the cleveland biomed community
We live in one of the most important cities for biomedical research in the country, and yet it often feels as though the general public has no clue about what's going on behind the doors of research labs at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University. This new column is an attempt to change that.
what cities like cleveland can learn from memphis
The City of Memphis is on the rise thanks to a growing startup community, investments in bike lanes, a burgeoning arts district and people moving back to the city. Through it all, the city has listened to its residents and embraced "lean urbanism." Cleveland should take heed.
if you build it: area advocates work to get cameras rolling on cleveland film industry
Watching Cleveland getting rocked for two hours in Captain America is great, but when the rush fades and reality creeps in, we're left with no guarantee Hollywood is ever going to return. A group of area stakeholders is advocating for changes that would attract more film projects, or even a prestige TV drama, to the North Coast.
no 'mistake' about it: cleveland launches new rebranding effort
Northeast Ohio's convention and visitors bureau wants to change the conversation about Cleveland. The multifaceted branding enterprise is designed to bridge a communications gap that ideally will be crossed by millions of business and leisure visitors over the next few years.
#thisiscle promo video goes viral in 3- 2- 1...
On Wednesday, Positively Cleveland, the convention and visitors bureau for Cleveland, announced a new destination brand, presented new plans for its destination development initiatives, unveiled a local social media movement and highlighted a series of organizational accomplishments.
 
But without question, the most buzzed about element of the package was the following video, "A Cleveland Anthem," which promotes the theme: "Cleveland doesn’t follow anyone’s rules – it makes its own."



on the rise: four emerging african-american leaders in cleveland
Those among us that emerge to the forefront of their professions and community have been honing their leadership skills for some time. Here are a few young African-Americans making waves around town through advocacy, talent and so much more.
northeast ohio entrepreneur expo focuses on making connections
JumpStart’s 2014 Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur Expo is slated to be the largest one yet with 1,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors expected for its seventh year. The event on Monday, April 7 at the Cleveland Museum of Art is slated to be chock-full of resources and events for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

This year’s theme is “Connections Matter,” with a focus on helping entrepreneurs make the connections that will help their business succeed and move forward.
 
New this year is a speed advising session, during which entrepreneurs will be paired with investors, support organizations, service providers and the media to get quick tips on improving their pitches and selling their businesses. “All of last year’s attendees liked the energy and the people who were there, but they wanted more interaction,” says JumpStart’s Samantha Fryberger of the decision to add the speed advising. “This way we have more interaction.”
 
The session is followed by an investor panel discussion, “Attracting Capital Between the Coasts,” which will focus on raising money in Ohio. “Obviously, raising capital in Boston or the Silicon Valley is very different than in the Midwest,” notes Fryberger.
 
Returning this year is the Charter One Foundation Student Business Idea Competition. Six teams will be chosen by a judging panel and public vote, based on their business plans and a video. Three teams will be chosen to receive $400, $600 and $1,500 prizes.
 
The day will be capped off with a networking happy hour. The event runs from noon to 5:30 p.m. and is free to the general public. The cost is $85 for entrepreneurs, who have until Monday to register.
 
 
Source: Samantha Fryberger
Writer: Karin Connelly
trending: how the paleo crowd is grazing the north coast
Mention the phrase "Paleolithic diet" and many will conjure the image of Fred Flintstone gnawing on a giant dinosaur leg. But nothing could be further from the truth, say adherents. The culinary movement is thoughtful, green, healthy and spreading like wildfire across Northeast Ohio.
grrl power: encouraging more female riders key to city's cycling health
If women indeed are the barometer of a healthy cycling city, then making women feel safe while cycling in Cleveland must be a priority, say local biking advocates. Female riders are less likely to cycle without infrastructure that makes them feel safe, including separated bike paths and physical barriers on roads that divide bikes and cars.
museum's receipt of $10m anonymous gift in the news
Antiques & Fine Art magazine writes that "The Cleveland Museum of Art announced that it has received a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor to further strengthen the institution's mission and core principles, which focus on scholarships, artistic excellence and community engagement. Thanks to the donation, the museum has established two endowments -- one to support community engagement activities and another for interpretation of its permanent collection."
 
Fred Bidwell, interim director, was quoted as saying, "This incredibly generous gift really touches upon the fundamental initiatives of the Cleveland Museum of Art."
 
Check out the entire article here.

bus rapid transit in cleveland: no mistake by the lake
Detroit-based writer Matthew Lewis travels to Cleveland to check out the RTA HealthLine, one of the premier BRT systems in the nation. As his city debates its public transportation future, leaders can look to Cleveland as a beacon of hope, a place that has embraced transit and is now enjoying the benefits of its investments.
the logistics of moving 100 cleveland orchestra musicians, instruments
In advance of the Cleveland Orchestra's upcoming performance in Austin, Texas, the Austin Chronicle published a sort of behind-the-scenes peek at the logistic of travel.

"The Cleveland Orchestra is known around the world for its rich sound, but some of the most important members of the organization don't play an instrument and are never seen or heard by the audience: They're with Operations, the team responsible for all of the behind-the-scenes planning for the orchestra," writes Natalie Zeldin.
 
That work falls on the lap of Julie Kim, director of operations of the Cleveland Orchestra, whose job it is to oversee transportation, hotel bookings, meals…
 
"But that's only the easy half. There's a second whole itinerary for the cargo: the assortment of precious cellos, basses, harps, gongs, and even all of the tuxedos that need to be transported for the performances."
 
"The goal," Kim is quoted as saying, "is always to make sure the cargo and people get there before the concert!"
 
"So when you hear the Cleveland Orchestra play -- and you should -- don't forget to clap for the people you don't see, too."
 
Read the rest of the article here.