In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Ethanol subsidies amendment - Vote Agreed to (73-27) During work on the Economic Development Administration bill, the Senate adopted this amendment to eliminate a tax credit refiners receive for adding ethanol to gasoline and a tariff on imported ethanol. Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (411-5, 16 Not Voting) The House passed this $143.9 billion bill that would fund the Veterans Affairs Department and the Defense Department’s construction activities for the upcoming fiscal year. The bill marks a two percent increase over the current year’s level. The Senate has not yet begun work on its version of the bill. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Agriculture Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (217-203, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would provide $125.5 billion in the upcoming fiscal year for the Agriculture Department. The bill would cut discretionary spending by thirteen percent over the current amount and increase mandatory spending by three percent. The Senate has not yet begun work on its version of the bill. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Nomination of Leon E. Panetta to be Defense Secretary - The Senate has a Tuesday vote scheduled on the nomination of Leon Panetta, the current CIA Director, to be the new Defense Secretary. Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - S.679 This bill would reduce the number of executive branch appointments that require Senate confirmation. Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011 - S.782 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill that would authorize $500 million annually over the next 5 years for the Economic Development Administration. Defense Appropriations - H.R.2219 The House is scheduled to work on this bill that would provide the Defense Department with $648.7 billion for the 2012 fiscal year. America Invents Act - H.R.1249 The House may also take up this bill that would overhaul the U.S. patent system. | |
Friday, June 24, 2011
Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 06202011
From Megavote:
Monday, June 20, 2011
MedMart Construction Update: 06162011
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - 6/16/11
PROJECT UPDATES :: JUNE 16, 2011
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| Laura Johnston/The Plain Dealer |
NORTH OF LAKESIDE AVENUE, THE NORTH BRIDGE DEMOLITION CONTINUED ON MALL C AND IS NOW 95% COMPLETE. DEBRIS REMOVAL WILL CONTINUE. INTERIOR DEMOLITION IS 85% COMPLETE IN EXISTING EXHIBIT HALLS ‘’C’’ AND ‘’D’’ ON THE LOWER LEVEL. UNDERNEATH LAKESIDE AVENUE, TEMPORARY STEEL SUPPORT OF THE ROADWAY CONTINUES WITH TARGETED COLUMN DEMOLITION SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. MALL C DEMOLITION CONTINUED WITH ADDITIONAL ROOF REMOVAL CONTINUING THIS WEEK. MICRO-PILE WORK CONTINUES IN THE BALLROOM AREA.
ON MALL B, PRE-CORES CAISSONS WORK IS NEARING COMPLETION WITH 63 OF THE 66 COMPLETED. MEANWHILE, FOUR CAISSONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ALONG WITH 111 MICRO-PILES COMPLETED ALONG ST. CLAIR AVENUE.
FOUNDATION WORK CONTINUES ON THE FUTURE CONVENTION CENTER CONCOURSE LEVEL AND STAIR WALLS ARE BEING FORMED FOR CONCRETE.
ON THE MEDICAL MART SITE, BACKFILLING IS 90% COMPLETE AND WORK HAS COMMENCED IN THE AREA WHERE THE FORMER CONVENTION CENTER RAMP OFF ONTARIO AVENUE WAS LOCATED. MASS EXCAVATION WORK IS 70% COMPLETED ON THE MEDICAL MART SITE. SOLDIER PILE INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE IN THIS AREA.
PUBLIC AUDITORIUM SEPARATION WORK CONTINUES WITH HVAC DEMOLITION WORK 95% COMPLETED.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 06122011
From Megavote:
In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Debt Limit Increase - Vote Failed (97-318, 7 Present, 9 Not Voting) The House rejected this bill to raise the public debt limit by $2.4 trillion. The government is expected to hit the current $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by August 2, 2011. Negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders are ongoing. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2012 - Vote Passed (231-188, 13 Not Voting) This bill would provide the Department of Homeland Security with $42.3 billion in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The total is 2.6% less than the current fiscal year. The bill includes $1 billion in emergency spending for disaster aid. Senate appropriators have not drafted their version of the bill yet. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Use of Ground Forces in Libya - Vote Passed (268-145, 1 Present, 18 Not Voting) The House passed this resolution stating the chamber’s opposition to deploying ground forces in Libya and requiring President Obama to report the strategy for U.S. involvement in combat operations in Libya to Congress within 14 days. The resolution is non-binding. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Libya Troop Withdrawal - Vote Failed (148-265, 19 Not Voting) The House failed to pass this resolution that would have forced the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Libya within 15 days. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Nomination of Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. to be Solicitor General - The Senate is scheduled to take up the nomination of Donald Verrilli to be the government’s top lawyer before the Supreme Court. | |
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
What Will Become of the Columbia Building?
From greencitybluelake.com:
Not stuck between Rock Gaming and a hard place
The City Planning Commission had approved the plan as it, but Landmarks and the design community agreed that Rock Gaming hadn’t done all of the due diligence it promised when it bought up a block of buildings on Ontario and the south side of Prospect that include the local historic landmarked Columbia building and proposed razing them for a four-lane valet drop off zone, a gift shop and a walkway that would enable about 350 of the casino’s highest rollers to cross the street without letting their Pradas touch the pavement.
The outpouring of support for a new plan that didn’t include demolition and creating a huge driveway zone on Prospect was an unexpected turn. It was a groundswell that included 360 CSU students who formed a Facebook group, calling themselves Save Lower Prospect Avenue. It included the Cleveland Coalition, a new group of young professionals who are advocating for better design choices such as the new Group Plan Commission, which recently released its report calling for more respect and a better pedestrian experience from Gateway to the Malls (a corridor that is dominated on Ontario by stadia and parking garages).
“We’re concerned that the valet area is not living up to Rock Gaming’s commitment to integrate the casino with the city and respect its downtown setting,” said Cleveland Coalition member David Jurca. “Lower Prospect is one of the best (pedestrian) scaled areas in the city. Demolishing the Columbia for a valet zone would create an 80-foot wide barrier. It proposes channelizing pedestrians in a walkway above the street and obliterating Higbee’s historic context. We don’t oppose a garage, but do it without demolishing a historic structure.”
That vision is backed by the Gateway Historic District’s Master Plan, said the business development group’s associate director, Tom Starinsky. “Our master plan shows those buildings being reused.” The group has helped developers such as the Marons turn historic E. 4th Street into a major regional attraction. Starinksy believes an alternative can be found, even on the same block, that could satisfy the needs of Caeser’s to provide very close parking. He said he hopes to work with the development team in the coming week – a reprieve the Landmarks Commission unanimously granted the Columbia, a handsome 1909 building considered in the Chicago style which most recently served as home to Dyke College.
The Columbia building was recently treated to a $9 million upgrade of its mechanical systems, said the building’s former manager, Gabe Singerman. “I spoke to (Forest City CEO) Albert Ratner who agreed the Columbia would make a great 83-room boutique hotel. I’m upset. I think you guys could do better for yourself.”
In tabling the decision to demolish the Columbia, which Gilbert purchased through parking lot magnate, Lou Frangos, the Landmarks Commission urged Rock Gaming to seek the consultation of non-profit Gateway Development to devise a plan that will satisfy the 350 high rollers (and Caeser’s formula that calls for a walkway no longer than 200 ft.) while keeping the city’s important landmarks intact.
There were some powerful forces working for the developer at the public meeting – the city’s top brass showed up, many for the first time in their decades long service, to apply pressure to Mayor Jackson’s appointees on Landmarks. The tactic seemed to backfire as Commission members admitted the move was intimidating. As Commission member and trial lawyer Thomas Coffey pointed out, “What strikes me is (the preservation and design advocates) are not approaching this like a bunch of trial lawyers. They’re saying, the plans can be done without losing this building.
“There has not been one change in (Rock Gaming’s) position even after hearing the distinguished pleas we’ve heard today. They don’t know who owns the May Company Garage (across the street), and is it possible to do a valet service there.
“They tried bringing in the big wheels, but I know the mayor. He’s a good man. I don’t think he’d want this to be rammed through. Gateway has done a lot to get down to the nitty gritty and make things happen. I don’t think they’ve been involved in the way they could.”
Gateway was involved in mediating a resolution to not demolish the 19th century Stanley building when it fell into dispute between Rock Gaming and a minority owner. But the Columbia was not part of Rock Gaming’s plan even though it’s in far better condition. The plans call for a three-lane valet exit – with two left lanes and one right turning lane onto Prospect – the zone doesn’t connect to the North Gateway Garage where the majority of casino customers would park.
Commission member and Cleveland councilman Anthony Brancatelli mentioned at the tabling that a decision on a tax abatement in the form of a TIFF on the parking garage awaits approval from City Council at its June 6 session. Commission member and Cleveland Planning Director Bob Brown remarked that if the commission didn’t ask the applicant to go back to the drawing board officially within 45 days of the original review (which occurred two weeks ago), the project will automatically get approved (as happened with the Humphrey Mansion demolition at Euclid Beach).
Among the impassioned pleas to save the Columbia, Cleveland resident, urban planner and west side design review member Mandy Metcalf said the landmark designation was enacted for exactly this reason. “The Columbia takes up a small footprint (on the overall property). The Valet lanes could be incorporated into the (North Gateway) garage. We could make it comfortable to walk down the street” (ironically, with a tenant in the Columbia Building).
Rose Androtti recited a letter from the American Institute of Architects Cleveland Chapter, which opposes the demolition. “It would further erode the fabric of the historic district. We support the development of the casino, but the city has already lost lots of important buildings.”
Jane Busch of the Cleveland Restoration Society testified against the demolition, saying, “in rare instances a landmark building is sacrificed for the greater good, but all those options have not been explored. The Columbia is an important remnant of the streetscape which already lost its neighbors the Marine Buildings and the Mechanic’s Block.”
Downtown resident Brad Chase asked that the project go back to the drawing board because it didn’t support a pedestrian environment for the downtown residents like him and his family. “I’m appalled by the proposal to take down this building. I ask that this project go back to the drawing board. Taking this building down is not an improvement to making Cleveland a walk-able and bike-able and family safe environment.”
Gregory Soltis testified on behalf of the 360 members of the Save Lower Prospect Avenue group. “There are too many holes already in our city. It makes me sad to see the giant hole (surface parking lots) in the middle of the Warehouse District. It’s time to start acting like we deserve this. We can demand good design. Knocking down a building for a parking garage is not respect.”
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Next Phase of Cleveland State's Housing Plan to Start - Campus Village
From Crains.com:
Cleveland State trustees sign off on $50 million housing deal with private developer
By TIMOTHY MAGAW
12:51 pm, June 1, 2011
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| CSU North - Camous Village |
Cleveland State University trustees have signed off on a deal to allow a private developer to build a $50 million, 308-unit housing complex on the north side of the university's campus.
The university will lease 6.8 acres to Polaris Real Estate Equities, a developer in Gates Mills, to build the mixed-use housing complex, known as Campus Village, off Chester Avenue between East 21st and East 24th streets for students and non-students.
Officials involved with the project said the idea is to create a neighborhood on university property flush with housing and retail options to further the university's transition into a residential, rather than commuter, campus.
Cleveland State president Ronald Berkman noted there has been significant retail development along the Euclid Corridor during the last two years, and the infusion of more housing options will augment that growth.
“We'll see an expansion and acceleration of what we've already seen,” Dr. Berkman said.
The project is expected to be completed by October 2012. It is slated to include a parking garage, nine buildings and an outdoor pool. Officials expect to start construction within 60 days.
The buildings to be constructed off Chester Avenue will include about 10,000 square feet of retail space with parking, according to Guy Totino, owner of Polaris Real Estate Equities.
“There's a dire need for retail,” Mr. Totino said. “Restaurants would be a big one, but we're trying to focus mostly on Cleveland operators. We think there are some excellent Cleveland restaurateurs that would be pleased to be part of the landscape of Cleveland State University.”
A first for Polaris
Cleveland State expects to sell between $5 million and $6.5 million of bonds to finance the demolition of an existing building on the site and to prep the land for development. Polaris' lease is for 50 years and holds seven, five-year renewal options.
Polaris' rent, which will be used to pay off the university's debt, will be determined once the university sells the bonds this summer, according to Stephanie McHenry, the university's vice president for business affairs and finance.
Also, Polaris will pay 7% of the land's appraised value not to exceed $125,000, which will serve as the university's revenue from the lease. Once the bonds are paid off, the additional rent will increase to 15% of the appraised value, not to exceed $250,000.
“This is a perfect example of a public-private partnership,” Dr. Berkman said.
Polaris' niche is developing land near urban campuses. It has worked on projects in Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
“We've built a lot of projects across the country,” Mr. Totino said. “We've never created a neighborhood. It was Cleveland State's vision to do that, and we're thrilled to be a part of it.”
MedMart Construction Update: 06022011
From clevelandmedicalmartonline.com:
PROJECT UPDATES :: JUNE 2, 2011
MALL C DEMOLITION IS ROUGHLY 95% COMPLETE WITH THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE EAST STAIR TOWER CURRENTLY BEING REMOVED. INTERIOR DEMOLITION HAS PASSED THE HALFWAY MARK ON THE EXISTING EXHIBIT HALLS ''C'' AND ''D'' ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF MALL C. ON THE FORMER MALL B, CREWS HAVE COMPLETED MORE THAN 50 PRE-CORES FOR CAISSONS WITH CAISSON DRILLING BEGINNING EARLIER THIS WEEK.
MORE THAN 60 MICRO-PILES ARE COMPLETE. DEMOLITION CONTINUED ON MALL B NEXT TO PUBLIC AUDITORIUM. METAL SHEETING CONTINUED ALONG ST. CLAIR AVENUE, MOVING WESTWARD, WITH THIS ACTIVITY EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY NEXT WEEK. WITH THE SHEETING WORK COMPLETE, CREWS WILL NOW BEGIN EXCAVATION DOWN TO FINISH EXHIBIT HALL FLOOR. CONTINUED DEMOLITION OF THE TOPPING SLAB AND 4' INTERSTITIAL SAND VOLUME, THIS WORK IS APPROXIMATELY 95% COMPLETE. THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION RAMP BEING CONSTRUCTED WILL EXTEND FROM THE EXHIBIT HALL FLOOR TO LAKESIDE AVENUE.
ON THE MEDICAL MART SITE, MORE THAN 80% OF THE BACKFILLING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND SOLIDER PILE INSTALLATION IS NEARLY COMPLETED. METAL SHEETING IN THIS AREA IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SHORTLY.
DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION ON THE SITE AND WHAT SUPPORT IS ULTIMATELY REQUIRED IN THAT LOCATION, THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT FOUNDATION SYSTEMS BEING EMPLOYED. MICROPILES ARE SMALL DIAMETER HOLES (LESS THAN 12"} THAT ARE DRILLED, GROUTED, AND FILLED WITH STEEL PIPE CASING OR A CENTRAL STEEL CORE FOR REINFORCING. SOMETIMES PILES ARE DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND TO CREATE FOUNDATIONS. THOSE ARE CALLED DISPLACEMENT PILES BECAUSE THEY DISPLACE EXISTING SOILS. BY CONTRAST, MICROPILES ARE REPLACEMENT (OR NONDISPLACEMENT) PILES, BECAUSE THEY ARE INSTALLED BY DRILLING AND REMOVING THE SOIL IN THE CORE AND REPLACING IT WITH STEEL AND A CONCRETE GROUT.
Read the rest of the update here.
"Association of Professional Landscape Designers to hold international conference in Cleveland"
From cleveland.com:
Association of Professional Landscape Designers to hold international conference in Cleveland
Published: Thursday, June 02, 2011, 6:00 AM Updated: Thursday, June 02, 2011, 2:23 PM
View full sizeBobbie Schwarts, president of the APLD, will show off her garden as part of the the organization's annual international conference. It is in Cleveland from Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17.
PREVIEW Association of Professional Landscape Designers International Design Conference
What: Participants from the United States, Britain and Canada will take part in lectures, workshops, garden tours and an awards banquet.
When: Monday, June 13, through Fri day, June 17.
Where: Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center, 127 Public Square.
Tickets: Registration for the entire conference ranges from $690 to $1,000. One-day admissions on Tues day, Wednesday or Thursday range from $130 to $440. Registration is limited.
By Julie E. Washington Plain Dealer Reporter
When you live in a region that boasts some of the finest public and private gardens in the country, you want to shout about it.
That's why local members of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers lobbied to bring the organization's annual international conference to Cleveland this year -- even though it meant shouldering much of the organizational work.
"We just wanted to show off our city," said Bobbie Schwartz, association president and conference organizer.
The association's International Design Conference is Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 17, at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center.
But you can't expect a bunch of landscape lovers to stay indoors. They will roam University Circle, Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Cuyahoga Valley, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and other scenic and leafy spots.
"Creativity Rocks" is the conference's theme, and activities are designed to stimulate imaginations, Schwartz said. She expects about 150 participants from the United States, Britain and Canada. You don't have to be an association member to attend.
The event kicks off with a welcome reception at House of Blues and continues with lectures, workshops, garden tours and an awards banquet.
Keynote speaker is noted landscape designer, author and lecturer Julie Moir Messervy, who advocates for outdoor rooms inspired by personal vision.
Messervy, who collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on Toronto Music Garden, speaks on "Creative Design -- A Joyful Process." She is based in Saxtons River, Vt.
Another notable speaker is David Orr, the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and special assistant to the president of Oberlin College. Orr, a proponent of carbon neutrality for colleges and universities, will speak about his work spearheading the design of the first substantially green building on an American college campus.
All of the private gardens on the conference tours were professionally designed. Schwartz's home, a French country house modeled on a Norman manor, and its surrounding gardens of perennials, flowering shrubs, vines, annuals and trees -- which she designed -- will be viewed when the group tours Shaker Heights.
Association member Ann Rosmarin, owner of Rosmarin Landscape Design in Cleveland Heights, designed two Cleveland Heights gardens on the conference tours. A water feature in the Steffee Garden reflects the owners' love of music, Rosmarin said.
She also worked on the gardens at Beaulieu, which has been registered as a historic landmark. The garden rooms include a swimming pool garden, a Chinese garden, a Shakespeare herb garden and a Victorian greenhouse.
"They really express two different intents," Rosmarin said about the two properties.
When conference members tour an exceptional garden, they look for good composition; interesting use of benches, trellises and furnishings; variety; and focal points, Schwartz said -- along with ideas to incorporate into their own designs.
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