Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) has successfully secured bridge financing from Access Point Financial, LLC (APF) for the 168-key Hilton Garden Inn at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. This refinancing marks a key step in the hotel’s post-pandemic recovery, allowing it to adapt to the evolving travel landscape and capitalize on the growing demand for lodging in the area.
Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, a premier network of independent hotels, is proud to welcome two new members to its growing portfolio: Fidelity Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, and Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan. These additions enhance Curator’s presence across the United States and provide guests with a wide range of accommodation options in desirable destinations.
MetroHealth’s main campus in Cleveland’s West Side will undergo a $1 billion transformation, but the original plan for a 12-acre park along West 25th Street has been scrapped. The hospital system cited changing healthcare needs and the need for administrative office space as reasons for the change. Despite this, MetroHealth plans to improve and increase smaller park spaces around the campus and engage with the surrounding community during the re-evaluation process.
The Cleveland Foundation is now accepting proposals for the second round of awards from City Hall’s violence prevention fund, known as the Neighborhood Safety Fund. Unlike last year’s grants, which were announced in late December, the city is aiming to get this year’s money distributed before the start of summer, when violence and crime tends to peak. Similar to last year, up to $1 million in grants are expected to be provided to community organizations who seek to stem violence in various ways. This year, grants will be prioritized for organizations that focus on youth diversion and mentoring, and violence interruption, among other related areas. The money will also be prioritized for programs that serve specific neighborhoods with high crime rates. The committee that oversees the violence prevention fund chose those locations based on health indicators, violent crime trends, and other police data over the past three years. Mayor Justin Bibb described this round of funding as a “targeted approach” that seeks to fill programmatic and geographic gaps that weren’t addressed in last year’s grants. The grants “offer a chance to help people break free from harmful cycles and connect with important resources like healthcare, job training and other support services,” said Councilman Richard Starr, a member of the Neighborhood Safety Fund’s nine-person advisory committee. Bibb and City Council seeded the fund in 2023 using $10 million from Cleveland’s American Rescue Plan Act. The goal is to address the root causes of violence before it can happen, particularly among young people. The Cleveland Foundation manages the fund and seeks additional donations. City leaders conceived of the fund as a way to create an ever-replenishing pot of money strictly dedicated to violence prevention. To receive the money, violence prevention organizations must operate as nonprofits. Applications for 2024 grants are being accepted April 24 through May 10.
Prepare for interstellar dining as The Astro, a haven for science-fiction enthusiasts and culinary adventurers, has officially opened its doors in the bustling Tower City complex. After undergoing an extensive nine-month renovation, the former Hard Rock Café space has transformed into a futuristic culinary destination, promising an extraordinary experience for those who embrace the realm of science fiction.
Casting calls have been announced for the upcoming Superman movie, tentatively titled ‘Genesis,’ which will be filming in Cleveland and Cincinnati this summer. The film, directed by James Gunn, is expected to be on a similar scale to ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier,’ which were both filmed in Cleveland in the past. David Corenswet will star as Clark Kent/Superman, while Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult will take on the role of Lex Luthor.
Cleveland’s beloved news investigator Joe Pagonakis has announced his retirement after an illustrious career spanning over four decades. He will bid farewell to viewers during his final broadcast on WEWS on Monday. Pagonakis expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Cleveland community for their unwavering support throughout his tenure.
Gasoline prices in Cleveland have increased by 21 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.64 on Monday. However, analysts anticipate that the rapid surge in fuel costs may soon stabilize.
The family of Tamia Chappman has settled its lawsuit against the city of Cleveland for $4.8 million over a high-speed police chase that resulted in the 13-year-old girl’s death in 2019. The settlement ends years of legal battles and investigations into the chase, which involved a stolen car and reached speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour. This settlement marks one of the largest in Ohio involving a police chase.
