20100906-NEWS--1-NAT-CCI-CL_--
9/3/2010
2:45 PM
Page 1
$1.50/SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2010
Vol. 31, No. 35
INSIDE A thaw in wage freezes on the horizon A survey by a Mayfield Village human resources organization reveals Northeast Ohio companies are showing more interest in salary increases in the next year. Read more on Page 3.
Lawsuits dog Zaremba’s Avenue Sales of residences stop as litigation adds to economic challenge By STAN BULLARD sbullard@crain.com
While the housing market flared and sputtered this year, the much-publicized Avenue District in downtown Cleveland stood still, mired in litigation. No condominiums or townhouses have sold so far this year at the residential development near the Galleria and Tower at Erieview, in part because of an inability of prospective buyers to gain clear title to the properties amid the litigation. However, where the Avenue once was one project, it now is two endeavors, each with its
own court-appointed receiver. One receiver is in charge of the 10-story, 58unit condo tower at 1211 St. Clair Ave. Another oversees a cluster of 20 low-rise townhouses nestled north of Superior Avenue near East 13th Street. The latter receiver was the result of Fifth Third Bank filing a foreclosure last May against Avenue developer Zaremba Inc. of Cleveland. Fifth Third’s court filing stated that its $2.5 million construction loan for the project’s townhouse portion matured Feb. 28. The proceeds of suite sales typically repay such loans, but sales See AVENUE Page 4
STAN BULLARD
Group to county: Push government collaboration Streamlining would make attracting business easier
LeBRON’S GONE.
By JAY MILLER jmiller@crain.com
Whether the Cavs’ surprisingly robust ticket renewals still lead to big crowds is less certain By JOEL HAMMOND jmhammond@crain.com
C
hances are the masses still will show up at Quicken Loans Arena beginning Oct. 27, when the Cavaliers open the post-LeBron James era against the Boston Celtics, and throughout the season. How much the eventual ticket holders will have paid to watch Cleveland’s NBA team in person is another story. The Cavaliers confirmed last week their season ticket renewal rate is the highest it’s ever been, likely a product of the team requiring season ticket holders to commit for the 2010-2011 season in March, before Mr. James decided to leave for the Miami Heat in free agency. See TICKETS Page 9
ED SUBA JR./ AKRON BEACON JOURNAL; KRISTEN WILSON ILLUSTRATION
A volunteer group examining the role the new Cuyahoga County government should play in promoting economic development is proposing that the county aggressively pursue an agenda heavy on collaboration among itself, municipal governments, neighboring counties and the private and nonprofit sectors. The working group envisions a streamlining of government bureaucracies through collaboration to hold down their operating costs and make it easier for the region to attract and retain business. A report by the group also will recommend that the county help create businessready sites in targeted locations, notably in the city of Cleveland and the inner-ring suburbs, that most need new sources of tax revenues. At the last of the working group’s 12 planning meetings, held Aug. 24, Lee Trotter, one of its three co-chairs, said the new county government should “make an announcement to the world that we’re open for business.” Mr. Trotter added that the focus should be on “things that make job
35
See GROUP Page 18
0
NEWSPAPER
71486 01032
6
SPECIAL SECTION
Crain’s identifies and honors Northeast Ohio individuals and companies making a difference in sustainability efforts ■ Page E-1