Med Mart and Convention Center Plan Still Under Scrutiny

Monday, January 26, 2009
Topics: Economy, Politics, Health
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Even though Cuyahoga County Commissioners have made their decision on where to build a medical mart and convention center in Downtown Cleveland, there are still many conditions to be met and agreements to be made before the plan can go forward. Ideastream®'s Bill Rice reports.

Last week’s decision to build the dual facility on the downtown mall was based almost fully on a 108 million dollar cost saving over the other leading site contender land behind Tower City Center owned by Forest City Enterprises.  Today Fred Nance, who brokered the partnership between the county and Merchandise Mart Properties of Chicago in the project, said the reasoning behind the choice still must be verified.

Nance:  “The approval of this site was expressly made conditional upon confirmation that the engineering approach that would result in this 108 million dollar savings is a good one, because the linchpin of this decision is that tremendous cost savings.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Frank Jackson says the mall site is city property, and he must look out for the city’s interests.  He says no negotiations between the city and MMPI have taken place regarding the value of the property or under what arrangement it would be utilized. 

Jackson:  “If it’s in a lease, if it an outright purchase, if it’s a donation… See, that question has not been answered.”

Jackson called city council members together Monday morning and outlined this and other concerns, including possible conflicts of interest, what property taxes might be collected, inclusion of local companies and local hiring.