The Convention Center Press Release
June 9, 2003“Big Bets.” That’s how some local leaders refer to high profile, big-money public projects intended to revitalize Northeast Ohio’s economy. The latest installment in the ongoing multimedia series A QUIET CRISIS focuses on a “big bet” on which some local community leaders and politicians are gambling—a new convention center for Cleveland—and related downtown development. A QUIET CRISIS: The Convention Center addresses the issues surrounding the new convention center project, and what this facility would mean for Northeast Ohio’s growth and development.
A QUIET CRISIS: The Convention Center will be simulcast on WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream Thursday, June 12 at 8 p.m. The broadcast will repeat on WVIZ/PBS Sunday, June 15 at 4 p.m. and Monday, June 16 at 11 p.m., and on 90.3 WCPN Wednesday, June 18 at 8 p.m. A special five-minute feature segment will also air on 90.3 WCPN during the Morning News, Thursday, June 12. Special coverage will appear in the Sunday June 15 Forum section of The Plain Dealer.
A distinguished panel of economic and urban development experts and political leaders will participate in a roundtable discussion on downtown development and the proposed building of a new convention center. Panelists will focus on critical questions to include: What economic advantages, directly or indirectly, will this project bring to downtown Cleveland and surrounding communities? Will there be an economic “ripple effect?” And, does the “big bet” strategy for economic reinvigoration really work?
Panelists include Madeline Cain, Mayor of Lakewood; Jimmy Dimora, Cuyahoga County Commissioner; Ned Hill, Professor of Urban Studies and Public Administration, Cleveland State University; Frank Jackson, President, Cleveland City Council; Ari Maron, Partner, MRN Limited Partnership; and Steve Strnisha, Deputy Director, Cleveland Tomorrow. Dave Pignanelli, Director of News and Information for ideastream, will host the program. Joe Frolik, associate Editor of The Plain Dealer, will moderate the panel discussion.
A QUIET CRISIS is an ongoing, multimedia project involving WVIZ/PBS, 90.3 WCPN and The Plain Dealer. Its goal is to better inform viewers, listeners and readers about how the region’s economy affects their lives, and the impact it has on their jobs, families, neighborhoods and general livelihood. The series explores and reveals how individuals can influence productive regional economic development projects, encourage broad community involvement, and provide opportunities for direct participation.
Additional information about A QUIET CRISIS can be found by logging on to www.wcpn.org, www.wviz.org, or www.cleveland.com.
Serving Northeast Ohio, ideastream is a public service, multiple-media organization with a mission to strengthen our communities by providing distinctive, thought-provoking programs and services that enlighten, inspire, educate and entertain. The joint media organization was formed by public broadcasting stations WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN in July of 2001.