I was thrilled to read in the Plain Dealer today that Case has selected Ari Maron's MRN LLC to develop the University Circle "Triangle" and "Beach" properties, including about 7 acres of underdeveloped land and buildings on both sides of Euclid from Mayfield nearly to the East Cleveland border. Currently on this land is surface parking, ugly 1970s apartment towers and corresponding and ugly commercial/retail strip mall... the Cleveland Institute of Art "Factory" is just east of that mess, followed by the Food Coop - all that land and the buildings will be demolished, redeveloped, and developed as the developer, clients (Case, CIA, others?) and public see fit.
What was revealed in the article today is that the next candidate up for the development slot was Developers Diversified Realty - the suburban sprawl developer given a fast track to demolish the East Bank of the Flats. That selection would have risked open rebellion in this community - MRN on the other hand is an exciting change in the development community reshaping our urban landscape... or at least that is the case with their representative Ari Maron.
Ari developed and is on site at East 4th Street - home of the House of Blues and much other trendy urban attraction. Unlike Wolstein, who intends to destroy our historic heritage and cultural infrastructure, Ari is on the Historic Landmarks Commission, and active with downtown Cleveland economic development, and has shown innovative success on East 4th Street and in his vision for the future.
It is very good news the leaders of the Cleveland Foundation and University Circle Incorporated recognize the role Ari and MRN are playing in properly rebuilding our urban core, and are protecting our core assets from suburban developers who have profited through sprawl. I know Ari is open to the ideas of outsiders - I had barely met him and we got into in-depth discussions on local development concerns. Now that he is developer on the triangle, he'll play a major role in development of East Cleveland as well. Expect amazing outcomes - get involved in the process!