Note from Mansfield Frazier regarding a winery in Hough:
Ward 7's recently-elected representative, Cleveland City Councilman TJ Dow, has asked me to assist him with jumpstarting a project. He would like to explore the idea of situating a first-class winery in the Upper Chester area of the ward, which is immediately adjacent to University Circle, and in the shadow of Cleveland Clinic. Such a facility would tap into the nascent green movement by potentially utilizing grapes grown on the vast expanses of vacant land in Cleveland, while creating employment opportunities for local residents in the areas of wine production, marketing, distribution, equipment maintenance, bookkeeping and a host of other jobs. Additionally, such a facility would become a gathering focal point for community events and other entertainments.
As with any project, the devil is always in the details. Can quality grapes be grown in Cleveland soil, or would the "must" to make the wines have to be shipped in 30 miles from the Grand River Valley area? A number of questions of that nature will have to be answered, but the idea certainly has enough potential upside to make it worth exploring.
Councilman Dow wants invite individuals from within and without Ward 7 to an exploratory meeting to be held at 10 am, on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at 1854 E. 79th St, which is located 150 yards north of Chester Ave, on the northwest corner of LaGrange Ave. We are hopeful your schedule can accommodate the meeting, but you are more than welcome to send a surrogate in your stead if you have a calendar conflict.
Additionally, I'll update you on what transpired if you want to become involved at a later date in what we believe can be an exciting project that will move the ward, the area, and indeed the City of Cleveland forward. Please RSVP by Jan. 12 via email mansfieldfATgmail.com, and feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone you think could add to the discussion.
Councilman Dow and I look forward to seeing you on Jan. 15.
Links:
[1] http://maps.google.com?q=41.507513+-81.633543+%281854+E.+79th+Street%2C+Cleveland%2C+OH%2C+%2C+us%29