Convention Site Pick Now Expected Early Next Year

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Sarah Hollander
Plain Dealer Reporter

The Convention Facilities Authority hopes to recommend one of two proposed sites for a new downtown convention center by early next year - a year later than originally anticipated.

The group's planning committee, which was to make a recommendation to the full board, now says it wants the 11-member body to decide between renovating the city-owned convention center on Lakeside Avenue or building anew behind Tower City, on land owned by Forest City Enterprises.

Discussions are set to begin in earnest at the next authority meeting Dec. 13.

Both sites would work and each has its advantages, said Ken Silliman, chairman of the planning committee.

Authority Chairman Bill Reidy said that vetting by the full board will ensure input from the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the Mayors and City Managers Association - the entities that appointed members to the CFA.

In June, Forest City pulled its site - between Huron Road and the Cuyahoga River- from consideration, leaving the CFA with only one option. But two months later, the company returned its site to consideration.

Mayor Jane Campbell has supported the mall site. Mayor-elect Frank Jackson said there's a clear need for a new convention center, but that he wants to see the CFA's recommendation and rationale before choosing a favored location.

To review the options and make comments via e-mail, go to www.conventioncleveland.com.

Plain Dealer reporter Tom Breckenridge contributed to this story.