Cleveland Plus: Turning the Corner in University Circle Area July 23, 2008

Speakers: Wes Finch, James Ireland III, and Ari Maron

The Cleveland Plus region is turning the corner. Transforming projects are under way in the core city—from the massive Euclid Corridor redevelopment project, to large-scale expansion of cultural and healthcare institutions in University Circle and adjacent areas, and Continental Airlines’ major expansion at Hopkins International Airport.

With the expansion of NASA Glenn’s role in future space exploration projects, saving and adding Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) jobs, passage of state tax reform that is encouraging more business investment and growth in our state, and the proposed Cleveland Medical Mart and convention center, there is even more progress in the pipeline.

Private, public and philanthropic investment are converging to create the “perfect real estate and economic development storm” in University Circle. Building on the strength of our health care industry, arts, cultural and education facilities – University Circle continues its transformation with more than $3 billion of investment and new job creation in the thousands. This discussion will feature civic and private-sector partners who are working and investing in the University Circle area.

Confirmed speaker to date: Wes Finch, president of The Finch Group, James D. Ireland III, deputy chairman of University Circle Inc.., and Ari Maron, partner at MRN Ltd., Yvette Ittu, executive VP, finance and operations, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and vice president, Cleveland Development Advisors, will serve as moderator.

“Cleveland Plus: Turning the Corner” is a four-part series, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Partnership, that focuses on physical and economic development projects that are helping the Cleveland Plus economy “turn the corner” toward sustainable, long-term prosperity. Other programs in the series include Downtown Cleveland (4/23), Infrastructure and Transportation (9/10), and Transforming the Region's Economy (12/17).

Official Website: http://www.cityclub.org/content/speakers/SpeakerDetail.aspx?spkID=5596