"What Happened Now?" is a lively roundup and analysis of the top stories of the day in Northeast Ohio from News 5's Joe Donatelli. It’s like getting the news from a friend who says moving forward without buy-in from all stakeholders always comes at a cost.
The Browns’ $100 million exit from Cleveland is still hanging in mid-air: The Cleveland City Council has now held three marathon hearings about a proposed agreement to end a court fight over the team’s looming move to Brook Park, reports Michelle Jarboe. The most recent discussion lasted almost three hours and ended without a vote, even as advocates for Downtown, the lakefront and the business community urged the council to move forward – and focus on the future. The conventional view on the deal is – it’s fine. But since neither the Haslams nor the Bibb administration made the council a decider in this decision, the council has nothing to lose by dragging this out. It’s a deal, but it’s not their deal. What should motivate council? I think Michael Deemer, president and CEO of Downtown Cleveland Inc., makes a good point: “The stadium concept in Brook Park is built around hotels, new office, new retail that this region cannot support and doesn’t need. Can’t support without cannibalizing it from Downtown. But the best protection Cleveland has from overbuilding on the outskirts is by strengthening the core and making Downtown a place that people choose first. … This settlement helps clear the path to advance that vision now, when that timing matters most. That three- to five-year runway that we have to really improve our competitiveness.” It’ll be Downtown vs. Brook Park for big events, and Downtown has some work to do on being an unbeatable magnet for the region.
Why schools and homeowners are frustrated by Ohio's property tax bills: Ohio lawmakers say they are trying to provide property tax relief by passing several targeted bills, but some homeowners say it's not enough, while public schools say it comes at their expense, reports Morgan Trau.
Many of you remember the Blizzard of 1978: But before that one, there was The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950. Katie McGraw takes a look back.
A special place in (you know where): How long can you go? Because this is pretty low. Parishioners at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland received a rude surprise Sunday morning after returning to their vehicles following the service; they found them broken into. Two juveniles have been arrested, and one is still at large, reports Nadeen Abusada.
Bernie Kosar goes home: You gotta love Bernie. He’s thoughtful, funny, self-aware and – especially now – an inspiration. I watched and wrote about his departure from University Hospitals yesterday. This is a man who is taking nothing for granted.
Thank you to everyone who emailed me yesterday: There seems to be support for a weekly newsletter about the governor’s race. More to come on this, perhaps.
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