A new hotel, town homes, retail space and even a skating rink are just some of the plans Chris Ronayne says he has in store for Cleveland's University circle neighborhood - an area of the city he says still draws people in.
RONAYNE: More and more they seem to want to live around interesting places like this innovative unique district called university circle.
Ronayne is the president of University Circle Inc., a community development group for the University Circle area. He says now that the hub of museums, academic institutions and cutting edge medical research is finally connected to the rest of the city by the Euclid Corridor project, it's time for the city to leverage these assets. At least five developers are reported to be vying for a hotel deal at the corner of Euclid and Cornell Rd., but Ronayne believes that's just one part of what will become one of the cities most vibrant places to live, work and shop - and the perfect place to jumpstart Cleveland's economic revitalization.
RONAYNE: It is our center of innovation, it is our center of arts and culture, and it is our center of employment growth when you consider that healthcare and the related medical businesses that go along with that are Cleveland's fastest growing industry - and frankly they're our one growth industry here in Cleveland Ohio.
The hotel wouldn't open for at least 2 more years - but Ronayne says in the meantime they'll be attempting to draw in visitors in smaller ways. A new outdoor ice rink will be opening for the winter season on Wade Oval starting December 7th.
Gretchen Cuda, 90.3