Cleveland: Surprise Medical Mart changes raise lots of questions
November 07, 2009 11:40 AM
CLEVELAND -- The long-awaited Medical Mart project will have a major change that poses many questions.
MMPI, the Chicago firm in charge of the project, says the price of renovating Public Auditorium turns out to be $60 to $100 million more than expected.
Old heating, plumbing and mechanical systems turned out to be costly surprises. MMPI also has been unable to close deals with several parcels of land on St. Clair Avenue.
Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones says all this means is that the most likely site for the Medical Mart is now the northern part of the mall, between Cleveland City Hall and the old County Courthouse.
But a number of other nearby sites are still in play.
Jones claims the change would allow more money to be put into the building and provide a lakefront view that will enhance the project.
The new Convention Center will still be built underground at the location of the old Convention Center and the mall to its west.
The plan was to open the renovated Public Auditorium first to host meetings and display some products to start bringing visitors and dollars to town.
Jones claims the relocation will not change the overall timeline for getting the project built.
But the change will require renegotiating a deal between Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland.
p. 1/2
> Next Page
- Friday Night Fever: Playoffs 2009 Scores and Highlights
- Euclid man leaves fortune to special friends
Copyright (c) 2009
wkyc.com
