Cleveland Real Estate News

If you own a lot of land and most of it is vacant, you pay taxes on it without recouping any of that tax money. In this case, the land is Hopkins land, technically owned by us. Figuring out a profitable way to develop that land is a good idea. 

Henry Gomez writes in today’s PD about such a plan. They’ve determined that a gas station and a fast food joint would be a profit use. They aren’t dictating what ‘national brands’ should be brought in, but they want nationally profitable places (you know, like McyDs and BP). 

My only question is, every time we get to a point of wanting to do something like this, it seems to be box stores or chain food places that get into the mix.  Never quite get a satisfactory answer as to why local entrepreneurs who need work but don’t have a ‘spot’ or location yet can’t be encouraged.  Yes I’m sure it’s money related. Mayor Jackson likes to say he gets tired of Cleveland being compared to other working development models in other cities because Cleveland is Cleveland, not Pittsburgh or Minneapolis or Chicago.  Fair enough. Can’t help but think though, that the more we build national brand places, the more we look like everyone else.

Getting money (Hopkins) for development of that land is good for us. What do you think about this plan?  Peace Out – 3C