Transit Grants for Brook Park, Shaker Heights. Day Trip to Oberlin: CLE Daily

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ICYMI: Heinen's Grocery Store announced that it is closing its Downtown Cleveland location at the end of July.

Today's Trivia

This Cleveland street namesake served as an officer in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, as president of the Continental Congress and as governor of the Northwest Territory.

Sites in Shaker Heights and Brook Park receive federal grants for transit-oriented development.

Development | By Ken Prendergast

Two of Cleveland’s first-ring suburbs served by rail transit won federal grants this week. The awards will help them develop construction-ready plans in partnership with real estate firms for transit-oriented developments at several sites next to their rail services.

• Brook Park and Shaker Heights won the grants from a highly competitive program that awarded funds to 45 out of 107 applicants nationwide. Brook Park and Shaker Heights were the only two awards granted in the state of Ohio. 

• What are the grants for? The funding is designed to help public entities evaluate and structure high-priority, revenue-generating development projects within one-quarter-mile of a fixed-guideway transit service such as subway, light-rail or bus rapid transit.

Brook Park

• $1 million grant

•  Used to “evaluate how to structure, finance, and deliver high-priority transportation infrastructure” connected to two major, neighboring projects on the Airport-Downtown-Windermere light-rail Red Line.

• One is the new $3.6 billion Huntington Bank Field stadium and supportive development and the other is the $1.6 billion phase one makeover of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Shaker Heights

• $945,000 grant

• Used for “transforming underutilized assets into transit-oriented assets” by studying the potential to activate two city-owned properties as transit-oriented development.

• One is the expansion of the Van Aken District onto a two-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Warrensville Center and Chagrin Boulevard. The other will be at the Blue Line’s Lee Road station. 

Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss: “Not only is this a significant amount of funds but there’s also no city match which means we could put more directly into the project. These will help us continue our economic development and projects at the Van Aken District and the west end of town as well. So great work by a number of different departments. It’s nice to get good news from time to time.”

A Clevelander's guide to a day spent in Oberlin.

Travel & Outdoors | By Annie Nickoloff

Oberlin is a college town. And it’s so much more than that, too. The acclaimed college and music conservatory spans much of this city in Lorain County, but beyond the sprawl of dorms and academic buildings, Oberlin’s old-fashioned main street, vibrant park systems, quality restaurants and one-of-a-kind small businesses all contribute to a sense of place that is centered in community.

Here are a few highlights:

• Allen Memorial Art Museum: Since it was founded in 1917, Oberlin College’s art museum has amassed a massive collection from around the world. Find pieces by iconic modern artists like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, along with centuries-old works from Asia, Europe and Africa and even some ancient ceramic and sculptural creations. 

• Oberlin Arboretum: Wetlands, ponds, creeks and woods are all nestled in the southernmost point of Oberlin College’s campus. A variety of walking paths criss-cross this park, which is also a sledding hot spot in the winter months.

• Thini Thai: Recently opened in its new location earlier this year, you can’t miss the vibrant purple storefront on Main Street. And you shouldn’t miss the chance to try its menu of Northern Thai dishes, which are among the very best eats in Northeast Ohio.

Find more fun things to do in Oberlin.

Talk of the Town

Cleveland State will receive $15.6 million to help demolish the 35-year-old Wolstein Center. The Ohio Department of Higher Education approved the loan.

Beginning with a fireworks celebration on July 11 in North Olmsted, Great Northern Mall is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

 MINISO, the global lifestyle retailer known for its playful products and popular brand collaborations, is coming to Crocker Park in Westlake in August. The new location at 224 Main St. will offer a mix of toys, plushies, collectibles, beauty essentials, home goods, and more.

 Gannon University and Ursuline College officially merge today with a ceremony on the Ursuline campus, honoring the institution's Catholic legacy and marking a new chapter for both communities.

 The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame added a new Taylor Swift display to its "Legends of Rock" exhibit on Level 5, featuring costumes and props from her 400-million-view "The Fate of Ophelia" music video. A second Taylor Swift Fan Day is also in the works.

Yesterday's Trivia Answer 

Gangster Danny Greene’s rise to power started with him being elected president of the Cleveland chapter of what union? International Longshoremen’s Association

From the Editor

Oberlin is a special place. I grew up in Lorain County and spent tons of time hanging out with my friends at the city's hot spots like The Feve and Slow Train Cafe. Sometimes, when we had big tests or school projects coming up, we'd head to Mudd Library to find its famous egg chairs for a cozy study sesh. And when I first got into thrifting, I spent many evenings looking for vintage finds at the Oberlin Goodwill, or Ratsy's.

When I was putting together our guide to Oberlin — which only scratches the surface of local businesses and spots to check out — it was exciting to see some of the changes in town with notable new spots like Thini Thai and Haven Brewing, alongside many of the same places I've loved for years. Oberlin is getting some exciting updates, while still feeling like the same community. The same home.

— Annie Nickoloff, Senior Editor

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