CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland's Planning Commission enthusiastically approved the basics of developer Bob Stark's proposed nuCLEus project.
His team made a presentation explaining the $300 million project, which would go on the same parking lot between The Q and East Fourth Street where throngs gathered to celebrate LeBron James' first game back with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
nuCLEus is a cleverly named $300 million mixed-use project, including a 30-story office tower, 500 new apartments, restaurants and stores new to Cleveland and perhaps a hotel.
Stark is known for developing Crocker Park, Eton on Chagrin and the Strip in Canton.
But he envisions this his legacy project, enhancing a growing neighborhood downtown.
He remembers coming down to a bustling downtown as a boy.
"Like most proud Clevelanders, I love my city. I have the opportunity to express my love," he said.
He envisions nuCLEus as a missing link, connecting key parts of downtown including East Fourth Street, Gateway, Playhouse Square, Cleveland State University, both the new and future casino and a remodeled Public Square.
And while the project synchronizes with the momentum of the Republican National Convention and the return of LeBron James, Stark says it's a good thing he was buying the land before that.
"What's kismet about the situation is, two weeks before the Republicans announced ... and LeBron announced ... had we not done what we're doing, forget it. We would never have been able to do what we're doing," he said.
He envisions a world-class new design for the office tower, which will become the third largest building in the city skyline.
"It will be competitive with the best New York, Chicago and Shanghai. ... It's going to tell people we're proud, we're back and look out," he said.
There could be some controversy involved.
The financing will be a mix of public and private dollars, and the details have not been spelled out.
And the Planning Commission expressed concern about preserving an old record store nearby that was once owned by rock 'n' roll legend Alan Freed.
Stark says the project will capitalize on previous projects' impact.
"There is a tipping point happening in Cleveland today. ... nuCLEus is designed to cater to everyone who comes downtown to events and everybody who lives downtown, and the two are becoming as one," he said.
