Thursday, June 13, 2013

New Cleveland Convention Center Public Sneak Peek - 2013.06.15

Opening Gala
Saturday, June 15th, 2013
300 Lakeside Avenue Cleveland, OH 44113
10am-4pm

It has been a wild ride for the new "Global Center for Health Innovation", more commonly and simply called the "Cleveland Convention Center". From the additional sales tax that raised the funds for the private/public partnership, to the multiple design concerns dealing with an existing Burnham Plan, to sorting out if medical conventions would sign up let alone if there would be enough hotel space to accommodate them and lastly, (it seems to most people) what this new center would do to their commute.

Word on the street is that the new Center not only opened under budget (Whaaaa?!) but that the "extra" funds and bonus expected revenue are going to be invested in (shovel ready?) downtown development projects (Double Whaaaa?!).

This Saturday, June 15th from 10am to 4pm the new center will be open for the exploration of the general public (during the opening gala scheduled for this weekend). The celebration is going to be quite a celebration and includes the following.

Via NewsNet5:

-Entertainment, including live music from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and a performance by the Dancing Wheels dance troupe.
-Team mascots and alumni from the Indians, Browns and Cavaliers, as well as the Cavaliers dance teams, with interactive games and displays, kids’ clinics and alumni autograph sessions.
-Explore the World of Health Careers, a health careers fair in the Global Center for Health Innovation, where nearly 40 educational, government and healthcare organizations will showcase our region’s rich diversity of healthcare occupations and educational programs.
-Informational displays from the United States Coast Guard, the 2013 National Senior Summer Games, Positively Cleveland and the City of Cleveland.
-Giveaways, including a commemorative lunch tote bag for the first 1,000 attendees ages 16 and over and a commemorative Convention Center plastic telescope for the first 1,000 children…


I am with-holding all commentary until after I get a chance to visit. I am excited to see the new space though and will probably press my face up against the glass as I look out over the train tracks towards the lake. Then I will comment upon the design and things like the logo.