You’re kidding, right?
Many economic impact studies are very badly designed. “If you see multipliers in excess of 2.5, get very nervous.” (Sheppard)
Lemme see, which economic dev projects had those sorts of multipliers?
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Roldo sent me a link to this Crain’s article re: the Medical Mart. Jay Miller delves into the background of a failed Medical Forum in Birmingham circa 1992. MMP responds with much bravado:
“If every time we launched into a new business we stepped back from that business because there was some piece of evidence indicating the business wouldn’t do well, we wouldn’t have 17 buildings now and 60 trade shows,” said Mark Falanga, senior vice president of Merchandise Mart Properties. “We would be a small, little company.”
Merchandise Mart Properties operates merchandise marts and design centers that cater to wholesale buyers of jewelry, gifts, furniture and home furnishings. The company also produces trade shows.
Medical marketing professionals sounded out by Crain’s aren’t yet wowed by the Cleveland medical mart idea, but they will be watching its progress…
Good work by Crain’s. Make sure you check out the rest, including the “We will use all of the tools available to us, even if it means having to build a cadaver lab” quote.
Crain’s Cleveland Business: Med mart plans not shaken by story of failed attempt
Or should I say someone? Isn’t there a Convention Facility Authority? Last time I checked there’s also a Convention and Visitors Bureau. How are they involved?
The chamber of commerce group today announced the formation of four advisory groups to make the medical mart happen and to position Northeast Ohio as a medical industry center.
Crain’s Cleveland Business: GCP gears up medical mart effort
He’s probably not alone:
It’s hard to take them seriously when they announce an update press conference on what is happening 1 day before. Gee, that’s the way to keep the public updated. What is it they announce? Why committees being formed to serve as advisory groups in finding a site, explain to schools what classes in hotel management should be offered , and who should be included in the discussion. This, apparently constitutes putting “the meat on the bone” for the convention center/med mart. Things that one might have thought would be already discussed and part of that vital business plan for the city and county — before passing a tax and start collecting money…
From an interview by Tim Zaun
I think there’s no better catalyst for Northeast Ohio’s potential than the Medical Mart/Convention Center Project. We’re in a very tenuous state here. Some people are saying we need to put the project on a Referendum and vote on the syntax increase. I don’t think people realize that if this happens, the likelihood of the two facilities being built isn’t good.
The benefits, I believe, far outweigh the negative aspects. Here we have a core competency in our marketplace with the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals’. They continue to show spectacular growth, positioning Cleveland as a medical hub. We have an opportunity to seize the mantle as a medical Capital. How often is it that a Convention Center can be built with private equity such as the Medical Mart as an anchor? Also, providing a steady stream of trade shows, adding to the economic vitality of our city’s core. The project could be the catalyst to attract people to invest in downtown Cleveland. I think this is an opportunity right in front of us and it just has to happen. I pray that it all works out and continues to evolve as we realize the vision.
We have some incredibly talented people like Fred Nance and Chris Kennedy who’ll work to make the best Medical Mart deal. Having lived in Chicago, I’ve seen what they’ve done firsthand with the Merchandise Mart. They’re the best in the business.
I’m hoping that the Medical Mart and Convention Center come to be the catalyst for our region’s renaissance. Ten years from now, we’ll be able to reflect and recognize that the project was the spark that engineered Cleveland’s turnaround and made it a world-class city.
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Moxie lady:
I would have signed it, but I never had a chance to. I wonder how many other people have the same experience…
