LOOK BACK | THE BLACKOUT FOCUS | LEGAL AFFAIRS: Law schools adapt instruction for the COVID-19 classroom. PAGE 10
NEO had a big role in a dark day for many. PAGE 23 CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM I AUGUST 10, 2020
SMALL BUSINESS
RETAIL Flexibility key for employers AILING MALLS and working FACE ANOTHER parents Uncertain school year THREAT WITH presents many hurdles BY RACHEL ABBEY MCCAFFERTY COVID 19 In March, everything changed. On the y, employers had to nd ways to accommodate employees who were suddenly balancing child care and work in a new way, as schools went remote and child care centers closed when the COVID-19 pandemic came to Ohio. is fall is sure to hold similar
Child care, with conditions: Ohio child care centers can return to pre-pandemic student-teacher ratios, but they must follow a host of safety and hygiene measures. Page 21
challenges. e only di erence? Em- ployers have time to plan ahead for the inevitable. And how they respond SouthPark Mall in Strongsville is seeing a slow return of foot tra c, despite now could have implications for the social distancing requirements. | DAVID KORDALSKI/CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS future. In the spring, there was a tangible end in sight for those balancing work Foot tra c, a key indicator of mall health, has fallen 40% from January numbers and their children’s virtual learning. “It felt like there was a term to it,” BY STAN BULLARD Ohio stay-at-home order ended. said John Bernatovicz, founder of Foot tra c at the malls as of July 25 sta ng and consulting rm Willory Northeast Ohio’s already ailing en- is running 40% below what it was in in Bath. “We can do this for four closed malls are wrestling with grow- January, according to Orbital. And weeks, six weeks, eight weeks. I can ing problems as the COVID-19 pan- that’s an improvement from the 85% gure this out, even though it was demic lingers, with shoppers decline they su ered as Ohio’s March stressful.” continuing to stay away after lock- shutdown order hit. e question Heading into the fall and the new down orders ended and more tenants that will plague the owners of the school year, there’s more stress, he shutting shops, declaring bankruptcy properties, and increasingly the said. School districts are all han- and closing down. communities where they are located, dling the start to the year different- Foot tra c is a key indicator in mall in the future will be how many come ly, and there’s the knowledge that, performance, following only sales and back as the coronavirus lingers and no matter how they start, schools rents. Information from Orbital In- prompts legions of shoppers to test could have to go remote again. And sight, a geospatial data provider based online buying and permanently alter this uncertainty could last the in Palo Alto, Calif., show how North- their spending patterns. whole year. east Ohio’s remaining 11 enclosed Losing traditional anchor stores like the Sears at Great Northern Mall in North malls are su ering, even since the See MALLS on Page 22 Olmsted is another reason malls are su ering. | STAN BULLARD/CRAIN’S See CHILD CARE on Page 21
NONPROFITS Nonpro ts face challenges in engaging volunteers during pandemic BY LYDIA COUTRÉ organizations have been able to ed (BVU), which works to connect VOL. 41, NO. 29 l COPYRIGHT 2020 CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. l ALL RIGHTS RESERVED bring them back at a fraction of previ- businesses and nonpro ts to solve After the pandemic put many vol- ous capacity in new or modi ed community issues in the region. unteer opportunities on hold, non- ways, while others are still largely un- Organizations are doing more with pro ts have spent the summer work- able to put their volunteers to work less, asking themselves daily how to ing to safely bring back volunteers, again, including many nonpro ts best serve the community, said Nan- who are a vital component to the that are heavily reliant on their vol- cy Dzurnak , program manager at
NEWSPAPER work of many organizations. unteer workforce. Greater Cleveland Volunteers, an or- But social distancing requirements At the same time, 33% of nonprof- ganization that connects volunteers and other protocols to mitigate risk of its reported an increased demand for with about 100 nonpro ts each year. COVID-19 spread have meant work- their services, according to a July sur- ing with far fewer volunteers. Some vey by Business Volunteers Unlimit- See VOLUNTEERS on Page 18
P001_CL_20200810.indd 1 8/7/2020 3:00:35 PM SMALL BUSINESS Tent rental companies navigate a bust-to-boom year Pandemic initially produced spree of cancellations, which were followed by businesses getting ood of calls BY MICHELLE JARBOE property in Bath Township, nestled in the Cuyahoga Valley National For Ramsey Duqum and his brother, Park. Brandon, 2020 has been a maelstrom. “We understand that being out- eir tent rental business, AAble doors is a huge mitigation factor,” Rents, stalled in March when the said Sarah Johnston, head of the pri- novel coronavirus pandemic spurred vate school. widespread event cancellations and In a happy accident of timing, Old a statewide ban on large gatherings. Trail is putting the nishing touches In recent weeks, though, the Eu- on a permanent outdoor classroom clid-based company has been — with a canopy, benches and a swamped. green roof — that was in the works Colleges, universities and private long before the pandemic turned the schools are turning to tents as out- business of education into a risk door classrooms. To protect vulnera- analysis exercise. ble congregants, churches are taking “ at was going to serve as a place services outside. Restaurants need that would be a hub for connection tents to accommodate expanded al outdoors. Now, we’re going to be us- fresco dining. And brides, frustrated ing it to rotate classrooms and grade by public health restrictions at ven- levels out there,” Johnston said. ues, are opting for backyard ceremo- Brothers Brandon (left) and Ramsey Duqum, the owners of Euclid-based AAble Rents, stand in front of a tent their company recently For schools that aren’t similarly nies and receptions — sometimes on erected at Hawken School’s Lyndhurst campus. The market for the tent rental industry busted in March, but is now booming with situated, tents are a swift solution to very short notice. demand from private schools, restaurants, brides and other clients moving activities outdoors. | MICHELLE JARBOE/CRAIN’S the need for extra space and the em- Event rental businesses, many of phasis on fresh air. Building codes them small, family-owned compa- up. “In Q1 and Q2,” he said, “there year, one group of families was pooling e long-term rentals are likely to allow such temporary structures to nies, are struggling to respond. On was this emoji going down that line, funds to rent a tent their children’s ele- be Hawken’s third-largest pandem- stay up for about six months. Certain the heels of layo s and a precipitous day by day, with a blowtorch for eight mentary school couldn’t a ord. ic-related expense, after HVAC up- types of tents can withstand the win- decline in revenues, they’re now weeks. Everything was canceled.” “ e real story is just how incredi- grades and additional housekeeping ter, if they’re heated and don’t be- faced with a surge of demand from en, the trickle of calls started. bly resilient people are,” Duqum said. sta , said Scott Looney, the head of come heavy with snow. nontraditional clients, some of them And turned into a ood. Administrators at Hawken School school. Duqum stressed that long-term from neighboring states. Hospitals needed tents for recently reserved six tents for the pri- “It’s a lot,” he said. “More than I’d rentals require additional staking, es- “I’ve never had a period of time like COVID-19 testing. Parents of high vate day school’s campuses in Gates like to spend. I’ll just say that my pecially at schools. this,” said Ramsey Duqum, the CEO of school seniors sought out stages and Mills, Lyndhurst and University Cir- board has been great, but all in, this “ ey need to be over-engineered,” AAble, a 50-year-old business that tra- backdrops for makeshift graduations. cle. Ranging from 20 by 30 feet to 82 will be hundreds of thousands of dol- he said, “by the tent company, not ditionally deploys more than 200 tents Before the Cleveland Metropolitan by 82 feet, the tents will accommo- lars.” the renter.” a week from mid-April to mid-October. School District decided to go virtual for date open-air instruction, lunches Old Trail School also expects to First, he watched reservations dry the rst nine weeks of the academic and breaks between classes. pitch rented tents on its 60-acre See TENTS on Page 21
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P002_CL_20200810.indd 2 8/7/2020 1:38:30 PM SPORTS BUSINESS Flats is set to land $600,000 platform tennis center Local advocates of the sport create nonprofit to build facility in Cleveland’s Rivergate Park BYB KEVIN KLEPS the Cleveland region president for perfect fit for a center that hopes to Huntington Bank. “But other than be a popular hub for the game. Platform tennis is poised to be the that, we can play in any condition.” “The fact that we have that associa- next addition to a growing outdoor There are about 800 active plat- tion is a really big deal and makes sports scene on the East Bank of the form tennis players in Northeast this a winning project,” Bebout said. Flats. Ohio, Richardson said. But the vast A nonprofit formed by local advo- majority of the participants, along ‘Long-term game’ cates of the sport, which is played on with the 30-plus courts, are east of heated courts surrounded by wire the city. The Cleveland Platform Tennis fencing, is planning to construct a The foundation is hoping the new Foundation is nearing the 75% point $600,000 facility on the grounds of center will increase awareness, along in its $600,000 fundraising effort. the Cleveland Rowing Foundation. with access and diversity, for a sport Richardson said the 11-member The Cleveland Platform Tennis that Richardson and other board board is contributing about 10% of Foundation is awaiting final approval members say is only available in pri- the funds. The project has more than from the city that is expected soon, vate clubs in the region. The center 200 donors and has received corpo- board chair Sean Richardson said. will have an after-school program for rate backing from the likes of Hun- Once that arrives, construction middle and high school students, tington, KeyBank, Medical Mutual, would begin and the facility, located who will alternate between on-court Sherwin-Williams and Calfee, Halter in Rivergate Park, would be ready for lessons and activities that will take & Griswold LLP. play later this year. place in an indoor “paddle hut” that The board includes an architect, The timeline would be ideal for a will be surrounded by a pair of out- The Cleveland Platform Tennis center will include four elevated courts and a paddle hut Kent Whitley, plus specialists in mar- game, which the American Platform door courts on each side. that will double as a schoolhouse. The facility will be built on vacant land next to the keting, IT and finance. Nejedlik was Tennis Association dubs the “most It’s what Karen Nejedlik, a former Cleveland Rowing Foundation’s headquarters in Rivergate Park. | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO the catalyst in CPTF receiving a pair addictive sport you’ve never heard of,” president of the Cleveland Paddle of grants, including one in the mid- that’s primarily played in the winter. Tennis Association, calls a “grass- and a 35-year veteran of the game, Wharf and is in an area that features five figures that Richardson said is Platform, or paddle, tennis is roots effort of a bunch of paddle play- with the idea for the center. The Foundry, a year-round rowing the largest in the history of the Amer- played with rackets on elevated sur- ers joining together, forming a foun- Bebout said a meeting with Robert and sailing center, along with the ican Platform Tennis Association. faces that are smaller than tennis dation and saying, ‘We’re going to Valerian, the former president of the Crooked River Skatepark and the When the center is up and run- courts. Below the playing decks are build this in the inner city, and we’re Cleveland Rowing Foundation, got Ohio City Bicycle Co-op. ning, a part-time racket pro will be on heaters that are used to make the going to really try to democratize and the ball rolling, and additional con- Bebout, who coaches paddle ten- staff. Everything else, from court courts playable — not to ensure that diversify our game.’ ” versations with Kirk Lang, CRF’s ex- nis, said as he got older, it started to scheduling to operations, will be the wintry weather feels more com- ecutive director, led to a deal. bother him that the sport wasn’t board- and volunteer-driven. fortable to the competitors. ‘Winning project’ The platform tennis foundation is available to more people. CRF’s loca- “We have such a passion for the “Theonly thing that really stops us in the first year of a 30-year lease for tion and the fact that its prime game that we don’t think we have to is ice, and sometimes that can be Richardson and Nejedlik credit vacant land owned by CRF. Located months are May through October hire out,” Richardson said. melted, and rain is not so good for David Bebout, the Cleveland Plat- at 1003 British T:10.25"St. in Rivergate Park, (opposite of paddle’s preferred sea- our game,” said Richardson, who is form Tennis Foundation’s president the property is next to Merwin’s son of October to April) made it the See TENNIS on Page 18
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RES-Polyflow4c_10.875x14.5Ad.indd 1 6/4/19 3:41 PM FROM THE EDITOR Your thoughts on going back to the workplace Several weeks ago, I wrote about my experiences returning to the office and asked for your thoughts about going back to your workplace. And I heard from many of you. The clear message? It’s all about the office and how — and whether — you’ll use the space. Some of you are rethinking your office footprints, lease renewals Elizabeth and relationships with your landlords. McINTYRE Please know this is strictly anecdotal and by no means a data-driven survey of Northeast Ohio office dwellers. This is just a sampling of a dozen or so readers who shared their thoughts about return- ing to the office, some of whom requested not to be identi- fied by name or company. For Margy Judd, president of the human resources con- sulting firm Executive Arrangements, working remotely was “pretty much chaos the first month until we all settled into a RICH WILLIAMS FOR CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS CLEVELAND CRAIN’S FOR WILLIAMS RICH routine of sorts.” For the past month or so, Judd and about a third of her 16 EDITORIAL employees are regularly going into their “cozy little office” of about 600 square feet in Cleveland Heights. She’s been un- derwhelmed, though, by her landlord’s response to her questions about safety and cleaning protocols. “I can keep my employees safe once they walk through Connections the door into my suite, but they need to use the shared re- strooms, open doors to the building, etc.,” she wrote in an ay this for the pandemic: on some things it provides clar- These are vital efforts to bring a level playing field to remote email. “I had to buy my own ity and reveals where we’re not keeping pace with the learning. Keep them coming. HEPA filter to put into my THE CLEAR MESSAGE? Sneed for change. HVAC unit because they were IT’S ALL ABOUT THE One such issue is home internet connectivity throughout not willing to invest in the Northeast Ohio, which has become a matter of significant Test anxiety higher quality. They were not OFFICE AND HOW public concern as the pandemic has led many school districts even willing to have a sign that to plan for a start to the academic year in which students are hio didn’t need any more political drama, but that’s just what it said, ‘Face masks required if — AND WHETHER working in part, or in full, from home. Ogot last Thursday, Aug. 6, when Gov. Mike DeWine received a you enter this building,’ until — YOU’LL USE THE There’s a lot of anxiety over schools, the quality of instruction they positive test for COVID-19, and then later that day tested negative. DeWine mandated it in public can offer and the social consequences of at-home learning. One The obvious first reaction for all Ohioans to the latest devel- places. SPACE. thing that should not be part of that anxiety is whether students have opment should be relief. DeWine, who is 73 and has asthma, “Believe me, this has me evaluating whether I will contin- the digital connection needed to have a productive school year. would be in the high-risk category if he contracted COVID-19. ue to be in this space when my lease renewal time comes That’s why it was satisfying to see Cuyahoga County Council On a personal level, then, we’re heartened that the second this fall,” Judd said. last week approve spending $1.5 million to provide, as Cleve- test — using a procedure known as polymerase chain reac- Several responders echoed that sentiment. Another small land.com put it, “internet hotspots, unlimited data and com- tion, or PCR, which is more time-intensive than the antigen business owner, this one with a downtown office, is weigh- puters to students for remote learning” during the pandemic. test he first received — produced a better result. ing the cost of staying downtown vs. just having a profes- The county is teaming up in this effort with the Cleveland The episode does underscore a few things, though. sional office address in Beachwood or Hudson. Foundation and the nonprofit PCs for People. The county’s First, if you spent any time on social media looking at the He currently has office rental overhead of $8,000 a month, money comes from its share of federal coronavirus aid, and reactions to the first, positive test, you can get a pretty dim plus $1,200 for employee parking. He mused that we could that’s a sensible and for- view of humanity. DeWine in a follow-up videoconference on easily find other places downtown to meet clients, such as ONE THING THAT SHOULD ward-looking use of funds. Aug. 6 noted he received several “I told you so” text messages the Union Club. The Cleveland Foundation related to his advocacy for wearing masks, despite the grow- “Even if I spend — pick a number — 1,000 bucks a month NOT BE PART OF ANXIETY also is kicking in $1.5 mil- ing body of scientific evidence that masks help to reduce (not on meetings, I’m saving $7,000,” he said. “That’s real mon- OVER SCHOOLS IS lion, for a total of $3 million eliminate, folks) the potential for COVID-19 spread. e y .” in an effort that will “pro- Also, this shows that DeWine needs to continue his push His fear, though, after recently signing a long-term lease, WHETHER STUDENTS HAVE vide up to 5,000 internet for more and better testing in the state. The antigen tests that is this: “I don’t want to wake up when this is all over two THE DIGITAL CONNECTION hotspots, two years’ worth returned DeWine’s positive result represent “an exciting new years from now — and I hope this is all over two years from of unlimited data and up technology to reduce the cost and improve the turnaround now — and say I gave up the greatest office in the world.” NEEDED TO HAVE A to 10,000 laptops to school time for COVID-19 testing, but they are quite new, and we do Still, others expressed gratitude in some ways, like I did, PRODUCTIVE YEAR. children,” Cleveland.com not have much experience with them here in Ohio,” the gov- about being back in the office. Janine Rybka, director of the reported. All families with ernor’s office said. “We will be working with the manufacturer Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, spoke for K-12 students enrolled in public or charter schools in Cuyahoga to have a better understanding of how the discrepancy be- many of us when she said she was “Zoomed-out after about County are eligible for the program. tween these two tests could have occurred.” three weeks” of working from home. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District is The initial positive test came even though DeWine had no Working for a government agency, she felt it was import- working on an effort with The George Gund Foundation to bring symptoms. There are actual positive cases in which people ant to be in the office. Although only about a quarter of staff hotspots to its students. And on the state level, House Bill 13, legis- display no symptoms, and this is a continued reminder of the have returned, she’s enjoying being back. lation that would help fund the expansion of broadband access value of staying masked, so asymptomatic carriers don’t un- “The lighting is fantastic, I have air conditioning, and I get across Ohio, has passed the House and been referred to a Senate intentionally infect others, and of expanding testing. a change of scenery driving to and from work,” she emailed. committee. The bill would establish a grant program to fund the Nothing is simple in 2020. Keep up safe practices so we can I hear you, Janine, and all who replied. Please continue to construction of broadband projects in unserved areas of the state. get past this as fast as possible. share your thoughts.
Publisher and Editor: Elizabeth McIntyre ([email protected]) Write us: Crain’s welcomes responses from readers. Letters should be as brief Sound off: Send a Personal Managing Editor: Scott Suttell ([email protected]) as possible and may be edited. Send letters to Crain’s Cleveland Business, View for the opinion page to 700 West St. Clair Ave., Suite 310, Cleveland, OH 44113, or by emailing [email protected]. Please Contact Crain’s: 216-522-1383 [email protected]. Please include your complete name and city from include a telephone number Read Crain’s online: crainscleveland.com which you are writing, and a telephone number for fact-checking purposes. for verification purposes.
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342 +/- to science anymore? acres BY CAROLINE SCHUERGER Why aren’t Ohioans listening to them? is July, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McE- The answer lies in both the qual- nany in a brie ng stated that “the science should not ity of information being conveyed LEROY / CONCORD CONCORD / 11579 Girdled Rd stand in the way of” students returning to school this to the public, as well as our general 7 Parcels = 342 +/- acres 1.26 +/- acres fall. e press brie ng was the latest in a national push knowledge of science to receive 7 Parcels, reserve price less than 3,000 +/- sf - Single Family Home $1,500 per acre (combined) Reserve Price - $86,165 to return to normal life — and one that is paralleled in and make sense of that informa- Ohio. tion. The median age of Ohioans is Back in March, the world applauded Ohio’s initial 39.4 years old. With most Ohioans E Eric M. Silver, Broker, Ag Real Estate Group, Inc. swift response to the pandemic. Gov. Mike DeWine Schuerger is a last studying science in high Property lines are graphic representations and are NOT survey accurate. 1 inch = 1,505 feet worked with then-Ohio Department of Health Director senior doctoral school, that education took place Lake County GIS Dept. 216.504.5000/ Lake County Tax Map Dept., / 105 [email protected] Main Street, Painesville, OH / www.agrealestategroup.comCreation Date:June 12, 2020 Dr. Amy Acton to shut down parts of society to limit the student at Case at least 20 years ago — before spread and consequences of the coronavirus — and it Western Reserve smartphones and wireless inter- worked. With careful and logical opening up, cases in University, net. The scientific community’s E Ohio remained steady. But a recent surge is being at- where her thesis understanding of the natural world Property lines are graphic representations and are NOT survey accurate. 1 inch = 188 feet tributed to people not wearing masks and returning to research is in has improved tremendously in Lake County GIS Dept. / Lake County Tax Map Dept., 105 Main Street, Painesville, OH Creation Date:June 12, 2020 bars, restaurants and indoor gatherings. nding new that intervening period, especially The data on the benefits of mask wearing speaks bladder cancer our knowledge of medicine and bi- for itself. The Cleveland Clinic and the Centers for therapies. ology. There is a knowledge gap Disease Control and Prevention have published on that many Ohioans have to over- Providing a private travel experience why masks are helpful to fight the spread of coronavi- come to make sense of the corona- rus and prevent others from getting sick. A study pro- virus. To overcome that gap, we all rely on the news that exceeds expectations duced by JP Morgan Chase shows that surges in cases media to communicate the necessary information, are linked to people going to restaurants and bars, a but their performance in providing coronavirus infor- finding that has been confirmed by the Ohio Depart- mation has fallen short. Additionally, the news media ment of Health. The evidence is apparent, yet little is has to overcome abundant misinformation — both being done to stop the nonstop increasing coronavi- deliberate and innocent. Americans mostly hold pos- rus cases in Ohio. itive views of the news media’s coverage of the coro- Americans consistently trust scientists and say they navirus, but the media has had difficulty in conveying should play an active role in policy debates on scienti c our evolving knowledge of this novel virus, as well as issues. Even through the pandemic, Americans still communicating risk. trust scientists. However, the guidance from scientists is being ignored and vili ed. See SCIENCE on Page 8
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P007_CL_20200810.indd 7 8/7/2020 12:00:15 PM OPINION We116,150 SF Moved SCIENCE NAI Pleasant Valley From Page 7 Cleveland Office e fault also lies with the failure has moved to to communicate e ectively by sci- entists. e World Health Organiza- 6155 Rockside Rd., tion has repeatedly misstepped in Suite 304 delaying public guidance in re- sponse to the coronavirus and has Independence, OH walked back claims about the virus. In addition to the CDC, Dr. Anthony Fauci is frustrated and is “very con- cerned” that the CDC’s public health message on coronavirus is Medina | 330.239.0176 not resonating with the American Independence | 216.831.3310 public. E ective health communi- Akron | 330.535.2661 cation by scienti c experts to both the public and policymakers is a key 6155 Rockside Rd., Suite 304 factor in ghting the pandemic and Independence, OH 44131 important to maintain trust in the www.naipvc.com • scienti c and governing institu- tions. Scientists need to work to bet- Dr. Amy Acton, then the director of the Ohio Department of Health, signed the www.naipvc.com ter communicate the rapidly evolv- state’s stay-at-home order in early April during a live broadcast of Gov. Mike ing data to policymakers, as there DeWine’s COVID-19 update. Acton has since stepped down as Ohio’s chief advocate are very few members of Congress to combat the virus, in part due to pushback from citizens. | THE OHIO CHANNEL SCREENSHOT with scienti c backgrounds. Why does this matter? As politi- EFFECTIVE HEALTH nesses and community leaders of cians must start deciding when and their options to respond creatively. how children and teachers should COMMUNICATION BY Restaurants are now able to expand return to school, if citizens should be SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS IS A outside seating, as the virus transmits Since 1959 voting in person or not, and whether at a lower rate outdoors. Delivery and workers should be beginning their KEY FACTOR IN FIGHTING digital businesses are thriving during daily commutes, policymakers THE PANDEMIC AND the pandemic as people change their should have all of the facts for mak- daily activities. is is how science ing these decisions. ey need the IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN can inform and support policies as we SAME DAY public to trust that these are the right TRUST IN THE SCIENTIFIC all adapt creatively and nd a “new decisions for everyone. Sci- AND GOVERNING normal” that is economically viable ence-based policymaking is there- while also ensuring public health. COURIER fore particularly important right now INSTITUTIONS. Scientists and policymakers need to ensure that trust in both science to work together to make good pub- MEDICAL • BANKING and political leaders remains. coronavirus times beyond imposing lic policy based on evidence that ere are clear bene ts of sci- lockdown and mask mandates. Sci- will help Ohio as we continue to LEGAL ence-based policymaking during the entists are informing politicians, busi- brave the coronavirus pandemic.
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In-person classes this fall at the University of Akron School of Law, seen here, will have limited capacity and feature safety measures, such as masks. | CONTRIBUTED NEW TRIALS FOR LAW SCHOOLS Region’s institutions adapting instruction for the COVID-19 classroom ``BY DOUGLAS J. GUTH | Law is a face-to-face field where in-person training is vital in preparing young attorneys for the rigors of the courtroom. But as federal judges provide digital deliberations from their kitchens, so too must law schools adapt to the reality of COVID-19 as they prepare to reopen their campuses in a few short weeks. Nationally, law schools are readying hybrid learning models that combine online and in-the-flesh instruction. Masks and social distancing are just a few of the measures schools are implementing for the on-campus experience, ``Ut ut qui sus percimus molor often following parameters set forth by parent universities. On the local front, higher education officials aim to pre- serovitae eos dollat laut aut es. serve traditional instruction while prioritizing the health and safety of students, staff and faculty. PAGE 00 ``t ut qui sus percimus molor serovi- Recognizing the fluid situation “We especially want first-per- with is important, and we’ll do are required in the classroom, “WE ESPECIALLY WANT tae eos dollat laut aut es. PAGE 00 presented by the coronavirus pan- son contact for new students – it everything we can to cultivate barring medical or religious ac- FIRST-PERSON CONTACT demic, leaders at the University of may not be essential, but it’s op- that.” commodations. First-year funda- ``t ut qui sus percimus molor serovi- Akron School of Law will offer limit- timal,” said Akron law school Similar to many of the 200 mentals courses begin on Aug. FOR NEW STUDENTS – IT tae eos dollat laut aut es. PAGE 00 ed classroom capacity for both first- dean Christopher Peters. “For American Bar Association-ac- 13, with students having the op- MAY NOT BE ESSENTIAL, ``t ut qui sus percimus molor serovi- year learners and certain up- law students, their first year is a credited law schools nationwide, tion to learn either remotely or tae eos dollat laut aut es. PAGE 00 per-classmen courses that don’t different culture from what they Akron’s law school is taking its in-class. BUT IT’S OPTIMAL.” lend themselves to online instruc- were used to in undergrad. Hav- reopening cues from the larger —A— kron law school dean ``t ut qui sus percimus molor serovi- tion. ing classmates they can study university. Masks, for example, See LAW SCHOOL on Page 13 Christopher Peters tae eos dollat laut aut es. PAGE 00
10 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | August 10, 2020
P010_CL_20200810.indd 10 8/6/2020 2:30:17 PM FOCUS | LEGAL AFFAIRS Bar associations lean into challenges created by COVID-19 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association wants to prove its indispensability to members, community BYB JEREMBY NOBILE the CMBA lost about $300,000. The pandemic presents,” McMahon said. tries, all of whom are facing similar organization is grinding harder but “That has meant not only rethinking issues with membership and re- Legal and business communities bringing in less money, trying to pro- how we deliver services to members, sources right now. have looked to the Cleveland Metropol- vide “more value for the same dol- but in some ways, more importantly, The OSBA has about 22,000 mem- itan Bar Association for news, insight lars,” Gross said. rethinking what our members and bers, but that level has been slowly and resources seemingly more than TheCMBA sees that as the cost of community need from us.” declining since the Great Recession ever amid the COVID-19 outbreak and executing on its mission today. The — something happening more with the uncertainties it is causing. hope is that it translates to communi- Apt to adapt older lawyers retiring and fewer attor- Despite that, like most profession- ty and business support. neys coming out of law schools. The al nonprofit associations and small But with core membership stag- McMahon Augsburger Such challenges are not unique to association brings in about $12 mil- businesses today, the CMBA is grap- nating around 5,000 in recent years, the CMBA, said Mary Amos Augs- lion in annual revenue, according to pling with resources and income is- and fears of some members dropping community to retain its viability of burger, CEO of the Ohio State Bar As- its latest tax filing, about half of which sues just like the attorneys and law out amid the pandemic, the CMBA years past. sociation. Augsburger is also mem- is dependent on member dues. firms it helps support, all while po- feels an urgency to engage potential “We have absolutely leaned into ber of a statewide coalition of tential members and backers reel in members, donors and the overall the challenges and opportunities the association CEOs in different indus- See ASSOCIATIONS on Page 14 expenses deemed nonessential. While the pandemic rages on, though, the CMBA has been a hub for updates on local court systems, a go-to resource for legal questions raised by employers, a convener for discourse about protests and public safety amid the Black Lives Matter movement, and COMPLEX IMMIGRATION MATTERS a counselor for firms large and small on how to best manage their business- es when times are tough. The organization has been busier than ever, said CEO Rebecca Ruppert McMahon. The pandemic has pre- sented an opportunity for the CMBA to further prove its indispensability, particularly in a smartphone-en- abled world where access to infor- MADE mation and connectivity with others — two things professional associa- tions like regional bars have histori- cally offered — have never been easi- er to access. Yet, building membership — which provides about one-third of SIMPLE the CMBA’s approximately $3 million in annual revenue — has become a more acute challenge as a pandem- ic-induced recession prompts a tightening of belts. “I think it’s easier to forget the crit- ical mission that we serve when you’re living through a pandemic and it’s all hands on deck for every- one trying to get from week to week, month to month,” McMahon said. “It would be easy to be lost in the shuffle as another expense-saving mecha- nism, but we’ve been battling to prove value and step up engagement and show how critically important we are to our members and beyond.” That battle is all about showing that the CMBA should be viewed more than just a discretionary line item in someone’s budget to be trimmed when times are financially tough. “We’re committed to making us the indispensable go-to organization in Northeast Ohio on matters of law and justice,” said Joseph Gross, a Benesch attorney and the CMBA’s 2020-2021 president. “I’m not sure we’re there now. But we will be there someday.” That’s why, despite the cancella- tion of in-person events at its offices at One Cleveland Center, the CMBA not only has flocked to virtual for- mats for everything from panel dis- cussions to offerings for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, but also increased output of overall pro- gramming in recent months. The CMBA has hosted 200 virtual pro- Proud to be selected as one of Cleveland’s Top Law Firms. grams since going remote in mid- March, all of which were not even on We bring deep knowledge of immigration law’s complexities, the calendar prior to then and have been offered to the community at- making the process as simple and painless as possible for large free of cost. our clients. Where you want to BrownImmLaw.com 216.861.4414 But with all that free programming and some memberships being can- celed, between March and the group’s fiscal-year end on June 30,
August 10, 2020 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 11
P011_CL_20200810.indd 11 8/6/2020 1:53:38 PM FOCUS | LEGAL AFFAIRS LGBTQ ruling should prompt an ‘honest’ cultural review After Supreme Court decision, companies should look at inclusiveness e orts, emphasize worker protection BY JUDY STRINGER own policy in that regard, and companies have not al- ment in law. On the other hand, there was no legal recourse. ways felt very comfortable those that have not necessarily taken Even before the U.S. Supreme Now, there is,” she said. discussing,” Ahern said, a stance, she said, or “don’t really do Court ruled that employers can’t ter- In its June 15 decision, “but it needs now to be- anything to promote diversity around minate workers based on their lesbi- the court interpreted the come part of the dialogue.” sexual orientation or gender identi- an, gay, bisexual, transgender or word “sex” in Title VII of the Eliana Turan, director of ty” are “at particular risk.” queer (LGBTQ) status in June, com- Civil Rights Act of 1964 — development at the LGBT “ is population of employees panies were moving toward nondis- the federal statue prohibit- Community Center of Great- tends to be pretty informed about crimination on the basis of sexual ing employment discrimi- er Cleveland, recommends their legal rights, so I think to the ex- orientation and gender identity, ac- nation based on race, color, Adinol Ahern Turan employers seize the opportu- tent that there is a perception that cording to two local employment at- religion, sex or national ori- nity to “take an honest assess- discrimination was part of the deci- torneys and an LGBTQ advocate. gin — to include sexual orientation (equal employment opportunity) ment” of their culture before initiating sion-making process, [LGBTQ] em- Still, they said, now that it’s o cially and transgender status. statements in their employment additional training. Cultural and cli- ployees would be likely to raise their the law of the land, employers should While the three cases combined in handbooks and polices to explicitly mate surveys that allow employees to rights in a way that they are legally redouble e orts to protect LGBTQ the ruling involved terminations be- list sexual orientation and gender respond anonymously and employ- entitled to,” Ahern said. workers. And, for some, that might in- cause of the plainti s’ sexual orienta- identity as protected classes,” she said. ee-based focus groups conducted by a She anticipates new lings alleging volve some pretty big cultural shifts. tion or transgender status, Karen Adi- Adinol contends the word “sex” third party, she said, are a few of the discriminatory terminations, failures “Almost every company of any nol , a labor and employment attorney alone is too vague to adequately strategies organizations can use to get a to hire, harassment and hostile work meaningful size includes within their and shareholder with Roetzel & An- “alert” or “trigger” all employees that better picture of “inclusiveness” in their environment, all based on the sexual anti-discrimination policy or statement dress in Akron, said the decision’s im- nondiscrimination policies extend to culture and whether LGBTQ employ- orientation or gender identity of the that they do not discriminate based on pact reaches beyond hiring and ring gay and transgender people. Further, ees, in particular, experience negative applicants. sexual orientation or gender identity, practices. It also prohibits employers she and Ahern said employers should workplace interactions related to their and that practice has been trending for from treating LGBTQ employees dif- provide training to ensure that man- sexual orientation and gender identity. Lingering questions many, many years,” said Ann-Marie ferently terms of compensation, train- agers and other decision-makers un- “ e thing with culture is that it is Ahern, who leads the employment law ing, promotion, discipline or any other derstand the ruling, how it a ects hard to see, and it can be very hard to e jury is out on how the Supreme group at Cleveland-based McCarthy, condition of employment. hiring, disciplinary and termination change,” Turan said. “One training Court decision will impact businesses Lebit, Crystal & Li man. “In the wake of the ruling, employ- issues and cultural factors that can session that is LGBTQ 101, when it with fewer than 15 workers because “ e di erence is that previously if ers should be looking to amend — if contribute to LGBTQ bias. has never been done before, will not Title VII’s protections don’t apply to an employee or company violated their they have not already — their EEO “It is a subject that a lot of people be su cient to change a culture. It companies that employ 14 people or will take a more extensive strategy.” fewer, according to Adinol . And, she Consider how race has been a pro- said, the court left open the question tected class for over 50 years, she of whether religious beliefs may su- added, but black and brown profes- persede the Title VII protections. sionals still report high rates of “dis- In both instances, however, Adi- crimination, such as microaggres- nol thinks the momentum toward sions, gaslighting, being passed over recognizing LBTGQ employees as a for promotions and disproportion- protected class means judicial rul- ately laid o .” Too often policies and ings will tend to favor LBTGQ rights. procedures on paper “are not re ect- “So even if you are a smaller em- ed in everyday practices,” Turan said. ployer in Ohio — say you have 10 em- “As an LBGTQ person, it’s good ployees, for example, and you are not that we have overt, explicit legal pro- covered by [Title VII] — my advice tection now and good a lot of organi- would still be to include those classi- zations are codifying our protection cations in your policies,” she said. in their nondiscrimination policies “To me, it is really not going to be — all these visible things are being any di erent than, say, race or religion. done,” she said. “But what is being It has no place in the hiring process. It done to stop shadow or subvert dis- has no place in the decision process, crimination or prejudice under the the disciplinary process or anything surface? at is harder to get rid of, like that,” Adinol concluded. “I don’t but it needs to be done.” think this is going to be a huge step for Ahern said companies that em- employers, most of whom have been braced these categories as an “area of practicing these things for some time.” diversity and inclusion” voluntarily prior to the ruling are the ones best Contact Judy Stringer: positioned to react to this develop- [email protected] We help you face legal complexities by not being one.
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P012_CL_20200810.indd 12 8/6/2020 1:57:56 PM encountering di erent enrollment LAW SCHOOL scenarios as fall approaches. In 2019, From Page 10 UA had 445 law students; CSU, 144; and CWRU, 122. Technology may be changing how Fisher of CSU is unsure how dis- we learn, but interacting in the same ruptive COVID-19 will be on new ad- physical space with classmates and missions, as a delay in the Law School instructors should be maintained, Admission Test (LSAT) may result in Peters said. e law school dean a wave of late applications from indi- points to mock courtrooms as a par- viduals who took an online version of ticular challenge in the age of the test this summer. COVID-19. A would-be attorney “We think enrollment will be low- cross-examining a live “witness” un- er; the question is how much lower,” der a professor’s step-by-step guid- Fisher said. “We’re encouraging ance is ideally accomplished face-to- more advanced law-related degrees face, even though UA did use video such as the master of legal studies conferencing platforms for this task and LLM (master of laws) degrees in during the spring lockdown. addition to the traditional juris doc- Peters also knows a surge in virus torate. We’ll adapt to provide the best cases may introduce a more signi - possible instruction.” cant shift to online. Legal clinics — Akron’s law school is projecting rst- where students under instructor su- year enrollment to rise 33%-40% over pervision represent real clients in 2019, due in part to a ordability — tui- landlord/tenant disputes and other tion is under $25,000 annually — as cases — are currently done remotely. well as the possibility of learners want- “ ere are di erent settings in Dean Christopher Peters addresses a class at the University of Akron School of Law. The student experience will be di erent this fall ing to ride out a rough job market in which we’ll sit down with a client to as many law schools plan to mix in-person and online options because of the pandemic. | CONTRIBUTED law school and other graduate pro- talk about issues, or go to court and grams. argue a motion on their behalf,” Pe- nels without real-time interaction. “I think there’s also students staying ters said. “It’s doable (online), but it’s “IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SCENARIO CSU is currently training sta for home rather than traveling for school,” a matter of adapting to technology. PLANNING, BUT THIS IS SCENARIO both scenarios, though Fisher en- said Peters, the UA law school dean. Courts are working on that now.” courages students to be part of the “Students want that in a time when it’s PLANNING ON STEROIDS. EVERYTHING WE process. e school has been holding hard to make personal connections.” ‘Scenario-planning DO INVOLVES MULTIPLE SCENARIOS AND virtual student town hall meetings CWRU, which is currently installing on steroids’ since late July that are scheduled to its reopening plans and declined to MULTIPLE CONTINGENCY PLANS.” continue throughout the academic comment for this story, projects enroll- While Cleveland-Marshall College —Lee Fisher, dean of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law year. ment at its law school to remain the of Law — the law school of Cleveland “When you’re dealing with a crisis, same as last year, according to co- State University — is providing re- there’s no such thing as overcommu- deans Jessica Berg and Michael Scharf. mote and in-person learning options nicating,” Fisher said. “Students have Peters thinks the pandemic has ac- for its rst day of classes on Aug. 24, to be strong advocates for themselves celerated academic trends in which dean Lee Fisher expects the situation if they’re not getting what they paid traditional in-person teaching is to evolve in line with the nation’s for. Some faculty members are not complemented by technology. Al- pandemic response. used to online teaching, so students though a person-to-person scenario “It’s important to have scenar- will come to us and we’ll have to help always will comprise some portion of io-planning, but this is scenar- them get as much as they can from a a core law school education, institu- io-planning on steroids,” Fisher said. virtual learning experience.” tions heading into an uncertain year “Everything we do involves multiple must keep all options open. scenarios and multiple contingency Staying nimble “We’re not going to have the holo- plans.” deck from ‘Star Trek,’ but virtual real- CSU o cials tapped into a law In the meantime, the impact of the ity or other experienced can put a school dean Listserv to determine coronavirus pandemic on law school student and professor in the same best practices, ultimately allowing admissions remains a question in space at the same time,” Peters said. faculty to choose their preferred on- search of a clear answer. According to “ e move toward more online or hy- line education experience — either data from the Law School Admis- brid content was happening (before synchronous or asynchronous — sions Council, applications to COVID-19). Law schools have to be when classroom instruction isn’t ABA-accredited law schools dropped more exible to reach prospective possible. Synchronous learning is by 2.5% since June of last year. students.” distance education that happens in Cleveland’s three law schools — real time, whereas asynchronous Instructor Nicholas DeSantis leads a case brie ng class in 2019 at Cleveland State CSU, Akron and Case Western Re- Contact Douglas J. Guth: learning occurs through online chan- University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. | CONTRIBUTED serve University School of Law — are [email protected]
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P013_CL_20200810.indd 13 8/6/2020 2:31:57 PM FOCUS | LEGAL AFFAIRS
ASSOCIATIONS From Page 11
“As lawyers are impacted by the economy, and many of them are, they
also have to tighten their belts and di-
RUN FOR RECOVERY IS GOING rect resources to where they need it VIRTUAL most,” Augsburger said. “And you also 5K ONE MILE WELLNESS WALK KIDS’ FUN RUN [ have law students graduating on aver- age with $98,000 in student debt. We may be racing apart this year, but it’s important to come together When you’re just starting out, putting to celebrate recovery, support family and friends who have lost loved together resources for numerous bar [ ones, and stop the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health. memberships can be di cult.” Both the OSBA and CMBA have been o ering tailored membership LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT: rates because of nancial concerns. WIZATHON.COM/RUNFORRECOVERY e OSBA o ers free membership for two years to new lawyers, discounted membership between two and seven THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS* years, and discounts for retiring law- yers that include CLE credits. e CMBA has bundles with dis- counts for small and solo lawyers and packages that include di erent op- tions and services, such as one that �*AS OF 7/25/20 o ers marketing-grade services like the ability to take a professional headshot and counseling on using The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s International Women’s Day 2020, its last social media to boost one’s practice. event before COVID-19 prompted business shutdowns and stay-at-home orders in eliminated. And it’s provided more A menu of creative pricing is one ave- mid-March. Going forward, CMBA anticipates some “hybrid” events in light of social support and free services to the com- nue to attract members when nanc- distancing restrictions imposed by the pandemic. | CONTRIBUTED munity at-large than the largest law es are tight. rms in this market, which vacuumed e CMBA has been adapting to a events, McMahon said, where some which, unlike its state-level counter- up millions of dollars in PPP funds. more challenging environment even people come to the conference center part in the OSBA, does virtually zero Despite all of the challenges, the before the pandemic, supplementing but the whole event is still webcast. lobbying — are advocating hard for CMBA points to opportunity in the income from dues and donations in Despite leaning into the pandemic access to stimulus funds like the Pay- situation as it continues its mission creative ways, including renting out to prove its relevance and value, check Protection Program. e PPP to promote justice and advance the its conference spaces — an income which is bringing bar engagement at prohibits participation from 501 C (6) legal profession. stream that was growing pre- both the OSBA and CMBA to new organizations, which include non- “It’s an opportunity to be import- COVID-19 — and partnering with highs, budget shortfalls are all but pro t professional associations like ant to this community in the kinds of other Ohio bars to establish the Ohio guaranteed. McMahon said she’s attorney bars because of their lobby- ways lawyers are important to their Notary Services last year. working on scenarios for the new s- ing abilities. But McMahon is hopeful clients,” Gross said. “We are going to HISTORICAL CHARM. e fall would normally see the cal year, which ends next June, pro- lawmakers provide an exception for take advantage of this time to make NATURAL BEAUTY. CMBA hosting more than 100 CLE jecting revenue dropping between groups that do little of it, like hers. ourselves even more important.” programs, and all of those will be con- 10% and 50%. e CMBA has 19 full-time sta HISTORICALExtraordinary LivingCHARM. verted to livestream formats. At some ese challenges are why profes- members, with two positions still fur- Jeremy Nobile: [email protected], NATURAL BEAUTY. point, there may be some “hybrid” sional associations like the CMBA — loughed and two others permanently (216) 771-5362, @JeremyNobile Mechanical Contractors’ Association of Cleveland Outperform your dreams. ExtraordinaryThe hidden gem of South Living Carolina: Golf, tennis, boating, home! Congratulates Cathy Hattenbach (843) 838-3838 Learn more at Dataw.com and the Newly Elected Board Members FREE LIVE WEBCAST
Brian Chambers, David Katz, SEPT. 16 | 10 A.M. RESTAURANT OUT LOTS Vice President Board Member FOR AT STEELS CORNERS ROAD The Brewer-Garrett Co. E. B. Katz Todd Grabowski, Treasurer James Primozic, SALE AND STATE ROUTE Johnson Controls, Inc. Board Member Stow OH, 44224 Northeastern Richard Bukovec, BEHAVIORAL Refrigeration Corp. PRICE Chairman of the Board “Subject to O er” Diversified Piping Annie Sterle, and Mechanical, Inc. Board Member Relmec Mechanical LLC HEALTH Michael Brandt, Board Member David Williams, AND COVID-19 Smith and Oby Co. Board Member Soehnlen Piping Company Geoff Engel, Board Member Thomas J. Wanner, Brewer-Garrett Co. Executive Director COVID-19 has simultaneously Michael J. Gallagher, negatively affected many people's Board Member mental health and caused new C8 Zoning District Located near Stow Municipal Court, John F. Gallagher Co. Cathy Hattenbach Fairfi eld Inn, T.G.I. Friday’s, Marriot President of MCA roadblocks for people to access that One of the fastest growing areas Courtyard, Panini’s, and many others President of in northern Summit County The Hattenbach Co. care. How are behavioral health care providers grappling with that reality? SVN SUMMIT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC CONTACT Jerry Fiume, SIOR, CCIM 950 Keynote Circle, Suite 40 REGISTER TODAY: CrainsCleveland.com/Webcasts Managing Director Cleveland, Ohio 44131 www.mapic.org/members/mca-cleveland 3009 Smith Road, Suite 25 330-416-0501 Phone: 216.459.0770 Akron, OH 44333 | (234)231-0200 CLEVELAND Interested in sponsoring this webcast? Contact Scott Carlson at [email protected] jerry.fi [email protected]
14 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | AUGUST 10, 2020
P014_P015_CL_20200810.indd 14 8/6/2020 2:38:09 PM 8-10-SVN Ad-Steels Pointe-Fume.indd 1 7/30/20 12:25 PM Cleveland Based Aircraft Brokerage Firm Providing: DATA SCOOP Aircraft Sales Aircraft Acquisition Services Law rms shrink slightly; ASA Aircraft Appraisals diversity still a challenge Aircraft Bank Audits/Lease Returns Despite decline, number of partners increases BY JEREMY NOBILE overall decreased year-over-year a shade more than the 1.2% contrac- Women and minorities continue tion in total lawyers. Female law- to be woefully underrepresented in yers decreased by 1.8% and minori- Northeast Ohio’s legal community, ty lawyers decreased 2.3% between which shrank slightly over the past May 1, 2019, when last year’s data Whether buying or selling your aircraft, year, according to the Crain’s 2020 was gathered, and June 30, 2020. price is just one consideration. Law Firms list. (Page 16) Overall, among all in-market attor- Compared to 2019, the total num- neys in the 2020 list: 71% are men; You should also expect a streamlined ber of in-market lawyers decreased 29% are women; 94% are white; 6% process with no surprises. 1.2%, more than erasing a slight gain are minorities. Among local partners: Rely on Axiom Aviation’s decades from the previous year, according to 79% are men; 21% are women; 96% data from 76 rms on the full digital are white; 4% are minorities. of transactions to achieve best results. list. ey range from global rms Law rm diversity is something with a presence here to boutique out- the industry at-large continues to CONTACT: Andy Toy / Mike Herchick ts with a couple lawyers. grapple with. e 10 largest law rms in the mar- A study by the National Associa- 216-261-8934 • www.AxiomAv.com ket represent 41% of all in-market at- tion for Law Placement examining torneys accounted for in the survey. 1,000 o ces of major U.S. law rms The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s International Women’s Day 2020, its last With 172 local lawyers, the largest found that in 2018 women made up event before COVID-19 prompted business shutdowns and stay-at-home orders in eliminated. And it’s provided more rm in Northeast Ohio remains Jones about 35% of attorneys at those mid-March. Going forward, CMBA anticipates some “hybrid” events in light of social support and free services to the com- Day, though it’s dwindled in size here rms, while ethnically diverse indi- LAND FOR SALE: Beacon West, Westlake distancing restrictions imposed by the pandemic. | CONTRIBUTED munity at-large than the largest law quite a bit over the past decade. e viduals composed 16%. Of that rms in this market, which vacuumed rm has reduced local lawyer head- same group, among partners, 23% which, unlike its state-level counter- up millions of dollars in PPP funds. count by 27% compared to 2010 levels. were women and 9% were diverse. Ideal Multi-Tenant/Office Building part in the OSBA, does virtually zero Despite all of the challenges, the Most of the market’s biggest at diversity issue remains an lobbying — are advocating hard for CMBA points to opportunity in the rms have shrunk their attorney area of focus for the Cleveland Met- » Industrial Zoning with Many Allowable Conditional Uses access to stimulus funds like the Pay- situation as it continues its mission benches here in the past decade ropolitan Bar Association, which has » Can Accommodate 2 or 3 Stories » $530,000 » $80,352/Acre check Protection Program. e PPP to promote justice and advance the with the exception of Tucker Ellis struggled to get local law rms to buy prohibits participation from 501 C (6) legal profession. and Benesch, which have increased in to a plan to attempt to address it in Property Features organizations, which include non- “It’s an opportunity to be import- local lawyers by 56% and 39% in the the past. e CMBA is working on a G Priced to Sell pro t professional associations like ant to this community in the kinds of past 10 years, respectively. refreshed diversity initiative that G attorney bars because of their lobby- ways lawyers are important to their Despite the drop in attorneys, could materialize later this year. One of Two Available ing abilities. But McMahon is hopeful clients,” Gross said. “We are going to in-market partners grew by 1.5%. Parcels Left lawmakers provide an exception for take advantage of this time to make ose promotions contributed to Data editor Chuck Soder G Quick access to I-90 groups that do little of it, like hers. ourselves even more important.” small increases in the number of fe- contributed to this report. Lot 14-C1 and Crocker Park e CMBA has 19 full-time sta male and minority partners. 6.596 Acre Parcel G Enterprise Zone members, with two positions still fur- Jeremy Nobile: [email protected], However, the total number of lo- Jeremy Nobile: [email protected], G Major Business and loughed and two others permanently (216) 771-5362, @JeremyNobile cal female and minority lawyers (216) 771-5362, @JeremyNobile Retail Area G Stormwater Pond Installed Mechanical Contractors’ Association of Cleveland PARKWAY VIKING G Build to Suit Available CONTACT US Charles Marshall or Terry Noonan Congratulates 330-659-2040 3457 Granger Road, Akron, OH 44333 Cathy Hattenbach VISIT OUR WEBSITE and the Newly Elected Board Members FREE LIVE WEBCAST www.beaconmarshall.com
Brian Chambers, David Katz, SEPT. 16 | 10 A.M. Vice President Board Member The Brewer-Garrett Co. E. B. Katz SALT • SALT • SALT Todd Grabowski, Treasurer James Primozic, Beacon Marshall-3-11-Lot 14-C1Water Viking Parkway-9-2.indd Softener 1 • Industrial • Food 10/7/19 12:57 PM Johnson Controls, Inc. Board Member Northeastern Ice Melt • Sea Salt Richard Bukovec, BEHAVIORAL Refrigeration Corp. Chairman of the Board Diversified Piping Annie Sterle, and Mechanical, Inc. Board Member Relmec Mechanical LLC HEALTH Michael Brandt, Call For Board Member David Williams, AND COVID-19 Smith and Oby Co. Board Member Pricing!! Soehnlen Piping Company Geoff Engel, Board Member Thomas J. Wanner, Minimum Brewer-Garrett Co. Executive Director COVID-19 has simultaneously Delivery: Michael J. Gallagher, negatively affected many people's 1 Pallet Board Member mental health and caused new John F. Gallagher Co. Cathy Hattenbach President of MCA roadblocks for people to access that President of The Hattenbach Co. care. How are behavioral health care providers grappling with that reality? MEDINA, OH 950 Keynote Circle, Suite 40 REGISTER TODAY: CrainsCleveland.com/Webcasts 1-800-547-1538 Cleveland, Ohio 44131 www.mapic.org/members/mca-cleveland Phone: 216.459.0770 Salt Distributors Since 1966 CLEVELAND Interested in sponsoring this webcast? Contact Scott Carlson at [email protected] www.saltdistributormedinaoh.com
AUGUST 10, 2020 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 15
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Grimm spring mix 05-04-20.indd 1 4/28/2020 1:25:01 PM CRAIN'S LIST |LAW FIRMS Ranked by number of local attorneys LOCAL LOCAL PARTNERS ATTORNEYS/ FEMALE/ LOCAL FIRMWIDE RANK FIRM PARTNERS MINORITY STAFF ATTORNEYS PRACTICE AREAS TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE
JONES DAY, Cleveland 172 15 621 2,500 Full range of litigation and corporate practice areas Heather Lennox, Cleveland partner- 1 216-586-3939/jonesday.com 62 0 in-charge
BAKERHOSTETLER, Cleveland 160 20 371 978 Six core practice groups: business, digital assets and data Brett Wall, chief operations partner 2 216-621-0200/bakerlaw.com 86 2 management, IP, labor and employment, litigation, tax
BENESCH, Cleveland 146 17 261 259 Corporate and securities, litigation, real estate, IP, health care, labor and Gregg Eisenberg, managing partner 3 216-363-4500/beneschlaw.com 83 3 employment
TUCKER ELLIS LLP, Cleveland 142 12 272 223 All types of trial, transactional and IP matters Joe Morford, firm managing partner 4 216-592-5000/tuckerellis.com 74 5
THOMPSON HINE LLP, Cleveland 129 14 307 375 Litigation, corporate, real estate, construction, product liability, finance, Deborah Read, managing partner; 5 216-566-5500/thompsonhine.com 70 3 environmental, cybersecurity, immigration, bankruptcy/restructuring, Kip Bollin, Cleveland office partner- benefits, IP in-charge
CALFEE, HALTER & GRISWOLD LLP, Cleveland 125 12 237 161 Corporate, M&A, securities, litigation, IP, government relations, labor, Brent Ballard, managing partner; 6 216-622-8200/calfee.com 63 2 benefits, commercial, real estate, tax, estate planning Arthur Hall III, firm administrative partner; Cleveland partner-in-charge
SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS, Cleveland 104 10 301 1,500 Full suite of corporate, disputes, regulatory and public policy services Michele Connell, managing partner, 7 216-479-8500/squirepb.com 46 2 Cleveland; Frederick Nance, global managing partner
MCDONALD HOPKINS LLC, Cleveland 87 8 165 149 Corporate, litigation, IP, restructuring, estate planning, real estate, M&A, Shawn Riley, president 8 216-348-5400/mcdonaldhopkins.com 49 1 health, banking, benefits
ULMER & BERNE LLP, Cleveland 86 13 169 166 Litigation, financial services, product liability, business law, real estate, Patricia Shlonsky, partner-in-charge, 9 216-583-7000/ulmer.com 43 2 IP, benefits/ERISA, immigration, employment, cybersecurity Cleveland office
ROETZEL & ANDRESS LPA, Cleveland 81 14 176 166 Banking/finance, employment, energy/environmental, estates, health Robert Blackham, chairman, 10 216-623-0150/ralaw.com 53 2 care, transportation, franchise, government, education, real estate, IP shareholder; Douglas Spiker, partner- in-charge, Cleveland
Legal support for you and your business
during difficult times since 1930LOCAL LOCAL PARTNERS mcdonaldhopkins.com ATTORNEYS/ FEMALE/ LOCAL FIRMWIDE RANK FIRM PARTNERS MINORITY STAFF ATTORNEYS PRACTICE AREAS TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE
WALTER | HAVERFIELD, Cleveland 81 11 142 88 Business services, education, IP, labor/employment, hospitality and Ralph Cascarilla, managing partner 11 216-781-1212/walterhav.com 48 0 liquor control, litigation, public law, real estate, tax and wealth management
BROUSE MCDOWELL LPA, Akron 71 17 124 79 Business restructuring/bankruptcy, corporate, cybersecurity, Daniel Glessner, managing partner 12 330-535-5711/brouse.com 46 1 environmental, estates, health care, insurance recovery, labor/ employment, litigation, real estate, construction
HAHN LOESER & PARKS LLP, Cleveland 68 6 141 131 Commercial litigation, business, IP, estate planning, labor and Stanley Gorom III, managing partner, 13 216-621-0150/hahnlaw.com 40 3 employment, construction, creditors' rights, reorganization, CEO bankruptcy
FRANTZ WARD LLP, Cleveland 67 8 105 67 Bankruptcy/creditors' rights, construction, corporate, education, estate Christopher Keim, managing partner 14 216-515-1660/frantzward.com 44 1 planning, health care, insurance, employment, litigation, real estate, tax
REMINGER CO. LPA, Cleveland 66 9 190 150 Medical malpractice, workers' compensation, estate planning, D&O Stephen Walters, president, 15 216-687-1311/reminger.com 53 5 and employment practices, professional liability, oil, natural gas, managing partner utilities
TAFT STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP, Cleveland 58 8 100 605 Venture capital, real estate, M&A, litigation, public law, employment Jill Helfman, Adrian Thompson, co- 16 216-241-2838/taftlaw.com 36 3 law, IP, private client, tax partners-in-charge, Cleveland
BUCKINGHAM, DOOLITTLE & BURROUGHS, Cleveland 57 7 106 57 Business, litigation, employment and labor, real estate and Steven Dimengo, managing partner 17 216-621-5300/bdblaw.com 43 2 construction, health and medicine, trusts and estates
KRUGLIAK, WILKINS, GRIFFITHS & 54 8 104 54 Corporate/business, commercial litigation, labor/employment, John Tucker, managing partner 18 DOUGHERTY CO. LPA, Canton 38 0 workers' compensation, oil and gas, real estate, health care, 330-497-0700/kwgd.com environmental
VORYS, SATER, SEYMOUR AND PEASE LLP, Cleveland 50 3 78 344 Corporate, litigation, bankruptcy/restructuring, health care, real estate, Anthony O'Malley, managing 19 216-479-6100/vorys.com 23 2 financing, IP, labor/employment, financial institutions partner, Cleveland; J. Bret Treier, managing partner, Akron
BRENNAN, MANNA & DIAMOND, Akron 48 6 98 66 Health care, litigation, business, labor and employment, real estate, Matthew Heinle, president; 20 330-253-5060/bmdllc.com 31 1 M&A, tax, estate planning Jack Diamond, CEO; Anthony Manna, chairman
KOHRMAN JACKSON & KRANTZ LLP, Cleveland 44 8 67 44 Corporate, litigation, employment, real estate, commercial, brand Jon Pinney, managing partner 21 216-696-8700/kjk.com 27 2 enforcement, IP, health care, incentives, startups, estates, domestic relations
GALLAGHER SHARP LLP, Cleveland 40 4 81 54 Litigation, insurance, legal malpractice, professional liability, railroad, Timothy Brick, managing partner 22 216-241-5310/gallaghersharp.com 27 0 trucking, aviation, maritime, product/employer liability, mass/toxic torts, appellate
MEYERS, ROMAN, FRIEDBERG AND LEWIS, Woodmere 38 6 65 38 Corporate, finance, employment, real estate, tax, litigation, Seth Briskin, managing partner 23 216-831-0042/meyersroman.com 24 0 construction, family law, estate planning, blockchain, cybersecurity
MCCARTHY, LEBIT, CRYSTAL & 37 4 68 38 Transactional, estate planning, tax, litigation, domestic relations, Robert Glickman, managing principal 24 LIFFMAN CO. LPA, Cleveland 23 0 banking, property, personal injury, employment, alternative dispute 216-696-1422/mccarthylebit.com resolution
WESTON HURD LLP, Cleveland 35 3 57 42 Business advice, litigation, insurance, estate/probate, construction, Daniel Richards, managing partner 25 216-241-6602/westonhurd.com 26 0 employment, white collar crime, professional liability, real estate
Researched by Chuck Soder: [email protected] | Data as of June 30, 2020. Firms with equal numbers of local attorneys are ranked by worldwide attorneys. Information is from the companies. Get 76 firms, +300 executives and more contact info in Excel. Become a Data Member: CrainsCleveland.com/data
16 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | August 10, 2020
P016_CL_20200810.indd 16 8/6/2020 3:31:48 PM The Port of Cleveland expects its shipping revenues to decline only by a few percentage points in 2020. | BOB PERKOSKI, WWW.PERKOSKI.COM which is in high demand overseas, “IT WOULD BE NAÏVE TO back could be quicker if the Federal “ at is what we anticipate, and PORT according to Joseph Cappel, vice Reserve Bank remains committed to that is what we are hearing from our From Page 4 president of business development. THINK A RECOVERY WOULD keeping interest rates low and the customers,” he said. “We have surpassed 3 million total Small Business Administration keeps At year end, he predicts the port e steel and manufacturing de - tons this season, and we remain TOTALLY BRING BACK THE pumping out loans,” Shoag said. will only be o 2019 shipping reve- cits created by the pandemic, Gutheil hopeful that we can close the gap PREVIOUS CAPACITY.” Even with a rebound, ports like nues by a few percentage points. points out, have been o set in part by with last year if the grain harvest is Cleveland have an opportunity to Gutheil noted that the port is under- —Bruce Burrows, president and CEO a higher demand for other commod- good,” Cappel said. of the Chamber of Marine Commerce re-evaluate commodity demands in taking two major capital projects using ities shipped in and out of Great Bruce Burrows, president and CEO light of the emergence of new supply $11 million in funds from the U.S. De- Lakes ports, including grain, road of the Chamber of Marine Com- naïve to think a recovery would total- chain lines and reshoring opportuni- partment of Transportation and salt, wind turbine components and merce, a binational association that ly bring back the previous capacity.” ties, he added. matching funds from the state — one specialty high-grade metals. represents the marine industry, said ere are headwinds, cautions But Shoag said that if people tem- to reopen Dock 26 West, which was “One of the speci c commodities in industry leaders are cautiously opti- Daniel Shoag, an associate professor porarily unemployed due to shuttered in 2018, and the other to in- demand is the metal to make food grade mistic about making up losses in the of economics at Case Western Re- COVID-19 shutdowns become long- crease capacity and modernize Dock cans,” Gutheil said. “ e demand is high second half of the Great Lakes ship- serve University’s Weatherhead term unemployed, and large num- 24 — that in the future will help recoup because there are more people staying ping season, which usually runs from School of Management, that could bers of businesses close permanent- losses experienced this season. home cooking more and not going to mid-March to January. hamper even a marginal recovery. ly, the economy could be derailed for “We are also using this time and restaurants. More groceries mean a “In context of the last ve years, He pointed to recent Gross Domestic an extended period of time. this year to start two huge infrastruc- higher demand for canned foods.” these cargo declines are abnormal Product gures that showed the Nevertheless, the Cleveland port’s ture projects that are really going to e Port of Toledo, which has ex- because we have been on an upward steepest decline in modern U.S. his- Gutheil is anticipating the automo- help us handle more cargo when perienced a 15% drop in cargo ton- trajectory,” Burrows said. “I think tory in the second quarter and na- tive industry coming “back up to they are done,” he said. nage through June, is looking to nar- that the ports are hoping to see a bit tional unemployment numbers that speed” and the region’s economy row those declines with increased of a turnaround in the fall, but how remained elevated through mid-July. “experiencing a turnaround in the Kim Palmer: [email protected], exports of American grown grain, much remains to be seen. It would be “ e region’s rebound or jump next few months.” (216) 771-5384, @kimfouro ve
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P017_CL_20200810.indd 17 8/7/2020 12:02:42 PM
Transparency & Shadows Transparency Screens VOLUNTEERS From Page 1
“I think everyone is reassessing,” she said. “Everyone’s looking at how do we move forward?” During the pandemic, 35 nonprof- its in Greater Cleveland reported nearly 130,000 volunteer hours lost, according to WeCareForCLE, a web- site created by Social Venture Part- ners Cleveland and community part- ners to help the area’s nonpro t Heaters, or “melters,” will be located community track and respond to under the elevated courts at the COVID-19. According to their data, Cleveland Platform Tennis center. In those lost volunteer hours are valued the middle will be an indoor paddle at more than $3 million. hut that will double as a schoolhouse. Nonpro ts are working to nd new | CONTRIBUTED RENDERING ways for volunteers to contribute, in- cluding outdoor and remote oppor- tunities. From home, volunteers have and bouncing o the screen. day, we could break ground within been baking, stu ng stacks of enve- Volunteers at the Greater Cleveland Food TENNIS And it doesn’t hurt, Nejedlik said, days,” Richardson said on Aug. 3. lopes with donor thank you letters, “ e real hard thing is so many Bank pack food boxes to be distributed to From Page 3 that platform tennis is a “long-term When the work is nished, funds phone banking, connecting with cli- volunteers — especially those that seniors, for kids’ backpacks or for game” that she’s seen played by from dues-paying members, with a ents virtually, sewing masks for sta are retired — are doing this for the emergency use. | CLEVELAND FOOD BANK e Huntington executive said he groups of women who are ap- 35-and-under group receiving dis- and community members, and more. socialization,” Dzurnak said. “ ey’re played a lot of tennis growing up, proaching their 80s. counted rates, are expected to cover And for the volunteers whom non- doing this to have a purpose, to give to the virus, Meals on Wheels focused but he made the permanent switch e sport is played with doubles the facility’s costs. pro ts can’t immediately put to work, back to the community.” on about 25 of its relatively younger to paddle about a decade ago. e teams, which could help CPTF ac- Interested players will be able to organizations are getting creative in Many organizations’ volunteers volunteers, who shifted from daily hot game, sometimes played at night in commodate 32 kids for the af- pay a one-time fee to try the courts, nding ways to continue to engage skew older, putting them in the high- meal deliveries to weekly deliveries of single-digit temperatures, is a great ter-school program — 16 playing on with the hope that they’ll become with them. To help ght social isola- risk category for COVID-19. at’s the several frozen meals to last clients way to unwind after a di cult day of the four courts and 16 gathering in frequent guests and fans of the sport. tion and maintain a sense of commu- case at Southeast Clergy Meals on through the week. ose who couldn’t work, Richardson said. the paddle hut that will double as a e foundation also will o er free nity among volunteers, organizations Wheels, where most volunteers are at drive meal delivery routes baked Nejedlik plays even more often schoolhouse. clinics as another promotional tool. are hosting virtual book clubs, send- least 60 years old, and a few are in goodies that could be added to the than her counterpart on the CPTF Orange, Conn.-based Riley Green “ ere are zero barriers to entry,” ing birthday grams and organizing their 90s, said Dinah Mouat, treasurer meals or began calling the clients on board, as many as ve times per Mountain, one of two builders in the Richardson said. “If you’ve got video chat meet-ups for volunteers to and administrator for the nonpro t. their route to check in. week in the winter. country who specialize in platform sneakers and a hat, because we play catch up with one another or playing Meal delivery to people who can’t “ ey’re involved in any way we She loves that the outside ele- tennis construction, according to in the cold, you can come out and bingo. e City Mission, which helps x themselves nutritious meals has can get them involved,” Mouat said. ments — because the dense, rubber Richardson, will build the courts. play. And there’s an element of this those in crisis overcome homeless- always been a critical service, but the After the Greater Cleveland Food ball won’t bounce nearly as high in e board is in the process of select- that’s a bit addictive.” ness, invited volunteers to put on a stakes are now higher than ever. And Bank sent volunteers home, the Na- colder temperatures — can deter- ing a contractor for the schoolhouse. parade in July at its Laura’s Home organizations are hamstrung by lim- tional Guard began helping with dis- mine a player’s strategy. Balls re- Should a permit from the city Kevin Kleps: [email protected], Women’s Crisis Center. irty cars itations in engaging volunteers. tribution and packing boxes and main in play after hitting the court “magically appear in our inbox to- (216) 771-5256, @KevinKleps drove by, tossing out candy. Unable to risk exposing volunteers backpacks in the warehouse. e workforce was critical as the organi- zation faced a huge demand. Knowing that the guard would eventually leave, the food bank began thinking about how to bring back vol- unteers safely and was able to start NEW, VIRTUAL EVENT DATE ANNOUNCED doing so in early June with require- ments for mask wearing, temperature checks, gloves, social distancing and handwashing, said Mary LaVi- gne-Butler, vice president of external a airs for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In June and July, 454 volunteers worked 4,029 hours at the food bank, compared with 3,893 volunteers and 15,877 hours for the corresponding two-month period last year. Kids Book Bank, a nonpro t that provides free books to children in need, has also been able to bring some volunteers back to its ware- house. After temporarily closing its Join Crain’s journalists and local real estate experts as we doors, Kids Book Bank launched a take a look back on the history of downtown Cleveland delivery program using 23 volunteers to deliver 4,370 books in May to part- development. As an added bonus, local developers will also ners that distribute the free books, said Colleen Watt, volunteer coordi- share perspectives on the future of Cleveland real estate. nator for the organization. Since reopening in June with a completely new arrangement in their warehouse, 358 volunteers have OCTOBER 6 | 11 A.M. helped to sort and pack books. Al- though this is a little more than half of the number of volunteers seen during the same time last year, the organiza- REGISTER TODAY: tion has been able to nearly keep pace with the number of boxes packed. CrainsCleveland.com/Crains-Events At the City Mission, sta members rely on volunteers working with kids while their mothers engage in pro- gramming. Without volunteers, the sta can’t take care of all of the children BRONZE SPONSORS at once, which has created a “domino e ect” of necessary adjustments to continue access to other programs, said VENUE SPONSOR Jaime Buxton, community engagement manager for the organization. ey have been able to bring back some volunteers — including for meal services, landscaping and sort- Event Questions: Email • [email protected] • Sponsorship Information: Scott Carlson • [email protected] ing donated clothing — but at a frac- tion of what they’d typically have. In July, the organization logged 318 vol-
18 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | AUGUST 10, 2020
P018_019_CL_20200810.indd 18 8/7/2020 3:45:57 PM unteer hours, compared with 2,173 SPONSORED CONTENT in the same month last year. In working to ensure safe volunteer opportunities, Buxton recognizes that MILESTONES decisions to return will be personal. “ eir heart says, ‘Yes, I want to be there. I want to come back, and I miss the opportunity,’ but there’s still a lot of hesitation in the community, and rightfully so,” Buxton said. “Every person’s decision is unique to their family circumstances.” ough they’ve been growing, vir- tual volunteer opportunities are not as simple as setting up a Zoom call be- tween a mentor and a young person, for instance. ere’s a lot more to con- sider. Initially, most of the virtual vol- unteer options were those that had previously existed. Nonpro ts have created more in the past few months, though the demand for these oppor- Volunteers at the Greater Cleveland Food tunities far outpaces organizations’ “ e real hard thing is so many Bank pack food boxes to be distributed to ability to create them, said Heather volunteers — especially those that seniors, for kids’ backpacks or for Englander, BVU’s director of business e new 477,000-square-foot Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion in the heart of the Health Education Campus are retired — are doing this for the emergency use. | CLEVELAND FOOD BANK and community engagement. socialization,” Dzurnak said. “ ey’re e American Red Cross of North- showcases more than 15,000 square feet of custom lm by Suntrol. doing this to have a purpose, to give to the virus, Meals on Wheels focused ern Ohio has been able to successfully back to the community.” on about 25 of its relatively younger set up remote volunteering. ose Many organizations’ volunteers volunteers, who shifted from daily hot who typically respond to a disaster FILM STARS: Suntrol marks 45 years skew older, putting them in the high- meal deliveries to weekly deliveries of site (in Northern Ohio, typically home risk category for COVID-19. at’s the several frozen meals to last clients res) have been doing so by phone, case at Southeast Clergy Meals on through the week. ose who couldn’t connecting with clients to assess of specializing in custom window lms Wheels, where most volunteers are at drive meal delivery routes baked needs and verifying damage with the least 60 years old, and a few are in goodies that could be added to the local re department. Financial assis- their 90s, said Dinah Mouat, treasurer meals or began calling the clients on tance via a debit card is dropped o in By BARRY GOODRICH “The inside of the building is lled and administrator for the nonpro t. their route to check in. a socially distant manner. Crain’s Content Studio-Cleveland with glass,” says Jim Brown, Suntrol’s Meal delivery to people who can’t “ ey’re involved in any way we Barb Prociak, ombudsman spe- development manager of energy and John Hansen’s window of opportunity x themselves nutritious meals has can get them involved,” Mouat said. cialist and volunteer coordinator for security. “The most important part came 45 years ago with a company always been a critical service, but the After the Greater Cleveland Food the o ce of the State Long-Term for us was matching decorative lm that started out as a small shop for stakes are now higher than ever. And Bank sent volunteers home, the Na- Care Ombudsman, was also able to with the architectural features of the classic car restoration. Today, the in- organizations are hamstrung by lim- tional Guard began helping with dis- shift volunteer opportunities to re- building. Everything had to ow.” dustrious Hansen oversees a rm that itations in engaging volunteers. tribution and packing boxes and mote work as the hundreds of nurs- intact to delay aggressive entry and has evolved into the Midwest leader in Unable to risk exposing volunteers backpacks in the warehouse. e ing homes, assisted living facilities mitigate blasts; and decorative custom Brown, who came to Suntrol after the window lm industry. workforce was critical as the organi- and residential facilities they work lms are now in high demand with a career in construction, was the zation faced a huge demand. within were closed to outside visits. designers. ideal choice to oversee the Health Suntrol, a veteran- and family-owned Knowing that the guard would ere are currently 30 volunteers fol- Education Campus project. “I’m an rm based in Cleveland, has made its eventually leave, the food bank began lowing up on complaints in these fa- With COVID-19, Suntrol has become out-of-the-box guy,” he says. “I look mark throughout Northeast Ohio, thinking about how to bring back vol- cilities in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, a key contributor for hospital systems for ways to make things happen. The providing glass-enhancing lms for unteers safely and was able to start Lorain and Medina counties. After throughout the region and the state. technology of lm has advanced so far entities like FirstEnergy Stadium, doing so in early June with require- going through 12 hours of virtual Custom lm is being used to create … it’s opened up a lot more avenues NEW, VIRTUAL EVENT DATE ANNOUNCED Quicken Loans Arena, Huntington ments for mask wearing, temperature training, the volunteers connect with a more sanitary environment for oper- for us.” National Bank and the Cleveland Clin- checks, gloves, social distancing and residents and families over the ating rooms, emergency rooms and ic. Despite his company’s impressive handwashing, said Mary LaVi- phone, with some video chats, too. medical centers by removing drapes Those advances are far removed from client list, Hansen’s old-school values gne-Butler, vice president of external Continuing the work remotely was and blinds that can trap viruses, the early days of the company, but have never wavered. a airs for the Greater Cleveland Food important “to assure residents and bacteria, dirt and dust. Hansen’s dedication to the business Bank. In June and July, 454 volunteers families that we really are watching, remains strong after 45 years. “It’s “I’m always up for challenges,” says worked 4,029 hours at the food bank, and we do care what’s going on in- Suntrol’s current project for the Case bull-headedness and stubbornness on Hansen. “Just before the new Browns’ compared with 3,893 volunteers and side the facilities,” Prociak said. Western Reserve University and Cleve- my part,” he laughs. “And my employ- stadium opened, we had three days to 15,877 hours for the corresponding In addition to direct service experi- land Clinic Health Education Campus’ ees are the cream of the crop.” x railing glass that was breaking and two-month period last year. ences, volunteers lending business Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion is a falling down on the lower levels. If a Kids Book Bank, a nonpro t that expertise or creative solutions to some perfect example of Suntrol’s ability to As for the future, Hansen sees inter- client has a problem, we work hard provides free books to children in of the challenges nonpro ts are facing meld aesthetics and practicality. The active lms that will function like to make that problem go away. Tell need, has also been able to bring can also be incredibly valuable. Rec- pavilion’s glass design is complement- computer screens and materials that me what you need, and we’ll gure some volunteers back to its ware- ognizing nonpro ts’ need for infor- ed with custom lm that showcases will be able to transform lms into it out.” house. After temporarily closing its mation and guidance, BVU waived the interior while also providing solar cells. “If you can dream it, it will Join Crain’s journalists and local real estate experts as we doors, Kids Book Bank launched a fees for its webinars and consulting privacy and safety. happen,” he says. Whether it’s an underground bunker delivery program using 23 volunteers services and quickly saw requests for take a look back on the history of downtown Cleveland for a suburban art installation or a to deliver 4,370 books in May to part- its pro bono consultants increase. Frank Lloyd Wright home, much of development. As an added bonus, local developers will also ners that distribute the free books, “Volunteers bring in an outside Suntrol’s success can be attributed to said Colleen Watt, volunteer coordi- perspective and fresh ideas,” En- the work ethic Hansen rst learned share perspectives on the future of Cleveland real estate. nator for the organization. glander said. “Lend your brains to as a teenager and had reinforced Since reopening in June with a the nonpro ts, because, again, I while serving with the U.S. Navy as a completely new arrangement in their think it’s always helpful when you nuclear welder. warehouse, 358 volunteers have can get an outside perspective.” OCTOBER 6 | 11 A.M. helped to sort and pack books. Al- Holden Forests and Gardens has “Suntrol is kind of like my kid,” says though this is a little more than half of more than 1,500 volunteers who work Hansen of Suntrol’s 45-year success the number of volunteers seen during at the Cleveland Botanical Garden story. “I’ve watched the business the same time last year, the organiza- and the Holden Arboretum, said Jill evolve and grow alongside the REGISTER TODAY: tion has been able to nearly keep pace Koski, president and CEO of Holden industry. When we started, we were a with the number of boxes packed. Forests and Gardens. Because the or- novelty, but I wanted to make this a At the City Mission, sta members ganization has so much outdoor CrainsCleveland.com/Crains-Events mainstream business.” rely on volunteers working with kids space, it’s been able to bring back 120 while their mothers engage in pro- volunteers in positions that lend gramming. Without volunteers, the themselves to distancing and safety Once limited to ve basic options – sta can’t take care of all of the children protocols, including bluebird moni- smoke, bronze, silver, light opaque BRONZE SPONSORS at once, which has created a “domino tors, gardening assistants and trail and black opaque – window lm now e ect” of necessary adjustments to monitors, who monitor wildlife issues is technically advanced in its design continue access to other programs, said at the arboretum’s 3,500-acre campus. and manufacturing. Micro-layered lms provide solar control and energy VENUE SPONSOR Jaime Buxton, community engagement “ ey truly are the base of who we manager for the organization. are, and we look forward to bringing conservation for commercial and e $515 million Health Education Campus is a jointly owned project of Case Western ey have been able to bring back them all back, because they’re a part residential users; security lms for Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic. Window lm, installed by Suntrol, is used some volunteers — including for of our family and a part of our com- banks, schools and airports keep glass throughout. meal services, landscaping and sort- munity,” Koski said. Event Questions: Email • [email protected] • Sponsorship Information: Scott Carlson • [email protected] ing donated clothing — but at a frac- This advertising-supported feature is produced by Crain’s Content Studio-Cleveland, the tion of what they’d typically have. In Lydia Coutré: [email protected], marketing storytelling arm of Crain’s Cleveland Business. The Crain’s Cleveland Business July, the organization logged 318 vol- (216) 771-5479, @LydiaCoutre newsroom is not involved in creating Crain’s Content Studio content.
AUGUST 10, 2020 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 19
P018_019_CL_20200810.indd 19 8/7/2020 3:56:22 PM AKRON SMALL BUSINESS Ohio State Waterproofing to expand in Macedonia The company plans a new building next to its original location on East Highland Road BYB DAN SHINGLER vices to date, which Trecarichi said proves its site plan and a zoning vari- are because of, at least in part, the ance for the property. Trecarichi said Macedonia is getting a corporate COVID-19 pandemic. he’s confident that will happen soon. expansion, and likely some new jobs, “With COVID, we’ve actually been “We have to go to one more meet- thanks to continued growth and a re- swamped,” he said. “With people ing, but I think it’s pretty much cent surge in business at Ohio State staying home, people are doing more passed,” he said. Waterproofing. home improvement than ever before, Macedonia Mayor Nicholas Mol- The company, which already has and that’s affecting us. … Our phones nar said that he supports the compa- its headquarters in the city in north- have been ringing off the hooks.” ny’s expansion. ern Summit County, is adding a new COVID-19 also has effectively “It’s a company that’s been in our building next to its original location shrunk some homes, as entire fami- community for quite some time, and on East Highland Road. lies are at home together far more it’s their headquarters for the entire “We’re looking to build another often than before — turning unused company. It makes me especially proud building next door. We’ve just seen a basements into coveted spaces. to have a company like that in our com- lot of demand for our services over “With people spending more and munity. … I can only say positive things the years,” said Ohio State Water- more time in their homes, they want about a company that’s able to expand proofing president Paul Trecarichi. more space. ... The average home can during COVID-19,” Molnar said. “We currently have about 30,000 create an additional 800 square feet The company has a satellite facility square feet, and we’re looking to add Ohio State Waterproofing’s new building in Macedonia will be next to the company’s of living space if you finish off the to serve Youngstown, and it has 15 another 10,000 square feet,” Trecari- original headquarters on East Highland Road. | OHIO STATE WATERPROOFING/LS ARCHITECTS RENDERING basement,” Trecarichi said. franchises across the country, includ- chi added. The pandemic also has led to in- ing in Toledo, Cincinnati and Colum- The new uildingb is needed be- handful of its employees are housed pany’s third expansion in Macedonia creased revenue from other streams at bus. However, the Macedonia facility cause as the company has grown, it — has roughly doubled, from about following the construction of an ad- the company, which is best known for is by far its largest, Trecarichi said. has run out of space to house its peo- 150 employees in 2015 to more than ditional 7,000 square feet of space waterproofing home basements with its The large concentration of Ohio ple and equipment, he said. 300 today, Trecarichi said. The pri- about 10 years ago, will be a mix of patented systems but also does things State Waterproofing employees in “They’re all our employees. We vately held company does not dis- office, warehouse, dock and vehicle like install air-quality control systems. Macedonia, including its more highly don’t subcontract any of our work, so close its revenues. space, Trecarichi said. “A lot of people in this day and age paid headquarters staff, means the we need more space,” Trecarichi said. It needs to hire still more people, The company so far has not put a are spending more time in their company is important to the city, He added, “We’ve grown so quick- too. price on the project. homes. So it’s not just finishing Molnar said. ly, we have a lot of vehicles outside.” “We’re running 23 crews now “We’re working on that as we someone’s basement and making “With the number of jobs and peo- The company has grown steadily (and) we’re looking to expand that by speak,” Trecarichi said in an inter- sure it’s dry. It’s making sure the air is ple working there, that’s a positive,” since it was founded in 1978 but has up to five to six crews,” he said, noting view on Wednesday, Aug. 5. healthy, too,” Trecarichi said. he noted. really taken off in the past five years. that each crew has five or six employ- In the meantime, the company The company hopes to begin con- During that time, its total employ- ees assigned to it. says it’s dealing with some of the big- struction on the new building as Dan Shingler: [email protected], ment in Macedonia — where all but a The new facility, which is the com- gest increases in demand for its ser- soon as the city of Macedonia ap- (216) 771-5290, @DanShingler
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20 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | August 10, 2020
P020_CL_20200810.indd 20 8/7/2020 1:55:23 PM CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | SEPTEMBER 3 - 9, 2018 | PAGE 21 SMALL BUSINESS Child care centers face difficult balancing act during pandemic Facilities can return to normal student-teacher ratios, but that comes with rules, challenges BYB RACHEL ABBEBY MCCAFFERTBY support? Maybe, but it’s hard,” she that are against us,” he said. are tough to cut. And revenue is lim- child care also has to be affordable said. “Maybe we’ll break even in Au- Take Sweet Kiddles, for example. ited to tuition dollars, either from enough for them to use it. Child care centers in Ohio are gust. That’s without upgrading things Kimmel had to do significant layoffs families or the government for the The center hasn’t had a problem faced with tough choices right now. that need upgraded. That’s without early in the pandemic, letting about limited number of families that qual- with enrollment since reopening, but The state is allowing them to re- needing repairs.” 100 of her 120 full- and part-time em- ify for publicly funded child care. Price plans to keep capacity where it turn to normal student-teacher ratios Child care is a labor-intensive ployees go. “And there’s not a ton of room for is now, at about 60%. and class sizes as of Aug. 9 after business that runs on low margins, Employment is now back up to creating economies of scale,” Hohner “For the health and safety of our months of COVID-19-related restric- said David Smith, president of the about 80, but Kimmel is struggling to said. children and staff and families, we tions, but they are still expected to Ohio Association of Child Care Pro- hire more. She’s found herself spend- Groundwork Ohio is advocating will continue to do the lower ratios,” follow a host of safety and hygiene viders and executive director of the ing time in the classrooms, alongside for the next federal stimulus to in- Price said. measures. Employment is a chal- Horizon Education Centers in directors and assistant directors, be- clude dedicated funding — $50 bil- The center typically serves stu- lenge for many, as is enrollment. Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. The cause she doesn’t have enough lion worth — for the child care sector. dents from the time they’re 18 Gov. Mike DeWine has said that association represents owners and teachers. And she thinks the addi- The Early Childhood Enrichment months until they go to kindergarten, centers can opt to maintain lower ra- directors of child care centers across tional stimulus funding to those on Center in Shaker Heights opted to re- and it usually has 12 classrooms with tios and get a subsidy, instead of re- the state, and about 700 of the state’s unemployment has made that search duce employees’ hours, keeping about three teachers in each. turning to pre-pandemic ratios, but approximately 4,000 centers are rep- more challenging. them employed and with benefits, Under the lowered ratios, each open details on the subsidies that will be resented in its membership. “Our access to qualified labor right instead of doing layoffs, said execu- classroom has one teacher, Price said, available have yet to be shared. Raising the ratios gives the centers a now has been nonexistent,” Kimmel tive director Beth Price. and teachers who float between two or Absent information on the subsi- “fighting chance” at reaching sustain- said. The center closed for a time during three classrooms to help out. And it’s dies, Andrea Kimmel, founder and ability, Smith said. A lot of centers don’t Child care centers typically oper- the pandemic, but to help make up still in the works, but the Early Child- CEO of Sweet Kiddles, plans to raise have lines of credit or cash reserves to ate at a capacity that allows them to the difference once it reopened it sig- hood Enrichment Center plans to tem- the ratios at her centers, though still rely on during these lean times. break even or make a small profit, nificantly increased its tuition for porarily expand its services, adding aiming below the maximum number But returning to regular ratios said Julia Hohner, communications families who don’t have a child care school-age rooms for students in kin- of students allowed at the different won’t be a panacea, as some families and development director for Co- subsidy. Price said she hopes that in- dergarten through third grade, Price age levels. At this point, she’s just try- are still hesitant to place their chil- lumbus-based public policy and re- crease is temporary. Additional gov- said. The goal will be to give students ing to break even, making enough to dren in group settings and other cen- search organization Groundwork ernment support would help her somewhere supervised to attend virtu- pay for the essentials like wages, food ters face challenges to restaffing, -ei Ohio. Many centers that did open lower the tuition for her families and al school on their own devices. and curriculum supplies. ther because of wage or safety with reduced ratios during the stay- bring teachers back to their full “So can we do this for six more concerns, Smith said. at-home orders operated at a loss. hours. People need child care in or- Rachel Abbey McCafferty: (216) months like this without additional “There are a lot of factors out there Costs for facilities and personnel der to go back to work, she said, but 771-5379, [email protected]
sivity and diversity, Bernatovicz said. Not all companies can just let em- needs. Some aren’t planning to return Offering flexibility helps the firm CHILD CARE “To me, it’s a broader opportunity ployees work from home on their to a physical office for the rest of the stand out as an employer in a com- From Page 1 to employers to really walk this walk own schedule, Valek said, so they year; others are making it voluntary. petitive environment, said firmwide and talk the talk,” he said. have to find different solutions. That While the child care challenges managing partner Deborah Read. It’s important employers be com- There are always one-off issues out- could include varying start and end raised by the pandemic are height- “A law firm is a talent business,” municative and empathetic during side of work that require flexibility times to the work day or allowing ened, employers should consider this she said. “We are as good as the tal- this time, Bernatovicz said. That’s the from employers, but the challenge now block scheduling: working just in the kind of flexibility for families all the ent that we offer.” approach he’s taking with his own is how many employees need that flex- morning or afternoon, or taking set time, McMahon said. The early child- Thompson Hine went to a work- employees, and it’s the advice he’s ibility at the same time, said Jacquelyn breaks in the middle of the day. Or hood years, when employees typically from-home plan in March and start- giving clients. Willory has about 45 Valek, founder and president of An- employers like manufacturers, who need more flexibility for home life, are ed bringing employees back to the employees. The company typically chor Solutions Consulting LLC, a need workers on site, could encour- temporary. It costs more to replace an office in Ohio and Georgia in June, serves middle market companies, of- North Olmsted HR services firm that age more temporary or permanent employee than it does to keep them, staggering schedules so fewer em- fering services like HR technology primarily serves small businesses. shift trading. and when employers treat employees ployees were on site at any one time. and temporary HR support. The biggest challenge employers are The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar As- well, they’re more likely to stay for the But it is still offering exceptions to Bernatovicz said he has set up facing this fall is that, barring putting a sociation is taking a flexible approach long term. It just makes “good busi- that in-person schedule for staff or meetings with individual employees child care center on site, there’s not re- to working through the pandemic, said ness sense,” McMahon said. lawyers with child care needs at to discuss their plans for balancing ally a one-size-fits-all solution, Valek CEO Rebecca Ruppert McMahon. Cleveland-based law firm Thomp- home, Read said. working from home with the needs of said. Employers need to have honest Some employees took time off, while son Hine has long made this kind of To offer more support during the their children. Each solution has to conversations with their employees others have opted for less conventional flexibility a priority. pandemic, Thompson Hine also has be customized for each employee. about the challenges they’re currently work hours. The quality of the work is Sarah Flannery, a partner in the been sharing resources online and That might mean following a more facing and the ones they think they more important than the quantity of firm’s Cleveland office and firmwide offering opportunities for connec- flexible work schedule, shifting an could face as the year goes on. hours put in, she said. chair of the women’s initiative, said tions. For example, the firm rolled employee’s working hours later in “So one of the things I keep telling “Flexibility has been the name of that when she had her son 14 years out virtual “caregiver coffee chats,” the day or cutting back. businesses is to make sure you’re the game,” McMahon said. ago, she was able to work from home led by senior leaders who had experi- That flexibility is key, and it’s an -ex having those conversations early and And she’s hearing the same from the two days a week. That kind of flexibil- ence working from home with chil- tension of how Willory always tries to start now,” Valek said. “This is where sectors she works with: law firms, in- ity got its start through the firm’s dren, Flannery said. operate. Companies that are too rigid, the relationship between leaders and house legal counsel and the court sys- women’s initiative, she said, but to- during the pandemic and otherwise, employees will pay dividends for the tems. It’s all about customized, flexible day, those programs are more broad- Rachel Abbey McCafferty: (216) are likely to struggle in terms of inclu- organization.” solutions for employees’ specific ly used by both men and women. 771-5379, [email protected]
“IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS, Rental companies are operating TENTS with reduced staffs and anticipating Advertising Section From Page 2 I DON’T THINK THERE WAS the loss of some longtime players in A SINGLE PHONE CALL. IT the industry. If businesses fail, they Before the pandemic made landfall won’t necessarily be replaced. The in the United States, the equipment WAS PRETTY SCARY.” tent rental sector is tough to get into, and event rental industry expected to ——Charlie Waugaman, with considerable upfront costs and CLASSIFIEDS exceed $60 billion in revenues this year ABC Rental Center manager steep learning curves around instal- — about $4 billion of that money tied lation techniques and safety. to parties and other gatherings, ac- tackle projects. Tent rentals are recov- Demand for months-long rentals cording to the American Rental Associ- ering slowly. Sales are nowhere near already is making it tough to find a To place your listing in Crain’s Cleveland Classifieds, ation. The trade group said in mid- last year’s levels, but Waugaman is tent for a weekend event, but few March that revenues were off by more “crazy busy” thanks to last-minute short-term users are booking more contact Suzanne Janik at 313-446-0455 than 60% for a majority of its members wedding arrangements. than a month out. If scientists succeed in the events business, largely due to Sarah D’Angelo had planned to hold in bringing a safe, effective coronavi- or email [email protected] scrapped festivals and corporate, pri- her July 18 wedding reception at a party rus vaccine to the market, there’s like- vate and charitable events. center in Willoughby. But two weeks ly to be an outpouring of requests for In Parma Heights, ABC Rental Cen- beforehand, to exert more control over reservations next year, Duqum said. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ter lost 95% of its business overnight, the event, she booked a 30-by-30-foot And the battered industry won’t be manager Charlie Waugaman said. tent instead. D’Angelo and her hus- able to keep up. LIST YOUR “In the first two weeks, I don’t band, Anthony, were married in a “This is really going to affect the Thinking of Selling your Business? think there was a single phone call,” church ceremony followed by a party in supply chain,” he predicted, “for many Free Market Analysis RETAIL SPACE he said. “It was pretty scary.” their front yard in Broadview Heights. years to come.” No Upfront fees Heavy equipment rentals bounced “It was a bit of a project to find a Mike @empirebusinesses.com back first — and grew, because home- tent,” she said. Michelle Jarboe: michelle.jarboe@ www.empirebusinesses.com HERE! owners sheltering in place decided to That search might only get harder. crain.com, (216) 771-5437, @mjarboe 440-461-2202
August 10, 2020 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 21
P021_CL_20200810.indd 21 8/7/2020 3:03:17 PM SouthPark Mall was to convert the department store MALLS in Strongsville is to a (now open) CubeSmart self stor- From Page 1 one of just a few age center. However, after it bought mainstream an empty Sears store to build apart- Estimates for the gain in e-com- enclosed malls ments there, it found it couldn’t de- merce at the expense of bricks-and- in Northeast Ohio molish it without replacing some of mortar stores are being revised upward. that some analysts the mall’s structural supports. When For example, Brown Gibbons Lang & expect to survive the J.C. Penney closed, DealPoint be- Co., an investment banker co-head- after a tumultuous gan pursuing the mall. quartered in Cleveland and Chicago, time for the retail Some big ifs remain, however. The forecasts online sales will climb to 16% industry. | DAVID developer has yet to consummate an of retail sales by 2023 from 10% in 2018. KORDALSKI/CRAIN’S incentive agreement with Richmond Moreover, more of those sales are com- CLEVELAND BUSINESS Heights schools and is negotiating a ing from luxury items, BGL said, which contract to buy the mall, said Jeremy many shopping center landlords Kumin, DealPoint’s communications viewed as a safe haven for tenants. manager for the project. He said fi- Mall tenants are at the vanguard of nancing also is in process. If Deal- retailers shutting down or declaring Point does not close a mall purchase, bankruptcy and enabling wholesale it could shift to a less expansive plan store closings, from apparel stores for what it calls “Belle Oaks” on the such as Lane Bryant and Justice to other parts of the parcel. the J.C. Penney department store. Orbital’s data on Richmond Town That comes as Hoffman Estates, Ill.- Square also shows how short on based Sears Holdings conducts a liq- shoppers the place is, plus surprising uidation sale at Great Northern Mall Pandemic’s effect on Northeast Ohio malls retail-to-industrial conversions in insight into other regional malls. in North Olmsted, shutting the door in the U.S., finding 59 such projects na- Richmond Town Square ranks at An aggregate of the difference in week-to-week foot traffic in NEO malls shows that Northeast Ohio for the company that tionwide. the bottom of the region’s malls in visits were down nearly 90% during the height of the shutdown. Although foot traffic created the department store model. Cleveland, with five projects (in- foot traffic, with just 15,000 visitors is returning, it is less than 40% of what it was before the state-ordered closings. It’s a staggering decline from a nearly cluding former Walmart operations in last month, Orbital reported, com- ubiquitous presence in the region. 0% Willoughby and Bedford Heights), has pared to 39,000 in January. The next Sears, J.C. Penney, May Co. (now had the most mall-turned-industrial lowest figure is 32,000 in July at Uni- -10% Macy’s) and Higbee’s (now Dillard’s) space in the U.S. in terms of square versity Square in University Heights, were the vital ingredient shaping -20% footage. Some 3.5 million square feet which is at the precipice of a long- mall creation in the past century. -30% of retail has been replaced by 2.5 mil- planned rejuvenation effort. Now, competitors and online shop- lion square feet of industrial space. The region’s high flier is Great Lakes -40% ping are challenging their survival. “We think that there are other malls Mall in Mentor, which had 208,000 vis- Alec Pacella, president of Medi- -50% here that may play out that way,” said itors last month, down from 331,000 in na-based Pleasant Valley Corp., said, -60% David Browning, managing director January. That occurred as Great Lakes “They were the foundation for devel- of CBRE’s Cleveland-Akron offices. struggles with a long-empty Sears -70% opment of the rest of the mall. And if “Malls are complex creatures. If a de- store, but Mentor economic develop- the foundation is weak, how strong is -80% partment store closes, it could trigger ment director Kevin Malecek said sev- the rest of it?” co-tenancy clauses changing the eral real estate developers are consid- Difference in week-to-week foot traffic week-to-week in Difference -90% Disappearing department store Jan 19 Feb 16 Mar 15 Apr 12 May 10 Jun 7 Jul 5 terms for other department stores and ering making bids for the Sears site and anchors give credence to forecasts SOURCE: ORBITAL INSIGHT CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS GRAPHIC tenants. But they have tremendous that Great Lakes benefits from its dis- for the continued decline of malls. value in terms of sewer and water tance from other malls. Emerick Corsi, the principal of EDC On the other hand, ICSC thinks the whether the mall would remain via- lines and electric power. They can be- Chris Semarjian, the owner of In- Advisors LLC of Russell, thinks North- fallout will be muted by the creativity ble while you pursued multiple op- come small cities.” dustrial Commercial Properties of east Ohio will wind up with just three of mall owners to maintain their op- tions to back-fill the department The next use also is shaped by where Solon, was a partner with Los Ange- mainstream enclosed malls when the erations. stores,” Corsi said. “With the prob- the mall is located. Browning and oth- les investor Stuart Lichter in redevel- dust settles. Likely survivors he points “We believe that in the next 18 lems in retail, you can no longer look ers point to Richmond Town Square oping Randall Park Mall so Amazon to are Beachwood Place in Beach- months, you will see mall operators to a new Target or Walmart or other mall in Richmond Heights as a no-lon- could set up shop there. wood, Summit Mall in Fairlawn and rolling out enhancements that might brand to replace them. The problems ger-viable retail location, but not an “Every one is different,” Semarjian SouthPark Mall in Strongsville. Pacel- have been in the planning stages for are piling up.” industrial one, either, because of its said, in part based on whether a site la and others share that view. several years in the future,” she said. Northeast Ohio’s economic woes distance from the nearest highway. still has retail relevance or is centrally The allm industry, though, rejects “You’re already seeing that with our already have put it ahead of the curve The worsening retail situation al- located to serve as a warehouse. “But such a dour forecast. members who are offering pick-up in redoing malls for industrial uses. ready shaped the way proposed re- I believe that online is strangling tra- Stephanie Cegielski, spokeswoman locations inside or at the curbside.” Euclid Square Mall and Randall Park development of Richmond Town ditional retailing. In the end, it may for the International Council of Shop- Corsi, who supervised retail ven- are now home to Amazon opera- Square is shaping up. just be a question of the mall becom- ping Centers trade group, said several tures for years at the former Forest City tions; another conversion is under- DealPoint Merrill, a Los Angeles ing a distribution center and the stuff hundred malls would need to close in Realty Trust of Cleveland, said failing way at Rolling Acres. real estate developer, staked its first is brought to your door.” the next couple of years for such fore- bricks-and-mortar retailing puts mall A CBRE report last month charac- claim in Richmond Heights in Janu- casts to become a reality, and ICSC operators in tough positions. terized Cleveland and four other ary 2018, when it bought the shut- Stan Bullard: [email protected], does not see that happening. “In the past, the question was Midwest cities as the leading edge for tered Macy’s store. Its sole intention (216) 771-5228, @CrainRltywriter
Advertising Section To place your listing, visit www.crainscleveland.com/people-on-the-move PEOPLE ON THE MOVE or, for more information, contact Debora Stein at 917.226.5470 / [email protected]
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RSM US LLP RSM US LLP ERIEBANK Baird United Way of Greater Cleveland We are pleased to We are pleased to Jerome Smith has Quentin C. Kraft joins announce that announce that Laura joined ERIEBANK as Baird and The Kraft Andrea Lyons has Kristina Fronczek Turner has been Vice President, Roethler Group as a been named to the has been promoted to promoted to Tax Commercial Banking. Financial Advisor. In his newly created position Assurance Senior Senior Manager. She Jerome brings over 20 role, Kraft works to of Director of Race, Manager. Kristina joined RSM nine years years of expertise in help individuals, Diversity, Equity and specializes in real estate and is ago as a tax associate. She has the commercial finance industry families and businesses make Inclusion (RDEI) at aligned with the audit practice in experience with a variety of tax and will play an integral role to educated financial decisions United Way of Greater Ohio. She has approximately issues, and specializes in real help mid-size to larger about their future. Before joining Cleveland. She is responsible for twelve years of experience in estate consulting, structuring, companies achieve solutions for Baird, he was a Midwest Sales advancing the organization’s public accounting providing and financial projection their capital requirement needs. Consultant with Cardinal Health. strategic RDEI plan which professional services and engagements involving Historic He holds a Bachelor of Science Kraft graduated from The Ohio includes developing and business advice to commercial, Tax Credits. Laura holds an degree in Accounting from State University with a Bachelor overseeing programs, services residential and industrial accounting degree from the Miami University and an MBA of Science degree. He is a and initiatives designed to property management University of Arkansas and a from David N. Myers University. member of Toastmasters enhance overall diversity companies, affordable housing master’s degree from Kent State Jerome volunteers his time with International, where he served as representation internally and property managers, developers, University. the Salvation Army and Junior VP of Membership for his club. externally. Lyons earned her hotels, historic rehabilitation Achievement. He resides in downtown bachelor’s degree in Political companies, and nonprofit Cleveland. Science from Rutgers University organizations. and her MBA from New York University.
22 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | August 10, 2020
P022_CL_20200810.indd 22 8/7/2020 3:06:12 PM CRAIN’S CLEVELAND LOOK BACK | THE 2003 BLACKOUT
crainscleveland.com Dark day for FirstEnergy — and many others Publisher/editor Elizabeth McIntyre (216) 771-5358 or [email protected] Group publisher Mary Kramer Aug. 14, 2003, was a dark day in Northeast Ohio's history. Indeed, it was a dark day, literally, for many of the Northeast and Midwest states (313) 446-0399 or [email protected] in the U.S., not to mention Ontario. Managing editor Scott Suttell (216) 771-5227 or [email protected] That was the day that a tree, a power line and a software bug in a control room alarm system at Akron’s FirstEnergy Corp. caused a power Assistant managing editor Sue Walton outage in all those places. Some spots, including parts of New York City and Toronto, were in the dark for two days in what is still by far the worst (330) 802-4615 or [email protected] Creative director David Kordalski blackout the U.S. has ever seen. It cut power to an estimated 55 million — nearly twice as many as the famous blackout of 1965. — Dan Shingler (216) 771-5169 or [email protected] Web editor Damon Sims `` THE HISTORY `` IN THEIR OWN WORDS (216) 771-5279 or [email protected] Assistant editor Kevin Kleps The outage took place on a hot “All I could think was (216) 771-5256 or [email protected] summer day, when demand for here we go again — it’s just Senior data editor Chuck Soder power on the electric grid was high. (216) 771-5374 or [email protected] like Sept. 11.” Editorial researcher William Lucey After a power line contacted a tree in —C— atherine Donnelly, who worked (216) 771-5243 or [email protected] Northeast Ohio, FirstEnergy’s alarm at the New York Stock Exchange, Cartoonist Rich Williams system failed and a surge hit the sys- as quoted by the New York Times tem at 4:10 p.m. Over about the next REPORTERS half hour, the resulting outages cas- “The report makes clear Stan Bullard, senior reporter, Real estate/ caded across Maryland, Michigan, construction. (216) 771-5228 or [email protected] Ohio, Ontario, New Jersey and New that this blackout could have Lydia Coutré, Health care/nonprofits. (216) 771-5479 or [email protected] York. been prevented and that Michelle Jarboe, Enterprise reporter. The blame landed primarily in the immediate actions must be (216) 771-5437 or [email protected] lap of FirstEnergy. A U.S.-Canada taken in both the United Rachel Abbey McCafferty, Manufacturing/energy/ task force later determined the com- education. (216) 771-5379 or [email protected] pany failed to understand and ad- States and Canada to ensure Jay Miller, Government. dress inadequacies in its systems, that our electric system is (216) 771-5362 or [email protected] which led to it not balancing elec- Jeremy Nobile, Finance/legal/beer/cannabis. tricity loads and causing the outag- A full moon hovered over a darkened New York City skyline during the massive East more reliable.” (216) 771-5255 or [email protected] —F— ormer U.S. Energy Secretary es. According to the reported official Coast blackout. | THE LIFE IMAGES COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES Kim Palmer, Government. Spencer Abraham and R. John analysis of the blackout prepared by (216) 771-5384 or [email protected] Efford, then Canadian minister of Dan Shingler, Energy/steel/auto/Akron. the American and Canadian govern- took time. While most affected areas fully in New York and Toronto. natural resources, in a joint report ments, more than 508 generating had restored power by midnight on While many affected urbanites (216) 771-5290 or [email protected] units at 265 power plants shut down Aug. 14, many areas took longer. enjoyed their first views of the Milky “We are going to have a ADVERTISING during the outage. Some parts of New York City and On- Way in the newfound darkness, oth- Local sales manager Megan Norman, In the Cleveland area, more than tario only got power the next day, as ers died. It was later reported that situation where people (216) 771-5182 or [email protected] a half-million homes were without did Cleveland Hopkins International the event contributed to more than Events manager Erin Bechler, are going to have to walk a (216) 771-5388 or [email protected] power, and a curfew was declared. Airport and Toronto Pearson Inter- 100 deaths, ranging from fires and long distance. They need to Getting the system rebalanced and national Airport. It took until the fol- an auto accident to the failure of at- Integrated marketing manager Michelle Sustar, (216) 771-5371 or [email protected] getting all those plants online again lowing day, Aug. 16, to restore power home medical equipment. be careful. … Our advice is to Managing editor custom/special projects go home, open up your Amy Ann Stoessel (216) 771-5155 or [email protected] windows, drink a lot of Associate publisher Lisa Rudy `` WHY IT MATTERS TODAY In Ontario, where citizens compared liquids.” Director of advertising sales Scott Carlson their province’s performances to Que- Senior account executive John Petty —T— hen-New York Mayor Michael The event was a wakeup call to U.S bec and Manitoba, which had gotten Account executives Blomberg, as quoted by CNN officials with regard to the reliability of through the event largely unscathed, Laura Kulber Mintz, Loren Breen the nation’s electric system. It led to the blackout was cited as a reason that People on the Move manager federal reliability standards regulating Ontario voters elected a new provincial “Having come less than an inch Debora Stein, (917) 226-5470, [email protected] the electrical grid being included in government in fall 2003. from potential radiation Pre-press and digital production Craig L. Mackey the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Many believe the blackout caused a Office coordinator Karen Friedman standards of the North American necessary renewed focus on the grid leakage from Davis-Besse, Media services manager Nicole Spell Electric Reliability Corp., a Geor- and critical infrastructure generally they’ve now succeeded in Billing YahNica Crawford gia-based nonprofit promoting elec- that has helped avoid similar events. blacking out eastern North Credit Thomas Hanovich tricity reliability, were made manda- Others, however, point out that the America.” CUSTOMER SERVICE tory for U.S. electricity providers. nation never did really wholly update Customer service and subscriptions: As the event took place only two its electric grid, including by making a —A— bond analyst with CreditSights, quoted by the New York Times (877) 824-9373 or [email protected] years after 9/11, the nation was con- smart grid that could better monitor Reprints: Laura Picariello cerned that such blackouts left borders, and react to local and regional chang- (732) 723-0569 or [email protected] ports and other federal sites vulnerable es in power usage and demand. “Every system in Europe works to unauthorized access, and that such Technicians work on transmission lines There are still local outages in better.” blackouts could be exploited by terror- near FirstEnergy Corp.’s power plant in Ohio and other states. But, so far at —F— ormer Energy Secretary and ists. It also drew attention to how easily Eastlake on Aug. 18, 2003. | JOHN QUINN/ least, nothing like the 2003 blackout New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Crain’s Cleveland Business is published by the grid could be taken down. BLOOMBERG NEWS has occurred again. quoted by IEE Spectrum magazine Crain Communications Inc. Chairman Keith E. Crain Vice chairman Mary Kay Crain President KC Crain THE WEEK Senior executive VP Chris Crain Secretary Lexie Crain Armstrong PUT TO THE TESTS: Ohio Gov. Mike Agency. The credits, announced Chief Financial Officer Robert Recchia DeWine tested negative for twice a year, don’t actually flow to a G.D. Crain Jr., Founder (1885-1973) COVID-19 following a previous pos- project until construction is com- Mrs. G.D. Crain Jr., Chairman (1911-1996) itive result on Aug. 6 from a different plete. A total of six Cleveland projects Editorial & Business Offices type of test administered in prepara- made the list. So did a former grocery 700 W. St. Clair Ave., Suite 310, tion for his meeting with President store property in Lakewood and a Cleveland, OH 44113-1230 Donald Trump. DeWine earlier that four-building complex in Ashtabula. (216) 522-1383 day took a test for COVID-19 as part Volume 41, Number 29 of the standard protocol to greet LABOR UNREST: The University of Ak- Crain’s Cleveland Business (ISSN 0197-2375) is published weekly, Trump on the tarmac at Burke Lake- ron’s faculty union voted down a ten- except for the first issue in January, July and September, the last issue in May and the fourth issue in November, at 700 West St. Clair Ave., Suite front Airport in Cleveland. Trump tative agreement with the university. 310, Cleveland, OH 44113-1230. was in town for a fundraiser. DeW- That could put the outcome of Copyright © 2020 by Crain Communications Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH, and at additional mailing offices. ine, his wife and close staff members planned layoffs of 97 bargaining unit Price per copy: $2.00. then were administered a PCR test, faculty members in flux. The current Postmaster: Send address changes to Crain’s Cleveland Business, Circulation Department, 1155 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207-2912. which detects the specific coronavi- contract between the union and the 1 (877) 824-9373. rus genetic material, in Columbus, university will remain in place until Subscriptions: In Ohio: 1 year - $64, 2 year - $110. Outside Ohio: 1 year and that result was negative. Efforts to redevelop the 40-story Tower at Erieview got a boost with a $5 million historic Dec. 31, and negotiations for a new - $110, 2 year - $195. Single copy, $2.00. Allow 4 weeks for change of address. For subscription information and delivery concerns send tax credit award from the Ohio Development Services Agency. | DAVID KORDALSKI/CRAIN’S one will begin soon. The university’s correspondence to Audience Development Department, Crain’s MAKING THE LIST: Redevelopment board of trustees approved layoffs for Cleveland Business, 1155 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207-9911, or email to [email protected], or call (877) 824-9373 plans for the Tower at Erieview, a tion this week with a $5 million state wide contest for $31.2 million in his- 178 employees in mid-July; 97 of (in the U.S. and Canada) or (313) 446-0450 (all other locations), half-empty, 40-story office building tax credit award. The 1960s tower was toric tax credits awarded Aug. 5 by those positions were part of the bar- or fax (313) 446-6777. in downtown Cleveland, gained trac- the largest winner in a fierce state- the Ohio Development Services gaining unit faculty.
August 10, 2020 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 23
P023_CL_20200810.indd 23 8/7/2020 12:04:19 PM Scott Carlson • [email protected]
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