4 days ago
I-X Center one step closer to being repurposed — what it would mean for events
CLEVELAND (WJW) – It appears the I-X Center's long tradition of hosting special events will be coming to an end.
Legislation approved by Cleveland City Council on Monday night is the next step in repurposing the iconic complex for an economic development project that could generate millions of dollars in tax revenue each year.
'We knew we were going to transition the I-X Center at some point in time and basically we have an opportunity to attract a major employer to bring more jobs in and more income to the city of Cleveland,' city council president Blaine Griffin said.
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The I-X Center has had a long and colorful history since being built in 1942 as the Cleveland Bomber Plant.
For many years, it was known as the Cleveland Tank Plant before being converted into a venue for major events and conventions.
In 2001, the I-X Center became part of the city of Cleveland in a land swap with Brook Park.
In 2021, Industrial Commercial Properties took over the lease with the city.
ICP has indicated that a major corporation wants to rent one million square feet of space in the I-X Center, creating more than 200 new jobs.
The deal was dependent on the city agreeing to re-negotiate the current lease — set to run through 2039 — for a new lease that will run for the next 49 years.
'It attracts an opportunity for a Fortune 100 company to bring 250 high paying jobs that helps our revenue and our economy,' said Griffin.
City officials are not revealing the company interested in the space at the I-X Center, but those who support the new lease said it would also enable the city to gain control of 69 acres of land to the west and south of the complex, adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
'Quite frankly, I think we should have been more ambitious and bought more land around Brook Park and the airport a long time ago,' Griffin said.
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City council approved the new lease by a vote of 13 to 2, with councilmen Mike Polensek and Brian Kazy opposing the legislation.
Critics of the proposal questioned how it would affect the future of events that have been held at the I-X Center for many years, including the Cleveland Auto Show and the Great Big Home and Garden Show.
Supporters of the re-purposing of the I-X Center maintain the Huntington Convention Center will be an ideal new home for some of the large annual events, even though detractors question whether the convention center has enough capacity.
In response, Griffin said, 'we've got a great convention center. We have great facilities downtown in the Central Business District. That's the reason that, you know, we made big bets a long time ago. It's one of the reasons why we so fiercely advocate for our Central Business District.'
City officials have not revealed when special events at the I-X Center will be discontinued and when the new tenant will begin operations in the complex.
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