Horton Grand Hotel

Cleveland school district clearing way for possible headquarters sale

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- From the moment he started work in the Cleveland schools' downtown administration building, Chief Operating Officer Patrick Zohn thought it was an ideal location -- for a hotel.

He could soon find out whether developers and hotel operators agree.

The school district is considering leasing space for its 400 central-office workers and began soliciting proposals from landlords Wednesday. Renting would clear the way for appraising and auctioning off the headquarters on East Sixth Street.

How much the property would fetch is unknown, but Zohn senses opportunity. He and others think a hotel would fit naturally into the six-story stone structure, done in grand beaux-arts style and completed in 1931. Other possibilities include condos or offices.

Across St. Clair Avenue from the administration building, construction of the new medical mart and convention center is under way. PlayhouseSquare, pro sports venues, the site of planned casino and a reawakening Flats area are all within a half-mile radius.

"There's a higher and better use for this location," said Zohn, who was a consultant to cities on stadium and arena projects before joining the district in March 2010.

Zohn said he has received at least a call per week about the property since word of a possible sale got out earlier this year. He would not disclose names but said he has heard from developers with solid credentials.

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, which specializes in reuse of historic buildings as boutique or "lifestyle" hotels, already has cast an eye on the property.

The San Francisco company plans a hotel for the old Schofield Building at East 9th Street and Euclid Avenue, but often undertakes multiple projects in a city, said Tom Riley, vice president of acquisitions and development.

"The location would certainly be fantastic," said Riley, who recently drove past the school headquarters to check it out. "I don't know how it would lay out as a hotel."

The idea of redeveloping the administration building has been kicked around since the 1980s, but gained momentum earlier this year when then-interim Chief Executive Officer Peter Raskind embraced the concept .

Raskind hired Weston Development of Richmond Heights to determine how much office space would be needed to house the district administration. The firm says the district needs a maximum of 70,000 square feet, about a third of what the employees occupy now.

Haunted San Diego | National Insurance

This home/museum has been described as the most haunted house in the USA. The land was the site of hangings before the home was built. One such person hung here was Yankee Jim Robertson. It is said he still haunts the place. And Mr. Whaley that actually watched the hanging of Yankee Jim; Mr. Whaley would later buy the home that was constructed at the site of several hangings. Mr. Whaley haunts the house along with several others and it is known that his dog is still here too.

2.)El Campo Santo Cemetery El Campo Santo Cemetery 1849, was a Catholic Cemetery . With 447 visible graves but not all have remained noticeable due to the paving over of half the cemetery due to an avenue that was constructed. Yankee Jim Robinson was buried here. Many unexplained phenomena happens at this location. Many unusual sightings of ghosts and sounds come from this area and even on the avenue where the cars park; over the hidden graves! The disturbance causes the cars alarms to go off unexpectedly, and car batteries dying out parked along the roadway.

3.) Robinson-Rose House James Robinson built this two-story home in 1853 for his family. It is known for being haunted by several family members that mess with the electricity, touch peoples hair; even an apparition of a man with a tie has been seen after hours in the building. The new building that is here is a reconstructed of the first home, mirroring the families house of the past. Located in the Old Town State Historic Park’s visitor center.

4.) Hotel Del Coronado Maybe you might want to stay at the beautiful Victorian resort for a spooky good time. The hotel is known for being haunted by a lady known as Kate Morgan. She shot herself in 1892 on the steps leading down to the ocean of the hotel. She stayed in room 302 which is now room 3502; for 5 days, before she committed suicide. The room that Kate stayed in is the most requested room in the hotel. There are numerous supernatural things that happen throughout this building. Room 502 is reported haunted too.

5.) Villa Montezuma Built in the 1880′s with many historical tales told that have lasted over the century and decades of the ghosts that reside here. Come and stay in room 309 if you dare! Many ghostly things happen here from the bed shaking at night, to the lights and air conditioner being messed with and many more ghostly happenings to scare the sanest of us. There is believed to be many ghosts here; even Madam Ida Bailey, who ran a brothel long ago and still wants to be around enjoying any excitement she can find. Reports of sightings of spirits being seen on the staircase.

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