text black
mug shot
Quick Links

    




  
Contractor Resources 
 
 Read Construction Claims Advisor here.

 

Review Green Builder magazine here.

 

Learn About the Greater Cleveland Green Building Coalition here.

 

Read Builders Exchange Magazine on-line here. 

 

Find valuable construction industry research from McGraw-Hill Construction here.
Frantz Ward's Services for Corporations
 
Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights

 

Construction Project Consulting and Litigation 

 Corporate Governance, Mergers and Acquisitions
 
ERISA Counseling and Litigation

 

Environmental Law

 

Intellectual Property

 

Labor & Employment Law Counseling and Litigation
   
Real Estate Transactions and Litigation

 

Workers' Compensation
Frantz Ward's Services for Individuals

 

Estate Planning and Probate

 

Litigation

 

Real Estate Transactions

 

Construction Project Consulting and Litigation 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Reasons to Read 

 

Biomimicry. Theoretical minimums. Performative landscapes. Responsive design. Integrated sustainability. If you know something about these concepts, or if you want to learn about them, then you should attend the free "Building with Nature" seminar hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on October 18.  There, you can learn from and interact with cutting-edge green building leaders from around the country. Follow this link to learn more.

 

And, read below to learn more about some local construction projects of note, about a UK project involving 100 cubic feet of living space and two unique stairways, about the current thinking in the area of land use planning and development, and about several current publications by my colleagues.

 

In personal news, I am honored to begin service this month as a member of the Board of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, which has been offering excellent educational opportunities for youth since its founders saved the Shaker Lakes in the 1960s. I have also been appointed to serve on the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas Panel of Mediators, where I hope to help those involved in consruction litigation reach a voluntary resolution of their disputes.    

 

Finally, I would like to extend my congratulations in this forum to my partner Marc Sanchez for being honored by the Cleveland Browns as a recipient of a Hispanic Leadership Award. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to review this newsletter. 

 

Jim Dixon

216-515-1642  

jdixon@frantzward.com
The Age of Market Dominance in Development 
For twenty years, I have subscribed to The Wilson Quarterly. Published by the Wilson Center, it is the tangible product of President Wilson's decision to create a center for scholarship rather than a presidential library. The WQ is a great publication to reach for if you like to keep up with the world of ideas in all fields, including land use planning and real estate development. The most recent edition (the last to appear in print as the WQ moves online) includes an article by Witold Rybczynski where he argues that centeralized planning by governmental entities has failed because of government's lack of needed abilities. Private developers are now in the lead because of their ability to gauge the market, though the best projects now are those that result from public-private partnerships because government resources are still needed.
Project News
 

An architect in the UK has designed and built a suitable living space within 100 cubic feet.  The trick?  It's the stairs. 

 

The Cleveland Clinic is moving forward with plans for the use of 47 acres in Mentor.  

 

Spring 2013 remains the target date for the start of construction on the redesign of the intersection of Van Aken, Warrensville, Northfield, and Chagrin in Shaker Heights. 

The Cleveland Metroparks will now own and operate the land occupied by what once was Acacia Country Club. 

Thirty-one companies have placed bids to either purchase property owned by Cuyahoga County or to provide new space for the County's administrative offices.

RTA is finally moving forward with plans to renovate its station at Cedar Hill near University Circle.  
Frantz Ward in Person and in the Media

Here are summaries of recent publications and upcoming speaking engagements from my colleagues.

 

Seminars

 

On October 25, 2012, Nora Loftus, Phil Truax and I will be discussing construction law from contract to close-out at a seminar at the airport Holiday Inn. Follow this link for more information. 

 

On December 6 and 7, 2012, Andy Natale and I will discuss Risk Management as part of the Construction Employers Association's Project Manager Development Program. The five-part course, which is already underway, is designed for early-career project managers.  Course materials are available here. 

 

On April 18, 2013, Andy and I will be making our annual Lorman-sponsored presentation on Ohio's mechanic's lien law.  Stay tuned for more details.

 

Blogs

 

Through the Ohio Environmental Law Blog, former Ohio EPA Director Joe Koncelik highlighted issues relating to power plant reductions, brownfield funding, and, a development of key importance for business owners--the Ohio EPAs recent moves to find owners and executives personally liable for environmental compliance issues.

 

Through their Labor & Employment Law Navigator, Rebecca Bennett  and Keith Ashmus continue to provide information on key issues for employers.

 

Newsletters

 

Our Foreign Corrupt Practice Act practice group continues to publish timely information for companies doing business with foreign officials that wish to stay abreast of this area of law. Follow this link to learn about that group and review its newsletter. 

 
Disclaimer
This document is intended to provide general information about legal developments, not legal advice. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.