After a bit if a delay in previous plans due to opposition from several local groups, the Cleveland Cavaliers have once again committed to The Q Transformation Project.
In conjunction with the Cavs, Len Komorski, CEO of Quicken Loans Arena, released an official statement with regards to their renewed commitment to the renovation. Komorski states that they have pledged over $70 million in capital to the project.
“We are excited to confirm our renewed capital commitment of over $70 million to help renovate and transform Quicken Loans Arena – a tremendous publicly-owned asset for our community. At the same time, we’re very pleased to extend the Cavaliers lease with our landlord, Gateway Economic Development Corporation, for seven additional years at The Q until 2034. In other words, the Cavs will be a tenant at The Q in downtown Cleveland for at least the next 17 seasons.
“We are very eager and enthusiastic to continue working side-by-side with our core civic partners on our shared vision and the numerous civic and community leaders and groups that have worked extremely hard to make sure this project excels and positively impacts downtown and Cleveland’s neighborhoods in the full spectrum of ways that we have always believed that this well-thought out development would do.
“Most importantly, we are proud to be part of a project that is going to create thousands of jobs and generate and grow additional, significant revenue and economic impact for our community and neighborhoods for many years to come.
“The strong leadership of Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, along with Cuyahoga County Council President Dan Brady and Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley and the many respective County and City council members has been critical, as has the major support from United States Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. State Senator Sandra Williams has been a strong advocate of the project as well.
“We are also pleased to continue this project with the support and engagement of a wide scope of civic, community and business leaders and organizations both locally and regionally, including the NAACP, the United Pastors in Mission, Cleveland Clergy Coalition, ACEE/Black Contractors Group, the Urban League of Cleveland, the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council, Laborer’s International Union Local 310, the President’s Council, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and others.”
This is great news for the city of Cleveland, as The Q Transformation Project will bring loads of new jobs to the area.
One Cavs spokesperson told Fox 8 that the team is doing everything in their power to begin construction by the September 15 deadline set by the NBA for Cleveland to host an All-Star Game.
Just last week, the Cavs decided to withdraw their commitment to the $140 million arena face-lift. Now, with the opposition out of the way, construction can finally begin.