Your Metroparks are spending what on *that*?
Okay real quick— so this is the thing that really got under my skin, and it’s about our Cleveland Metroparks. We all love the Metroparks, right? They’re like Cleveland’s actual secret weapon, stretching from Lake Erie out to Strongsville, connecting us to nature. But I just saw this bit that they bought that old Hornblower’s floating restaurant for $1.3 million last year. Yeah, *that* boat, the one that used to be down in the Flats. And now? The costs have doubled, and they’re gonna need even more money.
So, they’re trying to turn a portion of this barge into some kind of public space. And yeah no, I get that repurposing things is cool and all, especially when it’s something from the Flats that’s seen better days. But we're talking about a boat that’s already a money pit, sitting there taking up resources. We've got Edgewater Park that's always packed, and trails through the Rocky River Reservation that need maintenance. Is this really the best use of our Metroparks' budget when it's just getting more expensive by the day? It just feels like a classic Cleveland move, you know? Good intentions, but the execution? Wooof.
### What This Means for Cleveland
* **Metroparks Budget Strain:** This project's ballooning costs mean less money for other beloved park initiatives, like new trails or improving existing facilities across our 18 reservations. * **A Floating Question Mark:** What exactly is the vision for this renovated barge? Details are still pretty fuzzy, but it's clear it's not going to be a quick fix. * **Public Scrutiny:** Clevelanders love their Metroparks, and they pay attention. Expect more questions about how our park system is spending our money.
Look, I'm all for investing in our city's assets, but this barge just feels like it's gonna sink more money than it’s worth. We’ve got so many great things going on, from the West Side Market getting facelift money to all the cool new spots popping up in Ohio City. Let's make sure our Metroparks are spending their money where it truly benefits everyone, not on a relic that's turning into a money black hole down by the Cuyahoga.
Cleveland on the wire — we've been here the whole time.
Maddie and the crew are talking about this on the Morning Wire right now. Go check 'em out live at mornings.live.