LOOK BACK
Personal View: Lessons learned from parents who were strong civic leaders. PAGE 6
Dimora, James, Campbell and Jackson are just a few of the folks who defined the 2000s. PAGE 35
CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM I JUNE 29, 2020
COMMERCE
GCP begins leadership search
WILL THE AVIAN FLY?
REAL ESTATE
CEO position could be a coveted commodity, chance to expand work BY JAY MILLER AND KIM PALMER
demand and design, though it’s too early to say for certain how many square feet companies will shed or how high cubicle walls might climb.
As the largest chamber of commerce in the country — and one with solid finances — the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) could attract a deep pool of well-qualified candidates in its search to replace retiring Joe Roman as CEO. But because the organization plays a greater role than a traditional chamber, the board may favor a candidate with a strong background in the community and the region. Several community leaders who have worked closely with the organization told Crain’s they hope the board will take this opportunity to play a greater role in setting policy, and that they will chose a new leader who will work more collaboratively with other related organizations in the region. GCP was created 16 years ago by the merger of three organizations, including the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, then the regional chamber. With that merger, it took on greater roles in business development and investment, employment and business diversity, workforce development and technology development. Because this larger role brings it into contact — and sometimes conflict — with other organizations in those areas, a number of civic leaders, who would not speak on the record, said they believe the organization needs someone who knows the territory and can move the organization to better collaborate with partners. A committee, led by former GCP chair Beth Mooney, the retired CEO of KeyCorp, and current chair Scott Chaikin, has been created to conduct a nationwide search to replace Roman, who plans to depart in April 2021.
See AVIAN on Page 33
See GCP on Page 33
Developer Fred Geis describes how conference rooms at the Avian building will be set apart from the main offices, with separate entrances and air systems. | MICHELLE JARBOE/CRAIN’S
What will the post-pandemic office look like? Developers in the Flats have one idea BY MICHELLE JARBOE
When developer Fred Geis and his partners launched an office revamp of a long-empty industrial building in the Flats last year, they didn’t plan to spend $3,500 on a sink for the lobby. Fast-forward 10 months, and that handwashing station is part of their marketing pitch. So are air purification systems; garage doors in place of windows facing the Cuyahoga River, to let in the breeze; and lockers to allow for food and parcel delivery without human contact. The 20,000-square-foot Avian at Thunderbird building on Carter Road appears to be the first property in the region attempting to cast itself as the office of the post-pandemic future.
A rendering shows the completed Avian at Thunderbird building on Carter Road in the Flats. The office project, being marketed as post-pandemic space, is the first piece of a much larger planned development on Scranton Peninsula. | AODK ARCHITECTURE
In March, the spread of the novel coronavirus prompted employers to send white-collar workers home — and sparked debate about when, and if, they’ll return to their desks. The crisis clearly will reshape office
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