Quicken Loans Renovation Ignores Cleveland's Poor: Beachwood Rabbi

BEACHWOOD, OH - A local rabbi is speaking out against a deal that would provide $88 million in public money for upgrades at Quicken Loans Arena. During an April 7 speech at Shabbat Hagadol services, Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, as part of the Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) group, said the proposed deal does not do enough to support distressed neighborhoods around the sporting arena.

Nosanchuk said that as part of the GCC he and other volunteers have spent several years listening to the concerns of residents in neighborhoods near the Q. Those sessions unearthed a sense of despair over the state of criminal justice, economic investment, and education in Cleveland neighborhoods.

"We are striving to speak up for the many disenfranchised individuals and families we have met in neighborhoods, in schools, and in distressed areas all over Cleveland," he said during the service. "We have heard people in despair, and are acting on their burning desire to say what Moses is commissioned to say to Egypt’s leaders in his age."

Nosanchuk explains that Moses' message to Egypt's leaders was simple. Stop ignoring the plight of the disenfranchised and downtrodden and stop investing in fancy structures when you could be investing in human beings.

The Q's renovation project will cost an estimated $140 million, according to cleveland.com. Of that $140 million, $88 million will come from public money. As part of the deal, the Cavaliers renewed their lease and agreed to stay downtown until at least 2034.

Cleveland's contribution to the deal will be paid out over 11 years in annual payments of about $8 million. Cleveland.com says the money will be raised via taxes on Q admission tickets.

Nosanchuk said during his speech that he feels too many political leaders are acting with indifference towards Cleveland's disenfranchised. He pointed out that Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, now located in Beachwood, previously called Euclid Avenue home. The area around the former temple has seen, "very little meaningful development of business, jobs or programs to help its neighbors."

He noted that Governor John Kasich's proposed budget for the state would include severe cuts to projects in distressed cities. He also said Cleveland is "passing over" its need to help reform and rebuild areas like 93rd and Kinsman, where Aliana DeFreeze was abducted.

"All of this passing over is supposed to be worth it because in about 10 years, the basketball team we support, may, you’ll forgive my pun, act so cavalier as to walk away from Cleveland," he said.

You can find the full text of Nosanchuk's speech by clicking here.

Photo from Erik Drost, Flickr