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Congress approves $4 million to buy 635 undeveloped acres at Cuyahoga Falls music center
By Bob Downing
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Oct 30, 2009
It was Christmas and a birthday rolled into one for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Congress on Thursday approved $4 million to buy 635 undeveloped acres at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, eliminating one of the biggest threats to the 33,000-acre federal park.
The land — with forests, meadows and ravines — will be transferred to the park under an agreement involving the National Park Service, the Trust for Public Land, a national conservation group, and the Cleveland-based Musical Arts Association, the parent of the Cleveland Orchestra.
''That's a very positive step forward . . . and it's great news,'' said Paul Stoehr, acting superintendent of the park between Akron and Cleveland.
The $4 million is a partial payment for the 635 acres. The final sale price has not been determined, officials said.
An appraisal of the property, required under federal law, is under way. Earlier, officials had indicated the final sale price might be between $5 million and $10 million.
In July 2008, the parties involved had announced the planned sale but needed the federal funds to complete the arrangement. That's where five members of the Ohio congressional delegation stepped forward to acquire the largest privately owned tract within the national park.
U.S. Sens. George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown; and U.S. Reps. Betty Sutton, D-Copley Township; Tim Ryan, D-Niles; and Steve LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, pushed the legislation.
President Obama still must sign the Interior appropriations bill authorizing the $4 million, but no problems are expected, officials indicated.
''I was proud to support funding for the acquisition of the lands surrounding the Blossom Music Center. These funds will bolster the park's efforts to maintain its beautiful natural habitat and its history,'' Voinovich said in a joint statement.
Brown said, ''The addition of this land will further the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's status as a premier site for conservation.''
Sutton said she was ''proud that our efforts built upon the tireless efforts of Congressman Ralph Regula to preserve and enhance the park.''
Regula, now retired, was a longtime supporter of the Cuyahoga Valley park.
Bill Carroll of the Trust for Public Lands' Cleveland office said: ''We could not be more grateful for this remarkable victory by the Ohio delegation. Working together, they brought back to Blossom one of the bill's largest conservation appropriations in the entire country, clearing the way for protection of this special part of one of America's most-visited national parks.''
The musical arts group will retain 140 acres at Blossom, the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra, and get a cash infusion by selling off excess acreage.
The sale will not affect Blossom operations, officials said.
''The Musical Arts Association believes that a sale of our land surrounding Blossom to the National Park Service is a mutually beneficial solution for two reasons: It protects vital resources for Ohioans and it provides much-needed funding for our programs,'' said Gary Ginstling, general manager of the Cleveland Orchestra.
''This critical appropriation can make that solution a reality, and we deeply appreciate the work of our two senators and our House delegation to bring this effort closer to fruition,'' he said.
Potential sale and development of the Blossom land posed a significant threat to the federal park, officials said.
It was the park's No. 1 land-acquisition priority, Stoehr said.
The Musical Arts Association purchased the land in the 1960s and 1970s to create Blossom Music Center.
The groups have been in discussions about the acreage since early 2007, officials said.
The threat of a Blossom land sale surfaced publicly in April 2008 in a report by the National Parks Conservation Association, a national pro-parks group.
Sutton and LaTourette said the appropriation includes $500,000 to rehabilitate historic structures and for stream bank stabilization within the Cuyahoga Valley park.
LaTourette also said the city of Stow is getting $500,000 for a sanitary sewer project on Seasons Road at state Route 8 where Summa Health System will build a $100 million hospital.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.
It was Christmas and a birthday rolled into one for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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hudson, oh
Posted 09:21 AM, 10/30/2009
Wow! Voinovich did something right!
Munroe Falls, Oh
Posted 09:30 AM, 10/30/2009
Stimulus money? If it is they are stimulating someone's wallet.
somewhere near you, US
Posted 09:31 AM, 10/30/2009
I have always loved the valley area but after visiting the National Parks out west, I don't see how anyone justified it being designated a National Park.
Rome, OH
Posted 10:21 AM, 10/30/2009
nice deal, but we can see there is also 500k of pork to fund the infrastructure of a 100 million dollar hospital that has nothing to do with the park, or does it?
akron, oh
Posted 11:03 AM, 10/30/2009
@snoop: If you're not familiar with this area in Stow it is now wetlands. To allow for any projects to be built once the new Rte. 8 interchange is completed there, I'm sure a significant amount of infrastructure would be required. For a hospital, etc. to be built this would be much needed.
cleveland, oh
Posted 11:19 AM, 10/30/2009
GREAT!! THANKS VOINOVICH !! NOW ALL THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED CAN GO STARE AT TREES WHILE YOU VOTE NO ON GAMBLING BUT NEVER COME UP WITH ANYTHING TO BRING JOBS INTO OHIO. GEE I KNOW CASINOS DON'T HAVE HIGH PAYING JOBS BUT I COULD USE A SECOND JOB OF$ 8.00 - $ 9.00/ HR. TO PAY FOR THING LIKE FOOD !!!
uniontown, oh
Posted 11:19 AM, 10/30/2009
Who gets the MONEY? Remember that before the "National Park" was ever thought about by us folks Senator John Seiberling @etal was buying up large tracks of land in the area. Follow the money. Boy that could have hired quite a few safety forces couldn't it. Good luck.
Kent, Oh
Posted 02:07 PM, 10/30/2009
Responding both to the article and a few of the posts: CVNP is one of the most beautiful examples of post glacial deciduous forests that exist. today It should be a great source of pride for all Northeast Ohioans, and its status as a National Recreation area is well deserved by even conservative standards. It also preserves much of our native wildlife and fauna, in the face of ever growing and needless land development. Any acquisition to expand this amazing area and further preserve our Ohio natural resources is great in my book. Perhaps this is an opportunity to feel proud as an Ohioan. I'm a buckeye from Ohio, and mighty proud to be!
Akron, OH
Posted 02:57 PM, 10/30/2009
the orchestra needs the money
Peninsula, Oh
Posted 07:06 PM, 10/30/2009
Ever think about the lower property tax bill that the Blossom folks will be paying? I guess us Valley folks will just have to pony-up more to support our school system. It's all about the taxes folks. With the NPS's financial cut-backs, they really need more property to manage. Oh, I forgot, that's how they can justify the need for more employees.
Seriously though, I love the park!
, OH
Posted 10:04 PM, 10/30/2009
Hey. I'm pretty sure I peed there in 1989!
akron, oh
Posted 10:41 PM, 10/30/2009
when's the forest fire? what a waste of money. I know I peed there in 1989!
Akron, OH
Posted 01:03 AM, 10/31/2009
LOL Cebs, why take responsibility when you can blame politicians :-D Remember the old saying - "Hungry? eat your import" It has a lot more meaning now than ever before!
uniontown, oh
Posted 12:28 PM, 10/31/2009
Do any of you ever see any good in anything at all? What a bunch of sour-pusses. This was a great thing and thank heavens it will remain beautiful land and not over-run with another vacant strip mall. Lighten up people and enjoy the beauty!
Atlantic City, NJ
Posted 02:19 PM, 10/31/2009
@EmmieCat...how right you are but maybe to satisfy the complainers they should have built another Walmart and low income section 8 housing. Then the same would be able to complain about riff-raff! But definitely money very well spent...
North Canton, Oh
Posted 06:54 AM, 11/09/2009
I am just angry that I never get in on these sweet deals and make a semi-trailer full of money!
Posted 08:00 AM, 11/09/2009
Fantastic news. Anyone who has ever walked any of the trails through the park, biked the towpath, or riden their horse on any of the bridal trails will tell you what a great investment this is for the park and for the future. I am totally happy that my grandchildren and their children will have a resource like this to nejoy. when the rest of this nation is paved over with malls and developments we will still be able to go somewhere and see trees.
akron, oh
Posted 09:47 AM, 11/09/2009
Great Investment to preserve this wonderfull land .
Sure beats another vacant strip mall . Thank goodness for our National Parks !!!! Now go enjoy them since your not working . lol ? .. sorry ...
