🏗️ The skyline shift nobody saw coming

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: You know that feeling when a game isn’t just a game? Yeah… tonight is one of those 🏀

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Last year was all about the skyline and Sherwin-Williams opening its 36-floor, 616-foor Global Headquarters.

In the next year, downtown will get several smaller, but no less impactful, changes that include ambitious renovations and new additions:

The Electric Building: The K&D renovation of the nine-story landmark on Prospect features 120 apartments and Tom’s Watch Bar. It’s already welcoming residents and will be completed May 1.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The 50,000-square-foot expansion of the museum boasts new exhibition galleries, a performance venue, and an atrium in North Coast Harbor. Opening this fall.

Erieview Tower & Galleria: The iconic shopping mall and the adjacent tower will house 227 luxury apartments, Ohio’s first W hotel, a rooftop restaurant and offices. Opens late-2026.

Project Scarlet: The $120 million overhaul of the Rose and Sloan buildings at East 9th and Prospect started this year and is scheduled for a summer 2027 opening with 200+ units and a boutique hotel.

Cosm: Bedrock has broken ground on the 64,000-square-foot, three-story immersive and entertainment complex. It’s set to open in July 2027 on Prospect Avenue, East Fourth Street and Huron Road.

Rockefeller Building: The historic 1905 office tower built by John D. Rockefeller experienced a sad demise after shuttering in 2020 and falling into disrepair. On Tuesday, K&D Group closed on a $5.13 million purchase, and plans to convert the 17-story building into 275 apartments. The phased project will take 3-5 years.

“Look at these walls, this bar,” says Lui Fang, as she surveys the diner that houses Abundance Culinary. “All from the 1940s and all original.”

That’s not the only thing original about the modern Chinese restaurant she co-owns with Carl Setzer.

There’s the décor, the red-hued lighting, wine list, menu and vibe – which recalls some spot you might find in a movie set in San Francisco in the ‘40s.

“Lui Fang has created the most striking place – things I would’ve never imagined,” says Doug Katz.

The Beard-nominated chef once operated the Katz Club in the 1948 dining car. He offered it to Lui and Setzer – who had developed a following selling buns, dumplings and noodles at pop-up events.

“Carl and I were operating a craft brewery in Beijing,” says Lui. “When we came to U.S. during Covid, I had this idea for a modern take on Chinese food.”

The diner-car setting provides a fun, casual experience that contrasts with the elevated, regionally focused Chinese cuisine.

Abundance is celebrating its three-year anniversary – though without much fanfare.

“We don’t really promote dates,” she says. “It’s all about the food and the experience.”

Every playoff game is a must-win when you’re playing at home tied 2-2 in a series. But tonight’s Cavs game against the Raptors carries extra weight.

The future of the team rests on it.

Two losses in Toronto exposed issues that have plagued the Cavs the last three years in the playoffs:

They have a hard time with teams that get up and down the floor quickly. They don’t defend the three well. And they get stagnant and are prone to turnovers.

And, worst of all, they lack energy and play ‘weak’ – their Achilles heel.

"It's one of those things where we have to find a way, and we didn't,” Donovan Mitchell said after Sunday’s inept Game 4 loss. “At the end of the day, we can't sit here and be like, 'Oh, we're defeated.'"

If they are – and don’t win tonight at Rocket Arena – the calls to blow this team up in the off-season will be deafening.

WEDNESDAY

Parma Bicentennial Paczki: Rudy’s Strudel releases The Greenbriar, in honor of Parma's original name, to celebrate the city’s 200^th birthday. 10 a.m. Info.

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll History: A panel featuring Beachland Ballroom co-owner Cindy Barber, photographer-writer Anastasia Pantsios and authors Carlo Wolf and Steve Traina hit Visible Voice to talk about Cleveland’s rich musical history. 6 p.m. Info.

THURSDAY

Willie Nelson Birthday Party: Forest City Brewery hosts a bash to celebrate the country legends 93^rd birthday – with live bands performing his tunes. 7 p.m. Info.

The Temptations & the Four Tops: The Motown legends played their early shows at Cleveland’s legendary Leo’s Casino. They celebrated their 60^th anniversary with a show at Northfield Park Racino. 7:30 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

The Guardians came to a realization. Scoring seven runs in the last three games will do that.

It’s Travis Bazzana time.

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft made his debut after being called up to join the Guardians last night against Tampa.

The left-handed hitting second baseman has been stellar at Triple-A Columbus -- hitting .287, with 11 doubles, two triples, two homers and 10 RBI.

His presence didn’t help last night: The Guards were shut out in a 2-0 loss.

Bazzana went 0-2 with two walks in his debut.

King Charles III during his 1977 visit to Cleveland. On the right is Ralph Perk, who served as mayor 1971-1977. Center is Betty Waetjan, known as the “First Lady” of Cleveland State University.

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53 °F 🌡️ 43 °F | 🌧️➡️🌧️ (Steady rain AM, showers continuing PM) | 90% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph NNE, gusts possible (≈ 13 knots)

61 °F 🌡️ 46 °F | ⛅➡️🌤️ (Partly cloudy, clearing) | 20% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph W (≈ 7 knots)

62 °F 🌡️ 49 °F | 🌤️➡️⛅ (Mix of sun and clouds) | 10% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 7 mph SW (≈ 6 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Rays, 1:10 PM April 29 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Athletics, 9:40 PM May 1 (Friday)

Away vs. Athletics, 4:05 PM May 2 (Saturday)

Away vs. Athletics, 4:05 PM May 3 (Sunday)

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