GCC Will Withdraw Q Deal Petitions, County Vaguely Commits to Mental Health Crisis Centers

In a twist with uncertain ramifications, the Greater Cleveland Congregations will withdraw petitions seeking a referendum on the Quicken Loans Arena renovation deal. The coalition of regional religious groups released a statement Thursday afternoon saying they’d reached an agreement “that will benefit both downtown and Cleveland’s neighborhoods.”

The statement came less than one hour after Cavs owner Dan Gilbert published a tweet saying he would never move the Cavs out of Cleveland.

“GCC applauds the expressed commitment from County Executive Armond Budish, through mediators, to mental health and substance abuse crisis centers, which GCC has sought throughout its current campaign,” GCC’s statement read. “This commitment represents a dramatic shift toward decriminalizing mental illness and drug and alcohol addiction. Research and evidence suggest that the construction or rehab costs for at least two centers to be $10 million, with an annual costs of roughly $1.4 million per center. We recognize the county’s intent to further research these investment costs and search for best practices.”

It’s unclear what this means. Has the county committed to spending the money on these mental health crisis centers after they “further research investment costs”? (Representatives from the county didn’t pick up their phones).

Nor were phones picked up by representatives from the GCC. So it’s unknown what dynamics led to this “agreement.” It’s also unclear what effect thi will have on the Q Deal, which the Cavs announced Monday was dead.

“The Cavaliers organization will no longer participate in the partnership formed for The Q Transformation project and the need for a referendum no longer exists,” that statement concluded. 

Attorney Peter Pattakos, who has represented Scene, hadn’t yet received the statement when we called and had no immediate comment.

Here’s GCC’s full statement:

This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2017.