Scott Wolstein tries to skimp on worker pay in Flats development

The $522 million redevelopment of the East Bank of the Flats was sold to Clevelanders just like so many other publicly-subsidized projects: It will revive downtown! Create new jobs! Hardly anyone could argue with the wisdom of turning a bunch of dilapidated strip joints into thriving offices, shops and condos. In fact, Port Authority leaders thought this project was so important that they sued, threatening to take the existing Flats properties by eminent domain – which is French for “We’re here to take your stuff...”