Charles Bichara Tags

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Charles Bichara: Middleburg Hts. Development News

Popeyes gets initial approval for Middleburg Heights restaurant
MARCH 17, 2024
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Bagley Road corridor at the I-71 southbound ramp in Middleburg Heights appears to be the likely location for a new Popeyes fried chicken franchise. The lot at 17505 Bagley Road has sat vacant for nearly seven years...........................................
Middleburg Heights mulls new 20-year Cleveland Water contract
FEBRUARY 19, 2024
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – City Council is carefully reviewing all documents contained within a new 20-year Restated Water Service Agreement (WSA) with the Cleveland Water Department to make sure signing them is in the best interest of the residents and the city..........................................
Middleburg Heights rides economic development ‘tidal wave’ into 2024
DECEMBER 29, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Anyone driving along main thoroughfares in Middleburg Heights can simply look around to see economic development in action.........................................
Middleburg Heights OKs initial plans for consolidated Honda facility
DECEMBER 21, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Honda of Middleburg Heights recently received approval of a preliminary development plan that consolidates its dealership and services into one sleek, modern facility after demolishing current buildings at the Pearl Road site........................................
Serpentini property TIF to fund future Middleburg Heights infrastructure improvements
DECEMBVER 8, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – City officials recently approved legislation designating future public infrastructure improvements to the Engle Road property where the new Serpentini Collision Center now sits as a public purpose, enabling a TIF, or tax increment financing district, to be established........................................
Tri-City Bark Park pavilion named for beloved animal advocate Carl Burgio
OCTOBER 13, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Carl Burgio adored dogs and pretty much any animal, so it seemed appropriate the esteemed former Brook Park councilman and longtime animal rights advocate’s name should be forever attached to Tri-City Bark Park’s new pavilion.......................................
New Middleburg Heights business will revitalize Pearl/Bagley corner
SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – A new Marathon Gas Station and Convenience Store is slated for the busy corner of Bagley and Pearl roads in Middleburg Heights.......................................
Construction sites busy as multiple businesses choose Middleburg Heights
JULY 9, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Multiple new business buildings and shopping plazas currently comprise active construction sites in Middleburg Heights......................................
Tri-City Bark Park pavilion slated for construction soon
JUNE 22, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – There currently is very little shade at the Tri-City Bark Park in Middleburg Heights, but that situation will change after a pavilion is constructed in the coming months.....................................
Local Brewery Getting Mayoral Proclamation
JUNE 6, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Not only do they serve up award-winning craft brews, they lend a helping hand to the local community says Middleburg Heights Mayor Matthew Castelli. Castelli says the city is issuing a special proclamation for Fat Heads Brewery....................................
Kick Off the Season at Middleburg Heights Summer in the City Festival
April 28, 2023
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Now that the taillights of winter have vanished over the horizon, and with summer waiting in the wings, what better way to begin enjoying the upcoming season’s many delights than a visit to the Middleburg Heights Summer in the City Festival...................................
Ciy of Middleburg Heights Coats for Kids Program
December 12, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Many thanks to Director of Economic Development, Charles Bichara, and the City Club of Middleburg Heights for donating 27 new coats to Big Creek Elementary School for the Coats for Kids program to ensure that all students at the school have a warm coat for winter..................................
Middleburg Heights medical office building sells for $6.5 million
December 6, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – The California State Teachers' Retirement System, through a joint venture with two real estate companies, is the latest owner of the three-story Medical Arts Building I at 6900 Pearl Road in Middleburg Heights.................................
California buyer pays $13.7 million for Middleburg Heights building
November 21, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Through an affiliate, Pacific Palisades, California-based Omega Industrial Realty LLC has bought a third industrial building in Middleburg Heights, paying $13.7 million for a building at 19681 Commerce Parkway................................
Middleburg OKs plan for new Panera/Citizens Bank building on Bagley Rd.
November 13, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – An outlot in front of a planned Cleveland Clinic Middleburg Heights Family Health Center at Engle and Bagley roads will become the location for a new multi-tenant building slated to house a Panera Bread bakery-café and a Citizens Bank................................
Cleveland Clinic to transform former Kmart into new Middleburg Heights health center
September 7, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - An empty former Kmart at 17840 Bagley Road will be transformed into the Cleveland Clinic Middleburg Heights Family Health Center, with a targeted opening date of mid-summer 2023...............................
Pearl Crossing gains final Middleburg Heights commission approval
August 26, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - Redevelopment plans for a 3.8-acre former Ganley collision center site at the corner of West 130th St. and Pearl Road received Middleburg Heights Planning Commission’s final approval at its Wednesday (Aug. 24) meeting..............................
Middleburg Heights tapped for $850,000 grant for Southland revitalization
July 2, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - Middleburg Heights has been selected to receive an $854,355 grant through Cuyahoga County Council that will enable the city to complete streetscape improvements as part of the Southland District revitalization.............................
Middleburg Heights completes zoning code rewrite
June 10, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - The Middleburg Heights zoning code had not undergone a comprehensive review for almost 40 years, but City Council unanimously passed an ordinance accepting a newly revised code and city zoning map during its May 24 regular meeting............................
Middleburg Heights reapproves Tru by Hilton site plan
June 10, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - The city initially approved site plans for a Tru by Hilton hotel in 2018, with a projected opening in 2019. Then, as project planning progressed, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing nationwide work and travel stoppages and disrupting supply chains............................
Middleburg Heights hosts Summer in the City 2022: Around The Town
June 4, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - Now that summer is officially under way, many of us are looking forward to seasonal activities, including picnics, thrill rides and concerts...........................
New Middleburg Heights master plan nears adoption
May 15, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - After more than two years in the (re)making, a new and improved Middleburg Heights Community Master Plan, originally developed in 1970, is ready for adoption..........................
Middleburg Heights job creation grants yield great returns
April 12, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - A program that annually awards grants to Middleburg Heights companies that meet predetermined job creation goals is yielding great returns, both for the city and for the businesses.........................
ZIN Technologies to add 125 new jobs in Middleburg Heights
April 1, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – A Middleburg Heights firm that provides engineering services and product development solutions to NASA and private industry will add 125 new positions to its current 190-plus workforce........................
New Middleburg Heights master plan nears completion
March 24, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Work begun in 2019 to create a new comprehensive Middleburg Heights master plan is nearing completion. Economic Development Director Charles Bichara serves as the city's project manager and recently updated City Council.......................
What happened to all the Kmart stores in Greater Cleveland after they closed?
January 31, 2022
MEDINA, Ohio – When the nation’s first Super Kmart opened in 1991 on Medina’s North Court Street, it was amid a losing battle with its fiercest competitor, Walmart. By 2012, it closed. And it’s been vacant since.......................
Trio of Northeast Ohio hotels sold to new owners
January 23, 2022
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – A local hotel company and two out-of-state ones have started placing their bets and bucks on the comeback of the lodging market from pandemic pains......................
Best Places To Live: Middleburg Heights
May 26, 2021
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – After seeing an ad in The Plain Dealer, Lacretta Incorvaia drove through the homes being built in Middleburg Heights. It was in that moment she knew the suburb was home.....................
Middleburg Heights job creation grants yield ‘positive return’
April 9, 2021
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – A Middleburg Heights job creation grant program requiring participating businesses to reach specific employment and payroll goals continues to reap benefits for the city....................
Biotech firm with ‘global presence’ comes to Middleburg Heights
March 19, 2021
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – A unique biotechnology firm has established its headquarters and operations in Middleburg Heights...................
Two ‘major’ Middleburg buildings under construction approach full tenant capacity
March 7, 2021
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Despite challenges presented by a year-long COVID-19 pandemic, new commercial buildings continue to be built in Middleburg Heights, with tenants already committed to filling the space..................
‘Stop-gap’ Middleburg Heights zoning ordinance addresses mixed-use districts
February 14, 2021
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In advance of a zoning code overhaul to be completed sometime this summer, the Middleburg Heights Planning Commission will recommend that City Council adopt a short-term ordinance amending mixed-use district zoning requirements. Economic Development Director Charles Bichara explained the rationale for the legislation during the commission’s Feb. 10 meeting, mentioning ongoing work on the city’s comprehensive master plan and the recently completed Southland planning study.................
Middleburg Heights seeks county grants to subsidize 2021 road resurfacing projects
December 4, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Middleburg Heights officials have submitted applications to the Cuyahoga County Department of Development in hopes of receiving as much as $200,000 in 2021 Community Development Block Grant and Supplemental Grant awards................
Neighborhood raises concerns about future Middleburg Heights plaza
November 23, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A Middleburg Heights citizen has expressed concern on behalf of his neighborhood about a shopping plaza slated for 7168 Pearl Road................
Middleburg Heights considers making Commerce Parkway a public road
October 17, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Two business enterprises on Commerce Parkway in Middleburg Heights have approached city officials to try to have the street reclassified as a dedicated public roadway...............
Middleburg Heights to gain another large commercial building
July 31, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- New, impressive commercial buildings just keep coming to Middleburg Heights.

Fat Head’s Brewery built and opened its 125,000-square-foot facility on Engle Lake Drive in 2018, while a new 300,000-square-foot, multi-tenant building currently is going up just north of the brewery and restaurant..............
Middleburg Hts. mulls waiving building permit fees for project on former landfill
July 10, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A former landfill in Middleburg Heights could become the site for a new 126,000-square-foot business building if the city decides to waive $100,000 in building permit fees.............
Tattoo shop venture falters, other Middleburg Heights projects proceed
June 26, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Entrepreneur Christopher McCracken will try again to get a new tattoo business established in Middleburg Heights, while several other city business projects continue on track............
India Grocers sets sights on Middleburg Heights location
June 24, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A new shopping center could be coming to Middleburg Heights, with India Grocers anchoring the proposed Plaza of Pearl development at 7168 Pearl Road...........
Middleburg Heights unveils vision for Southland revitalization
June 13, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Southland Shopping Center has existed since the 1950s, but Middleburg Heights Mayor Matt Castelli now envisions the area transformed into a 21st century destination..........
Middleburg Heights assists Residence Inn with energy efficiency project
May 14, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City Council approved legislation at its May 7 meeting that will enable the city to assist Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland Airport with a $7.9 million energy-efficiency project.........
Raising Cane’s Chicken Finger restaurant coming to Middleburg Heights
May 1, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant will be coming to Middleburg Heights. It will be an addition to the property where a recently approved Clean Express Auto Wash will be constructed........
Middleburg Heights remains financially ‘solid’ during coronavirus crisis
Apr 23, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --Municipalities across Ohio find themselves in a state of financial flux due to the coronavirus crisis, and Middleburg Heights is no different.......
Middleburg Heights approves Clean Express Auto Wash preliminary plan
Apr 11, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --The Middleburg Heights Planning Commission approved the preliminary plan for Clean Express Auto Wash during its April 8 meeting......
Senior outreach call center one of many Middleburg Heights measures during COVID-19 pandemic
March 28, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --An outreach call center has been established at the Community Center to make sure that senior members of the Middleburg Heights community are doing well -- or as well as can be expected -- during the pandemic.....
New comprehensive master plan in works for Middleburg Heights
February 27, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --Work to develop a new comprehensive city master plan is under way in Middleburg Heights, Mayor Matt Castelli announced during the Sept. 10 City Council meeting....
Middleburg Heights joins multi-city Aerozone Alliance
February 20, 2020
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --Middleburg Heights has joined Aerozone Alliance, a regional economic development public-private partnership that collaborates with nearby cities, as well as with Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport and NASA Glenn Research Center. Middleburg Heights Economic Development Director Charles Bichara made the announcement during the Feb. 11 City Council meeting....
Parkside Villa’s City of Middleburg Heights Proclamation
December 18, 2019
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --Parkside Villa was presented a proclamation from Mayor Matthew Castelli and Director of Economic Development Charles Bichara for the continued commitment to quality healthcare within the City of Middleburg Heights....
Charles Bichara, Director of Economic Development, Honored at Lebanon Day
November 21, 2019
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, the Director of Economic Development Charles Bichara was honored by the American Lebanese Community Council for his outstanding dedication to the community of Middleburg Heights at the City of Cleveland Rotunda....
Middleburg Heights tree-lighting ceremony set for Nov. 29
November 15, 2019
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --The city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony takes place at the Middleburg Heights Community Center, 16000 Bagley Road, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. The free event features not only the tree lighting, but also refreshments, a wide array of activities for all ages, live performances and more....
Summer in the City Festival runs June 27-29 in Middleburg Heights
June 16, 2019
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio --The 11th annual Summer in the City Festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. June 27 and 28 and from noon to 11 p.m. June 29 at Southland Shopping Center, 13363 Smith Road. Parking and admission are free.

“For a small community festival, it’s one of the best and highest regarded in Northeast Ohio,” says Charles Bichara, the city’s economic development director....
Economic development focus keeps companies coming to Middleburg Heights
June 16, 2019
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Mayor Matt Castelli and Economic Development Director Chuck Bichara are keeping a constant focus on generating revenue for the city, whether it involves selling unused city property or convincing companies to consider Middleburg Heights as the best place to conduct business.....
Berea School Board approves compensation agreement for ‘significant project’ near Fat Head’s
May 11, 2019
BEREA, Ohio -- The Berea Board of Education approved a compensation agreement at its May 6 meeting that enables Middleburg Heights to offer a tax abatement to JKR Development, a developer seeking to build a large office building next to Fat Head’s Brewery on Engle Road....
Long-time Kmart employees are honored: Around The Town...
Dec 21, 2018
Middleburg Heights Director of Economic Development Charles Bichara, left, and Kmart store manager Dustin Perog stand beside long-time...
Former Middleburg Friendly's restaurant demolished, economic...
Nov 16, 2017
Director of Economic Development Charles Bichara told council at its regular Nov. 14 meeting the building's destruction was "done quickly.".
Middleburg economic development director shares 'very good news...
Sep 28, 2017
Economic Development Director Charles Bichara told city council Sept. 26 that Sears will maintain a call center and office operations in the...
Middleburg Heights Counts Down to Christmas Tree Lighting...
Nov 25, 2016
According to Chuck Bichara, the city's economic development director, the event will feature "special musical performances, attractions for the...
Empty Fifth Third building in Middleburg Heights to get new tennant...
May 10, 2016
Economic Development Director Charles Bichara said, "there have been a number of impediments with that building, as it was set up...
Middleburg Heights happy to dance with expanding Parkway Dance...
Aug 29, 2013
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City Economic Development Director Charles Bichara wasn't surprised that Sandi O'Malley made a success...
Middleburg Young Ambassadors spend the summer giving back...
Aug 12, 2013
Volunteering a couple hours each Friday at the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center, this small group of...
Zoup restaurant to open this summer in Middleburg Heights...
Apr 5, 2013
The Building Department is reviewing the company's plans to renovate the existing building at 7080 Engle Road, according to Charles Bichara,...
Interlake Steamship to build headquarters in Middleburg Heights...
Mar 17, 2011
Charles Bichara, economic development coordinator, said Interlake officials were originally interested in purchasing an existing building, but...
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