The Medical Mart plan that was shoved down our throats as the potential savior of Cleveland's economy seems to be going the way that just about every other project in this city has before, and that's not a good thing. It looks like the project will go over its budget by tens of millions of dollars, if not more, and the site that MMPI, the firm in charge of the project, planned to use may not work out after all.

MMPI now says that the cost of renovating Public Auditorium is $60 to $100 million more than expected. Oil heating, plumbing and mechanical systems were much more pricey than anticipated. In addition, they've been unable to close deals on several parcels of land on St. Clair Ave.

Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones says that what this means is that the site of the Medical Mart will now most likely be the northern part of the mall, between Cleveland City Hall and the old County Courthouse. However, a number of nearby sites are also still an option.

Peter Lawson Jones says that the change would make it possible for more money to be put into the building and provide a lakefront view which would enhance the project. He says that the relocation will not change the overall timeline for getting the project built, but there are some other issues that could complicate matters.

First, it would require negotiating a deal between the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The change in site could also put funds from historic tax credits in jeopardy which were a part of the original funding package.

The new Convention Center will still be built undergroud at the location of the old Convention Center and the mall to its west, as had been the plan.

The plan had first been to open the renovated Public Auditorium to host meetings and display some products to start bringing visitors and money into town, but since using the Public Auditorium is now out of the plan, things are a bit more up in the air.