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Ohio City is first site for Whalen’s new venture

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Ohio City is first site for Whalen’s new venture


Dan Whalen, after 12 years of working for others in real estate, the former quarterback at Willoughby South High School, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Gladiators will now be quarterbacking his own real estate firm (LinkedIn). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

New firm Places Development launched this week

What does a quarterback like to do? Run a winning team and call his own plays. With that, Cleveland-area native and former pro football quarterback Dan Whalen is taking the snap from center this week and launching his own real estate development and investment firm — Places Development. Not only is the new firm based in Cleveland, Whalen said much of his business focus will be on Cleveland.

For the past six-plus years, he rose through the ranks at Harbor Bay Ventures, based in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook. Starting out as vice president of design and development and later adding the title of president of hospitality. His interest in lodging, restaurants and retail grew when he previously was director and manager of development at Chicago-based Starwood Retail Partners and it stuck with him.

Hospitality is where a lot of his interest remains and could physically manifest itself soon in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood. In this growing community, he oversaw his biggest Cleveland project yet — the mass-timbered, $150 million, 512,000-square-foot Intro Cleveland.

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Opening in April 2022 at the corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street, Intro has 297 apartments, 35,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space and an acre of green space. The building reached 95 percent occupancy at top-of-the-market rents of $3 per square foot before its grand opening celebration that summer. It lent to calls for a second phase of Intro that has yet to happen due to market-wide financing constraints.

“I’m Looking to diverge and do something on my own,” Whalen told NEOtrans in a phone interview last week. “I’ll be going solo and running things but with support from a bunch of local investors. It’s going to be a platform to achieve new things and offer a level of credible property development.”

This parking lot at the corner of Lorain Avenue and West 26th Street in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood could be the place where Dan Whalen and his new firm Places Development plants its first, big flag. Here, Whalen plans a hotel, probably over ground-floor retail. West Side Market towers in the distance at right (Google).

He made the news public today in an announcement on LinkedIn and noted that he’s leaving Harbor Bay on good terms. His last day at Harbor Bay was April 30. However, he declined to identify his investors in his new venture.

“After six amazing years and so much to be proud of and thankful for at Harbor Bay Ventures, it was time for me to take the leap and start my own development and investment firm,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “What we accomplished in Cleveland and beyond has been nothing short of extraordinary. I am looking forward to sharing more about what I’ll be working on, but needless to say, I’m feeling lots of different emotions…excitement being number one.”

Although he was not ready to reveal details of his first big venture, he acknowledged that his firm has under contract a 0.83-acre property at Lorain and West 26th Street — just one block from Intro. Currently used as a parking lot, the two-parcel property is owned by 2523 Market Corp., an affiliate of nonprofit community development corporation Ohio City Inc. (OCI).

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When OCI issued in Spring 2022 a request for interest in the Lorain-West 26th site, Whalen was interested in the site at that time. NEOtrans learned from two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity that My Place Group, which has been developing residential and mixed-use throughout Ohio City, was another respondent. Since then, interest in the site transferred to Places Development along with Whalen.

“I have a couple of things I’m already working on, including a hospitality project in Ohio City,” he said. “I’ll be able to share more news in the next few weeks. But this neighborhood desperately needs and would benefit from a neighborhood-driven boutique hotel. There’s so much activity in this neighborhood yet there’s no hotel west of the (Cuyahoga) River until you get to the airport.”

Outlined in red, the site currently owned by Ohio City Inc. affiliate 2523 Market Corp. is under a purchase agreement by Dan Whalen’s new firm Places Development. Whalen proposes a hotel development here (Google).

Whalen referred to his experience with Intro when discussing the hospitality needs of Ohio City. The nine-story building, which has a rooftop event center called Truss, has been able to attract more than 150 events per year. But it could have attracted even more if there was a hotel close by in Ohio City’s bustling Market District, Whalen explained.

“The neighborhood is screaming for something,” he said. More property could become available next door if Great Lakes Brewing Company relocates its brewing and production operations to Avon in a story first reported by NEOtrans. OCI Interim Executive Director Chris Schmitt did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment about its West 26th site prior to publication of this article.

The parking lot is zoned for local retail which allows all uses permitted in a multi-family district plus businesses for local or neighborhood needs. The maximum building height allowed here is 115 feet which equates to an 11-story residential and/or hotel building. It isn’t yet known how tall Whalen wants to build. A Great Lakes source said the potential development of the parking lot on West 26th was a factor in its plans to relocate their production facilities.

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Two hotel projects in Ohio City have struggled to get off the ground. One is at Bridgeworks, which is proposed to include a 132-key Cleveland Motto By Hilton hotel, 146 apartments and ground-floor retail. If it gets city approvals soon, the project could see a groundbreaking by the end of summer. Another is the proposed Hulett Hotel which has no estimated groundbreaking date. Neither are within an easy walk of Ohio City’s Market District.

The inability of those hotel projects to get rolling is a financing problem and Whalen intends to tackle project financing issues with Spaces Development. Many projects in Cleveland and nationwide have been put on hold due to a lack of financial liquidity and a refusal of banks to lend construction money, especially to large projects costing more than $100 million.

The $150 million, 512,000-square-foot Intro Cleveland development at Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street in Ohio City was the biggest project Dan Whalen had worked on in Cleveland. But that was with Harbor Bay Ventures. It whet his appetite for more, but with him calling the plays (KJP).

“Capital markets for the last 18 months have been tough,” Whalen said. “You’ve got to get creative and have a project that not just works but has a contingency to amend (its programming) as the market develops. Others are willing to fund projects but they’re not always easy to find. I think the market’s right for that, not just in Cleveland, but nationwide. Development is hard right now. Down times are a good time to start businesses.”

He said there are buying opportunities out there right now among project owners who can’t recapitalize and get out of their construction loans. Those are going to create sales by opportunity, Whalen said.

He said he didn’t take any cues from anyone else who chose to go on their own in real estate. He was asked about Mike Panzica who worked for eight years at Cleveland-based Hemingway Development before forming his own company M Panzica Development LLC in 2020. Since then, Panzica has been partnering in local projects including Church+State, The Monroe Apartments, The Abbey Townhomes & Flats and now Bridgeworks.

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“Mike Panzica took a leap of faith and it paid off,” Whalen said. “I’m 35, 36 this summer, and I’m ready to do this, including doing some smaller stuff outside of Greater Cleveland, too. I’ve always had a game plan to set out on my own and this is my first opportunity to do that.”

Whalen is a former quarterback from Willoughby South High School who went on to get his Masters of Business Administration at Case Western Reserve University while quarterbacking its Spartans football team. He also quarterbacked professionally in the Arena Football League (AFL), playing for the Cleveland Gladiators in 2011 and the Orlando Predators in 2012. The AFL ceased operations during the pandemic and filed for bankruptcy last week.

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Cleveland, OH

Wide spread power outages plaguing Cleveland

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Wide spread power outages plaguing Cleveland


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Thousands of FirstEnergy and Cleveland Public Power customers are without power in the city of Cleveland.

Check CPP’s and FirstEnergy’s websites for the latest information on the outages.

The outages are mostly located from downtown Cleveland to the westside.

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19 News has reached out to Cleveland Public Power and FirstEnergy for more information on the outages but have yet to hear back.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

No idling: Why it’s against the law in Cleveland

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No idling: Why it’s against the law in Cleveland


CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Department of Public Health is educating drivers about a law many may not know about: the city’s ban on idling.

Under city law, idling is any time a driver sits in their car without a destination or purpose. The law prohibits idling for more than five minutes, or else drivers could be fined. There are limited exemptions to the law, including weather conditions and some vehicle types.

The health department said idling is illegal because of the effects our cars’ emissions have on the environment and our health. The health department said one minute of idling produces more carbon monoxide emissions than smoking three packs of cigarettes.

When we run our cars, tiny particles are emitted from the exhaust, and, according to the health department, they can enter our lungs and contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

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Christina Yoka, chief of air pollution outreach with the Cleveland Department of Public Health, said the solution starts with thinking about your daily routine.

“From the time you leave your home for work in the morning, think about the time you get in the car,” she said. “Do you stop and get coffee, and you’re in the drive-thru? Do you look at your phone while you’re waiting to put something in your GPS and checking text messages?”

Yoka said a new anti-idling campaign is underway to remind Cleveland drivers and employees about the law. Signs will be placed in city parking lots and garages.

“There are all these moments throughout the day that we’re in our cars and we think, ‘Oh! It’s just two to three minutes, but then add that up over the course of the day,” she said.

Yoka said idling is never a good idea, but warmer temperatures like we’re seeing this week make pollution even worse. She recommends windshield covers, cracking your car windows and parking in the shade to keep cool.

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Cleveland, OH

Earth and Essence IV Spa Launches Free GLP-1 Weight Loss Consultation in Cleveland

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Earth and Essence IV Spa Launches Free GLP-1 Weight Loss Consultation in Cleveland


Cleveland, OH , June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Executive Summary

Earth and Essence IV Spa, a Cleveland-based mobile wellness provider, announces complimentary GLP-1 weight loss consultations designed to help clients explore advanced weight management options. Staffed by licensed Registered Nurses delivering personalized treatments across Cleveland and surrounding communities, the service marks a significant step toward democratizing premium wellness. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to making clinical expertise accessible without financial barriers to entry.

Earth and Essence IV Spa has unveiled a free consultation program for clients considering GLP-1 weight loss support, addressing the growing demand for transparent, professional guidance in advanced wellness treatments. The initiative removes traditional barriers to exploring pharmaceutical weight management solutions, connecting clients with registered nursing professionals who can discuss personalized approaches aligned with individual health objectives.

Earth and Essence IV Spa

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The consultation model reflects a fundamental belief that clinical expertise should be accessible and approachable. Rather than requiring costly initial appointments, prospective clients in Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake, Parma, Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, Strongsville, and surrounding areas can engage directly with the clinical team at no charge. This approach enables informed decision-making before pursuing advanced wellness treatments, whether clients ultimately choose GLP-1 therapy, complementary IV hydration support, or alternative wellness modalities.

Earth and Essence IV Spa delivers comprehensive wellness solutions beyond weight management support. The team specializes in mobile IV hydration therapy, NAD+ infusions, Sermorelin treatments, prenatal hydration protocols, and customized vitamin therapy designed to address specific health goals. Every treatment is administered by licensed Registered Nurses who bring clinical expertise and personalized attention to each client interaction, whether delivered at home, office, hotel, or event locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

A company spokesperson explained the rationale behind the complimentary consultation initiative: “We believe wellness should be accessible, personalized, and delivered with care. Our team of registered nurses brings clinical expertise and a warm, holistic approach to every session. By removing financial barriers to initial consultations, we’re empowering clients to make informed decisions about their health journey without hesitation or uncertainty.”

Earth and Essence IV Spa is a Cleveland-based mobile wellness practice delivering IV hydration, GLP-1 weight loss consultations, and advanced clinical treatments administered exclusively by licensed Registered Nurses
Earth and Essence IV Spa

How Earth and Essence IV Spa Supports Clients Exploring Weight Management Solutions

The consultation process addresses common questions and concerns about GLP-1 weight-loss treatments while establishing realistic expectations for outcomes and ongoing support. Registered Nurses discuss individual health history, current wellness status, lifestyle factors, and specific objectives to determine whether GLP-1 therapy aligns with each client’s circumstances. The team also explores complementary treatments—including hydration therapy, nutrient infusions, and energy-supporting options like NAD+ therapy—that may enhance overall wellness during weight management journeys. For clients across Cleveland and its surrounding communities, Cleveland mobile IV therapy expertise extends to designing integrated wellness protocols that support clients throughout their health transformations.

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Expanded Service Portfolio for Comprehensive Wellness

Beyond weight management consultations, the practice offers an extensive range of IV hydration and advanced wellness treatments. Pure saline hydration addresses dehydration, jet lag, and general wellness maintenance, while specialized infusions support muscle recovery, migraine relief, prenatal health, and energy optimization. The flexibility of mobile delivery—bringing treatments to clients’ preferred locations—eliminates scheduling constraints and creates comfortable treatment environments. Transparent pricing across all service offerings ensures clients understand investment requirements before committing to any wellness protocol.

Earth and Essence IV Spa is a Cleveland-based mobile wellness practice delivering IV hydration, GLP-1 weight loss consultations, and advanced clinical treatments administered exclusively by licensed Registered Nurses.
Earth and Essence IV Spa

Key Features and Facts

Service Coverage: Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake, Parma, Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, Strongsville, and additional surrounding Northeast Ohio communities

Core Offerings: GLP-1 weight loss consultations (complimentary), mobile IV hydration, NAD+ therapy, Sermorelin treatments, prenatal protocols, and customized vitamin infusions

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Clinical Credentials: All treatments administered exclusively by licensed Registered Nurses with clinical expertise and holistic care training

Delivery Model: In-home, office, hotel, or event-based service appointments throughout Cleveland and surrounding communities with transparent pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is included in the free GLP-1 weight loss consultation?

A: The complimentary consultation includes a comprehensive discussion with a registered nurse about GLP-1 weight loss options, individual health assessment, lifestyle evaluation, and personalized treatment recommendations. The session establishes whether GLP-1 therapy aligns with your health goals and explores complementary wellness options.

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Q: What areas does Earth and Essence IV Spa serve?

A: Earth and Essence IV Spa serves Cleveland and surrounding communities, including Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake, Parma, Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, and Strongsville. Services are delivered mobile to your chosen location for maximum convenience.

Q: How can I schedule a free GLP-1 consultation?

A: Clients can book consultations through the online platform at https://earthandessenceivspa.com/ or contact the team directly at the contact information provided below. Scheduling is flexible to accommodate your availability.

Q: What other wellness services complement weight management support?

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A: Mobile IV hydration therapy, NAD+ infusions, energy-supporting treatments, and customized vitamin protocols enhance overall wellness during weight management journeys. The clinical team personalizes combinations based on individual health goals and objectives.

Visit https://earthandessenceivspa.com/ to schedule your complimentary consultation or explore the complete service menu.

About Earth and Essence IV Spa: Earth and Essence IV Spa is a Cleveland-based mobile wellness practice delivering IV hydration, GLP-1 weight loss consultations, and advanced clinical treatments administered exclusively by licensed Registered Nurses. The team serves Northeast Ohio communities, including Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, and surrounding areas, through convenient in-home, office, and event-based appointments. Committed to transparent pricing and personalized care, Earth and Essence IV Spa makes premium wellness accessible to clients throughout its service region. 

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Media Contact:

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Earth and Essence IV Spa

Cleveland, OH

(216)-870-3981

earthandessenceivspa.com

info@earthandessenceivspa.com

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/p/Earth-Essence-61572941786639/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/earthandessencespa/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hydratewithessence

Earth and Essence Spa

Disclaimer:

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Any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the information and details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to cure or treat any disease.

  • Earth and Essence IV Spa Launches Free GLP-1 Weight Loss Consultation in Cleveland





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