Ameritrust rotunda in downtown Cleveland opens today for holiday concerts

Posted November 21, 2012 in Articles

Author: Laura Johnston

Cuyahoga County taxpayers have a chance to inspect their $45 million investment in the downtownAmeritrust complex during five free concerts in the former bank's rotunda.

The first of the lunch-time concerts, provided by University Circle Inc., is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today and will feature pianist Robert Cassidy of the Music School Settlement.

"It's a great way for Clevelanders to experience Cleveland and all that's great about it," said University Circle President Chris Ronayne. "They don't have to leave Cleveland to have a great holiday."

The "Circle in the City" event, which will be replicated with different University Circle performers each week, marks two firsts: the first time University Circle has brought programming downtown and the first time Ameritrust has been open to the public.

Clevelanders can grab lunch from a buffet of food trucks parked on East Ninth Street. Then they can use the Euclid Avenue entrance to the rotunda, which has been shuttered since 2005.

That was the year county commissioners bought the complex for $21.8 million with plans to convert the property into a new government headquarters. Commissioners abandoned the headquarters plan two years later for lack of money.

Original Article: http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2012/11/ameritrust_rotunda_opens_for_holiday_conc