Work begins on downtown Cleveland medical mart

CLEVELAND - Construction has begun on a long-awaited convention and medical trade-show center in Cleveland.

Crews on Monday began taking out trees to clear the downtown site.

The county's project manager tells The Plain Dealer contractors are ready to begin necessary demolition and asbestos removal work.

A ceremonial groundbreaking is planned at the site on Jan. 14.

The newspaper reports that's also when the manager of the new complex will announce 40 companies that have signed on to lease medical mart showroom space.

In 2007, county commissioners increased the countywide sales tax to help pay for the project. It's expected to be completed by 2013.