Jason Russell, courtesy of Alli Nicole Photography

Last year Bedrock, the real estate firm that owns Tower City among its 100-plus properties in Cleveland and Detroit, announced plans to reimagine Tower City as a retail marketplace, featuring new shopping, pop-up retail, dining and entertainment issues.

This month, the firm announced that Jason Russell has been tapped to help guide operations and revenue growth.

Russell joined as Senior Director of Operations and Leasing for Tower City in Cleveland about two weeks. e will report to Bedrock’s chief operating officer.

Russell undoubtedly had to hit the ground running, joining Tower City barely a month before national attention arrives with the NBA’s All-Star Weekend.

Prior to joining Bedrock, Russell served as general manager of the Van Aken District, a mixed-use development in Shaker Heights. In this role, he directed commercial real estate responsibilities, including maintenance, operations, leasing and marketing. He was also a city planner for Lakewood, where he managed the city’s Storefront Renovation Program, various  CDBG housing programs and its $2.1 million Solstice Steps project at Lakewood Park.

Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Lehigh University, and a Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development at Cleveland State University. The former South Euclid councilman now lives in Shaker Heights and will be based in the Bedrock’s offices at 250 W. Huron in downtown Cleveland, part of the Tower City complex.

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