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Cleveland revives 10-year lighting proposal

Cleveland's city council has approved a revised plan to offer a 10-year exclusive contract for street and traffic lights in return for opening a local manufacturing plant.The plan was approved Wednesday and the city will now seek bids.Mayor Frank Jackson originally wanted to give a no-bid...

Cleveland's city council has approved a revised plan to offer a 10-year exclusive contract for street and traffic lights in return for opening a local manufacturing plant.

The plan was approved Wednesday and the city will now seek bids.

Mayor Frank Jackson originally wanted to give a no-bid contract to a Chinese company in return for building a Cleveland plant with 350 employees.

That plan was dropped when it turned out a businessman who was a go-between had emerged as a part owner of the Chinese company's North American operations.

Jackson says he hopes the Chinese firm is still interested in working with the city.

The council vote was 12-7, with opponents fearful the deal locks the city in for too long amid changing technology.

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Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com

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