lafont

What is referred to as "the separate Mendelsohn auditorium" was not designed by Mendelsohn but local architects in the late 1960s. Nonetheless, it would be a terrible, terrible loss - architecturally and historically. It was a major part of the history of the complex and as meant a lot to many in the community. Major events have taken place there. A few years ago the idea of demolishing Kangesser was mentioned and I immediately spoke up to the developers. I was told initially the bridge over the ravine would be retained in any case. Later, I heard several of the developer trio that no longer are there plans to demolish any of the Kangesser wing, including the auditorium (where High Holiday services were always held so it was far more than an "auditorium." Now I see this. There are all sorts of possibilities with how many functions that large space may have - community meetings, performances, important speeches, exhibition space, etc. The Senior housing can certainly be placed elsewhere on this large property. It's not all trees! And some trees can go too to save something so important....

Franklin Circle is crying out for historic-style streetlights; does anyone know if are they part of the project? There are the leftover, cliched "historic" light poles and globes - some of which look wretched; they can try to match those (probably won't get a perfect match, as they usually don't in Cleveland) or come up with something at least slightly more distinctive. Something needs to be done anyway, because the current lighting on the circle has big gaps. Fulton Road now has sort of a boulevard image and it to is crying out for decorative lighting of some sort.

Are you referring to just the circle and streets or the apartment bldg. too? I'm there at least once a week and keep seeing a little progress on the streets each time. Meanwhile, they're putting in new intersection curbing westward from the circle. Does anyone know id that series of roundabouts is still planned? I think it's kinda dumb - uncalled for.

West 29th.

I must have missed something. The Herold Bldg. will be retained with an addition? Is itvto get a new facade?

Thanks for the very comprehensive response..

Does anyone have factual, historical information here? I'd appreciate a definitive answer rather than conjectural. The new Franklin Circle being constructed right now is within the old brick pavement that exists particularly on the south side of where Franklin had been. My question is: are the old brick areas actually pieces of the old Franklin Circle, meaning the new is clearly smaller than the old one was, or are the brick areas just remnants of plazas that used to surround the actual street circle? Somehow trhe brick doesn't quite look like a street. Does anyone know if the old Franklin Circle actually was brick ;a little difficult to pictured One brick section is right outside a hospital entrance (not currently used) and I doubt if that brick portion would have been part of the street - its being so close to a hospital entrance.

Does anyone know where the Sherwin-Williams that was in the now-demolished shopping strip is moving to in Ohio City? I know they're in a temporary location on the East Side but they've said they're coming back to Ohio City.

Is this the same site Brickhouse has hesitated with for at least three years? That project was going to be huge (for the vicinity)!

What they did in Old Brooklyn means nothing. Each streetscape project in Greater Cleveland is different - no two alike. Even right there on this stretch of Detroit Avenue one apartment project got no new streetlights while others did.

The vicinity of the developing Franklin Circle is currently one of the most pedestrian-unfriendly projects in the over-60 years I've been following construction projects, but it's certainly rewarding to finally see evidence of the new circle being formed:

Does everyone know about these two brand new houses at the end of East 124th Place? Therw's a "for sale" sign by Mayfield, But once they're sold and the signs ar removed I think they'll become somewhat of a Little Italy secret.

I follow it all but am thinking of the circle end. I don't agree; they had the lowest level and much of two levels above that for many weeks and now started adding the next level - which would be the third level above the sidewalk. Sections to the north are getting built up at very unevenly. Around the elevator shaft, for example, it's clear what's left. I was at the site as recently as yesterday, after 5:30 pm. All this is rather trivial, obviously, because it will all get done eventually. I assume the contractor knows what he's doing - I'm just a stickler for detail. I know this is not the kind of construction where they add a floor every week or two (e.g.The Lumen, etc.). As an aside, those working on the infrastructure project along Fulton and Franklin, with the planned Circle, have created one of the most pedestrian-unfriendly environments I've ever seen - in my over-50 years of following such projects! Totally nasty!

It certainly looks traditional in the drawing, compared to what else has been going up in Ohio City....