Map Boy

Sad that signing a punter is so important to the Browns...the one position player you never want to see on the field! What signing Bay Village native Dave Zastudil means: (From clevelandbrowns.com) "It finally may mean stability for the Browns at the punter position. Zastudil will be the team's fourth punter in four years. Ever since Chris Gardocki signed with the Steelers in '04, the Browns have suffered the ups and downs of having a first-year punter (Derrick Frost in '04) and a punter coming off a major injury (Kyle Richardson in '05). Zastudil is one of the most consistent punters in the game."

Tremendous set! Thanks for that trip down memory lane OTR...

Thanks MayDay! And those graphics were, of course, courtesy of Blinker12

Word is that they saved them and will be incorporating them somehow into the new development. Not sure exactly how...

Well, according to the TOD presentation brought to us by LISC last week (available online at http://lisc.org/content/publications/detail/1444), the BRT in Boston (also called the Silver Line) has spurred mass amounts of private investment. This was in response to a specific question that was asked about BRT and how it functions in TODs and it was met, quite enthusiastically, with this very positive response. Also, the 6 does run between University Circle and Public Square, but it's notoriously overcrowded and stops almost every block. I avoid taking it when possible, but Euclid is a route I travel frequently, so it's tough to escape. I know it doesn't seem like it will be all that big of an upgrade, especially compared to proposed subways and light rail, but I think to the everyday rider, it will make a considerable difference.

OK, that's like 10 times nicer than my freshman year dorm, but your right, no architectural details. We could've seen that coming, though. I think it's important that they preserve them in the common areas, but it may be a bit much to worry about them in these new rooms. They're supposed to have retail and classroom space in the building as well, correct?

Wow, thanks for the pics Musky! That's certainly not your average college dorm!

I know... I was kicking myself all night! I'm sure I'll have another chance, though!

I enjoyed reading it then and I enjoyed it again right now! I was wondering what the old bridge supports (visible in my recent photo thread) were for. Now I know!

Wherever you're writing from, chances are that you've seen at least one building converted from an industrial or other use into loft apartments or condominiums. If you're in Williamsburg, Greenpoint or Bushwick, NYC, you can't sneeze without hitting one. If you're in Cleveland, the number is growing and their popularity is apparently what's driving the trend. Personally, I think this is tremendous, as many of these buildings are outstanding examples of our cities' architectural, industrial and commercial heritage. Also, as I am a proponent of urban development and adaptive re-use in support of sustainable communities and growth towards the future, loft conversions make a lot of sense. They also make a lot of sense for the people who live and work in them. Not all loft buildings are intended to support live-work activities. For example, the Fries & Schuele in Cleveland's Ohio City is a former department store and boasts loft amenities (high ceilings, exposed brick and duct work, large windows, open floor plans), but to my knowledge, are intended for residential uses only. What inspired this thread is that I've been inside a number of these throughout Brooklyn and Cleveland over the past few years...some legal and some not. I find them to be fantastic spaces, inspiring, and a great asset for our older cities to build upon in creating new, unique opportunities for residents that cannot be found or re-created as part of the growing new suburbanist movement. Just this weekend, I had a chance to visit the Hyacinth Loft building North Broadway area of Cleveland's Slavic Village (3030 East 63rd Street). Not only did I find the building to be breathtaking inside and out and not only was it full of interesting people young and old, trendy and conventional, creative and appreciative of creativity, but I also found that it hosts, entirely within its own walls, its own functioning micro-economy. While there, I chatted with a designer friend, who was hosting the party. I visited the loft of a film-producer friend, who does all of her editing in her unit. I observed a performance art installation that ran throughout the night in a shared side room. I met the building's developer, David Perkowski, who also did the Tower Press building and assured me that it was the tenants that I should be looking to for inspiration. I also met another film producer, who told me that his firm was expanding into a second space in the building because of the opportunities and advantages that the Hyacinth offered. Not only does he have all the tech capacity that he needs in his unit, but there's a black-box space with a "green screen" available, a two-story community loft for openings and other events, an editing suite, and a sound room. That, and he told me that he's been able to hire several tenants from throughout the building to work on assorted projects. I was in the midst of a real, working agglomeration economy, all contained within an old Board of Education warehouse! Across the street from the Hyacinth Lofts, there is another building waiting for its turn to shine. The Meyer Dairy building is next on the list, with preliminary plans for conversion to lofts catering to performance artists, such as dancers. Apparently, the existing hardwood floors are to die for...

The proposed new bridge would run right over where I stand on West 14th, between Abbey and University:

The following are a few shots that I took recently (MLK Day and yesterday) of the proposed location for the 171 units of housing in 5 buildings along Columbus Road between Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street that have been so controversial with the Duck Islanders... Looking southwest from the platform of the West 25th Street rapid station: Another, wider view: From above on Abbey Avenue, looking the same direction: The sidewalk that would run along the largest portion of the development, towards West 25th: A wider view of the same spot: Looking northeast from Columbus and Abbey: From the upper platform of the rapid station, looking at the smaller block of Columbus that would be developed: How is it that developing this otherwise wasted land would have a negative impact on the community?

From the Abbey Avenue bridge, I continued back towards Ohio City. On my way, I passed through "Duck Island" and the intersection of Abbey and Columbus, where CMHA and HUD are planning to build a significant number of new, mixed-income housing units. I'll be posting more pics of this location on the Riverview HOPE VI thread (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2492.180). What you'll see here is some more of the tremendous mixture of new and old that the Near West Side of Cleveland has to offer... Columbus & Abbey, looking northwest to the West Side Market: West 25th & Chatham, just north of where Columbus meets with 25th. This lesser-known stretch of 25th sports a scooter shop, tattoo parlour, a couple bars, and a new clothing store called Grind: Around the corner, just south of Chatham on West 26th, I'm pretty sure this is still in-use as an industrial building: Further west on Chatham, some of the more modern structures south of Lorain: This one is just about complete, north of Chatham on West 28th, I hope they're planning on building another one on the corner here, because this is no way to finish a facade! (the dog in the lower left hated me...) I do like the front and I marvel at the balls of the developer who built it! Just south of Chatham on West 28th, a nice blend of new and old: These were part of the Ohio City home tour and have been posted here elsewhere: I like! I just wish there was an entire block of 'em! The sun is down and my camera has no batteries...until next time!

Surprise! I couldn't get out of the neighborhood without a few more snaps. I continued along Railway until it turned into University Road. There are some classic spots in here, including a soon-to-be piece of history. I'll be posting some additional pics of the Innerbelt bridge route at this thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3697.360. A University Road classic, Sokolowski's, established in 1923: Another classic, the river and the city: An intriguing look at several generations of infrastructure, transportation and construction: From West 14th, between Cleveland Cold Storage and the Innerbelt bridge: Under the current Innerbelt plan, this gigantic structure, familiar to many, will be demolished: On the Abbey Avenue bridge, one of my favorite views of Cleveland: A little closer up...I love how these bridges interact... Headed back to the OC!

Venturing north from Lucky's, St. Theo's and Starkweather, I took some shots of the Valley View site (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7973.0) and continued up West 5th, which hosts an interesting mixture of affordable and market rate units. Towards Literary and the top of the hill, some of the more expensive new units caught my eye... Recent construction, Literary Bluffs, which go for over $300k apiece: More are being built: Across the street, the site of Bergen Village, which will begin construction this year: Around the corner, looking west on Literary, where many of the Tremont Ridge townhouses have been built: Continuing north on West 5th: Across the street, a nice little cluster that takes the hill down Railway Ave: Around the corner, a row of colorful, attached townhouses on Railway Avenue: And of course, the view is tremendous: How about a panorama before I leave Tremont?

Valley View, a Cleveland HOPE VI project that is about to begin construction this spring, will rise on this site in Tremont over the next couple years. The location, along Starkweather, West 5th & 7th and Marquardt Ave, is close to the industrial valley, several freeways, St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Church, and all that's cool about Tremont. Also very nearby are the Gospel Press (future rehab), Bergen Village (new construction), Literary Bluffs (new construction), and Tremont Ridge (new construction). West 5th & Marquardt, looking up towards St. Theo's: Same spot, looking down West 5th towards the valley: On West 7th, looking through the fence towards Downtown Cleveland: A little panorama from Starkweather & West 7th:

Yesterday was a lovely, though at times dreary, day. I spent the latter part of the afternoon at Lucky's and then riding my bike back to Ohio City. As I rode, the sky cleared (much like in my tour of Detroit Shoreway housing!) and I ended up with some great shots at sunset. I'll start the tour at Lucky's... Lucky's (777 Starkweather) is my new favorite cafe...though they've been around for 3 years or so: Nice mural and metal work! Across the street, Hotz's has been around for a bit longer: Can't get more Cleveland than this! Starkweather & St. Tikhon...the building on the right is for sale by Progressive Urban: One of our most notable landmarks, the St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral: Behind St. Theo's, Brayton Avenue, with it's mish-mosh of densely-packed homes and a recent visit from the po-po! And just beyond, the industrial valley: More to come!

A photo from the site as of March 11...looks like site work is well underway. This is on West 5th, directly across from Literary Bluffs. As it's on the periphery of the neighborhood, and really on a bluff-top, overlooking industry, I'm starting to not mind the design as much as I'm glad that there will be development here in the very near future.

That looks a helluva lot like a freeway to me! Does the damned thing really have to be 6 lanes wide? Scary...

Is that 10 TODCs by state or nationwide?

Plus, if a pharmacy is really in the works for the space, I can't see the tenant giving up space for a drive-thru and parking in the rear of the building.

In today's PD: more at Taking offense with Kuwaiti owner 1100 Superior so successful competitors feel outmaneuvered Saturday, March 11, 2006 Christopher Montgomery Plain Dealer Reporter Everyone in the Cleveland commercial real estate world is talking about the 1100 Superior Building, formerly known as the Diamond Building. The downtown building's manager is cutting attractive deals and landing office tenants that could take it from being half-empty today to 90 percent full in a matter of months. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1142069933127180.xml&coll=2

I know Hunter Morrison wrote an article in favor of giving it a due look and I would assume that Steve Rugare would share that perspective. We know where Hebebrand stands and Haviland is likely pre-occupied with the trench. Bob Brown began the last meeting by stating that the bridge alignment was not the topic of discussion and it was poo-pooed anytime someone tried to bring it up...

I've been in this situation before, but rarely when I'm taking pictures myself. It seemed to happen quite frequently when the 515 garage was going up. There were some college kids (undergrads, likely) in Playhouse Sq. last night around 10 snapping photos. I figured they were in town for the MAC tournament, but then again, they were taking pictures of buildings, where I'd just assume that college basketball fans would be chugging beers at Panini's... I did run into Mr. MayDay at a press conference for the Avenue District last fall. Out of camera-shame, I had to hide my puny Canon Elf (which I'd borrowed from my girlfriend) when I saw his fancy camera coming. He denied his Urban Ohio heritage...made me doubt myself...and then laughed at me when he realized I was feeling the fool! jerk.

On the subject of OCNW's role in the community: The following passage is from an insightful article in Shelterforce, the publication of the National Housing Institute. The source issue is January/February, 2004, which can be accessed online at http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/133/gentrify.html. Steve Meachem of City Life/Vida Urbana in Boston recently framed the issue this way: “We’ve succeeded in turning around neighborhoods and now we need to figure out what we do to ensure that our success doesn’t destroy the communities we work in.” Based on my experience in the Allston Brighton and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston, I believe there are important reasons to encourage and support the activities of CDCs in gentrifying neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with active CDCs give low-income residents a chance to benefit from the rising tide instead of drowning in it. To be effective in this environment, CDCs must not only work to preserve and develop affordable housing but also organize residents and assist with employment, training and asset-building strategies. Although many CDCs in different areas engage in these activities, they take on different dimensions in gentrifying neighborhoods.