Map Boy

I really hope that the community doesn't just come out guns a-blazin' and shoot anyone who approaches this space down. If they come out angry, the potential proprietor will more likely respond in kind and his/her incentive for cooperating will dwindle. The ideal scenario would be to get a business owner in that space who knows how to communicate with the neighborhood and sincerely wants to run a business, make money, and be a responsible neighbor at the same time. I'd love to see this space filled and open 7 nights a week. I probably won't ever go to a nightclub, but I'd still support one if I got the feeling from the owner that they understood the concerns and had a plan to actively prevent problems from occurring.

From Litt's blog: Philanthropists Peter and Toby Lewis hear updates about University Circle developments Posted by Plain Dealer Architecture Critic Steven Litt December 19, 2007 14:56PM Categories: City Planning Peter B. Lewis, the iconoclastic insurance executive and philanthropist who once boycotted Cleveland charities, still loves the city enough to listen to a detailed report from people who would love to have some of his money for their projects. Peter B. Lewis, shown in 2002 at the dedication of the Frank Gehry-designed building named for him at Case Western Reserve University, was back in Cleveland yesterday for a philanthropic update on projects in University Circle. On Tuesday, Lewis and his ex-wife, Toby Lewis, listen to two hours of presentations about development plans in University Circle. The meeting, held at architect Frank Gehry's Peter B. Lewis Building at Case Western Reserve University, was initiated by the Lewises through their philanthropic advisor, Jennifer Frutchy. It was the first presentation of its kind in a year and a half... more at: http://www.cleveland.com

It looks nice and all, but it irks me that this is the best we can do for Public Square retail. Kind of like how there are so many banks on W. 25th in the OC. I guess if Dollar Bank wants to do an outdoor cafe and take advantage of all that new sidewalk space, then it can. Maybe something like the Charter One/Starbucks on Cornell & Euclid. Until then, bummer.

from Cleveland.com You'll love that kiss of Italy served inside Il Bacio Thursday, December 20, 2007 When you find Antonio Calandra inside his Il Bacio restaurant in Little Italy, you can't miss the spirit and love of what he does. The personable Calandra makes it a point of meeting and talking to his customers. Mind you, that's provided he isn't in the kitchen, helping turn out orders. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

well, they're not exactly "taking place" so much as they've taken place over several decades

My spidey sense tells me that you have an idea...

yes, sorry, I could've mentioned that.

This sounds like part of the John Hay campus, but I thought that was already open... Either way, great news! Grant to help start 2 specialty schools Posted by Scott Stephens December 19, 2007 11:52AM Categories: Breaking News Two Cleveland-based foundations will give the city school system $1.65 million to support innovative specialty schools, district officials announced today. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

More from Restaurant Row: RESTAURANT ROW Shaker Square is adding Italian eatery, losing Luchita's Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Evelyn Theiss Plain Dealer Reporter Shaker Square will be adding to the multicultural flavor of its restaurant offerings in 2008 with a new Italian wine bar and eatery by Rick and Fabio Salerno, the father/son team behind Gusto in Little Italy and Lago in Tremont. Joined by Fabio's brother, Bill Salerno, the family will open the place on the northeast quadrant of the square, near Balaton. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

Beautiful image. Here's one from last year, pre-face demo: And yes, the horrid old NCB at Stokes/Euclid has been replaced by a slightly less offensive one that fronts Stokes and leaves the prominent corner open to redevelopment opportunities (likely still some time off):

They also had a more active preservation movement earlier than we did, stemming from the loss of historic Penn Station in the early 1960s. Our is still struggling to gain stable footing in a town where the value of surface parking often outweighs that of historic structures in need of some adaptive reuse.

My gripe is not that the Clinic felt that it needed to expand in place and demolition of non-medical buildings in the neighborhood was the consequence (it hurts, I know), but that they replaced them with structures that are so out of context... I mean, look at that lawn! My question is who at the Clinic finds this style to be attractive (let alone an efficient use of scarce land) and when are they going to come around and see the bigger picture?

I hear ya, MTS, but tearing down a garage is a major taboo in C-town! Now, it'd be nice to see Zaremba & the City work with the owner to do a little exterior renovation on it to make it more appealing and less "garage" like. You know, some live walls or a new facade to replace the screen that's there now. I'm sure that'd help sales in this block of the AD.

Good Restaurant Row this week: RESTAURANT ROW Somer's Diner offers comfort food in Ruthie & Moe's old space Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Evelyn Theiss Plain Dealer Reporter Craving diner-comfort foods? Somer's Diner has opened in the space on Prospect Avenue once famously known as Ruthie & Moe's. Owned by Sam Khouri Jr. and Brian Rooks (they are partners in the Somer's on West 150th Street, too), the place will keep diner-type hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, serving breakfast and lunch. The owners say diners will see some familiar faces, as about 60 percent of the staff from the old Ruthie & Moe's is working at Somer's. You'll see some familiar favorites on the menu too, including mac and cheese, meatloaf, matzo ball soup and those densely delicious chocolate brownies. Soup specials and wraps will round out the menu. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

you don't have them already??? KJP, I'm shocked!

JeffreyT, I hear what you're saying about pedestrian bridges and tunnels killing the street life, but I don't think a single one in a location like this would do that damage. It could be tastefully done and be more of a landmark/gateway thing than a "flyover." Plus, it wouldn't be connecting one interior space to another... it'd be picking peds up from one corner and placing them on another, still on the street. Besides, CWRU hasn't done much lately to improve street life on Euclid Avenue with its recent projects... This is all, of course, extremely hypothetical and as JMasek said, not going to happen. It don't hurt to dream and make pretty videos, though! I enjoyed the video, by the way... Oh, and from what I've seen of the plans, the improvements to the pedestrian environment along Euclid Avenue between E. 107th and E. 118th Streets (as part of the ECTP) will be substantial.

Very nice! Thanks for the update fellas

A little update on this story: http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=79717 Construction worker falls to his death in Cleveland CLEVELAND -- Cleveland police say 45 year old Joseph Albanese died after slipping and falling from scaffolding. The worker was on site at West 7th, in between Jefferson and College Street, renovating the United Gospel Press Building when he fell approximately six stories. Investigators say it appears Albanese slipped on wet lumber as he was trying to clamp on a safety harness, falling in between the building and the scaffold. Albanese worked for B.F.C. Inc out of Cuyahoga Falls. Police say he has one son and lives on Hall Street in Akron. OSHA is now investigating whether there are any safety violations. OSHA says it will look into things like the worker's fall protection, the scaffolding, the work surfaces, protective equipment and what level of training workers receive. The United Gospel Press building dates back to the 1800's. It once housed Cleveland University and then turned into a gospel publishing building. The structure has been vacant for years and is now being rehabbed for new apartments. Albanese is 1st cousin to the husband of Akron City Councilwoman Terry Albanese.

Another shopping event in the Gordon Square commercial district of Detroit-Shoreway: http://thedetroitstudio.com/centeremail/ How you can make your holiday shopping dollars do two things at once? Well, Experience Wonder and Feel Panic No More! You can get your holiday shopping done, enjoy great food AND feel good about your seasonal spending when you shop The Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood on Saturday, 15 Dec 07. The following merchants are generously donating 10% of all NET sales that day to benefit The Center and its important programs. These Center neighbors are all open at least 10AM till 8PM for your holiday shopping needs: LATITUDE 41° n - 5712 Detroit Avenue Proprietor Kathy Brown welcomes you to her latest restaurant for a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner. Latitude offers a comfortable, casual dining experience with a varied (and scrumptious) menu. Breakfast, lunch and dinner items are served all day, so take a break from holiday shopping madness and relax with a great meal. Gypsy Beans & Baking Co. - 6425 Detroit Avenue www.gypsybeans.com Enjoy a delicious coffee, baked treat or light lunch at Detroit Avenue pioneer Niki Gillota's Gypsy Beans & Baking Co. Gypsy is the perfect spot to organize before, take a break during or relax after your high energy shopping experience in the Gordon Square Arts District with one of their signature beverages. Room Service - 6505 Detroit Avenue www.roomservicecleveland.com Owner Danielle DeBoe's shop offers a funky mix of home accessories, books, candles, furniture, artwork and holiday items. Room Service has an immediate "I-feel-like-I'm-at-home" atmosphere. Danielle will personally help you select a gift that will make an impression on the recipient, or treat yourself to a special holiday indulgence at this inviting shop. duoHOME - 6507 Detroit Avenue www.duohome.com Interior designers Scott Suskowicz and Tim Kempf have opened a high-style, eclectic home furnishings and accessories store without the attitude (and prices) normally associated with chic boutiques. Custom case goods, sleek upholstery and incredible home accessories and artwork make duoHOME a "must-stop" destination on your holiday shopping schedule. Kitsch City - 6511 Detroit Avenue www.kitschcity.com Self-professed owner/cashier Terry "Babs" Shook has an amazing shop full of witty cards, gift items and holiday decorations. Looking for the perfect rubber duck as a gift? Find them at Kitsch City, as well as December Diamonds Ornaments, calendars, barware -- well, just a lot of great, great stuff. Kitsch City is also the exclusive vendor for The Center merchandise collection. The Detroit Studio - 6515 Detroit Avenue www.thedetroitstudio.com Brilliant graphic designers/owners Bonnie Remeika and Andrew Creter have used their unique vision to assemble a special collection of "geek chic" holiday items: clever t-shirts, witty cards, designer jump drives, notepads/journals, gorgeous gift bags and gift card holders are all available at this fun venue. The ultimate "stocking stuffers" are at The Detroit Studio. To Benefit The Center: www.lgcsc.org To benefit The Center (and donate 10% of your NET sale), you must identify yourself when shopping at each of these generous merchants by saying "I am shopping with The Center." Each purchase will be made at the marked price with 10% of the NET sale being donated to The Center by the respective merchants. For this one day event only, PRIDE discount cards will not be honored; rather, 10% will be donated to support the good work of The Center and its staff. Support The Center and these fine businesses. Help make the Center's "gay-borhood" even stronger by shopping The Detroit Shoreway.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Detroit Ave RTA circulator run by the Detroit Giant Eagle? Trust me that I hate this development. I just wanted some clarification.

wow, that's ridiculous. I'm actually wondering why they didn't try to demo and expand into the vacant structure on the corner. Couldn't have been too costly to acquire if you're talking about a tower of this size. Even if they didn't go up 42 stories with the whole footprint (which they couldn't have), they could've done something more with the foundation. And is that the north facade that features a beautiful concrete wall? What's up with that? I wonder how many they've sold already...

Crain's seems to get their corners wrong pretty frequently. Ah well.

From Crain's Cleveland: Wind behind their backs Despite Ohio’s inertia, makers of advanced energy equipment see fortunes rise as interest in sustainable power picks up elsewhere By DAVID BENNETT 4:30 am, December 10, 2007 A favorable wind is driving business at John Walsh’s company — and he expects it to continue to blow his way with or without a hand from the state of Ohio. Mr. Walsh is president of Avon Bearings Corp., a company in Avon that has been involved in the wind energy business for about 20 years. These days, wind generation accounts for more than 20% of sales at the company, which makes precision turntable bearings that are 9 feet in diameter for use in wind turbines. Though Mr. Walsh would like more of his company’s business to come from Ohio, Avon Bearings nonetheless is seeing its sales rise in other states that are moving ahead with programs that push electric utilities to produce power from sustainable energy sources such as the wind. Indeed, Mr. Walsh is confident that such programs and the rising reliance of wind turbine manufacturers on Ohio suppliers will cause Avon Bearings’ wind business segment to grow to 40% of the company’s total sales in the next few years. More at http://www.crainscleveland.com/

From Crain's: (read all the way to the end for the teaser...) Playhouse Square Foundation adds to Theater District stable By STAN BULLARD 4:30 am, December 10, 2007 Playhouse Square Foundation, operator of the restored theaters in downtown Cleveland and producer of property makeovers in the city’s Theater District, is the new owner of the long-vacant former Cowell & Hubbard jewelry store building at 1305 Euclid Ave. With the purchase, the foundation assumes control of an underused stretch of frontage on Euclid Avenue, which is drawing interest from real estate developers and businesses thanks to construction on the street of the Regional Transit Authority’s $200 million Silver Line. The RTA project is creating dedicated lanes for hybrid diesel-electric buses connecting Public Square, University Circle and the Woodmere [we'll have to excuse this little typo] transit station. It also is dressing up the streetscape and sidewalks along the route. Jack Herrick, president of Realty Investors Co. of Cleveland, which owned the Cowell & Hubbard building, said the company decided to sell after it was approached by multiple parties interested in the structure. The foundation was one of four groups — but not the first — that submitted written offers for the property, he said. The foundation paid Realty Investors $1 million for the two-story, 43,000-square-foot building on Oct. 22, according to Cuyahoga County land records. Art Falco, Playhouse Square Foundation president, said the foundation bought the property because it occupies the key southeast corner of East 13th Street and Euclid. “We have a lot of ideas for what we might get in there,” Mr. Falco said. However, he said it likely will be next year before a course is set for the property. Mr. Falco noted the city of Cleveland’s Civic Vision 2000 master plan identifies the corner as a potential housing site. He said the storefront also gives the building a possible showroom for a consumer products or industrial design firm, which would be in keeping with a use envisioned by promoters of a Design District on Euclid. Ned Hill, vice president for economic development at Cleveland State University who is involved in the Design District effort, confirmed that the Cowell & Hubbard building would be of interest to his group as a location for design talent or a showroom. The Playhouse Square Foundation is a partner in the Idea Center building, which houses technology firms and ideastream, the umbrella organization for Cleveland’s public broadcasting stations. The Cowell & Hubbard building occupies the same block as four of the foundation’s theaters and the Idea Center. Cowell & Hubbard, a jewelry store company dating to 1861 in Cleveland that later was purchased by out-of-town interests, constructed the building in 1920 and operated there until 1981, according to “The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.” Mr. Herrick said the building was constructed so that it can accommodate construction of more floors atop it.

From Crain's: New 1100 Superior owner wooed by redo With skyscraper’s vacancy tumbling down, Illinois firm scoops up ‘one of nicest buildings in the city’ By STAN BULLARD 4:30 am, December 10, 2007 American Landmark Properties Ltd., a real estate investment company that owns a stake in Chicago’s Sears Tower, is the new owner of 1100 Superior, a skyscraper with that name and address in downtown Cleveland. “We think we’ve added another trophy to the portfolio,” said John Roeser, executive vice president of American Landmark, which is based in Skokie, Ill. “We think we bought one of the nicest buildings in the city, and we’re in it for the long haul.” Mr. Roeser declined to disclose terms of the building’s purchase, which closed Dec. 3, from 1100 Superior Square Venture, another out-of-town investor that lists to an Atlanta address. Cuyahoga County assigns the 21-story building a market value of $38 million for property tax purposes. The 576,086-square-foot structure is 18% vacant. However, American Landmark sees the 80,000 square feet of empty space as an opportunity. “We will be very competitive,” Mr. Roeser said. “We have a great deal of experience leasing vacant space.” With the vacancy rate among prime, or Class A, buildings downtown approaching 10%, Mr. Roeser said he’s confident his company and its yet-to-be-hired local leasing agent will take the building to a higher occupancy rate within a year. Mr. Roeser declined to disclose the asking rate for space in the building. The CoStar real estate data service said the average rent paid in the tower is $15.35 a square foot. The 1100 Superior building has received a massive remodeling and upgrade since 2005 from the prior owner and its management and leasing company, the Cleveland office of Hines Interests, a development and property management concern based in Houston. During the past two years, the redo has attracted several companies to the building. Among them are locally based concerns such as Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Edward Howard & Co. and Colliers Ostendorf-Morris, as well as First American Lenders Advantage, a Cleveland-based division of First American Corp. real estate title and related services provider based in Santa Ana. Calif. The structure was 40% vacant just two years ago, according to CoStar, so a decline to 18% vacancy shows how rapidly the makeover changed the building’s fortunes — and value. The prior owners also reduced asking rents to woo tenants, cutting them 10% to $16.14 a square foot by September 2005 from $18 a square foot in June of that year, CoStar reports. American Landmark was attracted to 1100 Superior because of its strong tenant mix, its location and the “tremendous amount of capital that has been put into the building,” Mr. Roeser said. He said American Landmark owns more than 10 million square feet of property. About 75% of it is in office buildings, with the rest in industrial and apartment properties. Kevin Piunno, managing partner of Midwest Real Estate Partners of Beachwood, said more than 10 bidders looked at the building. Mr. Piunno showed the building in conjunction with Cushman Wakefield’s Chicago office, which had the listing to sell the property. Mr. Piunno said the sale has larger implications for the city than the simple transfer of the building’s ownership. “This is a good sign for Cleveland,” Mr. Piunno said. “These guys from Chicago own property all over the country and have kept their eye on the Cleveland market for some time. This time it worked out: the building happened to meet the returns they want.” Mr. Roeser said the volume of recent skyscraper sales and the nature of the city’s downtown were positives for his company. “We like downtown Cleveland, with the ballpark and the apartments in the Warehouse District,” Mr. Roeser said. “We have a lot of property in the Midwest. I’ve found Midwesterners are quite resilient in coming back from tough times.” The black window-walled 1100 Superior Building was constructed in 1972 as the corporate headquarters of the former Diamond Shamrock Corp., which later left for Texas. The globally known Chicago architecture firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP designed the tower.