3231

I need to read the opinion, but this is a huge win for cities and developers.

My two cents, Shaker was fifth, i believe. i didn't want to include it because my memory was fading..

I don't think that it would be in competition with the ECP. Its goals are: create better access to UC from 77 (presently, most people use MLK via 90 to get there); open up areas to light industrial development (the area has a large number of brownfields and superfund cites.), industry needs good access to highways and large tracts of land. This would be a different use than the ECP. Different goals. I see them as complementary. But again, its not like I studied it greatly. I just think we have to take an honest look at all possibilities.

Well, I would post the link. But, The Free Times has not yet posted the article on the web. Its a good story. It suggests that we need to develop different criteria when ranking the neighborhoods of Cleveland. Now, we all know that OC, Tremont, etc are where its at. Unfortunately, many Clevelanders consider Solon, Strongsville and Westlake to be the only places appropriate to live. The article's author ranks Lakewood, Ohio City, Cleveland Heights and Tremont as the best places to live in Cleveland (in that order). It is an interesting read. Pick it up if you can. I'll post the article when FT posts it on their site.

what is the origin of "quasi"? It doesn't seem to be Latin or Greek. i am not a big fan of the townhomes across from the new Ohio City townhomes. I hate the whole garage in front concept. But, I'll take them over an empty lot any day.

In theory, I am not against the Access road. I haven't really seen a presentation on it. I know that the city and UCI are definitely in favor of it. I would think that there are a lot of economic positives that could come from it. There are at least 43 superfund sites in the area. This could provide an opportunity to revitalize and lost area of Cleveland. It would be nice to get some more info on the benefits that it would bring.

Ice Cream: Boy are you a pessimist. Cleveland sure needs more of those. I highly doubt it was released only for political reasons. This has been in the works for a couple of years. You don't spend years developing the idea, hire an architect, apply and get state money, lobby the city for infrastructure funds, have an out of state partner involved, spend many days presenting the plan at a Las Vegas convention to potential commercial tenants just so a mayor of Cleveland can present a false idea to better her chances of re-election. I can understand that timing is politically motivated, but not the entire project concept.

I wonder if the developers have an extensive long term plan for this area? It really could become a great neighborhood if there is enough density. The greatest hindrance would be the continuing industrial traffic and Jacobs' hopes for a casino. I know that he will not do anything with all his Powerhouse surface parking until he is convinced that he won't be able to build a casino there. But, he could use all that land to build a mixed-use project that has an extensive riverfront connection (like the east bank).

Up to now, the Stonebridge development is following a logical path by hugging the stone bridge. It will be interesting to see what they do next, they are pretty much out of stone bridge properties to build on. I would hope that they begin to build housing that hugs some of the streets that descend down from St. Malachi's. I think it would be cool to see some townhomes there, ala San Francisco. Hopefully the taller buildings would be closer to the top of the hill as this would provide more units with good views.

Sooner, I agree about the sheet metal. That will look bad in a few years. I doubt it will hold up well against the weather.

I think that the city is not behind this project because they want the University Circle access boulevard. From what I gather, if we get the nice bridge idea, we would lose out on the UC access boulevard. I think that we are forgetting about the economic benefits that could flow from the UC blvd. Besides creating better access to UC, it would open up a lot of land for development. There are numerous brownfields in that area that will continue to rot unless developers are given a reason to redevelop them. I think that the city sees the area as an opportunity to provide accessible quality space for manufacturers who have to leave the area due to the lack of alternatives. This is just my guess.

MGD, Take a look at the corner unit pic that you posted. See the small retangular sign just above the huge City Architecture sign? (the one in the middle). That shows the first and second phase. Again, all it says is "proposed." I took a look at the surrounding land. There is a beautiful 1800s home in disrepair to the immediate east. It looks like renovation has started on that one. The overall plan keeps that house, and continues with new townhouses on a large empty lot to the immediate east. A new street would go N/S and connect with Vine st., with townhouses lining each side. The entire effect is that the entire block would be lined with the townhomes. Also, townhomes would go up on Vine and curl back around to Clinton, meeting up with the present construction. The image portrays a well-thought out new urbanism-style block. Hope sales go well so that we could removed the "proposed" label.

Summit, Hessler is located in the hear of University Circle. The street is made of wooden bricks. Cool place, but I don't have any pictures. In regards to the new OC townhouses pictured above, I took a closer look at the plan today. I didn't realize that there is a proposed second phase that would add a new street and bring the total number of townhouses to 38. That would be very good.

^ It doubled in value after you and YSOH signed that lease. Go figure.

Magyar, You need to better explain yourself. Which "neighbors" are being disregarded? Which "individual communities" are fending for themselves? If done properly, this project could open up over 50 acres that are presently greatly underused. No one lives there, no one can buy that property. It is lost land. If it were opened up, it would provide an incredible opportunity for the city to remake its downtown, add an entire neighborhood, increase tax revenues and provide more funding for schools and city services and provide an interesting place to be. There would be a ripple effect on adjacent properties which would seem an increase in property values. Traffic would still move quickly through downtown. There would not be any negative effects on traffic flow. To anyone with vision, this idea is a no-brainer.

some details of the new convention center proposal http://www.cleveland.com/convention/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1119001069194961.xml&coll=2 The map in the PD of the new proposal looks great with the additional of "Mall D." I can't find a picture on the online edition. If they extend over the tracks, what would happen to the county office site? Other questions to ponder: Where would you put a new hotel? In between the new center and East 9th? At the county office location? Seems like a hotel at E. 9th over the tracks would provide great views of the lake and have a certain buzz due to its location next to Rock Hall and CBS. I could see out of towners wanting to stay there just because of the "glamourous" neighbors. However, that would keep foot traffic away from Euclid and the WDH. I mention the CMJ festival because the festival village was poorly attended last weekend. Seems like we need to tweak that part of the festival. Also, being on the other side of the river from the Odeon and the HOB, it loses its connectivity to the other venues. A convention center-North Coast Harbor headquarters would be better linked to the other downtown venues. -An extension over the tracks could also incorporate the WFL directly. That could be a nice selling point to prospective conventions. -Mall D version could be a great link to the waterfront and possible development of North Coast Harbor. If a hotel is placed on 9th along with the lobby facing the museums, an energetic nexus could form. If we begin some of our plans for the waterfront, I could see some nice summertime festivals in the area. CMJ Musicfest could benefit: have one concert at Voinivich (sp?) park, another at the new parking lot at Dock 32, and another bigger name alt-rock band at the Public Auditorium-- and it could all be anchored into the festival's Headquarters at the Rock Hall. You could add some sort of activity in the convention center that would draw greater crowds during the day (workshops, larger exhibits that don't fit in the hall).

One of the townhomes is listed at $750,000. Amazing.

Magyar, I don't think that he contradicted himself. The big picture means broadening the focus so that it isn't only on moving traffic. We need to look at how to move traffic in a way that helps the city in the broadest sense.

Its a bit unsettling that a national chain would feel confident enough to buy into this area when it is slated to be demonished.

Jmart, I agree with you about the area. Everyone around there drives out a great distance to shop. I grew up on w. 142 and Triskett.

Paul, I see that you've been cruising the family jet around town lately. :)

In regards to the mystery Johnston Ct project... That is a large parking lot (though, not so much in comparison to the other WHD behemoths). It would be quite a wide and deep building if it covered the entire footprint of the lot. Obvioulsy, its not as big as the Bingham. But, the recent new construction or planned construction tends to be narrower. I wonder if it would follow that narrower trend.

who was the developer?

Locutus, 80% of Americans shop at Walmart? 95-99% of poor people shop there? Where do you get your data?

when and where is the meeting?