3231

Is the extension of BRT onto Detroit Ave through W. 117th a logical idea? Seems like it would be a natural expansion.

Is there any available drawing of the proposed development?

I really don't care about the Westgate development. Suburb vs. Suburb. I wish that we could get some sort of update on University Circle. Can't we all bake brownies or something and take them over to those Hessler street hippies in order to placate them? That project needs to go forward. I really think that Case needs a national hotel. With all the speakers, researchers, moms and dads that come to visit that school, there is a definite demand for a hotel. It would also provide further support for local restaurants. Also, now that I've moved back to Cleveland, I need a place for my in-laws to stay. I know that my mother-in-law will take one look at the 271 corridor and fall in love with its suburban familiarity (She's from Nashville--vinyl siding/cul-de-sac capital of the free world). Anyways, I just rented an apartment for the pregnant mrs. and myself that Overlooks Little Italy (on Overlook St. in CH). I am pretty excited as I have a good view of the downtown skyline and all of UC and Midtown. I will start posting some pics once I move in next month.

I like the design of the project for a few main reasons: Many small streets that intersect. This creates interesting places to walk. There is always a new perspective at each corner. The current old river road suffers by being one long street with several uninspired older buildings (north of the bridge). The four-way intersection where there is a second floor setback. The first floors are right on the street, but the upper levels are set back at the corners. This will allow some much needed sunshine to flow into that space. The walkways along the river. No need to explain this. The streets are perpendicular to the river. This allows some good views of the river even from a block or two inland. The mini-amphitheater on the river. Cleveland so much needs well-planned public spaces where people can gather. The Malls are great, but no one lives there or has any reason to pass through. This amphitheater will give people a place to sit and watch as boats go by. Good placement of the bookstore. To survive, it needs to be close to the warehouse district. Being at that corner and adjacent to the rapid station gives it good visibility. Also, the bookstore would be across from the art theater. Good idea, Movie crowds like to do things before or after a movie. Smart people often like art flicks. Smart people like to browse bookstores. This arrangement provides a good incentive to stick around the area for a longer amount of time. I hope to see this development spark some rehabs along the south stretch of old river road. Could we please turn the large tool company's building (forgot the name) into condos. It is a building that screams for renovation. All the windows are boarded up with some aluminium siding. I wonder who is frying in architectural hell for that decision? That street, with the old Watermark building, could be a great place for some pricey condos. The only problem is the Odeon. I don't know who would want to live next to that place. It can be very loud. I would think that the smaller details of the buildings have yet to be determined. Too early in the process. I really like what they have presented.

KJP, Great points. I was wondering why we couldn't expand the Marriot by connecting an expansion through an overstreet walkway.

let me repeat: Help me understand somethings here: Will Cleveland get any portion of the sales taxes that generated by this development? How is the property tax affected by this reuse (compared to its old use)?

What a pathetic response by FC. So, you don't get the county proposal and then you act like a cry baby by saying if I can't have that, then you won't get this. Well, if FC really wants to do the convention center, then they will keep their proposal on the table. This really seems childish. We know that FC is a corporation and is only interested in the bottom line. So, I doubt that they would turn down one project because they lost out on another.

Very interesting. Looks like Forest City is beginning to position itself as public enemy no. 1.

Any business created by the new court would cater to the workers, and not the delinquents. Alleged juvenile offenders generally are not the type that carry a lot of extra cash and spend it on swanky little restaurants. I think that the County wants to keep that type of use away from the CBD

I think that the CBD is at least a decade away from beginning to see the Targets and Circuit City's of the world.

Help me understand somethings here: Will Cleveland get any portion of the sales taxes that generated by this development? How is the property tax affected by this reuse?

If the project is successful, it may help development in the CBD. At least some of these national retailers believe that they can make a buck in Cleveland's inner city. Maybe it will cause others who would be more appropriate for downtown to take notice of downtown's potential. Quite frankly, Steelyard's tenants are not ones that would fit well in the WHD. So, I'm not shedding a tear that they are locating next to the mills.

/\ I don't think that the developer is too concerned about Cleveland with this project. He just thinks that it will be profitable. I originally thought that it would have access from 77. That made more sense as it would catch a lot of people on their way home from work. But this is on the other side of the mills, and I am not really sure how uses the Jennings freeway. We shall see. I know that I will shop there when I need a big box in my life. I'd rather throw my money there instead of Avon or Beachwood.

Wooly, I think that this site is way too close to the steel mills. It would be a tough sell to convince people to buy housing next to the blast furnances. BTW, I drove my Penske rental truck from Tennessee to Cleveland today. Its good to back again after 9 years in exhile.

Well, I am not in favor of this project. There are some positives to it, though. That said, I don't even know how to get to the Jennings freeway. The developer was quite intelligent/devilish with his tactics. This is Council's fault and Jane's fault. I guess she can now campaign by saying that she is bringing nearly 2,000 jobs back to the city.

I hope that we see some plans for the two alternatives. It is kind of a waste to form any opinions until we see what their ideas are.

You are splitting hairs. Farms are much more natural than almost any other type of use. Locutus' attack on all-things-government continues..

Are there any renderings of what the rebuilt convention center would look like?

I think that it is farther out.

As others such as MGD has pointed out, I wish that a small boutique hotel could be a part of this project.

If this project goes through, it looks to have some nice spin off potential. 1. Going down Old River Road towards Settler's Landing. I am not sure how much vacany there is, but that is a nice road that could really be helped along by this project. 2. Along west 10th---the huge surface lot just north of the Main Ave bridge would be a nice spot for residential tower, a la district park. Also, this could help encourage the resurrection of District Park. I would like to see some pedestrian corridor go through the District Park site in order to help connect the East Bank to the WHD. Presently, St. Claire is the only viable way into the Flats. Main Ave's stretch underneath the main Ave bridge is way too gloomy.

I am very excited about the design. There are many more city blocks than the existing East Bank has. This creates for some potentially lively streets. Also, I like the area along the river. The present configuration blocks river views and does not allow pedestrians to meander along the riverbanks. I wish that the boardwalk could be connected to Settler's Landing and then over to the Towpath. This would be fantastic. I miss the old Flats. But, it was a formula that didn't work anymore. I enjoyed its heyday, but we have to recreate ourselves if the status quo is sinking fast. On the timeline: all the land is yet to be acquired. If eminent domain must be used, it could be a lengthy procedure. Also, funding is not secured. I can see why it will take awhile. I highly doubt that they will break ground this year. Once they do, it shouldn't take four years to complete, unless leasing and condo sales lag. But, I think that this project will have the fastest sale compared to other downtown condos. It will be a dynamic area with narrow streets, river views, and good retail.

Wolstein announces Flats plan By STAN BULLARD Updated 4:15 p.m. Wolstein Group today announced its plans for the "Flats East Bank Neighborhood," a $225 million residential and retail complex that would transform the dilapidated — but key — part of the Flats at the north end of Old River Road between Main Avenue and the CSX railroad tracks. The plan calls for 330 residential units and 250,000 square feet of entertainment and retail space. Old River Road would be relocated slightly east and the riverside would be reshaped with a waterfront promenade and marina. It is the largest private real estate project proposed since 1988 in downtown Cleveland. More at crainscleveland.com http://www.crainscleveland.com

My third consecutive post.. Is there any engineering issues at play here? How high can you build on land that is so close to the rigver and lake? Also, is the land north of the tracks reclaimed?

If the price is right? The problem is that landowners like George get very greedy and demand much more than their property is really worth. Let's just hope that he takes the higher road.