Ewoops

My best guess is they are formalizing the plans for this parcel in order to get these units grandfathered in under the current tax abatement policy.

^^Mr. NYC, I'm sure the processes are tied together, but I think that the City will use its funds to tear down the worst structures in the City, while the function when it comes to private demolitions is determining whether or not to allow a proposed demolition. I think the City funds will be used on properties that either fit into the strategic plan or are brought to the City by the local council member or CDC. I don't have knowledge of how it works exactly, nor am I an apologist for B and H. I agree completely with the above posts about the utilization of the PDAs. If they can't figure out the new technology, they should get canned and replaced with someone who does.

^^^ If you look at the Citywide Development Plan, each neighborhood has a specific and flexible plan geared toward that neighborhood. The hope is to rehab in neighborhoods where it makes sense, and to do tear down when the houses are not salvageable or are in neighborhoods where there aren't market conditions to rehab these homes. While I am no expert on the plan, I know that there is a strategy based on each neighborhood, and that the plan is much more focused on housing than the larger buildings most of the people on this board are worried about. Keep in mind that the vast majority of demolitions of both housing and commercial structures are conducted by the private sector, not the city. While the City does play a role in approving those demolitions, it is a wholely different topic than the money the city is putting into demolishing structures on its own.

^Wimwar, what do you think the best and highest use is for the May Co. Building?

If I were a fortune 500 company in northeast ohio, in today's downtown office market, I would be racing to put up a signature HQ building on the empty public square lot. Someone's going to do it, and the others are going to wonder why they didn't do it first.

From today's PD: "But there are rumblings among local real estate brokers that Eaton Corp. is shopping for new headquarters space, perhaps even exploring construction of an office building in or near downtown. "Certainly, we have heard those rumors," CB Richard Ellis' Browning said. Donald McGrath, Eaton Corp.'s vice president of communications, declined to comment. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1169892269197260.xml&coll=2&thispage=2

^I think Wimwar mentioned it earlier in this thread, stating that it was progressing slowly. I walked by it on my way to work this morning, and noticed that they had maple cabinets up in the apartment just above the retail space fronting Detroit. So the rehab appears to be coming along, hopefully once they finish that up they will turn their attention to the new construction.

^Me too, I was surprised it wasn't part of the original project. Good to see that the development is producing spin-off development.

Went to Gypsy today. The place looks great, and there was heavy traffic. Looking out the window toward the Capitol Theater, I really was able to picture how much potential this neighborhood has. The access to the lake, a dense mixed use shopping district, arts and culture, incredible and diverse housing stock both north and south of Detroit, as well as great interstate access make the redevelopment of this area a no brainer. I can't wait to watch it take off.

That looks like something you might find hidden in a girlfriend's closet.

Dan: While I agree that preservation or adaptive reuse should be considered in every development, it is but one consideration. In the Flats East Bank situation, the debate is pretty straight-forward: preservation of these buildings or public access to the riverfront. It was not possible to do both, due to the buildings being built right up to the riverfront. So the City and the developer chose to create a continuous boardwalk along the riverfront rather than to keep the structures that existed. You can argue that this was a bad decision, but using this example to make a general sweeping statement about the City's preservation policy is both unfair and, sadly, par for the course when it comes to your posts in my opinion.

^Actually Dave Perkowski did the projects you mentioned. This is his brother Doug (they no longer work together), who did Federal Knitting Mills and the Condo project on W 3rd in the Warehouse District.

^^Wimwar, where and when is the Block Club Meeting? I looked up the block club on the website, and thought they took place on Wednesdays? Was this one moved due to Thanksgiving? I wouldn't mind stopping by, although it might be difficult to make it tonight.

It's just south of Detroit in the complex containing "The Shed." They have a sign advertising the cafe on Detroit.

^But now, if they don't end up coming, the headlines will read: "Cleveland loses 250 jobs to New Jersey." ;)

^I think capping the overpasses would be huge, and would give us the opportunity to seamlessly transition downtown into Midtown.

^I've been hearing that B and H may jump to Flats for over a year, it will be interesting to see if and where they build.

I just bought a rehabbed house right across 32nd from the Vine Industrials, so I obviously felt comfortable with that area. I currently live in Ohio City, but in an apartment building right on Market Square, so living on the street level will be a change for me as well. There seems to be a ton of investment taking place in that immediate area, so it should become a more attractive and safe place to live as time marches on.

^I asked last week, and they said Irish Pub on the ground floor and offices above. I had heard a few months back that the pub on the first floor of the Hanna Building fell through, this must have been why!

If you ever get a chance to take the tour, do it. It is an incredible building, with great murals and details. The former vault is absolutely fantastic.

^We do carry-out from Edison's Next Door Deli in Tremont. I'm a big fan of their pizza.

^does the term shoreline versus coastline matter?

^City Year Cleveland is moving into the space in the athletic club building. They signed a long lease, I think for either 5 or 10 years.

^It is the maximum contract allowed by the league's collective bargaining agreement.

^that is a great idea! I know a person at the civic innovation lab and playaway (who happen to be engaged), and will e-mail them about this tonight. . .