Rustbelter

They will likely have some sort of stormwater/drainage collection infrastructure there. This can even be combined with a landscape feature. Something like this: What is Green Stormwater Infrastructure?

Don't think this is even possible. Maybe it can be taken over by the County and be an unincorporated area? No idea if that makes sense either.

No reason to allow a gas station. There is no shortage of them in Cleveland. This is just the lowest common denominator type of development and isn't going anywhere for decades once it's built. Just look at all of the gas stations (existing or abandoned) around Ohio City and Detroit-Shoreway that are on prime development spots.

What business is going there?

Despite Objections From City Planning, Councilman Danny Kelly Goes to Bat for Proposed Gas Station on Vacant CVS Property

Also wondering why all this creative financing and subsidies are needed? How common is this in other markets? Would be interesting to hear the perspective of a big developer that works in Cleveland and other markets. It seems like rents in these newer apartment buildings are getting up there, albeit still cheaper $/sq-ft than other cities. Anyway, this is good news and curious to see what becomes of the Galleria.

Not sure why you think it's insurmountable? You're absolutely right that overall demand (i.e. regional growth) needs to be the fundamental building block to entice developers. There are sprinkles of TOD in little Italy, Ohio City, and Van Aiken; but also many opportunities should demand for these neighborhoods arrive. Have to crawl before you can walk. The region should also be trying to leverage the rail transit lines for economic development, with local policies encouraging it through tax incentives along with fending off the NIMBYS. I can think of many stations that are surrounded by basically nothing of substance, along with spots for infill stations that could be a catalyst. One thing Cleveland has going for it is the "bones" are already in place; in contrast to recent rapid growth areas like Austin or Nashville that feel too big for their britches. Of course Cleveland's strength is also it's burden until some meat gets put on those bones. Yes, designed for a different era. Still, there are TOD opportunities that should be encouraged. That's no different than anywhere else. Despite what many would say, Cleveland is not competing with it's suburbs; Cleveland is competing with other cities. As mentioned I lived in Chicago for many years where there are endless suburban fiefdoms as well. Aside from the obvious differences in scale, another notable difference is that Chicago has more wealth in the inner city. Cleveland needs to attract more middle class or higher income people, which would do wonders for the regional zeitgeist on urbanism along with creating a larger tax base for that would serve all. The Chicago region is highly disfunctional and has been loosing population, but the downtown and core neighborhoods have been growing in both population and income.

I lived in Chicago and was a daily transit user for the better part of two decades and can't say I agree with this. The CTA has it's issues for sure, but CTA trains are in better condition and the ratio of "normal" riders verses vagrants is much better. It's one thing to be one of thirty people on train car with an aggressive panhandler or unstable person, but when you're one of five it's more unnerving. Since moving to Cleveland I can't say that I've had any truly horrible experiences during the limited times I've used the RTA, but the condition of the trains and general unsavory vibe is not exactly appealing. Also a bit disheartening when half the riders don't appear to even be paying. Granted, I've not used the Blue/Green lines so maybe those are better? As mentioned, the CTA has become worse too and is not exactly up to par with notable global cities (has gotten progressively worse since the Rahm Emanuel days). A decade ago I wouldn't think too much about taking 2:00am (sometimes later) trains home after a night out on the town but don't think I'd recommend that these days. Not to mention certain lines that I wouldn't mess with at all outside of rush hour. Controlled access to the RTA stations would be a good start, but really Cleveland needs to densify for the system to dramatically improve. A dense downtown will make people want to take the trains as driving/parking becomes burdensome, and dense neighborhoods will create a user base (TOD please!). These circumstances will create the demand and funding for improvements. As it stands the RTA is just not very appealing vs driving.

I'm a little confused about these recent Public Square upgrades. Most of it still looks like a regular street and cars are always parked there. Also, the curb at those bollards where the pavers were installed should be a flat/mountable type.

Trader Joe's would probably go to Lakewood before that Rite Aid location, or even Ohio City as it continues to develop along with the Scranton Peninsula. They definitely have inner city stores. How about just copy the Meijer store under apartments like we already have at E 105th & Cedar? I think something like that would do well and I'm sure the apartments would rent quickly.

Fair points, there are not many US cities that support a thriving downtown shopping district. And even with those it's not in the form of a mall. Best case for Tower City is probably offices and maybe some outlet type stores mixed in with local. Even then I'd think Cleveland would need to grow the population of downtown and directly adjacent neighborhoods by a substantial amount to sustain it. I actually lived in San Diego in the early 2000's and remember Horton Plaza having failing stores back then. Haven't been back there in many years but I assume it's probably done. Tower City is very well done despite it's struggles, whereas Horton Plaza didn't seem worth redeeming.

Who knew that building high-end malls in the city with a declining and poor population would not succeed? /s I do remember the optimism of the 90s with all those "silver bullet" projects. But not encouraging neighborhood development to create a more holistic approach was short sighted (I'm still waiting for the west bank of the Flats to get developed decades later, after thinking it had to be imminent at the time). I do seem to remember residential towers being part of the Tower City plans at some point but those obviously fell by the wayside, so maybe they'll finally arrive with Gilbert's plans. I always thought Forest City should have just converted the Terminal Tower to residential as part of the Tower City development at the time.

If the Rite Aid is a well performing store then my guess is another drugstore will take its place. Why is that? Density? Parking? Gentrification? All of the above? I don't get why a block club would be given the power to shut down reasonable developments, especially since the City now has ordinances and initiatives in place to encourage better urban developments.

hopefully a development opportunity at some point. That site is a horrible use of land for that location.

Looks like they're trying to make it look like a series of buildings but it's not cohesive. Better than the previous iteration IMO and I think this could look fairly decent with some refinement.

Seems like this mall redevelopment plan in metro Detroit is basically doing just that. Lakeside Mall officially closes its doors with plans for redevelopment

Here's a wild one. Happened in my old Chicago neighborhood just a few blocks from where I used to live. Cyclists Attacked By Driver And Passenger Who Opened Fire During Group Ride In Uptown, Video Shows Now I don't condone the actions of the driver by any means...but I understand. I'm all for biking and the associated infrastructure for it, but there are toxic cyclists for sure. So many Chicago riders in particular who act like they're immune from any traffic rules or consideration of other transportation modes. Never was a fan of these critical mass rides. They just piss people off and probably should be a permitted event.

^ You're not telling me anything I don't know, I just don't agree this is the time for that type of development at this particular location. I noted in my previous post that I wouldn't be opposed to affordable housing here if Ohio City was further along in its development, and I'm also not opposed to mixed income in its current form. Ideally this could be a lynchpin project like Church & State was for Hingetown IMO. I know Loraine Ave has improved but a handful of hip businesses does not mean it's thriving. It still lacks day-to-day amenities and vitality, along with the tax base and sense of community these will bring with them. Bringing more practical amenities to the area is best accomplished by market rate investment because this is what businesses are looking for when taking assessment of where to open/invest. As of now those theoretical market rate projects have not come to fruition to replace the still numerous run-down and underutilized sites in the immediate area. I'd like to see things like walkable drugstores, banks, groceries, etc sprout up along Loraine so the foundation can be in place for those amenities to exist which can then potentially serve that wide range of incomes.

Not sure what that has to due with that particular site? There are plenty of sites throughout the city for this. This is a large site that a lot can be done with but I'm prepared to be disappointed. How about a 10-12 story tower with 25% affordable housing and excess parking to make up for the lost street parking as a result of the Loraine bikeway project? Of course if something like that was proposed I'd expect all the naysayers and NIMBYS to come screaming about height and density, but I think we're at the point where a more aggressive approach can be taken given the rents apartments are demanding on the near west side.

No doubt an improvement is coming to this site but I would rather see market rate here, or at least mixed income. Putting emphasis on affordable housing in one the few areas of Cleveland proper that can potentially demand higher end housing does not seem wise to me. Ohio City may be "booming" relative to other Cleveland neighborhoods but it still has a ways to go compared to marquee neighborhoods in peer cities. Cleveland needs all the market rate development it can get to bring tax dollars and create critical mass in a city that has historically struggled to do so. I suppose between this and the Waterson site development it appears to me that City leaders seem insistent on addressing a "gentrification problem" that is the least of Cleveland's issues. I wouldn't take issue if Ohio City had already reached its potential but it still has a ways to go.

Development of that northeast quadrant of downtown would be huge. Currently it's like downtown abruptly ends east of E. 13th and North of CSU.

^ Was just in Portland, ME and was really impressed. Has the vibrancy, walkability, and food scene that trumps much larger cities.

Citizen Pie Roman Café on East 4th Street to Close Citizen Pie closed their downtown location, which was pretty good and my go-to pizza joint downtown. However, it usually seemed slow in there so not overly surprising. Always confused me why it did little business compared to Geraci's which has very mediocre pizza IMO.

So apparently Scranton-Averell is willing to sell property. Hopefully they unload more in the near future.

Someone on Reddit seemed to indicate there was a development planned for Ferry Cap & Screw site, but maybe just their own speculation.