bizbiz

i didn't even think of that.. i saw a cement frame setup so i figured it would be a complex, but there is no foundation dug, meaning that it is most likely a parking lot. if that's the case, fuck that shit... that's such a huge parcel of land... as for #5 zaceman: everyone knows that building is very old and has always been a major setback from Euclid.. there's not much anyone can do with that parking lot since a new structure would lower the value of the setback apartment complex; so this is the one place i can understand the parking lot fronting a major roadway.. if anyone is to blame, it's the original builder from the 30's-40's ...

All along Euclid and Chester between downtown and the Cleveland Clinic a surge in development can be seen taking place. MidTown, the Quadrangle, CSU, the Cleveland Clinic, and the Fairfax neighborhood are experiencing vital development not seen in decades. Let's begin: 1. The Euclid Corridor - we all know about this one of course. 2. Cleveland Clinic's Heart Center - we also know all about this one too! 3. Cleveland Clinic's masterplan - various new parking structures, buildings, etc.. 4. Woodhaven - it's expanding another block to the east, this time to the borderline of the Cleveland Clinic: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4187.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> <br> <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4186.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> <br> 5. Recently re-modeled apartment complex/parking lot at Euclid and E. 77: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4188.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 6. A brand new Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints church is nearing completion on Euclid at E. 77: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4190.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 7. Mansion re-modeling taking place at Euclid and E. 77: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4191.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 8. Aldi's food store being built at Euclid and E. 77 (parking lot will be located behind the building rather in front). The foundation is a few feet from the sidewalk, and is most likely going to be only 1 story: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4193.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 9. Another unknown/unnamed project at the corner of E. 69 and Euclid, this one just began the week of January 22, 2005: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4194.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 10. New signs posted by Cresco Realty. Placed within the last week at E. 57 and Euclid, replacing some older outdated signs, perhaps they are more serious this round: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4195.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 11. Say goodbye to anything standing between E. 55th and E. 65th on the southern side of Euclid. All that is left is a railroad crossing.. this is part of the Euclid Corridor project but honestly, I think there are deeper reasons involved: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4197.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 12. A fire in May took this building out of commission.. it is located in the 4600 block of Euclid Avenue next to the Agora and is currently a big hole waiting for further instructions. It can't remain that way much longer: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4200.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 13. A small parcel of land that is going to be developed soon (Euclid at E. 36th): <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4202.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 14. NE Ohio Regional Sewer District, recently completed on Euclid near E. 36th: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4203.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 15. More recently completed MidTown development: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4204.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 16. Coming soon MidTown Hotel & Suites by Days Inn (Euclid near E. 32nd): <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4205.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 17. CSU in the background, that is Fenn Tower on the rear left, nearing completion of a full renovation: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4206.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 18. CSU, more development along Euclid: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4209.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 19. CSU at Chester, new soccer dome finished 2 weeks ago: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4210.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 20. The new parking Garage at CSU on Chester: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4214.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 21. The new rec center at CSU nearing completion: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_4216.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"> 22. Myers University - expanding from Euclid to Chester 23. Zaremba's plans to widen the avenue district to Chester near the Greyhound station. 24. ??? more to follow ??? Not sure why the color on some of these photo's is so bad, I may need to change some settings.. also, the pics appear small due to photobucket shrinking them, I have full size if anyone wants to see more..

Here is the Waite Hill speed trap: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/waitehill2.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

I only mentioned my scenario about Linndale because the name is an eye popper :lol:. I don't speed thru Linndale and haven't been ticketed so I am not complaining, YET.. but I do think the concept of their speedtrap is bad. If you are travelling on I-71 in either direction, you will see a 'Linndale Corp. Limit' sign and then 2 seconds later, you are already out of the city and entering 'Cleveland Corp. Limit' to the west and 'Brooklyn Corp. Limit.' to the east (while travelling South or North on I-71.. TRICKY TRICKY, eh?). That entire area is tricky because the freeway is angled at east-west, while the railroads and the Bellaire/W. 117th street bridges are all placed over the freeway at criss-crossed angles. So if you are in the area trying to calculate what portion of the roads are Linndale and which aren't, it can be very tricky trying to figure it out! For reference, the speed trap would be the southbound and northbound lanes of I-71 between Bellaire and W. 117th St. (AKA Memphis Avenue). Here's a map to help you out: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/linndale.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

I won't miss Parkwood..

I don't know what to think of this.. if I like the idea or not, but it seems to me that this is like a way to create a barrier/wall to the currently lacking MidTown..

2 of the more tricky road gags to figure out in Cleveland include.. A resident of Linndale, wishing to go downtown via I-71 must do the following to get there: Go west on I-71 South and then get off at the West 130th St. Exit and go east on I-71 North. Kinda tricky due to I-71's layout and the poor setup on the on/off-ramps. Another weird one that confuses a LOT of people. Someone travelling on I-480 East following the Broadway on-ramp is given 3 lanes to decide what to do in a matter of 1 mile.. their options are: 1. Continue on I-271 North Express 2. Continue on I-271 North Local / 422 West (1 HIGHWAY, 2 NAMES) 3. Continue on I-271 South / I-480 East (1 HIGHWAY, 2 NAMES) 4. Continue on 422 East 5. Exit at Warrensville Road South 6. Exit at Warrensville Road North 7. Exit at Northfield Road 8. Exit at Miles Road 8 choices in a VERY SHORT DISTANCE. I was bored and thought it'd be funny to point out the 2 that confuse my friends most. Not me though.. I'm an ODOT graduate! :wink:

done.

I'm very curious about this whole development situation for the Cleveland Clinic's new gateway entrance. Just west around E. 88th between Euclid and Chester, that townhouse village is ready to expand another block over, slowly closing in on the Cleveland Clinic. With a garage expansion, and new entrance off the busy Chester, wouldn't retail or commercial or anything for the lord's sake become attractive? Even the north side of Chester could become desirable.. anyone want to make a list of all the development/proposals/plans for the Cleveland Clinic?? As odd as it sounds, CC has intrigued a number of us it seems..

Does anybody have the latest on the demolitions taking place in Cleveland?? I saw 2 different ones taking place today (1/10/06) but neither makes sense. The first is the large block of Euclid Avenue between E. 55-E.60th, which was previously planned for demolishing to help develop the Euclid Corridor. However, what is the reason for bringing down every single structure in that segment of land.. I mean, they tore it ALL down, not just the front units, but any previously standing structure is now gone. The pile of rubble is clearly visible from Euclid, E. 55th St, or Carnegie. The second is an additional demolishing at the Cleveland Clinic where the new heart center is being built. As most know, the old parking garage was torn down in May, to make way for the new structure, but they began tearing down an additional part of the Cleveland Clinic adjacent to the site sometime in the last several days. The building I am referring to is at least 9 stories high, and it's part of what I believe is the 'F building'. Any idea what this is all about??? The people at the Cleveland Clinic were all watching out the windows as if this was a shocker. It shocked me too, since I thought the demolition stage was finished nearly 8 months ago.

http://www.cleveland.com/believe/ You can view all of the various forms of advertising/campaigning that is being done at the moment. I found out from the huge full-page ad in the PD today.

this is my website/domain, so i am directly linking to it. <img src="http://ctsoh.net/images/image_map.gif">

Yay! I live in Seven Hills and I voted yes to this issue in November! The area we are discussing is part of the already saturated Rockside Road corridor. It would be on the south side of Rockside Road, right where the current offices end and residential begins. The only current part of Rockside Road that Seven Hills currently has is Lombardo Center, which has 5 or so offices, the rest is all 100% Independence.

This is less than half a mile from the new development taking place at Harvard Road along I-271 on the easternmost edge of Warrensville Heights. They just finished the new Marriott and a new restaurant called Abuelos is nearing completion. Another new retaurant is half complete and a large, and I mean *large* plot of land is being graded as we speak which will become a huge shopping plaza with 20+ stores. That area is so congested as it is.. from Harvard to Mayfield Road is a living nightmare of traffic along the main arterial roads, all this new shit will only make it worse.

To me, there are 3 areas in greater Cleveland that demonstrates this: Entering Cleveland via I-480 East, the Great Northern mall exit in North Olmsted is home to 2 high rise apartments, definatley a feeling that you're in a metro area. Entering Cleveland via I-77 North, Independence at the Rockside Road exit is the high rise Crowne Centre I (14 stories), which I believe is the best statement skyscraper to welcome visitors coming from the south. Independence also has Crowne Center II and Independence Tower (both 9-10 stories), and a large number of mid-rise offices (5-6 stories). There is plans to build Crowne Centre III which would be the tallest one yet (e.g. greater than 14 stories). This area also has the old "Realty One" colossal office building and the Embassy Suites (9-10 stories).. passing all of this is the best welcome to metro Cleveland that a visitor can get. Entering Cleveland via I-90 West, 2 high rise condo towers in Bratenahl, and a large number of others sporadically placed in Wickliffe, East Cleveland, and Euclid, especially along Lakeshore Boulevard that are clearly visible from the I-90. There are also 2-3 highrises at the Willoughby exit for SOM Center Road. If you consider apartments and condo's to be statement skyscrapers, then a drive along I-90 works well. Also, you could say that entering Cleveland from the south, passing thru Akron complements a welcoming to the Cleveland area.

great visions.. lead to great things!?

Wouldn't this task be the duty of that group that recently formed to make downtown a cleaner, brighter place? I forget the name and who is financing/running it, but I believe the way it works is that the tenants of a property pay a fee which goes towards fixing up trouble spots. For example: landscaping, garbage, grafitti, damaged facades, etc. I know it was supposed to originally focus around the Theatre District, but surely, lower Euclid is just a few blocks over.

two questions: 1) when is the soccer field getting the retractable roof? 2) what is the latest on tearing down the UC .. is that still in planning?

The CSU Rec Center began construction in like June as far as I recall. I know that when I graduated in May, they still hadn't done more than tear down the old facility, as I was visiting the site daily. One of the fastest moving projects I've ever seen... They threw together the outer facade in a matter of a week or two.. as all the windows are already in place!

The downtown Milan Plaza area is so difficult to accept. The area is a farmland, and here we have a picture with identical towers one after the next, for who knows how many blocks. After visiting the site, I can't even imagine how the change will happen from farms to metropolis. The proposed sketch reminds me completely of the repitition involved with Hong Kong's residential planning. And it is also a modern vision of NYC's Stuyvesant Town.

Before this even goes one step further, NR has a huge problem on their hands. And it's their fault the problem is still there. Every road, and I mean EVERY ROAD in the city is 1 lane in each direction. They recently widened the intersection at State and Royalton (82) but that is it, and honestly, it won't do any good if this project goes through. I hate driving thru the city. It is so populated and right next to Parma which is also highly populated, and so you have all these people clogging 1 lane in each direction. When you have a road with bumper to bumper of cars and one old person is going slow or someone wants to turn, you wait, wait, and wait. And by adding more retail and other things, you will just add more congestion. This is not a car nor pedestrian friendly city. No sidewalks, and the roads are not built for high volume. The city needs to observe what Beachwood, Lyndhurst, and Westlake have done - and that is create 5-7 lane roadways, local access alternatives. Right now, most people can't handle the congestion at State and 82 so they cut through the parking lot of Giant Eagle. And the radio towers.. there are 6 of them in a huge field between Ridge and State. They are situated just north of 82 behind a cemetery. If this land was converted into a retail zone, we're talking about a huge parcel of land. However, until then, I'm not really even looking forward to this. With neighboring Broadview Hts. developing their own downtown and with Strongsville nearby, what is the point of another huge retail venture...

So, unless you live on the main floor, you need to take 2 elevators to get to your condo? Or is this only a front entrance elevator.. isn't there another one in the parking garage that access all floors??? I'm quite confused. I know this one has something to do with a dispute between the garage owner and the Pinnacle owner.

the less than a year old Hamilton's at Euclid and E. 14th is a very cool nightclub. It resembles Mercury Lounge on W. 6th. The people were plenty, mostly hipsters in their 30's, so me and group didn't stay too long since we're in our 20's and felt a little out of place. However, being 3 floors, the place had that nice dark lighting on one floor and then a sweet well-lit lounge on the top floor. Very cool place right between the WVIZ building and Playhouse Square. Add Star Restaurant, Otto Moser's, the restaurant next to CSU on Euclid and E. 16th, and the fairly new restaurant on E. 14th across from US Bank, gives you about 5-6 nice places to go in one block's proximity. Next, if you look along Star Plaza, on Huron, you will notice the entire row of buildings has been re-modeled and most now house deli's and other interesting coffee shops and so forth. Add a few bars and restaurants and this area will definately be the next to explode, and it's walking distance from E. 4th. and the rest of Huron... Nice!

I saw it coming for months.. as soon as House Of Blues opened, the new E. 6th garage was next. All at the same time was the Euclid CP. Now, here it is, 4th quarter of 2005 and I knew it would happen. All those ugly shitty stores lining Euclid between E. 9th and E. 4th are closed, gone, goodbye. There was a handful of stores like that clothing store and that jewelry pawn shop that are now gone. Officially, I see no retail on Euclid between E. 9th and E. 4th on the south side of the road. Of course, you have the old Arcade, 2 hotels, and a CVS, but the real truth here is that a lot of those old, crummy stores were occupying KEY properties. Now that they are gone, the windows and walls are boarded up. I guarantee you that every single parcel is re-modeled and ready to go by the end of 2006. Especially at the corner of Euclid and E. 4th where Wendy's used to be. My goodness, that entire block is literally boarded up and the windows are whited out, meaning something is going on in there... Gameworks in my opinion. Why am I happy to see retail close and vacancy go up? That's not the way it is. Truthfully, these parcels are now ready to get new windows, facelifted, re-modeled and whatnot. The upper floors will house condo's/apartments and the ground levels will most likely house some upscale bars/clubs. That portion of Euclid used to be the ugliest in my opinion. When all is said and done, I will have to say that lower Euclid will become one of the hippest areas. Good news all over from what I saw last night!!!!!!!! :)

I finally went back to the Amherst Quarries with my camera. Let me tell you, this was a very unpleasant experience. First, there was an old man sitting on a rock watching me trespass.. eventually I stepped back so far, he couldn't see me, but I thought that he could tell someone that some guy went beyond the lines. Not that I'm afraid to go somewhere I'm not supposed to, it's just that there are signs everywhere that say "No Trespassing. Violators Will Be Prosecuted." and I don't want to be prosecuted.. Second, as I parked Hornyak St., I noticed signs on the property directly next to the main quarry that said "Site Under Video Surveillance" and some guy cutting his lawn saw me. I hate when I try to do something like this and everyone sees me and I see signs like this.. it just makes me nervous. OK, but I said fuck it, I'm not going to have another chance to return for a long time so this is it. Here are photo's with explanations of what's going on: OK, I started off by parking on Hornyak and walked to the main observation area on Quarry Road. Below is the view of quarry 3 from standing on Quarry Road. Notice how freaking large this quarry is. It looks more like a lake or a pond than anything else to me. And if you climb over the guard railing and stand at the edge of the quarry, a straight drop of about 50 feet will greet you. Kinda scary.. <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_2989.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Another view from Quarry Road. Notice the trees growing from the base of the quarry. Now buried in what looks like a lake: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_2990.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> A cute little private road that is no longer accessible by vehicles. When I began down this road, I had no idea where the other quarries were since I forgot to bring the map that Steele05 provided me with. Well, this dirt road is VERY long: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_2994.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Eventually the road dead ends and breaks off into pathways and fields. I seriously got lost and had nothing to go by after taking this path and that path, etc. The only thing I could go by was a radio tower nearby. Well anyways, I eventually realized I was wasting my time and that I wasn't going to find a quarry soon. I did however locate the back of one of the bandoned factories off of Quarry Road: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_2997.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> A creepy looking factory that is situated next to quarry 4: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_2998.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Unfortunately, quarry 4 is very small and looks more like a ravine than a quarry. It is visible from Quarry Road, but does not resemble a quarry, as trees and plantation is growing in and around it. This is on Quarry Road, next to Quarry 4: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_3000.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> One of many signs that caused me to get "nervous": <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_3001.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Another view of Quarry 3: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/IMG_3008.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> The red line shows the route I travelled. As you can see, I was perfect in choosing an absolutely shitty path to explore the quarries. I ended up getting to see nothing new, as quarries 3 and 4 are both visible from Quarry Road. I really wish I had explored the other side of Quarry Road, over by 5+6, as that looks intriguing: <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/bizbizjohn/quarry2.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Unfortunately, I got a call that I had to make a pickup in Lorain and I ran out of time. I hope to return before this is a golf course! -john