David Ellison

Actually, I think the architect of this project could have done a better job, and that the two street frontages are passable, but he kept claiming his client wouldn't let him do a better job with the parking and the south-facing facade. The internal courtyard elevations are horrible, as are the backsides. Don't get me wrong, David Maison seems like a likable person and some of his work looks better than this project. Regardless of client preferences and instructions, the architect is ultimately responsible for the design, and this design is quite poor, mostly because of the lack of attention to the south facade and the ridiculous notion of how cars can or cannot be maneuvered in tight spaces. The combination of bad direction from the client and desperation on the part of the architect and the city makes for bad architecture. The profession of architecture is often likened to prostitution... this is sometimes an accurate description of the work when working for sleazeball developers.

Yes, the councilman's letter of support along with a dozen others were mentioned at the BZA hearing. The unfortunate thing about this project is how ugly it is and how substandard the design of the buildings and the circulation within them is... This forum misunderstands the pushback from the neighbors... we think our neighborhood and the residents who will live in these buildings are entitled to better design, including reasonable parking spaces, if they want them. Accepting crappy design without pushback is pathetic. Would the people advocating for all of the mediocrity have us stand by without pushing back?

Quoted from the backside: Looking Over Cleveland: Lakeview Terrace, where 600 families live in the shadow of the Main Avenue Bridge, overlooks lake front freight yards and docks. Here on the old "Angle" hillside leading to Whisky Island is a compact community complete with a shopping center, library, and playground. To the right, the bridge sweeps toward the stadium in the background. Hemming in the government project at the top and side is one of the city's busiest industrial sections. The open, grassy stretch at the bottom is the filtration plant. NY1-2 SD ACME 11/3/49

Quoted from the backside: U. S. Plans Third Slum Elimination Project in Cleveland. The... photo shows a row of homes located in the area to be affected. ACME 4/18/35

I came across a few old ACME News Pictures of the old "Angle" hillside north of Main Avenue on Cleveland's west side. Here's the first one. Quoted from the backside: Site of Cleveland's "Third Slum Elimination Project". Cleveland jumped into the lead in the nation's slum elimination program with the government's action in taking over a 22-acre west side tract for a $2,800,000 low cost housing project. This is the third slum elimination project approved by the government for Cleveland, and raises the U. S. Housing investment here to $9,000,000. The above air view shows the area to be beautified. Credit Line ACME 4/18/35

The First Reformed Church (German) c. 1863, AKA Hungarian Lutheran, San Juan Bautista, International Four Square, now belonging to St. Ignatius High School and vacant. Located at the corner of W 32nd St. and Carroll Avenue. I apologize for the duplicate posts, I'm still trying to get the image posting system down. Can the duplicates be removed?

Welcome to the forum, I think you need to know the snarky comment isn't necessary. Please forgive me. This crap is happening right across the street from my home.

As I read the petition, all it asks is that the Landmarks Commission and the government officials not be overzealous in approving demolition requests and that they engage the corporate and institutional neighbors in a process that protects and enhances historical districts. The actual wording of the petition doesn't even mention St. Ignatius, the houses or the church. In fact the explanation of the petition states that it is a general petition, not necessarily specific to any particular project, just that it is in response to St. Ignatius' recent proposals... I think people need to work on their reading comprehension levels. St. Ignatius definitely proposed to tear down the church in 2012, and the two houses this past month. The turreted Victorian house would most definitely be effected by the addition of a 26 car parking lot immediately next to it, and/or the loss of the church at the corner. Attached is a picture of the parking lot that already exists across the street from the picture shown with the petition. St. Ignatius' proposal is for one twice as big (26 cars) next to the turreted house, and then another one twice as big as that (52 cars) at the other end of Carroll Avenue. The fact that they have been denied permission to tear down the church doesn't mean they aren't hoping it will fall down on its own, or become so dilapidated that it will have to be torn down.