CleveFan

I have no idea why the bill continues to seemingly have no urgency -it’s confounding I am not as psychologically prepared as @simplythis I suppose. However, that’s my favorite skyline photo of Cleveland!

Fantastic Thanksgiving edition of NEO-Trans! Exciting stuff. I’d love to know @KJP’s ranking of the top 5 “most likely to succeed projects” on that list. Some particularly intriguing topics raised in the article - such as, for one, how coordinated and evolved might the conversation be between Hazlam and the city on the future of Browns stadium? Is Hazlam “satisfied” with a stadium that is not competitive with the best in the NFL? And if serious about developing a future Browns stadium - what does the city plan become for the lakefront? Is Cleveland bold enough to envision a 21st century version of itself as a possible future Super Bowl host? I know it’s all hugely speculative right now but if there was ever a time and a scenario for TMUD to happen, it’s coming up now. There’s a new world coming post- pandemic; Cleveland can position itself for it. Our Success or dare I say it- “prosperity” in the decades to come won’t be accidental. It will have everything to do with the vision and fight we bring. The TMUD could be one of our greatest assets in continuing and expanding the Renaissance of this city.

I’m with @Larry1962that it seems like a $12 million dollar gap on a $350 million (not sure of the exact figure) project seems too small to not find a solution. And not to play the blame game, but couldn’t the city find a creative way to help close the deal? When you’re 97% of the way there you’ve got to get it across the finish line. The Beacon was, I think, a 10 year project so as frustrating as it’s been, I’m not “over” caring about Nucleus six years in - even though it has fallen from the mighty heights initially imagined by Stark. Even a one tower 24 story version would still be a worthwhile addition in that space. But I’m not emotionally involved - wink 😉.

Amazing difference! This renovation is going to make a huge impact on the Euclid corridor. Projects like this really underscore the great architecture in Cleveland available to be rediscovered and viewed with renewed appreciation.

Yea, just a thank you to @KJP (and @tykaps) for yet another well detailed story. Particularly for those of us living in other cities, this forum has been a fantastic source of information on Cleveland development time and again. I’ve been a forum regular for about 4 years - much of which has been a pretty dynamic time for the city. And in recent months, there have been any number of times when I’ve been surprised and delighted to see new topic threads popping up. The Viaduct Tower, the midtown Dream Hotel Circle Square, Intro, Magellan - and now Bridgeworks. It’s very impressive (I saw the amazing energy in Ohio City for myself on my last trip into town). And there’s real synergy - as one project emerges and becomes reality - it seems to encourage the next. The SW HQ will certainly be the biggest linchpin but projects such as Church & State and Bridgeworks are also incredibly important. Great to see this latest project being planned on the large scale it is - I’m certain it will be a great location for both residents and hotel visitors. Now, with an end game at least in sight with the pandemic, I’m looking forward to the next few years - and beyond for this great comeback city.

Great to see artwork increasingly becoming a part of the Cleveland atmospherics. The city’s industrial to 21st century technology transition is also a cultural shift that is allowing us to reimagine our city’s image and attitude. Great to see the creative artwork literally at street level.

I know that @KJP’s question-post is meant pragmatically and not intended as an op/Ed - but whenever post-Covid happens, I hope that we don’t just go back to business as usual in this sense - I hope we learn lessons about how to be prepared for a possible future pandemic - and that we’ve learned how to do some traditional things more creatively and efficiently - (like maybe commuting a little less frequently)- I’m all in on our lives returning “to normal” obviously - just sayin’ that I hope we are reflective and insightful about building back better.

I’m curious as to how “involved” the city’s Design Commission will be once the HQ rendering is revealed and then submitted for review. Will it be a case of “depends on the specific details of the design” or will SW ‘s vision be pretty much green lighted whatever gets presented? I would expect that SW will come up with something beautiful and aspirational particularly given the prominence and dramatic influence in the skyline that this HQ will have. I hope that we will see something more striking and signature than “just a tall glass box”. Exciting to know that the rendering is probably already essentially ready to go.

Are there collegiate regional and/or other national events that might not necessarily need a Rocket Field House but could be attracted to a new modernized arena at CSU? Or is that a “niche” that doesn’t really exist ? Perhaps any real regional or national events would need something on the scale of RMFH. So that would be my main concern about scaling Wolstein down so much. The other concern would be to not limit possible future growth of the sports program, particularly basketball at CSU. Especially when sports programs can directly and indirectly influence more expansive academic program, recruitments and the general perception of an academic institution.

Let's see if this project goes beyond the hot rumor stage but the "open space" may not be the space Magellan wants. We'll see.

I understand the respect and in some cases, reverence for historic buildings in downtown Cleveland and I’m probably going to have many disagree with this - but If it comes down to an either/or proposition for a new project on the scale of what Magellan would probably be - I don’t lose sleep by losing those two buildings. In a perfect world, they would build on either side of them, but we shall see - right now we’re all in speculation mode. But @X, I wouldn’t be unhappy to see a couple mega projects side by side downtown - not at all unhappy.

This NEO-Trans was more of a scud missile combined with a bomb - really surprised me, especially on Halloween evening! I think a lot of us, though properly excited, have a degree of Wolstein -Superblock post- traumatic cynicism- not to be in any way negative, lol. But this article does highlight some Interesting points and questions. One, just to clarify - the steering committee isn’t moving in the direction of a courthouse tower outside of downtown - just the jail facility, correct @KJP? The need for a 5 star hotel downtown for SW is a key point and suggests a sooner- not-later development in that regard. I would think they would want such a hotel available essentially as the new world HQ is opening its doors - not additional years down the road. Another question - could this project be in play for Benesch or Cleveland Cliffs? This would be a trophy building in “the” neighborhood with Key, SW, et al. And just my opinion - to use a baseball analogy - I make the trade in a heartbeat - I give up Marion and Bertsch for this prospect - cuz he will be a future superstar and we’re building for a great future. Thanks for a tricky treat @KJP!

In this Covid world, which may not just be “disappearing” and may influence our society for a long time to come, one would think there might be a little more focus on outdoor spaces where folks can still socialize but while distancing. I’m not sure why this project seems to be on some back burner (and perhaps I’m wrong about that?) I like the way the space remains largely open to potentially accommodate concerts and various cultural and civic purposes while creating a more beautiful and inviting aesthetic I wish this plan or something comparable will happen - much sooner than later.

I like Brecksville, it’s a beautiful suburb - congrats to them. Have to admit though, I had that “Man, how awesome it would’ve been” thought when I saw this R&D facility update that we all knew was going to happen. Yeah, the Scranton Peninsula story would’ve been amazing. I hope that that land still yields a new great urban neighborhood in my lifetime. (Unfortunately, I’m not young!) The good news is that the Greater Cleveland area has a great future vis a vis the Sherwin Williams empire.

Thanks @MrRfor that info and the great link on One Vanderbilt - which I can see from my window, by the way. From a number of miles, one gets the impression there are two Empire State Buildings which is ironic since we heard that SW could “rival Key Tower” - which hypothetically could create a similar great “double vision effect” for Cleveland. I had referenced “One Vandy” previously when other posters were projecting their favorite towers onto Public Square because of its graduated tapered top and spire. I think a similar look would evoke both Key and the Terminal Tower in a post-modern sense. That kind of direction would likely add more verticality and an upward energy to the new HQ tower. And I guess this post would be appropriate in the SW thread but I responded here....

At the risk of seeming naive, you would think the city would have a schedule, accessible to taxpayers and the public in general, for these kinds of important projects and maintenance.

To quote the Duchess of Windsor, “You can never be too thin”

Thanks for that explicit clarification @MayDay - I can admit that I thought that roofline was at 880 and that the pyramid took it to 948. Sort of forgot about the spire! (I remember when there was a big discussion about whether New York’s One World Trade Center should rank as America’s tallest over the then reigning Sears Tower which has the higher roof line. One World Trades’ very substantial spire provides an extra 400 feet of verticality. Yea, spires are important. And, at the risk of teetering off- topic for a brief second more, I just wanna give some love to Key Tower - hard to possibly say it’s a little underrated - when it’s so dominant, but It has world-class elegance and is just perfect for the Cleveland skyline. Getting back to the future SW, I know we’re a bit “all over the place” with speculation and exemplars that we think might look great - but like Christmas, a big part of the fun is anticipating what’s in the big shiny package before it gets opened - so I’m glad we’re being given some allowance for the excitement. How often does a tower of this importance pop up in Ohio? Regarding height - Honestly, we’ve heard - from our best sources - everything from a somewhat modest 30 stories to something that “rivals Key Tower”. I think it’s pretty clear that SW has us all guessing .. so far. What is also clear is that this will be the biggest “reveal” in Cleveland architecture history. And that this HQ’s impact on the skyline will be in the league of Key, TT and 200 Public Square. I must admit, I am hoping it surpasses the Great American Tower to give Cleveland the big 3 in the state once again.

How high are the floors in the Landmark Buildings? It would be a huge repurposing but a first-class conversion to beautiful apartments and condos would provide a location and great views looking south and west anyway - especially if recent visions for a new park- mall - bike line down along the waterfront polished that view. I forgot that the current SW building blocks views towards downtown (Thanks below to @ExPatClevGuy) so, yea that would be a challenge - But it would be a very transformative project if it could be successfully converted.

Big fan of the view from every angle!

Funny - I’ve had a similar fantasy before - an expansive park - one inspired by “Central Park” -but in the midtown corridor. Of course, I’m sure that acquisition of land would make the idea a non-starter. All I know is that midtown should be more than a drive- through between two growing downtowns. While positives are occurring in midtown, they seem to be somewhat random at best -I was thrilled to see a Dream Hotel unveiled - and then disappointed to see it quickly put “on hold”. I’m certain there are others on the forum with better expertise and insight into the state of midtown. What would be the necessary game- changer to spark midtown and motivate new residents and businesses to locate there? Perhaps the health corridor was thought to be that linchpin but I don’t think the related development has been significant in midtown. It seems like an ongoing and daunting challenge. Hoping to hear topical insight from Forumers familiar with the realistic possibilities. Also, I apologize - I mistakenly posted in Streetscapes - thinking I was in “Midtown development”- if someone knows how to port this post over to the midtown thread - please feel free!

Looks like an amazing place for an Urban Ohio mixer - after the pandemic, of course! Congrats!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2019/10/26/25-most-affordable-waterfront-cities-america/2455512001/ Nothing news-breaking here - but I happened to come across an almost one year-old list from the USA Today while giving further thought to Cleveland's waterfront potential. Check out the list and the only real urban competition for Cleveland comes from Buffalo, Toledo and throw in Rochester, NY which has a population of about 200,000. The top 25 destinations list is populated by places like Duluth, Minnesota and Atlantic, New Jersey - I think you get the point. Cleveland is by far the richest city in terms of culture, entertainment, sports and a real urban experience. Living on a true waterfront remains extremely desirable and increasingly, economically unattainable for most Americans. And yet, that opportunity is still within reach in Cleveland - a status that is virtually unique among major metropolitan areas across the country. But has the city presented many options for residing directly on the waterfront? There are some buildings with a view to the lake - the obvious new, big projects such as Lumen and Beacon would qualify. Still, I wonder how a new residential high-rise, right on the lakefront -downtown - would do in attracting new renters. I'm not sure where such a high rise would even be located - maybe some of you have a suggestion. I guess "Shoreline 2" is a nice step in that direction - albeit a somewhat uninspired one, IMHO. Just can't help feeling that we're still not fostering the full potential of the awesome resource we've got right in front of us on Lake Erie's shoreline.

Some beautiful overhead shots on the broadcast of today’s Browns game (The 4-1 Browns!) showcasing the lakefront. The immediate area around and north of the Rock Hall looked great - the parcel north of Browns stadium made me cringe a bit. Don't think we’ve heard anything new about that area - but I would love to see something great finally get done this decade. Perhaps the future of Browns stadium itself is the linchpin for the lakefront plan.

There’s been a good deal of grumbling regarding the facade of Euclid Grand. I’ll reserve judgement as I’m not able to see it in person like many on the forum. But I’ve been impressed by the projects marketing materials, website etc. Those have been smart and very attractive. I think the Grand may end up being one of the most successful of the big projects in terms of leasing results. One big reason - the price points and variety of apartments. There are 57 one bedroom apartments below $2000, many in the range of $1500 with good square footage and a variety of floor plans. To be in a building of this quality with the kind of amenities being offered - right in the middle of a happening downtown neighborhood - is a great opportunity for potential residents. It will be very interesting to see how fast those units go. Wishing this wonderful project great success with the leasing process.