j73

No pics to provide, but a fun mess nonetheless... If you head north on I-95 into NJ from PA, and stay on the road, it will eventually turn into I-295 South and then into I-195 West and you've never left the road (you'll also have completed a near circle...)

Article mentions that they'll likely outgrow their current space by the end of 2008. It'd be nice to see them move into the city instead of being out in Westlake. Could be a nice anchor tenant for Stark or Wolstein...

There was also a mention in this week's Friday section in the PD about an event they were having this weekend. Obviously not definitive, but makes it less likely that they were closed.

Avenue District's blog included a link to this article in Builders Exchange Magazine, written by a CSU grad: THE AVENUE DISTRICT Multi-family: New construction in downtown Cleveland Quiet zone A high-end development caters to the upscale resident who wants peaceful sophistication BY IAN BLAKESLEE IMAGES COURTESY OF ZAREMBA, Inc. The Avenue District is already being called Cleveland's quiet, elegant downtown neighborhood, and that reputation is only going to improve. The area, which already has as many residents as the popular Warehouse District, is in the middle of a development project that could change the landscape of the city for decades to come. The project is being developed by Zaremba Inc., a Cleveland firm that is known for building the Mill Creek community, Beacon Place and Woodhaven on Chester near the Cleveland Clinic, Herron Row, Greyton Court, the Bath House in Tremont and Macintosh Farms in Broadview Heights. Zaremba, an award-winning developer, has a reputation for quality. In fact, quality is a priority for the new housing in the district. Geographically, the neighborhood is bordered by Lakeside, Superior, E. 12th and E. 17th streets, a location excitingly close to all the action downtown Cleveland has to offer. In fact, the Avenue District's location is one of its biggest selling points. It is within walking distance of Public Square, the Warehouse District, and all three of Cleveland's sports complexes. There are also dozens of bars, restaurants and stores within close proximity-and many more will come as people start to move in. It is quite conceivable that residents could get rid of one or all of their vehicles. Nathan Zaremba, president of Zaremba, pointed out that the amount of money saved by dropping car payments, insurance and gas would more than compensate for the costs of living downtown. Zaremba already has grand plans for the Avenue District, including 600 units of for-sale housing, and has plenty of opportunity to expand. The budget for the project, which is coming in multiple phases, is nearing $300 million. The first phase consists of 50 loft apartments, eight penthouses, 15 townhomes and retail space. Elegance and quality are important to Zaremba, and the housing units will prove it. The penthouses offer rooftop terraces, in-suite elevators, and take up two stories. Even the less expensive lofts offer big master bedrooms with huge master baths. The quality is not just superficial. Zaremba noted that only high quality construction materials were used and that these buildings would last "more than a hundred years." Changing downtown The Avenue District really could change the downtown area, just by being there. Many people consider the Warehouse District as the main residential area in downtown Cleveland, but the Avenue District already has as many residents. "The reason people don't know there is such a strong residential presence in that geographical area is because it's a quiet neighborhood," Zaremba points out. "There's not a lot of nightclubs or bars; people like living there because it's quiet. We would like to add to the quiet nature of the district. I think that as the Avenue District begins to emerge it's going to grow into Cleveland's elegant quiet downtown neighborhood." One reason the Avenue District is likely to succeed is the wide demographic that the area appeals to. Certainly the neighborhood will appeal to young professionals, but it also appeals to baby boomers that are looking for a change. "I think that as the baby boomer generation is coming to maturity now, we are all becoming empty nesters," Zaremba notes. "I think it's a market that is looking for something different." The new buildings of the Avenue District are being developed by private investors, but the city is working with Zaremba Inc. to make the neighborhood a desirable place to be. The city, which owned the properties Zaremba is developing, sold them because they agreed the project could have a huge impact on the city. Zaremba notes "for every 100 units built, 60 jobs are created." If that holds true in this area, then over 350 jobs could be created just by the Avenue District. If Cleveland is developed to potential, as many as 10,000 units could be built near downtown, creating up to 6,000 jobs. There is more to the Avenue District project than just building apartments. The entire area needs to be revamped. Fortunately for Zaremba, the city agrees. According to Alex Pesta, an architect with City Architecture, "The city is funding everything that is in the public right of way." It is remodeling the entire section of E. 12th street, changing it into a much more pedestrian-friendly street. John Wagner, a project manager also with City Architecture, noted that the city is "updating the street, making it feel more like a district than it does now." To do so, it is adding angled street parking, planters, and big sidewalks, investing over in infrastructure to help make the district a more inviting place to live. The city is not playing favorites though--it is also aiding other development projects around downtown and supporting the arts with the renovations. Already there are plans to have artwork set up on each of the four corners at St. Clair and E. 12th and Superior and E. 12th. The city included an art funding measure that directs 1.5% of tax dollars toward decorating downtown. The project is also catering to the city's needs. Though the first phase of construction is underway, the latter phases are still in a planning stage. If the city seems to want more office space instead of residential housing, then offices can be added. If the elegant lofts are a hit, then more of those can be built. Obviously, the city and Zaremba Inc. are investing enough time and money into this project. The last piece of the puzzle is the residents who will be living in the district. Zaremba said that what the district really needs, and presale numbers show that they exist, are urban pioneers. Once the first group of new residents moves downtown, more stores and restaurants with come. With each successive wave of residents will come more amenities, the only thing Cleveland really lacks for its downtown dwellers. A fully functional small grocery store is in the works, but there aren't enough shoppers to support it yet. Only time will tell, but the Avenue District could just be the best thing to happen to downtown Cleveland since the 1948 World Series. The residents of the Cleveland should be hoping for Zaremba to hit a home run. BXM Ian Blakeslee is a Cleveland State graduate with a great interest in local development issues. But wait, there's more The City of Cleveland has approved plans for the E. 12th streetscape project to enhance The Avenue District. Designed by Paul Volpe of City Architecture, it will be completed in two phases, with the first phase from Lakeside to St. Clair to start in November. The second phase of the project will redevelop East 12th St. from St. Clair to Superior, with completion in three years. "The East 12th streetscape is a collaboration by the City of Cleveland, City Architecture and Zaremba, Inc., to provide a pedestrian-friendly streetscape that connects individuals to the amenities they need," says Volpe. The cost for infrastructure improvements is approximately $7 million, with the city paying for public components. Plans integrate public transportation, bike lanes and new on-street parking, E. 12th will be narrowed, creating essentially a pair of one-way streets, separated by a low, landscaped median. "Outdoor living rooms" will be incorporated, defined by special paving areas with color and texture features referred to as "area rugs." Follow the progress of the District on a new Site 1 Webcam atop One Cleveland Center at www.TheAvenueDistrict.com. A fully functional tower crane can now be seen at Site 1, and a blog features construction updates, site photos and commentary at www.avenuedistrict.blogspot.com. BXM Architect: City Architecture GC: Zaremba, Inc Cost: $18 million (construction cost) Size: 70 townhomes Timeline: January 2007-January 2009 Vendors: Landscaping: Aaron Landscaping Concrete: New Horizon Masonry: Empire Masonry Steel: Mason Steel Roofing: MGM Construction Finish hardware, doors, frames: Graves Lumber Rolling Counter security shutter: Action Door Glass and Glazing: Anderson Windows Plumbing: Big Creek HVAC: Steed Heati Story from BXMagazine.com: http://www.bxmagazine.com/article.asp?ID=732

I think Marc's takes Discover, not sure about Debit cards. The one they put in Coventry is actually pretty nice (and much nicer than the other Marcs' I've been in) and a huge improvement over the Medic that was there before. Still, not where I choose to do my grocery shopping, but good when you need basic stuff.

^Agree that the area could become a reference point and had that same though before I saw this design. I'm just hoping it doesn't become the reference point for all of these architects' second-tier work. The PBL bldg is decent, but not the most memorable of Gehry's. The art museum is shaping up to be ok, but not as striking as some of Vinoly's other work (like the convention center in Pittsburgh). Now we have the MVRDV parking garage - let's hope it looks better when built than it does in the renderings, but generally seems like that works the other way. Hopefully FOA at least comes through with something cool.

The muni lot thing I think is supposed to end when they complete the mother-of-all-parking garages on Carnegie and 89th. That thing is certifiably ginormous...

Was just in Cheddar's today for lunch (apparently they just recently opened for lunch on Saturdays). Food was good and not too expensive. I liked they decor, although it was not at all what I expected from a mac 'n cheese place (kind of a 30s Art Deco motif) or a place called Snickers' Tavern. Beautiful vintage bar in there, too.

Totally with the other comments here - looks like an enormous parking garage. Just a big box with a useless side entrance. Looks like something the guy spent all of 5 minutes dreaming up. Only thing I like at all are the diagonal supports on the western facade that at least add some interest. Otherwise, it's almost hard to imagine a less interesting building. Kind of shocking for an art school to go with something so bland.

You could also try the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. As its name suggests, it has articles on most anything, although none are overly long. It's available online at: http://ech.case.edu/

Good God! Pottery Barn is doing urban planning now, too? At least the colors will be coordinated and tastefully muted... :-)

Garage is a completely separate effort. The city is building that. After the 1st developer bailed, the city decided to go ahead w/the garage anyway to provide more parking for the businesses along Lee. I'll see if my friend w/the deposit has heard anything lately.

IIRC, University has one too

Drove by today and unless I counted wrong (I did need to use all the fingers on one hand) They've begun work on the 5th floor. Don't know when MayDay's pictures were taken, but that seems like some fast progress. Good to see!

Don't mean to throw cold water (maybe I'm just grouchy b/c of the Indians game) but selling 2 to 3 per month means it's another 7 years(!!!) before this is done! Ok, the pace of sales will likely pick up once they get more built and visible, but still, the pace seems anything but fast. Maybe I'm wrong, but they seem to be building only when they get most/all of the units in a bldg sold, which seems more conservative than other builders. Encouraged that they're going forward with the power house - it's a sign of commitment since nothing else has been built at that end of the development.

I drove down Euclid twice recently, pretty much all the way from the Clinic to Playhouse Sq, once during the day and once at night. I came away pretty impressed as it's much easier to see how it's going to come together now. The stations are very prominent and make the whole street seem more intimate and denser. Even the "dead zone" between about 40th and 79th looked decent with the new road, stations, and streetscape improvements. Also noticed that the lighting of the stations at night is pretty cool as they uplight the inside of the roof. All in all, while I was a supporter of the ECP in concept before, the look of it is actually better than I expected. BTW, anyone know what's going on with the bldgs across from Gallucci's? IIRC, there used to be a delapidated warehouse across the street (on the N side of Euclid). Now it looks like part of it's gone (on the western edge) and the southern wall of the rest of the bldg has been taken off altogether. Any info?

BTW, noticed a small ad in Crain's that That Place on Bellflower is for sale (this place or rather that place seems to change ownership every year or two...)

No, CIA is in University Circle on the eastern edge of the city. The proposed "district of design" is just east of downtown near playhouse square and CSU. Probably about 8 miles between them.

Also hard to see what any of this has to do with Pesht, regardless of where they hang some banners...

From Litt's blog: New "collegetown'' quietly launched on Euclid Avenue opposite Cleveland State University Posted by Plain Dealer Architecture Critic Steven Litt September 28, 2007 17:10PM When developers launch a big project in Cleveland, they usually hire a publicist, call a press conference and do a "rollout" complete with photo-ops with political officials and snazzy artists' renderings of architecturally dramatic buildings... More at: http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2007/09/when_developers_launch_a_big.html

I'm w/MTS... This just seems like it will divert traffic away from downtown and I'm very skeptical you're going to see a whole lot of development in the forgotten traingle.

Here's the article the accompanied the graphic... Collapsing Riverbed Street threatens sewer line; repair to be costly Preventing catastrophe will cost $20 million to $70 million Thursday, September 27, 2007 Michael Scott Plain Dealer Reporter Riverbed Street looks as if it had been split by an earthquake. The disintegrating road, which shadows the Cuyahoga River from Columbus Road to the Detroit-Superior (Veterans Memorial) Bridge on the west bank of the Flats, has been closed since November 2005, when city workers noticed pavement cracks. But in recent months, the lower hillside in an area that was once a teeming immigrant shantytown is falling fast. The lane closest to the river has dropped more than four feet and is in danger of collapsing completely -- driven into the water by the sliding slope above it. "This is a very heavy hillside that wants very badly to do what nature does -- find balance," said Craig Hebebrand, a planner for the Ohio Department of Transportation. "Balance means collapse." more at: http://www.cleveland.com

Believe it or not, I've made it from the western edge of Cle Hts to the airport in 16 minutes w/o violating the speed limit (ok, 5 over...) Trick is to leave early enough when many of the lights on Carnegie are flashing yellow, although I'm not sure they do that anymore.

I'm assuming they mean 40-seat and 28-seat classrooms? 40 and 28 sq ft seems a tad on the small side...

Good news! Was in La Gelateria in Cedar-Fairmount yesterday (if you've never been, go - their Gelato is as good as any we had in Italy) and they said that by some time in November they'll have some new wood-burning ovens installed to sell thin crust pizza! I can feel the pounds adding on already...