downtownjoe

Cents Pizza & Goods is opening for dining in July. They're currently doing takeout every weekend but it has been selling out. Highly anticipated restaurant to say the least. Lorain has so much potential and this right off of W 52nd and Lorain. Keep it going Ohio City / Detroit Shoreway! https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/articles/cents-pizza-goods-opens-for-takeout-dine-in-coming-in-july

W. 47th and Lorain Townhomes up for final approval on thursday, May 20th. They've updated their design considerably! https://res.cloudinary.com/courbanize-production/image/upload/v1/information_plans/rvd5f60sbbuz6hmcgy8z

I really hope the Lorain Ave Bikeway concept comes to fruition. So much potential... I despise walking down Lorain Ave. Horrible pedestrian AND driving experience.

Carter Manor Apartments building purchased by a Chicago group. They intend to perform $18 million in improvements while preserving "the affordable housing aspects of the building". The building is beautiful on the outside but could definitely use some love. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2021/05/chicago-real-estate-group-buys-downtown-cleveland-affordable-housing-apartment-building-with-ties-to-chef-boyardee.html

I thought there were actual roundabouts as a part of this plan, not painted circles. Kerry is hearing the outrage and claims to be scheduling a meeting to discuss. Hopefully this gets addressed.

Proposed improvements on W. Franklin Boulevard. Read more about it here: https://westfranklincle.com/ Love it! I can only hope we see some updates soon on the Lorain Ave Bikeway.

The old Crop space will transform into a "modern supper club". https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2021/04/27/new-owner-to-transform-former-crop-space-in-ohio-city-to-modern-supper-club

FWIW, Black Pig is being replaced by a wedding boutique. Also, the building transferred hands for $925,000 a week ago. http://harperandivory.com/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CNpwjwxHrll/

W 47th and Lorain townhomes received plenty of feedback at Landmarks today. All in all, everyone is in support of the project but the majority of people believe the designs should be tweaked (especially on the Lorain Ave side) to be more commercial in feel in order to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood better and fit in with the future of Lorain Ave. Committee member Giancarlo had taken issue with how the owner of the lot and neighborhood investor James Miketo spoke about the project claiming "seemed to be apologizing for the neighborhood" and "seeing a very uninspired design". James Miketo took exception to that as he has invested heavily in the neighborhood and dealt with all that comes with an up and coming area/urban area (crime and vandalization) claiming through all that, he is invested and is very excited about the neighborhood. I understand both of their sides and am excited for the updates/future development of this corner.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNlRLpAMxrx/

They have to come back for revisions with that second floor per Landmarks so it'll likely change.

Note: Michele Anderson also voted "yes, reluctantly" with a sour look on her face during the vote for the demolition of the Club Azteca and Vietnam Market buildings.

Small transaction of note is 4809 Lorain Ave. Urban Community School has purchased it from the previous owner on March 23rd. I hope they'll be able to restore it and beautify that corner, further extending the redevelopment of Lorain west. https://goo.gl/maps/zsWGL3ywoZWNuw3R6

4815 Franklin Boulevard Apartments

Their biggest gripe now is that they believe the architect didn't try hard enough to make the building seem historical. Yet they said they don't want them to copy other buildings in the area but that it just doesn't feel historical or significant enough. One of the members referenced the project on West 7th and Jefferson (I believe Grosvenor Place) as a project that did a good job at being historically significant and respecting the neighborhood although they admitted that project was much larger.

Here is the neighborhood review meeting from yesterday: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/tMgGsYhWaPxpiEYB70FLdDa6lNQcm4vHQr9BmTpuRiC_GLna6Ofcf6j2dLW3jYxvWaJrVmTOzzgfj6v0.hmPVBNgprPvzwwER?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=3q7MAxTzSH-OTCw7HHw3Ow.1616170237912.3f2e10941695a776ff0a16a7623b9787&_x_zm_rhtaid=691 It starts around minute 17. We'll see what Landmarks says on March 25th!

I love riding my bike down this way. This idea would be incredible for the area if implemented.

Any word on what happened today at the Near West Design Review with the Fulton House project?

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/ohio-city-and-tremont-respond-to-calls-for-more-affordable-housing

Postponed to April 19th because appellants have not been able to complete the requested parking study yet.

Waverly & Oak concept was resoundingly rebuffed by Landmarks Commission. Too large, not respecting the history of the site plan and tabled for a later date.

The building itself was built in 1900. The club wasn't acquired by Club Azteca until 1951 and officially opened in 1957. It was foreclosed on due to unpaid taxes and acquired by the landbank in December of 2020. https://case.edu/ech/articles/c/club-azteca

Sushi spot opening up at 1816 E 12th. Street. I believe there are three more vacant storefronts in this building. I love the location of these shops and with the infill on Euclid think they're a great spot for more eateries and retail. https://www.facebook.com/City-Pop-Sushi-115203943733299/

Is this the same location where ESPN Cleveland is moving?

Thank you! I've lived downtown for the last 5+ years. I've been eyeing this area for a while now. With interest rates so low, it only made sense to pull the trigger even if some of these home prices are a bit high. I'll be saving $500+ per month (in theory). Teetered on rehabbing something ourselves or buying a flip and went with the flip. I'm going to miss downtown but I'll be there every weekday for work once COVID is over so not too worried. I'm really excited to live in the area– NIMBY's be damned.