downtownjoe

They started digging on the dirt portion this morning. Aside from that, a ton of utility work has been going on down East 9th street, not sure if it's in relation to this or Progressive Field upgrades.

El Corazon should liven up Detroit Ave a bit. Being described as a "homespun Van Aken". It's on Landmarks agenda for Thursday. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/09/yellowcakes-valerie-mayen-ready-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-a-unique-inclusive-boutique-marketplace-in-gordon-square.html

Doinks Burgers or Citizen Pie

A surprisingly "positive" (in relation to their other reviews of this project) review from OHC Design Review today for 45 West:

Good or bad: this is what happens when a portion of a community are allowed to dictate a design process. Director Huang has done a great job with expediting City Planning but needs to focus her attention on BZA, Landmarks and local design review boards next. There are TOO many people okay with being non-starters in productive conversation because they don't like a certain developer. MyPlace has come to the table with 3 variations, this is the 4th. The people against it would seemingly only okay a single family/townhouse development at this location. (the usual complaints: parking, height, pricing) This massing is directly based on those folks feedback, especially the alleyways. I have written in support and had others write in support but there are a few key NIMBY's who push back on this/rile up the surrounding neighbors with fear mongering about parking and height. Event though there's equal sized buildings down the street and even equal sized townhomes on side streets throughout the neighborhood. Don't get me started on parking...

Looks like it's this part which seems to be a lobby with open glass walls and such.

I don't think Harry Buffalo is moving spots. I think it will be merged with the sportsbook. "George said the current Harry Buffalo location will go through a complete remodel. He said the exact plans are still being finalized, but that the new restaurant will have rooftop seating." Going to be interesting having people sit/eat/drink beneath the future giant electronic billboard...

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4809377,-81.7407007,3a,90y,271.82h,80.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1spfmjw7wQqfI_tFvMfXsDdQ!2e0!5s20090901T000000!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu

This partnership with Ohio State Highway Patrol (a model for how all law enforcement agencies/organizations should be run and managed) is awesome! The little guys they're taking out are the problem. Make it scary for more little guys to do this stuff in broad daylight and you'll see less of it.

I've said it before but the restaurants, outside of the quick spots like Sushi-En/Sitoos/Parnell's, leave a lot to be desired for. Driftwood is REALLY stale and I wish someone would freshen it up or step in and bring better concepts. It's unfortunate as they've gotten by with mediocre food and service from being the convenient option for outsiders. It gives a bad representation on the quality of food in this city. I think some proper nightlife over here as you mentioned would be awesome, as well. We'll see it in time but there's way better food scattered down the street on East 4th and elsewhere in neighboring spots to ever recommend someone visits one of those spots.

There is a patio full of people in one of the photos, cars driving up and down, parked on the side of the streets, people walking up and down as well– all on a sleepy Tuesday. Only one show going on the night of these pics. There is a median in the road, not standing in the middle of the street. Downtown is busier month over month, especially PHSQ, with office workers, students and residents.

Being converted to a single family residence.

Summary: Esmark Inc., one of the bidders for United States Steel Corp., has announced that it will not be bidding for the steelmaker. The CEO, James P. Bouchard, cited the relationship between Esmark and United Steelworkers as the reason for abandoning the potential bid. The United Steelworkers have shown support for the $7.3 billion bid by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Esmark had previously made a $7.8 billion all-cash offer for U.S. Steel. Bouchard stated that they will evaluate any opportunities in connection with the bidding process, subject to support from the United Steelworkers. U.S. Steel has not yet commented on the matter. https://www.bizjournals.com/cleveland/news/2023/08/23/esmark-drops-bid-for-u-s-steel.html

I walked by the other day and thought the exact same thing. LOVE those balcony doors.

It went pending for a few then went back on the market a month later. I have a feeling whoever put the money into this place will lose out on that money soon or it'll be a very nice Airbnb. No shot anyone would pay 550k for this area at the moment. They'll be lucky to get 400k which would still be insane.

Sadly, it'll probably just turn into more parking but I'm hoping it doesn't. The new coffee shop here (Solstice Roasters) is excellent and Aladdins has always been an awesome spot. More and more office workers on this end too. Would be an incredible thing to see more infill here and down East 14th.

In summary: The Mandel Foundation has awarded $24 million in grants to various projects on Cleveland's East Side lakefront. The grants will be used for the revitalization of Gordon Park, the unification of three parks in North Collinwood, and the construction of a portion of the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway. The Cleveland Metroparks received the largest grant of $13 million, which will go towards the lakefront trail and Gordon Park. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy received a $10 million grant to help with the transition of the Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community into a green space. Other grants were given to LAND Studio for community engagement efforts and to the land conservancy for tree planting.

During today's City Planning meeting, Bobby got his billboard downtown approved so that the one from the future park is removed. The billboard will be on top of Harry Buffalo downtown and feature two screens. Progress, in some form.

Walking down that stretch to West 6th/9th or to the Flats is much more welcoming by these street improvements. I can't wait for the day to be here where there's life filling Tower City and the new SHW tower is complete. Will feel like one of the more downtown parts of downtown which used to feel empty and cold, even in the warm months.

Excited to finally see their French concepts come to life. I believe J'Adore was supposed to go into the Dexter Apartment retail spaces at first but City Club must've swooped in.

1900 Train Ave showed up on todays BBS meeting. The building has multiple violations but one tidbit that was interesting is that the current owner claims there is a deal in progress to sell the building. Obviously, this doesn't abate violations but the city pressed forward with not allowing more time to fix violations so hopefully that can push a sale through faster and this area can start seeing the same renewal that's happening north and south of it.

https://neo-trans.blog/2022/02/16/knez-ohio-city-townhouse-plan-wins-appeal/ First foundation for this has been poured seemingly overnight! Maybe a sign that townhomes Knez is building down the same street on Lorain are selling or garnering lots of interest.

Final storefront space at Harbor 44 (4319 Lorain Ave.) is leased. It's a Domino's: https://ca.permitcleveland.org/public/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=BuildingHousing&TabName=BuildingHousing&capID1=23BHO&capID2=00000&capID3=07738&agencyCode=COC&IsToShowInspection=

https://courbanize.com/projects/50west/information 50 West was approved by Landmarks today.

I think Jim should have his name under Lorain Ave on all the street signs if he continues beautifying this corridor. The revitalization continues! Now imagine it with true bike lanes/skinnier roads... and all the revitalization.