sky

I'm going to ask him if he has any 'letters of intent' from any retailers. I've been hearing whisperings of Macy's, Target and even of conversations with IKEA through the grapevine. :yap:

Carl lives in the Kirkham Townhomes on West 10th Street (just off of West 9th and St. Clair).

This is very exciting!! I have 2 questions: 1) Was this more of a ceremonial groundbreaking or are they planning to immediately start construction (will there be a big construction crew down there in October with jackhammers)?? 2) Also, does anyone know if they will soon start any construction on the East 13 & Superior site (or are they just starting on E 12 & St.Clair for now) ??????

I heard that the owners (The Asher family) are really getting serious about moving this project forward. The plan is to transform these structures into a regional arts & technology destination. Apparently, a recording studio on the first floor is expanding, and a new film production company is moving in!! They are also working on adding cheap living spaces for artists(live-work)!!

I'd say 6. The reason is that everyone is pulling this project ... Stark, other property owners, the press, the foundations, the politicians, RTA, the Port, etc, etc. With everyone agreeing on a common goal, I'm optimistic on the possibilities.

Having these old buildings and then successfully restoring them is one of the things that makes Cleveland so much more architecturally interesting that the newer souther cities (like Charlotte, Columbia, Jacksonville, Naples, etc). It also gives our Downtown more character that our surburbs will ever have.

I think the developers who are rehabbing East 4th St (the Marons) are the ones who knocked those buildings down. I'm guessing that it's about creating easier access for their parking for that area. By the way, there is a City Ordinance that prohibits knocking down Downtown buildings for parking lot unless the demolition is in conjuction with a redevelopment plan.

Willie Anderson rules!!

Nothing against Joe Cimperman, but look at the facts. The Flats East Bank is in Ward 13. Joe Cimperman has been the Ward 13 councilman during the later part of the White administration, thru Campbell's administration and now into Jackson's administration. Jane Campbell was working with Scott Wolstein very closely for years on this project. When she lost the election, Jackson took a "hands off" approach to Campbell projects. He's been generally supportive of Wolstein, but hasn't got directly involved. Joe Cimperman is another story. He's been involved with this from the beginning. The other owners have been asking him for help for over two years with this situation. They have gotten some positive lip service, but Cimperman has not actually done anything to broker a deal. Actually, there have been a few occasions where he’s been purposely misleading: • Summer of 2005 – Wolstein’s plans are announced. Many of the other Flats East Bank owners call Cimperman to ask for a “process that is fair to everyone.” • Fall of 2005 - The City set ups a “blighted area” and establishes a “Community Action Plan.” Cimperman was quietly but fully involved in these processes. He made sure that the only property owner involved was Scott Wolstein. • Fall & Winter of 2005 – The other owners continue to call Cimperman to ask for a “process that is fair to everyone.” • February 2006 – At a council meeting where Steve Strnisha (Wolstein’s consultant) was prepping Council about project details. There were many routine questions asked (about public art and minority participation). Cimperman asked 1 question. His LOADED QUESTION was “For the record, will there be any request to City Council to use eminent domain?” To which Strnisha said “no” in a loud voice and added that Wolstein is making offers to buy the properties he needs. Martin Sweeney then unexpectedly stepped in and asked if anyone had accepted any of Wolstein’s offers yet. Strnisha said “no” in a quieter tone. Sweeney asked what would happen in the other property owners do not accept the offers. Strnisha responded “We think they will.” Sweeney pressed, “What if they don’t?” Strnisha responded “we’re working with everyone.” Sweeney pressed again “what if they don’t accept?” In a barley audible voice, Strnisha said “The Port Authorty has eminent domain power that we can use.” • Spring 2006 – Several other property owners either submit their own development plans or tout ideas to work with Wolstein. These are uniformly ignored by Cimperman. • Summer 2006 – Wolstein signs a “Development Agreement” with the City for Flats East Bank. This gives Wolstein full power to develop other people’s properties (between the river and West 9th). Cimperman supports this agreement even though it completely diminishes the rights of other property owners. • Look at Ken Prendergast’s Sun articles in June and July. Cimperman says “let the negotiations thrive.” While knowing full well that Wolstein is stonewalling negotiations and simply trying to screw the other owners in court. Let’s face it, Cimperman has political ambitions beyond being a councilman. He will not frustrate a big political spender like Scott Wolstein. Especially when Cimperman likes Wolstein’s project and doesn’t really care about the means used to get it. The end justifies the means. So someone, please explain to me how Cimperman is doing his job in this situation. How is he trying to broker a deal or work things out? How is he is getting his hands dirty? What has he done to roll up his sleeves and get to work? We’re talking about over $100 million of public money going to one private developer’s project. I think this calls for active and real LEADERSHIP.

WHERE'S THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS TOWN?? (Answer: there is none). A leader would get the parties together and figure out a way to broker a deal so that Wolstein gets to do his project AND the other owners do not get screwed. Yes, that could mean that the other owners get to share in the risk/rewards of Wolstein's project. Or that could mean that Wolstein's concepts are modified to include the other owners. Mayor Jackson hasn't done anything to work things out. Joe Cimperman is afraid of his own shadow. He hasn't done anything to broker a deal. It's too bad that our politicians can't pull this together.

then Pesht is built, the sales tax TIF district is established for it, and retail sales are diverted to within Pesht, is the loss of that sales tax revenue to the county and RTA worth it? How much might the loss be and for how long? My gut feeling is YES, it's worth it!! Pesht is the only Cleveland-area urban development proposal that is TRANSFORMATIONAL. It has the potential to totally change the playing field with Northern Ohio's suburban sprawl problem. It has the potential to entice out-of-state employers and fortune 500 companies to seriously consider Downtown Cleveland. This would happen because the entire environment of Downtown would be positively transformed. We would have a much more exciting, vibrant and prosperous urban core.

By "city improvements" do you mean the construction for East 13th Street (eliminating the median strip, widening the sidewalk, landscaping, etc)?

Stark will need the local government to find a way to raise significant dollars to help develop these sites. He will need MAJOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE if he's to build Buddah. Pesht will come later as a natural revitalization/consequence. (Actually, the Avenue District is the start of Pesht.)

Rockwell site one contender for slice of state grants By JAY MILLER 6:00 am, July 31, 2006 The Long Island-based developer who earlier this year purchased the hulking tech center on Rockwell Avenue in downtown Cleveland for $12.5 million is hoping the project lands a state economic development grant to help build a $29 million tech center and garage on part of the site. Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have joined to support the efforts of Matrix Centennial LLC of Smithtown, N.Y., to redevelop the site. They have applied for a $5 million Job Ready Sites grant to make the project economically feasible. Job Ready Sites is a new state program that offers communities grants to assemble land, fund environmental cleanups and make infrastructure improvements to property.

The intelligence factor of Cimperman's quotes have been in a 'death spiral'

Ruling pleases lawyers in local domain cases Thursday, July 27, 2006 Sarah Hollander Plain Dealer Reporter Lawyers fighting local eminent domain efforts cheered Wednesday's Ohio Supreme Court ruling in the Norwood case, saying it should give their clients more protection in court. The court, in a case involving Norwood, near Cincinnati, ruled unanimously that governments and developers cannot use economic benefit as the sole reason for seizing private property. A dozen lawsuits are pending against property owners who are blocking a city-backed plan to redevelop the east bank of the Flats with housing, restaurants and shops. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

sounds like they are very close to the presales number ... now is probably the best time to get a good deal on a unit

Great post, KJP. Nancy Lesic is lying to protect her client (hard to believe, I know). Yes, technically, the Port Authority facilitates the "negotiations," but Scott Wolstein tells the Port what to do. SCOTT WOLSTEIN makes ALL DECISIONS regarding which properties to go after and how much the Port is authorized to pay. Scott Wolstein's new company (Flats East Bank Development, LLC) signed a Development Agreement with the Port in 2005. The contract stipulates that the developer (Scott Wolstein) controls all property acquisition decisions and will ultimately pay money to control whatever properties are acquired by the Port. It is up to Scott Wolstein to decide which properties he wants to try to "land grab" and which ones he chooses to leave alone. For example, there are 2 properties in the Community Development Plan area that Wolstein has chosen to leave alone (1100 West 9th and also 1150 West 9th). Just ask Bob Brown or Daryl Rush from the City to see the paperwork. Scott Wolstein is the one who's abusing eminent domain and refusing to help Khouri & Shaia with their deals.

Good post, Mr. Good Day ... I second that !!

Regarding "Wolstein's stubborness" and that he "needs" the lot ... He does not need the lot, he WANTS it (big difference). What he does need are the properties west of 10th Street, but it's obvious that he does not need the Shaia lot. If I was him, I would work with Shaia so that Shaia can pull off Lighthouse Landing. These new residences would only help Wolstein's retail tenants. Wolstein can't have everything and the rightful property owner (Shaia) should be able to to what they want. Also, if I was him, I'd try to get involved with developing the land to the north up to the lake (the Port Authority will eventually move).

Any news on the retail space attthe corner of East 4th & Prospect (the Sincere Building)

do they sell stogies?

above the YMCA ... or, if you can wait, check out 1104 Propect Avenue

The Port's response is bullshit. The government should give 1st preference to the actual property owner. (plus the Lighthouse Plans look great). Also, per Tony Coyne ... how is Shaia trying to get more money when his counteroffer states that he merely wants to provide the parking while keeping his own property? Wake up, Tony Coyne, and smell the corruption!!

I think that if the pieces keep all independently falling into place SLOWLY, then maybe in 5 years or so, Downtown living will experience a sort of "tipping point" and condo units will start selling really FAST. Right now, Downtown does not yet have a critical mass of people. Once some of these projects start getting built (Avenue, Eli Mann, 1104 Prospect, Flats East Bank, Lighthouse Landing, etc, etc) things will happen much QUICKER in the future. Also, the proposed renovation of the Parkview Apartment on E. 13th & Chester will really help Downtown in a subtle but very important way.