Htsguy

Exactly right KJP. That is the weak link in the chain, so to speak. The connections are getting closer but we still need something more. It's going to take an extraordinary plan to finally correct this. Don't necessarily need an extradordinary plan (although that would be nice) but it will need extraordinary money and still no ideas how that is to be raised.

The more I look at this thing the more I think somebody just did this for the proposal for something to look at. Maybe I am wrong but the rendering simply looks like the building that is there (the doors on the corner almost look the same as does the bridge to an extent) and then somebody just played with it to give it an "updated" look. I am guessing that while the footprint and shape may look the same in the end the final product is still in the works. Who knows what that will look like.

^Yeah I get the impression that the square footage and eight stories is set in stone but would think that there is still an opportunity to wow it up.

^I guess I have a question? Is this actually the final design or is it 50-75% conceptual at this time. Seems kinda early to have something concrete and ready to build when it was unknown whether your proposal was actually going to be the one accepted.

Item 2 of the specific reasons Geis was selected states "financing approved-ability to close quickly".

Financing to complete build-out of the county's new space should be somewhat easy with a long-term lease in place. Hopefully the acquisition of the entire site can be leveraged through the county portion of the project. That makes sense. Also, and I have nothing to back this up, but I just get the impression that Geis has deeper pockets than K and D. Maybe they can or would be able to put more of their own equity in the project if this were required by the lenders.

Guys (if this news is true) restaurants come and go. It is the nature of the business. Chop House had a great run in Cleveland (probably close to 20 years which is phenomenal in the business). I would imagine there are many reasons for the move. No reason to go nuts analyzing. And I agree...they had a great product for the type of restaurant it was and it will be missed (especially the super brunch on Sunday).

I am of the opinion that this will never be turned into into a hotel. Too many obstacles.

^I would imagine it was the county which means KJP is probably right about the Huntington Building.

^Lucky you are not the homeowner who is going to have a double lane take out window feet from your house.

^Were you at the meeting?

^Does anybody have any inside scoop on all of this especially this Joel Ratner guy (is he a member of the FCE clan?). Why is he throwing a monkey wrench into the works? He seems to calling for delay and "more imput for the neighborhood" for no good reason. What is his agenda? Is this some sort of power play? I am very confused by this, especially when we have a developer that is so gun ho and has completed projects in the past.

^I saw that (the construction fence) last week and wondered what was going on. Looks from the rendering at least like a quality store front renovation which will be a 100% improvement on a prominent corner in Little Italy. The current faux brick siding drives me nuts.

^boo

REALLY. Base on the above? While interesting and positive, hardly concrete (a conversation at a wedding reception and a non-denial e mail). I know we get a little desperate on this Board for good news but still...

^well doesn't that picture show it on the west side of Lee Road?

^Jerry the RTA website states that it was expected the construction contracts would be "awarded" during the summer of 2012. Any reason for the substantial delay?

^ok but be reasonable.... lets not kill the goose that layed the goleden egg in the process. There is still much to be done and the risk for the developer never goes away.

^^Congrats...and amazingly still no choo choo train. :wink:

^^Hmm....I think a one or two "quality" chains are not a bad thing in an area that has established independents like Lee Rd. since it could bring in a different (and bigger) crowd that might also help other independents. The trick is to get the mix right. My bigger concern would be splitting a stagnant pie among more dining establishments. More restaurants will require "more people" as some of the current places seem to be struggling as it is (never see anybody in that gyro place). Starbucks? We will see...they already failed in a great location right next to the theater.

^Agree,,,I constantly here complaints from the "younger crowd" wanting to live in CH but not wanting to live in the majority older apartment stock (many people like it but it is not for everybody). There is very little like this in Cleveland Heights and I cannot help but believe it will help the surrounding older buildings and maybe even encourage investment in them that was not previously contemplated.

^I actually didn't know I was working there. And I guess I am special. Back in my younger days I was offered a job at Progressive and a job at a law firm downtown at pretty much the same time and took the downtown job even though the Progressive job paid 20% more because I didn't want to work in the suburbs.

^to each his own...it would drive me nuts.

^I would hate to work in such an environment. I imagine they will have a cafeteria so in some ways it will just be like going to high school. You arrive in the morning and leave at night without leaving the campus. At least downtown you were able to walk to a variety of places for lunch and run a quick errand if you had to. I don't care if Olive Garden and Chipolte are "across the street". You still have to drive there which means treking to the parking garage, circling the garage, driving over and doing the same on your return which easily will take up 15-20 of your lunch (and more if you drive up to the places on Chagrin.). On the other hand the views of downtown and the Chagrin Valley have to be great (don't know if that is a great substitute or selling point for a young worker)

^Interesting take on Progressive. Does Peter Lewis really have that much to do with the day to day running of the company? He really is getting up there. I know in the past they have explored moving back into Cleveland but always got negative feedback from employees who lived in the far eastern suburbs around the current headquarters. As far as Eaton goes, I think that is a given (recruiting younger employees) but with the job market the way it is, most people will just suck it up. Who I really feel for are the far west side employees (or anywhere on the west side) who now are going to have their commutes double (if not triple given the mess both 480 and 271 can be during rush hour).