Htsguy

^^Where did that come from?

There was a Corky and Lenny's in Cedar Center for years (probably the original) but it closed a long time ago. I also imagine MTS was referring to Peking Gourmet rather than China Gate, but that is just speculation.

^In regards to your questioning the "business model", I am not a developer or real estate expert so I am not at all familiar with the process, including the preliminary research, a developer implements to gage his market, but these are pretty sophisticated (and cautious) guys, and it is not the first time they have been to the rodeo. In addition, I imagine they have to make a pretty convincing case to their financing sources, especially given the current lending environment.

Amazing how this evolved from what was originally proposed (multi story mixed used of retail, office and residential) to your basic ugly strip center with loads of upfront parking. It more or less replaced an outdated strip with mold and rats to a soon to be outdated strip with out those two problems (at least for now). In fact, in many ways the old strip had more "character" and quirky "suprises" than this mess. I know I keep harping on this, but Coral's track record is so mediocre. That is why I have so much fear about their involvement in Lot 45.

Sherman....thanks for this very interesting thread and all the time and effort you put into it (and similar threads on the board) for all our benefit. Following up on your last post, something I find very dispiriting is what is happening (or has been happening for the past 2-3 decades) to Ohio's (and other Midwestern states) small urban centers (cities like Elyria, Painsville, Ravenna, Sandusky, Stubenville, Warren....just to name a few). While we tend to focus on the urban ills of the three C's and as well as Dayton and Toledo, the suburbanization of the state the last 25-30 years (much more damaging in my opinion than the initial phases right after the war) as well as the economic down turns of the early 80's, 90's and of course the most recent devastation to the economy, have seemed to have a more profound effect on these smaller towns than major Ohio cities. While they try and try, they have less resources to battle the ill effects of negative economic conditions and population shifts than the larger cities (which clearly have their own struggles but are in a better position for a whole host of reasons including old and strong institutions). Driving through these towns and listening to residents talk about them is down right depressing. We debate "brain drain" in regards to Ohio's larger cities but in these towns it is a fact. The best and the brightest have no reason to stay (whether due to job opportunities, educational opportunities for them or there children, attractive housing or just "things to do") and they flock to the 3 C's or even further away (the "glistening" cities on the coasts or Chicago). It is interesting that this seems to be more of an Ohio-Midwest problem, at least when compared to small cities (although not all) in states like New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvia. Their mid size towns seem more intact and inviting. Don't know if this is because there never was a serious decline in the first instance or whether it happen so long ago (for example the devastation of Mass. mill towns after the collapse of the textile industry in that state) that they have found the solution and have slowly recovered. Hopefully, if this is the case maybe there is hope for these small Ohio towns. Unfortunately I don't know if I will see it in my life time.

^they are..see downtown office development thread.

Well if this is the case then he does have more money than God...would really like to see him spending his bags of money on other lake front projects rather than doming the stadium.

Actually very disappointed with this.. specifically the "landscaped parking". I thought the whole area was going to be green. I guess it is better than the broken asphalt and chain linked fence that was there before.

While driving by this morning saw the first evidence that they will begin work on the University Circle station soon. They were putting up a construction fence around the perimeter of the station including the park. I guess now that I think of it that this means they have begun construction. Will be interesting to watch as I usually drive by every day.

That's Ok.... I heard Cleveland is getting a broken record store soon. :wink:

^Although I hope whoever in the bureaucracy has done a through investigation and analysis and is convinced that redevelopment in the near future will be a go since there are so many other places that money could be used.

^This will be fun. :-D

^^Loved the last sentence of Clevelander17's post.

^Rent a bike if you are into that. There a tons of places that do it with convenient locations all over the city for pickup and return. A fun route would be along the Bay through the Marina District to the Presido (what's the name of the fort at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge...could do a tour of it as part of the ride) and then over the bridge to Sausilito (fun to ride over the bridge with the views and Sausilito is just beautiful) and then you could take the ferry with your bike back into SF. Have fun.

^I agree that it is probably a leverage ploy to get a better lease deal and I would imagine most developers realize this and aren't going to spend tons of resources to lure them...probably just barebones proposals. Owners of Key Center will bend over backwards to retain somebody that leases that much space.

August is now almost histroy. Does anybody know if the CIA Board voted to schedule groundbreaking on the addition as mentioned in the news article announcing the Peter Lewis gift? I have not seen any news reports.

Have only been to St. Simons once (about 3 years ago). It impressed me as kinda a southern Cap Cod in that, while many people come to vacation there, it had a sizeable year around population with "regular lives" (do not rely on the tourist industry). Had the best breakfast in my entire life at some small restaurant (cannot recall the name) Thought the beaches (at least the one we were at) were just average, espcially when compared to others in Georgia and South Carolina. Overall very nice.

^what's the background story? Didn't somebody from out of town buy it (Baltimore I think but not sure) just recently and were moving to Cleveland (again not sure but I thought it was a older couple who want to be closer to son or daughter in Cleveland...some how that sticks in my mine from a news article about the sale).

^^I have never had a problem talking with people at my table at Crop even when crowded. This actually surprised me given the space. I thought there would be problems but, again, I have never experienced it (unlike Dante's where I experienced noise issues on both occasions I had dinner there...it has been a while and don't know if they have corrected the problem).

The Lincoln Building is the reason I was born. My mom and dad met there in an office during the 50's. My dad was from NYC and was stationed in Cleveland (office work for army ordinance) for 2 years (was in ROTC in college). His plan was to do his duty (had never been to Cleveland in his life and had no ties was so ever to the city) and get the hell out of town pronto. Ended up living the rest of his life in Cleveland and even became a Browns fan over the Giants and Indians over the Yankees. Some time you never know where life will lead you. Word has it that office had some pretty wild parties (at least for Cleveland in the 50s) in the bars and hotels around town. Sounds very Mad Men esque. Hope they do renovate the building.

I believe if that were to happen at Beachwood Place there will have to be quite a change of heart among residents of Beachwood and the city administriation since the last "major" expansion when Dillards was expanded and Nordstroms added. If I recall correctly the owners of the mall at that time had to compromise considerably to implement the expansion as neighbors were very much opposed and the city very much tried to address their concerns. That is one of the reasons you have those five a six houses (I imagine they are all rentals now) and buffer trees on Richmond between LaPlace and the drive off of Richmond into the mall.

^On Prospect where Volk's is and adjoining spaces.

^Thank you. With the Lakefront it is just we don't and will never have the money to do anything so we will continue to study and propose. Right now with the county I think it is cover your ass.

Article contains some really attractive pictures of the park and surrounding area. Headline is a little over the top in my opinion. As many problems as the park had (primarily a dated design) including lots of deferred maintenance, I never considered it "blighted".

I love peeking in and to see what you guys are discussing in this thread. Maybe about 50% it is actually something directly about the street car. This has got to be urban ohio's number one off topic thread. Just saying. :wink: