Htsguy

I guess this is suppose to be a positive tweet regarding the project, but given @KJP suggestion a few months ago that the principals may have been shopping the project around rather than actually being interested in completing it, some of the tweet's language is a bit concerning. Words like "vision", "proposed", "investment opportunity" and "contact info". Still, maybe I reading too much into a tweet by a proud papa.

Formal public record request. Ideally should have to respond in some fashion in three days.

Gee wiz. How hard could it be just to provide a list of the names of the entities which timely filed applications and then follow up at a later date with more detailed project and application information if that is going to take a while. Of course the names of the applicants would mean little to the general public but for all us little elves on the forum it would be a gold mine.

Notices of appeals are finally showing up on the court dockets. So far three notices, one by the City of Cleveland, another by the Metroparks and a third I am guessing by the port authority-although it is not clear from the dockets at this time. Unfortunately it is now clear that this is going to take a long time to resolve through the courts. My concern is that much of the briefing and expert testimony in the common pleas court emphasized the need for immediate action on the hillside.

I don't think the Weston "plan" was ever much more than a conceptual pretty picture. Lots of those in Cleveland over the years. They really don't cost much especially when compared to pulling the trigger on the real thing.

I have been wanting to post this question for a while now but I didn't want to come across as "that type of person" but since in real life I am that type of person....why is it we have not heard a peep about any developments on the land adjacent to the SHW headquarters along West 6th and along St. Clair, probably the most valuable development sites in town? Basically, my fear in this regard is the "team" at SHW is dropping the ball or, probably more likely, not even taking the time or having the interest to play with the ball, despite what initiating development of these parcels would mean for its own headquarters and the city as a whole. I am sure some will argue that the SHW "team" (you know those guys who smile at commission meetings when good suggestions are made regarding urban planning and design, and then completely ignore them because they know they can) is too busy with the actual headquarters project. However, at this point I imagine most of the heavy lifting is coming to an end and implementation is to a large extent in the hands of the hired construction experts. Another argument may be that they need the land for construction staging the next couple of years. Probably true (although they also have that "temporary parking lot" next to the headquarter on Superior which they could use for staging...I mean things get built in New York without acres of land for staging...a bright person could figure it out). However, even if they sold the land tomorrow it would probably take a developer a couple of years to complete the necessary planning (including the usual tough nut of financing) and go through the city planning process, so it should not be an issue. Again I know the "team" is busy with the headquarters but let's see if they can walk and chew gum at the same time. Maybe they are chewing gum and all is being kept secret in true paint boy fashion, but one who have thought that at least some little crumb would have leaked by now if this was actually happening.

I did not have to see it in person to realize it was going to be tacky. I didn't even have to see the renderings to know it was going to be tacky. Somebody just had to verbally outline the idea and I would have told you it was going to be tacky. The fountain was great. They should have just kept it. I hope this is not an indication of what to expect quality wise with the rest of the future development. Maybe we will be treated to a vinyl sided sky scraper.

A new Crain's article by Michelle (again long and enlightening) provided me with the answer to my question (above ) as to why the new building next to the Cleveland Foundation is smaller than I thought (it is now going to be 95,000 square feet rather than in the 200,000-250,000 square foot range which would have been more of presence on Euclid which is sorely needed in my opinion-Midtown really needs a large anchor). Apparently Wexford Science and Technology, the Baltimore company the Foundation was partnering with as part of its master plan for the area has walked away from the project and the Foundation is going alone to at least build this first building. The article has Foundation leaders painting a positive picture regarding the future of this development but I have to imagine that Wexford parting ways has to be a huge disappointment. The downsizing of the building is a disappointment to me. Hopefully new developers can step in down the road to complete the vision sooner rather than later.

Extensive road improvements/quieting/narrowing are part of the development and have been an important part the developers' presentations to various city commissions and city council committees. This along with an impressive street scape plan developed by a top notch team. Unfortunately, and to your point, I am not aware of any plans to extend this vision further out from this development. Slowing things down at this point might discourage commuters from the Heights and they might seek other routes, but the rebuilding of East 105 into a semi super highway doesn't help the pedestrian experience in the general area. Indeed it almost seems to cut off the eastern part of UC from the Clinic and the new developments along Chester and its side streets.

When all phases are completed including the building where the current library is located (I believe the plan is a hotel but that of course could change in the next 2-3 years) and the two buildings planned for across Stokes, all first floors are to have retail creating a mini retail corridor. The block of Euclid between East 105 and Stokes should be activated, as least compared to previously when the site was an out of place auto repair business, with people going to and from the library. My hope is that other developers will extend the retail corridor across Chester to that empty lot across the oil can church on the approach to the Nord Greenway as well as across Euclid on Stokes next to One University Center.

Apparently the owner has confirmed that the previously reported move to Pinecrest is definitely not happening.

Cuyahoga County

Great a "temporary" surface lot right on Euclid. Like noted above...temporary surface lot in Cleveland means multiple decades. Planning Commission better nix this. I would rather see a grassed lot. Although what do you think the odds are given it is the Cleveland Foundation. Let's see August Flucker get up in arms about this like he did with the UC town homes demo. Is it illegal for UO to set up a betting pool? Bets on which "temporary parking lot" will last the longest? This one or the one next to the SHW headquarters at the corner of Superior and East 6th.

Again, I cannot tell since I cannot read the article but I hope they are canning or at least modifying the proposed parking garage next to the building so that the portion fronting East 66th is not a garage facade but offices or something (similar to that huge Clinic garage). It would be horrible to have a large half block long dead space, especially given the major plans to re-do East 66th all the way into Hough (by the way what is the status of those plans...seems like they were before Planning Commission months and months ago)

Hey @KJP don't want to be pushy but how about an article on this project since the Cleveland.com article is a subscriber exclusive. First thoughts...finally, I have been waiting for this one. Thought it would be announced a lot sooner than this. Two, since I cannot read the article, I don't know the square footage of the building but from the renderings it looks smaller than I thought it would be. I was imagining at least 5 stories and more in the 300-350 square foot range...although quite truthfully I don't know why those figures are in my head.

I was wondering if they release the names of the applicants automatically or whether a public records request is necessary (which of course takes time).

This idea as well as the conceptual presentation is just one big miss.

Actually I was a slightly mistaken about was transpired today at Planning Commission. Final approval was given for the demo of the townhouses on the project site (which was a big sticking point). Design approval was for schematic plans so the developer will have to come back one last time for final approval so August can huff and puff one last time.

It is true the Georges' contribute heavily to political campaigns but it is silly to think that they had any influence with the judge here unless he was thinking future contributions. Judge's are assigned randomly so the Georges' would have had no idea which of the 32 CP would have been assigned the case. If they contributed after the fact (after the assignment) its a big red flag and the judge would not be stupid enough to accept a contribution. In fact I am pretty sure under Ohio's judicial ethics rules Sutula would out right be barred from accepting a contribution from a party currently in front of him.

I was wondering the same thing but did not want to say it out loud. I may be thinking of a different mortgage company but didn't they just lay off a number of employees. This may not negatively impact the new office building for Rocket since you build for your future needs not your short term situation. However, it may be an indication of the companies current financial condition and may negatively impact a new build (even with the lease expiring...just sign up for a couple more years) since a fancy new office building might not be prudent at this time. Throw in rising interest rates (although in truth Gilbert could probably build it without financing but who does that even when you have the money) as well as supply chain and construction industry labor shortages jacking up costs to build currently and...well...it just gets me wondering.

Public/Community input is the current fashion for development projects nationwide and probably rightly so as long as it doesn't get extreme. It seems like in Cleveland Heights they have to have 5 community meetings just to plant a tree.

Don't get your hopes up. Check out the Hudson Tower thread on the skyscraperpage forum.

Isn't the design idea here to create a event/activity lawn? Obviously more difficult to maintain.

The Stokes West-Cedar project finally passed Planning Commission today after being in front of the body like, forever. I really have to hand it to the developer for sticking it out and doing what was necessary with community groups (and I am guessing much behind the scenes lobbying) to get this pass the approval finishing line. Hopefully costs have not skyrocketed since first proposed and they will actually be able to turn some dirt. Despite overwhelming support from all the principals with interests in the area including the Council President, the vote was still 4-2. August Flucker has become my new least favorite member of the commission. After listening to him on PC and other forums, my take is that "the ego has landed".

All judges are elected in Ohio. Moreover, just because a judge makes an erroneous decision does not make him a shill. That is what appellate courts are for. By the way. I anticipate significant court filings next week. Perhaps in all three courts (common pleas, probate and court of appeals). I think Judge Sutula has just ruined the holiday weekend for a number of firm associates. That is the way it goes in the big leagues.