Htsguy

Lots on the fringes and even in the heart of it with some strategic demos.

Great article Ken. I especially liked the recap of past awards. One of the additional perks of the July deadline for us UO fanatics is that if Bedrock does indeed submit an application, we will be able to learn its more concrete plans for the riverfront sooner rather than later. I hope they apply.

I still don't understand the top part.

Do you know if they are using thin brick as surmised by @w28th

^^^This indeed is an exciting proposal by a developer that general gets things done and thinks outside the box (in other words no off the shelf 4 story rectangle apartment buildings). "Approval" as you say, is a no brainer, as the city officials are incredibly pumped by the proposal, as they should be. That said, lots of sticking points including the fact that the developer does not own the property across the street from the Tudors, huge infrastructure costs that will have to be incurred by a city that is pretty cash strapped so many applications to various governmental agencies are going to be necessary to secure funds and of course, as always, the developers financing issues, although it seems WXZ generally does not have many problems in that regard.

I have always thought the same thing regarding that area on Mayfield. Cannot believe it is not lined with modern condo buildings the whole length (some thing in the 4-6 story range). Don't think it will happen given what I am sure are multiple property owners who probably believe their properties are worth more than they actually are. I think you see a lot of that on Detroit. Long time owners with unrealistic demands as they view all the development going up around them.

Despite the fact that the parking and height (which wasn't even an issue before the BZA) NIMBYS were out in full force, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a number of necessary variances today for WXZ's condo project on the Primo Vino site.

I have stated this opinion a number of times over the years. I could care less if the MM could have been (and clearly was not) a success. It was cover for the county commissions to finally implement a tax to finally renovate the convention center after years of talk talk talk (hey...just like the lakefront). I am sure the parties planning it hoped it would be a smash hit, but even if they were over selling I could care less. The convention center was rebuilt and it just was not going to happen without the Med Mart selling point. Now incorporating it into the actual Center is a great idea. Just as good of an idea, make better use of Public Hall for conventions.

Has Phase I of Innovation Square just south of this project also broken ground or are we still waiting?

With this small but interesting and tasteful renovation and the Primo Vino condos across the street with a street level wine bar, this whole section of Mayfield will take on a different (and less shabby) vibe. Go WXZ. I know I sound like a broken record but I love them.

I was left wondering about a couple of things after the presentation, or maybe I missed the discussion. Does the city also own the strip mall across Taylor which WXZ also wants to transform or is that going to require purchase from a private owner? Same with the synagogue. Also, much of the vision will require significant infrastructure improvements with the narrowing of Taylor and pedestrian improvements as well as the above discussed path and entry plaza in Cain Park. At this point does the city know where the money is going to come from for those items? All of this will be very costly.

@KJP Any "Pearl" updates? I imagine if you did have some news you would have reported it in this new article. I am concerned that we really have not heard much about it lately. I would have thought it would have been before Design Review by now.

That point was noted by the architect. His goal was to make the entire stretch of Taylor more walkable and pedestrian oriented (with larger sidewalks, a narrower street with well defined crossings, greenery and an interesting built environment on both sides of the street so it was a more pleasant walk to catch the buses on Cedar and Mayfield, although clearly a hike, especially to Mayfield.

Was watching the Cleveland Hts. City Council Planning and Development Committee meeting online and was excited to see that the city is moving forward with the Taylor Tudor redevelopment. Of course this is Cleveland Heights so a couple of glaciers still have to melt before the vision comes to fruition, but it clear there has been some good progress to date even if they are really only at the starting line. What especially excites me is that there were four firms which responded to the city's RFQ/RFP and WXZ Development was the winning firm. I am a big fan of WXZ because, in my mind, they do unique, almost bespoke work, in challenging environments, and almost every thing they do is of high quality. They seem to have a special talent when it comes to making the numbers work and the firm's principals and their partners clearly have a passion and strive to do things right. Even more exciting is they have a vision that is more than simple renovating the Taylor Tudor buildings (although that will be Phase 1). They plan to completely re-imagine the neighborhood and make it a destination, while still honoring the people who live there now. This includes redeveloping the strip mall on the other side of the street, bringing it to the side walk with retail on the first level and apartments above, bigger sidewalks with lots of meeting spaces, revamping the empty synagogue by Cain Park and turning it into an indoor performance space, developing a better connection for the district with the eastern section of Cain Park and building some single family housing on the east side of the street. Again a long term vision. Can't wait to see what Fran finds objectionable.

^This looks familiar. Has @KJP done some reporting on this project at some time in the past?

And a waste of money given all the more important infrastructure enhancements that continue to languish. Would have rather seen the money spent on the reconstruction of Superior Avenue.

They are both just moving to different locations...although the Dunkin is moving into the student center down the street and will be less visible (but a lot of foot traffic).

Yet planning commission, in its ultimate wisdom, slams a dense pedestrian oriented development on the fringes of University Circle without even taking the time to actually let the developer present the project, because it will be necessary to demo 6 dilapidated, architecturally insignificant and isolated row houses. (Its been three weeks...I better let it go or I am going to bust a blood vessel. Maybe the developer can come up with a solution to appease Planning Commission. That is if the members can ever find the time to meet again😏)

If I recall correctly SHW had already received all the variances it needed for the garage with no trouble (of course...who are we kidding) and then changed the design so they have to go back to BZA again which will just be another walk in the park.

As part of the Circle Square project the developers have retained a well known landscape architectural firm and have already presented the Phase 1 vision to the planning commission and I believe have received final approval. You can view the developers presentation to the planning commission on line which includes an extensive discussion of the philosophy behind the street improvements. It is quite ambitious, especially in regards to making the area around the development welcoming to pedestrians. Unrelated to housing, I believe the recently completed Nord Family greenway is fantastic and is a great Circle asset. I recall the art museum also has plans to completely re-do the Wade Lagoon landscape in the future as well as other green areas surrounding the museum.

Did not read the article and don't know the context of the above quote or what was additionally reported but....I am assuming a master plan has more to do with siting of buildings and parks as well as building size, other amenities, connection to the existing landscape and perhaps general style but not the actual design of the building (exterior and interior). That quote does peek my interest. Building on what @KJP has reported to date it may be further evidence that Bedrock is going to construct a Phase 1 building sooner rather than later, given Rocket's lapsing Higbee lease, and that Adjaye will be the architect of that building. Again, just more speculation. Always looking for clues when somebody in the know says something which they might think is a throw away line, but taken in context with everything else could be very illuminating and truth telling.

I have been hesitant to express this opinion since it is still early days, but I have not been incredibly impressed with Lillian Kuri since she took over as chair. I find this especially disheartening and strange since I always considered her one of the more enlightened commission members when David Bowen was chair. Maybe it is just me, but it seems like the whole PC seems surprised by or unfamiliar with their own agenda at times.

I really have not been that crazy in love with any of the multiple designs presented. I was happy that they did drop the first massing which loomed over the church. I am more than happy to accept an average design because I believe it is important to develop this corner. Yes I am settling (and many of you love the design...I understand that...that is what makes the world go round), but I do that with many projects I personally believe can be done better since my hope is down the road they fosters more development in the area and hopefully better quality when those with deeper pockets don't consider the neighborhood such a risk due to the pioneering projects.

Really want to see the Pearl and Intro Phase 2 incorporated into that view.

I imagine this retention plus Michelle's disclosure that Osborne has recently been brought on board is further evidence in support of @KJP 's supposition that some sort of Phase 1 is going to happen on the riverfront sooner rather than later.