Htsguy

Parking NIMBYs always drive me nuts, especially since most of them are not experts but have no problems spouting out nonsense without anything to back up their opinions (sort of like members of the Freedom Caucus). Also, I agree that density at this corner is desirable. In fact, I am of the opinion that the building should be taller. However, I do agree with the concerns about the building overwhelming the church and would like them to explore a siting where the building is up to the sidewalk but does not loom over the church as it currently does. Probably would require a significant design revision so I don't know if that is possible. By the way, I don't know what Landmarks formal mission is but I have streamed a number of their meetings and they always get into issue of design, aesthetics, parking and density when they review projects....they seem very similar to Design Review in that regard. So what they appear to be doing on this project is not novel as far as I can tell. Since the developers when to Landmark at this stage just to get their feed back rather than approval, it will be interesting to see what changes, if any, are made to the design next go around.

Based on Ken's article I am guessing we won't see a first public design reveal until March at the earliest and maybe not until May-June.

Cannot view the article so if it answers this question.....somewhat confused by all of this. Was this action taken simply to prevent the developer from defaulting on its original loans for the first part of the project or will this action in some way help jump start future phases (or at least phase 3b)?

Quite frankly, if what @gottaplanwas suggesting yesterday (basically that Stark has too much of a financing gap even with the TMUD) I hope Stark doesn't even bother to apply (which would be ironic given their camp were behind the legislation). It could possibly interfere with projects that have more promise and need the TMUD to get over the hump.

@KJP...I hate to keep cross examining you on this topic but do you have a best guess as to when the first credits might be awarded. I would imagine there is a whole bureaucratic process in order to set up the program within the appropriate government agency and then the application and award process would take some time as well.

@KJP...do you think it might be possible that the developers may add a few floors to this project now that the THUM tax credit has passed (even though there is no guarantee they would win an award given the competition for the tax credit)?

The legislators are too busy with more important things like passing legislation which will result in more Ohioans dying from COVID and hiding from reporters asking pesky questions about the lack of any action relative to the repeal of the First Energy subsidy

Even though the East 90th street apartments were on the Dec 4 Planning Commission agenda for conceptual approval, I don't believe the presentation went forward. Does anybody know why?

I guess so...the Planning Commission agenda states they are seeking conceptual approval.

I hate to judge something that I have never seen in person, but from what I can tell from afar we should not consider the Banks as a model. I remember when it was first proposed I thought how lucky Cincy was to have this huge parcel right on the river between two new stadiums just a few blocks from the central downtown business district. Dare I say I was a bit jealous as a Clevelander. Not any more. The architecture seems mediocre and boring with a few exceptions (there is a cool brew house). The retail is basically restaurants (a good number of chains) that are always churning. They have done a horrible job of connecting it to rest of downtown even though it is closer than our lakefront parcels to the central business district and this is the case even with the street car. I understand that traffic is just so so when it is not a game day and speaking of traffic, lots of parking garages and a pretty major roadways seems to run through the middle of it. It also seems as though it has taken forever to complete (I believe one of the original developers is no more) and there is still a far amount of vacant land. I will say that it appears the park right on the river is first rate, but I believe even that is still not complete all these years on. Hopefully we can learn from their mistakes and demand great architecture, true mixed use and thoughtful connections to the rest of downtown. However, given we have been planning for more than 40 years now without much in the way of concrete results, I am guessing our final result will not be much better and the city will end of settling which is so often the case with development in our town.

Anybody know what design review had to say today. It is pretty bad. While the previous design did have its faults, it was better than this.

I see that the 10600 Chester Building (the largest part of Phase 1) is on tomorrow's Planning Commission agenda seeking final approval. Did Library Lofts already receive final approval? I don't have a memory of that. Since they are both part of Phase 1 I find it strange it has not yet sought final approval. Perhaps the library design is holding things up, although, again, maybe the Lofts have actually received final approval and I just don't recall. If it hasn't I guess they have plenty of time since most recent time line has construction starting in early spring. As a side note, the Dec 4 agenda is jammed packed.

When I first read the posted agenda item the first thing that came to my mind was the demolition is in conjunction with the mystery plans for lakefront development now that the Haslams are involved. I can't imagine they are being torn down just for the draft. I guess we will see.

Where did you get that date from?

Looks way better. Glad to see. My parents met in the Lincoln Building in the mid 50s. My mom got her clutches into my dad before he could run back to NYC. The whole office use to drink at the bar in the Auditorium Hotel across the street.

^Gee I thought Groundhog Day only occurred in the Burke Lakefront thread. (I know off topic May Day but I couldn't help myself.)

I wonder if anybody knows the answer to this? Will the speed limit from I-77 to E. 55th be a highway speed limit and then suddenly reduce to 35 MPH on the corridor once it hits 55th (similar to how the Shoreway was as it reached Clinton before the reconstruction-although I don't know anybody who actually drives 35MPH on the new Shoreway) or will it be 35MPH immediately upon exiting I-77?

I really would like to see a little less "cost containment" on such a prominent corner.

Alesci's was on Huron for years (owed by the former wife of Jimmy Alesci who now owns a very busy place on Solon Rd in Solon). A long time employee of Alesci's downtown (Jeff) bought the business around 2009-2010 or so with his brother and they had to change the name for legal reason to Huron Point Tavern. Jeff basically ran the place ( as he had years of experience in the restaurant business). His bother was more the business end. Jeff practically lived there and had a few good employees (including his nephews who were going to school and working for him part time) but also, as is typical of this type of business, marginal help who would come and go. Unfortunately Jeff died suddenly about 2 years ago and I was under the impression Huron Point closed since Jeff really was the business (his brother had a full time non restaurant job). Maybe it did stay open (I am not downtown any longer so not familiar with area now) but I doubt it. Are you saying it is reverting back to Alesci's?

Based on what has been built out to date I am guessing the second rendering which would be my preference.

I hope he drowns in attorney fees. Of course nothing wrong with lawyers making lots of $$😝

Look forward to hearing what the "experts" at design review think of this conceptual siting. If they are keen for a plaza I think I would like to see it on the church side so that the building does not overwhelm the church and more height and presence at the intersection of Detroit and West 25th where they currently have a plaza. However, I see where this might be problematic since they want to keep the current buildings and incorporate them into the design. Seems like the plaza at the corner is at out growth of wanting to keep the old buildings.

Did the article outline what specifically about the pandemic is causing the slight delay? Supply chain issues or something like that? Lately I get the feeling that people just use the pandemic as a convenient excuse for delays (in all walks of life not just real estate) and people just accept it without question.

I would just try to ignore him. He is always trying to get a rise out of people. He has some sort of problem with young white people that come from wealthy backgrounds. He exhibits this bias with mindless posts in countless threads. Some of them are just laughable. I think he was beat up a lot in high school by the cool kids with money.

Hope that elevator core is not casting shadows on the Buckingham 😉