Htsguy

To foster connectivity somebody has to come up with a creative way to encourage pedestrian flow across East 105th. They have basically turned it into a mini super highway. It needs to be bridged and I don't mean with bridges. Something out of the box although I don't know what that may be.

schematic approval

One disappointing note at the Planning Commission today was when somebody mentioned in passing that the Library plaza on Euclid is still not funded. I was surprised by that as I thought the $$ for it would have been part of the actual library building budget since it is such an important part of the design.

The office component is basically conceptual at this time. The developer was not seeking any approvals today relating to a specific building design. They were only seeking schematic approval for the master plan and the office building in its conceptual form was presented as part of the schematic approval of the overall plan. The 10600 tower is farther along and part of Phase One and what you see is probably what it will look like although both it and Library Loft have to still seek final approval.

I think that is correct along with the main public garage in the middle of the block. I am not sure but second phase may be where the current MLK library is and then the next "iffy" phase would be on the east side of 107. What is also great in the first phase are tons of infrastructure enhancements and modifications.

I hate to sound dramatic, but of all the development projects we discuss on the forum including "those actually under construction", "those that will 99% break ground in the next 12 months", "those that have been proposed but still have a number of hurdles (usually financing)" and "those which @KJP evilly tortures us with hints but won't reveal", in my mind Circle Square is one of three developments projects which truly show that Cleveland is moving forward to the next level. The other two are the SHW project and Irishtown Bend Park in conjunction with Canal Basin Park. If all phases are completed it will create a true second downtown for Cleveland (I know we always say UC is that but really it is not yet there like say Midtown is in Atlanta), connect the prime sections of UC with the Clinic and will probably spawn much more development on various adjacent parcels which will increase the immediate density and hopeful spread down 105 in both directions. My biggest fear with Circle Square is that the last phase will face hurdles that may leave the early phases isolated and will destroy the great pedestrian concept envisioned for E. 107th. I am hopeful because the development team seemed very positive at Planning Commission. Especially liked Paul Volpe's presentation. By the way I wanted to include a fourth project on my list of transformative developments, that being the lakefront. However after more than 30 years as a jilted lover, with promise after promise fading away for one reason or another, I decided just to focus more of my time on this really interesting e mail I just received from somewhere in Nigeria. The woman claims to be African royalty and needs some money for a plane ticket so we can meet. I am going for it.

Still needs final design approval

Wow...despite the fact this project has taken so long to get off the ground, this is the first time I ever heard there were possible financing issues. I always attributed the long development process to so many parties being involved, its large scope and the location. So happy this was worked out as this is such a transformative project and will do a lot to connect the Clinic with the rest of UC.

Project is on tomorrow's Planning Commission agenda for master plan schematic approval. Agenda notes it has already received conceptual approval.

The agenda is finally up.

Does anyone know if tomorrow's scheduled Cleveland Planning Commission meeting has been canceled? Still no agenda posted and also no agendas posted for the scheduled Design Reviews which should be meeting as I type this.

Great to see. My firm occupied the first floor of the Utica Building in the early 90s. We use to climb up to the third floor on a daily basis to watch the construction of Jacobs Field. With the development of the sports facilities the first floor became a valuable space for a restaurant (Tavern of Richfield was the first to go in) and we moved to the Warehouse District. So now we are witnessing the circle of life with the first floor being turned back into offices.

Of course. How soon I forgot. Thanks

The thing is that the Lumen was an "unannounced" thing for years as PHS tried to pin down a few public subsidies and had a hard time trying to find a developer who could make the numbers work before finally deciding to go it alone, so it really did not move at the speed this project is moving. Viaduct seems to have popped out of nowhere (at least that is the impression) and has progressed very quickly preliminarily (design, retaining contractors like Osborn, neighborhood engagement, finding partners and speeding through the city approval process despite the Covid crisis). It almost seems too good to be true. Hope it continues as I love this project and what it could help spawn in the immediate and adjacent neighborhoods.

I am only really familiar with their renovation projects. Could you point me to some of their new construction work. This is the only one I can think of but clearly their are others out there based on these posts.

different projects

Yep. That is what I was thinking of. Wonder what the status is? @KJP's blog said it was being fast tracked and would happen before the other proposed developments. Like I said, it could help the viaduct become a park instead of a parking lot and stop much of the moaning of the current residents of the area when it comes to parking (like today at the CPC meeting when the vice president of the Stonebridge condo association-at least I think that was his position-again started to complain about parking and traffic in connection with the viaduct apartment building when given the opportunity to weigh in), At least he wasn't complaining about the lost views for the 100th time.

Viaduct is moving at warp speed similar to Intro. This is refreshing for Cleveland (eg Circle Square). I cannot see it changing much as it seeks final approval. I get the impression that Design Review only had a few problems with it, specially the base of the Washington Avenue side.

I think somebody from the neighborhood posted pics a while back in the Detroit Shoreway thread of the factory on the site being demoed. They are clearly moving at a good pace if that was completed even before final design approval.

^Listening to the presentation of the W. 73 rd apartment project by the architects, I was impressed by how much thought went into the building given the site and neighborhood and how they clearly listened to the community as the building developed. Comparing it to the nearby Edison (which looks like it could just as easily been developed on an empty lot in North Royalton), it is a real pleasure to behold.

I have a vague recollection of somebody proposing the construction of a large parking garage in the neighborhood but I cannot remember the specifics or if it was related to a certain development (it was not in connection with the Viaduct apartments). Am I mis remebering or was this a real thing and is it still a real thing? It sure would help foster the development of the viaduct into something more than a parking lot.

I found it interesting that at today's meeting the Planning Commission gave final approval (with basically no discussion) to the planters on Prospect as well as other out door touches on Prospect even though they have been in place for a couple of months now. Wished somebody would have brought up the dead trees. Also would like to see what would happen if they were voted down.

I am pretty sure that you cannot begin construction without, among other things, final design approval but I may be wrong.

Great. Here come 3 pages of off topic posts discussing graffiti.?

Today was apartment approval day. CPC also gave final approval to small Maron apartment building on Larchmere and 70ish unit building on West 73rd (factory on site already demolished so may be moving forward shortly) and schematic for the large Viaduct Apartment building.