Htsguy

Really? INTRO? Where do you live? I live at INTRO. Hmm. Maybe try again.

Well then strike two. It is like reading the New York Times. Not.

You beat me to it @KJP. I was going to post the same question after reading the article. Sometimes I think reporters say things just to say things. Also, first I have heard that Phase 2 is going to be connected directly to the RTA station. Is that actually the case? Seems strange to me given its location on West 25th. That would be great.

I have just been perusing this thread this morning and it kind of hit me. This is going to sound like MR. OBVIOUS and I know we are all pretty much thinking the same, but I don't think anybody has actually come out and said it. In a 5-6 year period Cleveland will lose 4 surface lots, two of which are huge, in our prime business district (Play House Square lot, Krenzler lot and Weston and Jacobs) which have languished for years/decades. This is pretty remarkable for our city. You know, this is kind of exciting.?

I have to laugh at articles like that because I still believe all this "we are looking at our options and may relocate out of the region" was always a bunch of bs despite all the hand wringing and despite the fact mine is probably a minority opinion. Hope we learn the full true story some day but I doubt it.

So here is my Scranton-Averell experience. When I was a baby right out of law school in the early 80s my first job was with a small very old law firm(founded in the 1880s) in the Terminal Tower. One of the partners was Jack Stickney and SA was his biggest client. He might even have been president. I noted that a Tom Stickney is the current president and I am guessing that is Jack's son. I know he had a kid who was in high school or just entering college at the time and I believe he eventually went to law school. By the way Jack was a great guy but I remember he never got to the office until after 10:00 am. I really had very little to do with the SA account but I do remember the shareholders seemed to be located back East and I was under the impression that they were all descendants of the original founders of the company from way back when. Now back then this was not a high tech operation I recall the rent collection paper work was all done by hand and kept in some old big ledger. The books were kept by Blanche, Jacks sweet secretary who was easily in her late 60s. As it is 2020, I am guessing they now have a computer but don't bet the house on that. In any event, one day Jack instructs me to go to some address down in the Flats and post an eviction notice to the door of the building since the lessee was way behind in their monthly rent (which I think was something like $100.00 a month...I doubt there was even a written lease). I remember driving down into the Flat, not knowing where the hell I was going, proceeding at about 5 miles per hour to avoid all the pot holes on what were suppose to be city streets. Nearly 40 years on I am guessing I was somewhere on the peninsula but I could not tell you where today. I pulled up to this small ramshackle one story building with no windows and only one door that looked as if it had been built by whoever came to town right after Moses Cleaveland. I approached the door to post the notice and at the side of the building behind an eight foot high chain linked fence Cujo approached with one goal in mind...make sure I sh*t my pants. He almost succeeded. When I got back to the office i plopped down at my desk, looked out my window at the very dreary Scranton Peninsula and reflected on how glamorous the practice of law is. They neglected to tell us about the vicious dogs in law school.

If true, that is great for Lakewood and good for them. However (and again if true) it would be nice to see them re-locate to the delayed office component of Market Square to possibly kick start that building now scheduled for Phase 2 in the unknown future. Have no idea who the alleged insurance company is but if this would truly be their national headquarters, at 88,000 sq. feet it is probably a smaller company. Maybe some type of specialty insurer.

Step one appears to be getting the idiots at Scranton Averill to answer an e-mail.

yes

Oh boy I learned a new word today. Thanks google (and MayDay)?

It is hard for me to say without knowing more facts. Somebody mentioned Kaplan was having a landlord dispute. If true, and those in the business are talking about it, a possible new tenant may be cautious. Maybe multiple interested parties have actually approached the landlord and are having similar issues as they try to negotiation terms of a lease. Again just speculating. This is a prime spot (especially if Nucleus happens) and there has to be a lot of interest. Perhaps the landlord only wants a fine dining restaurant and he is only being approached by groups who want to open a sports themed bar. Again speculation. It is a big space and the build out will cost a pretty penny (no body wants to keep the decor of a previous tenant, especially a higher end celeb type chef/owner). Most higher ends chefs will even want to gut and re-configure a perfectly good kitchen set up since in their mind it (true or not) does not meet their style of cooking and service. Again it is important spot but an expensive one for many reasons. I would not be surprised if Nucleus happens we see a mid/upper range national chain with deep pockets come in. Cleveland really does not have a lot of national chains downtown compared to other cities.

LOL. Clearly SHW's long awaited, but let's admit it somewhat cryptic, announcement has done nothing to end the debate and speculation with us crazies. My feeling is they did this on purpose to torture us. ? Well at least we will have another enjoyable 2-3 months of debate as we read between the SHW lines before renderings are released (indeed one of our debates might be WHEN the renderings will be released). This is all a discourse gold mine. Hopefully the sources will keep leaking to add to the fun.

Without elaborating, I know a lot about the restaurant business. Restaurants go out of business. That is what they do. Many in the first 6 months or a year, many others after a long run for one reason or another (often more personal than business). While declining sales (or no sales in the first place) is obviously the number one reason, personal life decisions and burnout are probably number two and three. Investor disputes, staffing issues and landlord disputes and too much debt from a build out or renovation (as well as old equipment starting to break down all at once with no capital for re-investment) are also factors many of the time. Divorce and substance abuse issues often destroy family restaurants. Many restaurants with a long run just get tired and too dull and familiar, and people just move on. Again, restaurants go out of business. At this point I don't see any evidence that it is an East 4th "thing". If any area is a concern to me is the Chagrin and Chagrin Highlands area. Lots of closures the past two years yet chains keep pouring in.

1 million square feet spread over the Jacobs and Westons lot is going to have all the height junkies seeking therapy. I on the other hand am so happy the Jacobs lot will be no more that I will buy no other than SHW paint the rest of my life. Here is hoping the base of the design will really enliven Public Square

Didn't he just open a restaurant in Shaker Heights? Could that be his focus now?

^So no renderings tomorrow?

There is some R and D guy who lives in Mentor that is not going to be a happy camper tomorrow.

Since this is in Cleveland Heights I am sure it will get talked to death. But looking over the plans maybe it should.

37 years to complete. Only in America.

Also very surprised. I would have thought such complicated legislation would take 6-8 months to implement. If the legislation is not passed and signed until say, the end of Feb., it will be interesting to see how the application, review and award process is completed so quickly.

The lack of response must be because of an inferiority complex.?

I think the poster said Pottery Barn and Abercrombie but I am not sure. Aren't they on top of each other? Well that makes no sense. I mean isn't Abercrombie on top of Pottery Barn

Ted Baker would be great. Are there actually any in Ohio?

Didn't somebody indicate that H&M is moving from the front of the mall to an interior space? A two story space around where Pottery Barn use to be.

I am just guessing but yes, that is what I mean. Many single family and doubles in Little Italy have been converted to into multi unit apartments for students and the like and not in a "good way". In other words done cheaply (you only have to watch a little HGTV to see how many landlords bastardize a house over time). That is why all this babble about "history' is so laughable. Cannot answer you permit question but I imagine they must have to.