MuRrAy HiLL

Other side of the story! Seven Hills to lose 245 jobs to Cleveland when AmTrust moves Published: Tuesday, December 06, 2011, 4:39 PM Updated: Tuesday, December 06, 2011, 4:41 PM Ken Baka, Sun News By Ken Baka, Sun News SEVEN HILLS The expected loss of about 245 jobs to downtown will hurt the city by about $110,000 over five years, the mayor said. The sum — incurred by the reported move of AmTrust North America Inc., an insurance company located at 5800 Lombardo Centre here — is “going to be a blow to us,” Mayor Michael Barth said. But the loss to the city would be about $220,000 were it not for the city having agreed in 2008 to what is called an anti-poaching agreement with Cleveland. The agreement requires Cleveland to split revenues from income taxes with a suburb from which jobs are moving to Cleveland. Barth said a representative of Greater Cleveland Partnership told him about AmTrust’s plans the afternoon of Dec. 2. http://blog.cleveland.com/parmasunpost/2011/12/seven_hills_to_lose_245_jobs_t.html

Groups work to improve Cleveland's Warehouse District http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/groups-work-to-improve-clevelands-warehouse-district

The Jolly Scholar at Case Western in University Circle currently has 12 Holiday beers on draft...all for under $5 each. They're running a special for a "12 days of Christmas" promotion of $1 off a rotating selection each night. 11111 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44106

^Looks like there's been another update to the story (5:42 PM), not too sure what.

I never understand the point of articles like this -- the lady is a frikin game-changer! Not to mention, this is not like it's breaking new... CWRU President Barbara R. Snyder is highest-paid private college president in Ohio Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011, 6:01 PM By Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Case Western Reserve University President Barbara R. Snyder may not rank in the top tier in total compensation for chief executives at private colleges and universities, but she is the highest paid among those in Ohio and earns well above the median, according to an annual report released today. She received $778,874 in total compensation in 2009, which includes a base pay of $525,946 and a $75,000 bonus, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. It surveyed 519 presidents at colleges with annual budgets exceeding $50 million. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/cwru_president_barbara_r_snyde.html

^ Ironically the last two out-of-town visitors I showed University Circle, they both said it reminded them of DC. Now for today: Thousands enjoy CircleFest's atmosphere, activities to kick off winter Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011, 7:46 PM By John Caniglia, The Plain Dealer Today, what residents had was a host of activities from more than a dozen groups, museums and churches. The museums opened for free, with scores of activities for children and adults. Residents strolled the streets in horse-drawn carriages, glided on skates at the Rink at Wade Oval and felt the spray of a sculptor shredding through a tub of ice. Children listened to singing Santas at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and carolers at the Church of the Covenant. Outside the church, Van Parker serenaded residents with the carillon, a musical instrument that consists of tuned, bronzed bells. Chris Ronayne, the president of University Circle Inc., estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 people attended. University Circle Inc. sponsors and coordinates the events, with several corporate partners. "The Circle is the gemstone of Cleveland," Ronayne said. "We want people to know that it's a cultural center. We're coming into our best days." http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/thousands_enjoy_circlefests_at.html

Updates: 1) Two more storefronts filled: - Tropical Smoothie Cafe opened on Friday - Subway should open in the next two weeks 2) The Cleveland Diocese is currently selling a fairly prime piece of property in between the Church of the Covenant and Commodore Place building. 11303 Euclid Ave. It was the old Newman Center and seems to be part of the fire sale the diocese has been undertaking these past two years. Looks like it was mentioned in an article from 2010: The diocese's Hallinan Center, which once housed the Catholic Newman Club at Case Western Reserve University, is on the market for $1.4 million. http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2010/04/catholic_diocese_of_cleveland.html I noticed a "for sale" sign on the building, which caused me to investigate. IMO, the building should be demolished and the property redeveloped for needed residential/mixed use.

Editorial today: Apartment dwellers are filling up downtown Cleveland: editorial Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011, 4:09 PM By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board Renters are rocking the Rock 'n' Roll Capital of the World. The apartment occupancy rate in downtown Cleveland has hit 93.2 percent, a tick lower than the national rate of 94.4 percent, but further proof that the credibility of the city as a place to live, work and play is catching up with suburban sprawl. And why not? The draw is dynamic: The best chefs (Zach Bruell, Jonathon Sawyer, Marlin Kaplin, Karen Small, to savor just a taste), marvelous micropubs, jukebox joints, swell stores, cutting-edge clubs, dazzling views of the city and the river and the lake, and -- best of all -- a real sense of urgency and energy. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/12/apartment_dwellers_are_filling.html

The perfect Christmas gift for UOers this year 8-) Here's a first peek at 'Harvey Pekar's Cleveland' Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011, 2:05 PM By Michael Heaton, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is Harvey Pekar's final gift to Cleveland. The late graphic novelist has written a wonderful history of his home. And our home. "Harvey Pekar's Cleveland" is out today. Pekar, creator of "American Splendor" and other comics, was always Cleveland's heart and soul. But don't take our word for it. The greatest tribute Pekar could ask for is the introduction by Alan Moore, creator of "Watchmen." In the world of comics and graphic novels he is without peer, revered for both his talent and integrity. http://www.cleveland.com/pdq/index.ssf/2011/12/heres_a_first_peek_at_harvey_p.html

Heading over to the Holiday CircleFest! http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/18th-annual-holiday-circlefest-offers-free-day-of-family-fun-in-the-heart-of-university-circle and its 55 degrees out...not bad at all

SNOD, do you remember the younger guy in the back who stood up and listed the storefronts going into Uptown, when Steven Litt didn't know? That was me. Agreed the average demographic was about 2 generations different than probably we to the West Blvd conversion meeting...average age attending....60+

Oh, 12:30, perfect time...if you don't have a job ^ unless you use your lunch break! Steven Litt: RECAP Litt talked a lot about "New-urbanism" and the return to early 20th century philosophies in terms of urban planning. He also discussed failed urban planning/renewal of the 1950's - 1990's. Besides the obvious auto-centric aspects, he pointed to how architects and planners would focus on the pretty building itself, regardless of its urban surrounding. Recent construction projects now focus more on how it interacts with the rest of its surroundings (kept using Uptown as the prime example for Cleveland), especially being more aware of the pedestrian -- a shift nationwide. He predicts major economic spinoff and property value increases in and around University Circle within the next 5-10 years. He even said, "effects will be felt as far as within a 2-mile radius." Regarding specific projects: - Uptown Project -- showpiece location of MOCA, which is key -- praised modern contemporary look on apartments -- praised architects (Farshid Moussavi, James Corner Field Operations, Stanley Saitowitz of Natoma Architects) -- praised courtyard/alley -- praised mixed-use and connecting University Circle as a whole - Pedestrian Bridge -- Said the proposed S-shaped bridge would become the symbol for Case Western as it would so iconic -- very symbolic connected Rockefeller Park with the rest of UC (time when urban planning for the pedestrian with a pedestrian structure). - Rapid Stations -- Stated the UC-Cedar station is funded and will begin construction next year -- Stated the Little Italy station still has zero funding, but is crucial for UC and Uptown -- Said he would never use the E.120-Euclid station since it is unsafe and poorly planned (damn...i use it everyday...) - Tinkham Veale Student Center -- He is still undecided on his opinion of it -- impossible to decide by a few renderings -- says the building does not need to be a showpiece, a background building may in fact better and more interactive - PBL Building (constructed 2002) -- absolutely hates (mentioned this about 3-4 times). He claims it is one of Frank Gehry's worst buildings -- has a terrible location, terrible interaction with the street, "tries too hard while in a background location," and is not the iconic building of CWRU - Seidman Cancer Center -- hates the facade material, "trying too hard look," lack of street interaction, general look compared to surrounding buildings hospital - Euclid Corridor Healthline -- defended the project all regards (pointed to mostly federal funding creating a vein of new life and development) - Opportunity Corridor -- Says Clinic has accounted for it and included it in its master plan -- the first leg will be constructed out of University Circle heading SE -- With current policy and fund allocations, he predicts this project is 10-15 years away from 100% completion. Favorite quote of the talk: "By the time CIA consolidates its campus to Euclid Ave, its property at the Bellflower-East Blvd intersection will have become the most valuable piece of land in the State of Ohio."

Cleveland's Fat Fish Blue restaurant to close for good Sunday Published: Friday, December 02, 2011, 2:24 PM Updated: Friday, December 02, 2011, 4:18 PM By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer Turns out, all those rumors and premature news reports were true. At 9 p.m. Sunday, Fat Fish Blue will laissez les bon temps roulez for the last time. The good times will stop rolling permanently after the post-game football crowd clears out of downtown Cleveland, says the New Orleans-themed restaurant's founder, Steve Zamborsky. "The economy is what it is, and we've been running out of steam here, so we're turning over the keys," Zamborsky said. The space, at 21 Prospect Ave. at Ontario Street, will be transformed into the Tilted Kilt, a Celtic-themed sports bars. Burgers, beer and female servers -- "Kilt Girls," clad in short, snug plaid skirts and cropped tops -- are the big attractions at the rapidly growing chain of restaurants, founded in Las Vegas in 2003. The location is directly adjacent to the upcoming Horseshoe Casino. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2011/12/clevelands_fat_fish_blue_resta.html

wow, no one from ODOT was there??

Is it just me or has residential seemingly dropped out of the conversation for the Lakefront plans??

REMINDER -- this talk is today at 1230 at CWRU.

Note the reflection of the building across the street of the City Club building's windows.

Cedar-Lee seems a bit far to be marketed as a place for UC business spin-off benefits. I'm sure it can benefit, but it's not the best located spot in Cleveland Heights. To me, I would think the Cedar-Fairmount is a better area, and there's fair amount (OK, bad pun) of underutilized land at the top of Cedar Hill, in the vicinity of the intersection of Euclid Heights Boulevard. ^ According to this article, one interesting example is how most professors for the Montessori School relocated to Cleveland, and chose Cleveland Hts to live. http://activerain.com/blogsview/733763/montessori-high-school-in-university-circle- There's some influence, but I agree it's a fairly wide spread trickle down effect. Either way, UC is helping all its surroundings areas, which is great for Cleveland as a whole.

Even more trickle down effect caused by University Circle: "I see the growth happening in University Circle, and I want to tap into that," he says. "There are healthcare and technology professionals living in Cleveland Heights, and my goal is to drive business development opportunities here." http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/meadowbrookdevelopment120111.aspx

I'll go going if anyone wants to sit with me. NY Times must be stepping on his toes, so he needs to regain some normalcy. ;) “Plain Dealer” architecture critic to discuss University Circle’s latest developments Dec. 2 Posted: November 30th, 2011 | Author: thedaily | Filed under: campuswide, events | No Comments » Steve Litt, architecture critic at The Plain Dealer, will join the Public Affairs Discussion Group this week for a “University Circle Update.” The discussion will take place Dec. 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Dampeer Room at Kelvin Smith Library. The recent developments in University Circle—including the recently completed Seidman Cancer Center, the under-construction Museum of Contemporary Art and the planned Tinkham Veale University Center—will be plenty to discuss. http://thedaily.case.edu/news/?p=4217 Reminder, this is today at 12:30 at CWRU.

Thanks for the kind words and good catch. Looks like I've finally found something I'm good at...making lists! I actually had no idea about the project -- looks like I was out of the country when it was built. I've updated my list and the total investment values. Too much construction going on in UC when we forget about a $27 million project finished only two years ago...

I guess you guys aren't aware of some of the rates in UC, and the pent up demand for apartments here. Note the Triangle apartment rates, which are generally above 95% full (which also shares property lines with Uptown): One bedroom: $1020 - $1175 Two bedroom: $1525 - $1626 http://www.thetriangleapts.com/rates/ I'm guessing Uptown will mirror this exactly, so it will be the two bedroom in the $1500 range. I have complete faith these will be rented out ASAP. International students are a driving force at the Triangle, since it's one on of the few safe complexes walking distance to the institutions.

lol, and the article lists our rents at $1500 too! bargain deal for a New Yorker.

^Looks like he didn't fully understand the complete boom in construction in UC recently ;) He needs to get his information from UrbanOhio for his next Cleveland article. UNIVERSITY CIRCLE, CLEVELAND Under Construction (TOTAL $1.015 Billion): Museum of Contemporary Art -- $32 million http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2010/11/moca_cleveland_board_approves.html Uptown Phase I Apartments and Retail -- $44.5 million http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/07/developer_mrn_ltd_to_break_gro.html VA Medical Center Expansion -- $526 million http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100604/FREE/100609883 Cleveland Clinic Reference Laboratory -- $75 million http://www.medcitynews.com/2010/07/cleveland-clinic-breaks-ground-for-75m-reference-laboratory/ Cleveland Museum of Art Expansion and Renovation -- $258 million http://blog.cleveland.com/top_entertainment/2007/08/taking_a_hardhat_tour_of_the_c.html WXZ Circle 118 University Circle Townhomes -- $8 million http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/03/circle_118_townhouses_by_wxz_d.html 27 Coltman Little Italy Townhomes -- $11 million http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/02/luxury_townhouses_in_cleveland.html WXZ Hazel 8 Apartments -- $10.5 million http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/councilman_clears_path_for_uni.html Cleveland Insitute of Art Expansion -- $50 million http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2009/03/the_cleveland_institute_of_art.html Cozad-Bates House Restoration (circa 1853) -- $350K http://universitycircle.org/annual2010/2010-UCI-AR.pdf Planning Stages ($385 Million): Advanced Energy Facility: -- $270 million http://development.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_development/en-US/CuyahogaCountyCORFNotice_1.pdf University Circle Courtyard Marriott Hotel -- $27 million http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/10/developers_lined_up_to_build_1.html Case Western Reserve Student Center -- $50 million http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2011/10/architect_ralph_johnsons_new_t.html Cleveland School of the Arts -- $30 million http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2011/11042011/image/CSA.pdf Pedestrian Bridge (University Circle) -- $7.5 million http://blog.cleveland.com/architectu...bridges_p.html Western Reserve Historical Society Crawford Auto Museum renovations (University Circle) -- $2.8 million http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011...tml#incart_hbx Temple-Tifereth Israel Renovations into CWRU Performing Arts Center -- $25.6 million http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/03/the_maltz_family_foundation_do.html Uptown/MOCA Plaza -- $1 million http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/11/uptown_plaza_design_to_be_unve.html Abington Arms Apartments "Green Retrofit" -- $2.6 million http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/states/ohio/news/HUDNo.2010-10-05 Cedar-University Circle Rapid Train Station redesign: $12.5 million http://blog.cleveland.com/sunpress/2011/05/university_circle_rapid_statio_1.html Case Western Reserve University ThinkBox -- $10 million http://intecsky.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/think-box-2-pg-l-083010-1.pdf New Circle Vistas -- $6 million http://login.npwebsiteservices.com/mil/NCVSite.asp Recently Completed ($1.167 Billion): Tudor Arms (Circa 1931) Restoration into Double Tree Hotel -- $22 million COMPLETED 2011 http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/08/tudor_arms_renovation_is_bring.html University Hospitals Seidman (Ireland) Cancer Center -- $250 million COMPLETED 2011 http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2010/02/new_university_hospitals_cance.html University Hospitals Parking Garage -- $30 million COMPLETED 2011 http://media.cleveland.com/pdgraphics_impact/photo/14fguhnetworkjpg-9522855e3d84a04c.jpg University Hospitals Center for Emergency Medicine -- $41 million COMPLETED 2011 http://media.cleveland.com/pdgraphics_impact/photo/14fguhnetworkjpg-9522855e3d84a04c.jpg Hawken High School renovations and extension campus -- $6.6 million COMPLETED 2011 http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/08/hawken_school_to_open_new_lear.html Cleveland Natural History Museum SmartHouse -- $500K COMPLETED 2011 http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2011/06/cleveland_museum_of_natural_hi_2.html Case Western Reserve Wind Turbine -- $6 million COMPLETED 2010 http://www.cwruobserver.com/home/news/2010/12/03/News/Nations.First.ResearchOriented.Wind.Turbine.Constructed.Near.Veale-3964332.shtml Commodore Place Renovations -- $9 million COMPLETED 2010 http://www.universitycircle.org/uci.aspx?page=87 University Hospital QEA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit -- $27 million COMPLETED 2009 http://media.cleveland.com/pdgraphics_impact/photo/14fguhnetworkjpg-9522855e3d84a04c.jpg University Circle East Plaza -- $400K COMPLETED 2009 http://www.cmgsite.com/projects/all/university-circle-plaza/ Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center -- $11.3 million COMPLETED 2009 http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/01/hearing_speech_center_designed.html Cleveland Clinic Heart Center -- $500 million COMPLETED 2008 http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/newheartcenter.aspx Park Lane Villa Apartments Renovations (circa 1920) -- $21 million COMPLETED 2008 http://www.parklanevilla.com/ Euclid Corridor Bus-Rapid Transit Line connecting Downtown to University Circle -- $197 million COMPLETED 2008 http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/clevelands_euclid_corridor_pro.html Montessori High School renovations and creation -- $6 million COMPLETED 2008 http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/06/new_high_school_in_university.html Case Western Reserve Alumni House -- $2.5 million COMPLETED 2007 http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2007/10/01/dedication John Hay High School (circa 1929) restorations -- $37 million COMPLETED 2007 http://www.cleveland.com/education/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/isedu/1230543009185070.xml&coll=2 Proposed ($200-$500 Million): Case Western Reserve Field House -- $5-$10 million http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2010/06/07/wyantfieldhouse Euclid Ave-E.119 Rapid Train Station -- $9 million http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/05/plans_for_an_rta_station_in_li.html Cleveland Natural History Museum Expansion -- $30-50 million http://www.cleveland.com/science/index.ssf/2010/07/gates_takes_helm_at_cleveland.html Lot 45 -- $30-$100 million http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/university_circle_stretches_it.html Uptown Phase II (Ford and Euclid) Uptown Hotel TBA E.119th three-story Office Building http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/08/developers_settle_dispute_over.html Case Western Reserve West Quad -- $50 million http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/13032/ Circle Gateway Center http://www.universitycircle.org/uci/development/strategic-investment-sites East End Development http://www.universitycircle.org/uci/development/strategic-investment-sites Stokes Corridor http://www.universitycircle.org/uci/development/strategic-investment-sites

So I have insomnia right now and I come across the Uptown project in the NYTimes...had to rub my face a few times to see it I was seeing things. Looks like it's real;) : Cleveland Turns Uptown Into New Downtown Ken Blaze for The New York Times Published: November 29, 2011 CLEVELAND — Since 1950, when its population peaked at 914,808, Cleveland has steadily shed residents and jobs. In 2010, just 396,815 people lived within the city limits, almost 81,000 fewer than a decade before, and about the same number of people who lived in Cleveland in 1900. But in recent years Cleveland’s municipal government and its Regional Transit Authority have rallied major employers, banks, foundations and developers around a central goal of rebuilding the city’s core according to the new urban market trends of the 21st century — health care, higher education, entertainment, good food, new housing and expanded mass transportation. A point of focus has been the emerging Uptown arts and entertainment district along Euclid Avenue, near where John D. Rockefeller and other industrialists and financiers built opulent mansions. In effect, the Uptown area will be what amounts to a new downtown for the University Circle neighborhood on the east side of the city. Within the square mile of University Circle, and within easy walking distance of Uptown, are Case Western Reserve, the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Music, University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/realestate/commercial/cleveland-ignites-job-growth-with-rebuilding-project.html?_r=1