spamhead

The new iPhone is, in the long run, actually more expensive than the first-generation.

No, jon, as this wasn't really the venue to question the developer on those issues, I wasn't able to get a clearer picture on when they ever plan on starting the loft building on the south lot. I did request that Councilwoman Madigan set up a meeting with the developer's rep to present the new site plan to the public. I'll let you know if/when anything happens on that. P.S. do you own the pickup truck festooned with Ron Paul '08 messages that I see in the neighborhood?

Last week I attended a Lakewood Planning Committee meeting where Forest City asked for (and got) approval to amend their plans for Phase III of the Rockport Square project. Instead of building a second six-story loft building on the north side of Detroit (which always seemed a little pie-in-the-sky as they are having trouble selling enough units on the south lot to begin building), they are now proposing a three-story Class-A office building to go alongside the "casual dining restaurant" (which will 99% likely be Applebee's). They requested setback variances so the office building would abut the sidewalk on Detroit and Beach Ave. Previous plans had a strip of green space along Detroit Rd - this area now is a little inset between the office building and the restaurant. A three-story parking garage fills out the north side of the lot. The restaurant is going to be street-facing, with parking in rear. There's an option to build out a patio into the greenspace alloted, but that would require a new approval. The photo above is the same one presented to the Planning Committee with the request for materials approval. It's a disappointing use of the land, but better than an empty lot or an empty loft condo building, I suppose. The developer's rep spoke of a higher tax rate for commercial real estate than residential. If that's true, then I guess there's something positive to be said for it.

Let me get this straight. You're saying that their steaks, hamburgers and grilled chicken aren't really grilled , but microwaved? Oh, and StrapHanger? There are a few 'casual dining' outlets within Lakewood and West Cleveland, but not much. Certainly there are places I can take my family where entrees are generally in the $10-15 range, but more choices are always welcome. Lots of pizza places, there's Aladdin's, some places like My Friends and the Indian restaurant. Can't think of much else. As much as some will turn their noses up at the place, I predict it will be very busy and draw a lot from Lakewood and Cleveland. I'm very curious what the design will be as well. The Rockport Square site plan calls for a restaurant to be built adjacent to (and including?) the existing building on the corner of Fry and Detroit. That building is on the market for 300K. On another board, a poster mentioned that Applebee's has a smaller-footprint urban model for walking neighborhoods that they could apply to this project. I can't wait to see some amended site plans to see how this affects the outlook for that site. A second six-story condo tower doesn't make much sense on that site in the current market, when they can't even get enough presales to start the first one. Perhaps they will abandon that lot to retail? I'm not really sure they can do that and still get their TIF money. I'm highly doubtful that Applebee's was FCE's first choice for that spot, as it doesn't really complement the project. They may have just been in a position to say 'yes' to the first stable income-producer that offered.

The value per play cannot exceed 10 dollars. Which equals about 10,000 skee-ball tickets ;)

We had a good opportunity to buy a house on W. Clinton (1 block south of Detroit), but passed because the neighborhood is still a little too sketchy to feel good about raising kids there. If it were just the wife and I, I think we'd have gone for it. Values are going to start rising soon, now's the time to get in there.

Hi folks. I'm a homeowner just up the street from this development. I'm told the south loft building should be starting in the fall, which means they'll clear the lot and let it sit all winter :-D As for the parking between the small park and the north loft - my understanding was that would be visitor/retail parking. The resident parking will be behind the building in an enclosed lot. The "Annette" building adjacent to the north property was in negotiation to be purchased and turned into a cafe with outdoor seating. The owner was holding out for a better deal, as I understand it. A recent fire damaged the building - I wonder how that affected the deal. The first-floor retail in the loft buildings won't allow for food prep, so the restaurants and bars in the neighborhood don't have a lot to worry about. I'm hoping for more neighborhood amenity-type businesses, such as a dry cleaner/tailor or something else that isn't duplicated elsewhere in the neighborhood.