Before Christmas, Bob Corna, the architect for stonebridge came to our holiday wine and cheese party to give us an update on w. bank development.  There will be space in the new tower for  a coffee and or wine bar to be enjoyed in the the glass atrium (of course this is up to finding a vendor-but the space will be there). Maybe even a grocery store. The building will have a  catwalk from the viaduct, so it can be accessed from up top (perhaps and hopefully by public too).  this will be a great stort cut to the power house/flats for stonebridge 4 residents. Also people down on the main ave level could come up and catch the great view on the viaduct, w/o a  walk up some somewhat isolated streets.. Also in the works is better street lighting and easier access to whiskey island by foot or bike (currently we have to ride out to edgewater and back, or ride down an isolated dirt rode and lift bike over train tracks and a fence).  It is ridiculous we can see the lake from Stonebridge but cannot easily access it. Also in recent Stonebridge IV news: the whole building is going condo, so there will be more units available. I believe the long range vision is to have lot more development (hopefully with some archetectural {sic}diversity that fits in nicely with rest of flats,ohio city and warehouse districts) . I am sure I am forgetting more...after many wines with great neighbors this happens!

Great to hear.  I was waiting for someone to connect Wendy Park to the Flats.  He didn't say anything about the rumored Stonebridge VI-VIII, did he?

I cannot remember anything residential beyond stonebridge 5. maybe he (B. Corna) is planning on office, retail, etc. At one point there was Stonebridge interest along with CMHA for that hill where riverview is...although the slope is unstable so nothing new yet.  I guess I am talking about wendy park when I say whiskey island (I think it is on whiskey island?). the park is great but a pain to get too.

Welcome Peabody99 and thanks for your post. I hope you keep posting!

 

I suspect Grasscat will combine this with the Stonebridge string, so look for updates there.

I've been trying to find this, but I could have sworn I read that the "stonebridge" project could go up to 12 phases.  any info anyone.  I mean there are three parking lots near this, does anyone know who owns those?

I will try and ask around. bits and pieces are coming back..both from Corna's visit and prior conversations with construction workers in the building. I remember something about an industrial building near Spaces being razed...and more plans for some of the flats parking lots. Some of it may be to build covered or indoor parking as for better of worse, home buyers, even urban ones, want a parking space. ah for the day when we won't need one, just jump on the train or trolly-and I can't wait for the tow path completion. I at one time saw blue prints at stonebridge for small residentiall building near the swing bridge...but no one knows if that project is still on. I just hope the building have some variation in style-I like what we have but it is enough.

hmm was it the building behind spaces that was razed, i know they're building something new over there.  otherwise Spaces and the "twin" next to it are pretty much occupied/fixed-up, i been inside both

Welcome Peabody99 and thanks for your post. I hope you keep posting!

 

I suspect Grasscat will combine this with the Stonebridge string, so look for updates there.

 

I probably wouldn't have because I wasn't sure how it tied in, if it was related, etc.

 

I can move it over there if you'd like.  Just say the word.

 

I think it's time this had its own thread, don't you? Exciting stuff!!! Thanks for the coverage, KJP. :clap:

 

Developers have plans for Flats

Thursday, June 08, 2006

By Ken Prendergast

West Side Sun News

 

As early as this September, a plan to build up to 2,000 housing units, plus retail spaces, offices, parks and a casino on the Flats West Bank may be announced by a trio of real estate developers.

 

The still-emerging development plan, if realized, would be three times larger than a publicly subsidized redevelopment of the Flats East Bank. Little or no public subsidies are contemplated by the West Bank developers _ Jacobs Investments, K&D Group and Robert Corna Architects. No cost estimates are yet available for the West Bank plan.

 

A formal announcement of the Flats West Bank plan is still months away because the developers do not yet have all needed properties in hand. The developers are also trying to nail down commitments from Cuyahoga County officials to improve the county-owned Wendy Park on Whiskey Island.

 

To live downtown, you need to have more than a New York City-style loft, said Corna, in explaining the need for the Whiskey Island park. You need some open space.

 

He noted that the 340-unit housing development of Stonebridge, built along the old Superior Viaduct by himself and K&D Group, has succeeded because of its proximity to the Settlers Landing park.

 

Stonebridge continues to expand. A 108-unit, 11-story condominium tower is under construction next to the former Cantina Del Rio, which is being renovated into an indoor piazza with shops, offices, a skylight and indoor trees. Corna noted the piazza is already 100 percent leased.

 

He said the proposed Flats West Bank development would fill northward along Center Street to the old river channel, which forms the southern edge of Whiskey Island. A foot bridge over the Norfolk Southern tracks to reach the lakefront, including a future marina, is being considered as part of the plan.

 

Take Stonebridge and Nautica together with a park and marina on Whiskey Island and it will be fantastic, Corna said.

 

The few remaining light industrial uses, located within the Flats West Bank plan, would be moved out and their buildings converted to offices, housing and shops. Much of the rest of the land either has warehouses already converted to housing, is vacant, or is used for parking for Jeff Jacobs' Nautica entertainment complex.

 

Jacobs, an advocate of legalized gambling, is proposing to build a casino at Nautica. His complex already includes Flats stalwarts like Shooters and the Powerhouse. Voters statewide may decide this November if two casinos can be built in downtown Cleveland. Corna said the overall Flats West Bank development can proceed without a casino, but would be stronger with it.

 

We're still formulating our planning, he said. But we're looking at making the (official) announcement in September.

looking forward to seeing the entire article!  I particularly like this one because it aims to fill out the entire West Bank and create a self-sustaining neighborhood. 

2000 units??  wow.  i wonder how that will look.  what is that, 20 stonebridge 5s??  on top of some office buildings and retail?? 

This goes to show...the economist was right.  We've got the most active downtown build spurt in the country.  :clap:  :clap:

 

Any visuals???  I need visual aides!  8-)

Does this all hinge on a casino?

I've got mixed emotions about that

Full article now posted. It answers the gambling question.

Good news indeed. Full article....  EDIT: full article was already posted.

 

 

Any visuals???  I need visual aides!  8-)

 

When I get home from work, I will post a graphic I made for the article.

 

Thanks for posting the article and for your the comments.

 

One other thing I forgot to mention in the article is that the developers want the city to put the overhead utility wires, now on poles, below ground. That, plus the improvements to Wendy Park, constitute the "subsidy/public assistance" the developers are seeking.

Cool, all emotions are now sorted and no longer mixed

^it was already updated...?

 

im liking the idea of reusing the light industry stuff and mixing it with new buildings.  however is a casino really even needed? 

 

makes the whole trolley thing under the detroit-superior bridge seem even more of a good idea too...

How many old industrial buildings remain on the West Bank? There are a couple of cool ones I can think of off the top of my head. Any that are particularly ripe for condo conversion?

this is incredible, i can not believe all these proposals. it is all very exciting news. i love the part about improving whiskey island park and burying the power lines too. talk about the city/county getting maximum bang for minimal bucks-wow!  :clap:

 

please clarify. we are talking about the parking lot ocean between stonebridge and north up to the harbor inn/spaghetti warehouse/metropolis right? and then east right up to the riverbank too? the whole smear?

 

do they have any renderings ready? thx.

I imagine the Cox brothers at Flats Industries are livid there is yet more talk of removing businesses.

I'm sure there will be mass mailing of letters any day now.

please clarify. we are talking about the parking lot ocean between stonebridge and north up to the harbor inn/spaghetti warehouse/metropolis right? and then east right up to the riverbank too? the whole smear?

do they have any renderings ready? thx.

 

No renderings yet (at least that they're willing to make available publicly). The development area includes the expanse of parking lots -- in other words, structured parking replaces surface lots where possible.

 

Right now, the development is still conceptual. And if there are any hard details, they weren't willing to share them because of the discussions still ongoing with existing property owners.

 

Here's one little tidbit -- Corna told me the Tenk building on Center Street has already been bought. But when I double-checked with the auditor's website, it still showed the property owned by some guy with the last name Tenk. I didn't feel comfortable with that so I didn't put the tidbit in the paper. The transaction date may have been post-dated, but still....

^However, assuming that he told you that, risking the possibility of that information becoming public knowledge, I don't think he would be exaggerating....that is the purchase of the Tenk Building. 

^Maybe the deed just hadn't been recorded yet (the conveyance is effective upon delivery of the deed regardless of what info has hit the Auditor's office).

I always thought Tenks place down there was kind of neat.  I can remember pulling out of the Westbank on Saturday nights and their bay doors would be wide open, lights on and they would be working in there. 

I have very good info that the Tenk building is a done deal. 

wow thats great news! that area will be beautiful when finished. can't wait to see some renderings!  :clap:

Great work team!  Especially KJP, of course.  This is very exciting and will be a great example of City/County/Private cooperation if they can each get their parts together and get this thing rolling.  Maybe we'll even see this realized before the Flats East Bank!

Yeowzer!  Great info, KJP.  This is amazing.  That Bob Corna's not a talker, but a doer!  This partnership is interesting.  I have mixed emotions about casinos -- I tend to think they draw people indoors and away from development than vice versa -- but we'll see.  Is a hotel a part of the mix (casinos usually like connected hotels)?  I'm glad, though, the casino is not integral to the rest of the project.  We'll see what voters think of casinos in the fall... But heck, so many elements are already in place -- like the amazing, and still developing Stonebridge 450-room/retail mega complex -- this project sounds like it's already ticketed for success.

 

Let's hope such big-splash on the West Bank will help jump start the seemingly bogged down legal-battle/mess that's gripping Wolstein and the East Bank.  And now, if Bob Stark can get his Warehouse Dist. plan going up the hill, downtown's near future is truly explosive, indeed.   :yap: :wave:

Here's a little map I drew for the Sun News article, roughly showing the Flats West Bank development area (and comparing it in size to the East Bank development area)....

 

south of center street is a really decent built environment that would be amazing if they filled it in.  im really interested to see how this develops.

Wow I hope this continues to gain momentum!!! Looks like Wendy Park/Whiskey Island may actually have a future after all.

 

Question:  Does anyone know what kind of projected numbers that casinos would draw to the area? Would the West Bank in particular be choked with traffic?  It's fascinating to contemplate these ideas, though I don't think the waterfront needs a casino to be a draw. I hope that the future of the whole project doesn't hinge on the casino vote. 

I'd like to see these developers do something about the land along W.25th between Detroit and Franklin. Maybe something like a new mixed-use Stonebridge phase. Better connecting the West Bank to Ohio City seems like a good idea to me.

^ I agree with you here. the Ohio city near west development corp has some plans posted, but I  am sure where they fall between pipe dreams and reality. As a resident of the west flats (although the city sometimes calls it Ohio city, all the way down to the the river), I end up going to O.city proper a  lot, and the area around 25th/Detroit/Franklin is pretty blighted-and it can be a little uncomfortable at times to walk or bike at night (hence we shamefully drive the 3/4 mile sometimes).  I know they are looking to do mixed use housing esp Church ave area....so lets hope it works.  If they cleaned this area up (better lighting, housing in addition to low income housing,  etc) I would never drive into OC. I am sure with this w. bank project, both communities will expect a decent pedestrian friendly link to one another (and the east bank too!).

I'd like to see these developers do something about the land along W.25th between Detroit and Franklin. Maybe something like a new mixed-use Stonebridge phase. Better connecting the West Bank to Ohio City seems like a good idea to me.

 

The land on the east side of W. 25th between Franklin and Detroit is being turned into a park. See extensive discussion on the last few pages of this thread:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2492.0

^I'm going to read that thread further, but there is still a lot of blighted structures on both sides of the street that need to be dealt with and I feel like the developers on the West Bank need to see the opportunity and sense in spreading it down W.25th to the Market Square area. Like peabody mentioned through her own experience, it is kind of a blighted area that really seperates the two neighborhoods and discourages legitimate pedestrian activity.

I think some of the area Vulpster and I are talking about may be covered by this plan:

 

http://www.ocnw.org/user/130/1/Detroit_Ave._UDC_Plan1.pdf

 

again unsure where this falls in the spectrum of dream vs reality.

Unfortunately, I think everything on the east side of W25th Street shown on that plan is now on the dream side of the spectrum given the reported geotechnical issues.  This is, needless to day, a real bummer.  At the very least, I still hope the street can be narrowed.

^ but the west side of 25th has potential..and the east side to if they only do the park...they really revamped the superior bridge, why not to the same all the way to market square?

Word received today that the Coral Company is relocating their offices to the Flats West Bank. Don't have further details yet.

wow exciting, this stuff is happening pretty quick.

^^Nice! Thanks for the notice KJP.

I just got back from a trip to New York (where I lived for 7 years) and I am more in love with Cleveland and its potential than ever. It's news like this that keeps me excited.

Word received today that the Coral Company is relocating their offices to the Flats West Bank. Don't have further details yet.

 

Is this a temporary move or a permanent one? Their plans were to move from Beachwood to their Cedar Center development. Did they change their minds?

Seem to have an influx of Construction/Developers moving to the West Bank.  So far, there is the County Engineers (Civil Eng), Dick Corportation (construction), Coral (Developer), Krill (Construction).  Being in the industry that I am, I have had to spend alot of time on the West Bank lately.  At least more than I though I ever would....especially during weekday daylight hours.

Word received today that the Coral Company is relocating their offices to the Flats West Bank. Don't have further details yet.

 

Wow, very exciting!  I've considered going for jobs with several developers and when I read that they're in Beachwood or Solon or something I just look right past them.  Cedar Center wouldn't have been as bad as Beachwood, but the Flats West Bank is excellent!

I find this a little odd considering that they were going to occupy space at Cedar Center. Maybe they found another tenant for that space.

 

Good news.

Disregard. My editor mispronounced the name. It's Krill Company, and that move has already been announced. Sorry for the error.

boo!  go back to the suburbs Coral!

Crains Cleveland article today, cant access it though

 

"Lot purchases set K&D Flats plan in motion"

Lot purchases set K&D Flats plan in motion

Apartment developer, Nautica officials in talks to execute West Bank improvement

By STAN BULLARD

6:00 am, July 24, 2006

 

Apartment and condo developer K&D Group is snatching up property and is talking with Nautica entertainment complex owner Jeff Jacobs to map out steps the two largest landowners on the West Bank of the Flats can take to prepare the area for more redevelopment.

 

K&D already has opened its wallet to buy a ¾-acre parking lot at River, Center and Elm streets in order to extend its reach along the West Bank. The lot K&D bought June 21 from Riverfront West Partners for $320,000 is more than a quarter-mile north toward Lake Erie from its 500-unit Stonebridge Apartments and Condominium complex, which hugs the Cuyahoga River....

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20060724/PENDING/607240324/1018