That's probably for the 70-unit Apollo Apartments, 1250 Riverbed. They applied Oct 24 for a demolition permit for an existing elevator but haven't gotten it yet. But in April 2022 they applied for two permits and are awaiting their issuance. Those are for:

 

INT ALT - APOLLO APARTMENTS / 1250 RIVERBED INTERIOR DEMOLITION
DEMOLISH AND REMOVE SELECT INTERIOR ELEMENTS OF THE APOLLO APARTMENTS AS A PRELUDE TO ITS RENOVATION. PHASED APPROVAL ONLY. NO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY TO BE ISSUED WITH THIS PERMIT. REFERENCE B22009642 FOR COMPLETE RENOVATION PLANS.

Job Value($): $250,000.00

 

ALT & SITE IMPROVEMENTS - APOLLO APARTMENTS
Perform alterations and completely renovate the Apollo Apartments including site improvements involving the Superior Viaduct. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits are required. Construction documents are required to be submitted for review and approval for the automatic fire sprinkler and fire alarm and detection systems. The water demand at the base of the sprinkler riser and the hazard classification must be provided to the Building Department. Special inspections required. Rental registrations and elevator license required. Reference B22026600 for interior demo.

Job Value($): $12,939,257.00

globe iron concert venue —

opens may 2025 —

1200 capacity — 🎉

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEYEYXbpw0N/?igsh=emF2aWU3eWp4bndy

Metroparks requesting brownfield grant to demolish Grain Craft property. 

 

 

 

Metroparks seeks funds to demolish Flats mill
By Ken Prendergast / January 15, 2025

 

Since the 1930s, the massive Graft Craft silos have been a familiar sight along the Cuyahoga River, on the Flats’ Columbus Road peninsula. But they may not be around much longer if a planned application for demolition and clean-up funds by the Cleveland Metroparks is successful.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/01/15/metroparks-seeks-funds-to-demolish-flats-mill/

2 hours ago, KJP said:

 

Metroparks seeks funds to demolish Flats mill
By Ken Prendergast / January 15, 2025

 

Since the 1930s, the massive Graft Craft silos have been a familiar sight along the Cuyahoga River, on the Flats’ Columbus Road peninsula. But they may not be around much longer if a planned application for demolition and clean-up funds by the Cleveland Metroparks is successful.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/01/15/metroparks-seeks-funds-to-demolish-flats-mill/

 

Thanks for including Buffalo's reuse of their silos. I know there's very little functional use to keeping them around but it's just a super cool homage to the past having them there. Obviously the scale would be different but there's something really awesome about hanging out surrounded by pieces of the city's history. Here's a photo from last summer up in Buffalo.

 

Edited January 15Jan 15 by GISguy

Sad to see them go.   I was definitely rooting for some sort of adaptive reuse ala the Riverworks in Buffalo.   Even there they are mainly just decorations and the structures themselves haven't been completely repurposed.  

A source just told me there is a report (subject to an NDA) on the structural integrity of those buildings which says they can be redeveloped. And because the site is in a National Historic Landmark district, it would have to go through a Section 106 review as part of the Brownfield Program work, thus requiring that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation gets a reasonable opportunity to comment. But the source said Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman doesn't like buildings; he likes land and once demolished a Slavic Village historical structure on Warner Road for a Mill Creek trail -- without any permits, let alone any advanced notice or review.

43 minutes ago, KJP said:

A source just told me there is a report (subject to an NDA) on the structural integrity of those buildings which says they can be redeveloped. And because the site is in a National Historic Landmark district, it would have to go through a Section 106 review as part of the Brownfield Program work, thus requiring that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation gets a reasonable opportunity to comment. But the source said Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman doesn't like buildings; he likes land and once demolished a Slavic Village historical structure on Warner Road for a Mill Creek trail -- without any permits, let alone any advanced notice or review.

That's such a shame.   Yes greenspace is always desirable, but here we have an iconic and historic structure that could be a special part of this riverfront park.  

 

Let's take up a collection to buy Zimmerman an Amtrak ticket to Buffalo to give him a tour of Riverworks.  

Whatever, I'll say it.

 

We should stop abusing historic preservation to keep ugly and uninteresting structures. People are talking as if these are beautiful impactful structures worth preserving, when they are grain silos... We should preserve buildings from the past that are beautiful, or at least architecturally interesting, not every single building. Some discrimination is required. 

6 minutes ago, Ethan said:

Whatever, I'll say it.

 

We should stop abusing historic preservation to keep ugly and uninteresting structures. People are talking as if these are beautiful impactful structures worth preserving, when they are grain silos... We should preserve buildings from the past that are beautiful, or at least architecturally interesting, not every single building. Some discrimination is required. 

 

Have you ever seen the former Hilton at Quaker Square in Akron? 

40 minutes ago, Ethan said:

Whatever, I'll say it.

 

We should stop abusing historic preservation to keep ugly and uninteresting structures. People are talking as if these are beautiful impactful structures worth preserving, when they are grain silos... We should preserve buildings from the past that are beautiful, or at least architecturally interesting, not every single building. Some discrimination is required. 

Beautiful?  No...but they were a part of our city scape for over a 100 years, the the last remaining grain silo standing on the Cuyahoga.  If anything Buffalo has reason to tear theirs down as they still have dozens of silo complexes still standing there.  

 

And, at least initially, the building itself would not have to be purposed into inhabited space.  Buffalo has made a rock climbing wall and a ziplining park attached to the silos, which would have fit in perfectly with the Metroparks brand of programming. 

 

https://buffaloriverworks.com/things-to-do/summer-fall/silo-climbing/

 

https://buffaloriverworks.com/things-to-do/summer-fall/zipline/

 

 

This post is partly a joke, partly not.    Turn over the grain elevators to Cleveland State/Case Engineering students to create a big energy storage battery.   

https://dakotafreepress.com/2022/06/05/use-elevators-to-store-green-energy/ 

 

 

I want the towers to remain. There are examples of these types of structures being repurposed all over the planet. If torn down, we lose all that potential in a trade for a half acre of turf grass.

 

As a park system, they could very cheaply cover them in green walls for a pretty unique vertical garden in their larger park setting.

 

Has anyone pitched the idea of converting the silos into a bat habitat? It will be more beneficial to the ecosystem and mosquito populations than pretty much any alternative.

5 hours ago, DO_Summers said:

This post is partly a joke, partly not.    Turn over the grain elevators to Cleveland State/Case Engineering students to create a big energy storage battery.   

https://dakotafreepress.com/2022/06/05/use-elevators-to-store-green-energy/ 

 

 

🤔

I love Metroparks, but haven't been a fan of their plans for the Flats, which really call for an intelligent mix of historic buildings, parks with waterfront access, and new construction.  Metroparks seems to want to turn too much of it over to lawn.

21 hours ago, KJP said:

A source just told me there is a report (subject to an NDA) on the structural integrity of those buildings which says they can be redeveloped. And because the site is in a National Historic Landmark district, it would have to go through a Section 106 review as part of the Brownfield Program work, thus requiring that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation gets a reasonable opportunity to comment. But the source said Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman doesn't like buildings; he likes land and once demolished a Slavic Village historical structure on Warner Road for a Mill Creek trail -- without any permits, let alone any advanced notice or review.

A Metroparks CEO not being a fan of buildings while investing heavy planning into a cities future is a dangerous combination.

The Brownfield funding application and Metroparks funding pledge to it was approved this morning. The good news is that Metroparks planners say that the funding doesn't guarantee demolition. They said they're open to development. The funding could be used for range of options.

I love saving some history but I'm actually in the tear it down camp. I see it looking out my window and I've said for a long time I wish it was gone. Didn't realize so many people loved this silo! Thought it was pretty nondescript in relation to some many other beautiful historic buildings we have down here.

5 minutes ago, dwolfi01 said:

I love saving some history but I'm actually in the tear it down camp. I see it looking out my window and I've said for a long time I wish it was gone. Didn't realize so many people loved this silo! Thought it was pretty nondescript in relation to some many other beautiful historic buildings we have down here.

 

I agree.  I also think that there's been plenty of opportunity to develop it if there's any appetite.  It was closed for a couple years before Metroparks bought it, and now there should still be significant time for developers to jump in and piggyback on the brownfield grant.  If there's no interest, I think tearing it down is the best option.

 

11 hours ago, X said:

I love Metroparks, but haven't been a fan of their plans for the Flats, which really call for an intelligent mix of historic buildings, parks with waterfront access, and new construction.  Metroparks seems to want to turn too much of it over to lawn.

 

As far as I can tell, the Metroparks' goal for the Columbus peninsula is to get a riverside trail constructed, and they're open to development otherwise.  They bought the Catanese Classics property and quickly sought RFQ's for development on the portions of property where the trail wouldn't be.

 

Metroparks or City of Cleveland now owns all property between Rivergate and Canal Basin on the West bank of Columbus peninsula, so hopefully once Graincraft is settled then the trail can be constructed and there would be a blank slate of land along Merwin along a riverside trail that would be attractive to developers.

I am actually surprised nobody is talking about the 7 story 1800s masonry building. The silos are cool, but I think the bigger opportunity here is in that building. I wish they'd save that one instead if they have to save something. That has loft conversion written all over it.

i dk what to do with those silos, i never had any love for it, i always thought it was an eyesore, but that doesnt mean tear it down.

 

i know out here red hook brooklyn has a massive silo nobody knows what to do with, so they leave it alone for now.

 

for ideas i would say look to minneapolis where what to do with the silos and mills is a constant issue —

 

https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2015/09/how-do-you-solve-problem-old-unused-grain-elevators/

 

https://mndaily.com/210448/uncategorized/grain-elevator-and-silos-may-stay/

 

mill city

 

making old grain mills into indoor rock climbing walls seems popular — but there are other clever uses like art walls and air bnb’s — 👍

 

 

Against the Grain: Repurposed Silos You Can Visit in Illinois

 

https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/travel-inspiration/repurposed-silos-upcycling/

On 1/15/2025 at 10:58 AM, GISguy said:

 

Thanks for including Buffalo's reuse of their silos. I know there's very little functional use to keeping them around but it's just a super cool homage to the past having them there. Obviously the scale would be different but there's something really awesome about hanging out surrounded by pieces of the city's history. Here's a photo from last summer up in Buffalo.

 

Dissenting opinion: This doesn't look like my most favorite environment for a few brews. I think what Brewdog has done in terms of use/reuse is ideal (kept the graffiti bollard like structures, added an awesome sign rooftop in place of a non-historic addition and kept the inside of the space industrial yet inviting). Silos add nothing and have a dystopian sort of feel when next to a tiny human being. There's enough rock climbing in the city and the views or development this would open up is much more desirable. Metroparks has proven to be a great asset and we should have a bit more faith in them as they look to fix a desolate area in our community.

Edited January 17Jan 17 by downtownjoe

Metroparks deserve to be watched just like every other governmental entity. This is an organization that has tried to wantonly demolish a number buildings, succeeding with some (Flats, Slavic Village etc) and deterred from others (eg: historic Coast Guard Station).

On 1/15/2025 at 12:51 PM, Cleburger said:

Let's take up a collection to buy Zimmerman an Amtrak ticket to Buffalo to give him a tour of Riverworks.  

 

Please don't. I doubt it will still be standing when he leaves 😥

 

I love good parks but it's painful to watch cities level their most historic neighborhoods for more grass. There are quite literally hundreds of acres of empty land downtown between vacant lots, industry, parking... and Burke. Go eminent domain a surface lot or something.

 

I know a lot of people think the silos look ugly, weird, out of place, etc. But preservation isn't just about aesthetics, it's also about keeping the history of the city alive. These are the last of their kind and tell an important story about the evolution of Cleveland's economy. Sure, we can build another historical neighborhood-themed recreational park (Irishtown Bend made sense because it probably would've fallen into the river otherwise), but razing the actual historic neighborhood block-by-block just to commemorate it with a plaque feels wrong.

1720-1736 Columbus Road will be auctioned off.  This was the site of a RealLife apartment proposal, the Pine.  Has RealLife actually built (as opposed to bought) anything?  Are they just another Florida-based, off-shore funded, money-laundering scam?  The article notes their phones no longer work and their local rep is gone, although their website may be active.

 

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/columbus-road-land-cleveland-flats-heads-auction

This is a Ten-x auction, not a court-ordered auction, so no guarantees that the sellers will actually sell.  

 

There is an enormous amount of property on the Columbus Rd. peninsula that is available.

 

Would be a great development project if you have a very long timeline and an large amount of capital available.

I just wish that gross parking lot right along the river front would get built up like the Scranton Peninsula across the river. Would make for some nice boat rides up and down the river

56 minutes ago, Dougal said:

1720-1736 Columbus Road will be auctioned off.  This was the site of a RealLife apartment proposal, the Pine.  Has RealLife actually built (as opposed to bought) anything?  Are they just another Florida-based, off-shore funded, money-laundering scam?  The article notes their phones no longer work and their local rep is gone, although their website may be active.

 

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/columbus-road-land-cleveland-flats-heads-auction

The sad/silly part of all of this is that this property would almost certainly be worth more if the buildings were demolished... Not that I'm rooting for that, we've all seen what happens with temporary parking lots, the other side of this street being a good demonstration, but a clear lot here, possibly combined with other underused parcels between Columbus Rd and the RTA viaduct, would be a prime development opportunity. As it is, it's only a good opportunity, and I hope a serious developer snatches it up, but it's hamstrung by poorly maintained buildings old enough to be historic, and weirdly cut up plots and a street layout that no longer makes sense. 

10 hours ago, Ethan said:

 it's hamstrung by poorly maintained buildings old enough to be historic, and weirdly cut up plots and a street layout that no longer makes sense. 

 

In other words, all the things that make a neighborhood interesting and not boring cookie cutter blocks.

^^Hey, imagine if that Baltimore Peninsula development were in this spot.  It could have a viaduct level Transit station.

13 hours ago, X said:

 

In other words, all the things that make a neighborhood interesting and not boring cookie cutter blocks.

For what it's worth, I actually fully agree with this sentiment, in the abstract, but I stand behind what I said in this particular instance. I don't think the street grid is doing this area any favors, and there's maybe one building between French and Center worth saving. 

Edited March 19Mar 19 by Ethan

2 hours ago, Ethan said:

For what it's worth, I actually fully agree with this sentiment, in the abstract, but I stand behind what I said in this particular instance. I don't think the street grid is doing this area any favors, and there's maybe one building between French and Center with saving. 

My thoughts to make this area vibrant:

• Save these human scaled historic buildings and add residential with retail spaces
• Build a couple more to the corner (tear down the gas station)
• Build similarly sized (4-5 stories) brick buildings on the parking lots by the FEB Waterfront station
• Add landscaping along the sidewalk and raised, protected bike lanes next to the sidewalk

Now you have a vibrant neighborhood that has character, is walkable and connects to one of your most vibrant districts. 

 

MGK’s Shooters Yacht Club gets go-ahead
By Ken Prendergast / April 4, 2025

 

A new direction for a longtime Flats West Bank restaurant site on the Cuyahoga River is about to get underway. But it may be in early August before before the public will have the opportunity to enjoy it, according to spokesman for the construction contractor.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/04/04/mgks-shooters-yacht-club-gets-go-ahead/

On 3/19/2025 at 11:40 AM, MyPhoneDead said:

My thoughts to make this area vibrant:

• Save these human scaled historic buildings and add residential with retail spaces
• Build a couple more to the corner (tear down the gas station)
• Build similarly sized (4-5 stories) brick buildings on the parking lots by the FEB Waterfront station
• Add landscaping along the sidewalk and raised, protected bike lanes next to the sidewalk

Now you have a vibrant neighborhood that has character, is walkable and connects to one of your most vibrant districts. 

 

my dream for it is that gravity place really needs to become the major focus as was always intended. that should be an open plaza surrounded by apts with little street level cafes/shops. it would be a destination for people in all the surrounding developed sites to walk over to instead of having to get in their cars.

 

edit: ie., something like a modern version of london’s seven dials neighborhood —

 

Edited April 6Apr 6 by mrnyc

Shooters renovations begin. https://fox8.com/news/million-dollar-renovations-begin-at-shooters-location-in-the-flats/

On 4/8/2025 at 4:53 PM, simplythis said:

Shooters renovations begin. https://fox8.com/news/million-dollar-renovations-begin-at-shooters-location-in-the-flats/

 

Nice to see some money being put back into Shooters.  It had been neglected for a while!!

3 hours ago, dar124 said:

 

Nice to see some money being put back into Shooters.  It had been neglected for a while!!

 

Yeah, because it has a new owner.

Don't think this has been bumped yet:

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/04/metroparks-envisions-new-life-for-cleveland-flats-riverfront.html

Metroparks envisions new life for Cleveland Flats riverfront with this big project

 

TL;DR

• Cleveland Metroparks is asking potential developers to dream up how to meld new residential or commercial spaces with new public access to the Cuyahoga River in the Flats.
• Metroparks on Monday issued a request for proposals to develop 4.29 acres it has acquired between the Center Street (Swing) Bridge and the Metroparks’ Merwin’s Wharf restaurant.
• Metroparks will retain 30 feet closest to riverbank to build a public trail extending from Settlers Landing on the north side of the Center Street Bridge

• Proposals are due back by June 6. The work could be years away. A better timetable won’t be known until after a developer – or developers – are selected and plans are hashed out, McDermott said. “Our goal would be in the next five years, but that’s a goal,” McDermott said.

 

Metroparks seeks to redevelop riverfront lands
By Ken Prendergast / April 22, 2025

 

When the Cleveland Metroparks began seeking state funds in January to help clean up and possibly demolish a 19th-century flour mill in the Flats, there was a bit of a pushback. The Metroparks, which has done a lot of demolition along the Cuyahoga River to create public spaces, was urged by preservationists to take a different approach here.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/04/22/metroparks-seeks-to-redevelop-riverfront-lands/

BTW, in case you were wondering what land uses the Metroparks is looking for, here is a section from the RFP.....

 

Cleveland Metroparks is seeking proposals that are responsive to, but are not limited to, the following development priorities:

1. Aligns with Core Goals and Core Values of Cleveland Metroparks, Vision for the Valley plan, and goals of neighborhood entities;

2. Meets proposal requirements outlined in Section E(5);

3. Provides a mixed-use facility (or facilities) that enhances the Flats neighborhood offerings;

4. Provides and expands opportunities for activated, connected, and accessible public spaces;

5. Respects and compliments the Cleveland Centre National Register Historic District;

6. Demonstrates adaptive reuse of historic structure(s), if economically and structurally possible;

7. Considers community feedback and recent planning efforts;

8. Incorporates sustainable and innovative development principles and building standards, including stormwater management and green building practices;

9. Features meaningful participation of Minority, Disadvantaged, EDGE and/or Woman-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in the Project execution team;

10. Maximizes economic impact and maximizes the ability to attract incentives and creative financing in the current development environment to accomplish execution in the near-term; notwithstanding, any tax abatement or tax increment financing (TIF) incentive sought or received for the Project shall include a payment in lieu of taxes directly to the Cleveland Metroparks for funds surrendered as part of the abatement or TIF package.

11. Encourages visitor and pedestrian traffic in the Flats;
12. Economic viability and provides Cleveland Metroparks recoupment of the investment made to assemble the Property; and;
13. Incentivizes alternative modes of transportation connecting to the site with Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies. Possible strategies may include but are not limited to visible, sheltered short-term bicycle parking for visitors and customers; secure, indoor bicycle parking for residents, guests and employees; unbundling parking costs from residential and commercial lease costs; on-site car share and/or bike share facilities; and transit pass incentives for tenants and employees. 

 

And here are a couple more graphics from the RFP which may be of interest...

I wonder if the city would vacate or pedestrianize Merwin Ave for this? 

I would love for the city to get the ball rolling by rebuilding and reestablishing the Centre street grid. New curbs, crossings, etc.. It’s a mess in its current state. 

I wonder if the city would consider turning itself over to the Metroparks? They seem to have the best combination of ideas, will and results. 

18 hours ago, KJP said:

In other news, this is the first time I'm seeing that park concept plan Southeast of the proposed stadium site. It makes sense being near a bike lane and such, and it justifies the Metroparks involvement. 

 

16 hours ago, Rustbelter said:

I wonder if the city would vacate or pedestrianize Merwin Ave for this? 

Agreed, I'd love to see some streets closed or pedestrianized. The intersection of British and Merwin is particularly egregious. 

 

--

 

Personally I'm pro expanded Rivergate Park. That would make a cool synergistic mega river park between Irishtown Bend, Canal, and Bedrock's new development. I understand that's not the majority opinion on this forum, just stating mine. My personal bias is towards big parks near urban areas. 

 

If it were up to me I'd close or pedestrianized Merwin and leave more than a 30' river trail buffer. I'd leave Leonard street for development. 

 

 

Regardless of my opinion, I hope the Metroparks is judicious in selecting development partners. This seems like an area where we shouldn't settle for just any development. Holding out for something special here makes sense to me. 

Edited April 23Apr 23 by Ethan
Linked to previous comment

Trio of Flats buildings fails to sell at auction

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/trio-clevelands-flats-buildings-fail-sell-auction

 

With all of these riverfront projects coming along at the same time, it would be good to have a water taxi service (one that stays open late) to carry people through the river. 

I think we're about 10 years from a waterfront taxi that hits spots up and down the river. In 5 years the Irishtown Bend park will be finished and the plantings will be starting to grow enough to actually look parklike. The Scranton peninsula apartments will be full and l think as this development matures it will necessarily attract more investment including housing and bars/restaurant's. Add Bedrock's plan and sooner or later there will be a waterfront taxi with stops up and down the river. If we're lucky we could have some version of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Imagine the tourist draw that could be.

19 hours ago, simplythis said:

Trio of Flats buildings fails to sell at auction

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/trio-clevelands-flats-buildings-fail-sell-auction

 

I can't see the entire article, but that's frustrating.  

It really does surprise me that this property so close to downtown isn't spurring any takers.

 

Wasn't there an attempt at renovating and putting an addition on to these that matched the current architecture?

 

I hope they dont decay too fa4 which leaves me wondering

are they maintained or have any current occupancy at all?