January 28, 201015 yr It's a shame all the strip clubs in this town are all in generic stripmall-like buildings. I really wouldn't have a problem with all the neon and gaudy crap if it became part of the street. I wouldn't mind seeing one on E4th honestly (how many people are going to jump me for this one).
January 28, 201015 yr The neon doesn't bother me...nor the lapdancing lol. Â More than anything, it's cheap hideous stucco and strip mall appearance of the building. The Flats have so much potential, but just like with Euclid Ave, it just seems like many in power do not share a grand, coherent vision of what Cleveland could be. Â How this place (and the even worse Christies Cabaret...vomit) can look so ridiculous and end up in a historic district is absolutely beyond me.
January 28, 201015 yr Author actually the flats is not designated as a historic district. It has a lot of history, and it is a district, but never had an official designation, which was part of the problem. Had this gone off of Hamilton av or a dozen other locals close to downtown there would not be an issue. But Jackson and especially Cimperman championed this location HARD (lol) so let the shame live with them. Now private clubs are starting to take hold. the increased potential for prostitution and drugs in the emerging red light light district has its appeal to them. Yes tons of research to show drug and prositutuion activities are higher in these areas. You may say to each their own, but do we want this area to be a gross tacky area, or a place where most poeple would want to live and enjoy? Will we proud of this area?    Â
February 3, 201015 yr ^I agree with your thoughts...and no, I don't think so. You can only sugarcoat strip clubs so much... If these are the best we can do for economic development in an area that should be prime, I feel sad. Unless it becomes an area like a small King's Cross in Sydney, these joints add little of any dynamics to a city.
March 17, 201015 yr Much like 668 Euclid Avenue is so much more important than just a new "apartment building"... This project is so much more important than just "some rowing club". Both are transformative projects that improve their surroundings so much that they just won't be able to help but spur development around them.    Cleveland Rowing Foundation 'very near' to a deal to acquire land on Cuyahoga River for rowing center By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer March 17, 2010, 4:00AM  CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group of rowing enthusiasts is tantalizingly close to realizing the dream of a sizable permanent home in Cleveland for rowing, canoeing and kayaking on the Cuyahoga River as soon as this summer.  Cleveland Rowing Foundation plan for Rivergate Park on Cuyahoga River deserves support (Dec. 16) The nonprofit Cleveland Rowing Foundation, an umbrella group for nine high school, collegiate and adult rowing programs, has raised $1.9 million of the $3.2 million needed to buy the now-defunct Commodore's Club Marina on Columbus Road Peninsula in the Flats.  Members of the group said that while raising the rest of the cash is preferable, they are prepared to borrow a portion of the purchase price to close the deal within several months....  more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/03/cleveland_rowing_foundation_ve.html Â
March 17, 201015 yr It's a shame all the strip clubs in this town are all in generic stripmall-like buildings. I really wouldn't have a problem with all the neon and gaudy crap if it became part of the street. I wouldn't mind seeing one on E4th honestly (how many people are going to jump me for this one).  I would go. Better digs than the Crazy Horse on Miles.Â
March 17, 201015 yr McCleveland I agree 100 percent. Â I know this project is going to start a trend toward sprucing up our riverfront. It's going to lead to better access, and help build that valuable bridge between the public and the waterfront.
March 17, 201015 yr It very well should lead to a greater focus on our largely underdeveloped riverfront (for various reasons). Thanks for the link!
March 18, 201015 yr Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson to propose $300,000 loan to aid Rivergate project for Cleveland Rowing Foundation  Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson will propose that City Council grant a $300,000 low-interest loan to the nonprofit Cleveland Rowing Foundation to help create Rivergate Park on the Cuyahoga River.  "We will be introducing legislation to authorize the loan in the next couple of weeks," said Chris Warren, the mayor's chief of regional development.  The loan would help the rowing foundation acquire the former Commodore's Club Marina on Columbus Road Peninsula, just west of downtown in the Flats.  http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/03/mayor_jackson_to_propose_30000.html
March 18, 201015 yr an RFQ was recently released to design the bike/ped bridge over the rail road that will connect the Willow Street Bridge to Whiskey Island  http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/about/pdf/lakefrontconnectorrfq.pdf  responses are due March 31
March 18, 201015 yr Really? A bridge to cross a railroad track? People cross roads that are busier every day. If we're all too terminally stupid to look for a train before crossing they could probably build a gate across the track for a small fraction of the money a bridge would cost.
March 18, 201015 yr It's 4 tracks actually, and a road within what I would consider the operational area of an active salt mine. I think the pedestrian bridge is justified.
March 19, 201015 yr Really? A bridge to cross a railroad track? People cross roads that are busier every day. If we're all too terminally stupid to look for a train before crossing they could probably build a gate across the track for a small fraction of the money a bridge would cost.   I believe that there is also a tall chain link fence. It is impossible to access Wendy Park from this area. The pedestrian bridge would connect directly to the Lake Link trail--which will connect directly to the Tow Path.  see http://buildingcleveland.org/what-we-do/projects/urban-design/lake-link-trail/   Â
April 12, 201015 yr I heard today the Tenk Machine building has a sale pending. The buyer intends to rehab the entire building and use it for 1) storage for some equipment for an existing business, 2) a recording studio, and 3) a music venue, like a Peabody's (or potentially another Peabody's location...this was unclear to me). Won't close on the building for 60 days and then they'll get started on working on the building...
April 12, 201015 yr ^Wow, interesting news, thanks. That is a seriously cool building; I hope this new group has a solid vision for the building. Including the funkier more industrial parts: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=13463+Cedar+Road,+Cleveland+Height,+Ohio+44118&sll=41.500928,-81.564002&sspn=0.01051,0.026157&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=13463+Cedar+Road,+Cleveland+Height,&hnear=Cleveland,+OH+44118&ll=41.494486,-81.705631&spn=0,0.00327&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.494971,-81.706035&panoid=krqA2lqeAHf2kBR0R2MHbg&cbp=12,167.63,,0,-5.63
April 12, 201015 yr I hope this is true and it pans out. If I recall correctly, Doug Price had wanted this building as part of Stonebridge. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 12, 201015 yr maybe it could be something like mr. smalls in PGH, which is a combination of music venue, recording studio, and outdoor skate park. http://www.mrsmalls.com/ the major difference is that the mr. smalls bldg used to be a church.
April 29, 201015 yr (while there has been some mention of this new skate park in the North Coast Harbor thread, I don't feel it's appropriate to continue the discussion there since the new skate park will actually be in the Flats. And I was unable to find another, more appropriate thread...)  So a public meeting was held last night at the Speakeasy on West 25th to discuss the new Flats skate park to be built at the tip of the Columbus Road peninsula. There's some decent coverage of this at Newsnet5:  http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland-forum-seeks-ideas-for-new-skate-park  The city has hired nationally recognized Grindline of Seattle (www.grindline.com) to design the park.  This sounds like a great project. But the video on the link above had the owner of a pizza shop in the area saying he's not happy about it because he's building bocchi ball courts outside and says the "noise" from the skate park will not be a good mix with the bocchi ball courts. Ummm... First off, you're in the Flats. Second, you're a pizza shop -- the idea of having a world class skate park just steps away, where people will drive an hour or more to get there doesn't appeal to you? What?! Don't you realize how much pizza those skateboarders will buy?! It's gonna at least double his business!
April 29, 201015 yr The new skate park could be amazing. I'm really looking forward to following this development. The Flats desperately need this right now. Â p.s. lol at pizza guy
April 29, 201015 yr But the video on the link above had the owner of a pizza shop in the area saying he's not happy about it because he's building bocchi ball courts outside and says the "noise" from the skate park will not be a good mix with the bocchi ball courts. Ummm... First off, you're in the Flats. Second, you're a pizza shop -- the idea of having a world class skate park just steps away, where people will drive an hour or more to get there doesn't appeal to you? What?! Don't you realize how much pizza those skateboarders will buy?! It's gonna at least double his business! Â And third, bocce ball isn't a quiet activity either! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 29, 201015 yr Author I am curious how the immediate residents responded. I know they were concerned about hooples having a volley ball court (likely late night noise)
April 30, 201015 yr I am curious how the immediate residents responded. I know they were concerned about hooples having a volley ball court (likely late night noise) Â Being a city park, the skate park would close at dusk.
May 6, 201015 yr Well it looks like the Rock Bottom is closing after all, and Improv moving to the Shooters building, just to expand Windows on the River? Is it really that profitable? Was Howel at the Moon already gone?  "To make room for the expansion, Windows has bought out the lease of Cyrus Waterfront Caf and the assets of Rock Bottom Brewery.  "Closing Rock Bottom allows us to focus our energies on the Cleveland Chop House in the Warehouse district........ Other plans for the entertainment complex include moving the Cleveland IMPROV comedy club to a larger space next to Shooter's on the Water. The expanded facility will include a patio on the Cuyahoga River and an upper level VIP room." http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/windows_on_the_river_to_expand.html Â
May 6, 201015 yr Author seriously, windows on the river does this much business? I don't know what is going on here ....AnywayI have one less place to walk to for a cocktail and a snack. I keep waiting for the neighborhood to get better not worse. oh wait there is the hustler. I wonder if they have happy hour?
May 6, 201015 yr Yeah it doesnt seem to make much sense. Is it actually to make way for the aquarium?
May 6, 201015 yr I'm really sad to hear about Rock Bottom.  My friends and I have had a lot of fun there over the years.  Well it looks like the Rock Bottom is closing after all, and Improv moving to the Shooters building, just to expand Windows on the River? Is it really that profitable? Was Howel at the Moon already gone?  "To make room for the expansion, Windows has bought out the lease of Cyrus Waterfront Caf and the assets of Rock Bottom Brewery.  "Closing Rock Bottom allows us to focus our energies on the Cleveland Chop House in the Warehouse district........ Other plans for the entertainment complex include moving the Cleveland IMPROV comedy club to a larger space next to Shooter's on the Water. The expanded facility will include a patio on the Cuyahoga River and an upper level VIP room." http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/windows_on_the_river_to_expand.html Â
May 6, 201015 yr I thought construction on the aquarium was supposed to start this year and effectively push out Windows on the River and everything else there? But spending $1 million to expand Windows on the River seems silly if they're going to kick them out soon.  The article says, "These improvements are in addition to plans for a $50 million development adjacent to the Powrhouse in which an aquarium will be the focal point."  Adjacent? Not "inside"? So where exactly is the aquarium going and when does construction start?  In regards to Windows not being used... They have a lot of business luncheons there during the week. I've been to a couple of events there and a couple of weddings. They obviously ARE busy enough if they're expanding. I mean, this is a private business, not the government. :)  Rock Bottom was usually dead when I went by. I wish it wasn't because I love the space and the restaurant. But there just isn't enough on the West Bank to draw people there. We need major mixed use development on those surface parking lots.  Yeah, yeah, I know... Down economy, market forces, blah, blah blah...
May 6, 201015 yr There's something happening at the building at West St. Clair and Old River Road -- the old "Calabria Fine Italian Foods" building. The windows have been papered over for a while, I've heard hammering going on over there... Anyone know anything?  Â
May 6, 201015 yr ^They were rebuilding the deck behind the building. That's been going on for about a week... maybe two now. They should be pretty much done. I have no idea what is happening inside though.
June 23, 201014 yr Author another blow to the West Flats:  "Spaces gallery in Cleveland wants out of the landlord business and plans to sell its building at Superior Viaduct  CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Owning its own building since 1990 has given Spaces, the city's nonprofit, artist-run gallery, a sense of independence and financial stability.  Now, however, Spaces sees its three-story brick loft building at 2220 Superior Viaduct as a distraction from its core mission. Christopher Lynn, who joined Spaces as its third director just under two years ago, said today the organization will soon list the three-story brick loft building for sale for $595,000....." http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2010/06/spaces_gallery_in_cleveland_wa.html
June 29, 201014 yr I don't think it's necessarily a "blow". They're not tearing the building down, it's just changing owners. Spaces doesn't plan on vacating their space right away. And when they do, they'll go somewhere else. As the article said, the area has changed due to new construction (Stonebridge). And I think that new construction is for the better. Â
June 29, 201014 yr How is it a blow? And is Spaces even moving? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 29, 201014 yr Great news here!  Grants from Cleveland Foundation and Peter Lewis boost plans for Rivergate Park in Cleveland  http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/06/grants_from_cleveland_foundati.html Philanthropist Peter B. Lewis announced he was giving a $250,000 dollar-for-dollar matching grant to the rowing project, while the Cleveland Foundation approved a $300,000 grant. Adams said that after the two grants announced Tuesday, the rowing foundation has $700,000 left to raise. [out of $3.2M purchase price] Â
July 1, 201014 yr And more money for the Cleveland Rowing Foundation's proposed Rivergate Park!  Rivergate Park project receives $200,000 from George Gund Foundation, bringing the week's total donations to $750,000  http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/07/rivergate_park_project_receive.html  Adams said the Gund grant brings the Rivergate project to within $700,000 of the $3.2 million price for the property. Rivergate advocates have a purchase option that expires July 31.   Hmmm, the last article announcing the two previous grants also said $700,000 left to raise. Not sure if that one was premature or if they forgot to lower the number this time... Â
July 2, 201014 yr Hell yeah! I'm thinking the PBL gift inspired this one as well...  That's not how it works. Applications were due long ago. The board comes in and approves what the staff has recommended. The foundations are very deliberate in the process. Whether PBL gave money or not, I bet it didn't influence either of the two foundations. Additionally, these foundations give a lot of "guidance" to their applicants.
July 2, 201014 yr I would, but i am currently spending 700K on receiving a college education :/  :-o You're getting taken for a ride.. :-D
July 2, 201014 yr Are there any green card seeking foreigners.....one would do the trick if it could create 10 jobs...:D
July 16, 201014 yr FYI - Swing Bridge closing Monday (7/19) for a year for repairs: Â http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/center_street_swing_bridge_in.html
July 16, 201014 yr This is good news and, especially with so many other bridges getting improvements, but I'll never understand why this sh!t takes a year+. If this was in any other country, I bet it would be done within at least three months. I'm guessing it's contract related to maximize worker and company pay. Maybe this is my inner world-traveler speaking...when I was in Doha for a few months, all I saw were crains and construction, and building shooting up in the course of a month or two. I know, different labor and different pay and workers on site 18-24 hrs a day, but still...
July 16, 201014 yr You must have never been to Italy...  LOL...  You're right.  But I am going to France and Spain next week. I'll make sure to take note of Spains recent construction, instead of comparing Cleveland to Doha.
July 16, 201014 yr ^^ Qatar has very lax building regulations and unions are few and far between if they are even legal. In Cleveland and other muncipalities, any government project is inherently burdened by a tangled web of cronyism, kickbacks, preferred union shops, deliberate budget overruns and all-out materials theft. There's no incentive whatsoever to complete the project quickly and efficiently.
August 24, 201014 yr More money coming in...we're getting closer:  Grants from Lennon and Lozick foundations lift hopes for Rivergate project on the Cuyahoga Published: Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 6:20 PM  Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer   New grants from the Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust and the Lozick Foundation have pushed the Cleveland Rowing Foundation $100,000 closer this year to the dream of establishing a public center for rowing, canoeing and kayaking on the Cuyahoga River. The foundation is negotiating a bridge loan with a bank to complete the $3 million deal to buy the former Commodore's Club Marina on Columbus Road peninsula in the Flats. A closing is planned for mid-September.  "We're confident we're going to get there," said Jon Adams, co-chairman of the Rivergate Fund. "In the last month we've just seen tremendous and widespread support for the project. "People are actually starting to get it. They see the potential for bringing thousands of people down to the river by opening up the river to public use. It's resonating."  http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/08/grants_from_lennon_and_lozick.html
September 14, 201014 yr Awesomeness...  Creating Rivergate Park: Cleveland Rowing Foundation buys site on Cuyahoga River Published: Monday, September 13, 2010, 8:55 PM  Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer  CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Rowing Foundation closed a deal Monday to create Rivergate Park, a new public park on the Cuyahoga River devoted to rowing, canoeing, kayaking and dragon-boating.  The foundation raised $3 million in grants, donations and loans in less than a year to purchase nearly seven acres on Columbus Road Peninsula from the former Commodore's Club, a powerboat marina and boat storage center at 1785 Merwin Ave. The park is expected to open next summer.  http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/09/rivergate.html
Create an account or sign in to comment