June 5, 200817 yr Reduce the value of the mall? Absolutely.. there's no guarantee that the line is extended. If it was 10 years down the road, and the rail was already there, then I'd say the value would be there.
June 5, 200817 yr maybe not...there are plans in the works to re-arrange that entire clusterf*ck of an intersection of chagrin/warrensville...why not incorporate the blue line extention at the same time? Also, talk to Thistledown, maybe they'd throw some cash that way, it couldn't hurt ....
June 5, 200817 yr yeah...why not? run the tracks right ON route 8....I know it is a state route, but that stretch (chagrin to emery) lacks anything of particular significance and wouldn't be that difficult of a proposition to argue for a scaling back. Route 8 there is currently 5 or 6 lanes wide. It could very easily be scaled back to accommodate transit running down the center as there is very little, if any, traffic these days. This area would then be ripe for TOD, which some smart developer could sweep in, buy up all the current rent-to-own/thrift/paydaylending stores on the cheap and make a killing....
June 5, 200817 yr Dudes: I went there last Sunday (6/1). By my count, there are about 12 stores open plus the anchors and theatre. Some of the final dozen: -a nail salon -a jewelry stores -a kiosk selling rims -a kiosk selling various gold items (might have been an outgrowth of the rim stand; I only saw signs and they looked closed for the day) -an electronics store (5th Avenue Electronics, I think) -a Subway -a “Nubian Jungle” clothing store -a school uniform place -The mall walker’s headquarters -Finish Line -Best Buy (just kidding) The mall is so quiet and clean, it looks like it was just built and is awaiting tenants! Circle of life, I suppose. I stopped into the security office to get friendly with the guards, and I think it helped since they saw me taking pics later and didn’t say anything. Or maybe they don’t care anymore. When they learned I used to come to this mall and was back (from Chicago) to say goodbye, they almost seemed flattered! Of course, with today's announcement, that was premature. The only trace of neglect was fading carpet, and one trash can I walked by which either hadn’t been emptied recently, or was the target of an unsavory “deposit” by one of those adorable rapscallions that gave the mall its nickname, Vandall Park. I also saw the blue steps to the movie theater peeking through a door in the former Diamond’s display window (it’s extended from the original storefront to cover the front of the movie theater). The fountains, escalators, muzak, and HVAC were all off. Usually, in summer, you walk into a mall or store and it’s FREEZING! The Sears was only lukewarm- comfortable, in fact- but they probably turned down the AC knowing there’ll be little traffic. It was still jumping enough that Sears is probably breaking even. The escalators in that store, though running, looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in a while, and probably are the original units installed in 1976! A huge window inside the mall overlooks the lobby of the newer movie theater (O Theater, formerly Magic Johnson). It looks amazing, and it’s sad that the theater is also struggling. I think I heard that their management was almost glad the mall was closing, since so many people cut through the theater to get to the mall. And the ushers get excited that someone is coming to see a movie, but it turns out they were just passing by. THAT is really sad, and sure enough the doors to the theater on the first floor of the mall are now locked. While walking, I saw one white couple, and walked up to them and said “lemme guess- you came here when you were little and have returned to take one last look around.” Not only was I right, but the woman had gone to high school with me! I just didn’t recognize her. We chatted for a bit and they left. I should point out that my family only came to the mall for about 16 months. My parents moved to Ohio from Maryland in 1979, and took a small apartment in Bedford (since it was near my Father’s office) while our house was being constructed in the ‘burbs. Little did they know what kind of area it was, and we moved to the house 2 months early (the family room wasn’t even done yet!) just to get out of there. There’s a couple pictures of me running around on the ramps at Randall Park. And by the way, while we lived in Bedford, sure enough, our car was stolen! Speaking of cars, I drove around the entire mall and the parking lot is pretty bad. But I live in Chicago now, and most of our roads and parking lots are in equally bad shape, even in the ‘burbs. So it didn’t faze me much. Back inside the mall, there was one shop open in the food court- a Subway. I’m sure many of you have seen the “$5 Footlong” commercials. The RPM Subway has ‘em for $3.99! That’ll bring in the customers! Now that the mall looks slated to become a Church, what of the burned-out hotel? It just screams out for a Mission Trip!
June 5, 200817 yr You mean Orange Julius is gone?! lol :evil: Welcome aboard garrard201, please don't be a stranger.
June 26, 200816 yr Complications arise for sale of Randall Park Mall Posted by Michelle Jarboe June 25, 2008 18:03PM Categories: Impact, Real Estate News Impact, Real estate A deal to sell Randall Park Mall has run into complications, just as the village is seeking state help to redevelop the site and nearby properties. http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/06/a_deal_to_sell_randall.html
June 26, 200816 yr I've heard about the good ole days of Randall Park Mall from my parents (my grandfather laid the gas lines down for the mall when it was being built). Even in the early-mid 90's when I was young, it seemed like it was much, much better. I wonder what will be the "in" way of shopping after lifestyle centers? Will people finally turn back to (real) downtown/town center shopping?
June 26, 200816 yr I've heard about the good ole days of Randall Park Mall from my parents (my grandfather laid the gas lines down for the mall when it was being built). Even in the early-mid 90's when I was young, it seemed like it was much, much better. I wonder what will be the "in" way of shopping after lifestyle centers? Will people finally turn back to (real) downtown/town center shopping? How old are you? 18? lol Damn whippersnappers! Let's hope. Lifestyle centers make me itch!
June 26, 200816 yr garrard201 i would love to see your pics of randall today too. my biggest memory of rpm is from when it was new back in the 70's & seeing big groups of old nazi death camp survivor jewish guys congregating there with the tatoos on their forearms. nobody had tatoos in those days except sailors and them. seeing that as a kid is burned in my memory.
June 26, 200816 yr this is probably drifting off topic, no graphics please 8^) but i am interested in what severance was like before it was "power-centered." apparently glamorous? i haven't a clue.
June 26, 200816 yr Front what I here Severance was the Beachwood of the 60's. I remember going there through the mid nineties. If you are familiar with the layout of Richmond Mall Severance was pretty much the same. By the time it was power centered it had most of the stores richmond does now, except two dillard's department stores and no Sears, Jc Penny's or May/Kaufmann's/Macy's. Plus it had that movie theatre.
June 26, 200816 yr iirc one of the 60s mall statues from severance is in the courtyard of the msass bldg at case.
June 27, 200816 yr garrard201 i would love to see your pics of randall today too. my biggest memory of rpm is from when it was new back in the 70's & seeing big groups of old nazi death camp survivor jewish guys congregating there with the tatoos on their forearms. nobody had tatoos in those days except sailors and them. seeing that as a kid is burned in my memory. really where would they be? I dont remember them.
June 27, 200816 yr mts after the mall opened there used to be cafe or at least hang out seating down here by the escalators
June 27, 200816 yr I don't remember that. I was too busy shopping to eat, except for my trips to Orange Julius! lol
June 27, 200816 yr iirc one of the 60s mall statues from severance is in the courtyard of the msass bldg at case. Is it this one??
June 27, 200816 yr An old architectural model of May Company Randall Park. They really changed the style of the exterior with this design from the other suburban stores.
June 27, 200816 yr ^There's one like that at Euclid Square Mall and I believe Great Lakes Mall to. Ugly.
June 27, 200816 yr How old are you? 18? lol Damn whippersnappers! Let's hope. Lifestyle centers make me itch! :lol: , I am 19.
June 27, 200816 yr iirc one of the 60s mall statues from severance is in the courtyard of the msass bldg at case. Is it this one?? no it's not a human figure. it's blue with some rectangles (?) maybe i'll get a foto of it, i'll be in cle for a bit this week.
August 18, 200816 yr North Randall: Village of 850 close to collapse North Randall -- Once it was flush, this century-old village. In the 1970s and '80s, income tax revenue streamed from the mothership mall and her big-box satellites. They bankrolled village services and paid for extras like free driveway snowplowing for the 1,100 residents of its 0.8-square-mile limits. Now most of the big-box stores have shuttered, Thistledown race track struggles to compete with out-of-state tracks, and the once-mighty Randall Park Mall is moribund. A fifth of its area remains a parking lot wasteland. http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1858/northrandallhs1.jpg http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/north_randall_village_of_850_c.html
August 18, 200816 yr Geez..1,000 residents. It sounds like a Kentucky 5th or 6th class "city", which are just incorporated subdivisions.
August 18, 200816 yr I used to live in one of the cities surrounding North Randall and they have more residents than I thought. However, I always assumed that some of its areas were actually a part of Warrensville. Don't they share the Warrensville Heights School District anyways?
August 18, 200816 yr Yet some folks still believe new stores are the answer. They seem to see North Randall and its namesake as synonymous, a shopping super center that could boom once more. I don't see that happening.
August 18, 200816 yr Yet some folks still believe new stores are the answer. They seem to see North Randall and its namesake as synonymous, a shopping super center that could boom once more. I don't see that happening. Agreed.
August 18, 200816 yr "Although it wasn't part of the application, Finch envisions trucking companies and warehouses taking advantage of North Randall's access to Interstates 480 and 271." At one point, Maple Heights was actually dumb enough to propose (and IIRC pass) a law banning facilities that were more than a certain percentage warehouse space. As has been mentioned, I just don't see Randall Mall coming back. It's quite thoroughly stereotyped in a manner once mentioned by Chris Rock, and is unlikely to attract anything other than low-margin stores. Thistledown, on the other hand has a chance.....if casino gambling or at least slot machines get legalized. That's what's giving other states an advantage.
August 18, 200816 yr Its clear the Mayor has no interest in losing his $50k part time job and his ride. There's now 850 people they figure living in that community. I bet the citizens aren't the highest taxable income earners in Cleveland. Yea they draw some $ from Thistledown and various dollar stores and gas stations. The obvious right move is to merge with Warrensville Heights. How odd though that a North Randall cop was arrested the night before that story came out.
August 19, 200816 yr Its clear the Mayor has no interest in losing his $50k part time job and his ride. There's now 850 people they figure living in that community. I bet the citizens aren't the highest taxable income earners in Cleveland. Yea they draw some $ from Thistledown and various dollar stores and gas stations. The obvious right move is to merge with Warrensville Heights. How odd though that a North Randall cop was arrested the night before that story came out. Really? You've had direct conversation with the mayor? I have no connection to said mayor, but then again, I'm sure you don't.. so don't make an asinine statement like the mayor of a village doesn't care about its residents.. while elected officials being bribed or persuaded is common, the chances of an elected official trying to kill an entire city/village/whatever for shits and giggles is slim to none.
August 19, 200816 yr I'm sure David Smith is a fine humble ego-less public servant with nothing but generosity in his heart.. So are you saying you don't see this as a battle over turf? Do you feel "regionalism" is for wackos? Do you think that the decisions this mayor makes for the 850 souls is going to be superior to a decision someone else might make in the neighboring community? I never said he's a bad guy. I didn't say he's being bribed. He just has a vested interest to be the top political dog in his yard. Welcome to Cuyahoga County politics. I have no doubt he's going to try to "save" his community because it also saves his job. The community may even really appreciate all his hard work. Maybe he will pull it out. But I would wonder why put the community through that stress when it seems like such an obvious decision to just start talks with the community thats surrounding you.
August 19, 200816 yr Does Warrensville gain anything from annexing North Randall? Do they have the resources to redevelop the mall, and possibly the racetrack? I am not so sure that annexation fixes the problem, it just might throw it onto someone else's books.
August 19, 200816 yr They gain control over zoning the land and some control over policing the neighborhood. They would gain tax dollars from Thistledown. It would lower the income tax rates of the people in North Randall. Probably have a chance of raising their home values since they don't have the name North Randall stuck to the house anymore.
August 20, 200816 yr Can Warrensville afford to redevelop Randall Park, and if not does gaining control over the zoning still help Warrensville? Does policing the neighborhood help Warrensville more than it costs them? Is the tax income from Thistledown more than the expenses they take on by annexing North Randall? Does the name "Warrensville Heights" raise anyone's property values? These are all questions that need to be answered before we could know if annexation is a good idea for Warrensville.
August 20, 200816 yr I think a growing city of 16,000 has better capabilities to handle these properties than a shrinking village of under 1000.
August 20, 200816 yr ^ Probably... but do they want to? You can't force warrensville to annex randall and it may not be in their best interest.
August 20, 200816 yr well hopefully it wouldn't come down to annexing. I'm saying merge since a city can't annex a village. The village must be unincorporated in order to annex.
August 20, 200816 yr okay fine... merge. but again, i see where this makes lots of sense for the village of north randall... i don't see where it makes a whole lot of sense for warrensville. i just can't really understand why they would want to take on the burdens, and they can't be forced to do it.
August 20, 200816 yr I think a growing city of 16,000 has better capabilities to handle these properties than a shrinking village of under 1000. Warrensville is growing, really? I'm not disagreeing, I'm just trying to understand why Warrensville would be growing and other inner-rings are shrinking?
October 17, 200816 yr Mall's demise could doom community Sharp jump in store vacancies and a frozen credit market could force closures, resulting in loss of vital revenue and jobs. By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com, October 16, 2008 NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- With thousands of stores closing in the economic downturn, the increase in empty space at the nation's shopping malls is leaving a hole in the hearts of once-vibrant communities. In some cases, one-quarter or more of shopping centers are now empty, and the decline - or even the demise - of a mall can have a devastating economic and social impact
October 17, 200816 yr Why on earth does a municipality that small even exist? I wouldn't call its end a "fatality" so much as euthanasia. This county should have well under 1/2 the municipalities it currently does, if it even has more than one. I would support consolidating the entire thing into Cleveland.
October 18, 200816 yr The article fails to mention that Randall Mall hit the skids long before there was anything remotely resembling a credit crunch. This almost qualifies it as misleading.
October 21, 200816 yr I got an idea for this mall: 2 MILLION SQUARE FOOT INDIAN CASINO! It would be great. The building is in the perfect condition for it, and they can put in a giant pawn shop where the Macy's used to be. Luxury living, here we come! No, seriously though, I read the wikipedia article and saw that they are turning part of it into a technical college. That is great. Now if Cleveland could just annex North Randall so it can finish the job.
October 21, 200816 yr I don't think a casino would be bad for the site at all. Good freeway access, synergy with Thistledown, potential blue line extension. It beats the heck out of Wilmington.
November 27, 200816 yr North Randall's books too chaotic to even check, state auditor says Posted by James F. McCarty/Plain Dealer Reporter November 26, 2008 19:13PM Categories: Real Time News Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor turned up the heat on North Randall's deteriorating financial condition Wednesday, declaring the village's books too disorganized to audit. In a warning letter, Taylor said her auditors were unable to find a complete accounting of the village's records of cash receipts and disbursements, bank statements, investment documents, mayor's court accounts and outstanding debts. Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/11/north_randalls_books_too_chaot.html
November 21, 201014 yr It's been a couple years since any postings have happened on this thread. Time to remedy that. Here you go: http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2010/11/redeveloping-randall-park-mall/ A copy of the full proposal: http://Development.cuyahogacounty.us
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