It's still a untapped area.

Just found this thread.

 

A little while back (before they closed off the area to the public), I went onto the property snd took some pictures. It felt like a ghost town.

You can see the set here.

 

 

 

 

Musky,

 

Great stuff. Very eerie.

Anyone heard any updates on this?  Marous has almost reached the 1 year deadline...

Rapid repair hits $300,000 snag

 

Thursday, October 12, 2006

By David Plata

West Side Sun News

 

Unsuitable soil conditions at the Regional Transit Authority's West 117th Street station reconstruction site will cost an estimated $300,000 to correct.

 

We've run into some conditions that caused us to do some additional work, said Craig Kleve, engineering director at RTA. We're still on schedule. Our plan is still to open next fall.

 

The RTA board on Tuesday is expected to approve spending some $300,000 to remediate the unsuitable conditions.

 

The station, originally built in 1955, is at West 117th Street and Madison Avenue in Cleveland, on the border with Lakewood. Construction of a new, $4.7 million station began a year ago.

 

Kleve said initial soil samples did not show the extent of unsuitable conditions, including old tank foundations, old buildings and old plumbing lines, dating to the site's earliest days, when it was a train station.

 

It might have been silos for coal and the tinder box, he said.

 

The area affected is mainly at the northeast portion of the site, where the new bus loop and parking area will be located. Because of the soil conditions, Kleve said, the ground has a higher moisture content than needed to withstand the weight of buses and cars.

 

The station will be renamed Highland Square at West 117th Street, a reference to a neighborhood name used in the 1800s.

 

Construction work on the new station itself is not affected.

 

The latest expenditure is on top of nearly $220,000 in change orders approved earlier to excavate concrete structures, modify a retaining wall foundation, modify the elevator and shaft due to poor groundwater and subsurface conditions and more.

 

Despite the added expenditure of nearly $550,000, Kleve said, the project is still within budget.

 

We budgeted approximately $5.3 million for this project, he said. The bid was awarded at approximately $4.7 million.

 

The contractor for the project is Ohio Diversified Services Inc.

 

The station, which remains open during the work, is used by about 700 rail passengers daily and is a connecting point for the 804 Lakewood Circulator and three regular bus routes _ the 75X, 50 and 25.

 

The remediation consists of building a cap over the unsuitable soil, then filling in the site, to allow an acceptable weight distribution.

 

Kleve said the final remediation cost won't be known until completed. A reduced undercut test excavation and backfill was under way Monday.

 

If it performs well, we'll continue with that, Kleve said. If it doesn't perform well, we'll continue with complete excavation.

Went by there today and took a couple pics.  Can we assume that since the one year deadline has come and gone and there's been no word of plans, that Marous passed on the option to redevelop this site?

 

 

 

an amazing building in a great high density neighborhood....i dont understand why this building hasnt been touched

To me, that beautiful vacant church (along with the current, sorry state of Edgewater Park) evokes a strong statement of loss and neglect.

 

 

^ What's wrong with Edgewater Park? I went there all last summer, and it seemed like good park...

^ What's wrong with Edgewater Park? I went there all last summer, and it seemed like good park...

 

I agree.  Edgewater is nice, I went to a couple of picnics there.

Me too, I think it's a great state park.

 

I recall hearing some nonsense about "Arab vs Latin" gang warfare going on there. I only bring it up to say I've never heard of or witnessed anything even remotely along those lines, and suspect it's just your typical racist fear mongering.

i like edgewater a lot, but imho, it is a little rough along the edges, especially the area by the beach and lower pavilion.  maybe it just needs a coat of paint, some uniform and well placed trash cans, or new signage.  but, after spending time on other lake erie beaches/parks and seeing what other large cities that have a nice park on the water, it could use some work.   

 

perhaps if metorparks actually took over edgewater and e55 it would improve and be consistent with their parks, which i think are very well run. 

Sorry, I should clarify. The "park" itself is okay. I think the state does a decent job with cutting grass and maintaining the upper pavilion. While there are some shady guys that hang around the upper lot, I would say it's as safe as anywhere. The rangers are very nice and are always around.

 

It's the beach itself that is disgusting. Sometimes it looks like people simply hauled their trash right up to the sand and left it there. I have taken pictures and sent them to Columbus. Nobody seems to care, and as far as I know they won't hire anyone to pick it up.

 

Also there is a combined sewer outflow just yards away from the swimming area. It smells like an open sewer on some days because it is!!

 

I love the place, I really do. With some investment and better care it has the potential to be a real magnet for new residents and tourists. But in my opinion it is the most trash filled beach in America. 

 

p.s. Edgewater used to be very well manicured and taken care of:

 

http://cpl.org/collections.asp?key=%7B3D6A5824-F32C-4496-9EA1-6822075C12F2%7D

Wow, cool pics. Thanks for the link!

^^ Points well taken.

Very nice pics.

 

It used to be a city-run park, but the city could no longer afford it by the 1970s and turned it over to the state. That bathhouse became a vacant derelict. I have a picture of it in its later years with the beach in front of it clogged with dead trees, branches and other debris that had washed up in storms. Very sad. What you see today is an improvement from the 1970s, but still down from the scenes of 1900-1940.

Sounds like we need a "Friends of Edgewater Park" group.  There has to be a core group of people who live within walking distance of that park that would organize to improve the area.  With thousands of residents soon to be connected directly into the park because of the shoreway renovation, I can only see an increased interest in keeping the park clean and user-friendly. Tak away a few ribbons of concrete and you'll see a huge difference in the psychological connection to this park by the surrounding residents.

Sorry, I should clarify. The "park" itself is okay. I think the state does a decent job with cutting grass and maintaining the upper pavilion. While there are some shady guys that hang around the upper lot, I would say it's as safe as anywhere. The rangers are very nice and are always around.

 

I hate to say this, but those guys arent shady they're horny.  Edgewater used to be famous for its "cruising".  channel 8 used to do sex sting operations there.

 

One of my bosses at SOHIO was caught with his pants down in his car with a 16 yo boy at lunchtime.  Then caught in the main library the following week.  That was the best scandal at BP.

I always thought that church building would be a great rehab house for the Real World. Probably the right location too.

I think there actually was some talk of the Cleveland Metroparks wanting to buy Edgewater from the state a few years ago.  Whatever happened to that?

 

Anyway, back to the original topic.  :-D I wonder how the building would do if it was split up into a couple of apartments/lofts?  It seems large enough.  Although I support the bookstore idea too.  Either way, that building is just too nice to just sit there all empty.

Marous's option has run out. They're not going to develop anything there -- at least not at this time.

^ Why would they; what a *dump* that neighborhood is! ::sarcasm!::

I don't know the details. I would speculate it had something to do with the cost of rehab...

I remember that they wante to get a bookstore in there, but no one came forward. It doesn't look suitable for a loft conversion.

I was thinking the same thing.  It just doesn't look like it gets enough light to be livable, and I'm not sure how you would divide it up.

Sun News:

 

Firm running out of time on church redevelopment

Thursday, March 08, 2007

By David Plata

West Side Sun News

 

The long-neglected former Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist on West 117th Street apparently is in line for a little more of the same.

 

An option held by Marous Brothers Construction to redevelop the property is set to expire by the end of the month, said Cleveland Councilman Jay Westbrook, D-18, in whose ward the more than 80-year-old sandstone building is located.

 

"The city is in the process of meeting with Marous and determining where they stand with the proposed development," he said. "We'll have to evaluate whether we extend the option to them or retrieve it and seek another developer."

 

Chip Marous, company president, did not return a call for comment.

 

While Cleveland is in initial talks to do joint redevelopment with Lakewood along West 117th the common border between the two cities Westbrook said cooperation on the vacant church, declared a historic landmark years ago to save it from the wrecking ball, may be limited.

 

He said ideas on how to redevelop the property would be welcome, but that Lakewood probably would not contribute funding.

 

Westbrook noted that Marous more than a year ago patched up a roof leak and corrected water damage inside the building emergency repairs valued at some $120,000 and paid for by the company.

 

Marous, one of the largest construction companies in the Cleveland area, has completed or is involved in several major projects on the West Side. Those include redevelopment of the old West Tech High School as West Tech Lofts, and redevelopment of the former Eveready Battery site on West 73rd Street as the more than $100 million Battery Park, including townhouses, condos and apartments.

 

Marous took on consideration of the church project after another developer couldn't follow through on plans more than two years ago.

 

Westbrook said tentative plans now, as they did then, include redevelopment not just of the church property, but of the entire block, including the strip fronting on Clifton Boulevard between West 117th and the Giant Eagle supermarket at West 116th Street.

 

Westbrook said the city is in talks with Giant Eagle to see if the supermarket will relinquish its lease at the site and work with the property owner, Carnegie Management Co., to agree to tearing down the entire building, including a 24-hour restaurant at the West 117th corner.

 

The plan would consist of a mixed-use redevelopment, including construction of a larger Giant Eagle, as well as commercial space, condominiums and a parking garage, as well as redevelopment of the church, he said.

 

The church likely would be preserved and redeveloped as a book store and coffee house, or a mixture of a restaurant or entertainment venue, Westbrook said.

 

"Our problem all along is the church building, by itself, has very little economic viability," he said.

Boo, hiss!

 

You'd think that this would be an no-brainer with all the people living in the area, including the affluent folks on Lake and Edgewater.

I'm surprised Lakewood is unwilling to contribute at least some funding.  It would seem that the health of this commercial area would have a direct impact on the viability of the Gold Coast as a residential location.

See http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7006.msg168883#msg168883

 

 

OMG - Can this thing take any longer to build.

I drive by it almost every morning and I swear the same three people working there are standing in the exact same spot - every morning.

OMG - Can this thing take any longer to build.

I drive by it almost every morning and I swear the same three people working there are standing in the exact same spot - every morning.

 

Funny that you notice the same thing. My sister just asked if they only have one guy working on the project.  Anyways, should look pretty nice once it is finished.

Anyways, should look pretty nice once it is finished.

 

Too bad the neighborhood doesn't. Last time I checked, pavement doesn't generate transit ridership, doorways with people inside them, or wanting to be inside them, do. The more there are and the closer they (doorways and people) are to the transit station, the more the station's turnstiles will spin. Funny how that seems to be such a difficult concept to grasp (fortunately, not on this forum).

OMG - Can this thing take any longer to build.

I drive by it almost every morning and I swear the same three people working there are standing in the exact same spot - every morning.

 

Yeah, no doubt. The temporary station is a real pain the butt, I've got to say. I hate getting off a train and missing the Circulator back to my apartment. This happens everytime, and then you gotta wait 20 minutes. UGH.

A while back there was some discussion on the new Aldi's and 5/3 Bank being built on West 117th and Madison. Until a moment ago, I could not locate the discussion. Looking for the obvious "west 117th" key word I found three other threads regarding projects on the street.

They are located in Cleveland - West 117th and Lake project (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=925.0), Cleveland: Rapid Red Line W. 117th renovation (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4914.0), and in Cleveland: New Project at West 117th and I-90 (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3774.0).

 

Can we combine them please?

 

Oh, and a bit of a discussion (the one I was actually looking for) here, (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7006.msg156847#msg156847) in the Various demolitions taking place in Cleveland thread.

 

There was discussion regarding the layout of the new buildings. I drove by there this week and l as if the bank will ,although not perfect as far as density is concerned, fits well with the setbacks currently running along the west side of the street. (Can I also add this thing has gone up so freaking fast. Makes the train station look like a complete joke.) From Madison to Detroit, almost all of the setbacks are about 20 - 25 feet from the curb.

 

 

speaking of station renovations, when are they going to start building the new Brook Park station? 

speaking of station renovations, when are they going to start building the new Brook Park station? 

 

in order to stay on topic, might I suggest checking the GREAT RTA THREAD

Too bad W. 117th's taking so long.  On a good note, though, is it seems designers learned a lesson from Superior Station experience -- why take a station, elevated, with visible platforms from the street and close it in creating a steel & glass dungeon? ... W. 117 appears to have retained the more open platforms of its predecessor station.

I think a bigger factor lending to West 117th's design is trying to be more cost-conscious. No longer is RTA spending $10 million+ for stations like Windermere, Triskett or even $7 million+ stations like Superior and Ohio City. RTA is trying to keep station renovation costs to $5 million or less. RTA isn't even replacing West 117th's platform or its canopy. Instead it's renovating what's already there.

^and only paying for three people to do work at any given time.

 

 

it's the same problem on the euclid corridor.  why they don't have people working double shifts or at least 12 hour days when the weather is nice is beyond me.  like clockwork, they start at 7 or 7:30 every morning, and euclid is a ghost town by 3 or 3:30, even though it is now light out until 8pm.  probably should have included more performance and time based incentives to finish the work ahead of time.

^Overtime Is my guess. This project has to come in at the price quoted and overtime at this stage might kill the budget.

Can we combine them please?

 

 

Done.

According the to Ward 19 Newsletter, the new 130,000 sq ft Target on West 117th Street is set to open on July 29.

West 121st Street will be extended to Berea Road as well in order to attract new business in the industrial section to the west of the store.

Of more interest is the announcement  of two new retail operators that will build on the two of three outlots near Target. A new 87,000 sq ft grocery store and a new family RESTAURANT (EDIT). No names have been given yet, but they will be announced in the near future

I was actually pleased when the Giant Eagle scheduled to open on that site appeared to be pulling out.  Now we're back to that or something similar.  This keeps the future of the Giant Eagle on Clifton somewhat in jeopardy, I would presume.

 

[edited based on Musky's edits]

^fixed

 

"a new family" what?  I think you left something out, Musky.  Family Dollar?  Family-oriented restaurant?  I was actually pleased when the Giant Eagle scheduled to open on that site appeared to be pulling out.  Now we're back to that or something similar.  This keeps the future of the Giant Eagle on Clifton somewhat in jeopardy, I would presume.

There's a Giant Eagle at W. 110th and Lorain (the old Top's).  That's probably why they pulled out.

It was originally planned to be a Giant Eagle with a Gas-n-Go.

But when tops closed at Westown, they decided to just move there instead.

I'd say that whole area is going to get "grocered out" - what with Giant Eagle at Westown Plaza (W110th-Lorain), Giant Eagle at W.116th and Clifton and Aldi's at W.117th/Madison. Actually, I hope the latter fails (along with Fifth-Third) so it can be demolished and that corner can be designed for the significant transit presence in that area.

 

Oh, and I forgot a couple of Arabic grocery stores in the area of West 117th and Lorain.

^And Dave's over on Ridge and Dennison.