Does anybody have the latest on the demolitions taking place in Cleveland?? I saw 2 different ones taking place today (1/10/06) but neither makes sense.

 

The first is the large block of Euclid Avenue between E. 55-E.60th, which was previously planned for demolishing to help develop the Euclid Corridor. However, what is the reason for bringing down every single structure in that segment of land.. I mean, they tore it ALL down, not just the front units, but any previously standing structure is now gone. The pile of rubble is clearly visible from Euclid, E. 55th St, or Carnegie.

 

The second is an additional demolishing at the Cleveland Clinic where the new heart center is being built. As most know, the old parking garage was torn down in May, to make way for the new structure, but they began tearing down an additional part of the Cleveland Clinic adjacent to the site sometime in the last several days. The building I am referring to is at least 9 stories high, and it's part of what I believe is the 'F building'. Any idea what this is all about??? The people at the Cleveland Clinic were all watching out the windows as if this was a shocker. It shocked me too, since I thought the demolition stage was finished nearly 8 months ago.

There is a thread about the Euclid Ave demolition.  Your thoughts echo what others have mentioned.

 

Clinic: Without a map, I can only guess about this latest demo.  I know that the Clinic is planning on buliding a new buildgin just behind and off to the side of the new heart center.  The Clinic has a lot building plans.

 

Another huge demo project that you didn't mention is on E. 105 near MLK.  The last two buildings for the West Quad have been torn down over the past few weeks. It appears that only the foundation remains.  Dump trucks are hauling the rumble away.

wimwar is correct - that's the site of the new Glickman Urology building. To put this in perspective - the cost of the expansion at the art museum is around $250,000,000. Along with the new heart center, the construction at the Clinic is more than twice that!  :-o

 

 

.....

New building will house Cleveland Clinic Urological Institute

Jul 21, 2005

Urology Times E-News

 

The Cleveland Clinic has announced a new campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new $60 million, state-of-the-art building on its main campus to house the Glickman Urological Institute. The Glickman Pavilion will comprise more than 200,000 square feet designed to provide for future expansion. The Institute will occupy the building's top floors, together with related programs in nephrology and dialysis.

 

Ground is scheduled to be broken next spring.

....

I heard that the church closest to the heart center (see MayDay map) has received a handsome offer from the Clinic for its land.  Those are two very pretty churches--would the Clinic tear it down??  I wouldn't doubt it.

They wouldn't need that land if they would learn how to design buildings appropriate for an urban setting (i.e. does the Cole Eye Institute need a huge swath of Chemlawn fronting Euclid?). Hell, they could even go out on a limb and learn how to build something taller than 12 stories!  :roll:

It's nice that the Cleveland Clinic decided to stay in the city when, in the 1950s, it seems that everything else was suburban-bound. But I've never understood why the clinic feels the need to bring the suburbs to the city with its building designs? Problem is, no one has the guts to stand up to them and tell them to stop building suburban bunkers. Maybe Peter Lewis could.....

The Cole is the worst, but the Taussig is not far behind. What a large waste of space! They are in a squeeze for land, so it begs the question of when they discovered this shortage.  The new Heart Center is a breakthrough--a portion of it will actually touch the sidewalk!

Yeah, though the Heart Center is still going to look like it flew in from Solon. Cleveland Clinic architecture = puke.

Bizbiz, check out http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5235.0

for a discussion of the E. 55th demolitions, and some photos I took of the buildings shortly before they were ripped down. What a crying shame.

Part of the Clinic's plans are to make Chester the front door of the entire complex.  They want to create a blvd from Chester that ends at the new Heart Center.  My drawing shows a straight line connecting the streets, but the Clinic would have a curved line that reflects the curve of the cancer center (they own the land where the drugstore and gas station are, so those would be torn down to make space).  Also, there will be an addition to Parking Garage #1 that will double its size.  Lastly, the Clinic is looking at building another 4,000 car garage somewhere on its campus.

It's a shame that the Clinic's "front door" can't be on Cleveland's "main street".  I have a site plan of the garage, East 93rd St. Boulevard, and a new building to be built on the Eastern side of the Boulevard.  It's a PDF, so I can't post it, but I will post a link when I can figure out where I got it.

 

Also, I don't know if anyone noticed, but yet another historic commercial building was demolished on the north side of Euclid, just a couple of blocks east from the buildings being demolished between East 55th and East 60th.  So, is the point of the Euclid Corridor to create faster, better access to the empty fields that used to make up Cleveland's main street?

 

MayDay, do you subscibe to the "Urology Times", or were you just browsing?

Nyuk nyuk - it was the first item on a Google search for "Glickman, Urology".

So, is the point of the Euclid Corridor to create faster, better access to the empty fields that used to make up Cleveland's main street?

 

Apparently. And it's depressing, because I thought we as a city had finally gotten over that mentality of "tearing down to build up." The legacy of urban renewal -- i.e., speculative demolition -- is a sea of surface parking in the very heart of the city. And frankly, I don't have much more hope for the newly empty lots on Euclid.

 

Uh oh, somebody call the doctor -- my Clevelanditis is kicking in. ;)

I suspect that was the doing of RTA Deputy General Manager Michael Schipper, who prefers to demolish things when he doesn't get his way.

I'm very curious about this whole development situation for the Cleveland Clinic's new gateway entrance. Just west around E. 88th between Euclid and Chester, that townhouse village is ready to expand another block over, slowly closing in on the Cleveland Clinic. With a garage expansion, and new entrance off the busy Chester, wouldn't retail or commercial or anything for the lord's sake become attractive? Even the north side of Chester could become desirable.. anyone want to make a list of all the development/proposals/plans for the Cleveland Clinic?? As odd as it sounds, CC has intrigued a number of us it seems..

There has to be some psychology to hospital architecture.  Solid, sturdy, harmless...boring.

 

Or am I wrong?

Hospitals are very complex places that must stress health, functionality and safety over other things.  I would think that there are only a certain sect of architects that do hospital work. Have you ever heard of Frank Gehry designing a new hospital??  I am not defending the Clinic's choice.. 

 

Bizbiz,

 

There is a nascent effort that is looking at development just north of Chester (we may be hearing more about this in the coming months).    And, its been reported that Zaremba is looking at a 500-unit development between E.79th and E.71 on Euclid.  Considering the new zoning district in that area, its hard to see how it wouldn't be mixed use. Create more density and the retail will come.  The frustrating thing about hospitals is that  they often have huge cafeterias inside them that keep workers nestled inside the walls.

This is a bit off topic, but Wimwar, do you see Church Square being redeveloped into something more pedestrian- and transit-friendly anytime soon? I'm imagining not, considering it was just put up about a decade ago, but one can always hope.

i always like saying this, probably too much, but in 25 years, the neighborhood known as fairfax will ceast to exist, and will only be known as "the clinic"

Maybe.  I read somewhere that The Clinic will be building its first building south of Cedar sometime soon.  But I think most of their construction will be between Carnegie and Chester.  They have alot of land they can build on to their East, North, and West.  They could also go North into Hough's Upper Chester neighborhood, although it would be politically unpopular.  I think it would be harder to do the sort of land acquisition they want to do in Fairfax.

The Clinic doesn't want to spread itself thin.  Operationally, it is not a good path to go down if they sprawl out. They are want to keep all new construction as close to their core as possible.

This is a bit off topic, but Wimwar, do you see Church Square being redeveloped into something more pedestrian- and transit-friendly anytime soon? I'm imagining not, considering it was just put up about a decade ago, but one can always hope.

 

I doubt it.  I think that its completely rented out and making $.  While its not pretty, it will be transit friendly considering that the ECTP will drop people off at the front door.  Its unfortunate that they built it.  It really cuts off Beacon Place from any possible expansion to the West and its design effectively discourages any interesting retail uses. 

I'm not sure anything with a sea of parking in front of it is transit-friendly, and certainly not pedestrian friendly. I suppose replacing/revamping it will be a project for our generation. ;)

 

Funny you should mention because on Euclid on 59th ish behind all those nice boarded up buildings they are all being torn down, I hope not the facade.

Wow I jsut read the rest of the posts and notice how late I am... haha

I'm kind of afraid to ask what's going on here, but I suppose it could be something good:

 

The former Peterson's Nut Company on Carnegie, just east of 9th.

(photo credit goes to YSOH)

 

I'd like to think that this is one of the more premier development sites in the region, considering its proximity to major freeways, Jacob's Field, the Q, Cleveland State, Downtown, an east/west bridge, and a major local thoroughfare.  Oh, and there's a hotel across the street.

Due to its proximity to Jacobs Field, maybe they are just creating more surface parking space.  I hope not.

I've heard from credible sources that that will be parking lots for awhile, with the possibility of being redeveloped in the mid-term future as a midrise condo building.  On Seneca, just behind this building there is a 1920's era industrial building currently used for parking that will be demolished as well, with the same set of plans (parking maybe housing later).

With the quiet, brick street and the historic and scenic cemetery just north of this site, I was hoping for some housing on that side as well.  I understand the transitional use as a parking lot, but I really hope that it doesn't get stuck in that state for too long... as we can see all over town, it's tempting to just sit on that income for decades!

^^

Most of the buildings around there are kinda decreped and in bad shape. I personaly wont miss them. Just because its old, dosent allways mean its worth saving, even if its becoming parking. Way I see it, makes for less demand for parking further out from the stadium that could be used for something better; I am thinking of the parking around E 14 and prospect.

 

What would be really slick is (pending the inevidable protests of the people that fight for nonsense causes) if they were to take all the graves put them in lake view, knock some more openings in to the graveyard, spruce up the landscaping a bit, then make it a park. The grounds arent really well kept up, its falling apart, homeless mess the place up, homless break into the vaults sleep there.

 

Its just not functioning as a cemetary real well, a park would be nicer.

 

^lakeview cemetary has a hard enough time maintaining its older gravesites. Every cemetery does, and the last thing they would want is another source to drain their limited income.

X, you refer to a building just behind the Peterson Nut remains thats also slated for demolition as being on Seneca...are you thinking of Sumner Ave.?  If so, I'm sorry to hear that b/c of some personal connections to that place.

Yes, Sumner.  It is the parking garage building, not the building that used to be an entertainment complex.

i learned the following gem at a recent city planning commission design/review meeting

 

it is illegal by city ordinances for a developer to demolish a building and replace it with surface parking.  the developer has up to one year to develop a plan for the site and can appeal for one more year.  if the site has not begun development within two years of the demolition date, then the city has the right to revert the site to greenspace.

 

i'd like to find out more about this ordinance, so if anyone finds more info, please post it.

^I thought that we had an ordinance like that.

^yes, and please forward it to detroit

I believe that ordinance was passed in the early- to mid-1990s? And I thought it applied only to the downtown area.

 

One loophole -- that doesn't include buildings that have caught fire. When I first heard about the ordinance (I believe right after it was passed), a building at the corner of Prospect and East 4th Street burned under suspicious circumstances. The owner wanted to tear it down for a parking lot but the city said no, citing the new law.

aw, hell no!  was there an inspection and all that?  obviously, the owner got away with it!

To add to all the demolitions taking place, Peterson Nut's was recently torn down to make way for a PARKING LOT. I spoke with the broker for the property and he says the owner's pulled all the strings in the books to tear the building down and create a parking lot out of it. Not sure if he is correct or not, but I know there's an ordnance.

 

Anyways, another demolition has taken place!! This time it's between E. 12th-E. 13th @ Payne DIRECTLY behind the Greyhound Station. It used to be an eatery that won an award in 1991 for best pizza.. well that's all that was remaining when I drove by was a sign saying that. If I remember clearly, this used to be a 1-story restaurant (pizza house) that was pretty damn ugly. There is now a large, continuous parking lot on both sides of the former building. I am guessing this may have to do with the future development to take place here (for Greyhound) or the Avenue District.

The Peterson Nut demo was already noted.  Hopefully it won't be a parking lot for long.

 

Was the demolished pizzeria Miro's Pizza, by any chance?

 

 

Its accross the streat from one of the phases in the avenue district. Someone also mentioned in another thread (maybe this one, im too lazy to check) that buildings cant be torn down for a parking lot without a plan for future development? Interesting...

Well 2 properties are for sale next to Peterson Nuts thru Colliers and Chartwell, respectively. Before I even brought the topic up, the broker at Chartwell told me his property is next to the former Peterson Nuts site where they are making a parking lot for Jacob's Field. Yes, there is an ordnance, but now the question is, how long may this site remain a parking lot before they must re-develop it. I know there's a short grace period (<1 year?). Oh, and the property for sale over there is VERY cheap.. The site next to the lot (it's a 2-story building and 20 surface spots) is for sale at around 1.2 million. I thought prime land next to a major stadium would be worth a lot more than that.. I mean sqft $ price is high compared to the rest of the city, but not nearly as high as it "should be", seeing as this should already be fully developed.

It sounds like you can get around the "no parking lot" rule just by proposing development on the site when you submit your application to demolish. There's no mechanism in place for the city to force development after the parking lot grace period (1 year?) is over, though. So the ordnance is pretty toothless. I do think it reflects a growing reluctance on the city's part to allow demolitions -- but that's about it.

The Peterson Nut demo was already noted.  Hopefully it won't be a parking lot for long.

 

Was the demolished pizzeria Miro's Pizza, by any chance?

 

 

 

You are probably guessing correct, as this name definately rings a bell. It's one of those small properties I never cared to look at and so now when it gets thrashed, it's hard to picture what used to be there.

Another downtown demo coming up.  This is right next to my place:

 

9:30    Ward 13 

Calendar No. 06-13:  211 Prospect Avenue  Joe Cimperman 

      10 Notices 

 

Downtown Buildings LLC, owner, and MRN, Ltd., appeal to demolish an existing two-story retail structure and construct a surface parking lot in its place, situated on a 35’ x 84’ corner parcel located in a General Retail Business District on the northeast corner of Prospect Avenue and East 3 rd Street at 211 Prospect Avenue; where the proposed project is located within a designated downtown district, and Section 349.14(d) requires City Planning Commission approval where the surface parking lot is prohibited by the Regulations of Section 349.14, although the Board of Zoning Appeals may grant a variance, but only if it determines that denial of the variance would deprive the property owner of all reasonable economic use of the subject property, as stated in Section 349.14(g) of the Codified Ordinances. (Filed 1-18-06)

 

The rumor I've heard on this one is that they will construct a new apartment building in the not too distant future, but that is what everyone says when they demolish a building in Cleveland.  I would give it some credence though, because it makes sense to build off of the momentum they have on the rest of East 4th St.

True. MRN seems more interested in building than demolishing. I can't picture this building though. I assume its odd-numbered address means it's on the south side of Prospect? Can someone take a picture?

 

What was it we were just talking about in another string about building on the surface lots north of Gateway since the Gateway decks are doing so poorly and the parking market seems so oversaturated?

NE corner of E. 3rd (the alley by the May Co.) and Prospect.  It was an old Jeweler's.  But then, wasn't everything along Lower Prospect?  It is a two story building.  Two storefronts, upper story is glass block.  Old, historic, but small and not particularly attractive or detailed. 

 

It's not a big loss, as long as it doesn't stay a parking lot for long.  Demolishing this building allows for a fairly large building site that extends all the way from 3rd to the Buckeye Building and from Prospect back to the back of the House of Blues.  Should they decide to build on all of that land, which they already own, they could build something very substantial.

211 Prospect was long overdue...It's looked like a marked property for some time now.  It's on the north side of Prospect, next to a big pile of rubble that separates it from Flannery's.  It's a two-story structure that would need to be updated significantly, but would never really amount to much, due to the fact that it's only about 5,000 square feet.  On the other hand, it's in a height district that would allow a building of up to 250 feet high...a significant improvement!  I'm sure MRN has plans for this...let's just hope it's not for valet parking spaces or tour bus idling...

Well, at the rate MRN moves, we might see something there in about 20 years... I'm sorry, it's morning and I'm cranky! Seriously, this loss won't be too noticeable since the building is so small.

The building used to be reads jewelers which is now down the street next to the boneyard. I hope they actually clear the rubble. I don't get why there is still a huge pile of rubble next to Flannery's.

 

It sounds as though this would be extra parking for the HOB.