Perhaps completely off topic but the address for this mystery person in Beachwood stands out to me. The same address but with a different APT# was used as the registered location for a phishing website that was targeting the users of my former employers site.

 

The Thot Plickens!

 

Interesting!

 

Anywho, how did you go about searching the company name? Like just google or what? I only ask this because given the variety of the names that you listed for the check cashing places, that it could be just pulling up check cashing places based on a cookied zip code.

 

Good point about the cookies. I occasionally do a purge of my cookies to speed up my computer. I also have a pretty good phisting filter on my computer. I'll do another purge and try the search again.

 

A good place to start in a business search is the Ohio Secretary of State's website which is where companies file their incorporation papers, domestic charters, renewal documents, trade names, statutory agents, etc. Criminals or their organizations usually use the name of a relative without a felony record or use a false name (as might be the case above). In the case of using a relative, it helps to have worked in a field for a long time (such as journalism) where you have built up a list of sources which allow you to ask who some of these relatives might be. Also, I still subscribe to public records access websites since I am still doing freelance work for Sun. But smart criminals do not have their names on many public records databases. So again, you have to talk to people to get the information you need to know.

 

Missing "the beat" KJP? :-)

 

Not really. Sometimes I do miss running the website clevelandmob.com. There are lots of crooks in this town, ranging from street thugs to state senators, who need to be exposed.

 

Good luck in your hunt. If all else fails, you could always give GG Checks a call and ask politely - 888-443-6767

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:wHRmUgOd19gJ:www.abilityone.gov/distributors/distrib_current.html+GG+Checks+%26+Payroll+Service&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

I'm sure the fine folks at the PD will want to check this out.

I had brief contact with Mr. Lewski (which I actually think is Olewski) several years ago when I covered real estate. He called me to tell me he wasn't interested in talking on the record about the HoJo property. Various sources have told me that Lewski/Olewski is one of several New York investors.

 

When I spoke a few weeks ago with Lakeview's new lawyer, he indicated he wasn't entirely sure who his clients were, at least individually. I agree, there is an intriguing element of mystery here. I'll see what I can find out.

Thanks. Glad to hear there is an actual Lewski. At least that's how is name is spelled in the papers filed with the secretary of state's office.

Did anyone notice that the old gas station at E105 and Chester has been torn down?

Didn't know ...but that is where the presumably suburban style key bank branch is going in.  Looks like they're moving ahead with it.

Did anyone notice that the old gas station at E105 and Chester has been torn down?

 

For a new Key Bank Branch....

Did anyone notice that the old gas station at E105 and Chester has been torn down?

 

For a new Key Bank Branch....

 

They built a new branch on 185th street not too long ago, its surrounded by a black fence, grass, 25-35 feet of parking, and then the actual building.

^That branch is definitely set back farther than need be, though the bank could have been built up to the public right-of-way.

I noticed yesterday that the old HoJo building has a sign up in front for Lakeview and says they're putting up apartments and condos with construction starting in 2010. (Or at least I think that's what it said, I was sitting on the bus at the time.)

I noticed yesterday that the old HoJo building has a sign up in front for Lakeview and says they're putting up apartments and condos with construction starting in 2010. (Or at least I think that's what it said, I was sitting on the bus at the time.)

 

i saw the same sign, but couldnt read it from the bus. The only wording i could make out was Apartments. The picture was taken in the air looking northeast from behind a newly renovated building

Well I guess if you can afford a lawyer you can afford a sign.

So does this sign "show progress"? :roll:

So does this sign "show progress"? :roll:

 

Lazy developers would probably argue that it does.....

Hopefully a judge doesn't agree.

Sadly it appears the old Goodyear building on the corner of 14th and Prospect is coming down.  They are fencing it off right now.  I had heard a couple years ago that the building had major structural issues and would need a substantial investment just to keep it stable.  I guess last week a significant portion of the second floor collapsed forcing the issue.  As much as this breaks my heart, the reality of the situation is that unless we can attract major investment from the private sector some of these buildings just outlive their lifecycle.  Hopefully this can become a prime area for redevelopment in the future.

Yah I saw the Goodyear building roped off this afternoon.  Do they implode it or just bring in the wrecking ball?  Are implosions only for monster structures?  If so, what size usually requires implosion? 

^That whole area south of the theater district across 14th to 18th calls for a sophisticated residential neighborhood.  I always imagined something like that, even including the old Independent Towel building.

Too bad they can't save the facade....

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=14th+and+prospect+cleveland&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=4F88SsX4E4nssQOXy5z5Cg&ll=41.499369,-81.681719&spn=0.011684,0.019226&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.499477,-81.681546&panoid=iebDhTm6iRgE8ncRlig9XA&cbp=12,148.64,,0,-23.87

Sadly it appears the old Goodyear building on the corner of 14th and Prospect is coming down. They are fencing it off right now. I had heard a couple years ago that the building had major structural issues and would need a substantial investment just to keep it stable. I guess last week a significant portion of the second floor collapsed forcing the issue. As much as this breaks my heart, the reality of the situation is that unless we can attract major investment from the private sector some of these buildings just outlive their lifecycle. Hopefully this can become a prime area for redevelopment in the future.

 

I don't know what exactly happened, but here's what I know:

 

Around 9am this morning, there was a loud boom that shook the buildings across the street. Within minutes, 5 fire trucks were on the scene and the building was roped off. Later, bomb squad or hazardous materials crews were on the scene. Later, i heard from a good source that the owner was illegally storing some hazardous chemicals in the structure. By 5pm today, they started some selected demo. From the looks of it, I wonder if they just opened up some secctions to allow it to vent. I'm not the expect with these type of things..but I was an eye witness.

Wow, that's kind of scary.  I hope this area can be developed soon.  It makes no sense for downtown to end one block south of Playhouse Square.  As old buildings go, that Goodyear place looked pretty far gone.  The site deserves a prominent residential structure.  It has such a short walk to the theaters, to Gateway, and CSU.  Seeing the ballpark across the old cemetary would be a cool view, and you should also have a good view of the steel mill torches from there. 

I drove by this a short while ago...the building is now approx. 2/3rds demo'd.  I really hope we learn of some sort of development on this and not just a surface lot...to echo 327 the sightline from even just a few floors up would be amazing

I wouldn't hold your breath on this area being developed any time soon.

St. Peter's Hall is down, and the lot is beginning to be landscaped for an open air homeless shelter  beautiful park.

I would love to shoot some stinger missles at that parking garage between Euclid and Prospect.  What a great trade: 10 story building containing the largest theater in the country for 2 surface lots and a parking garage.

I would love to shoot some stinger missles at that parking garage between Euclid and Prospect.  What a great trade: 10 story building containing the largest theater in the country for 2 surface lots and a parking garage.

 

I would just tax downtown parking by the square inch, and send an anal retentive inspector out every time there's a tiny crack or puddle in any downtown parking lot.

I would love to shoot some stinger missles at that parking garage between Euclid and Prospect.  What a great trade: 10 story building containing the largest theater in the country for 2 surface lots and a parking garage.

 

I would just tax downtown parking by the square inch, and send an anal retentive inspector out every time there's a tiny crack or puddle in any downtown parking lot.

 

Oh, dude, send those inspectors over to my corner of downtown.  AMPCO lots are TERRIBLE.

 

Anyway, on topic, why is it exactly again that the garages can't connect?

I did a quick look at who owns the surface lots and garage between Prospect and Euclid, and boy, it has changed hands a lot over the years.  Between Feb 2001 and January 2002, it changed hands 9 times, and at one point was owned by the City of Cleveland for 4 days...

Too bad the city sold it.

Apparently the garages will not connect.  That was the big fight in tearing down the dollar bank building.  People kept asking why they couldn't just access that underground portion through the prospect garage... but according to them that was not possible.

 

also to the east of the 668 site, is not simply one surface lot.  It's 2 surface lots that hold about 70 cars each and a 7-8 story parking garage (goes down below surface level a bit).  I have no idea how many cars the garage holds.  The individual who owns this property is the same individual who demolished the Hippodrome, Richman Brothers Dept Store, Standard Theatre and others on the site, and has never shown any interest in doing much of anything with the property.

 

So Alvin Krenzler owns it??  Or did someone purchase it from him?

 

http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=HT1

yes he still owns it.  He's like 90.  He was a federal judge and when he saw that a motion had been filed that would have put a stop order on his demolition request that was to take effect at 8am the following day... he sent demolition crews in to start at 4am.  Quality individual.

Villain.

yes he still owns it. He's like 90. He was a federal judge and when he saw that a motion had been filed that would have put a stop order on his demolition request that was to take effect at 8am the following day... he sent demolition crews in to start at 4am. Quality individual.

 

Interesting.  So... what happened with the motion?  Was it dismissed as a favor to him?  They couldn't have torn the thing down in four hours.  Something is more than stinky about a judge using his office to enhance his business position-- or to harm his community.

the whole thing wasn't torn down but by 8am it looked something like this... which made attempting to stop demolition pretty worthless...

They must have had some impressive equipment... to get that far in 4 hours with historic structures on either side?  Wowzers.  I guess this is all off-topic, so I'll stop being interested.  I'll just say that the corruption angle of this Hippodrome story seems woefully underplayed.

yes this is most likely a conversation for a different thread... i'm not sure when this photo was taken... i've just been told that when everyone came down the next morning there were piles of rubble everywhere.  And yes, everyone thought the judge was incredible shady, and it is not underplayed in certain circles.  General public forgets about things pretty quickly if it doesn't directly affect them.

I would just tax downtown parking by the square inch, and send an anal retentive inspector out every time there's a tiny crack or puddle in any downtown parking lot.

 

I would not only tax the beejezus out of these properties, but I would institute specific days of the week when on-street parking and city-owned lots would be free (for example, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).

 

I started to think this way, since way back in 2000 when we bought our condo at the Grand Arcade and had to "enjoy" the view of the surface lot on 6th and St. Clair.  In particular, when they tore the next to last (the only one left is the one that had - or has - the Stark ofice) building that was there to add even more parking.

 

 

I would not only tax the beejezus out of these properties, but I would institute specific days of the week when on-street parking and city-owned lots would be free (for example, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).

Free parking during sporting events? From the prices I see, thatch where they make their real money.

I'm new to this site and I've read through a lot of the threads, but I haven't seen anything on the imminent demolition of the Corlett Building on Euclid Ave. It's within the CSU campus and fronts directly on Euclid. It is a beautiful old building (probably of 1920-vintage?). I'm surprised that there was not more indignation towards CSU for this decision.

I think I remember seeing something here in the Detroit Demolitions discussion on how they were demolishing a building yet retaining its historic facade for future use. Too bad something like that was not planned for this.

This building is being completely razed, correct?

^Welcome, Clueless!  I think there was some discussion about the Corlett bldg on the CSU project thread many pages ago- perhaps in connection with the nifty performing arts center renderings posted a couple years ago.  My understanding is that CSU has intended to demolish the building completely for some time now.  I'm a pretty ardent preservationist, but I'm actually OK with this one coming down...the street wall there is completely gone, and that one intact piece doesn't do much for me.  Though yes, that facade is pretty nice.  Wish we could just move the whole building further down Euclid to plug a parking lot.

Yep, Virginia Benson, CSU's own, said about three years ago that the building would be coming down.  I agree with StrapHanger- the street-wall on that side of Euclid was demolished long ago for what ended up being the fortress-like CSU.  Having the building there is great, however the new arts center was proposed for that exact spot (which could do a lot for that stretch of Euclid).

Thanks for the info. I guess it does (did) sit there like an island unto itself.

 

I too wish it could have been transported to a parking lot further down Euclid.

So I guess my question is...is the arts center a go anytime in the near future if they are tearing down Corlett.  Have not heard much about it lately.

So I guess my question is...is the arts center a go anytime in the near future if they are tearing down Corlett. Have not heard much about it lately.

 

I believe that the arts center idea went by the wayside along time ago. CSU is focusing on the Allen Theater at this point.

The ripped off the "Corlett" sign on the building.  Underneath, is a sign that reads "Cadillac."  Any ideas what that could be for?

The Corlett Building, which is only named the Corlett Building because the building was built on the site of Dr. William Corlett (one of the millionaire's row homes), was built in 1914 as the Cleveland Cadillac Dealership.  I'm assuming what you are seeing is the original signage.  The property also housed a Chevy Dealership until the mid 60's until CSU took it over.

Thanks.  If my camera weren't broken, I would do my UO duty.

Press release just issued by e-mail from the City Council PR person....

_________________

 

Council Members Cimperman, Cloud urge court to take

action on half-demolished Howard Johnson building

 

Council Members Joe Cimperman, Ward 13, and Shari Cloud, Ward 8, are coming together again to express their outrage at the stalemate in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard McMonagle’s courtroom over the half demolished Howard Johnson building off of E. 55th Street at the Shoreway.

 

Back in May, the Council Members expressed their frustration with Judge McMonagle regarding the issuance of a temporary restraining order on the already started demolition of the old Howard Johnson building.  The temporary restraining order was issued at the request of property owners Lakeview 2006  LLC, who have since done nothing with the building, which has been a vacant, blighted, haven for crime for more than a decade.

 

At a hearing today, July 24, 2009, Lakeview 2006 LLC was granted yet more time to provide evidence of a development project.  Another hearing was set for August 20, 2009.  Currently, Lakeview 2006 LLC has only committed to a construction fence by August 4th and submitted plans to repair the portions of the building that were damaged as a result of initial demolition activity.  No further plans to do anything other than restore the building to its previously blighted condition have been made.  Further, Lakeview 2006 LLC has paid the City less than half of the $200,000+  they were billed for the removal of asbestos and the demolition work completed.

 

“I am sick and tired of big, out-of-town corporations coming into our communities, buying up land and leaving it to rot,” said Councilwoman Cloud.  “Our residents are the ones left to live with the decay left behind by those with no stake in this community that are intent on contributing to its dilapidation.” 

 

When the Cuyahoga County Port Authority expressed interested in redeveloping the Howard Johnson property and surrounding area in order to relocate their operation, the proposal was overwhelmingly supported by the community.  The continual delay in the demolition of this property impedes progress and stalls the promise of job creation and economic stimulus that the relocation of the Port Authority holds.

 

“We now have building that people have long seen sit vacant and decaying further blemishing our skyline and waterfront because it has a big, gaping hole in it,” said Councilman Cimperman.  “Continually delaying demolition is detrimental to our community and to progress.”     

 

“Lakeview 2006 LLC has demonstrated little visible progress in development of the building since acquiring it in April of 2007.  During many months, the building has lacked security,” said Jamie Baker, Executive Director of the St. Clair Superior Community Development Corporation.  “The building frames the gateway to the vista of the skyline from the eastern entrance to the City of Cleveland.  It is an eyesore.  We support the city of Cleveland in their efforts to remove this building.” 

We need more civic-minded arsonists.

Um, no we don't.

We need more civic-minded arsonists.

Corlett Building, facade once-removed, now the Cadillac Building? Soon to be no building!

 

7-27-09:

 

<img src="http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx11/madachik2009/IMG_1766.jpg">