November 4, 20159 yr That is good news indeed. Nice to see that they are using the budget correctly and trying to stretch it as far as it can go.
November 19, 20159 yr City unveils framework plan for Canal Basin Park celebrating history and geography (photos) By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer on November 19, 2015 at 5:44 PM, updated November 19, 2015 at 6:10 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio – The city on Friday plans to unveil a sweeping "framework" design for Canal Basin Park, a project that could revitalize a forgotten patch of the Flats that was critical to the city's rapid growth in the 19th century. Developed by Akron-based Environmental Design Group, the plan calls for a 20-acre collection of landscapes and amenities that would evoke a crucial piece of infrastructure that launched Cleveland's economic rise in 1832: the Ohio & Erie Canal. The park would also serve as the northern terminus of the 101-mile Towpath Trail, the nearly completed multi-purpose path that, when finished, will connect Cleveland to points south including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. MORE: http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2015/11/city_unveils_framework_plan_fo.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 20159 yr I can't wait for this park! Between this, the Towpath, the Lake Link Trail, FEB, etc, the Flats will be a completely different place in 5 years. I hope this will also finally bring about a statue in honor of arguably Cleveland's most important historical figure: Alfred Kelley.
November 20, 20159 yr This is very exciting, but I must admit I'm really bummed about the 2019 estimated completion date. That is quite a ways off.
November 20, 20159 yr This is very exciting, but I must admit I'm really bummed about the 2019 estimated completion date. That is quite a ways off. That's less than four years. It will go by in a flash, and you won't even have to wait that long for construction to start. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 20, 20159 yr What an exciting improvement! I walked through this area this summer kind of accidentally. The park will be a dramatic improvement over the parking lots and should really help tie things together. I wonder if it will drive (re?)development between the park and Ohio City.
November 20, 20159 yr What an exciting improvement! I walked through this area this summer kind of accidentally. The park will be a dramatic improvement over the parking lots and should really help tie things together. I wonder if it will drive (re?)development between the park and Ohio City. Already underway. Lots of cool stuff has opened, is underway or announced in the Columbus Road peninsula. See pages 14-16: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6840.0.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 22, 20159 yr This is great news for the park and downtown Cleveland! It was especially encouraging to hear the news about the demolition of the Van Duzer Studio building along the river and the feasibility study for the redevelopment of old B&O station. The old railroad station is one of Cleveland’s long neglected architectural gems, along with the Whiskey Island Coast Guard station, both of which may be redeveloped as part of the Canal Basin Lake Link trail project. In previous discussions of the park, there were also plans for the following items: • Downtown Cleveland depot for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad at Tower City (…or my preferred alternative, in the B&O depot itself, which may or may not be economically feasible....) • Re-location and re-assembly of the two remaining Hulett Iron-Ore loaders, in storage on Whiskey Island for the past 15 years. Does anyone have any news on either of these aspects of Canal Basin Park development plans? In addition, the article is also relatively silent on the funding for the project. Other cities comparable in size to Cleveland have had great success "jump-starting" projects like these via public-private-corporate partnerships and sponsorships like the ones that have spurred development of the following: • Smale Riverfront Park along the Ohio River in Cincinnati, and • The Riverwalk biking/walking trails and parks along the Detroit River in downtown Detroit. Does Cleveland have any comparable organizations that could lead the "funding" mission and speed up progress toward meeting the targeted completion dates?
November 22, 20159 yr Wow, it would be super cool to have the Hulett ore loaders on display. Hopefully they're not too rusted from sitting in the elements on Whisky Island.
November 22, 20159 yr They are cool for sure, but they were sitting on Whiskey Island in the elements for decades previous to their deconstruction.
November 23, 20159 yr They are cool for sure, but they were sitting on Whiskey Island in the elements for decades previous to their deconstruction. At this point I'd be happy with large video installment showing them in operation. The Flats have such an interesting history from Rockefeller to tall ships to the river fire. I'm really hoping all this history is played up.
November 23, 20159 yr In addition, the article is also relatively silent on the funding for the project. Other cities comparable in size to Cleveland have had great success "jump-starting" projects like these via public-private-corporate partnerships and sponsorships like the ones that have spurred development of the following: • Smale Riverfront Park along the Ohio River in Cincinnati, and • The Riverwalk biking/walking trails and parks along the Detroit River in downtown Detroit. Does Cleveland have any comparable organizations that could lead the "funding" mission and speed up progress toward meeting the targeted completion dates? I don't know about funding for Canal Basin, but Cleveland has shown the capability to raise funds via "public-private-corporate partnerships and sponsorships". Public Square is a major example. Lake Link Trail (phase I and II) is another.
November 23, 20159 yr Does Cleveland have any comparable organizations that could lead the "funding" mission and speed up progress toward meeting the targeted completion dates? Yes, and two of them were mentioned in the article about the project (Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Canalway Partners). The following organizations have also been involved in other projects, like the Lake Link Trail, the Scranton Rd. section of the Towpath Trail, and Rivergate Park: The Trust for Public Land Cleveland Metroparks Ohio Canal Corridor National Park Service Flats Forward Rivergate Park Foundation These and other organization/public entities all bring something to the table. These projects are often a part of a coordinated effort and all parties work on raising awareness, research, community outreach, and pulling together funding from grants, foundations, government entities, private donations, and other various sources. I believe that The Trust for Public Land often connects, leads, and coordinates these projects.
November 23, 20159 yr Love the idea of this park but concerned about Cleveland's tendency to build big blank spaces. Columbus road is quickly developing into a hub of recreation and I think with 20 acres there should be some space devoted to recreation facilities. This would help activate and get people down into the park in between the larger events, year round.
November 23, 20159 yr I would hope this also spurs some new housing around the park. All this recreation and transportation nearby I would hope will be a residential draw. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 23, 20159 yr From 2007: A development group led by Russell Berzin of Franklyn Development Co. is planning to replace a parking lot with a $50 million, 264-unit riverfront condominium complex in the Flats along Columbus Road south of the Carter Road bridge. Mr. Berzin said the four high-rise buildings in the as-yet-unnamed complex will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units in prices tentatively set in a range comparable to those at the nearby Stonebridge development. Condominium units in Stonebridge Plaza, a just-completed condominium building, run from $153,000 to $529,000. Cleveland City Council last week approved a rezoning of the property from general industry to downtown residential. Mr. Berzin said final engineering drawings will be completed shortly, and he hopes to break ground on the first building next spring. The complex, designed by Paul Volpe of City Architecture Inc., would bring new housing construction to a section of the Flats that is predominantly parking lots and old railroad depots. Mr. Berzin said the plan is to start with a nine-story building with 55 units on seven floors over two levels of parking. The second building would be identical, while the third building would have a total of 13 floors and the fourth would have 12 floors. Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6840.0.html#ixzz3sKxwAEiU I wonder if this development could restart now that there's more momentum...?
November 23, 20159 yr Berzin is on the board of directors of Gillmour Academy along with a few big names of Cleveland area development. http://www.gilmour.org/page.cfm?p=996 So I hope he's talking to them! I actually was wondering if you, RMB, was Russell Berzin, but I see his middle initial is F, not M. :) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 23, 20159 yr Berzin is on the board of directors of Gillmour Academy along with a few big names of Cleveland area development. http://www.gilmour.org/page.cfm?p=996 So I hope he's talking to them! I actually was wondering if you, RMB, was Russell Berzin, but I see his middle initial is F, not M. :) And our Chief of Regional Development is a Gilmour alumnus...
November 25, 20159 yr Lake Link video from 'The Trust for Public Land' http://www.tpl.org/our-work/parks-for-people/cuyahoga-lake-link
March 21, 20169 yr Ground has been broken for Canal Basin Park, the northern terminus of the @OECanalway & Towpath Trail! https://t.co/Rzv6mGha50 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 22, 20169 yr Ah! You beat me to it. I took a couple walk by pictures over the weekend of that. Great to see the progress. Even looking at the piles of dirt and orange barrels is a massive improvement from those old parking lots
July 27, 20168 yr With phase 2 of the lake link trail set to break ground within a month, this is huge news for this and other inter-related trail projects by Metroparks and LAND studio. Congrats to LAND, Metroparks and TPL on winning the highly competitive TIGER grant: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/07/cleveland_metroparks_gets_near.html#incart_m-rpt-1
June 7, 20178 yr The comment section is especially entertaining on this one. Lake Link Trail in Flats opens Friday http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/06/first_look_lake_link_trail_in.html
June 7, 20178 yr The comment section is especially entertaining on this one. Lake Link Trail in Flats opens Friday http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/06/first_look_lake_link_trail_in.html From the pics the trail is still a bit of an ugly duckling. But this is all very encouraging.
June 7, 20178 yr I think that this will be a very cool section of trail once connected to the overall Towpath trail. The industrial feel of the area will provide a unique experience. I think as some of the trees mature and hopefully more development happens the overall aesthetic should improve.
June 7, 20178 yr I think that this will be a very cool section of trail once connected to the overall Towpath trail. The industrial feel of the area will provide a unique experience. I think as some of the trees mature and hopefully more development happens the overall aesthetic should improve. Have you been to the section near the Canal Way Center in Cuyahoga Heights? It's really a superb mix of nature and industrial legacy. I love the signage that gives the historical context to all the pipes, industrial valley, etc. I could see Canal Basin shape up in the same way.
June 7, 20178 yr ^ I have not been to that section yet to be honest. When I ride the towpath I usually go to Rockside and ride south to Peninsula and back.
June 7, 20178 yr ^ my friends an I do that exact same ride, though sometimes we park in Brecksville instead of Rockside. One of my favorite things to do when I'm back in OH. I'm not sure im in good enough shape to start in the Flats just yet lol
June 8, 20178 yr If you plan right you could bike from the flats to peninsula and ride the train back to rockside and ride to the flats on bike.
June 8, 20178 yr If you plan right you could bike from the flats to peninsula and ride the train back to rockside and ride to the flats on bike. Best to take the train southbound -- or uphill. ;) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 8, 20178 yr Fresh from the MetroParks twitter feed today....latest rendering for Whiskey Island bridge
October 10, 20177 yr A treasure-trove of drawings and information on the TIGER grant trails from the Metroparks: https://clevelandmetroparks.com/about/cleveland-metroparks-organization/future-plans/re-connecting-cleveland-tiger-grant-project/re-connecting-cleveland-pathways-to-opportunity
March 14, 20187 yr Been quiet for a while until now...... ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS Ordinance No. 263-18(Ward 3/Councilmember McCormack; Ward 6/Councilmember Griffin; Ward 9/Councilmember Conwell; Ward 15/Councilmember Zone): Authorizing the Directors of Economic Development, Public Works, and Public Utilities, to enter into one or more agreements with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for the exchange of easements, real property, and other consideration; authorizing the appropriate directors to execute deeds of easement and temporary deeds of easement granting to NEORSD certain easement rights in various properties; declaring the easement rights not needed for the City’s public use; and authorizing the Director of Public Works to accept from NEORSD the transfer of a portion of land known as the former Clarence Van Duzer property located on Merwin Avenue for the City’s Canal Basin Park project. http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2018/03162018/index.php "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 22, 20186 yr Canalway Partners seeks $4 million for first piece of future Canal Basin Park on Cuyahoga River Updated Jul 21, 9:17 AM; Posted Jul 19 By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio - All that remains of the first lock of the 1832 Ohio & Erie Canal on the east bank of the Cuyahoga River is a weed-filled ditch next to a city-owned parking lot. By 2020, however, development advocate Tom Yablonsky wants to see work begin on the first segment of Canal Basin Park, a site along Merwin Avenue at West Street devoted to history, geography and recreation. The deadline coincides with the planned completion of the northern end of the 101-mile Towpath Trail, which will reach the Canal Basin area in late 2020. MORE: https://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2018/07/canalway_partners_seeks_4_mill.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 30, 20186 yr Went exploring a little bit yesterday. Rode from Carter Rd + Scranton into tremont, hung on left on Fairfield, then down Jefferson to the lake link extension work. Nice view of the Ferry Cap & Screw project View from Jefferson heading towards Literary And finally the lookout point on Literary and University
July 30, 20186 yr Is this the final link OR is there 2 missing links? http://www.cleveland19.com/story/38767569/cleveland-towpath-trail-groundbreaking-in-steelyard-commons
July 30, 20186 yr Stage 3 (Steelyard to Literary) will wrap up construction his Fall. Stage 1 just broke ground, which will add off-road, separated lanes to Jennings and Lower Harvard. After that, Stage 4 (Literary to Canal Basin) will be the final stretch of trail. Stage 4 will close University Ave to traffic, connect to the existing trail that has been built under the Innerbelt and across from Scranton, and then take the trail across the Carter Road Bridge, go under Columbus to the river. All the stages are outlined on the Canalway Partners webpage.
July 30, 20186 yr Stage 3 (Steelyard to Literary) will wrap up construction his Fall. Stage 1 just broke ground, which will add off-road, separated lanes to Jennings and Lower Harvard. After that, Stage 4 (Literary to Canal Basin) will be the final stretch of trail. Stage 4 will close University Ave to traffic, connect to the existing trail that has been built under the Innerbelt and across from Scranton, and then take the trail across the Carter Road Bridge, go under Columbus to the river. All the stages are outlined on the Canalway Partners webpage.
March 6, 20196 yr Update.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 6, 20196 yr ^^^ In tweets back and forth with Brian Z...He said that the Wendy Park Bridge construction will begin in the coming months!!
March 6, 20196 yr 5 hours ago, mack34 said: ^^^ In tweets back and forth with Brian Z...He said that the Wendy Park Bridge construction will begin in the coming months!! Great! Is this still the Rosales design?
April 20, 20196 yr Final stage of Towpath Trail construction to start in June Updated Apr 19, 2:17 PM; Posted Apr 19, 2:04 PM By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio — Construction on the fourth and final stage of the Towpath Trail in Cleveland is expected to begin in June and wrap up by the end of 2020. Once the final stage is complete, the Towpath will run from New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas County, up through Massillon, Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Cleveland to Lake Erie. The final piece of the trail will go west along University Road in Tremont and under the George V. Voinovich Bridge and winding its way through the Flats. The trail, which will incorporate a small section in Tremont that the Ohio Department of Transportation already built, will end at the future Canal Basin Park. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/04/final-stage-of-towpath-trail-construction-to-start-in-june.html
April 25, 20196 yr On 4/19/2019 at 10:40 PM, MuRrAy HiLL said: Final stage of Towpath Trail construction to start in June Updated Apr 19, 2:17 PM; Posted Apr 19, 2:04 PM By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio — Construction on the fourth and final stage of the Towpath Trail in Cleveland is expected to begin in June and wrap up by the end of 2020. Once the final stage is complete, the Towpath will run from New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas County, up through Massillon, Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Cleveland to Lake Erie. The final piece of the trail will go west along University Road in Tremont and under the George V. Voinovich Bridge and winding its way through the Flats. The trail, which will incorporate a small section in Tremont that the Ohio Department of Transportation already built, will end at the future Canal Basin Park. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/04/final-stage-of-towpath-trail-construction-to-start-in-june.html Doesn't the section around Harvard Ave still need to be completed? So, wouldn’t the Harvard Ave section be the final stage of the towpath trail?
April 25, 20196 yr 4 minutes ago, readybreak18 said: Doesn't the section around Harvard Ave still need to be completed? So, wouldn’t the Harvard Ave section be the final stage of the towpath trail? That section started construction last year.
April 25, 20196 yr Just now, Mendo said: That section started construction last year. Ahh, I missed the news that it started already.
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