I thought we already had one of these threads, but all I could find is the thread specific to Oakwood.  Anyways, probably not a bad idea to start one with this nice little piece of news.

 

New Cedar Lee Streetscape in the Works

 

As we all know, the Cedar Lee business district is a popular destination for those seeking unique culinary treats, independent films, outdoor entertainment in the summer, art gallery treasures and many other attractions.

 

Over the years, however, any business district will begin to show its age, thereby losing contact with the people who enrich and enliven the area.

 

That is why plans are in place to revitalize the strip of Lee Road between Cain Park and the main branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library. This mile-long Cedar Lee Streetscape project is being developed by the Cedar Lee Special Improvement District (SID) in cooperation with the City of Cleveland Heights and the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).

 

....................................

 

Eventual changes to the area involve many more trees planted along the streets, mini-parks including a kiddie park, artistic lighting, more outdoor dining, enhanced areas for bench seating, and crosswalk improvements with special decorative paving treatments inside the intersections.

 

http://clevelandheights.patch.com/articles/new-cedar-lee-streetscape-in-the-works

 

 

Of course, Scene Mag couldn't help itself....

 

Cleveland Heights has plans to spruce up the Cedar Lee neighborhood and is now looking for the money to do so. No truth to rumors plan simply is to ask all young black males to kindly not go there anymore

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/08/19/afternoon-brew-cedar-lee-makeover-weed-in-jolly-ranchers-dog-thefts-up-and-chris-perez-on-twitter

My fiance and I just purchased a home in the Fernway neighborhood in Shaker. We love going to the the Coventry and Cedar/Lee areas. I am glad to hear that they are talking about these improvements. I think an easy way to improve the look/image of the area is to upgrade the signage that some of the local businesses have. The restaurants/bars/businesses seem to be successful, but their sign looks like a green piece of cardboard with the name of the business printed on it.

Good idea, Hts121. I'm sure there's lots of little projects in Cleveland Heights that don't warrant their own thread, but do warrant some attention here.

This article references that the city "will focus on finding funds to foster growth in the Cedar Fairmount, Cedar Lee, Cedar Taylor, Coventry and Mayfield Warrensville business districts. Other priorities include crime prevention, brownfield cleanup and infrastructure improvements." 

 

http://clevelandheights.patch.com/articles/city-council-considers-seeking-help-from-lobbying-firm-for-streetscape-improvements

 

As a property owner in the Cedar Taylor business district, I would argue strongly against funds going to both Cedar Fairmount and Coventry.  These are thriving business districts and as a city funds should be diverted to areas that are in more need - like adding parking to Cedar Taylor!

 

I mentioned it in the Cleveland Random Developments Thread, but since we now have on for CH - I recently purchased 13433-437 Cedar.  I have had the spaces gutted and I am looking for tenants.  I will have to put a fair amount of money into the building - waterproof basement, HVAC, new storefronts (which hopefully I will get some funds from the city to help with this).  I will continue to update you guys when I get some good news about finding a tenant.  If you guys have any ideas of types of tenants I should be going after - I am all ears!

 

My fiance and I just purchased a home in the Fernway neighborhood in Shaker. We love going to the the Coventry and Cedar/Lee areas. I am glad to hear that they are talking about these improvements. I think an easy way to improve the look/image of the area is to upgrade the signage that some of the local businesses have. The restaurants/bars/businesses seem to be successful, but their sign looks like a green piece of cardboard with the name of the business printed on it.

 

You are probably referring to the Tavco building with those awful signs.  I agree.  Unfortunately, the guy that owns that building has owned it for literally something like 40-50 years and probably does not put too much money into the building.

 

KJP - yes, lots of little projects.  Here is the latest on Bluestone..... Rysar can't build the townhomes fast enough.  The three currently under construction are already sold and a few more in the next phase have already been scooped up.  When completed, there will be 16 total and the units will wrap around to Mayfield where the sales center is now.  BTW, lakeviews from the rooftop decks has been confirmed (there was some concern about the treeline blocking the view)

 

Smith - there is PLENTY of parking at cedar-taylor.... accross the street in UH ;)

Bluestone's sales center is gone to make room for what they are calling their "Chicago-style townhomes"

 

^ AWESOME! I was going to add Bluestone to the list of CH developments but you hit it!

 

Other major developments in Cleveland Heights include a complete overhaul of S. Taylor Road from Mayfield to Cedar.

Bluestone's sales center is gone to make room for what they are calling their "Chicago-style townhomes"

 

Ha Ha, those don't even look like Chicago type houses. I believe that I once saw the same "Chicago-style" description used to market the townhomes in Battery Park, which do not look like anything that I have seen in Chicago. I guess they feel the need to market new urban housing as something that would be found in a places which are perceived as "urban" and "cool."

^I don't think it has as much to do with exterior styling, as it does the fact that they are 3 floors (+rooftop deck) with rear loaded garages.  But yes, I am sure marketing has something to do with it as well.

A few quick updates

 

1.  The residential building which was planned along with the garage at Cedar-Lee is finally seriously back on the table.  The one developer I spoke to who is looking into the City's invitation for bids thinks a mixed use building would be ideal, with retail/entertainment on ground level.  I am talking about this lot....

 

 

 

2. The residences pictures below are right on the cusp of Little Italy in the Overlook neighborhood.  5 of the units were constructed but the interiors were never built out prior to the market crash.  The same company that is building Bluestone (across from Severance) has purchased these properties and is completing the build out and sale.  If things go well enough, there is enough space for 5 more residences on the lot.

 

 

 

3.  Speaking of Bluestone, they are well into the contruction of the 3rd block of "Chicago-Style" townhomes

 

 

4.  In the restaurants forum, there is a link to a new beer establishment going into one of the storefront NORTH of Cedar in the Cedar-Lee area.  There is a lot of untapped potential in that strip so I hope it is a success.

If I understand correctly, proposals for the Cedar-Lee lot between Tullamore and Meadowbrook are being submitted this weekend.  The one rendering I saw will make people on this board very happy...... built to street, mixed use (rental units above), balconies, penthouses, a few outdoor patios for the 1st floor tenants on each side of the building and the UO deal closer.... a skywalk to the parking garage :)

a few notes regarding the Cedar Taylor neighborhood:

 

I have one tenant in place in the building I own - they are called Another Enemy (www.anotherenemy.com).  They do t-shirts and hoodies. 

 

I am working with the city on some renderings so I can finally redo the storefronts on my building.

 

I hear there is a sneaker shop going into the building that has the driving school in it. 

 

Please "like" the Cedar Taylor Development Association on Facebook.  This is a recently formed non-profit to bring the merchants together and to find ways to beautify the area.  We have some good ideas re: landscaping, signage, and bike racks. 

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Taylor-Development-Association/226842990741493

 

 

A few quick updates:

 

Bluestone's townhomes are now starting to wrap around to face Mayfield road.  The set back is even with the condo building.  I will try to snap some pics this weekend maybe.

 

The fugly medical building which was right next to the self-carwash on the SE corner of Mayfield and Cumberland is being demolished.  It was about half gone as of last night.  I hadn't heard anything about this so I'm not sure if this was planned or if there was perhaps a fire or some other event which rendered it no longer habitable.  Addition by subtraction if you ask me.  I also noticed that the self-wash is for sale.  Those two lots together make an attractive parcel at that corner...... I just hope it is not scooped up for yet another Motorcars expansion.

 

 

The old Chevy dealership across the street also would be an excellent site for redevelopment.

 

Unfortunately, the width of Mayfield in that area really isn't very pedestrian-friendly.

^I believe that Motorcars has purchased that lot for their used car sales.  It has just been a slow process of moving.

When you say old Chevy lot, are you talking about what was most recently a Pontiac dealership?  If so, that property was donated to UH. 

 

Hts - the building next to the car wash that is being demolished was recently for sale (I think through foreclosure auction), so I'd guess someone bought it to tear down (as opposed to a fire).  I think it was a pretty old and very very outdated building.

 

Other news:

 

I heard Bally's at Severance is closing.

 

The Bottlehouse Brewery opened on Lee Rd.  I have not checked it out yet, but I have heard good things and can't wait.

 

Pizza Hut moved to that retail plaza on S Taylor, leaving behind a VERY unsightly building on Cedar.

 

My architect is finalizing drawings for the new storefronts I hope to install soon on my building at Cedar/Taylor.

If possible, that Pizza Hut building was even worse looking when occupied...

When you say old Chevy lot, are you talking about what was most recently a Pontiac dealership?  If so, that property was donated to UH. 

 

The lot I was thinking of (and what I thought Foraker was referencing) is on the NE corner of Mayfield and Monticello.  I thought "most recently" that it was just a general non-brand specific used car lot (First Choice Used Cars?).  Are we talking about the same lot?  If so, what are UH's plans? 

Yeah I think we are talking about the same site.  I tried to find an article about the donation but couldn't find one.  I am pretty sure I read a year or two ago that it was donated to UH by Seidman (who is a huge UH donor).  Not sure about any plans.

My storefront plans have been approved.  One step closer.  Now I just need the bids to all come in and apply for the storefront funds.

 

A-01.05.23.12 by KP SMITH, on Flickr

Congrats! Do you have tenants for your two retail spaces?

Smith - nice!  I rode by last week and took a peak in through the windows.

 

In other news around town, the demolitions on Mayfield continue.  The lot across from the old used car dealership is now clear.  Still not sure what is happening there and the carwash right next door (SE corner of Mayfield/Cumberland) is still for sale.  That is a nice chunk of land. 

 

There also has been a demolition of the auto repair place (and whatever was immediately to the west) at the SW corner of Mayfield/S Noble.  Again, I have no idea what for...

 

 

There also has been a demolition of the auto repair place (and whatever was immediately to the west) at the SW corner of Mayfield/S Noble.  Again, I have no idea what for...

 

Is an Auto Zone store going there?  I drove by last week and thought I saw a sign indicating that but it was just a quick peek and I may be wrong.

If possible, that Pizza Hut building was even worse looking when occupied...

 

Yesterday (or maybe the day before) I saw people working on the facade of this building.  Does anyone have any idea what's going on with it?

If possible, that Pizza Hut building was even worse looking when occupied...

 

Yesterday (or maybe the day before) I saw people working on the facade of this building.  Does anyone have any idea what's going on with it?

 

The Mayor said he just made them clean up the facade so it wasn't such an eyesore. 

-------------------------------------

Apparently some people take issue with a tax abatement for development of the Lee/Meadowbrook site.  Info on the development: http://heightsobserver.org/read/2012/08/28/major-development-planned-for-cedar-lee-district

 

This is what I say about tax abatement:

Economics of tax abatement

by Kevin Smith

 

Residents often question the need for tax abatement for real estate development. The argument against tax abatement is that it takes money out of the coffers of already tightly budgeted municipalities and school districts. However, the unfortunate fact is that tax abatement is often necessary to justify the cost of construction.

 

more:

http://heightsobserver.org/read/2012/08/28/economics-of-tax-abatement

^This development is what I had been hinting at upthread, but wanted to wait until something was made more public.  The building will be something like the Avenue district, with upper-floor terraces and ground-floor patios.  The only other proposals submitted for the lot, as I understand, were for assisted/senior living because the developers wanted to get financial assistance from state/federal programs.  The City made the right choice.  The holdup was the negotiation over the tax abatement.

 

Is an Auto Zone store going there?  I drove by last week and thought I saw a sign indicating that but it was just a quick peek and I may be wrong.

 

Definitely an AutoZone, which means I suppose the one down the street in South Euclid is closing.  Come to think of it.... maybe this lot is in South Euclid too.

^ You have your auto parts stores confused. Advance is in South Euclid. The nearest AutoZones are in East Cleveland and in Mayfield Heights.

 

I know Fran Mentch among others are unhappy with the abatements. Some are suggesting keeping the land green space. Another argument is that Bluestone, Courtyards and Severance Place aren't fully sold. I certainly understand their point about abatements and such but I think this a different animal than those projects. They aren't in a lively business district. I considered buying in those three developments but the walkability problems, overlooking Walmart, etc. drove me away from them. I'm guessing others feel the same way and that's hurting them a little. Being right on Lee with all that action would seem to be much more desirable than being out on Mayfield Road. Not to mention, this helps build up the CL district. That empty lot really hurts the urban feel of the neighborhood.

It's getting developed one way or the other, so Mentch is just gonna have to deal with it.  The difference with this project is not just that it will be in a thriving business district, but that these will be rental units...... so there really is no relevance to Orlean's other project - Bluestone - which is all "for sale" condos, townhomes, and clusterhomes.  Bluestone, FWIW, is doing just fine in its sales.  Severance Place was not well done from what I heard and, as you mention, is not in a desirable location.

 

^ You have your auto parts stores confused. Advance is in South Euclid. The nearest AutoZones are in East Cleveland and in Mayfield Heights.

 

Tomayto - Tomahto

^ You have your auto parts stores confused. Advance is in South Euclid. The nearest AutoZones are in East Cleveland and in Mayfield Heights.

 

I know Fran Mentch among others are unhappy with the abatements. Some are suggesting keeping the land green space. Another argument is that Bluestone, Courtyards and Severance Place aren't fully sold. I certainly understand their point about abatements and such but I think this a different animal than those projects. They aren't in a lively business district. I considered buying in those three developments but the walkability problems, overlooking Walmart, etc. drove me away from them. I'm guessing others feel the same way and that's hurting them a little. Being right on Lee with all that action would seem to be much more desirable than being out on Mayfield Road. Not to mention, this helps build up the CL district. That empty lot really hurts the urban feel of the neighborhood.

 

I agree.  This is a must happen project and the reality of the situation calls for these tax abatements.  It will more than pay for itself in countless ways.  These are the type of developments that will be necessary to keep these areas stable.       

^ You have your auto parts stores confused. Advance is in South Euclid. The nearest AutoZones are in East Cleveland and in Mayfield Heights.

 

I know Fran Mentch among others are unhappy with the abatements. Some are suggesting keeping the land green space. Another argument is that Bluestone, Courtyards and Severance Place aren't fully sold. I certainly understand their point about abatements and such but I think this a different animal than those projects. They aren't in a lively business district. I considered buying in those three developments but the walkability problems, overlooking Walmart, etc. drove me away from them. I'm guessing others feel the same way and that's hurting them a little. Being right on Lee with all that action would seem to be much more desirable than being out on Mayfield Road. Not to mention, this helps build up the CL district. That empty lot really hurts the urban feel of the neighborhood.

 

I agree.  This is a must happen project and the reality of the situation calls for these tax abatements.  It will more than pay for itself in countless ways.  These are the type of developments that will be necessary to keep these areas stable.       

 

Couldn't agree more to both comments.  See the comments on this article:

http://clevelandheights.patch.com/blog_posts/facts-do-not-support-a-tax-abatement-for-meadowbrook-lee

 

I'm equally eager to get something built here, both to compensate the city for the boatload of money already invested in acquiring the land and in building the parking garage.  And I have no objections to tax abatements if necessary to ensure the developer will proceed.

 

I agree that adding new apartments to the Cedar-Lee neighborhood would add another housing option, but I would like to see this project include class A office space, which is in short supply in the city, and would give this area a little life during the day.  Has this option been considered?  Does anyone else see this as a helpful diversification of the tax base?

 

There are so many false premises in that article it is hard to know where to start....

 

First and foremost, a 'tax abatement' to build on a lot which currently generates ZERO revenue is not taking money from the tax payers and giving it to the developer.

 

Second, this development can only have a positive effect on the vacancy rate in the City.  What she misses is it will offer a different appeal than the pretty much any existing rental building in the City now.  It's not like those units are going to be taking residents away from the units she notes as being currently vacant.  It can only have a positive effect because it will add more credibility to the neighborhood as one of the more vibrant and well-rounded strips in the entire metro.

 

Third, you can't talk out of both sides of your mouth.  Let's see how she feels about her city applying those free market principles to development when WalMart wants to level an entire block (or golf course).

 

Fourth, a moratorium on incentivizing new residential development will not suddenly make those duck-billed duplexes and aluminum sided post-war homes any more attractive to today's home buyers.

 

Finally, Lee Road does not have a huge glut of retail vacancies.  There may be an empty storefront here and there, but overall the retail is doing relatively well considering its makeup of small shops and botiques.

I just knew when I clicked for Garry Kanter's profile that something like "I plan on speaking at 455 consecutive Cleveland Heights city council meetings" was going to come up.  Good luck with that smith.

First and foremost, a 'tax abatement' to build on a lot which currently generates ZERO revenue is not taking money from the tax payers and giving it to the developer.

 

Didn't you just say up-thread that that property was going to be developed either way?  If so, is it absolutely necessary to hand out a tax abatement for an inevitability?

 

As a general rule, I don't like tax abatements.  I particularly don't like the fact that cities get to make the decision on something that primarily affects the local school district's revenue stream.  And in this case, we're talking about a school district that is shared by 2.1 cities, with only one of those cities involved in the decision-making process.  This is exactly why I had a big problem with the Cedar Center North tax abatement, although in fairness that situation was significantly worse all the way around. 

 

I would like to see development on that plot of land, I think it makes a lot of sense, but I'm not sure that a tax abatement is entirely necessary. 

 

Also, do you (or anyone else) know what is slated to be built on Mayfield Road just south of Lee?  I'm going by memory here, but there's a now empty lot (building was torn down a month or two back) just next to the self-serve car wash place and I've yet to see any kind of sign of what's planned for that lot.

I've never been on Mayfield Road just south of Lee :), but I was asking the same question upthread about the demolition next the car wash on the corner of Cumberland/Mayfield.  You might have also noticed that the car wash is for sale.  With the park and rec center right there, that would be an interesting combined plot for development.

 

Didn't you just say up-thread that that property was going to be developed either way?  If so, is it absolutely necessary to hand out a tax abatement for an inevitability?

 

I was just reacting to the notion that this land should be kept at green space.  That's not going to happen.  The City has the incentive to try and wipe the egg off its face after getting screwed over by that developer from Cincy.  Orlean was not the only bidder, but was the only bidder to submit plans which wouldn't have qualified and sought other forms of government assistance.

 

And I don't know how you could possibly gripe about UH somehow getting screwed over.  Council did pass the vote off to the school board and UH is represented on that board.  They didn't have to do that.  I hope the board recognizes the benefit a thriving Cedar-Lee neighborhood will have on the district as a whole.

Hello!

 

Long time lurker here, but I just moved to Cleveland Hts a few weeks ago. Needless to say I love it here and wouldnt want to live anywhere else  :-D

 

But, I actually have some information to share here.

I started working at the bank in Severance, and the property manager has been coming in and I finally got to ask about WalMart leaving. She wouldnt give me any specifics, but she did say theyve been in talks with multiple retailers, and the space will be filled, and it shouldnt be too long (heres hoping). She said Walmart would have expanded and added the groceries here, but theres a non-compete with Dave's being here that wont allow for more groceries.

 

Oh, and a food truck will be here in front of Home Depot this Thursday for lunch  :-D

And I don't know how you could possibly gripe about UH somehow getting screwed over.  Council did pass the vote off to the school board and UH is represented on that board.  They didn't have to do that.  I hope the board recognizes the benefit a thriving Cedar-Lee neighborhood will have on the district as a whole.

 

It's a meaningless gesture as you implied.  If the school board votes it down, CH city council is almost certainly going to approve it regardless, enforcing its will on the school district and ~15,000 citizens to whom they have no responsibility.  This is essentially would SE did in attempting to wipe the egg (or perhaps another substance) off of their faces with Cedar Center and points to the bigger problem of tax abatements and multi-municipality school districts.

 

If CH wants to play the role of landlord/developer then I think it should be funded by CH residents, not the residents of other cities.

It is not being "funded" by the residents of other cities.  University Heights and its residents technically have no say in this, although they may recieve an indirect benefit.  Your taxes will not go up if the abatement is granted.  The 'meaningless gesture' comment is nothing more than speculation.  You are obviously allowing your bias against the combined school district get in the way of rational thinking again.  Would you rather have a tax-exempt property go there?  Would you rather leave it as green space?  At least the property will be generating revenue in the short term, has the ability to propel the momentum of the neighborhood even further, and will allow for brighter budgetary forecasts into the future than any of the alternatives. 

It is not being "funded" by the residents of other cities.  University Heights and its residents technically have no say in this, although they may recieve an indirect benefit.  Your taxes will not go up if the abatement is granted.  The 'meaningless gesture' comment is nothing more than speculation.  You are obviously allowing your bias against the combined school district get in the way of rational thinking again.  Would you rather have a tax-exempt property go there?  Would you rather leave it as green space?  At least the property will be generating revenue in the short term, has the ability to propel the momentum of the neighborhood even further, and will allow for brighter budgetary forecasts into the future than any of the alternatives. 

 

Here's the thing, you've said that you believe that the property is going to eventually be developed regardless of whether or not some developer is given an abatement.  I tend to agree with that being a very likely scenario.  So what I'm saying is that if the amount of tax coming from that property is less than it potential could or should be, the difference will be made up in other ways, particularly future taxes that are levied on residential elsewhere properties in all three of the district's constituent cities.  I realize that this is a bit of an assumption, but I don't think it's a huge stretch.  That's what I mean by saying that other city's residents will also be funding this abatement.

 

FYI, I'd say that I'm a supporter of the school district and even University Heights' place in it.  Maybe a few years back I had some negative views of the district, and perhaps I still do on certain issues, but after some more recent personal experiences in one of the middle schools, I have a lot of optimism for the future of the district, particularly if those in charge make the right decisions.

 

My concern with tax abatements is a more general dislike of the law and the process.  No I don't like what could be potentially happening in this situation, but as I've stated above, there have been much more egregious examples in this and other school districts, particularly those that encompass more than one community.

Some more news from Severance today.

 

Sally's Beauty (in the corner anchored by Dave's) will be closing and moving to Oakwood Commons at the same time Walmart makes the move. Not good. Exactly the reason I did not support that development. Nothing new, just moving everything in from the city next door...

 

Im still hopeful something big is in store for Severance though. Management has been saying theyre in talks with tenants to move in when Walmart leaves

Some more news from Severance today.

 

Sally's Beauty (in the corner anchored by Dave's) will be closing and moving to Oakwood Commons at the same time Walmart makes the move. Not good. Exactly the reason I did not support that development. Nothing new, just moving everything in from the city next door...

 

Im still hopeful something big is in store for Severance though. Management has been saying theyre in talks with tenants to move in when Walmart leaves

 

Agreed...the further along we go here, the more evident it becomes that the development of Oakwood was unnecessary and is adding very little value to the community.  How can a developer make claims of all the jobs that will be created when all they're doing is poaching job from other nearby retail centers?

 

In regards to Severance, the more the vacancies pile up, the more it seems like the property needs to be completely re-purposed.  I don't have any specific ideas, but perhaps something other than retail should be explored.

It's too bad Acacia won't be developed into a sparkly new shopping center with tons of parking so we could move the rest of the University Square and La Place tenants over there.  Now that would be progress!

Cleveland Heights' Nighttown planning expansion

Published: Friday, September 21, 2012, 1:00 PM

Brian Byrne, Sun News By Brian Byrne, Sun News

 

 

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS--Nighttown owner Brendan Ring realized this summer that he had a somewhat enviable problem for a restaurateur; the patio at his historic Cedar Road eatery was booked with private events every Friday and Saturday night from Memorial Day through mid-November.

 

While it pleased Ring that the 2002 addition to the fabled jazz venue had became a favorite locale to host special occasions, regular customers had begun voicing frustration at the lack of a weekend outdoor dining option.

 

So, to help accommodate his bustling business, Ring is planning a second patio at the rear of the restaurant. Called “The Secret Garden,” the 900-square foot roofed stone enclosure will feature water accents, a fire pit and seating for 75.

 

Designed by Cleveland Heights-based Robert W. Blatchford Architects, the new patio will bring a “very contemporary” look to Nighttown’s exterior, Ring said, a departure from the interior’s traditional decor. He expects the addition to cost $300,000.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cleveland-heights/index.ssf/2012/09/cleveland_heights_nighttown_pl.html

Agreed...the further along we go here, the more evident it becomes that the development of Oakwood was unnecessary and is adding very little value to the community.  How can a developer make claims of all the jobs that will be created when all they're doing is poaching job from other nearby retail centers?

 

In regards to Severance, the more the vacancies pile up, the more it seems like the property needs to be completely re-purposed.  I don't have any specific ideas, but perhaps something other than retail should be explored.

 

Thats what Ive been thinking too. Its a nice neighborhood, but it seams there just isnt the support for all the retail there. In a perfect world id like to see Severance repurposed with apartments and houses, and retail returned to Taylor (as long as its not along the same lines as the Taylor Plaza strip mall... Ill stop before i get too off topic lol) The only problem is weve seen that new houses arent doing very well here, as evident by the still half finished Coral development on the northeast corner of Severance. I hope thats just to due with the housing crisis nationally, and not due to any lack of interest in the area. Bluestone looks like its gone pretty well.

 

In other news, that construction on Mayfield by Noble looks like it shouldnt be too much longer in finishing up. Does anyone know exactly what its going to be? (and what they tore down to replace?)

^That is going to be an Autozone.  There was an older service center which was knocked down.  No big loss or gain IMO.

 

The smaller and mid-size shops at Severance will come and go.  It's the anchor tenants which will decide its fate.  It can probably afford to lose WalMart if it holds onto Home Depot and Dave's.  Who knows... if they're creative in re-purposing the WalMart space, it could turn out to be addition by subtraction.

oh ok, i thought it was interesting that there was no autozone in this area...

 

Im not too sad to see walmart leave. Ill never shop there regardless of where it is. I just know it tends to be the "big draw" in shopping centers, and would hate to see a domino affect from their leaving and end up with something like City View in Garfield

Not to get off topic, but I think City View's abandonment was because of the methane gas leak issue that was clearly very problematic when the center opened. I think that place just looks bad because the retailers that did leave had such huge stores and left huge empty spaces.

 

Got a chance to talk to some Wal-Mart realty people. They say it is normally the owners of properties Walmart is leaving who are most proactive in finding other tenants or alternative uses for the empty stores who are most successful in saving their property. I hope the rumors of them in talks with new tenants are true.

oh ok, i thought it was interesting that there was no autozone in this area...

 

Im not too sad to see walmart leave. Ill never shop there regardless of where it is. I just know it tends to be the "big draw" in shopping centers, and would hate to see a domino affect from their leaving and end up with something like City View in Garfield

In walmarts defense though, the severance store is AWFUL. It is old, small, dirty, and low on inventory. the worst in Cleveland along with eastlake. For a decent Walmart experience I drive to mentor, north Olmsted, or strongsville. If I can handle it, steelyard. Though I hate severance taking a hit, it will be nice to have a new clean Walmart to go to near univ circle where I live. :)

Low inventories is not a problem caused by the building you're in. It's a decision by upper management.

Don't know about Dave's but know for a fact that Home Depot is trying to move to Oakwood Commons, as is nearby Target, though current layout does not have necessary acreage (24?) they need, but....