1 hour ago, CleveFan said:

This photo from @MayDaytoday in the SW thread made me think

“ the River looks really nice” and 

“that’s a riverfront begging to be developed” 

Lets make it happen! 

Well I certainly hope that part of the River does not get developed lol

17 hours ago, CleveFan said:

This photo from @MayDaytoday in the SW thread made me think

“ the River looks really nice” and 

“that’s a riverfront begging to be developed” 

Lets make it happen! 

Isn't that Edgewater?

 

Edit: didn't see the joke above, but I guess this is a more direct way of pointing this out

Edited March 16, 20232 yr by infrafreak

On 3/8/2023 at 6:10 PM, Ethan said:

It looks like the new Starbucks replacement is finally going in. They even set up some tables!

 

 

 

sounds like its off to a great start —

 

 

Now Open: Milk + Honey Cafe at Tower City

 

This is the second downtown location for owner Anisa Rrapaj

 

By Douglas Trattner on Thu, Mar 16, 2023

 

 

Anisa Rrapaj opened Milk + Honey downtown in 2021, snagging a spot in the Oswald Centre (1100 Superior Ave.).  She also operates the Hive by Milk + Honey in the Limelight Building, the co-working complex in Ohio City.

This week, she opened a new Milk + Honey cafe at Tower City, in the space formerly occupied by Starbucks, just steps from Public Square. Rrapaj says that she was initially concerned about the proximity of two downtown shops, but has been pleasantly surprised.

"I decided to go through with it," she says. "There is a lot of foot traffic at Tower City and very different customers as well. It's been insanely busy."

 

 

more:

https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/now-open-milk-honey-cafe-at-tower-city-41606804

 

went there last weekend and they were pretty busy

23 hours ago, Whipjacka said:

went there last weekend and they were pretty busy

 

How was it---price, quality, etc?

On 2/27/2023 at 10:07 AM, TMart said:

Being a fan of Cleveland, the Terminal Tower, and trains, I always thought the Tower City concourse would be a great location for a huge model train layout. Has something like this ever been done or even considered? 

Good idea! It might be a better attraction than the national park experience. Quaker Square in Akron had a model train exhibit (it was actually in a separate building) but I don't know if still exists.

On 2/27/2023 at 9:07 AM, TMart said:

Being a fan of Cleveland, the Terminal Tower, and trains, I always thought the Tower City concourse would be a great location for a huge model train layout. Has something like this ever been done or even considered? 

I was just in Toronto a few weeks ago, and there is a one in a small vertial mall across from the Eaton Centre called "Little Canada". A German guy that moved to Canada and became a billionaire decided to build it as a gift to Canada. You start in Niagara Falls and move through the various cities of Canada. They take some liberties like adding a TGV train that Canada doesn't actually have.

 

He lets the "makers" add little jokes and quirks all over the place, so not only is it cool to see but you could spend hours looking for the funny little jokes placed around and the staff is so happy to work there and point things out. One famous hotel had a cutaway of the rooms, and in the hallway was a little kid on a big wheel and the two little girls from "The Shining" for example.

 

They put little moose all over with a maple leaf emblazoned saddle and challenge visitors to find all of them. Some details can only be seen from a childs point of view by design so kids can be proud to show parents cool things the parents can't see at their height.

 

You could also be scanned in a machine, and they will 3D print a little you that you can buy and take home, or have them add you into the model. They let you visit the control center, and ask questions and also talk to the makers.

 

The friend I was with was not very enthusiastic about going to it, but loved it. It cost about $30 CAD to enter I think. In tower city maybe RTA could show some aspirational visions of streetcars and things of the future in the model.

 

https://little-canada.ca/

 

On a side note, they sold "Clearly Canadian" at the snack bar. I haven't had one of those since the 90's

 

Will there be a way to view this meeting after the fact? Couldn't sit down during the time frame but would like to view it.

Thanks to @Boomerang_Brianfor the update post on the Riverfront  meeting above. 
 

I was also looking for the meeting itself on YouTube and not seeing it. 
 

Dors anyone have a link to the meeting? 
Or any crib notes?  Wondering what kinds of questions and public sentiment was afoot. And if there were  any tidbits about specific or possible next  steps. 

30 minutes ago, CleveFan said:

Thanks to @Boomerang_Brianfor the update post on the Riverfront  meeting above. 
 

I was also looking for the meeting itself on YouTube and not seeing it. 
 

Dors anyone have a link to the meeting? 
Or any crib notes?  Wondering what kinds of questions and public sentiment was afoot. And if there were  any tidbits about specific or possible next  steps. 

I was there. Not too much new information. It was mostly a listening session, they are looking for feedback. I'm not sure if they've shown a timeline for this year yet, but they aim to have approval by the end of this year.

 

 

See below for an email if anyone wants to submit comments. 

 

Tower City appears to have redesigned its website recently... The site does a better job at highlighting activities and events, and Skylight Park now gets a whole tab in the main menu. Despite sitting at the center of the entire RTA system, their new site doesn't seem to make a single mention of public transit. The parking garages get a dedicated page though.

 

I don't understand how Bedrock plans to build the single largest transit oriented development in the city if they aren't going to appeal to people who use public transit.

 

https://www.towercitycenter.com/

Let's be honest. Bedrock would sooner launch a mission to Mars before building that development. For a developer, they sure don't develop much here. Might as well be Bob Stark or the Ratners at this point.

bedrock just redeveloped the May Co building a couple years ago.  

 

also, stark built the beacon 

 

both are relatively significant

Just now, Whipjacka said:

bedrock just redeveloped the May Co building a couple years ago.  

 

also, stark built the beacon 

 

both are relatively significant

And Bedrock hasn't even made a hint at wanting to build new construction until recently, unlike Stark who dropped the first Nucleus renderings in 2012. 

26 minutes ago, sonisharri said:

Tower City appears to have redesigned its website recently... The site does a better job at highlighting activities and events, and Skylight Park now gets a whole tab in the main menu. Despite sitting at the center of the entire RTA system, their new site doesn't seem to make a single mention of public transit. The parking garages get a dedicated page though.

 

I don't understand how Bedrock plans to build the single largest transit oriented development in the city if they aren't going to appeal to people who use public transit.

 

https://www.towercitycenter.com/

 

Thanks for the observation - just sent their website contact an email

 

([email protected])

 

Edited March 28, 20232 yr by ASP1984

Looks like a great hire for Bedrock - with Nora coming from LAND Studio, I bet we'll see movement on the public transit marketing issue. I also shot her a note about it on LinkedIn lol. 

 

Nora Romanoff joins Bedrock

 

Bedrock defers to others on riverfront

By Ken Prendergast / March 28, 2023

 

Bedrock has something that few other investors in downtown Cleveland have — about 35 acres of prime, developable land, mostly along the riverfront below Tower City Center. But unlike many other downtown land owners with hopes for the future, they have no intention of developing anything themselves, be it new buildings or the infrastructure to sustain them.

 

MORE 

https://neo-trans.blog/2023/03/28/bedrock-defers-to-others-on-riverfront/

Thanks for the update Ken. Is this consistent with how they’ve approached larger-scale projects in Detroit?

14 hours ago, Henke said:

Thanks for the update Ken. Is this consistent with how they’ve approached larger-scale projects in Detroit?

 

Detroit developments are different. Nearly all of those were/are renovations. The Hudson site is the exception. And they may have learned the hard way that they should spread the burden among more than one developer.

Hopefully, they’re planning on building something big at the Nucleus site. 
 

And wouldn’t you just  love to know what @KJPknows  about the “other” developers that have whispered about either mid or high rise buildings on the riverfront! 

Edited March 29, 20232 yr by CleveFan

3 minutes ago, CleveFan said:

Hopefully, they’re planning on building something big at the Nucleus site. 
 

And wouldn’t you just  love to know what @KJPknows  about the “other” developers that have whispered about either mid or high rise buildings on the riverfront! 

 

Still too early for anything of substance. And it's overrated to hear such stuff. Most of these early ideas don't pan out. What is significant at this early stage is how Bedrock sees things coming together. Bedrock isn't knocking on doors saying "we've got this great idea for a new building and we'd like to see to see if you want to come along with us in building it." Instead, it appears Bedrock is waiting for developers to come to them -- fortunately, some are. The only place where they're initiating is to secure the public dollars for the infrastructure improvements to make the riverfront developable.

@KJP  Any guesses as to what they are doing given their office lease situation?

9 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

@KJP  Any guesses as to what they are doing given their office lease situation?

 

I think they're downplaying it. Tough to get a good deal when the other party thinks you're "under the gun." 

2 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

I think they're downplaying it. Tough to get a good deal when the other party thinks you're "under the gun." 

Does that mean you think they are staying in Higbees rather than building their own building, say on the former Nucleus plot.

3 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

Does that mean you think they are staying in Higbees rather than building their own building, say on the former Nucleus plot.

 

They'll stay at Higbee's if they can't get a better deal than what they have now. They do want to be e a part of somebody's development at ex-nuCLEus.

20 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

They'll stay at Higbee's if they can't get a better deal than what they have now. They do want to be e a part of somebody's development at ex-nuCLEus.

Maybe I was misinterpreting much of your and other reporters previous reporting, but it seems to me, given your reporting of the last few days, that much of my excitement over Bedrock accumulating all this property was misplaced.  I certainly was under the impression that Bedrock was going to develop  much of this property on its own even if it was going to take a while.  Now it just looks like they are offering the property to other developers (I know it is more than that but basically that is the bottom line) or are seeking joint venture projects to lessen exposure.  When you have multiple (and at this point in time unknown) parties it always extends the development process given the necessary  negotiations.  Maybe Bedrock learned a hard lesson in Detroit,  Overall a bit disappointing.

 

And not to be a Debbie Downer but the whole gathering public funds for the extensive needed imfastructure improvements is going to take forever and may not even be successful given all the other parties clamoring for public dollars for various projects around the town and county.  Hopefully I am wrong but I have been going to the rodeo in this town for a long time.

Alrighty then. Backburner Bedrock has a big plan. It's called "The we got right's to the land, you got the building?" plan. Or maybe it's called "We plan on doing a multi-billion project plan just as soon as someone comes up with multi-billion's" plan." Maybe the streamlined version is "Who's got the money?" plan.

 

Moving on.

1 hour ago, KJP said:

 

They'll stay at Higbee's if they can't get a better deal than what they have now. They do want to be e a part of somebody's development at ex-nuCLEus.

I thought they need more space or is that no longer the case?

3 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

I thought they need more space or is that no longer the case?

 

They did until interest rates went up and the demand for mortgages and re-fi's went down.

8 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

They did until interest rates went up and the demand for mortgages and re-fi's went down.

I suspect this also underlies Bedrock's current stance of backing away from doing their own development.

On 3/28/2023 at 1:23 PM, ASP1984 said:

 

Thanks for the observation - just sent their website contact an email

 

([email protected])

 

 

Got this great email response from Bedrock:

 

At least getting different developers involved may speed up that timeline (once the infrastructure is improved)


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12 hours ago, KJP said:

 

Still too early for anything of substance. And it's overrated to hear such stuff. Most of these early ideas don't pan out. What is significant at this early stage is how Bedrock sees things coming together. Bedrock isn't knocking on doors saying "we've got this great idea for a new building and we'd like to see to see if you want to come along with us in building it." Instead, it appears Bedrock is waiting for developers to come to them -- fortunately, some are. The only place where they're initiating is to secure the public dollars for the infrastructure improvements to make the riverfront developable.

I want one of those developers to be Brightline so bad. 

I understand everyone is anxious but I think there’s a lot of sense in Bedrock’s approach.  Teaming with other developers makes public incentives more palatable for politicians because there’s not a perception that you’re benefitting one wealthy landowner, your supporting broader development.  Plus, I think teaming with other developers shows that Bedrock does not want to slow roll this.  They want to assemble as much capital and public money as possible because they are probably really serious about seeing this gets built.  And as far as Nucleus goes, they just bought the property 2-3 months ago…

On 3/29/2023 at 3:39 PM, ASP1984 said:

 

Got this great email response from Bedrock:

 

 

They have the following content on their contact page - is this a new addition?

 

https://www.towercitycenter.com/hours-location

 

Quote

TAKING THE RTA: The connected Tower City station is the hub for the RTA light rail (Red, Green and Blue lines) and a popular stop on many RTA bus routes. The RTA Walkway begins at the Tower City Center food court and ends in the lobby of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. For information on RTA routes, schedules and services call the RTAnswerline at 216-621-9500, or visit www.rideRTA.com.

 

Edited April 4, 20232 yr by infrafreak

36 minutes ago, infrafreak said:

 

They have the following content on their contact page - is this a new addition?

 

https://www.towercitycenter.com/hours-location

 

 

 

Yeah looks like it - squeaky wheels get the grease!

Just now, Ethan said:

Another Riverfront meeting for anyone who didn't attend the first one.

 

https://m.facebook.com/events/744876970414514/ 

In case anyone is interested. 

Welp, certainly an interesting talk tonight at Market Garden. Aside from some new renderings below, it’s worth noting that they expect bulkhead work to start by the end of year. Otherwise, Bedrock is going to be doing a full court press on federal, state, and local funding assistance with the public infrastructure elements.

Aside from receiving their permit this fall to begin bulkhead work, it looks like the next schedule milestone they’re hoping to hit is securing public approval of their master plan development agreement by ~September of this year. Renderings and such below.










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Few more



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They also talked about moving canal road down closer to the river and making it a promenade, which I never thought about before. Aside from it opening developable space for the buildings, I really like how the concept will slow down traffic and create opportunities to create more brick roads akin to the Flats East Bank along the river.




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Great to see bulkhead work may start this year.  Any idea who is actually paying for this work which I imagine is not a small ticket item?  I would think this is something in the public realm but I am not getting that impression from the above post.

Great to see bulkhead work may start this year.  Any idea who is actually paying for this work which I imagine is not a small ticket item?  I would think this is something in the public realm but I am not getting that impression from the above post.

I realized after writing that they were a little fuzzy on that. I’m not sure.


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1 hour ago, Htsguy said:

Great to see bulkhead work may start this year.  Any idea who is actually paying for this work which I imagine is not a small ticket item?  I would think this is something in the public realm but I am not getting that impression from the above post.

The landowner is responsible for maintaining the bulkheads. Unless Bedrock received an earmark of some sort, they will have to pay for this work. 

Wonder if they can get a nice chunk of “Build Back Better Money” from that huge infrastructure bill.  

Would it not make more sense to leave Canal where it is and build over it?  Allow traffic to flow through underneath the pedestrians for at least part of the run.

Would it not make more sense to leave Canal where it is and build over it?  Allow traffic to flow through underneath the pedestrians for at least part of the run.

They mentioned leaving the existing Canal Road intact but for the express purpose of limited access deliveries to and and from the buildings (eg garbage, commercial, etc). Sounds like it would funnel into the underground parking solution they’re contemplating for the entire underportion of the hillside beneath the proposed stairs.


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Finally! I've lost track of how long it's been! 

 

 

 

 

As an aside: I'm now thinking/hoping the other fountain may not have been repaired because Bedrock is hoping/planning to start renovations for their new Tower City Riverview plans in the next couple of years. I'm probably being too optimistic (or maybe Bedrock is), but the fake park thing makes sense as a couple year gimmick. They may want to avoid sinking expenses into repairing a fountain if that whole area will be redone in 3-10 years. Just conjecture, no particular reason to think that. 

Very busy planning commission agenda this week -- especially with detailed design work for public infrastructure improvements and demolition of the Eagle Avenue ramp all funded out of the city's ARPA Waterfront Activation Fund.

 

https://planning.clevelandohio.gov/designreview/drcagenda/2023/PDF/CPC/CPC05-05-2023.pdf

 

 

Cleveland has designs on its waterfronts
By Ken Prendergast / May 5, 2023

 

For much of the city’s 227-year history, public officials have been accused of ignoring Cleveland’s waterfronts and especially its lakefront. But now there’s a flurry of activity to turn conceptual ideas into blueprints which will not only help city officials apply for construction funding but to actually build what’s been proposed. Today, those funding allocations for nine waterfront projects were mostly recommended by the City Planning Commission for City Council approval although one was tabled until the next commission meeting. Several of those funding allocations are for construction or demolition to allow larger projects to go forward.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2023/05/05/cleveland-has-designs-on-its-waterfronts/