Brooks Brothers is currently undergoing a remodel. They're going to be mostly consolidating to the first floor, and re-arranging registers and merchandise.  Bedrock is committed to keeping them around as long as possible.

^Overall that's good to hear, but hope the space isn't cut up in a way that reduces the grandeur. That is a pretty amazing store right now.

^ ^^ I agree, it’s a shame to lose the second level, but I hope it’s done sympathetically. I can’t claim to have been in every BB in the country, but I’ve been in plenty and IME only the flagship store on Madison Ave in Manhattan is a more splendid store than Tower City. 

Edited September 12, 20195 yr by roman totale XVII

For now they aren't cutting anything up really. The employees will still need to go upstairs for stockrooms, offices, breakroom, etc.

I know Congressman Gonzalez. He’s a great guy and it’s awesome seeing him get our people in front of Silicon Valley businesses. Bernie was on the trip as well so it could have implications for Blockland. The article hit a theme that I’m constantly preaching about over and over and over and over again. Sometimes Cleveland isn’t an option for people because they don’t know anything about us and our region. THIS is why I support almost anything that increases our presence and put more eyeballs on the city. It’s important

https://www.crainscleveland.com/government/why-not-cleveland-road-trip-pitches-northeast-ohio-silicon-valley-tech-execs

Tomorrow:

^That's a big twitter, lol.

Cityblock has evolved into more of a broader entrepreneurial hub. Here's some new renderings. I'll have better copies and more details later...

Edited October 2, 20195 yr by KJP

2 minutes ago, KJP said:

Cityblock has evolved into more of a broader entrepreneurial hub. Here's some new renderings. I'll have better copies later...

I really hope this has some legs. I like the Prospect idea a lot.

I was only able to live stream a little bit, but sounds like they now have the backing of JobsOhio?

11 minutes ago, Clevecane said:

I was only able to live stream a little bit, but sounds like they now have the backing of JobsOhio?

 

Correct 

City Block reimagines Tower City, with parks, innovative workspaces:

 

Tower City is on its way to becoming City Block, Cleveland’s 350,000 square-foot center of city life: a space for both the public to enjoy and entrepreneurs to get work done.

 

The first phase of a $110 million renovation is set to begin in early 2020.

 

City Block would continue to host shopping, dining and Tower City Cinemas and serve a public transit hub. The ambitious plan imagines closing Prospect Avenue in front of Tower City, between Second and Third streets, to create a tree-lined park outside a modern entrance.

 

Blockland founder Bernie Moreno said at a meeting Wednesday,

“All of us who have been fortunate to be born [in] the right zip code we know that those connections naturally exist. They exist in places like country clubs, universities, fraternities, etc. But for neighborhoods that don’t have that network in place, those people are just as talented as any other group of people anywhere but what they’re missing is those connections.”

 

https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cleveland.com%2Fmetro%2F2019%2F10%2Fcity-block-reimagines-tower-city-with-parks-innovative-workspaces.html&psig=AOvVaw2YeuVGTMAVHdeRaZOyhdeD&ust=1570150642099408

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by Larry1962

Love everything about it except the park on Prospect. Prospect has a bunch of bus stops and is an important reliever for all the traffic near Public Square. A streetscape project though would be great. Leave the street grid alone and make the stretch more pedestrian friendly. If you want outdoor space just walk one block to the Square.

 

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by Mendo

This is the most interesting thing to me. Does Bernie know something we don't? This is the current SW property...

 

Also, I don't know if I'm sold on completely closing down Prospect? Narrowing the street, adding more sidewalk and improving the streetscape would be great, for sure. But, just look at the utilization of public square. It's great in the summer and pretty fully utilized, but not really once the weather turns. I just don't know if there is enough pedestrian demand for Prospect to be completely closed, especially in the winter. 

 

I would much rather see pedestrian improvements to both Prospect and Huron before completely closing down Prospect. 

 

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by smimes

The law firm and architectural firm that is guiding the Blockland effort are the same firms that SHW hired to help guide it through the new HQ+R&D process. They know where the HQ+R&D is likely going, and exactly where it isn't.

8 minutes ago, KJP said:

The law firm and architectural firm that is guiding the Blockland effort are the same firms that SHW hired to help guide it through the new HQ+R&D process. They know where the HQ+R&D is likely going, and exactly where it isn't.

Now we are on to something 

I just spent a lot of time looking at the last rendering, and Google Earth's 3d view.  It appears that they are suggesting that their will be a series of buildings built right on top of Huron.  I wonder if that's accurate, or if I'm reading the image wrong, or if the image is misleading.  Compare the two for yourselves.

Just reviewed the presentation.  I gotta say... this is actually pretty impressive.  As someone who works mainly from home and whose company is headquartered elsewhere- I would love to rent a space to work in an environment like this.  I was not expecting them to tie in the development of the riverfront property.  I would like to know more about that.

Honestly I see this as the biggest project going on anywhere in the city. If this succeeds, thousands of new jobs and employees will be right there in the heart of downtown. Public transit will almost definitely get a boost and from what I've heard there's some ongoing work with RTA that's going to benefit them both. A more attractive, busy, and pedestrian friendly area will allow more retail to succeed in the area. Cleveland's push towards pedestrian streets will make one of it's biggest steps with closing prospect. And demand for downtown or transit accessible housing will skyrocket to accommodate new employees and more demand for an ever more attractive downtown. This project has the opportunity to make a massive impact on the city like no other.

2 hours ago, X said:

I just spent a lot of time looking at the last rendering, and Google Earth's 3d view.  It appears that they are suggesting that their will be a series of buildings built right on top of Huron.  I wonder if that's accurate, or if I'm reading the image wrong, or if the image is misleading.  Compare the two for yourselves.

Or the massive building at Huron and Ontario......?

33 minutes ago, marty15 said:

Or the massive building at Huron and Ontario......?

The Google component of City Block.

 

Maybe they are reworking the original Forest City Enterprises plan for TOWER CITY which would have added a series of buildings between Huron Avenue and the Cuyahoga River?

 

Because they do show Huron Avenue still connected to West 2 & West 3 to allow traffic to go around the new Prospect Park area via Huron.

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by Larry1962

2 hours ago, Larry1962 said:

Maybe they are reworking the original Forest City Enterprises plan for TOWER CITY which would have added a series of buildings between Huron Avenue and the Cuyahoga River?

 

Because they do show Huron Avenue still connected to West 2 & West 3 to allow traffic to go around the new Prospect Park area via Huron.

This is the perfect spot for residential and hotels.

 

Having a nearby residential base would be a win-win.

Closing Prospect doesn’t bother me...I really think Huron would be able to handle the additional traffic with no issues.

 

I’m not sure how it may affect RTA’s operations though.

8 hours ago, tykaps said:

Honestly I see this as the biggest project going on anywhere in the city. If this succeeds, thousands of new jobs and employees will be right there in the heart of downtown. Public transit will almost definitely get a boost and from what I've heard there's some ongoing work with RTA that's going to benefit them both. A more attractive, busy, and pedestrian friendly area will allow more retail to succeed in the area. Cleveland's push towards pedestrian streets will make one of it's biggest steps with closing prospect. And demand for downtown or transit accessible housing will skyrocket to accommodate new employees and more demand for an ever more attractive downtown. This project has the opportunity to make a massive impact on the city like no other.

 

And then, assuming we factor in SWHQ... just think about that... I know this isn't the SW thread, but I can't help but think that with City Block almost a certain lock at this point, it would only add another strong incentive for SW to stay downtown if they are looking to potentially develop/learn new ideas.

It is mentioned that phase one, which will cost $110 million, will begin in early 2020. Do we know what it included in this phase?

10 minutes ago, mrclifton88 said:

It is mentioned that phase one, which will cost $110 million, will begin in early 2020. Do we know what it included in this phase?

 

I believe the entire project will cost $110 million, not just the first phase, but I'm not sure what the first phase entails. 

 

"The first phase of a $110 million renovation is set to begin in early 2020."

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by Geowizical

5 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

 

And then, assuming we factor in SWHQ... just think about that... I know this isn't the SW thread, but I can't help but think that with City Block almost a certain lock at this point, it would only add another strong incentive for SW to stay downtown if they are looking to potentially develop/learn new ideas.

And possibly (hopefully?) attracting tech talent.

13 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

And possibly (hopefully?) attracting tech talent.

If you build it, they will come.

The riverfront component looks great...but where will they squeeze in phase 2 of the casino?  ( ? )

12 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

And possibly (hopefully?) attracting tech talent.

Definitely attracting tech talent. CWRU is working with City Block and the university in and of itself is part of the draw for Google and other businesses. Numerous students declined offers from Google citing that they wanted to stay in the Cleveland area, and this shifting desire of location is part of the reason they want to stay here. 

Other cool thing: They are also hoping to work with thinkbox on CWRU's campus as a supply for things like 3D printing and lazer cutting. Workers at city block will (if this pans out) be able to order a 3D printed part, it will be made at thinkbox, and it will then be delivered via the red line. They mentioned making some kind of locked storage box attached to the outside of the trains themselves for transporting supplies.

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by tykaps

2 minutes ago, tykaps said:

Definitely attracting tech talent. CWRU is working with City Block and the university in and of itself is part of the draw for Google and other businesses. Numerous students declined offers from Google citing that they wanted to stay in the Cleveland area, and this shifting desire of location is part of the reason they want to stay here. 

I thought this was a pipe dream, but damn I'm very excited for this potential project. And a start date of early 2020!!!! 

I noticed that Stripe, the payment company, shows up in some of the renderings. I wonder if they're one of the tenants that might be going in. Seems odd they'd depict them being a tenant if not. 

I saw Tedx (Ted Talks) in the renderings as well.  If they intend on starting work in early 2020, I would imagine they have a list of tenants lined up already (including Google?).  I wonder when they'll be announced.

2 minutes ago, RE Developer In Training said:

I saw Tedx (Ted Talks) in the renderings as well.  If they intend on starting work in early 2020, I would imagine they have a list of tenants lined up already (including Google?).  I wonder when they'll be announced.

Yeah if they have google lined up, the rest of tenant mix will fill in nicely. 

1 hour ago, Geowizical said:

 

I believe the entire project will cost $110 million, not just the first phase, but I'm not sure what the first phase entails. 

 

"The first phase of a $110 million renovation is set to begin in early 2020."

 

No, just the first phase is estimated to cost $110 million. They emphasized at the meeting that future phases would cost more.

I wanted to report on this project yesterday after I got back from the meeting. I thought I was all done with this nasty cold but it roared back like an icy avalanche last night.

 

But this project looks pretty legit. Bedrock is backing it -- and I mean financially.

5 hours ago, cfdwarrior said:

The riverfront component looks great...but where will they squeeze in phase 2 of the casino?  ( ? )

I don't know if there will ever be another phase of the Casino....

 

But the good thing is with Bedrock owning Tower City, most of the parking, and most of the riverfront land behind Tower City it will make it easier to do all of the FUTURE PHASES OF CITY BLOCK!

 

And with the hopefull SHW HQ developement at PS/WESTIN sites and also the LANDMARK TOWERS redevelopment as RESIDENTIAL, combined with CITY BLOCK it should make it the REAL NUCLEUS of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Hub for GREATER CLEVELAND!!

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by Larry1962

What all is part of the first phase?  Just the interior portions?  I'm guessing the prospect park and riverside park are later phases?

I assume that Prospect Park would be key to the project and so it'll be in phase one.

And the riverfront part in a future phase.

In case you were wondering Allard has one of his stupid hot takes again, does this dude ever stop? For once can he be optimistic? 

 

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2019/10/03/city-block-is-just-kind-of-a-futuristic-mall-at-tower-city-now

 

Quote

But as yet, even with this capacious terminology, there are still no confirmed tenants, according to Pinney. He said Wednesday that leaders were "close to" inking commitments from some of their first tenants and were waiting on a commitment from a "big-name" company—which of course may or may not be true—and he told folks who attended the meeting at cleveland.com that they may be asked to contribute by renting space there. 

 

Lots of "questionable quotation marks" in this "piece"

Considering all of the lies behind the Medical Mart/Global Innovation of Bulls-hit, WeWork's current nightmare, and a number of visible development failures, I think some skepticism is warranted. He's just giving another perspective, and there are/will be plenty of other more positive articles to balance it.

47 minutes ago, GISguy said:

In case you were wondering Allard has one of his stupid hot takes again, does this dude ever stop? For once can he be optimistic? 

 

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2019/10/03/city-block-is-just-kind-of-a-futuristic-mall-at-tower-city-now

 

 

Lots of "questionable quotation marks" in this "piece"

One of the worst writers in the city

12 hours ago, mrclifton88 said:

Just reviewed the presentation.  I gotta say... this is actually pretty impressive.  As someone who works mainly from home and whose company is headquartered elsewhere- I would love to rent a space to work in an environment like this.  I was not expecting them to tie in the development of the riverfront property.  I would like to know more about that.

I didn’t even think about people like you. How many people in the area work for major companies from home who would consider working in a place like this? Could be huge

40 minutes ago, TBideon said:

Considering all of the lies behind the Medical Mart/Global Innovation of Bulls-hit, WeWork's current nightmare, and a number of visible development failures, I think some skepticism is warranted. He's just giving another perspective, and there are/will be plenty of other more positive articles to balance it.

 

Although I’ve not much time for Allard, as he writes like someone who’s never ventured outside of NEO, I agree that he’s entitled to a degree of caution here. 

 

The overall vision for this development, I’m liking a lot. 

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by roman totale XVII

7 hours ago, Larry1962 said:

Maybe they are reworking the original Forest City Enterprises plan for TOWER CITY which would have added a series of buildings between Huron Avenue and the Cuyahoga River?

 

Because they do show Huron Avenue still connected to West 2 & West 3 to allow traffic to go around the new Prospect Park area via Huron.

That Phase II plan had a certain grandeur to it. I wonder if they've been using that vision for inspiration. 

It would be interesting if all of those new buildings along Huron are actually the SHW Headquarters, there is a substantial building in there as well. Or maybe its the R&D building, along with a couple of apartment buildings, with the main HQ on public square.  Next few months could be interesting.  Regardless foot traffic all around the area would be unbelievable, particularly if they can connect this riverfront plan into the flats.

Edited October 3, 20195 yr by Taller_is_better

Downloadable/easier accessible link to the PDF from the cleveland.com article here with floorplans and such:

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6444706/CityBlock-Presentation-Excerpts-DCA.pdf

11 minutes ago, fishface said:

Downloadable/easier accessible link to the PDF from the cleveland.com article here with floorplans and such:

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6444706/CityBlock-Presentation-Excerpts-DCA.pdf

 

Looking at this bigger, easier-to-read version, I see even more specific brands called out, including bunq and (I believe) Cleveland-based Everykey. That gives me even more optimism about this project. I'm assuming Moreno is smart enough to not name drop tech companies who aren't tentatively on board.

Would love to see Hyland establish a presence there.