^Why couldn't the BoE just vacate part of the building and then relocate or set up one of its own charter school programs inside of the vacant part? I agree that a quality education option downtown might keep more central city residents more or less in place once they have kids.

 

Because CMSD using that building in any capacity would require them to spend money to fix it, OR the charter would have to spend money they most likely don't have to fix it. I agree that a school downtown would be ideal, but I think it needs to be outside the confines of this building. CMSD needs to unload this, period, in my opinion. But I do agree that we need a downtown school. Maybe the old Jewish Federation building.

But I do agree that we need a downtown school.

 

Isn't SuccessTech Academy at East 13th and Lakeside close enough for ya?

I'm a little confused. Back in 2009, when the county was setting property valuations for homes, many of them were way too high. Recently, the county and the Plain Dealer released the newly revised home value numbers.

 

Could the 2009 value for the county be way too high as well and need to be reappraised? I would think that a state-mandated revaluation, similar to the private home value revaluation, would clarify the proper selling price, right?  :wtf:

Welcome LoveCLE!

 

A good place to discuss the impact of the property revaluations on the school district is here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2658.0.html

 

Let's keep this thread focused on the district's desire to sell the administration building and any subsequent redevelopment project. Thanks!

But I do agree that we need a downtown school.

 

Isn't SuccessTech Academy at East 13th and Lakeside close enough for ya?

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

And although it is a little further out, there is the school at the old AAA building (next to Fox). And now that I'm thinking of it, I would rather see Aviation High be restored and used for a charter school WAY before they used the current CMSD building.

Well, its been 26 days. 34 remaining.

Well TIMES UP.  And no charter school has bought the building as far as I know.  So does this mean it is officially on the market?  I walk by here everyday and when you really look at this building it is beautiful, especially the huge mature trees surrounding the property.  It is really unique.  If any developer did anything to those trees they should be shot.  :shoot:

Good news.  Im sure the city would likely do something to the trees before any developer, with their apparent hatred of mature trees. 

This is from Crain's.  BREAKING NEWS: Cleveland Metropolitan School District to auction its HQ building

It will be very interesting to see which downtown building they pick to move into.  The former Huntington building, Eaton building, Tower of Erieview, etc???

Has anyone been inside? I wonder how well it would transition to hotel use. From what I can see the original light fixtures, which are gorgeous, are still intact but you can't see much else. It'll be exciting to see who goes after this

This is great for the MM and Convention Area.  One of my favorite buildings in Cleveland.

That building seems ripe for a San Fran's Fairmount type hotel with the architectural style and grand drop-off area.

I am of the opinion that this will never be turned into into a hotel.  Too many obstacles.

I just wonder how much demand will be left if a hotelier tackles the county admin site first.  Given its direct connection to the CC and MM and the clean slate developers will be able to start with, I'd expect that site would be the most appealing.

Has anyone been inside? I wonder how well it would transition to hotel use. From what I can see the original light fixtures, which are gorgeous, are still intact but you can't see much else. It'll be exciting to see who goes after this

 

the office space areas would be blown apart and reframed for hotel rooms.  There is an auditorium which is good sized.  not sure how that could be repurposed for a hotel...?

Has anyone been inside? I wonder how well it would transition to hotel use. From what I can see the original light fixtures, which are gorgeous, are still intact but you can't see much else. It'll be exciting to see who goes after this

 

the office space areas would be blown apart and reframed for hotel rooms.  There is an auditorium which is good sized.  not sure how that could be repurposed for a hotel...?

Ball room!

Has anyone been inside? I wonder how well it would transition to hotel use. From what I can see the original light fixtures, which are gorgeous, are still intact but you can't see much else. It'll be exciting to see who goes after this

 

the office space areas would be blown apart and reframed for hotel rooms.  There is an auditorium which is good sized.  not sure how that could be repurposed for a hotel...?

Ball room!

 

Sharply sloped floor would be tricky for dinner & dancing, dont you think?

Has anyone been inside? I wonder how well it would transition to hotel use. From what I can see the original light fixtures, which are gorgeous, are still intact but you can't see much else. It'll be exciting to see who goes after this

 

the office space areas would be blown apart and reframed for hotel rooms.  There is an auditorium which is good sized.  not sure how that could be repurposed for a hotel...?

Ball room!

 

Sharply sloped floor would be tricky for dinner & dancing, dont you think?

 

With a renovation, I think that would be addressed.

Here's the auditorium.....

 

http://media.cleveland.com/plain_dealer_metro/photo/cleveland-board-of-educationjpg-f570b42dcb5086d0.jpg

 

Watch, a scrap dealer buys the school board administration building.... :-P

Wow thanks for that picutre.  There is a lot of potential here for a great renovation.  I'd love to get a tour  :-o

Here's the auditorium.....

 

http://media.cleveland.com/plain_dealer_metro/photo/cleveland-board-of-educationjpg-f570b42dcb5086d0.jpg

 

Watch, a scrap dealer buys the school board administration building.... :-P

Reminds me of John Hay's Auditorium.....both beautiful must have been built around the same time

It might make sense for the School District HQ's to move to the Huntington Building?  Removes them from responsibility of maintaining the current building. 

If it were turned into a hotel, how many decent-sized rooms do you think it could hold, after accounting for, say, 1 lobby, 1 restaurant, and 1 bar, and a gift shop?

Update from Michelle:

 

Cleveland Metropolitan School District may auction off headquarters

By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer

December 11, 2012 at 6:12 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With Cuyahoga County well into its real estate consolidation, another public body will seek bidders for prime property in downtown Cleveland.

 

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District could auction off its headquarters in March, as part of a cost-cutting plan that involves unloading real estate and moving to rented offices. The CBRE Group Inc. brokerage said this week that the historic building will be offered for sale March 7, during a public auction at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel.

 

The school district has set a reserve - a minimum price for the real estate. But David Browning, managing director of CBRE's Cleveland office, said that reserve is private. "The truth is the school board ultimately is going to have the last say, and they will make the decision as to what bid is sufficient to get them to sell the asset," Browning said. "I think in their minds they have a number, and we have an unpublished number."

 

Built in 1930, the district's six-story headquarters is located at 1380 E. 6th St., near the medical mart and new convention center projects. In need of significant repairs, the building is a costly challenge for the schools but a potential opportunity for developers looking to capture demand for downtown hotel rooms or apartments.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/12/cleveland_metropolitan_school.html

If recent dealings are any indication, this is good because we should be prying historic buildings out of the school district's control at any cost.

Although I do not disagree with the sale given present-day contexts, it is kind of sad and symbolic for CMSD to sell their grand historic administration building. Like a university selling its "Old Main."

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20121217/FREE/121219842

 

I wonder what Weston's involvement in this will mean ultimately...

^The school district hired Weston as a consultant.  I don't think there is much more to read into it, other than this pretty much eliminates the possibility of Weston winning any bid for a new HQs

Although I do not disagree with the sale given present-day contexts, it is kind of sad and symbolic for CMSD to sell their grand historic administration building. Like a university selling its "Old Main."

 

Universities are cash-flooded businesses (as long as they aren't public regionally-based schools). I know I would cringe at seeing my high school derided this way, but I think it's realistic that most folks aren't "good alumni" for their high schools. I myself hated high school and haven't gone to any of the reunions, etc..

Cleveland school district renews search for downtown office space

Patrick O'Donnell, The Plain Dealer By Patrick O'Donnell, The Plain Dealer

on December 17, 2012 at 6:00 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland school district is again looking for downtown administrative offices in case the school board sells its the E. Sixth Street headquarters in March.

 

Several downtown property owners offered leases to the district when it first looked for offices last year. But two of the three finalists no longer have enough space and the third has since changed its terms, according to the district's real estate consultant. So, today the district started seeking proposals for 90,000 square feet of office space again.

 

"We felt it was best to just start over," said Mark Horton, president of Weston Commercial Real Estate.

 

The district has been discussing a plan to sell its headquarters, built in the 1920s and located close to the new medical mart and convention center, to a hotel developer for more than a year. The district would then lease downtown office space for administrators, while consolidating some district offices and training areas that are now spread among multiple buildings into the former South High School or East High School.

 

www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/12/cleveland_school_district_rene.html

I would guess this has gained renewed interest because school officials probably were approached by interested parties, willing to buy the administration building. School districts are mired in the day-to-day and don't have time for such distractions unless there's a outside influence on them to put some attention on it.

It appears that title has transferred on this transaction. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130729/FREE/306259998/0/FRONTPAGE

Cleveland Metropolitan School District offices being moved out of their longtime home on East 6th so it can be renovated into a Drury Hotel. CMSD is relocating to the ex-Eaton Building on Superior.

 

 

 

It appears that the Drury will start renovations next spring. I was hoping for something sooner.

 

 

Board of Education Building: Joseph Pereles, vice president of development for Drury Hotels, said the chain formally took possession of the administration building in September from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District after agreeing to a $4.5 million price. The hotel group hopes to begin renovating the building in the spring.

 

 

Don't know if anythings is about to start but there is black fencing up now around the whole property.

Just wanted to add that I checked out the Drury Plaza Hotel at the San Antonio riverwalk - it's a classy old building. I was really impressed. Very optimistic for this project.

Just wanted to add that I checked out the Drury Plaza Hotel at the San Antonio riverwalk - it's a classy old building. I was really impressed. Very optimistic for this project.

 

Ehhh

Drury actually constructed and donated four blocks of the Riverwalk in San Antonio, I believe.

Drury actually constructed and donated four blocks of the Riverwalk in San Antonio, I believe.

 

The hotel is ON the riverwalk, during the renovation of the historic building and the newer edition.  the property fronts the Riverwalk.

seems like a good candidate of a bldg to have some apts in it too while they are at it.

 

Drury actually constructed and donated four blocks of the Riverwalk in San Antonio, I believe.

 

The hotel is ON the riverwalk, during the renovation of the historic building and the newer edition.  the property fronts the Riverwalk.

 

Right, but they sponsored the $1.5 million extension to complete the loop. I cannot find a good online source that describes the project, but these articles mention it:

 

http://texas.construction.com/features/archive/0602_feature1.asp

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2010/12/13/san-antonio-leaders-dedicate-drury.html

 

About 1 yr (or is it 2 years?) to go

A lot of potential here to be a visual stunner

 

 

 

 

^Yes this could be really special. With some of the construction starting in the spring it should be coming up for design review soon. I hope. And I am still shocked that the two places we always wanted hotels at, this and the county admin site is actually going to happen.

This is a go, correct?  I was under the impression that Drury was moving full speed ahead on this.

It's a beautiful building; always my fave of the original Mall Group Plan buildings.  I can't see this hotel but being anything but high class given the structure it will reside in.

This is a go, correct?  I was under the impression that Drury was moving full speed ahead on this.

 

yes

Right now they are just doing asbestos abatement. Next round of state preservation tax credits are awarded in March.  Assuming Drury gets their credits, full scale construction won't happen until closer to summer.

 

www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140117/FREE/140119804

Right now they are just doing asbestos abatement. Next round of state preservation tax credits are awarded in March.  Assuming Drury gets their credits, full scale construction won't happen until closer to summer.

 

www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140117/FREE/140119804

 

Why would Drury spend any money on this project without all tax credits in hand? Or is this just the icing?

Maybe they bid for it with the speculation that they would get the tax credits.  Remember, it was sold at auction