On 10/24/2021 at 9:30 AM, inlovewithCLE said:

I’ve always wondered what’s going on with Shaker Square. There’s absolutely no reason why it can’t be competitive with the Van Aken District and the others over there. I feel like Shaker Square should be OUR Van Aken District, OUR Eton Chagrin, etc. It would really lift the entire area. You said it needs a better retail mix. What kind of stores do you think it’s missing? Since you’re a resident of the area, you’d know

As someone who lives within walking distance of the square, I would say that currently it provides just about everything it needs to have to provide for the community. There's a drug store, grocery store, restaurants, and other stores/boutiques. As has been stated before, most stores are filled, and when one leaves (Yours Truly for example), others soon fill in the gaps. I feel what the square needs is a visual refresh. Walking and driving through it is a pain. Lights and stop signs are not designed with pedestrians in mind. When there's events in the center, there is no crosswalk or person assigned to direct traffic. 

 

The first thing they should do is remove the parking that wraps the square. This is visual clutter and makes it difficult for both passing cars and pedestrians to see the entire space. A parking garage where the Dave's parking makes most sense, especially if additional storefronts or apartments were facing Drexmore. Plus, the facade of the buildings on the square could use some TLC and a slight refresh. When Coral (?) first started managing the property some 20 years ago, the area had a nice vibe to it.

 

The stores on Van Aken I do not believe are technically within the square, but are just outside of it. While I'm not sure there's enough room, this makes sense for something like a smaller Target or other mini-department store. It's connection to public transportation is unlike just about anywhere in the city, other than downtown. The store could be 2-3 stories in height, topped with either apartments or offices. There's a fair amount of height in neighboring buildings, so this could be 5-8 floors and not look out of place. An additional parking garage could be connected on the backside, filling in the lot there. 

 

I have to believe the money allocated by the city will create an equal impact to other programs that have jumpstarted communities, such as what is going on in Glenville. I'm looking forward to seeing how the neighborhood evolves the next few years.

18 hours ago, scg80 said:

As someone who lives within walking distance of the square, I would say that currently it provides just about everything it needs to have to provide for the community. There's a drug store, grocery store, restaurants, and other stores/boutiques. As has been stated before, most stores are filled, and when one leaves (Yours Truly for example), others soon fill in the gaps. I feel what the square needs is a visual refresh. Walking and driving through it is a pain. Lights and stop signs are not designed with pedestrians in mind. When there's events in the center, there is no crosswalk or person assigned to direct traffic. 

 

The first thing they should do is remove the parking that wraps the square. This is visual clutter and makes it difficult for both passing cars and pedestrians to see the entire space. A parking garage where the Dave's parking makes most sense, especially if additional storefronts or apartments were facing Drexmore. Plus, the facade of the buildings on the square could use some TLC and a slight refresh. When Coral (?) first started managing the property some 20 years ago, the area had a nice vibe to it.

 

The stores on Van Aken I do not believe are technically within the square, but are just outside of it. While I'm not sure there's enough room, this makes sense for something like a smaller Target or other mini-department store. It's connection to public transportation is unlike just about anywhere in the city, other than downtown. The store could be 2-3 stories in height, topped with either apartments or offices. There's a fair amount of height in neighboring buildings, so this could be 5-8 floors and not look out of place. An additional parking garage could be connected on the backside, filling in the lot there. 

 

I have to believe the money allocated by the city will create an equal impact to other programs that have jumpstarted communities, such as what is going on in Glenville. I'm looking forward to seeing how the neighborhood evolves the next few years.

Great, detailed answer. Thank you

https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/nonprofits-reach-agreement-to-purchase-shaker-square/article_00b8f238-358f-11ec-9475-377d06f692b1.html

 

Nonprofits reach agreement to purchase Shaker Square

 

Two local nonprofits with commercial real estate experience have an agreement in principle to purchase the historic Shaker Square shopping center...

...Cleveland Neighborhood Progress of Cleveland and its real estate subsidiary, New Village Corporation, along with Burten Bell Carr Development of Cleveland are spearheading the proposal and have assembled financing to purchase the center, which is in foreclosure and facing sheriff’s sale. The agencies also announced that they have hired Terri Hamilton Brown, as a project consultant to assist in oversight of Shaker Square.

On the face of it this seems like good news for a troubled property. 

My hopes are high that this ownership is only an interim-step expected before the sale to a solid real estate developer or REIT. 

I distrust local non-profits running real-estate enterprises.  Once local political fingers are stuck into the pie it takes strong leadership to pull them out. 

Best wishes to Terri Hamilton Brown & Co. I feel she is an accomplished and competent leader. Hamilton Brown is very capable of broad vision and positive systemic change. She remains a local political creature too, but is a solid performer.

Edited October 29, 20213 yr by ExPatClevGuy

7 hours ago, ExPatClevGuy said:

I hope this ownership is only the interim step that's expected before marketing to a solid real estate developer or REIT. 

I distrust local non-profits running real-estate enterprises.  Once local political fingers are stuck into the pie it takes strong leadership to pull them out. 

I wish the best to Terry Hamilton & Co. She's an accomplished and competent leader capable of broad vision and positive systemic change, although she remains a local political creature.

 

I couldn't agree more.

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/too-big-to-fail-inside-the-citys-12m-deal-to-save-shaker-square

 

“Too big to fail”: Inside the city’s $12M deal to save Shaker Square

 

"One of the more exciting aspects of this deal, Menesse said, is the opportunity to help re-envision the future of Shaker Square. The aging property includes a five-acre green space that could be transformed into a public park, she said. Also, large, outlying parking lots could be used for future, mixed-use development that would help spark growth in the area, she said. 

 

A few years ago, CNP and LAND Studio worked with the Coral Company on a $400,000 plan to turn the five-acre parcel into a green space that would be maintained by a public or nonprofit entity. That proposal ultimately fell apart over disagreements as to whether or not to close Shaker Boulevard. That process halted when Coral put the square up for sale."

 

Would probably make sense to incorporate some direct pedestrian friendly connections to Larchmere.

1 hour ago, Luke_S said:

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/too-big-to-fail-inside-the-citys-12m-deal-to-save-shaker-square

 

“Too big to fail”: Inside the city’s $12M deal to save Shaker Square

 

"One of the more exciting aspects of this deal, Menesse said, is the opportunity to help re-envision the future of Shaker Square. The aging property includes a five-acre green space that could be transformed into a public park, she said. Also, large, outlying parking lots could be used for future, mixed-use development that would help spark growth in the area, she said. 

 

A few years ago, CNP and LAND Studio worked with the Coral Company on a $400,000 plan to turn the five-acre parcel into a green space that would be maintained by a public or nonprofit entity. That proposal ultimately fell apart over disagreements as to whether or not to close Shaker Boulevard. That process halted when Coral put the square up for sale."

 

Would probably make sense to incorporate some direct pedestrian friendly connections to Larchmere.

Paying more than 2x what the land is worth seems suspicious to me, as much as I agree we should be making better use of this space. 

 

This shows what I believe is the most recent plan.

 

https://www.ideastream.org/news/new-shaker-square-design-integrates-central-public-space-with-neighborhoods

 

Making the actual square into usable green space would liven up the area nicely, right now it just feels like an extra large median. 

I appreciate the city wanting to save this space and the comparison to the west side market (both need a ton of TLC). I’m frustrated because it seems there’s no easy way out here. As a boomerang who is starting a family in about 2 years and is completely 50/50 on being in Shaker vs. Lakewood for the long term when that time comes I selfishly know how this plays out will play into our decision.

Edited November 28, 20213 yr by Clefan14

On 11/27/2021 at 7:25 PM, Clefan14 said:

I appreciate the city wanting to save this space and the comparison to the west side market (both need a ton of TLC). I’m frustrated because it seems there’s no easy way out here. As a boomerang who is starting a family in about 2 years and is completely 50/50 on being in Shaker vs. Lakewood for the long term when that time comes I selfishly know how this plays out will play into our decision.

 

Based on what you wrote, if you live in Shaker proper, you may visit and patronize, but you wont be a Cleveland resident.

 

As a resident of the Square/Cleveland, I think it's more essential for this to be built.  You need to spend some money to make some money.  The Square has long been the glue to Buckeye and to the "newer" Larchmere districts.  This project should address meshing of the overall area, while all three keep their distinct vibes.  Right now North and South of the Square, can feel as different as North and South Korean.  

 

 

A rally is planned today at 4 pm in front of Zanzibar restaurant to support efforts to sell Shaker Square to a nonprofit...

 

Leaders in City Government and premier non-profit development (Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burton, Bell, Carr) have devised a plan to thwart the worst and create a creative collaboration of non-profit community based ownership combined with the very best of for-profit management and operation. This collaborative solution, worked on for months by Cleveland's most talented developers, is exactly what Shaker Square needs. 

10 minutes ago, KJP said:

A rally is planned today at 4 pm in front of Zanzibar restaurant to support efforts to sell Shaker Square to a nonprofit...

 

Leaders in City Government and premier non-profit development (Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burton, Bell, Carr) have devised a plan to thwart the worst and create a creative collaboration of non-profit community based ownership combined with the very best of for-profit management and operation. This collaborative solution, worked on for months by Cleveland's most talented developers, is exactly what Shaker Square needs. 

I saw a Cleveland.com headline that stated the ward councilperson was balking but I could not read the article.  Does anybody know what the reason is?  At hearings most of the surrounding councilperson's were very much in favor of the plan.

25 minutes ago, KJP said:

A rally is planned today at 4 pm in front of Zanzibar restaurant to support efforts to sell Shaker Square to a nonprofit...

 

Leaders in City Government and premier non-profit development (Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burton, Bell, Carr) have devised a plan to thwart the worst and create a creative collaboration of non-profit community based ownership combined with the very best of for-profit management and operation. This collaborative solution, worked on for months by Cleveland's most talented developers, is exactly what Shaker Square needs. 

 

I may not fully understand the plan in place, but my first instinct was bewilderment.

 

The City will pay $12M for a property worth $5-6M just so that the city can hand it over to a non-profit who's (paid) staff will "ensure" it is purchased by a developer who will "promise" to maintain and invest in the the property/neighborhood, and serve as a "good steward." 

 

So my two main issues/questions are as follows 

1.) No developer has been identified, because due diligence on such a complex large property is extremely difficult, and the concept of maintaining singular ownership may actually not be in the best interest of the community - the purpose of singular ownership would only be a means for government and non-profits to meddle with the architecture while ignoring the economics that drive investment. 

2.) Why is the city willing to pay the banks ransom of $12M, and accept that the price is non-negotiable - likely because the bank is willing to roll the dice on auction, because banks are often mindless institutions

 

I would argue that a framework should be set that would achieve the following (or similar in some form):

 

The developer who wins the property at auction would have $6M available in loans after submission of plans to spend such monies in full to renovate Shaker Square. Such loans would be forgivable under circumstances set by the non-profits.... and so forth, and these circumstances should be set prior to the auction so that bidders could be given a chance to be vetted and/or approved by the city prior to the auction date. 

 

Eliminate that guess work and you'll give qualified developers and leg up on purchasing Shaker Square at auction and developing it in accordance with rules laid out now, instead of waiting 5 years for these non-profits to argue about various sales terms/clauses.... but alas our fair city doesn't operate with speed, nor efficiency, nor cohesiveness...they would rather give the bank that exra $6M than reinvest it in our community

 

 

Edited December 6, 20213 yr by MrR

17 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

I saw a Cleveland.com headline that stated the ward councilperson was balking but I could not read the article.  Does anybody know what the reason is?  At hearings most of the surrounding councilperson's were very much in favor of the plan.

 

My memory may be sketchy on this but if I recall testimony...the bank is holding the property hostage and will not negotiate.  If it does go to a foreclosure auction the consensus seemed to be that nobody would bid other than the bank.  All agreed that the bank then holding title would be a disaster since they would invest little to nothing in the Square in the short term or long term, and certainly not the immediate 4 million in basic repairs it needs right now to prevent many of the current tenants from fleeing.  When the bank finally does decide to sell, it is going to strictly focus on its own best interest not the squares and the buyer could be another  horrible owner.

Excellent point made by this CLE dot com letter writer

Don’t let Shaker Square go the way of Severance Town Center

 

https://www.cleveland.com/letters/2021/12/dont-let-shaker-square-go-the-way-of-severance-town-center.html

 

As an example of what could happen to Shaker Square if left to open-market whims, one needs to look only a few miles to the northeast at Severance Town Center in Cleveland Heights. 

In 2016, the city of Cleveland Heights passed on the opportunity to intervene with the center’s foreclosure to protect it from out-of-state, bottom-feeding investors whose business model can be to milk distressed properties of any remaining value, while minimizing maintenance and other improvements. Since then, Severance has languished with high vacancy rates and deterioration, while producing minimal tax revenue for the city and its schools. 

Without strategic intervention, Shaker Square could easily suffer a similar fate, which would be devastating to its tenants, its patrons, and the city of Cleveland. Fortunately, Shaker Square has a lifeline extended from two reputable nonprofits with financial backing from Cleveland City Hall. Sadly, Cleveland Heights had no such vision for Severance.

Michael Bier,

Cleveland Heights

 

But this is what happens with Shaker Square and Severance when we keep replicating communities farther and farther out.  Fixing Shaker Square's commercial district is only half the battle. Nearly a decade ago I showed a friend from out of country around town to find a place to live. She loved Shaker Square with the walkable district and the "trams" as she called them. But most of the apartments we looked at (nearly all Montlack-owned) weren't in good condition, didn't have modern open-floor concepts, and/or didn't have updated kitchens and bathrooms. So she went with a newer apartment in the outer 'burbs. She loved the apartment but wasn't as much of a fan of the surrounding area. But she figured she could at least drive to some walkable areas....

 

If they rebuild Shaker Square's retail district, they've got to rebuild the housing too. Perhaps many of those vacant office units above the stores could be converted to modern apartments? Look at what's happened in Little Italy....you renovate/build new housing and it forces the nearby landlords to fix up their units in order to compete.

The Mikros on Larchmere development is starting to wrap up nicely. It definitely has a strong street presence and really helps unify and connect the district. Way better than the parking lot from before!

Love the balconies. Those are pretty spacious too.

Yeah, they look sharp! I also like the access to the parking--through the building--you don't see much of that in Cleveland.

On 12/13/2021 at 4:19 PM, urbanetics_ said:

The Mikros on Larchmere development is starting to wrap up nicely. It definitely has a strong street presence and really helps unify and connect the district. Way better than the parking lot from before!

 

 

Not a fan.  I would not want a balcony directly in front of utility wires.  I wish the city could bury utilities in more areas than just Downtown.

Some details and photos of City Architecture's new office in 121 Larchmere:

 

On 12/13/2021 at 4:06 PM, KJP said:

But this is what happens with Shaker Square and Severance when we keep replicating communities farther and farther out.  Fixing Shaker Square's commercial district is only half the battle. Nearly a decade ago I showed a friend from out of country around town to find a place to live. She loved Shaker Square with the walkable district and the "trams" as she called them. But most of the apartments we looked at (nearly all Montlack-owned) weren't in good condition, didn't have modern open-floor concepts, and/or didn't have updated kitchens and bathrooms. So she went with a newer apartment in the outer 'burbs. She loved the apartment but wasn't as much of a fan of the surrounding area. But she figured she could at least drive to some walkable areas....

 

If they rebuild Shaker Square's retail district, they've got to rebuild the housing too. Perhaps many of those vacant office units above the stores could be converted to modern apartments? Look at what's happened in Little Italy....you renovate/build new housing and it forces the nearby landlords to fix up their units in order to compete.

 

The new builds are great, but I'm also thankful for the old, slightly-dilapidated-but-still-liveable buildings. Part of what makes Shaker Square great is the wealth of affordable apartments (i.e. <$1000/mo.) that work well for students, retirees, and lower-middle income folks. Here's to a future (hopefully) where both coexist.

 

Shaker Square apartments project revived

By Ken Prendergast / January 15, 2022

 

Citing a lack of a modern apartments at Shaker Square, Paran Management Company Ltd. is reviving its plan for constructing a multi-family building next to the historic mixed-use neighborhood center. But the plans come with a new angle — preserving the historic office and commercial structures at the southwest corner of Shaker and Van Aken boulevards.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2022/01/15/shaker-square-apartments-project-revived/

 

This is great! I'd been hoping we'd see these plans brought back. Keeping the office/retail at the corner with Shaker is a positive twist on it too. I always liked its curvature, and Cleveland is better off having tax-paying structures than non-tax paying open space.

 

Aging Shaker Square apartment complexes bought
By Ken Prendergast / January 21, 2022

 

Last week, a large, Chicago-area investment firm that reinvigorates multi-family properties acquired two aging, mid-rise apartment complexes on Shaker Boulevard just west of Cleveland’s Shaker Square for $12.4 million, according to public records. The buyer, AMG Realty Group of Skokie, IL, typically looks for faded, undervalued properties so it can update them and improve their management to boost occupancy and then re-sell them.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2022/01/21/aging-shaker-square-apartment-complexes-bought/

The apartment's lawns are so well maintained in that photo... and then they have to look across the street at the perpetual mess in the median/walls astride the tracks. I forget which entity is in charge of maintenance but I'm guessing RTA since the Van Aken median/walls at Lee in Shaker is just perpetually just as awful. I know RTA how more pressing needs for money and resources, but this kind general landscaping maintenance really can drag down the overall value of the neighborhoods. If "the city" won't keep up their properties, which should I, Joe-shmoe-homeowner keep mine up? 

I’m a broken record but I 100% agree. A lack of regard for simple landscaping is endemic to Cleveland. It just communicates that we don’t care about our communities - discouraging investment and setting a bad example. And it’s just as common in high profile areas as anywhere else. Green spaces in UC. Planters down the middle of Superior. Three foot tall weeds along the broken sidewalks on Carnegie 

2 hours ago, PoshSteve said:

The apartment's lawns are so well maintained in that photo... and then they have to look across the street at the perpetual mess in the median/walls astride the tracks. I forget which entity is in charge of maintenance but I'm guessing RTA since the Van Aken median/walls at Lee in Shaker is just perpetually just as awful. I know RTA how more pressing needs for money and resources, but this kind general landscaping maintenance really can drag down the overall value of the neighborhoods. If "the city" won't keep up their properties, which should I, Joe-shmoe-homeowner keep mine up? 

You should have seen the implementation of the new trees that put in the median on shaker this year. What a joke. 

12 hours ago, KFM44107 said:

You should have seen the implementation of the new trees that put in the median on shaker this year. What a joke. 

 

Do you mean the median along Van Aken?  I actually thought they were very nice.  150 new, nice sized trees that grant funds paid for.  Plus, its better than what the city would have done.    

2 hours ago, willyboy said:

 

Do you mean the median along Van Aken?  I actually thought they were very nice.  150 new, nice sized trees that grant funds paid for.  Plus, its better than what the city would have done.    

No. They replanted trees on Shaker Blvd. On the median above the tracks in the brick cut outs. Except they left them sitting unplanted next to their holes for two weeks and half the trees died. 

 

Map of the properties for sale: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1hOkHN3LHFpakrjUV9lM4-qMWEjghEPsy&usp=sharing

 

On one hand this could be good in that properties will be updated by new owners. On the other, we face the potential loss of a large amount of decent affordable housing if the rents are raised substantially for those upgrades.

Montlack hasn't put any money into those apartments in a long time. They are in desperate need of updating and investment. If a responsible buyer acquires them, this can be great news.

3 hours ago, KJP said:

Montlack hasn't put any money into those apartments in a long time. They are in desperate need of updating and investment. If a responsible buyer acquires them, this can be great news.

From what I've heard from my friends who've rented from Montlack, just about anyone would be better. I'm hopeful for someone who will provide the needed updates, without having to increase the rents too much.

On 1/21/2022 at 7:08 PM, PoshSteve said:

The apartment's lawns are so well maintained in that photo... and then they have to look across the street at the perpetual mess in the median/walls astride the tracks. I forget which entity is in charge of maintenance but I'm guessing RTA since the Van Aken median/walls at Lee in Shaker is just perpetually just as awful. I know RTA how more pressing needs for money and resources, but this kind general landscaping maintenance really can drag down the overall value of the neighborhoods. If "the city" won't keep up their properties, which should I, Joe-shmoe-homeowner keep mine up? 

 

I'll play my broken records again.  I've been waiting for better shelters and automated timing on the Shaker and Van Aken lines for 35  years!  When RTA had the opportunity to turn the line into 3 or four tracks [SS to 79 st] they could have done so and that would have helped with the maintenance.  I don't think RTA thought about environmental impact of animals when they built those walls.

 

Residents of the Square have complained about this for years and of course there are multi parties involved.

Cleveland City Council OKs $12 million rescue of Shaker Square

Updated: Apr. 11, 2022, 8:15 p.m. | Published: Apr. 11, 2022, 8:12 p.m.

By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland City Council Monday voted 16-0 in favor of a $12 million plan to pay off the mortgage of historic Shaker Square and avoid foreclosure of the financially troubled property.

 

Of the $12 million financing package approved by council, all the money will come from the general fund. That’s a departure from the Shaker Square plan pitched by the former mayor last year, which called for most of the money to come from Cleveland’s share of federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/04/cleveland-city-council-oks-12-million-rescue-of-shaker-square.html

I met Deborah Gray over ten years ago and know she does care about her community and that her heart is in the right place; but I don’t know how many people would jump at her demand for development in Ward 4 just yet. There’s a lot which has to happen over there still just to get the existing housing stock up to code, much more if you include demos. 
 

I visited an old friend on E.134 and Kinsman last week and was kind of saddened by the never ending decline of the neighborhood. It’s been a long time but the neighborhood has been in constant decline for decades now- not just population wise, but in the quality of the existing housing and commercial building stock as well. 
 

There is no magic fix for the decline. Demanding development won’t bring developers to the neighborhood either. I don’t believe there is enough urban planning in the world to change the trajectory of a neighborhood in perpetual decline besides if and when “the market” says it’s ready to reinvest. Streetscapes (Kinsman got a new streetscape under Zach Reed and that’s done zero to stop the decline); bicycle lanes; single lot demolitions; citations and court cases; “investors”; paint programs; grants for home repair; low-interest loans… nothing has worked to turn the tide for the neighborhood as a whole. And the housing stock which is being lost on that side of town was built to last; those Cleveland Doubles are actually pretty big on the inside. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. 
 

Edit- I realize that most of my rant is about Ward 4, and not Shaker Square specifically; however, the grand apartments that line S. Moreland have been in decline for years now as well. That corridor connects Shaker Square directly to Mt. Pleasant to the south.

Edited April 12, 20223 yr by Oldmanladyluck

39 minutes ago, Oldmanladyluck said:

I met Deborah Gray over ten years ago and know she does care about her community and that her heart is in the right place; but I don’t know how many people would jump at her demand for development in Ward 4 just yet. There’s a lot which has to happen over there still just to get the existing housing stock up to code, much more if you include demos. 
 

I visited an old friend on E.134 and Kinsman last week and was kind of saddened by the never ending decline of the neighborhood. It’s been a long time but the neighborhood has been in constant decline for decades now- not just population wise, but in the quality of the existing housing and commercial building stock as well. 
 

There is no magic fix for the decline. Demanding development won’t bring developers to the neighborhood either. I don’t believe there is enough urban planning in the world to change the trajectory of a neighborhood in perpetual decline besides if and when “the market” says it’s ready to reinvest. Streetscapes (Kinsman got a new streetscape under Zach Reed and that’s done zero to stop the decline); bicycle lanes; single lot demolitions; citations and court cases; “investors”; paint programs; grants for home repair; low-interest loans… nothing has worked to turn the tide for the neighborhood as a whole. And the housing stock which is being lost on that side of town was built to last; those Cleveland Doubles are actually pretty big on the inside. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. 
 

Edit- I realize that most of my rant is about Ward 4, and not Shaker Square specifically; however, the grand apartments that line S. Moreland have been in decline for years now as well. That corridor connects Shaker Square directly to Mt. Pleasant to the south.

I used to be the five zone car in the fourth district last year which includes those apartments on South Moreland. Outside of maybe two buildings the rest are sadly in great disrepair and have alot of issues with crack addicts and car jackings. 

Saw one of those apartment buildings is about to be renovated. I haven't written about because there's too much bigger stuff to write about. 

10 hours ago, KFM44107 said:

I used to be the five zone car in the fourth district last year which includes those apartments on South Moreland. Outside of maybe two buildings the rest are sadly in great disrepair and have alot of issues with crack addicts and car jackings. 

For a time I was meeting a friend up there for early morning walks on weekends--it was "interesting" to watch the residents just coming home at 6 am, clearly still in full party mode.   The buildings south of the square on Moreland would have cars pulled up over the sidewalks and front lawns, with no Effs given...  Hey put that car anywhere pal...you're good!  

On 1/15/2022 at 6:23 PM, KJP said:

 

Shaker Square apartments project revived

By Ken Prendergast / January 15, 2022

 

Citing a lack of a modern apartments at Shaker Square, Paran Management Company Ltd. is reviving its plan for constructing a multi-family building next to the historic mixed-use neighborhood center. But the plans come with a new angle — preserving the historic office and commercial structures at the southwest corner of Shaker and Van Aken boulevards.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2022/01/15/shaker-square-apartments-project-revived/

 

Any updates on this project?

Haven't heard anything since. 

Shaker Square, along with Coventry Village, are two satellite neighborhoods around University Circle that have been stagnant, yet stable, and virtually unchanged for the past fifty plus years that I've lived in both. Larchmere and Cedar Fairmont seem to have turned the corner which gives me hope. Shaker Square should be a hub when you consider that two transit lines converge there. Van Aiken, which is farther away, is using their Blue end of the line hub to great advantage. 

2 hours ago, shack said:

Shaker Square, along with Coventry Village, are two satellite neighborhoods around University Circle that have been stagnant, yet stable, and virtually unchanged for the past fifty plus years that I've lived in both. Larchmere and Cedar Fairmont seem to have turned the corner which gives me hope. Shaker Square should be a hub when you consider that two transit lines converge there. Van Aiken, which is farther away, is using their Blue end of the line hub to great advantage. 

 

Part of Shaker Squares problem is the poor use of space.

 

Having Shaker Blvd run through the middle of the square is the strangest decision to me; you split the square into 4 green spaces from 2, severely limiting their use and functionality. Also, assuming the square should function like a traffic circle, it messes with traffic flow around the circle while also making it harder for pedestrians to navigate on foot. 

 

To your point about Larchmere, they should really be working to create a strong pedestrian corridor from the Square to Larchmere, and really beyond to Fairhill Rd Rockefeller Park where the bike infrastructure extends up to University Circle. 

Larchmere could use better connectivity to Shaker Square. There's something about taking a left on Moreland that makes nervous. Almost as odd as the Coventry/Fairmount convergence from hell. I get nervous just thinking about that damn intersection.

 

As for Shaker Square itself, is it doing that poorly? I do miss Fire and Balaton (and Joseph Books, for that matter), but I was under the impression occupancy was pretty high and the Saturday farmers markets have good crowds.

 

I guess a few buildings on S. Moreland are distressed, but let's not kid ourselves, that's fairly common on the east side and seems like a separate issue.

 

Edited July 16, 20222 yr by TBideon

40 minutes ago, TBideon said:

Larchmere could use better connectivity to Shaker Square. There's something about taking a left on Moreland that makes nervous. Almost as odd as the Coventry/Fairmount convergence from hell. I get nervous just thinking about that damn intersection.

 

As for Shaker Square itself, is it doing that poorly? I do miss Fire and Balaton (and Joseph Books, for that matter), but I was under the impression occupancy was pretty high and the Saturday farmers markets have good crowds.

 

I guess a few buildings on S. Moreland are distressed, but let's not kid ourselves, that's fairly common on the east side and seems like a separate issue.

 

I went through a couple months ago and it appeared most of the storefronts were occupied. But I agree, these two areas need connectivity. A winding all purpose path on the N. Moreland median would do wonders. And a decent size development at the corner of Larchmere and Kemper would make it feel like they’re not worlds apart. I’d imagine that site has to be eyed for redevelopment.

shaker Square is set to be taken over by a non-profit

 

https://www.cleveland.com/a-greater-cleveland/2022/08/deal-closes-for-nonprofits-to-take-over-clevelands-historic-shaker-square-start-repairs.html

One more. .

 

 

Shaker Square commercial district sold

By Ken Prendergast / August 9, 2022

 

Community developments groups Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten Bell Carr Development have purchased the historic Shaker Square shopping center. The sale keeps the property under local, community-minded ownership and triggers a process by which deferred maintenance issues can be addressed and a strategy can be developed that will stabilize the center short-term and ensure it flourishes long-term.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2022/08/09/shaker-square-commercial-district-sold/

Mikros on Larchmere - the 29 unit furnished apartments, 3-story new build on Larchmere was sold on Dec 23. Was developed by Rick Maron and Russel Berusch and sold to an affiliate of Yarusi Holdings, of Tennessee. Yarusi paid $5.1M for the bldg and its their first investment in Cleveland.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/cleveland-developers-sell-mikros-apartment-project-51-million

Edited January 18, 20232 yr by ProspectAve