^the SID downtown doesn't get levied on non-profits per say... it gets levied on property owners. Your fee is based on the amount of street frontage you take up. And as far as I know there are no exceptions to that.

 

I guess my question is whether nonprofits are exempt from the assessment, even when they have frontage (as they are with most levied taxes) or not. My point being that in the downtown SID, nonprofits with frontage represent a small portion of the market. But if you were to try to set up a similar arrangement, if nonprofits are exempt, I don't see how it would be financially feasible (as you'd lose three hospitals, three colleges/universities and at least a dozen arts and culture orgs.). It would be interesting to see a SID set up for the entire length of the Health Line, but I'm not sure we're there yet (it seems like opposition like CSU and other institutions in the Quadrangle have already limited the size and scope of the existing SID).

TIFs could be used along Euclid to prepare individual sites for development.  I suppose the entire road rebuild and transit project could have been done as a TIF but it wasn't.  TIFs are usually much smaller in scope.

 

in response to that. you could designate a stretch of euclid avenue, lets say e. 12th to e. 55th as a tif district. The TIFs in Chicago are not necessarily small in scope either. And if two tif districts touch one another you can move funds from one to another (kind of a sneaky practice).

 

Besides helping out with basic public utilities (curbsides etc) as you were mentioning, the city of Chicago uses them extremely liberally. They will will finance a build out of a new business or pay a decent amount of the development cost in order to attract businesses to a blighted area. (problems arise with issues of gentrification in mixed use areas). TIFS have to usually apply to something that would support the public good (parks etc.) Chicago extends the meaning of public good to private businesses because they theoretically help the public when developing the economy of a neighborhood.

 

Euclid ave could be a decent area because it is largely commercial and the city is looking to bring businesses into the area. I think they could act as a great incentive for developers and business. for more information check out the wikipedia page on tax increment financing.

 

if you want to see the large scope of area covered by TIFS in chicago, check this map out. http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?blockName=Planning+And+Development%252FWest%252FI+Want+To&deptMainCategoryOID=-536886114&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Planning+And+Development&topChannelName=Dept&contentOID=536941458&Failed_Reason=Invalid+timestamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&Failed_Page=%2fwebportal%2fportalContentItemAction.do&context=dept

8shades, if the non-profit does not own the property they are in they would still be subject but otherwise, they would try to exclude the nonprofit from the BID footprint, which can be tricky because the BID area has to be contingent. 

 

It wouldn't be feasible in University Circle, which is why they would have to stick to their current setup. 

 

I don't see it being feasible along the healthline either, simply due to the fact that it is typically only supported/effective in a developed area, where the property owners have buildings with tenants etc...  There is too much emptiness and absenteeism along the healthline for it to be supported and effective. 

 

Remember also that a BID district typically requires 3/4 property owners support in order to pass and that the property owners are essentially voting to tax themselves additionally... 

 

The current downtown BID is likely setup for the easiest passage and effectiveness.  With BID's, bigger is not necessarily better.

Great ideas Brad... gentrification would be a fine problem to have along Euclid.  I couldn't tell you if Ohio would allow this sort of flexibility or not.  Illinois has historically been good about letting Chicago do what it needs to do.  Ohio not so much.   

I know there was talk of this business, but not sure where it was.

 

OUTSIDE IN

Wyse Advertising makes itself at home in new village-inspired workspace at 668 Euclid

 

By Diane DiPiero

 

http://www.propertiesmag.com/cf01.htm

Anything new with the plans for site at 7338-7350 Euclid? I'm intrigued with the two apartment hulks - Eton and Rugby Hall - and really wish they could be renovated (or even restored!) and put to great use. Walked around these the other day and they have really fine details - must have been spectacular in their day.  Does anyone know of postcards or photos of these on the web?  Nothing else like these on Euclid in Cleveland.

If you know about the current project plans (e.g. if they're going ahead and a proposed timetable), please share that information here.  Thanks.

Crains confirmed today that Zoup is taking the space in WT Grant Lofts.

 

 

Downtown delight

Despite a spate of building foreclosures downtown, a handful of new food and retail ventures have taken root along Euclid and Prospect avenues between East Ninth Street and Public Square

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/section/REALESTATE

Anything new with the plans for site at 7338-7350 Euclid? I'm intrigued with the two apartment hulks - Eton and Rugby Hall - and really wish they could be renovated (or even restored!) and put to great use. Walked around these the other day and they have really fine details - must have been spectacular in their day. Does anyone know of postcards or photos of these on the web? Nothing else like these on Euclid in Cleveland.

If you know about the current project plans (e.g. if they're going ahead and a proposed timetable), please share that information here. Thanks.

 

I believe these are being torn down.

^To make way for the homeless transitional housing development?

^LOL that sounds like a good fit, huh?  Oh well... nothing we can do.

the homeless transitional project by CHN is across the street.  The proposed project is an elderly apartment building with ground floor community/future retail spaces on Euclid.

Crains confirmed today that Zoup is taking the space in WT Grant Lofts.

 

 

Downtown delight

Despite a spate of building foreclosures downtown, a handful of new food and retail ventures have taken root along Euclid and Prospect avenues between East Ninth Street and Public Square

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/section/REALESTATE

 

Not a Crains member. Can you tell us which other (if any) businesses are mentioned?

Crains confirmed today that Zoup is taking the space in WT Grant Lofts.

 

 

Downtown delight

Despite a spate of building foreclosures downtown, a handful of new food and retail ventures have taken root along Euclid and Prospect avenues between East Ninth Street and Public Square

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/section/REALESTATE

 

Not a Crains member. Can you tell us which other (if any) businesses are mentioned?

 

There's not anything new mentioned besides Zoup....

 

And the fact that what was Domino's on Superior that was supposed to be Legendz Pizza is now actually a Guy's Pizza.

Big Zoup fan here.  I have my wife drive out to Solon on her way home from work every now and then to grap some soup and wraps from that place.  Should be a good addition to the lunch menu downtown.

And the fact that what was Domino's on Superior that was supposed to be Legendz Pizza is now actually a Guy's Pizza.

 

Yum, Guy's is good stuff  :banger:

 

Guy's Pizza is pretty good. I've now had them deliver to me three times and they were there exactly when they said they would be. A huge plus.

Hey yanni, nothing like some Guyz Pizza to wash down 26 beers at 3am on a thursday night in kent, egh?

Hey yanni, nothing like some Guyz Pizza to wash down 26 beers at 3am on a thursday night in kent, egh?

 

True dat, although one guy would always take a "Guyzone" to the face after 26 beers.

Well, Zoup is hiring so hopefully we can enjoy some soup in the sun soon. 

 

Also noticed that there were workers clearing out the City Blue place, taking it down to the framing it looked like. Also the empty space next to it on E4th had white paint on the windows.  Anyone know if there is finally going to be something going in here?  Could they be trying to knock down the wall between the two buildings and make one really big space?  I want info! :)

Big Zoup fan here. I have my wife drive out to Solon on her way home from work every now and then to grap some soup and wraps from that place. Should be a good addition to the lunch menu downtown.

 

That stuff is overpriced and not that good IMO.  For a similar price, Souper Market is far better.

 

The only time I've been to Zoup, my meal came to $11 for a bowl of soup, a half sandwich, chips, and a drink.  My soup was OK, but surely nothing special.  If I'm going to spend $11 on lunch, I'm going to go to a decent restaurant, not a fast food place to get soup and a wrap.

 

Speaking of Souper Market, are they still planning on opening a location downtown?

Big Zoup fan here. I have my wife drive out to Solon on her way home from work every now and then to grap some soup and wraps from that place. Should be a good addition to the lunch menu downtown.

 

That stuff is overpriced and not that good IMO. For a similar price, Souper Market is far better.

 

The only time I've been to Zoup, my meal came to $11 for a bowl of soup, a half sandwich, chips, and a drink. My soup was OK, but surely nothing special. If I'm going to spend $11 on lunch, I'm going to go to a decent restaurant, not a fast food place to get soup and a wrap.

 

Speaking of Souper Market, are they still planning on opening a location downtown?

 

If they are, I hope that they wait until the fall. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd think that the soup doesn't sell as well in the summer.

^I have one word about soup in the summer - gazpacho.

 

 

I have this extensive Euclid Avenue collection and can't imagine where this apartment house might have been located. This postcard was in Walter Leedy's collection. Perhaps the street is a misnomer? Speculative drawing of a building never built? It really does look like a photo, of the usual postcard quality. In East Cleveland? I can't picture such an extravaganza anywhere on the Avenue, and I don't recall seeing any other reference to it, which to me is super suspicious....

Can anyone place this ultra-ornate apartment building anywhere else - e.g. W. 14th Steet? Superior Avenue? Prospect Avenue? The house to the right resembles a Euclid Avenue mansion in the 8800 block but is not close enough.

Big mystery!

 

^I have one word about soup in the summer - gazpacho.

 

 

Gesundheit!

What a shame about Euclid Avenue Congregational! The Clinic had spared those two churches so there has been some continuity and historic architecture and associations amidst all the contemporary Clinic buildings. And I've heard the Clinic has plans in the offing to demolish its own historic light brick building at Euclid and E. 93rd....

I suppose the Clinic soon acquire the Euclid Congregational land.  Assumingly the green stone church next door, with its very elaborate and expensive addition, will remain and not succumb to the Clinic's likely strong desire to now take over that entire block. Sure hope so.  Wonder if there's any possibility Euclid Congregational will build anew on its current land.

^Given what the land could go for... there's no telling if the church will chose to build anew in the same location or if they will sell the land for a nice profit and afford to build elsewhere.  Time will tell...

It would be nice if the congregation could buy one of the closed catholic churches in the area and relocate there. We have a lot of beautiful and underused/vacant churches in Cleveland. Additionally, that was not the highest and best use of the land on Euclid. I'm sure that the church could get a pretty penny from the Clinic and find a fairly cheap existing church in the City that would suit them. How about St. Peter's on Superior/E.17th?

Or the closed St. Casimir on E 82 is probably only a mile away.

 

 

Speaking of Souper Market, are they still planning on opening a location downtown?

 

I asked them point blank when I was in the Ohio City location about a week ago and was told No.  They have a franchise opening in Oberlin soon and are trying to get one on the East Side I believe.

It would be nice if the congregation could buy one of the closed catholic churches in the area and relocate there. We have a lot of beautiful and underused/vacant churches in Cleveland. Additionally, that was not the highest and best use of the land on Euclid. I'm sure that the church could get a pretty penny from the Clinic and find a fairly cheap existing church in the City that would suit them. How about St. Peter's on Superior/E.17th?

 

Hopefully they had insurance and can rebuild on location.  I've always liked that stretch of Euclid; the contrast between the modern Clinic buildings and the historic churces provides some great urban fabric.

Does anyone suspect that the property will actually be more valuable as a vacant lot, than with the church that would require a lot of red tape and $$ to tear down?

A lot of people seem to have "shenanigans" on their mind here! If there's any truth in it I hope some reporter can dig it up quickly.  This would make quite a piece, nationally!

Neither churches nor hospitals pay property taxes, so I'd like to have something else happen there like a large apartment building.  That area needs suitable housing for professionals and lots of it.  Or I guess I wouldn't mind seeing the church rebuilt, as long as they do a good job architecturally... I'm looking at you, Mormons. 

I'll bet the congregation will move further out - likely in the Heights area.  Possibly build new in University Circle area. I cannot picture their taking over any church closed by the Diocese (I don't believe any of those churches are in a location this congregation would care for and - even more important - I understand the Diocese no longer wants any of its churches sold to Protestant congragions....). I believe the financial pressure and whatever will be too great for the congregation to rebuild right on that property. :|

Neither churches nor hospitals pay property taxes, so I'd like to have something else happen there like a large apartment building.

 

That's actually a very big issue- we dump all this money into rebuilding Euclid but the city doesn't get to enjoy much back in the form of property taxes because of all the tax exempt ownership, which seems to be increasing (mental hospital, Emerald Place, etc.).  The city still gets the income taxes though, but new surface lots don't produce a lot of jobs :(.

The school district is the one that depends on property taxes. As you note, the city is getting the income taxes from these nonprofits. If the school district controlled the land use, we'd probably see the tax exemptions shift over to the income tax while properties would be fully taxed! Couple that with a sewer tax on impervious surfaces, then maybe we might see more compact development patterns!

^Oh right, good point.  Though after looking it up, I was surprised how little even the schools now depend on local prop taxes in the City of Cleveland (about 23% of revenues for 2009-2010).  I'm guessing the revenue profile for Cleveland schools is probably pretty different from the burbs.    As of FY2008 (latest year I could find), the City of Cleveland depended on property taxes for only about 9% of revenue.

 

 

If the school district controlled the land use, we'd probably see the tax exemptions shift over to the income tax while properties would be fully taxed! Couple that with a sewer tax on impervious surfaces, then maybe we might see more compact development patterns!

 

We sure would.  Who controls it now, the Houston Chamber of Commerce? 

 

The school district doesn't need to control land use for land use to be controlled in a way that makes sense, given that schools are a major beneficiary.  This is a basic duty of those controlling land use at the city and county levels.  Property values and bond ratings and everything else are all highly dependent on school system quality.  Main Street frontage should not be given away, underutilized or underdeveloped.  That is waste pure and simple.       

Could someone please clarify exactly where the new hotel is supposed to go, right by the new Cancer center in Univ. Circle?  Thanks.

Congregation of St. Peter, closing as part of diocese downsizing, will count Easter as the last Mass but will gather in new community

By Michael O'Malley, The Plain Dealer

March 31, 2010, 3:58AM

http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2010/03/congregation_of_st_peter_closi.html

 

Members of the soon-to-close St. Peter Catholic Church in downtown Cleveland have organized a nonprofit group, leased a meeting space for that new Community of St. Peter, and plan to boycott Bishop Richard Lennon's closing Mass at the church...

 

...Following this Sunday's unofficial closing, the congregation of more than 600 -- mostly suburbanites from across Greater Cleveland -- will work on organizing a move to space it has leased at East 71st Street and Euclid Avenue as the Community of St. Peter.

 

...The Community of St. Peter has signed a lease in a 100-year-old, newly renovated building that was originally a showroom for Baker electric cars, which were manufactured early in the 20th century...

 

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE: http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2010/03/congregation_of_st_peter_closi.html

^Interesting...I guess they ran out of tech start-ups to fill that building...

That's quite a building - lots of character. Originally Baker auto showroom and repair shop, eventually Carpenter Printing, etc.  One of our best somewhat Prairie Style commercial buildings. Hope they really take it over, including putting a sign out.

A slight update about the senior housing to be built on the site of the old twin apartment midrises at Euclid and E73rd is buried in this Cleveland.com article:

 

Developer buys land for $7.3 million senior-apartment project in Shaker Heights

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/04/developer_buys_land_for_73-mil.html

 

 

The developer also is in the final stages of its Midtown deal, known as Euclid Corridor Senior Housing. Pirhl plans to demolish the blighted Eton and Rugby buildings along Euclid Avenue near East 73rd Street and to start construction in July. Apartments in the $9.6 million project will rent for $283 to $600 a month.

Someone told me this a.m. he had spoken with a construction worker at Euclid and E. 65th who told him they were filling in the big basement with sand and he didn't know of any  psychiatric facility construction beginning soon. What gives?? I thought this is the one of the three new sizable projects of this type that was really going to see construction soon (with the PIRHL project at E. 73rd beginning later this year).

I have found over the years, however, when a construction person is asked a question about what is to be they either: aren't truly aware of the eventual plans (they only know their specific workload and have no interest or are never told the ultimate purpose); or they are told to not divulge what is coming. Is all the work going on at Euclid and E. 65th the first stages of this big construction project or not???  I sure hope so (though I still wish it were at least a block or two away from Euclid)....

Someone told me this a.m. he had spoken with a construction worker at Euclid and E. 65th who told him they were filling in the big basement with sand and he didn't know of any  psychiatric facility construction beginning soon. What gives??

 

I have found over the years, however, when a construction person is asked a question about what is to be they either: aren't truly aware of the eventual plans (they only know their specific workload and have no interest or are never told the ultimate purpose); or they are told to not divulge what is coming.

 

Well, then.

My best guess is that the hospital project is still in the design phase so I would not expect actual sholves anytime soon.

Cleveland partners unveil plans for a health-tech corridor along Euclid Avenue

By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

April 19, 2010, 9:45PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A downtrodden, gap-toothed stretch of Euclid Avenue from the Cleveland Clinic to Cleveland State University is the target of the latest effort to leverage Cleveland's health-care muscle.

 

Public-private collaborators today announced the launch of the Cleveland Health-Tech Corridor, which aims to harness two powerful forces to redevelop Euclid Avenue -- space demands of new companies and the supply-chain needs of growing entities like the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals.

 

The latter three purchase some $3 billion annually in goods and services from vendors that could locate to Euclid Avenue, say corridor proponents like Steven Standley, chief administrative officer for University Hospitals.

 

He has a message for some of the vendors supplying goods and services to the health system: "You need to move into the city, or we will find somebody who will" ...

 

... More at http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/04/cleveland_partners_unveil_plan.html.

 

 

Website for the initiative: http://www.healthtechcorridor.com/.

Uh oh, parallel threads for the health-tech corridor!!!

 

That's a pretty nice website.  I'm guessing many of the listed companies are little more than some incorporation documents and PO boxes at this point, but it's a pretty long list none the less.  Now we just need to tighten up the zoning in Fairfax...

It has always been a mystery to me why more independent speculative office projects have not sprouted up around the Clinic or in UC itself.  I would think such a building would be very marketable to vendors and those who for one reason or another would like to take of advantage of being close to all the institutions.  I could even see many of the large downtown law firms having small satalite offices in the area (for example...put some estate planning lawyers in that office to make it convienent for the doctors or people from the heights who would rather just pop down the hill rather than go all the way downtown).  I could think of many more senarios.  Unfortuantely I don't have a spare 75-100 mil to test my theory out.