I believe this is the portion north of Lorain that leads to the vacant light-industrial building at 1970 West 19 St owned by Andrew Brickman....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2013/11012013/index.php

 

City Planning Commission

Agenda for November 1, 2013

 

Resolution No. 1415-13(Ward 3/Councilmember Cimperman): Declaring the intent to vacate a portion of West 20th Street.

Can anyone explain what an "intent to vacate" means to a poor ignoramus such as myself?  Does this simply mean the City relinquishes the right to that land?

Can anyone explain what an "intent to vacate" means to a poor ignoramus such as myself?  Does this simply mean the City relinquishes the right to that land?

 

Yes, but not land. This usually refers to a public right-of-way. In this case, a street - or a "portion" of one. Specifically, West 20th

BTW, someone asked me who is Andrew Brickman. He is a partner in Adobe LLC. This is who he is and what he is doing.....

 

http://www.welcometoabode.com/

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2013/06/developer_andrew_brickmans_pro.html

Aren't there a few other structures on that street?  How will they be accessed?

Aren't there a few other structures on that street?  How will they be accessed?

 

Turns out that most of the properties on that street are owned by:

 

+ Andrew Brickman

+ Abode Ohio City Mitchell LLC

+ Cleveland Quad LLC (both sides of West 20th -- lists to someone named Virginia Peck)

+ The Estate of Curtis Slone (several properties on west side of West 20th -- I would not be surprised if Abode or an affiliate has a purchase option with the estate)

 

Oh, and by the way, the hillside above Carter Road but below this possible development site lists to Parkworks Inc (now LAND Studio).

 

EDIT: a half-dozen properties to the west of West 20th but north of Moore Court are owned either by ABODE OHIO CITY TOWNHOMES MLD or by KEITH E. BROWN. Adobe (ABODE OHIO CITY PAP LLC) also owns a property on the NW corner of West 19th and Old Lorain. So it's possible this project could extend all the way from the west side of West 19th to behind the new and renovated townhomes along the east side of Columbus Road! This is the land area that's potentially involved....

 

Can anyone explain what an "intent to vacate" means to a poor ignoramus such as myself?  Does this simply mean the City relinquishes the right to that land?

 

Yes, but not land. This usually refers to a public right-of-way. In this case, a street - or a "portion" of one. Specifically, West 20th

 

Ahhh, that makes sense.  Thanks for your help.

 

Maybe an Abode project here would draw us closer to a Forest City - Scranton peninsula makeover?

Thanks for the ownership research on West 20th St, KJP! Do you recall whether Brickman's holdings include the industrial building at the end of the block? Brickman seems to ruffle a lot of feathers but he also seems to bring a much higher level of design to his projects than some of the other townhouse developers (like those meh ones being developed on Columbus Rd).  This is an A+ development site with those views and direct access to the future trail system right below.  I hope we see some nifty designs on the some city agendas soon.

Thanks for the ownership research on West 20th St, KJP! Do you recall whether Brickman's holdings include the industrial building at the end of the block? Brickman seems to ruffle a lot of feathers but he also seems to bring a much higher level of design to his projects than some of the other townhouse developers (like those meh ones being developed on Columbus Rd).  This is an A+ development site with those views and direct access to the future trail system right below.  I hope we see some nifty designs on the some city agendas soon.

 

The industrial building at the end of the street is personally owned by Andrew Brickman. But the property tax bill is mailed to an office at 26401 Emery Road, #103, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128, instead of a residential address.

^That's Brickman's office. I met with him there once years ago when he was trying to finance Coltman Rd.

There are A LOT of things going on behind the scenes on Duck Island these days.  And technically this is considered Tremont...

^That's Brickman's office. I met with him there once years ago when he was trying to finance Coltman Rd.

 

He owns a company called DHC Associates which has an office there. His name and contact info is on DHC's website.

 

There are A LOT of things going on behind the scenes on Duck Island these days.  And technically this is considered Tremont...

 

Good point. Should I move this to the Tremont thread? BTW, I thought this was Ohio City because the land between Moore Avenue and Lorain is owned by a company called Ohio City Preservation Partners LLC. For some reason I assumed this had something to do with the CDC Ohio City Inc. It does not. Do you know where Ohio City Preservation Partners LLC has its tax mailing address? It is 26401 Emery Road, #103, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128! Sound familiar?? If not, look up the thread a few posts. It's the same address as Brickman's DHC Associates.

 

So now I have to revise the map above and expand the potential development site south of Moore to Lorain Avenue.....

There are A LOT of things going on behind the scenes on Duck Island these days.  And technically this is considered Tremont...

 

Makes total sense.  That place is a sleeping giant given the location and all the underused land.  And now that NIMBY woman is gone too, so the city doesn't have an excuse to wimp out like it did with the Telesis proposal along the rapid tracks.

 

By the way, how did the re-do of the Abbey Ave viaduct turn out?  Is it noticeably more bike/ped friendly these days?

 

Makes total sense.  That place is a sleeping giant given the location and all the underused land.  And now that NIMBY woman is gone too, so the city doesn't have an excuse to wimp out like it did with the Telesis proposal along the rapid tracks.

 

 

Yeah, but Rosemary Vinci was succeeded by Mary Rose Oakar and others who are slightly more polite which can only make them more dangerous.

There are A LOT of things going on behind the scenes on Duck Island these days.  And technically this is considered Tremont...

 

Makes total sense.  That place is a sleeping giant given the location and all the underused land.  And now that NIMBY woman is gone too, so the city doesn't have an excuse to wimp out like it did with the Telesis proposal along the rapid tracks.

 

 

Here's an example. This company is buying up property in Duck Island to provide green housing:  http://www.bergesllc.com/

 

I was able to locate vacant properties at the NW corner of Abbey and West 19th that Berges (also buying land as DI Development -- ie: Duck Island Development) acquired one month ago. So was 2097 West 19th St.

 

BTW, I notice A LOT of land is owned (and has been owned for nearly 20 years) by:

 

ABEERDEEN INVESTMENTS INC or ELFRIEDE HAAB, SOLE TRUSTEE both of which have their tax bills mailed to the same address in Bratenahl Place (home of Elfriede Haab and Suzanne Roediger). Roediger's maiden name (according to her Facebook page) is Habb and is the owner/operator of the Marche'n Haab Beauty Salon Inc. So what are they doing with these properties after all these years?

Are they renting out residential units/houses that they own, or do they just own land vacant property?  If it's houses, then that's what they are doing with the property. 

Are they renting out residential units/houses that they own, or do they just own land vacant property?  If it's houses, then that's what they are doing with the property. 

 

Both. Some of this might also be a continuation of a policy of the old Duck Island Block Club when Rosemary Vinci ruled it with an iron high heel. One of their goals was to have residents acquire a neighboring property and demolish the house on it (if it wasn't already torn down) to de-densify the neighborhood. I'd never seen residents choose an urban neighborhood then seek to turn it into something else. Very strange.

 

EDIT: as the champion of this acquire vacant land or demolish to create vacant land, the late Miss Vinci certainly practiced what she preached. Even though she mysteriously died at the outset of the county corruption scandal years ago, her house and all TEN of her surrounding properties didn't sell to a new owner until last month (at least according to county records). Use Google maps/streetview to see which house was hers.... 2106 West 18th Street, Cleveland, OH and the wide open spread of land on which it sat.

 

This is just one of many property sales and transfers in the past month on Duck Island. A busy little place lately, at least for the county's fiscal office.

There are A LOT of things going on behind the scenes on Duck Island these days.  And technically this is considered Tremont...

 

Makes total sense.  That place is a sleeping giant given the location and all the underused land.  And now that NIMBY woman is gone too, so the city doesn't have an excuse to wimp out like it did with the Telesis proposal along the rapid tracks.

 

 

Here's an example. This company is buying up property in Duck Island to provide green housing:  http://www.bergesllc.com/

 

 

Take a look at the "Two-Low-Energy-Houses" presentation. Interesting, I wonder what the ROI is on this, because it's not cheap to construct like that.

Page 17 I think they have a little terminology mistake. They note an "air-barrier" below their slab insulation. I assume they mean vapor barrier. Not too much wind below your basement.

Graywater system is nice, I wouldn't want the heating/cooling system they have though. VRF (variable refrigerant flow)

 

Wow, I just realized!!! The guy who bought Rosemary Vinci's 10-parcel "estate" is Matt Berges. Who is he? Check this page of the website I posted earlier.....

 

http://www.bergesllc.com/upcoming-projects/

 

Between Matt Berges and Andrew Brickman, these two developers appear to own (or have site control of) much of Duck Island.

Wow, I just realized!!! The guy who bought Rosemary Vinci's 10-parcel "estate" is Matt Berges. Who is he? Check this page of the website I posted earlier.....

 

http://www.bergesllc.com/upcoming-projects/

 

Between Matt Berges and Andrew Brickman, these two developers appear to own (or have site control of) much of Duck Island.

 

Let's hope some of those Berges projects get built. Definitely some nice looking designs.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2013

It's time to stop ducking Duck Island

 

CLEVELAND – If it looks like a big real estate development and sounds like a big real estate development, it probably will be a big real estate development.

 

That's what a spate of real estate transactions in recent months suggest for an urban enclave close to downtown that's neither an island or named after ducks. (Some claim it's named for criminals who used to duck and hide here from the law). It's an ear-shaped area east of Columbus Road and west of the Walworth Run valley.

 

Duck Island is actually part of Tremont although many people think it's in Ohio City. The official dividing line for the service areas of the two community development corporations (Ohio City Inc. and Tremont West Development Corp.) is Columbus Road.

 

Duck Island reappeared on my radar Nov. 1 when the city's Design Review Committee was asked to approve a request by Ward 3 Councilman Joe Cimperman to vacate part of West 20th Street north of Lorain Avenue.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-time-to-stop-ducking-duck-island.html

Hey folks, while exiting the West 25th Rapid station, I noticed there is a heavy construction vehicle with a shovel on the north side of Lorain. It was sitting in between the two single-level commercial buildings that are between Columbus Road and West 20th Street. It looked like it had just been placed there. I have to wonder if it will be used to demolish one or both of those small commercial structures? Those properties are owned by a subsidiary of Abode (see my article and map earlier in this thread) which plans to build townhouses there. This is in an historic district, so any demo applications should have appeared on the Landmarks Commission docket at some point.

^It's been there for about two weeks - no idea on the background but I can only imagine it's there to tear down one or more of the structures.

Thanks. Apparently they expected the city approvals would come more quickly??

^ That backhoe has sat on that lot since it was used to tear down Club Envy.

^ That backhoe has sat on that lot since it was used to tear down Club Envy.

 

OK, so why put it there? Why not take it back to the equipment provider's storage yard. Unless the demo contractor has a new job and is waiting for a demo permit that it hoped would come sooner....

^ That backhoe has sat on that lot since it was used to tear down Club Envy.

 

OK, so why put it there? Why not take it back to the equipment provider's storage yard. Unless the demo contractor has a new job and is waiting for a demo permit that it hoped would come sooner....

 

I've thought the same thing.  I hope we find out soon.

This is what KJP has been hinting at.

 

Developer Andrew Brickman plans 200-plus apartments, townhouses at Ohio City's edge

By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer

November 14, 2013 at 11:40 AM, updated November 14, 2013 at 11:42 Am

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A real estate developer has assembled most of a 4-acre site at the edge of Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, where offices, retail, townhouses and more than 200 apartments could replace a motley mix of industrial buildings and homes.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/11/developer_andrew_brickman_plan.html#incart_river_default

WOW! This is awesome!!

Cool! I'd prefer the central parking lot and the apartment building switch places. The apartments should be along West 20th. Would make it more urban/walkable

I love it when I scoop the PD. :)

http://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-time-to-stop-ducking-duck-island.html

 

Cool! I'd prefer the central parking lot and the apartment building switch places. The apartments should be along West 20th. Would make it more urban/walkable

 

x2 (although I understand why he's proposed the townhomes there -- they're on the bluff overlooking the ravine and Columbus Road below and the Red Line on the opposite side of the ravine).

 

EDIT: wow, that's a lot of demolition. Including every house, some of which appear to be in good condition.

Pretty cool.  Should help property values at the existing Grove Court condos, too.  I always thought that building seemed cool but not in a great spot (besides the view).  This will help.

My read is that this is pretty much a go...if the proposed development on Lorain and W. 25th also goes forward (more iffy) it goes without saying that this would be one of the prime areas in the city given what is already there (especially the easy ride on the Red Line to Public Square, University Circle and the airport...this could become one of RTA's busiest stations).  I am thinking of moving back into the city and if both of these projects happen this would be my number one place to look.

Cool! I'd prefer the central parking lot and the apartment building switch places. The apartments should be along West 20th. Would make it more urban/walkable

 

I Have a feeling the apartments were placed there to maximize the views over the ravine/river/city.  otherwise there would be a giant parking lot between the building and the edge of the ravine.  It does give it a donut hole feeling though. 

 

Alternatively the phase two retail/residential/office building could be swaped with the central parking lot.  That would make it feel denser.

I love this. It did say too that a garage was under consideration too. Or maybe at a later stage we could see more apartments over a garage where the lot is now planned

Bestest quote from the PD:

 

Brickman also would need a rezoning, since most of the property is designated for industrial uses. That includes a hilltop garden, cultivated by residents at the Grove Court Condominiums, that Brickman intends to maintain as a public green space.

 

He's exploring ways to tie that garden and the new residences to walking and bicycling paths, including the planned Lake Link trail in the Flats. Switchbacks down the hillside, for example, might provide better public access from Ohio City to the trail, along with rowing facilities at Rivergate Park and a planned skateboard park.

 

"Whoever buys here better have an RTA pass," Eric Wobser, executive director of Ohio City Inc., said of Brickman's project. "They better have a bike. They better have a kayak. They better have a skateboard."

 

But, he added, they won't necessarily need a car.

Looks like a great project!  Isn't this in Ohio City though or is it Tremont once you pass Columbus Rd?

^Maybe this belongs in the Duck Island neighborhood thread ;)

Duck Island is really neither Ohio City or Tremont.  But it is claimed by TWDC.

^Tremont and OC have these agreements about this type of stuff. When it comes to the CDCs, OCI handles the area of Duck Island that is north of Lorain. So, this development should be in the Ohio City thread. Also, it is almost in the shadow the of west side market.

This development had way more to do with ohio city than tremont, so I agree it should be there.

So someone help me understand this. Everything is being clear-cut?

I am going to give this it's own thread, as it is a large project.

this is great -- and the mere mention of not needing a car is even greater!

 

^Maybe this belongs in the Duck Island neighborhood thread ;)

 

Thanks for making the new thread. I added the earlier stuff I discovered about the Abode project as well as the information Berges' infill housing south of Lorain. So I changed the thread subject to "developmentS" to reflect all the projects that are going on in Duck Island.

Long-time lurker, first-time poster...

 

I'm very excited about this project. I think it's the beginning of a longer-term vision to regenerate the area that connects Tremont with Ohio City. Down the line, a safe, walk-able stretch between the two neighborhoods would help cement inner Cleveland as a great destination for young professionals.

^ Welcome! To me Cleveland's biggest obstacle is that every "good" section of the city borders, or is even in some cases surrounded, by a "bad" one. Bridging the gaps (making them safe and walkable as you've said) will be a tremendous catalyst for further growth.

making sure the train avenue greenway extension happens would help.  as would a plan for wiley and train avenue.  The Fairmont Creamery team is trying to see if the city can re-pave/sidewalk/light up willey so it feels like more of a connector.

On City Planning Commission's docket for Dec. 6....

 

DF2013-093 - Ohio City, Abode Mixed-Use Development: Conceptual Approval of Site Plan to allow Demolition of Two Commercial Buildings

Project Addresses: 2104, 2002 Lorain Avenue

Project Representative: Andrew Brickman, Abode Modern Lifestyle Developers

 

Docket and renders here:

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2013/12062013/index.php