On 9/11/2020 at 7:30 AM, nate said:

 

Arby's has pulled themselves out of that location, it has since been confirmed. It was listed on their website and no longer is. Therefore, turn it into additional parking and a small park. 

With one of Kamms selling points being adjacent to the vast metropark, more commercial development is needed instead of a new small park directly on Lorain avenue.

Edited November 6, 20204 yr by CLENYC

With one of Kama selling points being adjacent to the vast metropark, more commercial development is needed instead of a new small park directly on Lorain avenue.

Commercial development like new shops and restauraunts, art studios, community centers. Not fricking Arby’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8 minutes ago, CLENYC said:

With one of Kamms selling points being adjacent to the vast metropark, more commercial development is needed instead of a new small park directly on Lorain avenue.

 

39 minutes ago, nate said:

Commercial development like new shops and restauraunts, art studios, community centers. Not fricking Arby’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s still way better than a friggin park on Lorain avenue

Edited November 6, 20204 yr by CLENYC

Reading this thread it’s interesting that people living around Impett consider themselves living in Kamms.  Kamms corners used to be a limited area within the larger what is now called West Park.  

Folks living up by Impett etc never wanted to be associated with Kamms Corners.

 

so while the Arby’s is in Kamms, the West Park station development is not Kamms nor is Warren Village/Impett Park area.

57 minutes ago, nate said:

Commercial development like new shops and restauraunts, art studios, community centers. Not fricking Arby’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But Arby’s is a restaurant and before that it was a Steak ‘n Shake...before that it was a bobs big boy and before that it was a Manner’s, so it’s not like an Arby’s is replacing a Prada location..lol...a park here means no one is interested in developing anything else.

 

this location always had a not top notch eating spot for decades and decades...way back.

 

hell, even the Arby’s you disparaged passed on this location

Edited November 6, 20204 yr by CLENYC

But Arby’s is a restaurant and before that it was a Steak ‘n Shake...before that it was a bobs big boy and before that it was a Manner’s, so it’s not like an Arby’s is replacing a Prada location..lol...a park here means no one is interested in developing anything else.
 
this location always had a not top notch eating spot for decades and decades...way back.
 
hell, even the Arby’s you disparaged passed on this location

It’s been underwhelming food places for 60 years, good point. I guess we should just continue the same old traditions that have worked out so well in the past. Why ever bother reimagining spaces? Totally not part of planning cities at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Getting back on topic... “Planted”, a vegan-veggie friendly establishment will be opening in the former Red Lantern at Kamms Plaza. https://www.planted.restaurant/menus?fbclid=IwAR3RqTPIKdHf9nXtHJEQX0KK9iXaVT7hiC8HA2p5IpouTSdTId0wU-oyfOk

4 hours ago, nate said:

Getting back on topic... “Planted”, a vegan-veggie friendly establishment will be opening in the former Red Lantern at Kamms Plaza. https://www.planted.restaurant/menus?fbclid=IwAR3RqTPIKdHf9nXtHJEQX0KK9iXaVT7hiC8HA2p5IpouTSdTId0wU-oyfOk

 

VEGAN?  It's the ANTI ARBYS!  😜

 
VEGAN?  It's the ANTI ARBYS!  [emoji12]

Let’s hope it will survive. This actually sounds promising.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Possibility of a new restaurant on Lorain avenue, Annie's Restaurant LLC had previously filed to demolish this structure (first picture). That permit is still pending, as is their permit to build a new 10,000 square foot building (it is held up in review due to variances needed)

 

Also the manufacturing building located behind Kmart lot may be getting new inhabitants, a glass manufacturing company, though their application to move here was swiftly declined due to a lack of drawings. Here is the permit for that: 

13820 Lorain- Sub City 

So the Steak & Shake at 17325 Lorain Ave is going to become an Arby's. A massive $350,000 investment in the neighborhood. Woo Hoo

26 minutes ago, KJP said:

So the Steak & Shake at 17325 Lorain Ave is going to become an Arby's. A massive $350,000 investment in the neighborhood. Woo Hoo

Just what that block needs another fast food sandwich shop. Mr. Hero, Subway, and  Jimmy Johns all right there already. 

7 minutes ago, Growth Mindset said:

Just what that block needs another fast food sandwich shop. Mr. Hero, Subway, and  Jimmy Johns all right there already. 

Well this location has been a restaurant/fast food joint for 50+ years at a minimum.  Better than another parking lot for the Cleveland Clinic or an empty building.

that jamoca shake tho.

 

its a classic.

 

The new Ethiopian place on Lorain at Rocky River Drive---Haesha---is really delicious. Took food to go from there the other day. The strip they are on has quite a nice collection of restaurant choices:  Ethiopian, Thai, Mexican, and perhaps a few others.

On 1/11/2021 at 1:56 PM, Pugu said:

The new Ethiopian place on Lorain at Rocky River Drive---Haesha---is really delicious. Took food to go from there the other day. The strip they are on has quite a nice collection of restaurant choices:  Ethiopian, Thai, Mexican, and perhaps a few others.

1. I've had Planted (vegan spot) and Habesha, both are excellent additions to the neighborhood. Not much I can say about the Arby's. Fairview and Lakewood continue to gain investments that otherwise might've been in West Park. Point A is the new Bibibop at Westgate Mall, and the Canes recently built in both Fairview and Lakewood. As far as fast food goes, these are better investments to the community than our Popeyes, Rallys, and Arbys.
2. In addition, the longer we allow sites like the Kmart lot to sit empty without a real plan, the less chance anything promising will locate there. Lorain Ave, as it was mentioned, is oversaturated with sub shops, salons, used car dealerships, and barber shops. Meanwhile Lakewood and Fairview are expanding their retail and commercial development, tastefully, by not oversaturating with what they already have. AND they are making streetscaping improvements that are needed for Lorain and Rocky River Dr, heck even Puritas Ave. 

On 11/10/2020 at 4:05 PM, nate said:

Possibility of a new restaurant on Lorain avenue, Annie's Restaurant LLC had previously filed to demolish this structure (first picture). That permit is still pending, as is their permit to build a new 10,000 square foot building (it is held up in review due to variances needed)

 

Also the manufacturing building located behind Kmart lot may be getting new inhabitants, a glass manufacturing company, though their application to move here was swiftly declined due to a lack of drawings. Here is the permit for that: 

 

On the Far West Design Review Committee agenda: Seeking Final Approval on January 15 is a partial-demolition of 14700 Lorain Ave. 

^Hopefully the back portion?

On 10/14/2020 at 9:05 PM, nate said:

I want to reiterate that this is all speculation. That being said, It could be, but there's no way of knowing because whoever is doing the work on that site hasn't filed for any permits whatsoever. Nothing on the plaza parcels either. I bet Walmart could pull it off with 10 acres, but I don't even want them in my neighborhood. It will result in another suburban development pattern, destroy a decent building with historic value, and overall not be beneficial to the neighborhood. The lot needs to be redeveloped for housing and mixed use with buildings close to to the front of the street. WPKND has previously said they are looking to encourage more pedestrian oriented development. If the rumors are true, I'd hope to see them fighting against this with the developers. CSU's master study on the area should be the key guide of any development in the area.  http://levin.urban.csuohio.edu/capstone2019/A-Connecting-West-Park-new.pdf 

 

I heard that Walmart did look at the property years ago but the parcel was too small and the owner wanted too much money.

don’t think things have changed here. Also heard Aldi’s is looking at it along with HobbyLobby.

On 1/21/2021 at 8:35 AM, Mike Gibbons said:

I heard that Walmart did look at the property years ago but the parcel was too small and the owner wanted too much money.

don’t think things have changed here. Also heard Aldi’s is looking at it along with HobbyLobby.

Hobby Lobby would be huge. I think that would be the only one within the city limits

New details / community meeting on the Old Lorain Rd metropark trail.

https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/about/cleveland-metroparks-organization/planning/old-lorain-road-rocky-river-reservation-connection

Edited March 18, 20214 yr by tj111

Excellent news! I drove down into the valley via Old Lorain last weekend for the first time in years. I was alarmed not only by the condition of the road itself (some seriously harrowing pot holes), but by the extremely unsafe conditions for bikers and pedestrians. It would be wonderful  if they eventually expanded the scope of this plan to include other access points nearby (Hogsback, Wooster, Puritas, etc.).

 

3 hours ago, Sapper Daddy said:

 

This is exciting! I hope it’s a lifestyle center. This space has real potential

1 hour ago, inlovewithCLE said:

This is exciting! I hope it’s a lifestyle center. This space has real potential

 

Unfortunately it doesn't sounds like it will be anything too grand, or mixed use. The developers talk about dividing the existing ex-Kmart building into a couple smaller retail spaces, and demoing the neighboring multi-tenant building, as well as demoing the historic mixed use building on Lorain to make way for single parcel out buildings. Then there is a paragraph about how the neighborhood is much more auto-centric than neighborhoods closer to downtown. It'll certainly be a step up from the current sorry state, but as of now it doesn't sound like anything to be excited over. Hopefully things change, as there definitely is alot of potential here.

Owner of shuttered Kmart in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood plan redevelopment to include grocery store, coffee shop

Updated 5:00 AM; Today 5:00 AM

By Eric Heisig, cleveland.com

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The owner of the site of a former Kmart store in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood is planning a full overhaul of the space to accommodate national retailers who want to open new locations.

 

The New York City-based TLM Realty plans to transform the former Kmart building at Lorain Avenue and West 150th Street, which has sat dormant since the store closed in 2017. The updated site will include spaces for three retailers and a new building for a possible coffee shop on the northwest corner of the property, according to plans presented at a meeting last week.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2021/04/owner-of-shuttered-kmart-in-clevelands-west-park-neighborhood-plan-redevelopment-to-include-grocery-store-coffee-shop.html

 

24 minutes ago, MuRrAy HiLL said:

Owner of shuttered Kmart in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood plan redevelopment to include grocery store, coffee shop

Updated 5:00 AM; Today 5:00 AM

By Eric Heisig, cleveland.com

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The owner of the site of a former Kmart store in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood is planning a full overhaul of the space to accommodate national retailers who want to open new locations.

 

The New York City-based TLM Realty plans to transform the former Kmart building at Lorain Avenue and West 150th Street, which has sat dormant since the store closed in 2017. The updated site will include spaces for three retailers and a new building for a possible coffee shop on the northwest corner of the property, according to plans presented at a meeting last week.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2021/04/owner-of-shuttered-kmart-in-clevelands-west-park-neighborhood-plan-redevelopment-to-include-grocery-store-coffee-shop.html

 

It looks awful. Literally the West Side version of Oakwood Commons. What is worse is this sits in the city. 

Watching the developers presentation on-line was so frustrating.  I cannot tell you how underwhelming it was and the city officials basically shrugged their shoulders (actually there was quite a bit of praise given the circumstances) and I guess were resigned to the fact that this was the best they  were going to get and did not want to piss off the developer fearing many more years of a vacant K-Mart and the ensuing blight.

 

 

Edited April 12, 20214 yr by Htsguy

I like it personally 🤷‍♂️ I definitely think it’ll be good for the area over there. While I would’ve preferred it to be more “lifestyle center”ish, it’s still a good thing for the area

Literally anything is better than what's there currently.  Get it done.

40 minutes ago, RE Developer In Training said:

Literally anything is better than what's there currently.  Get it done.

 

That's a low bar to set. Will the city settle for something better than what is there now or push for something good.

Just now, Mendo said:

 

That's a low bar to set. Will the city settle for something better than what is there now or push for something good.

It will settle.  The developers were at the Board of Zoning Appeals getting their variances as you typed your post.

33 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

It will settle.  The developers were at the Board of Zoning Appeals getting their variances as you typed your post.

 

Yeah I knew the answer before asking it.

2 hours ago, RE Developer In Training said:

Literally anything is better than what's there currently.  Get it done.

Exactly. Folks in the city like national retailers too and I’d rather have people spending that money in the city limits. And what’s there right now is literally nothing so I say go for it

I am fine with it if they can somehow keep the Marquardt Apartments.

Thank you Kathleen Crowther & CRS, Nate Lull, and other community voices trying to save "The Marquard" and get a better overall deal for the people of Cleveland and Kamms.
I wish you good luck in this.

“The point of this petition is not to be a NIMBY.  (- Hello U.O! -)  The developers may make the claim that the new development will need more parking, something that simply cannot be substantiated by the fact there are already over 400 parking spaces in the lot.”  - Nate Lull

 

 Live Link: Petition to Save the Marquard

Edited April 12, 20214 yr by ExPatClevGuy

1 hour ago, ExPatClevGuy said:

Thank you Kathleen Crowther & CRS, Nate Lull, and other community voices trying to save "The Marquard" and get a better overall deal for the people of Cleveland and Kamms.
I wish you good luck in this.

“The point of this petition is not to be a NIMBY.  (- Hello U.O! -)  The developers may make the claim that the new development will need more parking, something that simply cannot be substantiated by the fact there are already over 400 parking spaces in the lot.”  - Nate Lull

 

 Live Link: Petition to Save the Marquard

Signed and boosted.

Community Meeting on Wednesday. Show up to voice your concerns on this development, which would bring even heavier auto-traffic to the area and create a worse environment for pedestrians/cyclists (its already pretty bad) Not to mention the proposed coffee shop (likely S-bucks) would mean traffic backed out to West 150th and hurt business of neighboring local coffee shops. The developers do not care about the Marquard Building, they said it would "jeopardize" the potential development. 

 

http://westparkkamms.org/event/kmart-redevelopment-4-14-21/ 

Edited April 13, 20214 yr by Guest
error

I guess this means that the coffee shop is expected to be popular with area residents & visitors.

Still I'll be surprised if traffic will back out all the way out to the street. That seems a little too alarmist to me. 

Does traffic normally back out onto the street at Five Points Coffee, or at Peace Love and Little Donuts of West Park?  Those might offer a fair gauge for planners to address this concern.

On viewing the neighborhood in Maps, I do see a designated bike lane on Lorain. A supermarket and coffee shop will certainly pose more risk to those users than an empty K-Mart. 

 

All should appear at the neighborhood meeting and their voiced concerns should be heard and taken seriously. 

I hope none of those who express their ideas get called out on U.O. for being NIMBYs who hate the realities of progress. - (Snark, I've been catching it lately for my supportive posture on community input related to projects around town.)

Edited April 13, 20214 yr by ExPatClevGuy

These are the partners that the developer usually works with. I would guess biglots, aldi, and panera are the strong possibles.

 

Pretty amazing to me that some apparently would rather the property stay vacant. I hope the development gets done

1 hour ago, freethink said:

These are the partners that the developer usually works with. I would guess biglots, aldi, and panera are the strong possibles.

 

The grocer in the rendering looked like an Aldi so I could see that 

46 minutes ago, inlovewithCLE said:

Pretty amazing to me that some apparently would rather the property stay vacant. I hope the development gets done

I think people would just like it to be better (much better) rather than a Streetboro clone.

Ten years ago when I was still writing for the West Side Sun News, I covered Kamms CDC's Lorain Avenue masterplan which was adopted by the City Planning Commission, meaning that this was the land use plan the city should look to when reviewing the appropriateness of development projects in the targeted area. The Kmart site was one of the focus areas of this master-planning effort. I've uploaded the 27 MB plan to Google Drive and did a print screen showing the page for the Kmart site. As you can see, the goal was to develop the underutilized parking lot with a couple of storefronts up by Lorain's sidewalk to create a more pedestrian-friendly setting. The plan...

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M_tKZ4jNvPOM1NRAu_61yOBPHyfaWBXW/view?usp=drive_web

 

 

I got a chuckle out the developer's presentation when he touted the planned walkability of the project (clearly knowing that at some point he had to use that word given the audience) pointing out some glorified crosswalks from Lorain through a vast sea of parking.

Yay!

 

New write-up from The Land on the West Park Kmart site proposal.

 

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/redevelopment-of-long-vacant-kmart-could-bring-coffee-shop-grocery-store-to-west-park

 

TL/DR: The @KJP plan posted above would be way better. 

 

It's frustrating because this site is less than 1/2 mile from the West Park Red Line station so it really should be ToD.  And it's only 1/4 mile from where the West Park Station SHOULD be, namely right at Lorain.  It would be really helpful if the city and RTA drew half-mile circles around every RTA station and aggressively pursued ToD.  There should also be a special assessment / property tax for all properties within that range designated for transit - this funding could go a long way toward the RTA train replacement.

 

Anyway:

 

"Developers hope the intersection of West 150th Street and Lorain Avenue in West Park will soon be the home of five new national chain retail locations and a new name. The project received final approval from the Cleveland Planning Commission on May 7, but has yet to name new tenants.

Three months ago, the planning commission approved land owner TLM Realty’s schematic plans to redevelop and renovate the plaza into the West Park Shopping Center (click here to view the presentation). The goal is to revitalize what has been an eyesore for area residents since its former Kmart anchor store shuttered in 2017.

Workers will retrofit the Kmart into three spaces that will contain a trio of national retailers and add a free-standing drive-thru restaurant for between $5 and $10 million. The stores are projected to bring 100 new jobs to West Park and raise the plaza’s parking capacity to 501 cars while adding a more pedestrian-friendly, landscaped environment."