Work has officially started on the 1303 prospect place building... Work being done by Korfant & Mazzone (developers of Joshua Hall).  The building will be completely rehabbed and the corporate headquarters of a company relocating from somewhere else in the CBD.  As I still haven't heard it reported anywhere, I'll hold on to the name a bit to make sure I don't get my hand smacked by anyone.

^Cool!  Is this the building next to the Renaissance Bldg parking garage?

This building...

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.499896,-81.681716&spn=0.000733,0.00169&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=41.499528,-81.681777&panoid=k7mnGdCs_VA3i-6rxBE_Yw&cbp=2,0,,0,5

Update on the Federal Building's rework of their plaza into an "urban forest" :roll:

 

I can't see the forest for the trees!  Please tell me this is "incomplete".

Update on the Federal Building's rework of their plaza into an "urban forest"

 

much better than the urban wasteland that existed!

In the time it's taken Zaremba/Panzica to site prep and build a ten-story condo tower - this "urban forest" is STILL under construction!! :roll:

In the time it's taken Zaremba/Panzica to site prep and build a ten-story condo tower - this "urban forest" is STILL under construction!! :roll:

 

Well, in all fairness, it has taken me 7 years, and I still don't have grass that green.

Federal Government

Interesting sights at today's Ingenuity Festival:

 

- Frangos Group has a booth up showing renderings for two mixed use buildings, one at Carnegie and East 9th, across from Progressive Field, and one around the corner on Sumner.  One is 8 stories the other is 6 stories stepping down in height to 4-5 or so.  Both are done in a conventional architecture style (City Arch is the architect).  Think Avenue District.  Further, they had a site plan showing redevelopment happening throughout the area around Erie St. Cemetery.

 

- The developer building the lifestyle mall development on Rockside Rd. in Seven Hills had some renderings and site plans in one of the buildings along Star Plaza.

 

-  Also in other windows along Star Plaza were renderings for the redevelopment of the large red brick building on Star Plaza, and for the redevelopment of the 4 story brownbrick building that was talked about a while back but didn't get off the ground.  As has been noted before, they are trying to sell it, and are using the drawings they had made up to help that along.

 

- In one of those same storefronts, towards the back, is a rendering of a rehab of one of the buildings along Detroit in the W. 70's.  It's been mentioned on this site before.  Looks nice.

 

Anyway, alot of cool stuff at the festival, so go check it out.

I totally forgot that Ingenuity was this weekend. I've been so wrapped up in condo renovations that nothing else seems to matter!

I was rather impressed with the use of the alleys in the area during the festival.  I also convinced my parents to come downtown for the festival (they don't come downtown often) and they seemed surprised/impressed with the level of activity this weekend, both at Ingenuity and in the WHD and E. 4th.

Does anyone know what the large steel/cinderblock structure being constructed adjacent to the Rapid tracks on Quincy and E. 93-ish is?  It's visible west of the E. 105 Rapid station, and I look at it every day on my way to and from work.  I've been meaning to ask ever since construction started happening for a month and a half or so, but I kept forgetting to.

It's the new Juvenile Courts building.

It's the new Juvenile Courts building.

 

Ok, gotcha.  I knew that was being built somewhere nearby, but I didn't connect the two.  Thanks.

Just a photo from July 28th of the Residences of Kings Hill - aka the white/modern townhomes homes on West 58th Street near the Shoreway:

 

 

Rendering from architect's site, http://www.robertmaschke.com

 

^Nice!!

^Nice!!

 

Ok those are cute!

Yeah, but they stand out a bit like a sore thumb right now.  And they will continue to at least until the Shoreway is connected to w58.  Manschke can't like that is being being delayed.

Personally, I am not a fan of the design.  They have colonial spacing but row house looks.  Just does not float my boat.

 

On a side note, what makes these residences "townhomes"?  They are not connected in any way from what I can tell.  Unless you are just defining the term "townhome" as an urban dwelling.  If that is the case, I guess all the houses in OC and Tremont are "townhomes".

Guess I was in a rush to post them - oh well, townhomes it is!

Sheesh. Semantics, shmemantics. :)

 

I agree. They're nice, but they do stick out like a sore thumb. They look a bit odd. How many are supposed to be in the final project?

Three?

 

Guess I was in a rush to post them - oh well, townhomes it is!

 

I was actually not trying to be a smart*ss at all.  Your post got me thinking if there was a difference between a rowhouse and a townhouse.  My family is from Philly and they use the term rowhouse.  Here, we tend to say townhouse.  When I looked for a definition, I found some sites that defined "townhouse" or "townhome" as attached housing, but other sites simply said it was a city dwelling.  I was just curious and where better to seek clarification. ;)

Sorry if this is elsewhere, but my searches turned up empty. Does anyone know exactly what they're building on the west side of I-71 near downtown? From Google maps, it looks like it is bounded by Rowley Ave and Buhrer Ave, near W 17th. It's right near that pedestrian overpass.

 

tlazar39 and I wonder about it most every day from the bus ...

 

 

That's the new Buhrer elementary school, I believe.

^You believe correctly!

Thanks for posting!!!

 

My friend in Baltimore is a consultant and recommending the plants for the "native plant experimental plots."

 

He's also hoping this will improve asthetics along the towpath as it winds through the industrial valley, calling it "functional urban ecology."

 

I thought this was a really interesting article from gcbl.org regarding adaptive reuse of vacant land:

 

http://www.gcbl.org/land/green-infrastructure/re-imagine-a-more-sustainable-cleveland/vacant-land-strategies-being-considered

 

Vacant land strategies being considered

 

Open space by a school converted into an urban gardenNeighborhood Progress, Inc. and the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative held a planning charrette on May 6, 2008 where planners offered many ideas for revitalizing vacant land in Cleveland.

 

"Now we need to expand some of the strongest ideas and begin to identify a range of sites for potential vacant land interventions," writes UDC senior planner Terry Schwarz.

 

Ideas for initial consideration include:

 

Land bank policies for strategic reuse and improving urban ecosystems

The citys new decision-making flow chart for vacant land reuse will be refined and expanded. Ultimately, this decision-making tool may be adopted formally by the city. Using the flowchart, a series of policies and performance standards can be developed to govern all properties in the citys land bank. These policies and standards will address vegetation, stormwater management, soil remediation, and development potential. The goal is to improve ecological functions within the city as a whole by adopting standards that apply to individual lots within the citys control. Detailed mapping can be developed to aid the city in understanding how each individual landbank lot is situated within the watershed and the citys green space network. When a site is released from the landbank, specific policies and standards can apply, whether the site remains as open land or a building location.

 

Collaborators: the Cleveland Planning Commission, Sustainability Office, Law Department, and Department of Parks and Recreation; the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

 

Products: City ordinance(s), policies, and performance standards governing land bank lots

 

Native plant experimental plots

Several large-scale public investment projects will occur in the next three to five years, including the extension of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail into the City of Cleveland, the creation of Canal Basin Park, and improvements to Wendy Park. Native plant materials in these areas will aid in preserving riparian functions along the Cuyahoga River, improve water quality in the river and in Lake Erie, and enhance biodiversity wildlife habitat within the city.

 

Appropriate native plant materials can be cost-prohibitive and difficult to find. Vacant sites within the city of Cleveland can be used to grow different varieties of plants and to conduct tests to see which plant materials are the most resilient in an urban context. Creating a series of experimental plots would allow a wide range of plant materials to become established prior to transplanting them in their permanent locations in public parks and natural areas.

 

Surplus plant materials can also be sold to institutions, residents, and businesses to increase the overall plant diversity of the city. The next step in determining the viability of this idea is to document the anticipated public improvements five years, calculate the quantity of native plant materials needed for these improvements, and determine the acreage that would be needed to cultivate these plant materials.

 

With this information, we can locate land bank lots or other vacant sites that would be most suitable and accessible for plant cultivation. Then we will be able to formulate a business plan that determines the cost of setting up the experimental plots and cultivating the plant materials, and well as the revenue that would be generated (or saved) by using these locally grown plant materials for public projects.

 

Collaborators: The Cleveland MetroParks, Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Cleveland Horticulture High School, the Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland, the Cleveland Department of Parks and Recreation

 

Products: Business plan for a native plant enterprise; planning, design, and implementation of a network of native planting sites.

 

Eco-encapsulation initiative

Soil-based lead and other environmental toxins are prevalent in Cleveland. Abatement and remediation efforts are typically tied to redevelopment projects. A strategic, targeted remediation effort is essential because the city lacks the resources to remove environmental pollutants on a comprehensive, city-wide basis. However, an initiative to encapsulate soil-based toxins, even for parts of the city where redevelopment is not immanent, would reduce the exposure of Cleveland residents to these substances. This initiative has two components:

 

* Ground cover encapsulation: Vacant sites with open soil are a major contributor to airborne lead levels in Cleveland neighborhoods, especially in the summer months. In many Cleveland neighborhoods, over 30% percentage of children have elevated blood lead levels. This is a public health problem, as well as a major social and economic challenge. Planting low-mow native turf grasses on vacant sites is a technique that can reduce the amount of lead particles that become airborne and lessen the extent to which children are exposed to lead. A ground cover encapsulation initiative would include the development effective techniques and seed mixtures for soil containment. The initiative could provide seed mixtures and offer training to community development corporations on the effective use of these techniques. As a first step, we need more detailed mapping of lead hot spots, as well as mapping to identify significant areas of open soil throughout the city. From this information, we can calculate the acreage to be planted and the volume of seed needed to achieve encapsulation.

 

Collaborators: The Cleveland Heath Department, the Ohio State Extension Office, the Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition, local community development corporations

 

Product: A training program and users manual for ground cover encapsulation techniques; the planting of vacant sites using these techniques in lead hot spots throughout the city.

 

* Remediation research and development: Cleveland can become a major center for remediation research and development. Experimental soil and water remediation techniques can be created here and tested on vacant sites throughout the city. The most effective techniques can then be commercialized for use in other cities.

 

Collaborators: Ohio State University, the University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Case-Western Reserve University, NASA, the Cuyahoga Planning Commission, the Cleveland Health Department, the Cleveland Economic Development Department (Brownfields and Industrial Land Bank staff), the Cuyahoga Water and Soil Conservation District.

 

Product: We need to convene the potential collaborators to determine a feasible outcome and timeline for this initiative.

 

Stormwater management initiative

Vacant land can be used to address stormwater management and water quality challenges in Cleveland by providing opportunities for bioretention and filtering of stormwater.

 

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District completed a Regional Intercommunity Drainage Evaluation (RIDE) Study in 2006. The RIDE study identified 500 flooding, erosion, and drainage problem areas within the Sewer Districts service area. Many of these problem areas are located within the City of Cleveland.

 

The stormwater bioretention initiative would evaluate the problem spots in Cleveland and determine where these problems can best be addressed through the strategic deployment of best management practices on vacant sites. As a first step, we can evaluate water course conditions and riparian corridors to determine the best locations for source control of stormwaterthe places where soil infiltration and bioretention can be achieved and where vegetation, wildlife habitat, and public open space can be re-established.

 

Collaborators: Cleveland MetroParks, the County Planning Commission, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, the City of Cleveland Office of Sustainability, the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, private sector design/engineering firm, the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative

 

Product: The initial work can include the schematic design of network of natural bioretention facilities for vacant sites. The volume of water that can be managed by this network needs to be clearly quantified, as will the impacts of this proposed intervention on stormwater management and water quality throughout the sewer district service area. We can gauge the extent to which this network of natural bioretention facilities will assist in achieving compliance with the Phase II requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program

 

Green space network and connections

Vacant land can be used to expand and connect the existing network of parks and green spaces within the city through a combination of short term and permanent interventions. The Cuyahoga County Greenprint provides guidance for reinforcing the green space network within the city. Using the citys flow chart for assessing vacant sites, a schematic, city-wide green space plan can be developed to identify priority sites and areas for future green space.

 

Collaborators: Cleveland City Planning Commission, Cleveland MetroParks, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative

 

Product: Schematic, city-wide green space plan encompassing traditional parks and recreation areas; agricultural areas; forests, meadows, protected wildlife habitat, and other natural areas; wetlands and other stormwater recharge areas; and connections.

 

Urban agriculture/Local food policy

Urban agriculture and community gardens enhance local food security, expand the range of nutritious foods available in city neighborhoods and can provide wealth-building opportunities for city residents.

 

We need to identify the most viable range of produce for agricultural development in Cleveland based on climate, soil conditions, and market factors. We also need to determine the areas of the city that are best suited for community gardens, commercial farming, and other forms of food production.

 

Collaborators: OSU Extension, the New Agrarian Center, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition, the Cleveland Botanical Garden

 

Product: Map of current and potential food production sites in Cleveland.

 

Energy generation

Vacant land in Cleveland has untapped potential for energy generation but technical expertise is needed to determine which strategies are most feasible and how they can be implemented.

 

Collaborators: To be determined.

 

Products: To be determined.

 

Next steps

Work in each of these areas will proceed on a smaller and more focused scale, rather than with the full group. Then we will reconvene the working group in early August to present a range of alternatives for further consideration.

Interesting sights at today's Ingenuity Festival:

 

- Frangos Group has a booth up showing renderings for two mixed use buildings, one at Carnegie and East 9th, across from Progressive Field, and one around the corner on Sumner.  One is 8 stories the other is 6 stories stepping down in height to 4-5 or so.  Both are done in a conventional architecture style (City Arch is the architect).  Think Avenue District.  Further, they had a site plan showing redevelopment happening throughout the area around Erie St. Cemetery.

 

Perhaps this is related... I was downtown near Progressive Field and saw that they were demolishing the building along Sumner between Erie St Cemetery, and the building with Ginza Sushi.  Not sure of the exact address, but this google link should do the trick:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1101+sumner,+cleveland,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=43.713406,92.8125&ie=UTF8&ll=41.497232,-81.682341&spn=0.010141,0.022659&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr

That's the new Buhrer elementary school, I believe.

 

Thanks! I found a tiny little rendering, if anyone is interested:

 

http://www.cmsdnet.net/buhrer/school.htm

 

 

That's too bad. It is (was) a pretty sweet looking building with a lot of character. A perfect fit along that great brick street.

 

Interesting sights at today's Ingenuity Festival:

 

- Frangos Group has a booth up showing renderings for two mixed use buildings, one at Carnegie and East 9th, across from Progressive Field, and one around the corner on Sumner. One is 8 stories the other is 6 stories stepping down in height to 4-5 or so. Both are done in a conventional architecture style (City Arch is the architect). Think Avenue District. Further, they had a site plan showing redevelopment happening throughout the area around Erie St. Cemetery.

 

Perhaps this is related... I was downtown near Progressive Field and saw that they were demolishing the building along Sumner between Erie St Cemetery, and the building with Ginza Sushi. Not sure of the exact address, but this google link should do the trick:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1101+sumner,+cleveland,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=43.713406,92.8125&ie=UTF8&ll=41.497232,-81.682341&spn=0.010141,0.022659&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr

I took pictures of the renderings on display at the Ingenuity, I just have to find the memory card (mis-placed it) and will upload them. I knew to take pics because I had never heard of it and was surprised to see all these renderings coming out of nowhere.

Anyone know what's going in the corner retail space (E. 12th and Superior) of Reserve Square? This would be right next to Scorchers, looks like some sort of food establishment.

Anyone know what's going in the corner retail space (E. 12th and Superior) of Reserve Square? This would be right next to Scorchers, looks like some sort of food establishment.

 

I was wondering the same thing seeing as that's in my hood now :)

Anyone know what's going in the corner retail space (E. 12th and Superior) of Reserve Square? This would be right next to Scorchers, looks like some sort of food establishment.

 

I was wondering the same thing seeing as that's in my hood now :)

 

Then get your lil bunz over there and ask some questions and snap some pics!  lol

BTW, Here's a pic of the building on Sumner st from Frangos: http://www.thefrangosgroup.com/1012Sumner.html

I have a VERY thorough report coming on Cadillac Ranch in the near future... for now got some work to do.

I'll try to get to the cadillac report at some point tonight... but here's a couple pictures of the interior progress (they want to be open before October 1)...

Its funny comparing the speed of their crew versus the roving MRN crew....

Its funny comparing the speed of their crew versus the roving MRN crew....

 

It's also funny how a crew can work in the City of Cleveland downtown in shorts with no hardhats...and tennis  shoes

 

Its funny comparing the speed of their crew versus the roving MRN crew....

 

It's also funny how a crew can work in the City of Cleveland downtown in shorts with no hardhats...and tennis  shoes

 

 

And it appears a person from the same crew can operate a power saw with one hand.

Its funny comparing the speed of their crew versus the roving MRN crew....

 

It's also funny how a crew can work in the City of Cleveland downtown in shorts with no hardhats...and tennis  shoes

 

 

And it appears a person from the same crew can operate a power saw with one hand.

 

oh c'mon!  Give the guy a break!  He's just a lonely carpenter!

I definitely saw a member of their crew in shorts, polo and deck shoes.

Amazing!  I got written up for walking on a site a did work for in Rush Run, Ohio (middle of nowhere along the Ohio River) for not wearing safety glasses....and these guys can work downtown like that. 

 

Looks like it is coming along nicely though. 

Anyone know what's going in the corner retail space (E. 12th and Superior) of Reserve Square? This would be right next to Scorchers, looks like some sort of food establishment.

 

I was wondering the same thing seeing as that's in my hood now :)

 

Then get your lil bunz over there and ask some questions and snap some pics!  lol

 

Okay, it appears like it may be some sort of mom and pop fast food joint.  It looks like they've got a grill in there.  The name of the place starts with a T, I don't know why I keep forgetting the name :). 

 

There was no one there last friday around 6pm, so I couldn't ask any questions, and I didn't snap any pics because some creepy dudes on Scorchers' patio were hitting on my "lil bunz", but as soon as they open up, I'll go buy some food and report back :).

 

EDIT:  I knew it would come to me.  The name of the place is Tucky's.

^ i recognized that name -- via clepunk i wonder if this piece of local rawk history is any relation?

 

Tucky's (W. 9th and St. Clair)

 

Tucky's was a real hot spot the fall and winter '81/'82. The club was three levels and the upstairs was an old disco complete with a lighted dance floor and mirror ball. It was always interesting to see someone like the Defnics play in such surroundings. Going downstairs there were Christmas lights on the walls and stairs. The bar downstairs had swings instead of stools around the bar and a stage that was most likely built for exotic dancers not Rock-N-Roll bands. It was a long stage that ran across the wall. The groups had to stand in a row to able to fit, often adjusting your head safely in between the pipes hanging from the ceiling. The bathroom walls were decoratively plastered with Playboy and Penthouse centerfolds.

 

The "second wave" began to mature that fall/winter. Every weekend Tucky's had someone worth seeing. Many bands filtered through Tucky's in it's brief history. Clocks, Easter Monkeys, Defnics, Dark, Offbeats, The Dissidents, Jazz Destroyers, Dr. Bloodmoney, Suspect Device, The Adults, Joey and the Radish Heads all come to mind as I recall swinging and swigging at the downstairs bar. Brian Sands had his Bizarmy show upstairs one night. Mike Hudson had his Cleveland Confidential album benefit downstairs on another.

 

The Cleveland Confidential show was the night Tucky's met it's demise (at least our type of music wasn't welcome anymore). The Easter Monkeys played last that night and the place was really hopping. Old Man Tucky concerned that it was going to run too late tried to unplug the Monkeys' amps. Chris spit beer on the old man and the crowd proceeded to do the same. The Monkeys leaned their guitars across the amps and let them wail while Mr. Tucky ran away holding his hand over his ears. All good things must come to an end.I guess.

(Scott Stemple)

 

I wasn't expecting to read about the Easter Monkeys on here, but yeah, they were the shit. 

Any new developments regarding the makeover of Spy Bar into an Irish pub?

^Nope.

 

In other news, looks like they're really picking up steam on the Terminal Tower restoration:

 

I get vertigo just thinking about walking one of those scaffolds.