I'm getting word that a national broadcasting outfit in Ireland, possibly the Raidió Teilifís Éireann (Irish National TV & Radio) is considering Cleveland for its first American bureau. RTÉ uses freelancers in America and has no physical address here in America. It probably won't be a huge presence in terms of employees but it will be a huge presence in terms of notoriety. When I asked an honest (not a self-doubting) "why Cleveland" I was reminded that Cleveland is a good city with a strong Irish presence, low costs and proximity to other major cities with a strong Irish presence.

I'm getting word that a national broadcasting outfit in Ireland, possibly the Raidió Teilifís Éireann (Irish National TV & Radio) is considering Cleveland for its first American bureau. RTÉ uses freelancers in America and has no physical address here in America. It probably won't be a huge presence in terms of employees but it will be a huge presence in terms of notoriety. When I asked an honest (not a self-doubting) "why Cleveland" I was reminded that Cleveland is a good city with a strong Irish presence, low costs and proximity to other major cities with a strong Irish presence.

 

WHOA. That's a big freakin deal. I hope it happens

As a person who works in media/entertainment in Cleveland, I can't put into words how big of a deal this is. Not only because it would bring prestige to the city, but there's also the potential that other organizations like them will follow suit. Being viewed as a cheaper alternative to setting up shop in NYC is important, because it could create a snowball effect. I hope they go downtown

if it happens I think ideastream would be a perfect place.....

As a person who works in media/entertainment in Cleveland, I can't put into words how big of a deal this is. Not only because it would bring prestige to the city, but there's also the potential that other organizations like them will follow suit. Being viewed as a cheaper alternative to setting up shop in NYC is important, because it could create a snowball effect. I hope they go downtown

 

If a traditional Irish neighborhood remained, that would be the place for them.  But AFAIK, none does.

Plans in Avon for Bo Jackson sports training center could spur other development off Interstate 90

Michael Sangiacomo, The Plain Dealer By Michael Sangiacomo, The Plain Dealer

 

AVON, Ohio -- Former football and baseball superstar Bo Jackson is planning a $6 million sports training facility in Avon, and city officials are confident it will pave the way for further development in the area off Interstate 90.

 

Avon City Council  unanimously approved the $1 sale of a 9-acre tract of land for the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Development training center, a business and political coup de grace for outgoing mayor Jim Smith.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/avon/index.ssf/2013/10/avon_approves_bo_jackson_sport.html

Great, can't wait to see more Chilli's, Steak and Shakes, and gas stations along the interstate.

Great, can't wait to see more Chilli's, Steak and Shakes, and gas stations along the interstate.

Are you really against more "rib ticklers" and "fling dings"?

best of luck to mr smith, but as far as people having to go out of state for indoor training I guess he has not heard of spire institute...???

This is the old Gildor Furniture Company store (with its distinctive 1970s-era logo) in downtown Old Brooklyn. There is a picture at this now-sold real estate listing....

 

http://www.cbhunter.com/Property/OH/44109-3332/Cleveland/4163_Pearl_Rd

 

EDIT: here's a photo.....

 

 

 

And for the proposed new use.....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2013/pdf/NW_MeetingAgenda11-13-13.pdf

 

Near West Design Review District

 

Agenda

(8:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 13th, 2013)

Dollar Bank, 3115 West 25th Street

 

 

8:30 a.m. 1. NW 2013-029: Buckeye Dental Clinic ©

4163 Pearl Road

Project Representative – John Swidrak, AODK Architects, Inc.

Conversion of former retail furniture store into a 4,200 s.f., 10-room dental office.

Exterior changes encompass addition of new aluminum storefront window

systems, new infill brick to match existing brick façade, and new fabric blade

awnings mounted on aluminum frames. Committee tabled action on this item at

its August 14, 2013 meeting to provide applicant an opportunity to determine

whether to continue with NWDRC process or enter the City’s Storefront

Renovation Program, which has a separate design review process.

Redirected from the Asiatown Developments thread

 

Ah...the old aquarium.  Has the building been in use since it closed in the 70s?

 

Not sure. Which building was that? Or does that even still stand? I see there's a single-level building next to the marina on the north side of the marginal road that links MLK and East 72nd. Is that it? The address 601 East 72nd is farther west.

The Aquarium is the octagonal building in Gordon Park south of the shoreway. The police were using it for training their K9 units until recently, but I'm not sure when the metal roof got ripped off.

These two items on City Council's agenda are interesting (to me, anyway!)

 

City Planning (Zoning) Committee

WEDNESDAY, November 20, 2013

1:00 p.m.

MERCEDES COTNER COMMITTEE ROOM

217 CITY HALL

 

Ord. No. 1332-13

By Council Members Brady and Westbrook

Establishing a Pedestrian Retail Overlay District on the north and south sides of Madison Avenue between Berea Road and W. 85th Street (Map Change No. 2446).

Remarks by Director of City Planning Commission:  See Legislation.

 

Ord. No. 1379-13

By Council Member Dow

Changing the Use and Area Districts of land located on the west side of E. 62nd Street south of Grdina Avenue to Residence Industry and a ‘B’ Area District (Map Change No. 2456).

Remarks by Director of City Planning Commission:  See Legislation.

__________

 

What is a "residence industry" classification? It sounds like a mix of residential and light-industry, but I cannot find any information about it.

^ Live-Work?

More good news for downtown!

 

Compass Self Storage stakes out downtown Cleveland buildings for 700-unit warehouse facility

 

A rendering shows the Compass Self Storage plan for converting three old office and warehouse buildings in downtown Cleveland into a 700-unit self-storage complex. Company representatives presented plans for the project to a city design-review committee on Thursday. The developer and architect still are working through some details with the city's planning staff, but the facility could open in mid- to late summer.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/12/compass_self_storage_stakes_ou.html#incart_river_default

Dalad Group buys former Fisher Brothers warehouse in downtown Cleveland

An affiliate of the Dalad Group commercial real estate firm is the new owner of the former Fisher Brothers Co. warehouse and bakery after buying the big building complex for a small price.

 

The purchase includes a six-story, 420,000-square-foot brick and stone warehouse at 2323 Lakeside Ave., which dates from 1916, and a 12,000-square-foot building at 2400 Lakeside. Through 2323 Warehousing Ltd., Dalad acquired the complex Nov. 27 for $500,000, according to Cuyahoga County land records.

 

The seller was NCL Development Co., which offered the property through a CBRE Group auction last summer with a minimum bid of $600,000. However, the property did not sell at the auction. Dalad acquired the property later for the lower price.

 

Joseph Balog, Dalad senior vice president and general counsel, said in an email that the company sees its new purchase as a chance to offer inexpensive warehousing space.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20131205/FREE/131209878

Here's a bit more info about the Lincoln Building parking addition that was being discussed in the hotel thread (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,26395.msg690096.html#msg690096)

 

One interesting tidbit from the article-

The Lincoln Building's former restaurant might become a lobby for the apartments, if a compelling replacement tenant doesn't emerge. Breen said convenience retailer 7-Eleven looked at the space, empty since Tavern on the Mall closed, but backed off last year after scouting a handful of downtown locations.

 

I like that 7-Eleven is/was scoping out downtown.  It's been mentioned before as one of those little things that a residential downtown can really use.

 

Lincoln Building revamp builds on demand for parking, apartments in downtown Cleveland

By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer

on January 14, 2014 at 1:45 PM, updated January 14, 2014 at 1:48 PM

 

What's old is new again for downtown Cleveland's Lincoln Building, where a landlord is adding 200 parking spaces to serve oncoming hotels and drivers in the city's pinched convention-center district.

 

Empty office and storage space in the St. Clair Avenue building, which started its life as parking, will revert to its original use as part of a larger overhaul. Under plans presented last month to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, the building would hold 540 spaces -- up from roughly 340 today. Those plans also call for renovated storefronts and, in an unusual twist, 17 loft apartments on the top floor.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/lincoln_building_revamp_builds.html#incart_river_default

 

Here's a bit more info about the Lincoln Building parking addition that was being discussed in the hotel thread (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,26395.msg690096.html#msg690096)

 

One interesting tidbit from the article-

The Lincoln Building's former restaurant might become a lobby for the apartments, if a compelling replacement tenant doesn't emerge. Breen said convenience retailer 7-Eleven looked at the space, empty since Tavern on the Mall closed, but backed off last year after scouting a handful of downtown locations.

 

I like that 7-Eleven is/was scoping out downtown.  It's been mentioned before as one of those little things that a residential downtown can really use.

 

Lincoln Building revamp builds on demand for parking, apartments in downtown Cleveland

By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer

on January 14, 2014 at 1:45 PM, updated January 14, 2014 at 1:48 PM

 

What's old is new again for downtown Cleveland's Lincoln Building, where a landlord is adding 200 parking spaces to serve oncoming hotels and drivers in the city's pinched convention-center district.

 

Empty office and storage space in the St. Clair Avenue building, which started its life as parking, will revert to its original use as part of a larger overhaul. Under plans presented last month to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, the building would hold 540 spaces -- up from roughly 340 today. Those plans also call for renovated storefronts and, in an unusual twist, 17 loft apartments on the top floor.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/lincoln_building_revamp_builds.html#incart_river_default

 

I'm very interested to see what this might look like... He's not too far off in saying this building is hideous. Situated next to the beautiful Calfee Building and School District Headquarters and the increasingly attractive Westin, this building just looks practically abandoned. Now if they could include that parking lot in the remodel...

There's a small surface lot behind the Lincoln Building on the corner of East 6th and Theresa Court.  Too bad they couldn't build on that, too.  And it would be nice if the new parking entrance was actually on Theresa Court instead of East 6th.

i saw an interesting article on cleveland.com baker hosteler law firm is leaving the pnc center and moving to the key tower to a 15 year lease that starts January 1st, 2016. baker hosteler will occupy floors 17-21, 115,00 square feet and the key tower will now be around 90% leased. the bad part is, there is going to be a large gap of open office space in the pnc center. the tower use to be 100% leased now it will be around 70-75% leased. floors 26-33, 165,000 square feet will be open in the pnc center.

in the same article, optima ventures has been disusing mixed-use redevelopment plans for the Huntington building. i glad something is going to happen to the building it could be  office, hotel and apartments.

in the same article, optima ventures has been disusing mixed-use redevelopment plans for the Huntington building. i glad something is going to happen to the building it could be  office, hotel and apartments.

 

I hope so. It looked so sad and empty when I toured it last week......

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27241.msg692610.html#msg692610

With Baker Hostetler moving to Key and eating up some remaining Class A space, could that help inch us closer to a new Class A office building downtown?

is the pnc center class a or b office space? and i could see the remaining tenants from the Huntington building move into the 165,00 square feet of the pnc center of the remaining 5 floors of open space in the key tower.

With Baker Hostetler moving to Key and eating up some remaining Class A space, could that help inch us closer to a new Class A office building downtown?

 

You mean in addition to the 272,000-square-foot office building planned for Phase 2 of Flats East Bank?

DCA's Downtown Cleveland Market Update for Q4 2013

 

http://www.downtowncleveland.com/media/200605/Q42013_final.pdf

Apartment Occupancy down 1.2% and Hotel Occupancy down 13% has me nervous.

Apartment vacancy went up in 2013 Q3, but has come back down some in 2013 Q4.  With so much product coming on to a relatively small market in Q3, we should expect vacancy rates to go up somewhat.  They did, but a little bit of a breather this winter has let the market absorb some of the new product a bit.  Probably would have absorbed even more if this winter wasn't so rough.

Apartment Occupancy down 1.2% and Hotel Occupancy down 13% has me nervous.

 

Hotel more so with 1,787 new rooms coming online by 2016, a 50% increase.

 

The Convention Center hotel kind of worries me. If these occupancy rates remain, or get worse, the CC hotel could fail or suck the life out of existing hotels putting them out of business.

 

Overall I think the apartment occupancy is still positive. Its not down by much and well located projects will most likely fill up easily.

Apartment Occupancy down 1.2% and Hotel Occupancy down 13% has me nervous.

 

The market update compares October 2012 to November 2013. Considering the holiday week and decrease in tourism as the weather goes south, the lower occupancy in November is no surprise. The comparison is confusing.

For the hotel comparisons, how many home Browns games were there last year vs. this year for the month studied?

I don't see a dip in apartment vacancy as an issue. We had over 500 units in just a few months, but nothing is coming online for almost an entire year (fall 2014). These will all fill up and the new units will be very much needed by then. Hotel occupancy may be an issue, but with more units coming online and more range, there could be more conventions and leisure travelers staying at their preferred brands.

^ I would second this.  Unless you were loyal to Marriott there were not many options in downtown Cleveland.  By the time all the new hotels come online there will be three new Starwood properties, and a new Hilton.  I would still prefer more diversification but this is a good start.

^That's not development news. Its a Fitzgerald campaign ad. (If he wants to win, his ads have to be a little less subtle.)

^That's not development news. Its a Fitzgerald campaign ad. (If he wants to win, his ads have to be a little less subtle.)

 

The bright sunny day and shirtsleeves weather, with the "2014" caption makes that clear.

Three Northeast Ohio groups make requests for more state cash

 

Cuyahoga County asks for $20.4 million from capital budget, including $7 million to go toward proposed pedestrian walkway

 

Three groups chosen by Gov. John Kasich have put together a $39.6 million wish list for Northeast Ohio now that the governor is re-opening the capital budget to projects around the state.

 

Capital budget requests

 

A look at the local projects and the amounts requested from the state:

 

Cleveland Lakefront Access: $7,000,000

 

Flats East Gateway and Riverfront: $6,000,000

 

Akron Global Business Accelerator: $3,700,000

 

New Economy Neighborhood Fairfax Renaissance: $3,000,000

 

Cascade Plaza Renovation: $2,500,000

 

Austen BioInnovation Institute, Advanced Prototyping and Preparedness Structure: $1,500,000

 

Cleveland Museum of Art: $1,060,522

 

Karamu House renovation: $1,060,522

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame theater renovation: $1,060,522

 

Severance Hall Reinberger Auditorium renovation: $1,060,522

 

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens restoration: $1,060,522

 

Akron Mayflower Manor Redevelopment Area: $1,000,000

 

Central Neighborhood Care Alliance Health Center: $1,000,000

 

Gordon Square Arts District: $1,000,000

 

Euclid Waterfront improvements: $1,000,000

 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140223/SUB1/302239986

^anybody know what "Flats East Gateway" is all about?

^new bulkheads?  One can hope...

^anybody know what "Flats East Gateway" is all about?

 

Answer posted at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1823.msg697946.html#msg697946

http://www.downtowncleveland.com/stepupdowntown

 

Step Up Downtown

 

Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s (DCA) Downtown Vision and Tactical Plan, Step Up Downtown, will create a holistic vision for linking and enhancing Downtown development districts, public spaces and assets.

 

The final 5-year plan, to be unveiled in June 2014, will set priorities for creating a fully connected and continuous urban fabric.

 

DCA invites you, as part of the downtown community, to participate in this critically important process.

 

Here’s what you can do:

 

Attend DCA's public meeting. Contribute ideas and feedback on how to prioritize future downtown improvements. Tuesday, March 18th from 5:30 – 7:30pm at Old Stone Church. For more information and to RSVP, click here. Registration is requested.

 

Guide the future of Downtown Cleveland by taking this brief survey.  Downtown stakeholders’ responses are critical for the final plan, click here.

 

Spread the word on social media. Step Up @DowntownCLE: Influence Downtown’s future today: {http://bit.ly/stepupdowntown}

This poor guy has been flying blind for months and using trial and error in trying to figure out how the city approvals process works. So his project is on the NW corner of Pearl and Bucyrus, across Pearl from the huge Our Lady of Good Counsel Church...

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/pdf/NW_Agenda_3-12-14.pdf

 

Near West Design Review District

 

Agenda

(8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 12th, 2014)

Dollar Bank, 3115 West 25th Street

 

NW 2014-002: Façade Renovation/Multi-Family Residential Conversion

©

4414-4420 Pearl Road

Project Representatives – Brian Bodach, Owner; Doug Shaulis,

Architect, Richard L. Bowen Associates

Revised submittal of plans for a façade renovation to a commercial building that is

to be converted to a three-suite residential dwelling. Revised design incorporates

new window, doorway and lighting details.

 

 

Didn't know where else to put this so here goes:

 

What are those red and white towers that have gone up over the past week on S Marginal?  Electrical lines?

 

 

^SkyLift :-D

I noticed on my way home that the old garage between the Calfee garage and the building on 9th that houses CVS is going to be auctioned.

Does this mean anything significant? That garage has got to be the most hideous structure I've ever seen and besides that it's literally crumbling. I can see the roof from my office and it's pretty rough looking

Probably nothing significant. IIRC Rick Osborne owns the garage. He's under tremendous pressure from a variety of banks due to his oil and gas holdings that have underperformed.My guess is that they're probably liquidating (maybe at bank request, judging by the petulant tone of the announcement) to pay down debt.

 

I used to work in the Rockwell CVS building, and parked in that garage. It was crumbling in the early 2000's. I can't imagine 14 years have improved its condition.

Probably nothing significant. IIRC Rick Osborne owns the garage. He's under tremendous pressure from a variety of banks due to his oil and gas holdings that have underperformed.My guess is that they're probably liquidating (maybe at bank request, judging by the petulant tone of the announcement) to pay down debt.

 

I used to work in the Rockwell CVS building, and parked in that garage. It was crumbling in the early 2000's. I can't imagine 14 years have improved its condition.

 

It does say "Lender" and "request" is not the word used. 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2014/04102014/index.php

 

Cleveland Landmarks Commission

AGENDA - April 10, 2014

 

Cleveland Public Library

Eastman Reading Garden

323 Superior Avenue

Public art installation: Drawing Lines

 

 

 

 

^I'm not a big fan of this one (might change my mind when I see it in person) but I do like that the library has been doing these art installations in the garden.

AT&T, eager to compete with Google Fiber, is considering rolling out its fiber network with 1 gigabit internet in 21 major metro areas, including Cleveland. Google is targeting a number of cities, but is currently not looking at Ohio.

 

No guarantees of investment, but would be good to see local government encouraging this.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/21/5636588/att-gigapower-gigabit-internet-service-exploring-100-cities-municipalities

 

AT&T, eager to compete with Google Fiber, is considering rolling out its fiber network with 1 gigabit internet in 21 major metro areas, including Cleveland. Google is targeting a number of cities, but is currently not looking at Ohio.

 

No guarantees of investment, but would be good to see local government encouraging this.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/21/5636588/att-gigapower-gigabit-internet-service-exploring-100-cities-municipalities

 

Awesome, if it gets done we will be the only American Great Lakes city to have this besides Chicago.