I haven't seen it in person, but it's unfortunate that it sounds like it's cold feeling. The now okd building is quite a nice design with the red brick, archways and open floor plan. Hopefully some more life will be brought to the new space.

Plus,  that open ceiling is unlike anything I've ever seen in a library.  Just from the photo alone it doesn't seem like it would provide any sound damping. 

What happened to the centerpiece design? That being missing makes the library feel empty, it looks like it was designed around it but it wasn't included. Also it looks like the final wood is different from the initial materials. 

Needs more books, like 10 times more books, in wooden bookcases. Libraries shouldn't feel sterile. 

1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said:

What happened to the centerpiece design? That being missing makes the library feel empty, it looks like it was designed around it but it wasn't included. Also it looks like the final wood is different from the initial materials. 

 

Looks like that was a different design proposal that lost. Too bad because it was probably the nicest of the three.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-public-library-reveals-three-possible-designs-for-university-circles-new-mlk-library-branch-18335068

Edited January 29Jan 29 by sonisharri

11 hours ago, sonisharri said:

 

Looks like that was a different design proposal that lost. Too bad because it was probably the nicest of the three.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-public-library-reveals-three-possible-designs-for-university-circles-new-mlk-library-branch-18335068

I thought the same thing! This was a differing approach that evolved over time.  I reserve judgment to see how this library grows and ages. Right now it appears sterile.  The large one area in the center of the library looks like a great opportunity to roller skate!

Edited January 30Jan 30 by dave2017

15 hours ago, sonisharri said:

 

Looks like that was a different design proposal that lost. Too bad because it was probably the nicest of the three.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-public-library-reveals-three-possible-designs-for-university-circles-new-mlk-library-branch-18335068

Looking at the options it looks like the center piece design won but they scaled back the design to save cost. Reminds me of the Guardians during their first renovation of the upper right field deck and how it looked solid but then we ended up with the shipping containers. 

Edited January 30Jan 30 by MyPhoneDead

39 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Looking at the options it looks like the center piece design won but they scaled back the design to save cost. Reminds me of the Guardians during their first renovation of the upper right field deck and how it looked solid but then we ended up with the shipping containers. 

 

According to the Plain Dealer, SO + IL + Kurtz won, but I think they altered the final design.

https://www.cleveland.com/architecture/2018/06/so-il_kurtz_wins_competition_t.html

14 minutes ago, sonisharri said:

 

According to the Plain Dealer, SO + IL + Kurtz won, but I think they altered the final design.

https://www.cleveland.com/architecture/2018/06/so-il_kurtz_wins_competition_t.html

Its hilarious because the final design looks NOTHING like the rendering (from what I see) and looks more similar to the Bialosky & Vines design with the interior just the Great Value version.

8 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Looking at the options it looks like the center piece design won but they scaled back the design to save cost. Reminds me of the Guardians during their first renovation of the upper right field deck and how it looked solid but then we ended up with the shipping containers. 

 

9 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Looking at the options it looks like the center piece design won but they scaled back the design to save cost. Reminds me of the Guardians during their first renovation of the upper right field deck and how it looked solid but then we ended up with the shipping containers. 

at least the project made it to the finish line while others never made it out of the gate during the COVID era of cost-cutting or value-engineering in Geis speak.  

15 hours ago, Willo said:

 

at least the project made it to the finish line while others never made it out of the gate during the COVID era of cost-cutting or value-engineering in Geis speak.  

Like I said, it's an improvement for sure but they definitely value engineered the final interior design. Two things can be true at once in this situation. 

Does anyone know when the original MLK Jr Branch Library will be demolished?

 

University Circle tower goes back to drawing board
By Ken Prendergast / February 7, 2025

 

Design review of East Stokes, what would be University Circle’s tallest building, was moving along at a rapid clip last fall. Things were moving so quickly that the development team, led by PCP Voyager, anticipated that if City Planning Commission could approve the final plans by Thanksgiving, a spring groundbreaking of 24-story apartment tower might be possible.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/02/07/university-circle-tower-goes-back-to-drawing-board/

@KJP  while this fact does not take away the disappointing meat of your article, the developers actually were before PC in October of 2024 for schematic approval (October 18, 2024) and indeed won that approval.  So actually it has been crickets since October, not September when conceptual was granted.  That said they have still not been before PC for final approval and now we know why.  Hopefully the value engineering does not take too much away.

Thanks. Fixed.

@KJP -- What is the timeline for complete closing of the old library building (and what is your estimate for when demolition begins)?

Thanks @KJP for the update. If this was the "bummer" news alluded to, this is tame by 2025 standards lol. While "value-engineering" doesn't have a good track record as of late, given the accomplishments of the developers so far with Circle Square I'm gonna hold out hope that this is a lil hiccup

I am disappointed mostly because I *really* liked the original design. Hopefully they can have something pretty similar as the final product.

I am hoping for the best. They seem to know what they’re doing even if they proceed cautiously. Actually probably a good thing that they do. The only time to start worrying is if we see somebody from Geis sniffing around the site.🙃

Well this would have been pretty cool LOL.....

It was bad weather for a picture, but I really like the night vibe. Also, note the CCF Cole Eye expansion.

On 2/7/2025 at 6:16 PM, KJP said:

 

University Circle tower goes back to drawing board
By Ken Prendergast / February 7, 2025

 

Design review of East Stokes, what would be University Circle’s tallest building, was moving along at a rapid clip last fall. Things were moving so quickly that the development team, led by PCP Voyager, anticipated that if City Planning Commission could approve the final plans by Thanksgiving, a spring groundbreaking of 24-story apartment tower might be possible.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/02/07/university-circle-tower-goes-back-to-drawing-board/

Well, it's been three months since this news and nothing on the planning commission agenda. Any updates by chance?

This is a development that i really hope doesnt start falling through the cracks, Theyve already churned up the greenspace for staging where this is supposed to stand, correct?

If unexpected cost issues were a thing back then I can only imagine the numbers today. Not completing circle square is so quintessential Cleveland, where we always fall short and the rest of us gotta reminisce about "what could have been". I beg the city to do everything it can to make this thing happen.

Positive vibes, positives vibes.. woo-sah woo-sah

Edited May 10May 10 by FutureboyWonder

51 minutes ago, FutureboyWonder said:

This is a development that i really hope doesnt start falling through the cracks, Theyve already churned up the greenspace for staging where this is supposed to stand, correct?

If unexpected cost issues were a thing back then I can only imagine the numbers today. Not completing circle square is so quintessential Cleveland, where we always fall short and the rest of us gotta reminisce about "what could have been". I beg the city to do everything it can to make this thing happen.

Positive vibes, positives vibes.. woo-sah woo-sah

Nothing about this is "quintessential Cleveland." Stalled, delayed and cancelled development deals happen everywhere. All the time.

On 5/10/2025 at 12:16 PM, Mov2Ohio said:

Nothing about this is "quintessential Cleveland." Stalled, delayed and cancelled development deals happen everywhere. All the time.

Fair enough I guess since my attention is so centered on NEO it feels disproportionate towards the city.

Seeing many studies and masterplans that go nowhere or cut down projects that failed to live up to expectations it's easy for me to feel like everywhere else is somehow doing it better.

Appreciate the perspective check

I don't have any insider info, but I would see no real reason to worry about the project at this point. There have been lots of supply chain and economic disruptions over the past few months and it's fair to expect the developer needs a bit of time to get ducks in order again. Their track record so far has been good. The Cleveland rental market is still very hot. I suspect if we just give it time there will be more news in the next few months and then eventually (probably not as soon as anyone wants, but eventually) there will be shovels in the ground again.

On 2/8/2025 at 12:51 PM, Foraker said:

@KJP -- What is the timeline for complete closing of the old library building (and what is your estimate for when demolition begins)?

Bump -- @KJP -- any news?

2 hours ago, Foraker said:

Bump -- @KJP -- any news?

They said they have no news to report. No filings have been submitted for the demo of the old MLK Library either.