^I fully agree. We need more office space in UC--and modern space at that. I'm okay with this piece of land being used for office instead of the shorter, curved residential building shown in earlier plans. However, this office bldg will only be 7 floors of offices--atop 6 floors of parking.  7 floors isn't that much.  I'd love to see a full 24-story bldg or so (the height of the first residential bldg)--even if it is 16 office floors atop 8 floors of parking.  We don't need one floor of parking for every floor of offices.  The 16 stories will easily fill up.

Better to have the parking in a giant garage under an office building than spread out in surface lots. From the size of the garage, I'm guessing its going to be serving the residential buildings and retail visitors too. Regarding the glass in the renders - I hope these buildings are all glass. All the fawning over Lumen finally bringing glass into the city, and how important it is for Cleveland to get away from beige... and now suddenly we don't want glass towers?

This is a case where I wanna have my cake and eat it too - missing the curvature of the original 10 story plan - liking the 30% increase in height - but given this address I would love to have both - maybe it will still get a final design change.  As far as “too
much glass?”  Naw.  Bring it on !

Edited August 2, 20204 yr by CleveFan

1 hour ago, CleveFan said:

This is a case where I wanna have my cake and eat it too - missing the curvature of the original 10 story plan - liking the 30% increase in height - but given this address I would love to have both - maybe it will still get a final design change.  As far as “too
much glass?”  Naw.  Bring it on !

There is actually some curvature at the bottom in the rendering. From ground level, I bet the effect will be fairly pronounced.

5 hours ago, PoshSteve said:

Better to have the parking in a giant garage under an office building than spread out in surface lots. From the size of the garage, I'm guessing its going to be serving the residential buildings and retail visitors too. Regarding the glass in the renders - I hope these buildings are all glass. All the fawning over Lumen finally bringing glass into the city, and how important it is for Cleveland to get away from beige... and now suddenly we don't want glass towers?

"Finally bringing glass into the city"?  Like the Clinic or Erieview aren't full of glass boxes?  It's fine, but it gets pretty bland pretty quick.

Channel 5 Story https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/whats-going-on-with/circle-square-looking-for-tenants-in-13-story-office-building-planned-for-university-circle

On 8/1/2020 at 1:17 PM, Htsguy said:

I may be wrong but I believe this is the first indication of bringing an office component to this project (which could make a lot of sense)...but here is a thought...instead of continuing to yak and yak about the development how about they finally stick a shovel in the ground and at least start Phase 1.  First we heard about this was way back in 2015 and now they are "suggesting" a 2021 start date.  If this was a Stark Enterprise project we would be marching in the streets and burning Ezra in effigy. 

 

 

Yes, source says "Spring 2021" for the project start including Library Lofts, 10600 Chester and possibly the office building.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, simplythis said:

Channel 5 Story https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/whats-going-on-with/circle-square-looking-for-tenants-in-13-story-office-building-planned-for-university-circle

 

See the previous page ? 

Project is on tomorrow's Planning Commission agenda for master plan schematic approval.  Agenda notes it has already received conceptual approval.

1 hour ago, Htsguy said:

Project is on tomorrow's Planning Commission agenda for master plan schematic approval.  Agenda notes it has already received conceptual approval.

 

I'm trying to get confirmation about some potential good news about this project.

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

University Circle towers' financing secured, spring start eyed

 

Seeing the $300 million Circle Square development back on Cleveland's City Planning Commission's docket again is great news for University Circle and the region. At the start of summer, it was uncertain whether the massive project would see the light of day again, or at least in so ambitious a scale.

 

March 6, 2020 was last time the downtown-scale Circle Square development was on Planning Commission's agenda. A few things have changed since then, and we're not just talking about the weather.

 

The pandemic swept the globe and smacked the financial markets with an uncertainty not seen in a century. Given that, financiers asked if it wise to pursue a project as significant as Circle Square that featured an 11-story apartment building and a 24-story residential tower as the first phase.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2020/09/university-circle-towers-financing.html

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by KJP

Hopefully this project also provides the critical mass and the will to address the nearby public spaces. For too long they’ve been unkept, overgrown and shabby looking - and doing nothing to convey a safe and inviting environment. 

It's nice to see new development in that area, but it looks like they are jamming a lot of buildings into that space.

I updated the article with graphics that will be in this morning's Planning Commission meeting including a break-down of uses in the masterplan. I'll post more in a few minutes.

Wow...despite the fact this project has taken so long to get off the ground, this is the first time I ever heard there were possible financing issues.  I always attributed the long development process to so many parties being involved, its large scope and the location.  So happy this was worked out as this is such a transformative project and will do a lot to connect the Clinic with the rest of UC.

1 hour ago, OldEnough said:

Hopefully this project also provides the critical mass and the will to address the nearby public spaces. For too long they’ve been unkept, overgrown and shabby looking - and doing nothing to convey a safe and inviting environment. 

Seems my post has confused some.  Take a drive by and have a look at the public spaces near Euclid and MLK.  I know there's construction going on now but these spaces have always been quite rough around the edges.  Same with the wide median along MLK between Case and One University Circle and the arts high school.  Seems no one owns making these spaces inviting.  

 

Was the parking lot on the north side of Chester avenue opposite the old police station at one time apart of this project as well? I seem to remember seeing renderings from the original proposal that included it, but may be wrong.

 

Also, I really enjoy the density that this project is creating. I think the size and use of space is nice and will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I wish the clinic had more of this approach to their building design.

14 minutes ago, OldEnough said:

Seems my post has confused some.  Take a drive by and have a look at the public spaces near Euclid and MLK.  I know there's construction going on now but these spaces have always been quite rough around the edges.  Same with the wide median along MLK between Case and One University Circle and the arts high school.  Seems no one owns making these spaces inviting.  

 

I agree that the David E. Davis sculpture park between CSA and CWRU needs some up-keeping. Right now NEORSD has a project there, as well as opposite the CMA's lagoon. The other public space opposite the current library I am pretty sure is a part of the 2nd phase of this project, which would include the class A office tower. 

I like that they are keeping Reserve Ct. I wish that it punched through to Chester, next to the planned office building. Also it wouldn't hurt for there to be a north/south street eventually to break up that huge block. 

 

edit: also like the park in between Fenway Manor and the new library lofts, replacing the parking lot. I think that's new, at least I hadn't seen it before 

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by viscomi

27 minutes ago, OldEnough said:

Seems my post has confused some.  Take a drive by and have a look at the public spaces near Euclid and MLK.  I know there's construction going on now but these spaces have always been quite rough around the edges.  Same with the wide median along MLK between Case and One University Circle and the arts high school.  Seems no one owns making these spaces inviting.  

 

I see where your coming from. Parks take a huge amount of resources/time/drive to maintain. Additional development and density in this area will hopefully justify their existence and thus the drive and $$ to keep them looking nice.

Here's the graphics. Discussion under way now. You can watch it again starting about 2 hours in to the commission meeting at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qAzUSZhGFY&ab_channel=CityPlanningCommission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by KJP

Overall this looks great. To be clear, they’re proposing to build  The library and 10600 Chester first with the east block second? 

I hate to sound dramatic, but of all the development projects we discuss on the forum including "those actually under construction", "those that will 99% break ground in the next 12 months", "those that have been proposed but still have a number of hurdles (usually financing)" and "those which @KJP evilly tortures us with hints but won't reveal", in my mind Circle Square is one of three developments projects which truly show that Cleveland is moving forward to the next level.  The other two are the SHW project and Irishtown Bend Park in conjunction with Canal Basin Park.

 

If all phases are completed it will create a true second downtown for Cleveland (I know we always say UC is that but really it is not yet there like say Midtown is in Atlanta), connect the prime sections of UC with the Clinic and will probably spawn much more development on various adjacent parcels which will increase the immediate density and hopeful spread down 105 in both directions.

 

My biggest fear with Circle Square is that the last phase will face hurdles that may leave the early phases isolated and will destroy the great pedestrian concept envisioned for E. 107th.  I am hopeful because the development team seemed very positive at Planning Commission.  Especially liked Paul Volpe's presentation.

 

By the way I wanted to include a fourth project on my list of transformative developments, that being the lakefront.  However after more than 30 years as a jilted lover, with promise after promise fading away for one reason or another, I decided just to focus more of my time on this really interesting e mail I just received from somewhere in Nigeria.  The woman claims to be African royalty and needs some money for a plane ticket so we can meet.  I am going for it.

 

18 minutes ago, LlamaLawyer said:

Overall this looks great. To be clear, they’re proposing to build  The library and 10600 Chester first with the east block second? 

I think that is correct along with the main public garage in the middle of the block.  I am not sure but second phase may be where the current MLK library is and then the next "iffy" phase would be on the east side of 107.  What is also great in the first phase are tons of infrastructure enhancements and modifications.

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by Htsguy

I love the vision for the site. Re-working the street grid for pedestrian and other access is a great idea. My only complaint is that the parking is far too visible. The dominant pedestrian view walking around the block will be garages on levels 2 through X. If it were tucked behind apartments fronting the street or something it would be perfect. But the master plan and the apartment projects already got schematic approval so there's no hope of that happening.

25 minutes ago, LlamaLawyer said:

Overall this looks great. To be clear, they’re proposing to build  The library and 10600 Chester first with the east block second? 

 

Library Lofts, 10600 Chester and the public parking garage will be built simultaneously. However, I'm told that the groundbreaking for Library Lofts will be first because they city wants to promote the new MLK Branch. But the groundbreaking for 10600 Chester + public garage will follow VERY soon thereafter, perhaps just one day later.

Can't say I have any complaints over the plans, and am glad to see this still moving forward, financing in place. (Yet another big project to be announced after Nucleus, and looks likely to start construction before Nucleus... ). I love the retail lining Stokes. If all goes through, this could be another main street for UC in addition to Euclid in Uptown. The park/plaza space between the proposed library tower and Fenway Manor is a great change too, as one of my complaints previously was about the parking lot they originally showed in the space.

This all looks very "Arlington, VA" to me. 'Contemporary, dense, and visually arresting in a way that differentiates itself from stylistically classical DC, just across the river.  I think Clevelanders will take in this new look for University Circle, and internalize it in ways that will help them more fully perceive the genuine importance of this area.   - Circle Square in combo with One University Circle will be transformative.
 

 

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by ExPatClevGuy
Grammar

Were there two design options presented for comments for the office component? Is so, I'd prefer A over B. The breaks in the sleek glass feels more appealing and seems to connect the 10600 tower with Library Lofts well.

59 minutes ago, scg80 said:

Were there two design options presented for comments for the office component? Is so, I'd prefer A over B. The breaks in the sleek glass feels more appealing and seems to connect the 10600 tower with Library Lofts well.

The office component is basically conceptual at this time.  The developer was not seeking any approvals today relating to a specific building design.  They were only seeking schematic approval for the master plan and the office building in its conceptual form was presented as part of the schematic approval of the overall plan.  The 10600 tower is farther along and part of Phase One and what you see is probably what it will look like although both it and Library Loft have to still seek final approval.

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by Htsguy

One disappointing note at the Planning Commission today was when somebody mentioned in passing that the Library plaza on Euclid is still not funded.  I was surprised by that as I thought the $$ for it would have been part of the actual library building budget since it is such an important part of the design.

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by Htsguy

I don't want to sound ungrateful, because the changes to the eastern terminus of Chester are obviously awesome, but I wish it could go the full 9 yards and just kill Stokes as a traffic sewer.  Make it one travel lane in each direction with curb lanes for parking/loading.  Even with wide sidewalks, that streetscape is going to be garbage if it's totally unbuffered from cars racing 40mph on their way to Cedar Hill.  And Chester still seems egregiously wide in those plans.  There is just absurd amounts of route redundancy in this area now with the the widened 105th St and the other E-W avenues. We don't need to keep relying on Chester to be what it was 30 years ago. 

 

ADDENDUM: looking at traffic counts on the NOACA GIS portal, there were only 5424 cars passing down this block of Stokes in a 24 hours period in 2016.  As of 2019, fewer than 5000 cars were using the block of Chester just west of 105th (in both directions) during peak PM hours (3pm-7pm).  There just isn't that much traffic relying on Chester anymore. It could easily be redistributed if the city were serious about making this block of Stokes a pleasant place for pedestrians. 

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by StapHanger

I think proposed development is very Houston med center-esque, but an improved version because it incorporates the residential aspect in addition to the existing jobs already present in University Circle. Whereas the Houston med center lacks residential options. 

- "Google Earth, Why you so late!?" 
No up to date images yet of One University Circle.

1 hour ago, StapHanger said:

I don't want to sound ungrateful, because the changes to the eastern terminus of Chester are obviously awesome, but I wish it could go the full 9 yards and just kill Stokes as a traffic sewer.  Make it one travel lane in each direction with curb lanes for parking/loading.  Even with wide sidewalks, that streetscape is going to be garbage if it's totally unbuffered from cars racing 40mph on their way to Cedar Hill.  And Chester still seems egregiously wide in those plans.  There is just absurd amounts of route redundancy in this area now with the the widened 105th St and the other E-W avenues. We don't need to keep relying on Chester to be what it was 30 years ago. 

 

ADDENDUM: looking at traffic counts on the NOACA GIS portal, there were only 5424 cars passing down this block of Stokes in a 24 hours period in 2016.  As of 2019, fewer than 5000 cars were using the block of Chester just west of 105th (in both directions) during peak PM hours (3pm-7pm).  There just isn't that much traffic relying on Chester anymore. It could easily be redistributed if the city were serious about making this block of Stokes a pleasant place for pedestrians. 

That would be fine by me, as long as they configured the traffic lights to prevent continuous red lights. Traffic coming from north of Chester, between downtown and UC to the Heights relies on this passageway. Having ill times lights will cause a lot of resentment amongst these travelers. Plus, I'm assuming a new light will be needed where Reserve Court crosses Stoke? Also, would the two-way traffic continue past John Hay and all the way up the hill to Fairhill? This seems logical as then Heights traffic coming down the hill can choose between MLK to UC or Stokes towards Clinic/Downtown.

Edited September 4, 20204 yr by scg80

On 9/4/2020 at 4:26 PM, scg80 said:

That would be fine by me, as long as they configured the traffic lights to prevent continuous red lights. Traffic coming from north of Chester, between downtown and UC to the Heights relies on this passageway. Having ill times lights will cause a lot of resentment amongst these travelers. Plus, I'm assuming a new light will be needed where Reserve Court crosses Stoke? Also, would the two-way traffic continue past John Hay and all the way up the hill to Fairhill? This seems logical as then Heights traffic coming down the hill can choose between MLK to UC or Stokes towards Clinic/Downtown.

 

Carnegie >> Chester IMO, even for getting to the northern half of downtown

 

Also, will the Opportunity Corridor alleviate some of this traffic on Chester?

Edited September 6, 20204 yr by jam40jeff

 

^Yes, exactly.  I get that lot's of traffic is in the habit of using that block of Stokes (have done it many times myself), and it's super convenient, but I don't think most of it really relies on it.  Lots of drivers from north of Chester could pretty easily take a right on 105th, which we just spent a boatload to widen, and then take their pick of three left turn lane options to reach the southern blocks of Stokes or Cedar Hill.  I don't think we should gratuitously inconvenience drivers, but we shouldn't be afraid to use the enormous capacity of the street grid we've build here here to free one lousy block to be focused above all else on pedestrians and local traffic. 

1 hour ago, ExPatClevGuy said:

- "Google Earth, Why you so late!?" 
No up to date images yet of One University Circle.

 

Bing's aerial footage has One University Circle. It's actually too low to the ground to see wade lagoon very easily in the same shot without a little bit of panning:

 

https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=66eb1774-2ac2-4ecc-8c3d-88bf8aa72f0d&cp=41.504136~-81.611292&lvl=20&dir=180&style=g&imgid=1151feb8-c6d9-4c57-9d0e-8f6b9bdeac46&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027

These renderings are quite impressive. With Circle Square finally becoming a reality just imagine the spinoff development possibilities in University Circle ...

 

And, dare I say in nearby Glenville and in the extreme western portions of neighboring East Cleveland. 

 

Who knows just what a positive catalyst this can be for areas that time hasn't been particularly kind to. I believe in the coming years the progress we are seeing in UC will continue to push eastward into East Cleveland.

 

 

 

It’s looking like another big Cleveland win! University Circle already has a world class  cosmopolitan feel to it and the Circle Square project will add substantially to that dynamic. The comparison to Arlington Va is an ambitious one but relatable. And I think the area will continue to grow impressively in the years ahead due to the unique setting it offers for both residential and office development. A burgeoning “second downtown” can only benefit the downtown core and hopefully, be a catalyst to the corridor in between. I just hope the city and the planning commission will do everything possible to move great projects, like this, forward with a greater sense of urgency. 

Edited September 5, 20204 yr by CleveFan

10 hours ago, John D. Baumgardner said:

These renderings are quite impressive. With Circle Square finally becoming a reality just imagine the spinoff development possibilities in University Circle ...

 

And, dare I say in nearby Glenville and in the extreme western portions of neighboring East Cleveland. 

 

Who knows just what a positive catalyst this can be for areas that time hasn't been particularly kind to. I believe in the coming years the progress we are seeing in UC will continue to push eastward into East Cleveland.

 

 

 

I think it’s more likely to engulf Glenville and Hough and Fairfax than stretch into East Cleveland in a meaningful way, because of the incompetence of the East Cleveland government. EC should’ve merged with the city a long long time ago. The business community doesn’t trust the EC government. And why would they? But I digress

Did it get approval at the Planning Commission meeting?

 

1 hour ago, inlovewithCLE said:

I think it’s more likely to engulf Glenville and Hough and Fairfax than stretch into East Cleveland in a meaningful way, because of the incompetence of the East Cleveland government. EC should’ve merged with the city a long long time ago. The business community doesn’t trust the EC government. And why would they? But I digress

Agreed - Glenville and Hough are already seeing spin off development from UC, and Fairfax seems soon to follow with what is planned around E105 and the southern border of the Clinic. With EC seeing zero spin off after all these years of having Uptown literally on its doorstep, I don't think this project is going to do anything for them. Too many other problems there. This should be good in continuing the momentum on the west side of UC though.

3 minutes ago, Pugu said:

Did it get approval at the Planning Commission meeting?

 

schematic approval

 

To foster connectivity somebody has to come up with a creative way to encourage pedestrian flow across East 105th.  They have basically turned it into a mini super highway.  It needs to be bridged and I don't mean with bridges.  Something out of the box although I don't know what that may be.

Edited September 5, 20204 yr by Htsguy

Like a subway? It's a little too late now.  I don't know if the subway that was approved in the 50s would have gone to UC. But it probably could have been extended if not. The "dual hub" subway proposal would have gone to UC, but that was just a pipe dream.

 

Edited September 5, 20204 yr by skiwest

2 hours ago, Htsguy said:

To foster connectivity somebody has to come up with a creative way to encourage pedestrian flow across East 105th.  They have basically turned it into a mini super highway.  It needs to be bridged and I don't mean with bridges.  Something out of the box although I don't know what that may be.

 

How many lanes is it now or how many feet wide is it?

5 hours ago, Htsguy said:

schematic approval

 

If I understood the Chairwoman correctly, schematic approval will allow Midwest to begin $7.5 million of infrastructure changes, like realigning streets, utilities, etc, applicable to the entire development..

As someone who wasn’t a fan of the big glass apartment building at Chester originally specifically the garage I love the more detailed renderings particularly of the garage facade, much better as well as the two tones of glass. Also looks a lot nicer blended into all phases of buildings than sitting there all by itself.

good points about the low traffic and being decades past the high traffic suburban commuter days. the world has definitely turned a few times since then — i wish they would have been more creative and taken out some of the roadway with this. also pushed the way too prominent parking more back into the middle of the development. some of this frontage is what makes places look empty and sterile. you dont want an office park with a garage face and cars wizzing by look if you can avoid it.

 

otherwise, this is a superb and doable plan. if built, its pretty much a lock as anything can be to be successful. maybe dual hub will make a comeback someday!

On 9/4/2020 at 8:31 AM, OldEnough said:

Hopefully this project also provides the critical mass and the will to address the nearby public spaces. For too long they’ve been unkept, overgrown and shabby looking - and doing nothing to convey a safe and inviting environment. 

 

The CMA's landscaping master-plan includes the small triangular park, presently the site of the Doan Brook storage tunnel project, directly across from the top of the Holden Terrace. It is my impression that developing the space further was dependent on the larger Doan Brook project, which is underway.

 

https://www.clevelandart.org/sites/default/files/documents/other/CMA_Landscape_Master_Plan_web.pdf

 

What really needs to be addressed is the grassy "park" between MLK and Stearns and Euclid and Carnegie. Presently a wasted opportunity, as is the street level parking on the MLK side which effectively places the pedestrian on a 3' sidewalk between a berm of scrubby grass and cars traveling close to 40 mph.