Making the metro move

Newly constructed condos in Flats, Warehouse District attracting diverse buyers

By STAN BULLARD

6:00 am, April 3, 2006

 

When Scott and Melissa Arkills moved to Cleveland from Chicago last August, they toyed with buying a single-family house in Avon.  Instead, they bought a 2,400-square-foot penthouse unit at Stonebridge Condominium in the Flats near downtown Cleveland.

 

“We like the metropolitan feel,” said Mr. Arkills, 45. “I’ve also owned five houses before as I’ve been relocated for different jobs. I’ve done the yard work thing. For my wife and my lifestyle, we like the access to downtown. We’ve been really pleased with the quality of the restaurants downtown, and that’s coming from Chicago.”

 

The husband-and-wife duo are among the first samplers of the Flats’ newest residential offering: newly constructed condominium buildings at Stonebridge Condominium and, eastward across the Cuyahoga River downtown, at the Pinnacle Building in the Warehouse District.

 

More at http://www.crainscleveland.com/

great read. its pretty exciting too. i know crains is for business but i wish the peedee would use a more positive take like that more often.

 

i'd just add that the last part unscores the need for developers to remember to diversify new housing. get some retirees & families in there too -- thats a real neighborhood. lots of dogs and some kids? it's getting there.

 

But, downtown condominium life also has its minuses. Stonebridge is close to the Lake View Estates public housing project and St. Malachis outreach to the homeless, but Mr. Arkills said he has not seen any problems.

 

as a Stonebridge resident,this really pisses me me off. St Malachi's is a good neighbor. They do good for work this community and should have the support from the neighborhood to continue to. I am ashamed that people might think that the people living in Stonebridge are so self centered as to see a homeless out reach center as a "minus". I hope this was the authors' commentary. For *&^% sakes this is the city, not some homogenized exurb.

peabody, I actually see why the author would make mention of St. Malachi's. Not everyone can say that they haven't experienced some issues because of a nearby homeless outreach center - I have a few friends in Tremont who have had problems with the homeless from a local center. Their complaints have nothing to do with wanting to live in whitebread ex-urbia, they just don't want someone passed out on their front porch or driveway, or pissing in their flowerbeds, or knocking on their door for a handout. No one singled out Stonebridge residents as anti-St. Malachi's, I think it's just realistic that some people could be hesistant to live next door to it. I can't say that I'd want to live next to a Lake View Estates, but that's a whole other story.

 

I think it's great that the author brings it up because let's face it, some potential residents could be leery (justified or not). But what's really great is that the author goes on to point out that there haven't been problems and they get a quote from a resident to illustrate the point. Had the Plain Dealer done the story, I'm sure you would have seen a much more negative slant. I see where you're coming from, but I think this is a good example of the media being fair (by at least mentioning the realities) but positive (by citing a resident and quoting their experience).

I know, I know I get you point. I hate to see St Malachi's described as a minus though, given all it does. While I have had some negative experiences with a select few people associated with the outreach center, the majority are just there for services and move on. There are a few "bad apples" that create 95% of the problems-and I suspect they get rearrested on a regular basis as they disappear and reappear every several months.  Yes it is true people will panhandle at your own door (entrance to condo), but it is always the same couple of people, not the hundred or so, maybe more, that utilize the supports daily. And I totally agree with your friend that it is unacceptable to be panhandled in your own space like that. I guess I am sensitive b/c I heard someone higher up associated with this project was griping about the outreach center and how it was hard to market condos with it being there (I think I read it in Flats Oxbow newsletter over a year ago) . If you are living in the flats, at this point you are a pioneer and you have to accept the area for what it is now. If anything a lot of the crime comes from the highly concentrated area of poverty in riverview estates (the tower is actually elderly , disabled).-but the little brick apartments.  the people living there are actually victimizing the homeless up the hill. As mentioned on this board, the near west side development corp  among others is advocating for better mixing of market rate and lower income housing  so the poverty is not so concentrated. like I said the tower is fine, I vote there, but those apartments down the hill...yikes.

hmm well the Malachi Mart behind Spaces is great for a cheap lunch.  i would say the homeless problem has significantly gone down in that area just over that past 5 years.  We dont get too many people at the gallery coming in asking for money or using the bathroom to clean themselves anymore.  also, i've never been asked for money on the viaduct and have never seen it happen to anyone else.  as far as im concerned its just as likely to be asked for money downtown as it is on the viaduct. 

 

anyway i think its great to actually hear about the people who buy these units, people who moved from elsewhere especially. 

 

 

I know, I know I get you point. I hate to see St Malachi's described as a minus though, given all it does. While I have had some negative experiences with a select few people associated with the outreach center, the majority are just there for services and move on. There are a few "bad apples" that create 95% of the problems-and I suspect they get rearrested on a regular basis as they disappear and reappear every several months.  Yes it is true people will panhandle at your own door (entrance to condo), but it is always the same couple of people, not the hundred or so, maybe more, that utilize the supports daily. And I totally agree with your friend that it is unacceptable to be panhandled in your own space like that. I guess I am sensitive b/c I heard someone higher up associated with this project was griping about the outreach center and how it was hard to market condos with it being there (I think I read it in Flats Oxbow newsletter over a year ago) . If you are living in the flats, at this point you are a pioneer and you have to accept the area for what it is now. If anything a lot of the crime comes from the highly concentrated area of poverty in riverview estates (the tower is actually elderly , disabled).-but the little brick apartments.  the people living there are actually victimizing the homeless up the hill. As mentioned on this board, the near west side development corp  among others is advocating for better mixing of market rate and lower income housing  so the poverty is not so concentrated. like I said the tower is fine, I vote there, but those apartments down the hill...yikes.

 

Have you noticed the huge influx of vandalism lately? I moved into Stonebridge in November, and then I never saw anything...within the past two months or so, it seems pretty regular that car windows are shattered out on Friday nights. And it seems like they are broken into for the fun of it. One night, almost every car down the street had the windows shattered out, but nothing was taken out of the cars. Then about two weeks ago, there was a car parked in the road with the roof all smashed up and all of the windows shattered out and there was a big brick laying next to the car. All the while, the security guards are either sitting in their office or walking around the inside of the building.

^Do residents park in the streets or do they have assigned garage spaces?

HI zaceman- I think the panhandling has gotten better since I moved here in March of last year. Funny you should mention Spaces and the viaduct. There is a women who likes to say she "works at Spaces and  just needs bus fare" . you may have seen her flagging down cars exiting the shoreway. She actually followed me in the garage once. this was totally uncool, and I told her so, and she has not bothered me since. Further out on the viaduct I have never been bothered by panhandlers...as opposed to downtown or Ohio city. it is interesting to me that you say panhandling has decreased. you are good informant based on being here for five years. One might think that panhandling would increase with influx of people that have some pocket change moving in. it is interesting that the opposite has been true. I do not think the homeless have been displaced-IE shelters closing, so not sure why they are not around as much. thoughts anyone?

 

now regarding superceleb...I can't say I have had any problem with vandalism. one car in garage, one outside. where do you park? first level or 3rd?  Down Old Detroit? There are security cameras so all this should be reported and looked into. If you go to the flats oxbow news letter online, I think there is a flats law enforcement liaison.  They would be able to confirm if there is some kind of trend. Also there is a near west side neighborhood group-I just joined so maybe I can get some info to see of we can get a contact with Cleveland PD. 

 

I will still argue that a lot of the homeless people I see around do not pan handle. I work in social services and I have known people that panhandle, but most despite appearances,are actually not homeless, they just have addictions (which can increase the safety issues for us).  That is why I still argue that St Malachi contributes more to the community than the problems that may sometimes come about from the people getting services. I hate to say it, but there are a ton of felons living down W.25th (based on my work, and probation officers I know). If you look at the local crimes stats, high frequency of 1500 W.25th as address of perps. Maybe if they can scatter the estates a little more it would help.

I find this conversation interesting.  I am moving in from Cleveland Heights and buying a house on Clinton Ave just past the Ohio City townhomes.  While its not Stonebridge, the location is affected by the concentration of public housing nearby.

 

Does anyone know anything about the mini-mart/deli on W.28th and Detroit?  There are always 4 or more scruffy looking guys just hanging out on the sidewalk. 

[Does anyone know anything about the mini-mart/deli on W.28th and Detroit?  There are always 4 or more scruffy looking guys just hanging out on the sidewalk. 

[/quote

 

I heard this is one of the most drug infested corners of Cleveland, I ride my bike on the other side of the street around there and not alone. There is always something going on. I came from Cleveland heights to this neighborhood and am much happier in this hood. I just had to take the hayseed out of my mouth (you know like a farmer) and realize just about every person on the street does not really want the time or directions...just cash. despite a lot of time out and about on foot and bike, knock on wood, I have not had any serious problems.

^Do residents park in the streets or do they have assigned garage spaces?

 

Both, I apparently was too late at getting my place and was told that no garage spaces were left.

 

now regarding superceleb...I can't say I have had any problem with vandalism. one car in garage, one outside. where do you park? first level or 3rd?  Down Old Detroit? There are security cameras so all this should be reported and looked into. If you go to the flats oxbow news letter online, I think there is a flats law enforcement liaison.  They would be able to confirm if there is some kind of trend. Also there is a near west side neighborhood group-I just joined so maybe I can get some info to see of we can get a contact with Cleveland PD. 

 

I was parking on 1st floor/parking lot, but since have started parking on the 3rd. It seems to be a lot safer up there in terms of vandalism. I have been fortunate enough to not have my car broken into, but a friend of mine had his broken into on New Years Eve. He filed a police report, along with about 10 other residents of Stonebridge Condos/Waterfront.

 

I must say that in terms of safety, I feel that it is a great area to live. I was a little wary at first due to some of the surrounding area (read: W 25th), but all of the 'randoms' that pass by have been cool.

"Does anyone know anything about the mini-mart/deli on W.28th and Detroit?"

 

Linda's Superette... yeah, that place has always been a stoop for the pedestrian pharmaceutical trade. What I don't understand is that it's 1. SO prominent 2. so prominent on a major thorofare 3. so prominent on a major thorofare that's quickly gentrifying. I have to wonder if there's a reason the cops haven't busted it up.