I agree with @Htsguy - the Irishtown Bend project merits its own thread.  This is going to be an incredible project.  Litt's article today has a bunch of great info and it is NOT paywalled - check it out.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/09/first-look-new-plans-for-irishtown-bend-park-depict-a-project-poised-to-shift-from-vision-to-reality.html

 

 

Some updated renderings (more in the article):

Nice to see Bridgeworks included in the renders.

 

 

 

Here's some of the recent conversation:

 

On 9/4/2021 at 1:05 PM, KJP said:

In a few weeks or so, just in case anyone wonders what is the work being done, it's a split-rail fence for to protect the future park site. Actual park work is a ways off but the hillside stabilization will occur sooner.

 

This was part of a Aug. 11, 2021 email from Bob T. Burichin of the Cleveland Metroparks to Karl Brunjes of the City Landmarks Commission posted on the Building Department website...

 

1 - It will be a minimum of 42" high.
2 - It will be treated pine and left unstained.
3 - It will be set 3' off edge of sidewalk to create a barrier between sidewalk and site.
4 - It will be flush to the building along West 25th as to that is the property line.
5 - This will be installed as a permanent fence until the Irish Town Bend Improvements take place. It my current understanding that this work is schedule for 1-2 years out. I am not sure what the master plan shows that is being created by Osborne Engineering.
6 - No gates will be at the openings. These are being put in for future public access as to there are plans for additional park improvements.

 

 

 

On 9/9/2021 at 2:10 PM, Ethan said:

Port Authority takes step to acquire key Irishtown Bend property; NOACA will vote Friday on awarding $12.8 million to stabilization, park project

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two important developments this week could resolve critical property and financial issues related to the longtime effort to stabilize the Irishtown Bend hillside and build a 23-acre park on the slope overlooking the Cuyahoga River and the downtown skyline.

 

On Thursday, the board of the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority voted unanimously to approve a “declaration of public necessity” as the first step toward acquiring a key property at the southeast corner of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue, one of the last remaining pieces not under project control.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/09/port-authority-takes-step-to-acquire-key-irishtown-bend-property-noaca-will-vote-friday-on-awarding-128-million-to-stabilization-park-project.html

 

On 9/9/2021 at 2:45 PM, Htsguy said:

Wonderful news all around.  The best part was George having a hissy fit.  The only down side was the 3-4 year estimate for the completion of the stabilization.  That probably means 8-9 years before we will be strolling in the park.  I sure hope they can start park design work while the stabilization work is taking place.  That should speed things up although I would imagine they would need access to the land to complete this work (I'm no expert but I would imagine the park design work would require lots of surveying and soil testing among other things).  Maybe some of the engineering prep conducted as part of the soil stabilization portion of the project could be used for the park design work to expedite things.  Again no expert.  Also, if they are still 7.5 million short on stabilization (good to see it seems that will be worked out at least) funding for the actual park probably has a way  to go.

 

On 9/9/2021 at 4:21 PM, KJP said:

 

 

 

On 9/10/2021 at 8:56 AM, Htsguy said:

I wonder if the offer of 40% over purchase can be used as evidence in the second phase (determining compensation after a finding in favor of a taking) in the eminent domain action.  I hope not and that it will just be a battle of experts over fair market value with their recent purchase price being a highly relevant factor.  Under normal evidence rules settlement negotiations are not admissible at trial but I don't know if that might be different in an e ED proceeding in Probate Court.

 

3 hours ago, Htsguy said:

It continues to be so frustrating that all these governmental bodies, agencies, non profits and in the future corporate entities are all collaborating to bring a fantastic asset for the city to fruition, a real game changer, and Mr. Cleveland Bobby George (at least in his own mind) can't see beyond his own selfish money making interests.

 

1 hour ago, Foraker said:

Eminent domain is now almost impossible for governments to use, the courts have really narrowed the exceptions.  But this is one of the rare cases where I think government actually has a good case to make for eminent domain.  If the hillside slides down and blocks the river, it will block a critical transportation link and could also take out a sewer line.  George's property is located at the point that is most likely to slide -- he may have an argument over what the fair value of his property is, but I don't think he's got much of a case that the government can't take it.  A judge could be persuadable to move the taking quickly given the facts, and leave the valuation to work its way through the courts as fast (or more likely, slow) as most civil litigation.   The various government entities involved should get together and move quickly to take control of George's property.

 

43 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

I could give George a small pass if he had owned the property for an extended period of time and had operated it as a going concern.  However he bought it knowing the park was coming with the simple goal of possibly hitting it big.  I have stated this before, although I am not an ED expert, but when it comes to step two of the process (as I agree with @Foraker that the step one "taking" is pretty much assured) when value is determined, I believe George's purchase a few years ago is strong evidence of Fair Market Value.  He might be entitled to slightly more due to inflation, but if that is the case, I hope all of that profit is consumed by attorneys fees.  Unfortunately I think George would be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees under the relevant statue.  I think I recall somebody posting that he had been offered 40% more than his purchase price.  I don't know if that is true but he should have taken it and ran.

And some previous conversation:

 

On 7/21/2021 at 9:08 PM, simplythis said:

Hopefully this is the right thread. Irishtown Bend News. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/ohio-city-inc-purchases-front-steps-housing-and-services-land-for-irishtown-bend

 

On 5/11/2021 at 8:34 PM, KJP said:

How The Irishtown Bend Project Could Rejuvenate Cleveland's Near West Side

A five-year collaborative project between Land Studio, Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio City Inc. and others aims to turn a forgotten hillside into a 23-acre community park.

https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/articles/how-the-irishtown-bend-project-could-rejuvenate-cleveland's-near-west-side

 

On 2/8/2021 at 12:59 PM, KJP said:

Demo for Irishtown Bend is underway

 

 

 

On 2/6/2021 at 12:52 PM, simplythis said:

Irishtown Bend News. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/two-buildings-slated-for-demolition-with-work-starting-as-early-as-monday-for-irishtown-bend-project

 

On 9/24/2020 at 12:54 PM, acd said:

NOACA gave a TLCI grant for planning the park in 2016, which I'd imagine is all unofficial, but they did estimate the cost of the park accompanying trails at $43.6 million.  Their estimate for stabilization at the time was $44.9 million.

 

https://www.noaca.org/regional-planning/transportation-planning/irishtown-bend

 

PDF of the vision plan:

https://www.noaca.org/home/showdocument?id=22222

 

On 9/23/2020 at 10:28 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

Looks like funding for the Irishtown Bend stabilization project is all in place!

Cleveland to pay $1.4M toward a $28M fix to keep Irishtown Bend hillside from sliding into Cuyahoga River

 

https://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/2020/09/cleveland-to-pay-14m-toward-a-28m-fix-to-keep-irishtown-bend-hillside-from-sliding-into-cuyahoga-river.html
 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A plan approved Wednesday by Cleveland City Council will require the city to kick in just over $1.4 million to get nearly $28 million in work to stabilize the Irishtown Bend hillside, rebuild a roadway and develop a park with a view of downtown.
...

Work to stabilize the slope will be coordinated by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. The cost estimate now is about $25.5 million.

That money will come from five sources:

$9 million from a federal grant.

$7 million from NEORSD.

$5 million from the state. of Ohio

$3.5 million from NOACA.

$1 million from Cleveland.

 

 

On 7/16/2020 at 10:57 AM, mrclifton88 said:

Great news for Irishtown Bend!  Wasn't sure where best to post so also cross-posted in the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail page.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/07/16/metroparks-to-demolish-two-buildings-on-w-25th-street-for-irishtown-bend-project

 

"Metroparks to Demolish Two Buildings on W. 25th Street for Irishtown Bend Project"

 

'The Cleveland Metroparks will demolish two buildings on W. 25th Street in what will be the "first major visible step" in the forthcoming Irishtown Bend project, which aims to clear and stabilize the Cuyahoga River hillside along the eponymous bend and transform it into a 23-acre park.'

 

On 1/13/2020 at 2:18 PM, BJBaes said:

Wow. Just... wow. Scumbag move from Bobby George here and clear cut cronyism with David Bowen. I had not yet seen it posted anywhere that George's group bought the vacant building at the corner of Detroit and West 25th. It sounds like he essentially swooped in to purchase the property (despite ongoing talks between the LAND group and property owners along the strip). He is now extorting the city for ~10x the price so that they can proceed with the Irishtown Bend Project unobstructed. 

 

I've been a vocal critic of Cleveland Scene for their negativity but they certainly took George to task here. 

 

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/01/13/bobby-george-says-hell-develop-parcel-on-west-25th-he-bought-that-was-intended-to-be-part-of-irishtown-bend-riverfront-park

 

Complete garbage and utterly shameful display of greed from Bobby George. Will not be attending any of their establishments anytime soon. 

 

On 9/11/2019 at 6:14 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

More progress on this project:

“Cuyahoga County proposes paying to reconstruct a portion of Franklin Boulevard as part of efforts to stabilize the hillside at Irishtown Bend along the Cuyahoga River.”

 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/09/cuyahoga-county-proposes-roadwork-as-part-of-efforts-to-stabilize-irishtown-bend.html

 

 

 

On 8/12/2019 at 9:11 AM, YABO713 said:

 

At its peak, Irishtown Bend saw as many as 15,000 inhabitants along the hillside on the less 3/4 mile strip. 

 

When my family (paternal great grandparents) first arrived in Cleveland, this is where they lived and worked. The Irish were forced up the hill to "the Angle" at the end of the 19th into the early 20th century - this migration was due (a) to the disease that spread as a result of such tight living quarters, and (b) significant violence from the "Know-Nothing" movement that saw a spur of anti-immigrant rhetoric and violence. In fact, several Irish were killed en route to polling stations in the 1880s, including several Civil War veterans. 

 

From the Angle, the Irish once again faced a wave of anti-Immigrant backlash before WW1 - an early family friend of my great grandparents had their home burnt down for taking jobs during a labor strike, and many moved to several concentrated blocks (W. 59 - W. 65th between Herman and Detroit) and smatterings along 65th from Detroit to Lorain as it stretched down to their parish at St. Colmans. 

 

On 7/22/2019 at 7:23 PM, marty15 said:

Big news!  Another $12.5 million!

 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/07/us-dot-awards-9-million-for-irishtown-bend-stabilization-noaca-commits-another-35-million.html

 

On 7/19/2019 at 5:23 PM, Geowizical said:

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/07/big-progress-announced-for-irishtown-bend-stabilization-and-future-park-with-skyline-views.html

 

Irishtown Bend drawing lots of support and money. Demo of buildings likely to happen fall/early winter...

 

 

And more earlier conversation.  Hmm, haven't located the earlier renders yet...

 

On 12/7/2018 at 4:13 PM, KJP said:

FYI....

 

Add Bobby George's name to the next round of West 25th Street plays

https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180626/news/166371/add-bobby-georges-name-next-round-west-25th-street-plays

 

This property was sought for Irishtown Bend Park. But George bought it with the full knowledge of those plans. He publicly admits he bought it without his own end-use plan. However, he's going to need a variance to add enough parking here to make a go at whatever he's intending to do here. I don't think he's going to get that variance. We discussed this project earlier in this thread. Most here seemed to agree that this acquisition is an apparent ploy by George to pump up the price of this property and get more money from the county, then walk away from his "project" a wealthier man.

 

On 11/14/2017 at 10:25 PM, freethink said:

Irishtown Bend project takes a step forward as Port, NOACA apply for grant to stabilize hillside

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/breaking-ground/IrishtownGrant111317.aspx

 

On 6/19/2017 at 9:46 PM, simplythis said:

Irishtown Bend News. http://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/public-to-see-plans-tuesday-for-new-park-on-land-known-as-irishtown-bend-on-cuyahoga-river

 

On 6/18/2017 at 1:14 PM, freethink said:

Two very exciting proposals for Irishtown Bend. Although these are described as being early in the process indications are they could appear before design review by end of summer.  To 'me' great public spaces are as critical as any issue discussed here on a daily basis. Irishtown Bend is a game changer. 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/06/a_zip_line_at_irishtown_bend_a.html#incart_river_home

 

On 4/25/2017 at 10:38 PM, 3231 said:

 

Designers "blown away" by potential of Irishtown Bend park as planning begins

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/04/planners_kick_off_plans_for_ir.html#incart_river_home_pop

 

 

 

On 2/16/2017 at 11:38 AM, freethink said:

Well this is obviously great news and thnx to mjarboe[/member] for keeping us informed.  I only wish there was more urgency to take down those buildings.  At least it's finally happening.

 

Ohio City park plan, at Irishtown Bend, gets legs with Clean Ohio grant to buy, clear land

 

http://realestate.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2017/02/ohio_city_park_plan_at_irishto.html#incart_river_home

 

On 2/9/2017 at 12:04 PM, donking said:

Steve Litt on Irishtown Bend progress... Would love to see this asset in the neighborhood.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/02/port_hires_design_team_to_envi.html#incart_river_home

 

On 10/17/2016 at 2:29 PM, KJP said:

Port Authority receives $80,000 grant to fix Irishtown Bend hillside

October 14, 2016 UPDATED 3 DAYS AGO

By JAY MILLER

 

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency has awarded the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority an $80,000 grant so the waterfront agency can move ahead with planning efforts to rescue the collapsing hillside at Irishtown Bend, a curve in the Cuyahoga River just south of Superior Avenue below West 25th Street.

 

The grant was one of three approved Thursday, Oct. 13, by the port authority’s board of directors.

 

The slide of the unstable soil above Irishtown Bend into the Cuyahoga River has been slowed by short-term fixes for several decades. A catastrophic collapse would threaten the livelihood of businesses downriver, including the Arcelor Mittal steel mill.

 

It could take as much as $50 million to stabilize the hillside and better link it to the Ohio City neighborhood above the river.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20161014/NEWS/161019868/port-authority-receives-80000-grant-to-fix-irishtown-bend-hillside

 

On 6/9/2016 at 9:55 AM, KJP said:

NOACA poised to approve vital grant to plan future of Irishtown Bend (photos)

By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

on June 09, 2016 at 7:54 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The board of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, aka NOACA, is likely to approve an $80,000 grant at its Friday meeting to fund a critically important project to plan trails, a park and new bulkheads on the Irishtown Bend hillside along the Cuyahoga River.

 

The dollar amount may not sound like much. But proponents say the grant is vital. By designing public amenities on the hillside, it could help galvanize community support to spend far more money – perhaps up to $50 million - to stabilize the slope, which lies south of the Detroit-Superior Bridge and east of West 25th Street.

 

Danger on the slope

 

For decades, geologists and engineers have warned that the 31-acre hillside, once the site of a 19th-century Irish immigrant community, could slide into the Cuyahoga River, blocking ore boats from reaching the ArcelorMittal steel plant further south in the industrial Flats.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2016/06/noaca_likely_to_approve_critic.html

 

On 4/17/2016 at 8:41 AM, KJP said:

Irishtown stabilization presents opportunity to safeguard jobs, development and amenities

http://www.portofcleveland.com/irish-town-bend-stabilization-presents-opportunity-to-safeguard-jobs-development-and-amenities/

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for this new thread - and @Boomerang_Brianfor the concise review of previous news. 
 

I’m super stoked about this project - it will further transform near west side development and provide another great gathering area for people to enjoy right near downtown.  
 

With the increasing connectivity from Edgewater to the Flats and  the Riverfront  - the quality of life in downtown and the inner ring  neighborhoods will just get better.  
 

On my last visit in town, I biked many of those pathways and experienced first hand how enjoyable they are -  and how many folks seem to have renewed  appreciation of the city as a result.  There’s a real positive energy in the air.   Irishtown Bend is going to continue that energy in dramatic fashion.  
 

 

Edited September 20, 20213 yr by CleveFan

Co-urbanize link for input on Irishtown Bend Park

 

 

 

What a transformative project - it's exciting to see more progress take place to advance this toward reality. 

 

I like how winter activation has already been considered with the proposed sledding hill - hopefully there can be more ways the ultimate park can get programmed year round with festivals / holiday markets / concerts / other pop-up installations. 

 

This will be such a game changer for CLE, and it will be so nice once the trail connection is completed. Can't wait for that, along with everything else that will go along with it!!

I had been following this project pretty closely but I missed the news about the 12.8 million of COVID $$ being allocated to the project until I saw it yesterday in the PD. Truly awesome news, now we just need a judge to take care of Bobby George in expeditious fashion and we'll be golden.

6 minutes ago, mu2010 said:

I had been following this project pretty closely but I missed the news about the 12.8 million of COVID $$ being allocated to the project until I saw it yesterday in the PD. Truly awesome news, now we just need a judge to take care of Bobby George in expeditious fashion and we'll be golden.

You mean "judges".  He is not the type to let it go if he loses in the Probate Court.  I am sure he will appeal any adverse rulings all the way to Ohio Supreme Court.  He might even try a Hail Mary to the US Supreme Court even if his own attorney tells him he is crazy (or something more diplomatic so he will get paid) just to piss people off.  Here is hoping for a reasonable negotiated settlement.

 

21 minutes ago, mu2010 said:

I had been following this project pretty closely but I missed the news about the 12.8 million of COVID $$ being allocated to the project until I saw it yesterday in the PD. Truly awesome news, now we just need a judge to take care of Bobby George in expeditious fashion and we'll be golden.

 

That's fine though, rulings stand in civil proceeding pending appeal. That means a lower level ruling against the George cartel would mean development could start. 

1 hour ago, YABO713 said:

 

That's fine though, rulings stand in civil proceeding pending appeal. That means a lower level ruling against the George cartel would mean development could start. 

 

That makes sense given, and correct me if I'm wrong, the Port has the absolute right to take the property, and any litigation would solely be about whether or not the  compensation was fair.

1 minute ago, mu2010 said:

 

That makes sense given, and correct me if I'm wrong, the Port has the absolute right to take the property, and any litigation would solely be about whether or not the  compensation was fair.

No they do not have an absolute right to take but they probably have a strong case.

^On the merits, I'd think they have an open and shut case, given that literal public use of the land, which distinguishes this from the economic development ED we've seen since Kelo and related state legislation. 

George should now be on notice that his land is unstable and that experts have weighed in that the potential slide risks river traffic.  I don't think there's anything he can do to stabilize it that wouldn't be very expensive.  It seems highly unlikely that he would even make an attempt.  That should be another nail in his coffin -- your property isn't worth much because it's about to slide down the hill and you haven't taken the necessary (and expensive) steps to save it.

He says his building hasn't moved an inch (the visible cracks in the building belie this). I wonder if he seems to care about anything that doesn't affect him personally/financially? If his property falls into the river, perhaps he expects his insurance company will cover it? If so, it wouldn't affect him.

I am surprised he can get insurance for that building.  Probably the typical situation that he has leverage in this regard because he gives them so much business due to his extensive real estate and business holdings

1 hour ago, StapHanger said:

^On the merits, I'd think they have an open and shut case, given that literal public use of the land, which distinguishes this from the economic development ED we've seen since Kelo and related state legislation. 

 

Yeah that's kinda what I was thinking when I said they have the absolute right to take it... But I guess they still have to prove the public use and whatnot in court.

1 hour ago, Foraker said:

George should now be on notice that his land is unstable and that experts have weighed in that the potential slide risks river traffic.  I don't think there's anything he can do to stabilize it that wouldn't be very expensive.  It seems highly unlikely that he would even make an attempt.  That should be another nail in his coffin -- your property isn't worth much because it's about to slide down the hill and you haven't taken the necessary (and expensive) steps to save it.

 

Yeah, any honest assessment of the value has to take all of that into account, regardless of how much money he makes from condom PSA billboards. The land and building are basically worthless, a ticking time bomb.

1 hour ago, KJP said:

If his property falls into the river, perhaps he expects his insurance company will cover it? If so, it wouldn't affect him.

 

Maybe if it falls in his insurance company can cover the 40 million stabilization. Plus maybe a couple hundred million in damages to the steel mill.  Then we could use the money on something else 😁

For what it's worth, a typical commercial property coverage wouldn't necessarily cover if the building fell into the river. It's more likely he's trying to rip off the city/county.

Irishtown Bend Park community meeting on WednesdayOct 13 at 6pm at Merwin’s Wharf. No registration required, just show up. 
 

 

 

Irishtown Bend Park: text your ideas to 216-877-8704 or use the co-urbanize site: http://courbanize.com/projects/irishtownbendpark

 

McNulty has some good ones:

 

How about two zip lines  so you can go back and forth....    🤓

25 minutes ago, lockdog said:

How about two zip lines  so you can go back and forth....    🤓

Or perhaps a less adventurous version of Pittsburgh's Incline transport?  

I thought that stabilization funding had already been completed. But anyway, it appears that the funding (for stabilization) is now in place. NOACA just posted this Tweet today, although it appears the press release was sent out a couple weeks ago. 
 

 

CLEVELAND (Monday, September 13, 2021) The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) announced at its recent Board of Directors meeting the approval of $12.8 million toward the Irishtown Bend Bank Stabilization Project, securing the remaining funding gap for this $45 million project investment along the Cuyahoga River.

NOACA is the recipient of $12.8 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), under the federal Highway Infrastructure Programs.  The Board of Directors unanimously voted to allocate the entire funding award to the Irishtown Bend project.  NOACA already secured a total of $25.2 million, and the additional project partners, Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority, City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, have agreed to fund the remaining $7 million. 

The project will stabilize more than 0.5 mile of the existing hillside, protecting the Cuyahoga River shipping channel and allowing for multimodal access.This investment will also protect more than $3.5 billion of economic activity and 20,000 jobs supported by the river channel from catastrophic collapse. It will allow for plans to move forward to establish a premier regional green public space along the hillside, creating equitable access to the riverfront and beyond by completing critical connections in the regional trail network, benefiting people living within the adjacent neighborhoods as well as those visiting from throughout the region

Great photo - really underscores  the amazing strategic location and wonderful possibilities for Irishtown Bend.  it could be a game changer for the already dynamic Ohio City and another great asset to downtown living. 
 

 

I fully support the idea of creating a park on this site. It will connect the West Side both physically and visually with the Flats and Downtown. The only downside l can see is the elimination of a dense green belt. Of course that green belt contains mostly overgrown weeds/bushes but l'm sure there are many mature trees that will necessarily be removed in the process of stabilizing the hillside. Their removal will be collateral damage but l guess you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

4 hours ago, cadmen said:

I fully support the idea of creating a park on this site. It will connect the West Side both physically and visually with the Flats and Downtown. The only downside l can see is the elimination of a dense green belt. Of course that green belt contains mostly overgrown weeds/bushes but l'm sure there are many mature trees that will necessarily be removed in the process of stabilizing the hillside. Their removal will be collateral damage but l guess you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

 

Removing large established trees seems counterproductive to stabilizing a hillside. Maybe there's someone here in-the-know who can help to  educate us on this process? 

I don't think there are that many large, established trees on Irishtown Bend.  It's mostly overgrown vines/shrubs.

I think there are a couple of components with the issue. First, in general whenever a developer takes on a mature site it seems their inclination is to clear cut it. That clean slate makes it easier to develop (not that l aprov of that method but l get it). Look at all the development taking place in the suburbs. If there is a forest involved the  first thing they do is level it. And it's not just a suburban thing. When Public Square was re-done rather than design around the trees they simply cut them down.

Secondly, l wasn't just referring to mature trees (however many there are on the site) l was thinking of the immense green blanket one views either from the river or just relaxing at a table in Merwin's Warf. All that will change when the hill is prepped for stabilizing. 

Again, l understand the necessity, l'm just saying l will miss that depth of green. Based on the renditions l've seen the hillside will have more open areas than the dense wall that we see presently.

@cadmenI think you make a good observation. I  hope they take steps to preserve some of the mature trees and organic greenery of the Bend and not just completely clear it, like a plot for a new Shopping mall or housing development.  
 

I don’t know anything about the engineering of a stabilization project of this scope - perhaps concern is misplaced.  
 

I personally always  wished that Public Square had been even more green with less incorporation of concrete into the design. 
 

 

I suspect that a lot of what you see on that slope is invasive- nothing native takes over everything the way those vines have.  I agree I would like to see a lot of greenery planted, but I am willing to see that cruft cleared away in the interim to make way for real native landscaping like we saw Metroparks do along Scranton.

18 hours ago, surfohio said:

 

Removing large established trees seems counterproductive to stabilizing a hillside. Maybe there's someone here in-the-know who can help to  educate us on this process? 

To stabilize the hillside, they need to "remove[] some 250,000 cubic yards of fill material added to the Irishtown hillside in the mid-20th century by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."  https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/09/noaca-awards-128-million-to-stabilization-of-irishtown-bend-hillside-setting-up-bright-possibilities-for-riverfront-park.html

 

To remove all that earth, the trees unfortunately need to go as well.  

 

Here's a link to the Army Core of Engineer's analysis from 2009.  Even with all of the trees, this report characterizes Irishtown Bend as "an active landslide."  You can see pictures of Riverbend Street literally cracking apart and beginning to slide into the river.  

https://www.noaca.org/home/showpublisheddocument/16475/636590347755130000

 

Edited October 1, 20213 yr by smimes

Plus they have to remake the sewer main that runs through the land.  

@Xis exactly right. That slope is a gnarly morass of aggressively invasive superweeds. It really needs to be cleared and replanted with new, high quality cultivars that can eventually form a new canopy for years to come. Thank goodness  the Metroparks is a collaborating partner. I have infinite faith in their arboricultural knowledge and skills (as opposed to the City). 

Reminder that the Irishtown Bend park community input meeting is tomorrow at 6pm at Merwins Wharf.

 

 

Cool rendering with the Bridgeworks development in the background 

 

The session tomorrow will be live-streamed:

https://bit.ly/3DDw6sr

 

 

2 hours ago, KJP said:

Cool rendering with the Bridgeworks development in the background 

 

Love it!  Especially with Bridgeworks. 

 

I like it. Especially the apparent emphasis on large trees. The hillside looks more woodsy, less toboggan run. See...we can do great things when we put our minds too it. 

This should turn out to be one of the single most significant projects to improve the face of Cleveland we have seen in decades.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot more residential being built to take advantage of the park and of course, the downtown, river and even lake views.
 

Any developers out there want to see that sexy Viaduct tower overlooking this?  

Just now, CleveFan said:

This should turn out to be one of the single most significant projects to improve the face of Cleveland we have seen in decades.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot more residential being built to take advantage of the park and of course, the downtown, river and even lake views.
 

Any developers out there want to see that sexy Viaduct tower overlooking this?  

 

Check out what I just posted in the general Ohio City thread, or in the new 25Connects thread in the transportation section.

Wish I took screenshots from the presentation, but aside from the meat of the park itself I found myself most excited about their plans to activate spaces under the two bridges that bookend the park, as well as the entrance off Franklin Street. The northern side is proposing a basketball court and a terraced wooden deck under the Detroit Superior alongside artwork and lighting placed within / among the arches of the historic stone bridge, which should be pretty cool. The southern side is proposing a playground with slides moving through the arches of the existing bridge. Both focus on play and creative expression, which is among the best uses for land under bridges imo. The Franklin entrance appears to be proposing a new gathering space with a focus on community activities, small food-related business, and well-lit tasteful vibes, which should be a welcomed addition alongside the Ohio City Farm (which they were also proposing to expand through a more optimal parking layout for the Towers and additional planting of fruit trees). All said, I thought those were all pleasant surprises.  

Edited October 15, 20213 yr by ASP1984

On 10/15/2021 at 10:32 AM, ASP1984 said:

Wish I took screenshots from the presentation, but aside from the meat of the park itself I found myself most excited about their plans to activate spaces under the two bridges that bookend the park, as well as the entrance off Franklin Street. The northern side is proposing a basketball court and a terraced wooden deck under the Detroit Superior alongside artwork and lighting placed within / among the arches of the historic stone bridge, which should be pretty cool. The southern side is proposing a playground with slides moving through the arches of the existing bridge. Both focus on play and creative expression, which is among the best uses for land under bridges imo. The Franklin entrance appears to be proposing a new gathering space with a focus on community activities, small food-related business, and well-lit tasteful vibes, which should be a welcomed addition alongside the Ohio City Farm (which they were also proposing to expand through a more optimal parking layout for the Towers and additional planting of fruit trees). All said, I thought those were all pleasant surprises.  

 

Agreed.  If they can activate the two spaces to match the "world class" renders at the 36 to 39 minute marks 42-45 minute marks, it'll justify the additional $45 million and 5 years of construction they need: 

 

 

Edited October 18, 20213 yr by grayfields

Clevelandmagazine.com: Plans for New Irishtown Bend Park Revealed.

 

https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/plans-for-new-irishtown-bend-park-revealed

 

Not sure there is much new in here than what has already been posted on this forum, but here's a nice write up from Cleveland Magazine. 

 

The more I hear about this space the more it sounds like it will be a dynamic park with the ability to hold different events. 

 

With this right across from Merwin's Wharf seems like adding some pedestrian connection between the two would be huge. Winterfest and the fish fries already take place at the Wharf, so to just expand those into and utilize Irishtown Bend could make those events, that are already established, a bigger draw. 

Does anybody on the forum subscribe to Cleveland.com and can read and summarize an article posted on the website?  There is a article with a headline suggesting that those involved in the Irishtown Bend Park project are pissed at the Planning Commissions chairman David Bowen and his role as an architect for Tony George and the "competing project" (yeah right) George is proposing for the site he bought at the corner of Detroit and West 25th.

 

Also curious it the article has any updated information about a possible eminent domain action.

FWIW I checked the online archive through Cuy PL and it must be for press tomorrow. Reminder that you can get free access to not only PD but also Crain's through the libraries.

 

Edit: Crain's has free online access to library subscribers, PD is the current day publication but search it here: https://cuyahogalibrary.org/Research/Resources.aspx

Edited October 26, 20213 yr by GISguy

That is correct sir! I am a regular reader of Crain's at my local library. Crain's plus the Economist are my first 2 weekly reads.