Tunnels leading to Edgewater Park are scheduled for a major renovation

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/02/west_76th_street_pedestrian_tu.html

By Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer

February 14, 2010, 1:00AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tom Beecher was walking to his West 80th Street home after his first day on a new job when he was struck by a westbound freight train while crossing the West 76th Street railroad tracks.

 

The 30-year-old man's skull was fractured and his right leg severed below the knee, according to a story in The Plain Dealer on March 10, 1909.

 

After subsequent train accidents in the area in which others were seriously injured or killed, the Lake Shore Railroad closed the street north of the tracks.

 

Cleveland then built pedestrian tunnels under the tracks and the parallel Bulkley Road, which later became the West Shoreway.

 

Nearly 100 years later, the West 76th Street tunnels, which provide access to Edgewater Park, are getting a long-overdue makeover.

 

 

story continues @

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/02/west_76th_street_pedestrian_tu.html

Nice! And thanks Guv, Gottaplan and the rest for bringing up good points while fending off those narrowminded .com types.

 

Scott

The next set of townhomes has started.  Just some dirt scraped and stakes set, but it's at least underway.

^are those the ones between 74th and 75th?

Facing 74th.

Things are really rolling along in BP.  The townhome started several months ago is almost complete on the exterior and looks pretty good in context of the other buildings.  There is foundations underway on more new townhomes on 74th and at least 1 of the basements of the free standing homes on 76th has been purchased and will be built out in the next 3 months.  The Powerhouse build out is still plugging along with the office space on the 2nd floor.  They also had to sawcut the pavement and install a water meter for the Powerhouse service.  Guess that means that have at least 1 tenant lined up...

Townhouses on 74th had their first floor framing put up yesterday. :)

New free standing homes on 76th started today.  Should be done in 3 months.  I know one is sold, the other is probably going to be a spec home left unfinished until someone signs on.  Going to be a great location when the tunnel gets redone.  I think when that happens, it will ultimately be what gets the ball rolling to get that warehouse across the street redeveloped

New free standing homes on 76th started today. Should be done in 3 months. I know one is sold, the other is probably going to be a spec home left unfinished until someone signs on. Going to be a great location when the tunnel gets redone. I think when that happens, it will ultimately be what gets the ball rolling to get that warehouse across the street redeveloped

What is the current ownership on that place? Potentially part of the BP development?

 

Would be great to have it walkable over to 78th

Lots of speculation on the warehouse there at 1200 W. 76th, not alot of facts.  I do know that there have been some tire-kicking offers to do some redevelopment projects, but not sure what they were or why they didn't pan out.  It's being marketed by Colliers International.  I know the space is not vacant, but not actively used either, some action in & out a few times a year.  I know Vintage would like to develop it along with Battery Park to keep things homogenous and not start any sort of price wars, but again, not sure how far those conversations have gone. 

 

Did you see the links I posted awhile back of the architectural schematics?  Whatever happens with that warehouse should incorporate 78th and have some spillover effect into the old American Greetings building & design studios located back there as well...

Crane out in front of the Powerhouse today setting rooftop AC units.  Build out continues.  6 units of the new construction are sold as of 2 weeks ago

Crane out in front of the Powerhouse today setting rooftop AC units. Build out continues. 6 units of the new construction are sold as of 2 weeks ago

 

There are 3 different types of residential units being constructed right now. Are the 6 units from all those three (chicago style, Avenue building, & skyline townhome.)?

Yes.  3 sold in the "Skyline" building on 74th, 2 sold in the "H3" building on Battery Park Blvd, and 1 of the free standing homes sold on 76th

I understand that of the 74th buyers is pulling out of the deal due to a cracked slab in the foyer....

^^you understand this or you know this?  Is Vintage letting them out of the deal and returning the deposit?  A crack in the slab should really not be a deal breaker.  Especially not in the foyer where people would likely put tile, plenty of anti-fracture products to bridge the crack.

 

http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/architectural/tilefloors.htm

 

"understand" as "had a casual conversation with a friend of the buyer while having drinks the other night"

 

Not sure of the full details....I think it hinges on the use of a continuous pour for all 5 (?6) units and a not scoring the cement for crack symmetry.

 

As to what is happening with Vintage and the buyer, I am unsure. But my "understanding" from the conversation is that things were turning negative as to plan for repair/cosmesis.

 

Noe of this is 100% documentable by me ......put it in the rumors department if you like.  I will try to get more info at next drinking opportunity.

Update from rumor to fact. Full refund requested.

Also posted under the Shoreway thread, but since this already has news updates on the tunnel renovation, I'll post here as well...

 

The ODOT project to renovate the tunnels to Edgewater at W. 76th and at Lake in front of Don's Lighthouse is now out for bid.  Contractors bids are due on June 3rd and we should see work starting by the end of July.

 

For anyone interested, plans can be viewed here, https://extranet.dot.state.oh.us/groups/contracts/Lists/ConstructionBiddingDocs/Links.aspx

Project number 100379

 

I scanned through the prints and the project to renovate these tunnels is much more than I initially anticipated.  Both tunnels are getting alot of work to patch & recoat the walls, floor & ceilings, alot of new lighting, of course the new cut & fill to build the ramps, removing the steps, concrete retaining walls, new landscaping, a good amount of new drainage pipe & structures...  Both tunnels should get a ton of use though when these projects are finished. 

Hi all - I am moving to Battery Park (as a renter) in a few weeks so I just wanted to say hello to some of my new neighbors! I am moving from Edgewater, but don't know anybody in D-S. In fact, I'm moving to the neighborhood against the advice of some well-meaning friends.

 

Any advice for a newcomer to the neighborhood?

Hi all - I am moving to Battery Park (as a renter) in a few weeks so I just wanted to say hello to some of my new neighbors! I am moving from Edgewater, but don't know anybody in D-S. In fact, I'm moving to the neighborhood against the advice of some well-meaning friends.

 

Any advice for a newcomer to the neighborhood?

 

Why would well-meaning friends not want you to move to D-S?

Some felt that the area was unsafe, especially for a single female. I only live a couple miles away now, so I did my own test. I walked to Edgewater Park, under the Shoreway, up into the neighborhood, and all the way back down Lake Ave at about 8pm. I never felt unsafe. So I decided to disregard their advice. Now, when I looked at a couple units at Stonebridge, in my quick visit there I was approached by a homeless man while I was in my car. That did freak me out a little. Sometimes I just wonder because I grew up in the country and maybe don't have the requisite street sense. But I think some common sense plus a little Mace on a keychain should be all I need.

Stonebridge is a lot closer to the projects and major service center for the homeless.  I guess I would advise not going too far south on 65th, towards Lorain, because it seems like a lot of the crime in "Detroit Shoreway" takes place in that area rather than near Battery Park.  The same could be said for Edgewater really, don't go too far south.  Sounds to me like you know what you're doing.   

BP is a very safe area.  Sent you a PM with an invite to some upcoming events.  Welcome to the neighborhood.  I know several people who came in originally as renters and liked it so much they decided to buy a place.

Advice is great..... sometimes.  But really, it's all about what you feel comfortable with.  Believe me, when I told my mom I was moving downtown she flipped the sh!t out because the homeless people in Cleveland scare her for some reason.  It's all about perspective :).

 

I'm sure you'll love Battery Park!  Congrats on the new digs!

^People (I guess especially from the suburbs) have a funny prespective about homeless people.  I worked downtown for 25 years...besides being bothersome they were generally some of the most harmless people around...some were even polite and gentle and often "halirous" as they tried to come up with a convincing story for $$.  There are differently other people that I would be concerned about that were not homeless (mostly young and drunk) and also more concerned in the neighborhoods than downtown.

All who panhandle are not homeless,

Not all those who wander are lost.

All who panhandle are not homeless,

Not all those who wander are lost.

 

^^Are those both JRR Tolkien quotes? ;)

All who panhandle are not homeless,

Not all those who wander are lost.

 

You're not kidding, a guy wearing brand new air jordans asked me for a dollar in TC the other day.

Homeless people are generally harmless in my experience.  I come across several on a daily basis while walking my dog and I've gotten to know a couple of them.  They're nice people that have just had a tough life.  Just be respectful and treat them like human beings and you'll be fine.

 

Panhandlers are another story as they can be a little more aggressive, but be persistant and polite and they'll get the message.

Sorry, I should have drafted a little more carefully. I didn't really mean my earlier comment as an offensive to homeless people and I think it sort of came off that way. I was already aware there were a number in the area adjacent to Stonebridge but this particular guy came up to me while I was sitting in my car, which somehow felt threatening to me. I think it is all about perspective.

 

But in any case, I am very excited about my move. I hope to meet some UO'ers in the neighborhood. If you see somebody carrying around textbooks all the time, that would be me. I'm sitting for the bar exam this summer, but hope to be a normal person again about mid-August.  :-D

 

 

Best of luck!  Keep at it and you'll do fine.  It took me a whole month to get back to normal though.

When panhandlers jingle the cup at me I simply say... "No thanks....you keep it!"

When panhandlers jingle the cup at me I simply say... "No thanks....you keep it!"

Wow that's horrible!

Hi all - I am moving to Battery Park (as a renter) in a few weeks so I just wanted to say hello to some of my new neighbors! I am moving from Edgewater, but don't know anybody in D-S. In fact, I'm moving to the neighborhood against the advice of some well-meaning friends.

 

Any advice for a newcomer to the neighborhood?

 

Don't worry about physical safety....you'll be fine.

 

Do worry about petty theft. (Don't leave your garage door open and unattended, don't leave a bike or a grill unchained at ground level, don't leave car doors unlocked). Local naer-do-wells frequently cruise the back of our units casing us for easy pickings.

 

Living in Casa Belvedere, just East of BP, we have witnessed infrequent petty crime and vandalism over the last 12 years, but few assaults, etc.

 

Do be careful in Edgewater alone toward dark. I have female friend who was harassed in the tunnel by a "penis wielding" man, but we think it was more for shock value than for assault purposes.

 

Do spend lots of money at local eateries and other businesses ;)

 

 

Enjoy the neighborhood and WELCOME!

 

 

 

 

Hi all - I am moving to Battery Park (as a renter) in a few weeks so I just wanted to say hello to some of my new neighbors! I am moving from Edgewater, but don't know anybody in D-S. In fact, I'm moving to the neighborhood against the advice of some well-meaning friends.

 

Any advice for a newcomer to the neighborhood?

 

Welcome!  Advice -- get involved in the groups at BP and/or the neighborhood block club.  Say hello -- you'll find BP to be friendly and a good place to be.

Things are really moving along - going to start building the last 2 homes on 76th soon and another building over between 73rd & 74th.  Won't be long and we'll all be wishing it wasn't so crowded.

Won't be long and we'll all be wishing it wasn't so crowded.

 

I passed that point in about 2007 ;)

Last house on 76th got the basement dug & footer poured last week.  Only leaves 1 more to go, probably after the walls get poured & backfilled on the first one.  Next phase of the Skyline townhomes, facing North between 73rd & 74th, should be starting soon also. 

 

Tunnel at 76th to the beach will be starting after Labor Day weekend.

 

Powerhouse is progressing.  I've seen an alarm company working out there recently and interior walls are up & painted.

Nice!  Cannot wait until we have a restaurant in there perhaps! 

I knew progress was steady, but looking at the updated aerial photo on google.maps, I must say I was very impressed just how much of Battery Park has filled out.  It's not like the project has flown under the radar, but it's really awesome to realize just how big and successful this project has been for the City.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cleveland,+OH&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.732051,107.138672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cleveland,+Cuyahoga,+Ohio&ll=41.486266,-81.73532&spn=0.002359,0.006539&t=h&z=18

Very interesting that you brought up the Google map thing.  I was looking at it last night, and they must've just updated that view about a month ago, like end of June, because I can tell by looking at the progress of the homes and I know what was done & when...  Street view is still way outdated though, doesn't show much except blank fields out there, but new flashes every so often... weird

 

If you really want to be impressed, come check out a volleyball league some night after work.  People everywhere

Busy day in Battery Park today.  Framing on the last house on 76th is underway.  The house is already sold and should close around the end of October.

 

Powerhouse continues to move forward.  Building out the inside space and backfilling all the dirt around the exterior.  Temp fence was taken down and is stacked for pickup.  Contract & lease are signed for the wine bar.  Opening is targeted for Oct. 1st.  Will have appetizers too.

 

Asphalt paving behind the latest Skyview townhomes also along with landscaping going in.  Should make the place look alot more finished.  Next phase of that building should start soon also, only 1 unit left to sell in the current Skyview building.

 

Still more action with the 76th tunnel renovation underway.  Dozer was in action today on the slope between the RR tracks & Shoreway.  Hopefully next week they start digging out for the new sloping grade change and it starts to take shape.  Already looks totally different with all the trees cleared.

Updated schematics of new wine bar/store to be located inside Powerhouse are located on the facebook page for Battery Park - Cleveland

lots of nice recent pics from the YOLO website

 

http://batteryparkwinebar.com/index-2.html

and this little blurb from clevelandscene.com

 

Since its inception in 2006, the Battery Park neighborhood has sold 61 homes, 5 of which closed in June alone. It's obvious that momentum is on the development's side. Expect that momentum to pick up even more thanks to the planned autumn opening of Powerhouse Wine Bar.

 

Set inside the historic Eveready Powerhouse, the wine bar and restaurant will offer 150 wines by the bottle and 25 by the glass, plus numerous craft beers on draft and in bottles. Now undergoing renovations, the iconic building, with its towering smokestack and lake views, will feature an industrial-chic design with exposed brick walls and visible ductwork. Owned by longtime wine rep Mike Graley, the bar will serve gourmet appetizers and larger composed plates. A retail section will offer wines to go.

 

"Our goal is to create an upscale place to visit where you have fun, enjoy a bottle of wine, a few appetizers, and escape the madness of everyday life without committing to a $100-plus dinner," says Graley.

Cannot wait!  This is finally coming together.

Landscaping looks great!  Meet & greet for Chris Ronayne being held here this Friday 5-7, I'm going to stop by & check out the inside progress.  They are installing an elevator...

Landscaping looks great!  Meet & greet for Chris Ronayne being held here this Friday 5-7, I'm going to stop by & check out the inside progress.  They are installing an elevator...

 

We'll be out of town ....but tell him he has our support (and  by anecdote, the vast majority of my neighbors).....then tell him all we need is a small Constantino's-style grocery in the powerhouse to have a fully walkable neighborhood economy!

Small Constantinos would be great!

For those of you interested in a nice series of updated photos of construction at the Powerhouse:

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18834&id=142141092475730&fbid=142142245808948