Elevations, site plans, and floor plans are available at the <a href="http://www.batteryparkcleveland.com/">Battery Park site</a>.

thanks kevin. 

wow, I can't believe I'd never seen that site!  Great renderings, site plan, etc...

 

I can't imagine living here during the construction phase, but in a few years, when this is done, I would seriously consider this...especially since I should have a job by then!

 

I love the incorporation of open space and a good mixture of housing types into this plan, but I'm curious to find out if there will be any additional retail space incorporated, aside from the powerhouse building.  I could see some along the linear park, beneath the loft buildings.

where exactly is battery park located??? Is it east or west of downtown and how far away.

West 73rd-76th, north of Detroit, south of the Shoreway...

MGD, I think that the only retail is the powerhouse.  It probably makes sense for it to be that way, also.  There is so much retail space along Detroit that still needs filled.

 

Also, after looking at the buildings that they are proposing, I don't think that it is as dense or urban as I had hoped.  Even the "lofts" are only three story buildings.

I'm fine with the density...I could do with a corner grocer or a cafe, though, inside the development.  It sounds as thought the power house is a "down-the-line" development.  If I moved in there next year, I'd want to have somewhere to chill in the neighborhood without having to walk 10 blocks to find something.

 

I think that once this project is built out, the effects on the Gordon Square business district will be felt.  However, at the present time, the Detroit Avenue storefronts directly south of batter park consist of a car wash and drive-thru fast food joints.  Having a couple storefronts in this development could be a major selling point.  I guess I need to find out more about the plans for the power house, but I'd like to think that 500+ new residents and the residents that already exist could support a coffee shop, etc. over here and still provide a boost for Gordon Square.

I thought that the powerhouse was to serve as a community center or maybe some restaurant. 

Hey Ohio city residents, help me out here.  What are the current borders of gentrification of the OC?  I used to live on W. 44th, near John in 2001, and to me that seemed to be the outer edge of the W. 25th zone.  Has it spread? 

Will this development help, or does it just connect to the west side little Italy area?

 

I probably did not phrase that correctly, but I just wonder what impact this will have on the overall area.  I said earlier that the Treehouse guys are opening a tavern near there, because of the development.  They think the area will take off like Tremont did.

 

 

For those of you who have never been on or around the site, this should give you a better idea of what the context is...

 

The view from the northwest corner of the site, looking east and southeast:

Looking directly south from the same spot, down West 76th:

The pedestrian connection to Edgewater on West 76th (scary!)

What it looks like at the bottom (there's another, scarier tunnel beyond this!):

If you actually make it through, you're greeted by this beautiful mudslide:

Further south on 76th, but from the southwest corner of the site:

The old Snickers:

Goodwalt Avenue runs along the southern border of the site:

West 74th, looking south towards Detroit:

West 73rd, across the road from the site's eastern boundary:

From the northeast corner of the site, looking east down Father Caruso:

Moving east on Father Caruso, this is the northern view:

Some newer homes along Fr. Caruso:

More new homes on Father Caruso and West 66th:

Across the street from the townhomes, the recently rebuilt ped/bike connection to Edgewater:

 

I really hope they are planning to do something to rehab the West 76th Street pedestrian tunnel, because believe me, it's scary!  This would be a huge asset to the site, as the other end brings you right to the beach!  Happy building!

Thanks for the pictures.  We need to develop some sort of before-and-after library for Cleveland.

 

I'd love to move into that development.  However, I would fiirst consider buying a home adjacent to it and renovating it. 

West 69th, north of detroit and near the development, is an amazing street.  It's narrow and charming, with many well-kept homes, some renovated homes and some new construction.  It also has retained its Italian flavor, and some of the renovations are creating a Mediterranean feel.  I have a feeling that this and adjacent streets, due to Battery Park, the Shoreway Boulevard, and the possibility of the Gordon Square Arts District, are going to see, if they haven't already, rapidly increasing real estate values. 

Those interiors are looking good!

 

The next step for this neighborhood is to redo the retail between the intersection of Detroit & Lake and Gordon Square.  I think the market should take care of some of this, but as it stands right now, the retail along this portion of Detroit is pretty unsightly.  Drive-thrus and car washes and vacancies pretty consistently on the north side of the avenue.  The south side, on the other hand, isn't bad.

Dan,  I recognize your building from the last time I drove down the street.  It's a great example of Italian character that still exists in the neighborhood, and the interiors do look great.  Your building seems to have a similar feel to the one that was featured on HGTV.

 

MGD, I couldn't agree more about the ugliness of that stretch of Detroit.  I was fortunate last week to have had the opportunity to listen to a pitch presented by James Levin, the director of Detroit Shoreway's development corporation (who would be the developer behind the Capitol Theater, or "Cedar Lee West"), and the the director of the Near West Theatre pertaining to the proposed Gordon Square Arts District.  They are currently in the "very silent" stage of raising 10 million in private funds that is necessary for the project to go forward. 

 

Their plans are ambitious; they mean for Gordon Square to become a nationally known district (Cleveland's "Off-Playhouse Square")  and a must-see for anyone coming to Northeast Ohio.  The ugly stretch of Detroit is an obstacle they must overcome if the neighborhood is to reach those lofty heights,  but the potential is certainly there. 

Oh, I agree that the potential is there!  And I've been following Levin's work and the progress of Detroit-Shoreway and Gordon Square for the past couple years.  It's very exciting and inspiring!  Something that every Clevelander should know about and be proud of.  I think Battery Park will only serve to help this along...

I think that the stretch of Lake and Detroit that you mentioned is critical to the development of the neighborhood, in that it would be the "gateway" to Gordon Square for those travelling from Edgewater, Lakewood, and probably River.  I think that one of the main selling points of the project would be Capitol Theater's ability to draw people from these areas (and others on the West Side) to the neighborhood on a regular basis.  The Clifton portion of the trip is  great, it would be nice if the entire stretch to Gordon Square from the west could be as aesthetically pleasing!

It is a very ugly stretch, but it really isnt that long.  If you replaced 3 or 4 uses on that street, it would be quite nice.

I'm doing some work on the Gordon Square Arts District project. The District just had an outside consulting firm, Campbell & Co., assess its ability to raise the necessary $18 million to complete its plans. The assessment said that the goal of raising that money was realistic, but that GSAD must first complete a 12-month pre-capital campaign "preparation" phase to bolster its case before going to potential donors. This pre-capital phase will cost $275,000 and will involve doing a parking study, architectural renderings, business plans for Near West Theatre and Cleveland Public Theatre, and the like. Once this phase is complete, raising the necessary capital funds will be "realistic and achievable," the Campbell report said. So right now, we're in the process of raising the $275,000.

 

Of the $18 million needed for renovation work, $8 million in public funding has been identified, leaving $10 million to be raised from private donors and foundations.

 

I had a chance to tour the Capitol Theatre the other week and it is quite magnificent, though dilapidated. It was last used in 1985. It has pretty significant water damage on the ceiling and lots of plaster has fallen, but relief work on the walls, a chandelier and lots of original seating survives. It's nowhere near the scale of the Playhouse Square theaters, of course, but the interior (once renovated) will blow the Cedar-Lee out of the water. This is the part of the GSAD that's really going to push the neighborhood over the edge, IMO.

I agree that a movie theater can help to diversify the entertainment selection in this 'hood and thus increase foot traffic and the resulting success of the district measurably.  I would definitely hop on over there for a show once a week and spend a little cash while in the vacinity!

 

Question: I haven't been inside the theater, but I'm assuming that it's one big space.  Are there plans to divide it up?  I seem to remember the Centrum (Coventry) as a large, beautiful theater that had been awkwardly carved into multiple screens...

Yes, the plan is to divide it into four theaters.

It's too bad in a way, but the economics of the movie theater biz these days kind of dictates it. I don't think the theater could be profitable having just one screen. That said, I think they're going to be as sensitive as possible to the original architecture.

Most people in Cleveland don't know about West 65th.  It would be great if it becomes the next West 25th.  I wish that the redline was just a little closer. But, bus service must be pretty convenient.  I really got to know that street well over the summer.  I used it often to train for the marathon.  There are a lot of nice little shops, etc sprinkled along Detroit from W.40th all the way to 117th.  With all the new housing in the area and the Shoreway project, its a perfect time for Gordon Square to take off.

Yes, it should take off and it should have less constraints/conflicts than West 25th does.  It's still a major work-in-progress itself and I feel like Gordon Square stands a greater chance of succeeding in its mission.  That being said, I don't know that there is a common vision for W. 25th.  Gordon Square has its leader in Levin and its vision with the theaters, historic preservation and residential growth.  W. 25th is a great place, but as you move out from Market Square, it seems to be struggling to find itself.

I think a lot of that struggle comes from the fact that W. 25th is pulled in two very different directions. To the West, you have gentrifying Ohio City, whose residents would presumably like the street to be full of nice shops and restaurants. To the north, you have the Riverview and Lakeview housing projects, whose residents can't afford all the cute stuff and may in fact resent it. So you end up with both Something Different and Family Dollar. It's not necessarily a bad scenario -- the street certainly serves a diverse clientele -- but I sense a racial and economic tension on W. 25th that would probably not be as apparent on Detroit and W. 65th.

This is definitely part of it, B12.  Plus the scale of things is different on 25th.  And the terrain is different.  I mean, consider the difference that would have been made in connecting the Detroit end of West 25th to the Lorain end with the original HOPE VI development.  That was prevented by the slippery slope that lies behind the Riverview Towers and now stands between all development opportunities on that valuable land. 

 

I think the opportunities are greater on 25th, but the potential for Gordon Square to realize its "best self" anytime soon is much greater. 

I agree that a movie theater can help to diversify the entertainment selection in this 'hood and thus increase foot traffic and the resulting success of the district measurably.  I would definitely hop on over there for a show once a week and spend a little cash while in the vacinity!

 

Question: I haven't been inside the theater, but I'm assuming that it's one big space.  Are there plans to divide it up?  I seem to remember the Centrum (Coventry) as a large, beautiful theater that had been awkwardly carved into multiple screens...

 

Or like the Shaker Square Movie cinema.  Its a crime when they cut these fabulous theatres up.  but its all about the $$$$

I'd say a bigger shame would be continuing to let the theater rot away, as it has been doing for the last 20 years. If it weren't for Levin and the Detroit Shoreway CDO, this place probably would have been demolished by now.

Oh no!  It looks like gigantic ants have taken over the site, building their homes along the southern edge of the Battery Park property!  What's next? The East Bank? The Avenue District?

 

Rrrraid!

I know American Pete from Treehouse recently bought a bar near there, he said it would take him about a year to get it to where he would like it.

 

Hey, just a quick note that the new bar by the Treehouse owners will be on West 65th, north of Detroit. If you walk/drive/bike down the street, you'll see an old storefront building near Herman that appears to be undergoing major restoration. That's the site. I heard they're spending $1 million on it.

Also, closer to Detroit on W. 65th is an old, very cool one-story brick building that's becoming a wine bar. Not sure of the details on that, but I'll keep you posted as I hear more.

Exciting stuff -- this area really is taking off...

sure is...add the Gordon Square Cultural Arts District improvements and the EcoVillage and lots of new housing either complete or in the works and you've got an even greater 'hood!

No one's posted here for a while, but there are a couple new houses up adjacent to the main site (infill) and they look fantastic. Sort of a cross between Orchard Park and Tremont Ridge. I'll try to get some photos soon.

yes B12 pics please and a business/entertainment update on Gordon square/detroit shoreway!

news alert...

 

The grand opening of Battery Park is today, from 4 pm - 8 pm.  The model suites on Goodwalt & W. 74th are open and the model office on W. 73rd is open. There are supposed to be some good eats too.

^ Pictures please!

^So demanding! ;)

 

Here ya go.

 

The two model homes, at Goodwalt and W. 74th.

 

Another exterior view. Look! It's real brick!

 

Inside the unit on the right: The ground floor room.

 

Second-floor bedroom.

 

Balcony off the third-floor master bedroom. Powerhouse and the lake in the distance.

 

Closer view of the lake. You can only see it from the third floor.

 

Skyline view from third-floor window.

 

Inside the brick unit: Ground floor.

 

The entrance to the development from W. 73rd. Not crazy about this -- it's very subdivisiony to me.

 

I *think* two of these are new infill, and the third is being renovated. On 74th and Goodwalt, across from the model units.

 

And here are a few of the surrounding neighborhood. Some houses are derelict, others are in great shape.

 

Goodwalt between 73rd and 74th.

 

Goodwalt and 73rd.

 

That's sooooooooooooooo Cleveland... A-frames march down W. 74th toward Goodwalt.

Thanks for the pics. Nice looking houses.

 

And, I agree about the entrance looking some kind of suburban hangover. What's with some of these developers? Guys, it's OK to seamlessly integrate your development with the existing street grid and neighborhood! You don't need to announce your development by segregating it from what's already nearby.

 

Is it ego? A habit left over from your suburban-building days? A lack of awareness how urban neighborhoods function better by connecting multiple streets in your development with those that already exist? A misunderstanding of what enhances pedestrianism?

 

I ask those questions just in case a developer happens to read this. Hell, I'll draw them a diagram if it will help!

I am not sure why they allow the seperation as well...it doesn't seem to bind the neighborhoods together as well.

 

As far as the comment "that is sooooo Cleveland"...I never understand when I hear that on here.  I have been to plenty of cities outside of Ohio that have that type of construction.  My GF from Queens the other day commented about how Cleveland reminds her of Eastern Queens/Greatneck and parts of Long Island. 

JDD, it wasn't meant to be a derogatory comment. It's just very typical Cleveland housing -- and I agree it's found in other places too. I think the symmetry of the houses is cool.

 

As for the subdivisiony entrance -- it sucks. But to their credit, the developers also are extending the existing north-south streets (W. 74th, W. 75th) right into the new development, as well as adding infill on W 74th outside the development. They are also building along pre-existing Goodwalt Avenue, on the development's southern edge. That makes the entrance a little more forgiveable in my book.

I don't see how the entrance resembles a subdivision, although maybe I'm more desencitized to suburbia than I thought. I did grow up in one of 15 developments directly off Walker Road in Avon Lake. But anyway, those signs and flowers definately look temporary to me, and it appears that they are integrating into neighborhood streets like W.74th.

 

I like the fact that they are saving the powerhouse and converting it into a community building, but I wish they could take down the smokestack. It's probably to expensive or risking damage to the building.

the exterior stairs/awnings don't look right to me...there's just something wrong.  The front yard looks so small, or is that the way the "model" home looks not what the actual house/lot you buy will be like?

 

 

Blinker...no ill feelings taken at all.  I was just curious.  I read a lot of posts from people in those cities down South (in Ohio) and it seems like the housing stock up here to them is like a martian colony because it isn't row houses. 

MTS...I think it may be the total cheese wood awnings and the shitty stairs.  It seems that builders these days shy away from solid brick stairsways and solid looking porch/awnings.  All hail vinyl siding!!!!

MTS...I think it may be the total cheese wood awnings and the shitty stairs.  It seems that builders these days shy away from solid brick stairsways and solid looking porch/awnings.  All hail vinyl siding!!!!

 

LMAO!!!! Oh god!  Not vinyl!!!  Thank god I grew up in a brick home!

it seems like the housing stock up here to them is like a martian colony because it isn't row houses. 

 

The two arrangements, duplexes and row houses, are really no different; one not necessarily being more desirable than the other. For some reason row houses seem to have a little better acceptance, but I have seen some horribly decrepid row houses and some fantastic bottom-top duplexes. The duplexes are sooo Cleveland, and I didn't understand the comment in a negative way at all. This housing arrangement's prevelance is somewhat unique to Cleveland. I think the only reason why we are seeing more interest in building-new/fixing row houses is because of their assocations with other cities.

 

While I don't mind row houses, it would be nice to see some efforts to actually build-new/fix our bottom top duplexes. I personally think there are a lot of advantages to a bottom-top duplex. The almost always have full front porches/balconies and garages, which are qualities more rare with row houses. bottom-top duplexes yield the same density, and maybe even greater density than row houses. The duplexes are also more adaptable to different uses down the road. They could be converted into single family homes, or mixed-use buildings more easily than row houses.

Thanks for the photos B12- makes it a whole lot more exciting for those of us who can't drive or bike by so easily.  Overall I dig the models and am really excited to see the nabe take off with this development and all the rehab going on.

 

I agree about the industrial metal stairs, though...not really the kind of solid stoop I dream about hanging out on.  And I'm not crazy about the big squares that make up the bottome piece of the facade of the model on the right....but much better, IMHO, then the cutesy turreted stuff getting built on Bridge.

 

Finally, and this is kind of an over-all Cleveland comment, I love nice grassy tree lawns in the leafy burbs...but not so crazy about them in the city.  If your tree lawn is only going to be a couple feet wide anyway, I rather see the sidewalk right along the street.  Too often you end up with an ugly strip of mud or patchy brown that no-one wants to take care of.

So what would be the going opinion for renovating the Barone Building on 69th?(see pics earlier in this thread)  Currently, 4 apartments, each of which is too small for todays lifestyle.  We were considering making it into 2 units, front and back, but there is an argument for up and down.  No windows on the lake side, but a rooftop patio would have a tremendous view.  Also, any recos on architects for such a project?

 

Dan, are the interior shots posted earlier of the Isabella or the Barone?  I'm guessing Isabella because I can't imagine wanting to redo it (it looks perfectly awesome).  If you went front and back with the Barone I assume each unit would be two floors?

The front yard looks so small, or is that the way the "model" home looks not what the actual house/lot you buy will be like?

 

???

I don't think they're going for front yards. The houses are built almost right up to the sidewalk.

Fascinating family history to go with the cool building.  And a nice investment too I would think with the neighborhood getting hot.   My vote is front and back so you don't have to worry about hearing footsteps above if you're the downstairs tenant, but not sure if building an interior stair for the back would be prohibitively expensive.  Sounds like a very cool project no matter how your reconfigure it.

 

Oh, and if $10 purchase price you saw is from a deed you dug up from the county records, I wouldn't put too much stock in it.  Not exactly sure what the custom was way back then, but for arcane historical reasons deeds usually recite only a symbolic purchase price, not what was actually paid.

The front yard looks so small, or is that the way the "model" home looks not what the actual house/lot you buy will be like?

 

???

I don't think they're going for front yards. The houses are built almost right up to the sidewalk.

 

I didnt' think so either, I assume there is a small "garden" in the back of the building, for the occupant on the first/ground floor?

I am not sure why they allow the seperation as well...it doesn't seem to bind the neighborhoods together as well.

 

As far as the comment "that is sooooo Cleveland"...I never understand when I hear that on here.  I have been to plenty of cities outside of Ohio that have that type of construction.  My GF from Queens the other day commented about how Cleveland reminds her of Eastern Queens/Greatneck and parts of Long Island. 

 

I think on this board "soooooooooo Cleveland" is usually a compliment!