oh.  I almost forgot.  it appears some preliminary repair is being done to the tunnel.  use your xray vision to look through the pile of wood in jim's photos and you can see it.  the mangled fencing has been removed and the concrete it was sunk into has been chipped away.  this leaves a large hole where the stairs are, which they have surrounded by concrete highway barriers.  classy!  let's hope they are bending those bars back into shape, or making new ones.  that was one of my favorite features of that tunnel. 

 

for the record, my least favorite feature of the tunnel is the giant tube that runs the length of it.  and the used condoms.  and the  drainage problem.  and.  well, let's just say I used the other tunnel.     

My brother lives on 156th north of Lakeshore.  There is a very large apartment complex across the street from him that takes up a lot of that space.

 

It would make sense to plant trees to absorb noise around the businesses bordering Battery Park, but for some reason I suspect it will be left as is and the new neighbors will NIMNBY them almost immediately.

What businesses around Battery Park?  Other than the restaurant that is going in where the old Snickers was and the planned businesses for the Powerhouse, I think the closest businesses are near Detroit Ave.  On W 76 there is a trucking company and the old Pat Catan's warehouse.  The warehouse hopefully will be condos in the next 5 years.  Not sure about the trucking company.  It is noisy but the building abuts the sidewalk so no room to plant trees.  Sorry, I guess I just am not sure what are you referencing. 

 

And, if your brother likes the east side, let me shamelessly say we have a house for sale!

oh.  I almost forgot.  it appears some preliminary repair is being done to the tunnel.  use your xray vision to look through the pile of wood in jim's photos and you can see it.  the mangled fencing has been removed and the concrete it was sunk into has been chipped away.  this leaves a large hole where the stairs are, which they have surrounded by concrete highway barriers.  classy!  let's hope they are bending those bars back into shape, or making new ones.  that was one of my favorite features of that tunnel. 

 

for the record, my least favorite feature of the tunnel is the giant tube that runs the length of it.  and the used condoms.  and the  drainage problem.  and.  well, let's just say I used the other tunnel.     

I've been watching -- progress is slow on whatever it is they are doing with the tunnel.  Not sure it is a start of the "official" plan or just a stop gap because the railing was unsafe.  Either way, right now it looks like zhit!  Last I heard there was an issue with not being able to make the tunnel ADA compliant.  Apparently the project contains Federal funds and as such needs to be ADA compliant.  But, there may not be enough room so I think they were looking to do the project sans Federal funding somehow.  I don't know, I heard this whole story from someone who was told who heard it from someone, who read it somewhere, yada, yada, yada --- so, not sure what is going on.  Just sure want to see the tunnel fixed soon.  I know how to mix cement, let me at it, condoms be darned!  (At least they are playing safe!)

does anyone seem to know what the building on w. 54th n castle is going to be???

 

 

Before I gorget to post these again, for all you creatures of the night.

 

 

Beautiful!

Great photos!  We were over there again last night taking pictures.  As we drove down W 65 I did notice that the building that is an old bakery on the east side of W 65 as you are heading north from Detroit -- looked like there is some activity going on.  There was some debris out on the sidewalk in front of the building -- old boards, etc.  Anyone know what is going on in that building?  I heard it was going to be a wine bar. 

I noticed that this morning on my jog... I also noticed that Stone Mad has taken the paper out of their windows... progress?

 

W. 54th & Cass?  A private home.  There are 3 planned.  It's discussed somewhere else on here...

SO much going on in this area of the city.

This neighborhood is looking really cool. I love the style of the houses getting built. Definitely really cool.

Cross-posted from the Cleveland Restaraunt.... thread since this place is adjacent to Battery Park.

 

From today's Restaurant Row in the PD:

 

The Reddstone, an upscale restaurant and bar with a cool rock 'n' roll feel that was due this summer, looks to open Thursday, Oct. 11, in the previous Snickers Tavern space on West 76th Street. . . .

Got an email from the Battery Park people this week.  Among other things, one highlight was:

 

"Battery Park also plans to begin construction on the historic Eveready Powerhouse in October 2007.  The Powerhouse will house a restaurant, community meeting place and a fitness facility."

Awesome. I need to call Marous!

Do they have a website? This is an exciting project, kinda like an urban master planned comunity.

http://www.batteryparkcleveland.com/index.cfm

Nice website. My friend works as a planner in Tucson and it's funny how many successful master planned communities they do out there. Looking at the websites of the development going on out there, it also seems there is a bigger emphasis on branding. Obviously harder to imitate in Ohio because it's hard to secure such a large amount of land, so close to an urban core (and get away with such a murder) while it tends to be more difficult to brand urban infill; and as for the suburban development it just ends up being bland sprawly in-fill working around the blandness that currently exists. I wish more development in Ohio had quality websites like this (where you get more out of it than "Live-work-and play in our values-based community!" *insert lame stock photo here*).   

we walked past reddstone this weekend, and people were at the bar watching tv, drinking, and looking like customers.  unlike stonemad, it looks like this place will make their proposed opening date.  of course, they won't have a life-size replication of stonehenge in their courtyard, but you have to make trade-offs in the restaurant biz. 

of course, they won't have a life-size replication of stonehenge in their courtyard, but you have to make trade-offs in the restaurant biz. 

 

Hmm, for the $3 Mil he's reported pumped into that place, I thought maybe it wasn't going to be a replica...

got a flyer in the mail yesterday.  Only two typos in this one!  Reported that phase two of the Avenue is due to start soon, as is construction on the power house.  Great news!

Our house is coming along.  We are thrilled and look forward to the work on the Power House!  When Mommy, when?????

Swung by Cleve this weekend and stopped by stonemad, and I got the nickle tour.  It is going to be SPECTACULAR!!!!

 

Look for an end of November opening

Work to start near shore Landmark is renovated

Thursday, October 18, 2007By Ken PrendergastWest Side Sun News

Work is scheduled to begin by the end of this month on converting an abandoned powerhouse overlooking Edgewater Park from an eyesore to an asset for a residential community rising up next to it.

 

Developers of Battery Park will renovate the landmark structure, visible to commuters on the nearby Shoreway, with space for a community room and fitness center for Battery Park residents, plus a public restaurant.

 

Restoration of the powerhouse is slated to be done a year from now, said Alison Benoit, director of sales and marketing for Vintage Development Inc. Vintage is building the $100 million, 300-home Battery Park community on the site of a former Eveready Battery Co. plant. The powerhouse supplied electricity to the 13-acre factory complex.

 

A new roof, windows and skylights will be added to the powerhouse. Its brick exterior will be cleaned and landscaping provided. Once the work is done, ground-based spotlights will shine upward and illuminate the building. Leasing activity to fill the restaurant space will begin before the restoration work is finished, Benoit said.

 

She noted there already is one restaurant open next to Battery Park. Reddstone opened recently at the corner of West 76th Street and Battery Park Avenue. The former Snickers Tavern was renovated and serves burgers, pastas and gourmet pizzas.

 

"When we have our restaurant in the powerhouse, people will be able to walk to two restaurants from Battery Park," Benoit said. "People living in an urban area want to walk to restaurants and shopping."

 

Galleries, shops and more restaurants are located to the east and south of Battery Park in the emerging Gordon Square Arts District.

 

Meanwhile, construction and home sales continue at a steady pace in Battery Park. Thus far, 30 housing units have been built, nine more are due to be finished in December and construction is scheduled to start on eight more units this winter. Of those, 31 units have sold and four more have sales that are in the process of closing, Benoit said.

 

Yet to see construction are Battery Park's largest structures three mid-rise buildings each with four stories of housing built atop a parking structure.

 

Benoit said the slow housing market regionally and even nationally hasn't hurt Battery Park and other urban housing developments.

 

"It doesn't seem to be affecting us," she said. "Even what we're hearing from Realtors is that we're moving along (with sales). We're selling about two to three units a month. I think people in Cleveland are really interested in the revitalization of downtown and surrounding areas. The city is putting a lot of effort forward to sell the urban product."

 

That will continue at a holiday lighting ceremony, from 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 29 at Battery Park. Mayor Frank Jackson and Ward 17 Councilman Matt Zone are scheduled to appear. The event will also recap Cleveland redevelopment successes from 2007 and will look ahead to upcoming developments.

 

Spectacular. 35 units sold or close to selling of 47, particularly with only 39 units visible, is pretty remarkable ... take that national housing slump! Anyone have an idea as to the timeline for anticipated completion of the full 300 units?

The usual response: to be determined by the market.

As we drove down W 65 I did notice that the building that is an old bakery on the east side of W 65 as you are heading north from Detroit -- looked like there is some activity going on.  There was some debris out on the sidewalk in front of the building -- old boards, etc.  Anyone know what is going on in that building?  I heard it was going to be a wine bar. 

 

That's right. The working name is Toast. It's being developed by a member of the Cleveland Public Theatre board.

As we drove down W 65 I did notice that the building that is an old bakery on the east side of W 65 as you are heading north from Detroit -- looked like there is some activity going on.  There was some debris out on the sidewalk in front of the building -- old boards, etc.  Anyone know what is going on in that building?  I heard it was going to be a wine bar. 

 

That's right. The working name is Toast. It's being developed by a member of the Cleveland Public Theatre board.

 

I'm guessing this is a restaurant.

I beleive it's supposed to be a wine bar.  Whatever that entails.

good stuff KJP!  I'm over there 2-3 times a week now, sometimes running, sometimes heading to Reddstone.  Last year, no one was living there.  Now, there are lights on in the new buildings and progress in several directions!  I'm glad you mentioned Gordon Square, because to say that residents will have 2 restaurants to walk to is an understatement.  W. 58th & Detroit may be a stretch for some people, but it's definitely walkable.  And the new place (Luxe) on Detroit across from the Gordon Sq. Arcade will be even closer when it opens.  Stone Mad, too.  Plus, there are existing places in the Arcade and elsewhere on Detroit. 

Thanks!

 

I'll see about posting some pics of the powerhouse, maybe later in the weekend when my life quiets down a bit. There was a photo with the article in the paper.

I beleive it's supposed to be a wine bar.  Whatever that entails.

 

Damn.  I was hoping for a restaurant specializing in toast to go head to head with the new cereal place.  Throw in Cleveland's wonderful mac & cheese parlor, Cheddars, and we're talking some first rate grub!

Damn.  I was hoping for a restaurant specializing in toast to go head to head with the new cereal place.  Throw in Cleveland's wonderful mac & cheese parlor, Cheddars, and we're talking some first rate grub!

 

Damn X. You made me hungry man!

Yeah?  Well then check out my idea for a new restaurant- I think I'll call it "P'scetti Ohs!".  Guess what it will serve?  And in 15 varieties, with a choice of toppings, no less!

Yeah?  Well then check out my idea for a new restaurant- I think I'll call it "P'scetti Ohs!".  Guess what it will serve?  And in 15 varieties, with a choice of toppings, no less!

Lawd!  You'll be a big hit with the 6 year olds!

Yeah?  Well then check out my idea for a new restaurant- I think I'll call it "P'scetti Ohs!".  Guess what it will serve?  And in 15 varieties, with a choice of toppings, no less!

Lawd!  You'll be a big hit with the 6 year olds!

 

And with me. ;)

Spectacular. 35 units sold or close to selling of 47, particularly with only 39 units visible, is pretty remarkable ... take that national housing slump! Anyone have an idea as to the timeline for anticipated completion of the full 300 units?

 

Don't mean to throw cold water (maybe I'm just grouchy b/c of the Indians game) but selling 2 to 3 per month means it's another 7 years(!!!) before this is done!  Ok, the pace of sales will likely pick up once they get more built and visible, but still, the pace seems anything but fast.  Maybe I'm wrong, but they seem to be building only when they get most/all of the units in a bldg sold, which seems more conservative than other builders.  Encouraged that they're going forward with the power house - it's a sign of commitment since nothing else has been built at that end of the development.

^I'm grouchy too...7 or 8 years is not a remarkable amount of time for a development of this size.  In fact it is very reasonable.  A suburban development of 300 homes would easily take that long.  The development my parents bought in Solon during the booming 70's (at least booming in Solon) took about 10 years to complete and was only slightly more than 200 homes.

Work to start near shore Landmark is renovated

Thursday, October 18, 2007By Ken PrendergastWest Side Sun News

Work is scheduled to begin by the end of this month on converting an abandoned powerhouse overlooking Edgewater Park from an eyesore to an asset for a residential community rising up next to it.

 

Developers of Battery Park will renovate the landmark structure, visible to commuters on the nearby Shoreway, with space for a community room and fitness center for Battery Park residents, plus a public restaurant.

 

Restoration of the powerhouse is slated to be done a year from now, said Alison Benoit, director of sales and marketing for Vintage Development Inc. Vintage is building the $100 million, 300-home Battery Park community on the site of a former Eveready Battery Co. plant. The powerhouse supplied electricity to the 13-acre factory complex.

 

A new roof, windows and skylights will be added to the powerhouse. Its brick exterior will be cleaned and landscaping provided. Once the work is done, ground-based spotlights will shine upward and illuminate the building. Leasing activity to fill the restaurant space will begin before the restoration work is finished, Benoit said.

 

She noted there already is one restaurant open next to Battery Park. Reddstone opened recently at the corner of West 76th Street and Battery Park Avenue. The former Snickers Tavern was renovated and serves burgers, pastas and gourmet pizzas.

 

"When we have our restaurant in the powerhouse, people will be able to walk to two restaurants from Battery Park," Benoit said. "People living in an urban area want to walk to restaurants and shopping."

 

Galleries, shops and more restaurants are located to the east and south of Battery Park in the emerging Gordon Square Arts District.

 

Meanwhile, construction and home sales continue at a steady pace in Battery Park. Thus far, 30 housing units have been built, nine more are due to be finished in December and construction is scheduled to start on eight more units this winter. Of those, 31 units have sold and four more have sales that are in the process of closing, Benoit said.

 

Yet to see construction are Battery Park's largest structures three mid-rise buildings each with four stories of housing built atop a parking structure.

 

Benoit said the slow housing market regionally and even nationally hasn't hurt Battery Park and other urban housing developments.

 

"It doesn't seem to be affecting us," she said. "Even what we're hearing from Realtors is that we're moving along (with sales). We're selling about two to three units a month. I think people in Cleveland are really interested in the revitalization of downtown and surrounding areas. The city is putting a lot of effort forward to sell the urban product."

 

That will continue at a holiday lighting ceremony, from 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 29 at Battery Park. Mayor Frank Jackson and Ward 17 Councilman Matt Zone are scheduled to appear. The event will also recap Cleveland redevelopment successes from 2007 and will look ahead to upcoming developments.

 

 

Does anyone have a link to this article?  thanks!

http://www.cleveland.com/westsidesun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1192644752130250.xml&coll=4

Spectacular. 35 units sold or close to selling of 47, particularly with only 39 units visible, is pretty remarkable ... take that national housing slump! Anyone have an idea as to the timeline for anticipated completion of the full 300 units?

 

Don't mean to throw cold water (maybe I'm just grouchy b/c of the Indians game) but selling 2 to 3 per month means it's another 7 years(!!!) before this is done!  Ok, the pace of sales will likely pick up once they get more built and visible, but still, the pace seems anything but fast.  Maybe I'm wrong, but they seem to be building only when they get most/all of the units in a bldg sold, which seems more conservative than other builders.  Encouraged that they're going forward with the power house - it's a sign of commitment since nothing else has been built at that end of the development.

 

Could be the bank is requiring them to sell x number of units before allowing draws on future ones. Many times on a construction loan a bank will limit the number of spec units. Given the softness of the housing market, I'm betting that number is pretty low, and they're being kept on a short leash. The bank has probably said that they won't fund construction on a new building until a certain percent of the pre-existing units are sold (say 75%).

 

Channel 3 did a great piece on lakefront living

 

 

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=46593&bw

 

clevelandnow, welcome to UO!

http://www.cleveland.com/westsidesun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1192644752130250.xml&coll=4

 

That video is remarkable!!!! 

 

Thanks for posting.

 

The waterfront is a goldmine waiting to be discovered, and imho, the defining feature which distinguishes our city from the suburbs and places Cleveland above Columbus and Cincy as a place to visit and to live.

I'm impressed.  Very well done WKYC!

Help! Want to see but have a Mac! Link to standalone player lied to me! Aah!

It works for me (Mac user here as well) - load the site, then click "stand alone" and give it a minute. You may have to close the browser window once it starts playing unless you like an echo.

Weird. It downloaded something onto my hard drive but still didn't work. Oh, well.

Do you guys have Flip4Mac (http://www.flip4mac.com/wmv_download.htm)?

 

If you do, then you should be able to see it right on the page without even launching the standalone player...

 

At least that is how I see it.

If you can not download you can access on the channel 3 website.  Search Lake Erie and it will be the 3rd part of the series.

I'm also a Mac user and had no problemo!!

http://www.cleveland.com/westsidesun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1192644752130250.xml&coll=4

 

muchas gracias!