May 29, 200817 yr Citizen's Vision has the right idea...this is by far my favorite representation of the potential for the Mall site: http://www.conventioncleveland.com/images/thumbnails7.html Conspiracy theory??? This image is no longer an active link through the city planning site.
May 31, 200817 yr Unstable soil, water issues could pose problems for downtown medical mart site by Sarah Hollander Friday May 30, 2008, 8:48 PM Construction crews could run into a costly water problem if too much digging takes place on downtown's grassy malls, one of two favored sites for a new convention center and medical mart, preliminary soil tests show. Cuyahoga County commissioners are trying to find the best location for the complex and are beginning to worry whether either site will fit within a $400 million budget. Recent drillings on the malls indicate at least some unstable soil, which would add to the cost of foundation work... more at: http://www.cleveland.com/medicalmart/
May 31, 200817 yr link to the article WillyBoy posted. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/05/unstable_soil_water_issues_cou.html It isn't like this is new information. This is part of the reason, besides the leaks, why the fountains were removed. This is only going to give the uneducated on the subject something to bitch and moan about.
May 31, 200817 yr Hi all,. You don't have to go back very far to see some examples of the soggy soil. When the Cleveland Library Annex was being built water was continually being pumped out of the basement foundation. That added several months and several hundred thousand dollars to the construction. Also when the under the Mall part of the convention center was being built in the early 60s, the same thing happend. If I remember correctly there was almost a year delay in building, not to mention the extra cost. One more, the Federal Office Building, same thing lots of water and lots of extra time and money. Warm nuzzles and bear hugz. Jim S.
May 31, 200817 yr ^Was water an issue when they built the Key Center underground garage (under the peace fountain)? I don't recall this but maybe it was and Jacobs just absorbed the costs to handle the situation without making a big deal about it.
May 31, 200817 yr Its hard to get an idea how big of a factor unstable soil is. They will be digging straight towards the lake and could potentially just slant the base that direction. Its not like they are just digging a big hole in the ground. They are digging an exit point as well.. Basically, in my mind they have to figure on building additional drainage ditches the length of the new mall.. I'm sure there's additional shoring up of the walls but really this doesn't look like a show stopper.
May 31, 200817 yr Someone mentioned that unstable or water soil was an issue to subway building, as well, adding several millions to that project... Bottom line is, though, the commissioners had better get their hands out and kneeling/begging rugs ready, because $400M ceiling or no, this project needs to get done and it definitely needs to be downtown. I don't care how many people chirp that being out in midtown near the Clinic is acceptable, to me it's not a viable option... This is too critical a project to sacrifice the downtown synergy and hotels a MM/CC would bring in order, simply, because we were forced to build on the cheap. It would be better to shelve this proposal until a better deal came along than to build in the absolute wrong place, which could screw up our growth pattern for years.
May 31, 200817 yr ^^ 100% agreed. Build it right or don't build it at all. This btw is how I feel about most projects.
June 4, 200817 yr Its hard to get an idea how big of a factor unstable soil is. They will be digging straight towards the lake and could potentially just slant the base that direction. Its not like they are just digging a big hole in the ground. They are digging an exit point as well.. Basically, in my mind they have to figure on building additional drainage ditches the length of the new mall.. I'm sure there's additional shoring up of the walls but really this doesn't look like a show stopper. Anyone want to place bets that they find a water hose running underground from Tower City that "mysteriously" empties it's contents into the Mall B/C area? Call it the Forest City Aquafier... Just a hunch... ;)
June 4, 200817 yr yeah, it seems hard to believe that soil would be an issue. when you look at the current convention center from the shoreway it is clearly way above the water table with room to spare. i dont know, either there or tower city, i dont care much anymore. just get it done. i like both sites.
June 4, 200817 yr My theory is that the city will just keep this soil issue charade going long enough to break the spirits of most of the people pushing for the current site until we start taking the same attitude as gavster and just accept the Forrest City site. I'm already feeling myself move towards that point as well. Just shut up and build before you do something absolutely ridiculous like move for the new site on Chester or screw up the deal altogether and lose the MM.
June 4, 200817 yr well initially I was for the tower city site. I see the CC/MM with its next door proximity to the jake, many existing attached hotel rooms,the Q, tower city, east 4th, etc. as a megaplex of entertainment and convenience nonetheless. also hoping for scranton peninsula spillover. then my economically sane part of me took over and said hey we already own the other site, screw forest city and their bs games. now, i dont care as long as its one of the two. the chester site is pure bs, mainly to scare forest city into a better deal.
June 4, 200817 yr A question I asked upthread - Does anybody know why/if Scranton Peninsula is not an option? If all else fails, it is better than that Chester site. I also like it better than the W of CBS site. IIRC, the TC rendering that has been floating around for a awhile had a pedestrian bridge over to Scranton so the same concept could be used in reverse.
June 4, 200817 yr My theory is that the city will just keep this soil issue charade going long enough to break the spirits of most of the people pushing for the current site until we start taking the same attitude as gavster and just accept the Forrest City site. I'm already feeling myself move towards that point as well. Just shut up and build before you do something absolutely ridiculous like move for the new site on Chester or screw up the deal altogether and lose the MM. Ah why is this a city issue?? Cuyahoga County is the lead on this. Lets make sure we report the facts properly.
June 4, 200817 yr But the city should really be taking a more proactive role in this. Agreed, but do we know that City Hall isn't working with Fred and Co.? Just putting it out there. Sorry MTS. I'll print a retraction. If only the PD worked this way! :-D :wink:
June 4, 200817 yr If the convention center/Med Mart goes to the current Mall B site, what locations are the most likely for a new county administrative center?
June 4, 200817 yr If the convention center/Med Mart goes to the current Mall B site, what locations are the most likely for a new county administrative center? undetermined at the moment, unless KJP has some new info.
June 4, 200817 yr How would I know where the county administrative building would go? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 4, 200817 yr How would I know where the county administrative building would go? You, my friend, have sources and inside connections.
June 4, 200817 yr Only if I ask about it. But I haven't because the county administration isn't my news beat and Sun isn't supposed to cover downtown anymore. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 5, 200817 yr If the convention center/Med Mart goes to the current Mall B site, what locations are the most likely for a new county administrative center? How 'bout 55th and Chester or behind Tower City. :roll:
June 12, 200817 yr The last post may have been in jest, but does anybody suppose that Forest City may be willing to strike a deal? If the Mall site is chosen for the convention center the county administration complex will be demolished for a new hotel/med mart. The county will need other office space, so maybe they'll make a deal and lease the remainder of the Higbee Building from Forest City.
June 12, 200817 yr The CC/MM being built at the Mall site doesn't require the County to move. The current plan only includes building on the southern half of that block, south of the County offices. The land under the County offices could be used for future expansion.
June 12, 200817 yr True, the medical mart could go in the old Chicago Title building on St. Clair, across from the Marriott. The county offices would make a real nice site for a convention-sized hotel. I'd like to see the county's offices, as well as DFAS's, go into new office buildings built over retail in the Warehouse District. But DFAS may have still have the security requirements that force the building to be set back from the street. I sure don't want to see that in the Warehouse District. Perhaps there's a way to design a building within a building? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 12, 200817 yr That whole block (Lakeside, Ontario, St. Clair and FPB) needs to go. I would prefer a convention sized hotel on the south side of the block. I am having trouble picturing it at Lakeside and Ontario with the old and new courthouses immediately right across each street. I have trouble picturing any new construction for the MedMart there too. Truthfully, it is a shame the building is so crappy because the County's current location is where it really should be. That is for another thread though.
June 12, 200817 yr The convention center portion (ballrooms, meeting, etc.) could go on the northern portion of the block, with the med mart space and hotel on the southern half. On another note, is DFAS looking to build new offices downtown?
June 12, 200817 yr The convention center portion (ballrooms, meeting, etc.) could go on the northern portion of the block, with the med mart space and hotel on the southern half. On another note, is DFAS looking to build new offices downtown? There are existing plans for the CC. see upthread. Lets keep this conversation DFAS free. There is a seperate thread for that.
June 12, 200817 yr huh? As of the last meeting, the Mall site plan shows the CC under the Mall, and the MM on the property occupied by the private office building on St. Clair and the parking garage next to it.
June 12, 200817 yr As of the last meeting, the Mall site plan shows the CC under the Mall, and the MM on the property occupied by the private office building on St. Clair and the parking garage next to it. OK, I haven't seen them.
June 29, 200816 yr Cleveland convention center site recommendation delayed again Group studying sites still gathering data Sunday, June 29, 2008 Sarah Hollander Plain Dealer Reporter The recommendation for a new convention center location has been delayed again as the group studying two leading options tries to cut costs and gather more information for both addresses. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4816 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1214728215313350.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
June 29, 200816 yr I have spent the past week on Jury Duty (and have to go back again tomorrow). I am on a trial, and the courtroom is on the 19th floor. During breaks I am treated to a spectacular view of the Mall and current convention center site. Having looked at this for the past week, I am convinced now more than ever that the CC needs to stay on this site. Putting a convention-sized hotel w/possibly street-level restaurants/retail - would do wonders for this area of downtown, connecting the Civic Center, Public Sqaure, and the Warehouse District. That area is a total dead zone. Walking down St. Clair from the Warehouse District to the Civic Center feels like walking to 2 different cities. There is a beautiful greenspace there that no one uses. You always read about how greenspaces are a dealbreaker anymore for new construction. Why not use what we already have? Putting a CC/hotel there will encourage people to get out and enjoy the Mall; street level restaurants/retail will get people working @ the county offices, City Hall, and the Justice Center out and walking around that area. I would much rather have a site that will "sew together" several city districts rather than a CC that is stashed behind Tower City. Just my humble opinion!
June 29, 200816 yr I've been saying that for years. The current site is the only site it should be located at.
June 29, 200816 yr Satchel_McKee, I also served on jury duty (briefly) on the 19th floor. Check out the photos I took at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16286.0.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 30, 200816 yr Author Good news, they would not hire a Cuyahoga county admin if they were looking somewhere else. http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/06/county_administrator_to_take_m.html County administrator to take Medical Mart job Posted by Sarah Hollander June 30, 2008 14:50PM Dennis Madden Cuyahoga County Administrator Dennis Madden is leaving the county to head up the medical mart effort for Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. The Chicago-based company will eventually build and operate Cleveland's new convention center and medical mart. "They'll use my experience to help keep the momentum going on the project," Madden said.
June 30, 200816 yr I keep seeing this $400 million price tag floating around for the center. To be quite honest, I don't see how this amount of money would be enough for a mm and cc. They say if they can't do it for that at the mall or TC, they will find a new location. I don't see any way that can be done at those sites for that pricetag. I really think this may drag on for a bit, simply because these two sites are going to be two expensive to build on, and the panel will need to start looking at other locations.
June 30, 200816 yr Construction costs have skyrocketed over the past few years. I feel like the commissioners slapped on this arbitrary number and are sticking to it no matter what the consequences are. No wonder people are buying up property near E.55th & Euclid.
June 30, 200816 yr Construction costs have skyrocketed over the past few years. I feel like the commissioners slapped on this arbitrary number and are sticking to it no matter what the consequences are. No wonder people are buying up property near E.55th & Euclid. I think this is why you read snipets of Nance saying things like potentially getting some private financing. I think he understands the hurdles but also knows this thing needs to be downtown.
June 30, 200816 yr I have spent the past week on Jury Duty (and have to go back again tomorrow). I am on a trial, and the courtroom is on the 19th floor. During breaks I am treated to a spectacular view of the Mall and current convention center site. Having looked at this for the past week, I am convinced now more than ever that the CC needs to stay on this site. Putting a convention-sized hotel w/possibly street-level restaurants/retail - would do wonders for this area of downtown, connecting the Civic Center, Public Sqaure, and the Warehouse District. That area is a total dead zone. Walking down St. Clair from the Warehouse District to the Civic Center feels like walking to 2 different cities. There is a beautiful greenspace there that no one uses. You always read about how greenspaces are a dealbreaker anymore for new construction. Why not use what we already have? Putting a CC/hotel there will encourage people to get out and enjoy the Mall; street level restaurants/retail will get people working @ the county offices, City Hall, and the Justice Center out and walking around that area. I would much rather have a site that will "sew together" several city districts rather than a CC that is stashed behind Tower City. Just my humble opinion! great post -- your humble opinion is very much seconded!!!
July 1, 200816 yr I keep seeing this $400 million price tag floating around for the center. To be quite honest, I don't see how this amount of money would be enough for a mm and cc. I was under the impression that the $400 million figure was only for the convention center because Merchandise Marts was picking up the tab for the Med. Mart. Not that that invalidates your point, of course, since I have no idea if that's a reasonable figure for the cc alone. I agree with 3231- it seems like an arbitrary number. I wonder what research they did to come up with it, if they did any at all.
July 1, 200816 yr $400 million for a convention center seems reasonable enough these days. The question is will it be used enough to justify the construction?
July 1, 200816 yr $400 million for a convention center seems reasonable enough these days. The question is will it be used enough to justify the construction? People fail to realize that in the current state the Cleveland Convention Center has a lot of conferences now. Those events will continue and the events currently taking place at the IX will relocate. The Medical Mart alone will have it's own set of conferences and meetings. Not to mention the increased hotel revenue. This is a WIN-WIN for both venues.
July 1, 200816 yr Cleveland convention center site recommendation delayed again Group studying sites still gathering data Sunday, June 29, 2008 Sarah Hollander Plain Dealer Reporter The group recently added a traffic study to predict the impact of extra trucks on downtown Cleveland streets near each site. http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1214728215313350.xml&coll=2&thispage=1 I'm pretty sure that's going to kill the Tower City plan. Imagine at this time of year when there'd be a Tribe game, a Gladiators or Cavs game, and something going down at Tower City Amphitheater all on the same evening. Then, add all the truck traffic that would come in to set up for a Convention that starts the next day. It would shut down the city.
July 1, 200816 yr $400 million for a convention center seems reasonable enough these days. The question is will it be used enough to justify the construction? The $400 million is the projected take from the recent county sales tax increase. The commisioners have said that they don't want to put in more than what the public has already authorized, which probably is a good move.
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