A blurb in the PD's restaurant row column stated that BW3 on the East Bank of the Flats closed after 15 years.  Wonder what was behind the closing.  I know the East Bank is dead but the location was a close to many apartments and a short walk from many businesses.

I am going to venture to guess the terrible customer service did not help. I actually think the location was pretty good (and too bad they could not hold out a few more years). It is kind of like Gilly's donuts closing. Why???

and Arhaus... I just can't help thinking that if they stuck it out a little longer... but hey, I'm not the one paying the bills!

Seems rather strange.  I don't doubt biz has dropped off w/ Wolstein's demo activities at the northern end.  Still, BW3 was always hopping with activity and customers, esp on game days/nights.  And if biz was was down, why couldn't the rest of the operation subsidise it thru the down times until, w/ Wolstein, it turns good.  BW3s a chain, after all, a national, successful one at that. 

 

I don't know all the niceties behind the scenes and can't dictate to any business owner to bathe themselves in red ink for the good of downtown... Still, this feels like yet another kick in the teeth... 1st Odeon closed; then Arhaus did its civic duty, much like Joseph-Beth books in Shaker Sq: they closed up and ran to the burbs -- JB did so  after a mere 2.5 years, no less.  Why bother if they're not really committed.  At least Arhaus stayed for a couple decades.  Seems businesses quit on Cleveland a lot faster than its citizens.

that Joe Beth moving was a real loss to shaker square. I always thought business was great in there. with Arhaus, that was their outlet we used to enjoy checking it out. Again, it always looked like people were in there to me, at least on weekends. Last night  at a neighborhood meeting someone asked about all the empty space on EB outside of Wolsteins area and I guess it too is slated for development. I am sure this 35 page thread has something! Hustler needs a home and west bank residents are not getting farm fuzzies about the red light district next door, despite wishing the very best for Hustler and of course FEB. It is odd why a chain strip club- I assume many profits leave Cleveland- is being so heavily catered too when those that invested millions and are continuing to invest are being disregarded.  As I understand it Cleveland is full of large, vacant spaces that would surely welcome a business and not be in the front yard of areas where adult entertainment  uses would impact property values and visitors perceptions.

^This small corridor where all these closings are/have occurring/occurred is outside Wolstein's footprint which, I thought, ends at the Main Ave Bridge... To my knowledge, there's no immediate talk of development in the immediate area of all these closings other than news -- I've only heard on UO -- that the Watermark is reopening (though I've seen no signs of this driving past there).  And if you're telling my Arhaus was buzzing, too, before it went out, it all really smells.  Whatever the reason, it yet another kick in the solar plexus by our civic-minded entrepreneurs to a downtown struggling on the comeback trail.

Didn't someone say they wanted to open a few new restaurants down there? If I remember correctly there was a PD article and a Crain's article. He wanted to open restaurants with "Cleveland flair." Not chains.

^Yes, I do recall that.  He is some investor from California that grew up in Cleveland.  In fact, i think he owns most of the buildings over there.

^This small corridor where all these closings are/have occurring/occurred is outside Wolstein's footprint which, I thought, ends at the Main Ave Bridge... To my knowledge, there's no immediate talk of development in the immediate area of all these closings other than news -- I've only heard on UO -- that the Watermark is reopening (though I've seen no signs of this driving past there).  And if you're telling my Arhaus was buzzing, too, before it went out, it all really smells.  Whatever the reason, it yet another kick in the solar plexus by our civic-minded entrepreneurs to a downtown struggling on the comeback trail.

We were told on a community meeting wed pm about the adult district that there is smaller non wolstein development slated for that area of the EB (Jacksons chief of staff Silliman reported this) the reason they told us is b/c some people asked why larry flint club did not move into one of those many vacant buildings. In fact they liked the Odean.  forest city, Wolstein and others have shown there is a NIMBY for adult clubs. thats why they want to put it over by us b/c we are already there and do not have the choice anymore as to whether to make an informed decision about our real estate purchases.  For some reason we are to think this is ok though.

BW3s a chain, after all, a national, successful one at that.

 

Not that anyone cares, but this was the 3rd oldest BW3, the original two in Cbus (which are closed), The Cleveland one was the first expansion/franchise followed by the one in Akron.  Bdubs is also on the list for the 10 fastest growing restaurant/food chains...

 

 

I used to love BW3

 

What a lose, hopefully they will resurface in downtown soon.

Odeon building finds a buyer

Posted by Henry J. Gomez June 29, 2007 16:29PM

Categories: Breaking News, Economic development

 

A Cleveland firm has agreed to buy the old Odeon concert club on the east bank of the Flats.

 

Telecom Acquisition Corp., also known as East Bank South, expects to close its deal in 60 days. Financial terms were not disclosed. The current owner of the 10,000-square-foot building at 1295 Old River Road is Live Nation Inc. of Los Angeles. The Odeon closed last year. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

It should be very interesting to see what this area looks like in 5-10 years or so.  Both north and south of the bridge.

Flats strip district has support of Cleveland planners

They're still not crazy about the idea, but say city must redevelop east bank

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Tom Breckenridge

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

City planners support a strip-joint district in the Flats that's a short walk from a fast-growing residential complex and a planned park that will draw thousands of people yearly.

 

The Cleveland City Planning Commission voted unanimously Friday for an adult-entertainment district, but they were not happy about it.

 

The commission's vote acts as a recommendation to City Council. Mayor Frank Jackson asked for the new district, which would allow Larry Flynt's Hustler Club to leave the Flats' east bank and open near Diamond Men's Club. More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/118500741485590.xml&coll=2

 

© 2007 The Plain Dealer

 

Haha - already posted at strip district thread in the travel/recreation section!

So what's the latest on Wolstein?  There's been a lot of talk about Hustler and the Strip area deal but, specifically, is Wolstein ready to move?  Does he have all the lots yet?  if not, how close is he?  Is there any kind of projected build date?  It's been rather quiet lately.

^My understanding from the news and previous discussions on the board is that they are still working on the paper work for the settlement and that the approval of the strip district by the Planning Commission is key to the settlement.  I believe he has still not settled with Kassouf who is the sole holdout.  Don't believe this will hold up the project given the location of his parcels and I guess they will continue the trial if he will not settle (the judge will not be happy from what I can tell).

 

They plan to begin utility work in the fall and it will be a year before any construction.  So it will be the fall of 2008 before you see any cranes.  I am most interested in seeing the latest designs.  Hopefully we will get a peek before the end of the year.

Htsguy is correct. Kassouf is the last holdout. His properties are the strip between Front Street and the railroad tracks, from West 9th to and including the old Fagans. The latter property may be a must-have Wolstein, however, for redesigning the Flats street grid. And, actually, Kassouf's property continues eastward along the south side of the railroad tracks all the way to West 3rd. Kassouf (along with his developing buddy Russ Khouri) was one of the landowners who signed on in partnership with Stark to build Pesht.

^OK ... But didn't someone, above, say Kassouf gave Wolstein a figure, though it may be somewhat inflated?  Didn't it seem Corrigan, in suspending trial seeking settlement, essentially send the message that, after the disastrous (to Wolstein) Carney testimony, ED is a real longshot for Wolstein and that he'd better grab Kassouf's deal, as unpalatable as it may seem -- given the price and given shady Kassouf?  Also, doesn't the Flynt, strip-deal ratchet up pressure on Wolstein to just go ahead pay the (Kassouf) price and get this thing moving.  After all, it seems the whole city, most notably the Mayor, the Port Authority and downtown-oriented pols (esp Cimperman), have been placing a lot of hopes 'n dreams (and effort) on Wolstein and his project, now 2 years + 2 months from announcement, on a podium w/ then Mayor Jane Campbell...

Does any body know the official name of Wolstein's Flat East Bank Project?  :-)

Welcome aboard, simplythis.

 

The official name in all of their press releases, etc. is simply this: "Flats East Bank Neighborhood."

Welcome aboard, simplythis.

 

The official name in all of their press releases, etc. is simply this: "Flats East Bank Neighborhood."

Thanx

^OK ... But didn't someone, above, say Kassouf gave Wolstein a figure, though it may be somewhat inflated?  Didn't it seem Corrigan, in suspending trial seeking settlement, essentially send the message that, after the disastrous (to Wolstein) Carney testimony, ED is a real longshot for Wolstein and that he'd better grab Kassouf's deal, as unpalatable as it may seem -- given the price and given shady Kassouf?  Also, doesn't the Flynt, strip-deal ratchet up pressure on Wolstein to just go ahead pay the (Kassouf) price and get this thing moving.  After all, it seems the whole city, most notably the Mayor, the Port Authority and downtown-oriented pols (esp Cimperman), have been placing a lot of hopes 'n dreams (and effort) on Wolstein and his project, now 2 years + 2 months from announcement, on a podium w/ then Mayor Jane Campbell...

 

So if WOlstien wants to make a mark he would have to pay the price.

 

Is this not the same fella who wants to bring in a soccer team and have a county pay for the stadium. Another free loader,or a Forest city wanna be...

 

 

I read a few days ago in the PD that Wolstein and Kassouf had until a date in the beginning of August to come to an agreement on the parking lot still holding up development proceedings. Does anyone have any updates on this? Are they going back to eminent domain proceedings? I've tried looking for the article of which I'm speaking, but have had no luck.

Should hear something soon ... sounds like today was the deadline.

 

Community Briefs

Port Authority, Kassouf to meet

(Cleveland) Plain Dealer

August 4, 2007

 

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is scheduled to meet next week with the last land owner facing eminent domain on the Flats East Bank. Businessman James Kassouf controls the last of 12 parcels that the port and developer Scott Wolstein need to acquire for Wolstein's proposed $230 million-plus redevelopment. The port and Wolstein settled an eminent-domain lawsuit with most property owners in mid-June. Cuyahoga County Probate Judge John E. Corrigan gave the port and Kassouf until Wednesday to settle or face the possibility of reopening the eminent-domain court battle over the two-acre parking lot that Kassouf operates north of Front Street ...

 

... More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1186216622124870.xml&coll=2

With the location of Kassouf's parcels, I wouldn't be surprised if Wolstein decides to go forward without the land.

8/4/07 was a week ago Saturday. The deadline should've actually been last Wednesday?

 

 

Does anyone have an exact map location of Kassouf's parcels?  Can he do the project without those parcels? :|

Does anyone have an exact map location of Kassouf's parcels?  Can he do the project without those parcels? :|

 

Have you read early posts in this thread?  I know its a lot but it would be helpful to read the entire thing.

Does anyone have an exact map location of Kassouf's parcels?  Can he do the project without those parcels? :|

 

the eastern most portion (east of rapid bridge) of the land that is located on the southern side of the railroad tracks.

 

 

And it continues west to near the Norfolk Southern drawbridge over the river.

Does anyone have an exact map location of Kassouf's parcels?  Can he do the project without those parcels? :|

 

Have you read early posts in this thread?  I know its a lot but it would be helpful to read the entire thing.

 

Give the guy a break...he's new here and the thread is 35 friggin pages long.  A simple answer might have done well this time.

Obviously none of us can know if Wolstein would be able to work out his plan for the East Bank without those parcels, but I'm going to guess he won't proceed until he has them.  He seems to want to build a big cohesive neighborhood and most likely would want/need control of the entire area to do just that.

From the 08.04.07 PD ... should hear something soon ... sounds like today was the deadline.

 

Community Briefs

Port Authority, Kassouf to meet

 

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is scheduled to meet next week with the last land owner facing eminent domain on the Flats East Bank. Businessman James Kassouf controls the last of 12 parcels that the port and developer Scott Wolstein need to acquire for Wolstein's proposed $230 million-plus redevelopment. The port and Wolstein settled an eminent-domain lawsuit with most property owners in mid-June. Cuyahoga County Probate Judge John E. Corrigan gave the port and Kassouf until Wednesday to settle or face the possibility of reopening the eminent-domain court battle over the two-acre parking lot that Kassouf operates north of Front Street. The judge pushed back the deadline so talks can continue between the port and Kassouf, who spends much of his time outside the country. The port has set the value at $640,000, while Kassouf has asked for $3.55 million, a consultant to Wolstein said. Kassouf has an appraisal of $10 million on the parcel, according to a lawyer for Kassouf.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1186216622124870.xml&coll=2

 

I think Corrigan made absolutely the right move in tabling the ED action, but it feels that Kassouf used the negotiation period only to jerk the the City/Wolstein around.  I mean, come on, the man's international travel is so important (f*ck Cleveland) that he lacks the time to seriously concentrate on negotiations to get this thing done?  ... as (he knows) important as it is to the city?  It's turning out with this guy, we've just wasted a good 3 months and that ED's the only thing that's going to solve this - it sounds like he and Wolstein are miles apart and no one's really moving.  But I really fear that, if Kassouf loses, he's going to appeal and tie this thing up even longer; and then, what about Wolstein's increased construction costs at that point? ... And to think, I really liked the guy after the promising Davenport Bluffs proposal that went bust; but he sold out to the FBI and Channel 3 (and look at the people-unfriendly crap we got at that location); and with this, I now view the man as more growth-sapping parasite.

 

Somebody tell me I'm wrong (I want to be wrong).  I recall Wolstein indicating that if he lost, he'd pony up the cash so he could get this behind him and move on.  Is this still true?

^You are NOT wrong.  Kassouf has been a major land holder in Cleveland for over 30 years and as far as I know has not initiated one single development despite all his puffing.  He is simply a land speculator and parking lot magnet (God Bless him...we are a capitalist society) and has done nothing for the city...in fact...he simply impedes others.  (A perfect example...(and I think he still owns the building)...after all these years what is the ONE vacant and unrenovated building on W 6th...the one attached to Spy bar...I am sure it has been vacant for close to 20 years on a very dynamic street...the only thing he has done is clean up the exterior and this only after years of prodding by the city).

Slightly off topic:

 

The city has an ordinance that says something to the effect a parking lot can be present for more then a year (there is an option to extend it a year). This is only a few years old, so many lots are grandfathered in, plus it only applies to lots with newly demolished buildings.

 

Does anyone know what lots he owns and how long they have been for surface psrking?

Is there still infrastructure construction going on?

So many questions - no answers.

Is there still infrastructure construction going on?

 

i was through there this week and didn't see any work going on except for the bridge re-painting which had part of the road closed. 

 

demolition appears to have stopped as well, as i think wolstein owns more than what has been demolished. 

Slightly off topic:

 

The city has an ordinance that says something to the effect a parking lot can be present for more then a year (there is an option to extend it a year). This is only a few years old, so many lots are grandfathered in, plus it only applies to lots with newly demolished buildings.

 

Does anyone know what lots he owns and how long they have been for surface psrking?

 

No specific answer to what or how long owned.

 

The ordinance deals with temporary parking lots, which exists in section 325.03:

 

"(5) Temporary Uses. A temporary use shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter if it has been issued a permit by the Commissioner of Building and Housing limiting its duration to two hundred seventy (270) days or less, or such a permit and no more than one renewal thereof for no more than ninety (90) additional days. Temporary "for hire" parking lots, however, shall be subject to the applicable requirements contained in Chapter 457 of the Codified Ordinances. "

 

so, this should mean that the "new" jacobs field parking lots that resulted from demo should be closed soon, and that even the HOB lot that they put in last year should be closed soon as well.

 

the thing about this ordinance, if it is enforced, is that it takes the value of a surface lot way down if it can't be used for parking and makes it potentially available for purchase or development at a reasonable cost.  key words here: if it is enforced.

 

A little media publicity on the owners of specific, offending parking lots wouldn't hurt either. ;) But it would be helpful if some news tips are provided to remind reporters when the deadline(s) have passed.

 

i was through there this week and didn't see any work going on except for the bridge re-painting which had part of the road closed. 

 

demolition appears to have stopped as well, as i think wolstein owns more than what has been demolished. 

 

Not good.  This is very frustrating for such a key project for downtown that began with such fanfare and promise.  Corrigan's deadline has come and gone and Wolstein appears no closer to getting these last parcels than when Corrigan ordered settlement talks. It seems the heat must be ratcheted up on Mr. Kassouf lest this thing get out of hand and Wolstein having to bail because of costs.

Why don't they just demolish Kassouf's buildings? Based on the condition of other properties he owns, I doubt he'd even notice.

If I recall, Wolstein indicated that he would like to begin infrastructure work in the fall (2007) with actually construction of buildings to begin one year later (fall of 2008)(I don't even think design work is completed yet).  I suggest we at least let the first dead line pass with no progress before we start having babies.

pd:

Flats project a step closer

Wolstein gets deal on last parcel

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Tom Breckenridge

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

A much-anticipated riverside neighborhood on the east bank of the Flats is a step closer to taking shape, and could be ready for business by 2010.

 

Developer Scott Wolstein has settled with the owner of the last piece of land needed for his project, according to Cuyahoga County Probate Judge John E. Corrigan.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1188376469105410.xml&coll=2

whew.    Hopefully we can see some activity by next summer/late summer

Proposed Heinens, hmm, first thing I've heard about that, but maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention.

Do you think demo will start on Hustler before they move to the other end of the flats?

I missed that, I need to put the eyeballs on.  I like Heinens grocery stores.  Thats a good thing.

I wonder what type of impact the current mortgage "Crisis" and available homes for sale will have on this project.  It seems that this is the worse time in 16 years to be starting a project like this.

 

I really hope that the anticipation and excitement for this project will be able to overcome the doldrums in the market.  I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of these units go rental initially besides for sale. 

Is this Cleveland or Dubai?!  Between the Ave. Dist, Stark's WHD, and Wolstein's FEB, we're building "cities" from scratch all over downtown!  It's kind of cool but kind of scary too...Hopefully it's not a Crocker meets Legacy meets Eton (in terms of design).