Maybe it's in the laundry?  :evil:

I had noticed the fabric was not holding up very well. it seemed to be sagging.  They probably are trying to tighten the material.

 

First question is who thought wrapping the structure with fabric that high, where it is prone to high winds was a good idea?

What exactly is the purpose of the fabric? Is it just to diffuse the blue lighting behind it? There has to be a translucent composite that would work better at a fraction of the cost.

I didn't see any sagging ... it's still up on this webcam, which is always about 2 days behind, and it looks fine.

 

http://www.earthcam.com/client/flatseastbank/?cam=pano

I had noticed the fabric was not holding up very well. it seemed to be sagging.  They probably are trying to tighten the material.

 

 

Things tend to sag with age....

This may have been posted earlier, but I just noticed that the web site for Dimit Architects has some detailed renderings for what appear to be the townhouse fronting of the parking garage along the tracks that was shown in some of past site plans. 

 

http://www.dimitarchitects.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61

I feel like those have floated around here at some point, but it's always good to be reminded of other phases of the project. I hope something along those lines happens to front the garages. Best possible way to build a garage is to front it with mixed use development and block it from view. I hope this is still the plan.

This may have been posted earlier, but I just noticed that the web site for Dimit Architects has some detailed renderings for what appear to be the townhouse fronting of the parking garage along the tracks that was shown in some of past site plans. 

 

http://www.dimitarchitects.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61

 

I really like those. A lot. K&D, please check the renderings and learn something about street level!!!

 

Best possible way to build a garage is to front it with mixed use development and block it from view. I hope this is still the plan.

 

amen to that, particularly right downtown.

the parking certainly is impressively and cleverly hidden away here.

two thumbs up.

 

 

Its really old so I hope they keep this design. I love this part of it.

 

 

Reminds me of parts of Boston.

Also not sure if this has been mentioned but The Beer Market has signed a lease.

 

http://the-beer-market.com/

New time lapse video.

 

Interesting that the camera is slowing pulling out from the tighter shot on the scene. Also interesting to me is how seldom the ground was covered by snow in the views from last winter. Thanks for sharing.

Where will the Beer Market be going? I haven't seen any news of this so I'm just curious. Thanks.

I presume that the center of the building used a slip form.  I could see how they moved the concrete to that height.  I saw concrete pumps on a few occasions, but not near that tower.  How do they do that?

Where will the Beer Market be going? I haven't seen any news of this so I'm just curious. Thanks.

 

The far right end of the Phase 2 building.

I presume that the center of the building used a slip form.  I could see how they moved the concrete to that height.  I saw concrete pumps on a few occasions, but not near that tower.  How do they do that?

 

They did use slip forms from what I could tell on the webcam. How do they do what though? Pour concrete that high??

i stopped by Portside Distilliery yesterday.  So excited for those folks who opened it.  They were thrilled, selling bottles and giving away samples.  My biggest surprise is how this was at the base of the FEB tower.  I was driving around up near the Bingham lookin for it, but this will be an anchor in the revitalization of the flats.  They offer a unique product, in a great location and in my opinion could be like what Great Lakes was in Ohio City.  Man the rum was smooth!

The official website has some further plans and renderings for phase 2.

 

http://www.flatseast.com/image-gallery/index.htm

They did use slip forms from what I could tell on the webcam. How do they do what though? Pour concrete that high??

Yes, how do they pour concrete that high?  More pumping?

 

Is there a name for the architecture of the 18-story office tower?

Here's a video piece done by WKYC on the Flats East bank project with an update on progress to-date.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/276717/3/See-the-Possible-Flats-East-Bank-project

 

The workers are putting in the extra time to finish on time, starting with the outside.

 

"Our building façade is completed in both the tower and the hotel and the tenants are building out their space as we speak.  Restaurant projects are just about set to begin," Cohen said.

 

We climbed in the elevator and took a ride up to the fifth floor to see the progress on some of the 150 rooms for the Aloft hotel.  The desks are in, the showers are almost done, and the views are already in place.

 

There is still lots of work to do on the inside, but the plan is still to have the grand opening for later this spring.

Thanks for the link outjet.  I'm looking forward to seeing the area when the E&Y tower and the Aloft hotel are in use.  It'll be nice to see that area with people coming and going, etc on a daily basis.

Does anyone know if the spire that is in the rendering is going to be installed?  Has the final height of the building been determined?

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2013/02012013/index.php

 

City Planning Commission

Agenda for February 1, 2013

 

DOWNTOWN/FLATS DESIGN REVIEW

 

DF2013-002 – Flats Eastbank Riverwalk

Project Location: West of Old River Road b/w Main and Front

Project Representative: Jeff Knopp, Behnke Associates

 

 

 

 

I do not see this open space getting anywhere near finished on time.

Any word (or whispers) about Fairmount's financing for Phase II?  ... when they may likely close?

 

Does any body know if Toby Keith's is still committed to the East Bank?  The reason I ask is that according to the Cincy Banks thread they are being sued by their landlord for over $241,000 in past due rents and associated costs.  Apparently they have not paid rent since November.

The latest talk is that they are not paying because they are in court due to the landlord allowing another country themed bar in the development which they say violates the protection granted them by their lease.

Does any body know if Toby Keith's is still committed to the East Bank?  The reason I ask is that according to the Cincy Banks thread they are being sued by their landlord for over $241,000 in past due rents and associated costs.  Apparently they have not paid rent since November.

 

Toby Keith's bar is definitely moving ahead with plans to locate here in the FEB project.  They have people here on the ground in Cleveland doing setup work, finalizing construction details, some initial interviews for key staff in restaurant, purchasing, etc.

Is it going to be a free-standing restaurant, or in the hotel/office structure?

Is it going to be a free-standing restaurant, or in the hotel/office structure?

 

Free standing

Rockside on the River

Part of me is upset by the free standing building aspect because I believe density is key for cities.  But then again, many of the buildings in this area that were torn down were one and two story buildings and I don't really want skyscrapers built right up to the river.

 

Still, no room for some offices or apartments above?  Especially apartments...

That would make a lot more sense. I like that idea, apartments over the stores and restaurants!

I can guarantee this bar will be packed every weekend and get good business during the week.  There are a lot of country music fans everywhere and it has a famous musician's name attached to it.  I like it simply for the fact it provides a venue that isn't a "club" downtown and will hopefully have live music which is severely lacking downtown. 

 

I'm not the biggest country fan but I'm not sure why it's embarrassing.  It will bring suburbanites into downtown that normally wouldn't visit which just means more $$$ being spent.

I DESPISE country music with a passion seldom seen in the hearts of men. But I don't know how any person with common sense could see this as a negative. There's nothing negative about this. It would almost certainly bring people downtown that would not go otherwise. It is beyond idiotic to complain about that. Will I be a frequent patron? Probably not. But there's a lot of people, including some of my friends, that will be. Give me Jay-Z's 40/40 Club, but I can't see how this could possibly be a negative and wishing for it to fail is (in Jimmy Haslam's word) "candidly", stupid.

What's embarrassing about it? Country music may not be "hip and trendy" to you, but I would venture to guess that since country is one of the largest genres of music that they can outspend any of the "hipster" groups. I see nothing wrong with diversification. It helps my portfolio and will help downtown Cleveland's portfolio.

 

I don't think it's a matter of country music not being hip or trendy. There is just a cheesiness about franchises like this. I'd put Tilted Kilt, Hard Rock and Cadillac Ranch in the same category. EDIT: Also see ROCKOMETER.

 

That being said, I do think people will pack that Toby Keith place. At least at first. I've read the beers are really pricey and I don't think Clevelanders will stand for being gouged for Bud Light unless they're inside a stadium.

 

The FEB has the potential to be the premier entertainment district in this city. It's completely understandable that people are sensitive to the impression that Cleveland presents to visitors. Even on this forum I'd bet there's a real diversity of opinion on what types of bars/restaurants are most desirable for putting our best foot forward.

I agree with Surf that the franchise seems more than a bit cheesy a la the Cadillac Ranch.  I also don't like the land use, but I think that was already solidified before this franchise was even signed.  But I'm all for diversification and no one can argue with the fact that this brings something to downtown we don't have.  That said, I think people are overestimating the local interest this will draw, mostly because the majority of locals who like Country enough to make a night of it, seldom cross I-80 or the Geauga River.  But it will definitely appeal to our tourists from the more rural parts of the surrounding states (i.e. the ones you see in jeans shorts and timberlands taking photos in front of the guitars and other sights downtown).

I agree with Surf that the franchise seems more than a bit cheesy a la the Cadillac Ranch.  I also don't like the land use, but I think that was already solidified before this franchise was even signed.  But I'm all for diversification and no one can argue with the fact that this brings something to downtown we don't have.  That said, I think people are overestimating the local interest this will draw, mostly because the majority of locals who like Country enough to make a night of it, seldom cross I-80 or the Geauga River.  But it will definitely appeal to our tourists from the more rural parts of the surrounding states (i.e. the ones you see in jeans shorts and timberlands taking photos in front of the guitars and other sights downtown).

 

Ah,  there's that suburban stereotyping I love so much about UO. As you know, I am a suburbanite, and I cross all barriers, all the time. I also like country music and would be very inclined to go to that place , and to suggest meeting friends there.

 

 

^d'oh!  The CHAGRIN River.  The one that separates God's Country.... I mean Geagua County.... from the heathen filled Cuyahoga County

 

^^Easy there, Tigress ;)  I didn't say there wouldn't be ANY local interest.  I just was saying that I THINK people are OVERESTIMATING the local interest.  I'm a surbanite too, BTW.  Never lived in the City of Cleveland my whole life.  All I can go by is the people I know and the people I know who listen to country music are not the types to frequent downtown..... and that's not because there isn't a country bar down there.  I simply suspect that the joint's big draw will be from out of town folks and it will indeed help solicit more out of town folks to come in for a weekend to, among other things, visit the RROF, the aquarium, go to a sporting event, or some other reason.

I agree with you there, Hts.

I'm not a country fan either and questioned the marketing which led Toby Keiths to the FEB in Cleveland...  howEVAH, after talking to people in the know, the big draw of this chain is the high caliber of live bands that performs nightly.  Local stars, up & coming hot new acts, and some mainstream stars will regularly be performing.  Should be interesting to say the least.

Funny.  I guess I break all stereotypes.  I'm an educated MBA working for a big bank, I live in the City with my wife and 2 kids...and I LOVE COUNTRY music.  How insulting is it that someone would say the bar/restaurant would be an "embarrasment" to the city.  What would you think if I said the next vegan/bicycle friendly establishment is an "embarasment to the city"?

I live in Cleveland and know many people in their 20's who like country music.  I think it all depends on the crowd you hang out with or are acquainted with.  Keep in mind that a good amount of people living downtown grew up in suburbs or small towns.  There will be plenty of people from the city, the inner ring suburbs (esp YP's from Lakewood, Wby, etc), & outer ring suburbs who will visit this place.  Country music is no longer limited to those living in the "country."  Just go to a Kenny Chesney concert at Browns stadium and you will see what I am talking about.

  All I can go by is the people I know and the people I know who listen to country music are not the stereotypes to frequent downtown..... and that's not because there isn't a country bar down there. 

let me guess: White Racist Republicans? Right?? I can't believe all the generalizing here! New York recently got back country music radio after a nearly two decade long absence. When I first came here--late 70's--country music was a big thing (actually I think it was during that era that it went mainstream); but to be honest, I really don't like it that much anymore since its "gone Hollywood." Bring back the old country music! (although some of the really old stuff--from the 40's & 50's--is available on the Columbia University radio station-- http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/wkcr/content/honky-tonkin )

Lynn Anderson -- Rose Garden

^Old country converges with hipster.  It's contemporary country that rubs a lot of people the wrong way (including me) and seems to be big cultural identity signifier.

 

Anyway, any new construction like this will depend heavily on tried and true commercial formula with deep pockets to get financed.  Given my own tastes, I doubt I'll be a patron in many first generation FEB establishments, but I'm happy the money is getting the place built.

let me guess:  White Racist Republicans? Right??

 

I don't know many of those.  Not really my type of people.  But if that is your best guess, I'll defer to your informed judgment.

 

I was more referring to my friends who prefer their space..... who prefer not to be in a joint that is shoulder-to-shoulder crowded..... who like to park their truck by the front door for free as opposed to paying $10 and then having to walk half a mile..... who are perfectly content to spend their Friday evenings at places like the Chesterland Tavern or the Eagle Club.  Those types.  The types that don't care about the color of your skin but tend to not care too much for you East Village, NYC types.

 

 

And to get us back on topic...  Has anyone been down there recently?  Is the bulkhead construction moving along still or does the winter put it on ice (so to speak)?  I imagine this spring is going to be super busy getting the green space beaten into shape.

The webcam on the official website last was updated on Jan 11.  It is hard to tell how construction has progressed