I took the B-Line trolley today and at West 9th, I couldn't see clearly because of the Main Avenue bridge. However, I definitely saw a crane at the Ernst & Young site (20-ish story office tower) like the one in the photo below. It may just be for more earthmoving (any of our construction folks, please chime in), but we saw 1211 St. Clair pop out of the ground a few months after I took this photo. :-)

 

Man, it is so hard to say what else it would be doing there.  Is there anything to demo?  The only logical thing would be for shoring (as seen in the 1211 St. Clair photo above).  From what I understand, Whiting Turner is doing the job, so I can not say a CM hasn't been chose.  However, as KJP stated above, I do not know where the project stands in design review.  My first guess is shoring on their dime banking on the fact everything will go through. 

 

Ipsy, what do you say for 10 bucks you go down there and get some photos for our little online community here.  Would be a great way to start off a weekend. 

Maybe they had and I missed it. But I don't remember Wolstein & Co. even appearing before Planning Commission.

Also, would there be a reason to stage equipment there, I don't know. 

 

Well, wait, they wouldn't set it up if they were staging it only. 

Ipsy, what do you say for 10 bucks you go down there and get some photos for our little online community here. Would be a great way to start off a weekend.

 

You mean, other than this?

 

Here are the photos I took of what's left of the East Bank, last Sunday.

 

I can try.  Might have some time on Saturday.  Sunday's booked with a trip to Cedar Point (first time in a long time).

 

If I'm reading this correctly, though, you want me to TRESSPASS? :)

Just a guess, but those big cranes are generally used as pile drivers or as a vibratory pile extractor when they aren't lifting stuff around.  I thought I read in this thread they had approval for infrastructure work. 

The crane is tall enough such that it is higher than the road deck of the Main Ave Bridge. I saw it last night driving home.

 

there was also a large ship parked in the port area at the end of w9 that had a crane type attachment on it.  EDIT: but after reviewing the photos, there certainly is a crane parked on site.

 

as for infrastructure, they are actively relocating a gas pipeline.

as for infrastructure, they are actively relocating a gas pipeline.

 

Oh, I'll be sure to start tresspassing through there, this weekend, now! :)

as for infrastructure, they are actively relocating a gas pipeline.

 

Good, that would not be a good thing to do passively.

Just a guess, but those big cranes are generally used as pile drivers or as a vibratory pile extractor when they aren't lifting stuff around.  I thought I read in this thread they had approval for infrastructure work. 

^I haven't seen this crane personally, yet; but I would agree with jar on this. The infrastructure work and piledriving come first and I'm sure you'll see a couple of these cranes being used for pd'ing as this project is going to use a massive amount of piling and concrete. Again, everything I've heard says this shindig is going to be kicking off soon.

if they are starting to prepare that site, and havent named an architect yet, then i will be very worried.. because that site deserves a good building.

 

im hoping thats just where they will be keeping the crane until work starts in another location.

 

Hey everyone, I know I don't chime in too much but I saw this sign on the back door of my building today and wanted everyone to see it.  I think it helps put to rest any unrest people have as far as completion of the project itself.  They also removed the old Odeon sign as well which makes me sad being a musician and all, and witnessing the Chris Cornell solo tour show in 1999 that was the best concert experience of my life.  Hopefully this is new information to you and I didn't just post something that's been talked about for days already.

Thanks for posting that, PeterGriffin!

I was down there Sat morning snapping some pics (having toubel uploading them) but it is official.  Lots of sheet metal on site next to the crane for E&Y.  Also suprised to see that the Illuminating Co was down there doing underground on Saturday.  There was probably about 30 people working on-site saturday, and two cranes set up for drving sheet pile.  The hammer was engaged on one of them.  Also saw Independences trailer set up next to E&Y.  GO FLATS!!!!!!!

^ thx for the report. that is pretty amazing to hear its actually happening. wow good news.

 

hopefully you can get your shots up here soon too.

I posted a piece from a Crains editorial and opinion by Brian Tucker below.

 

Interesting that while the flats EB project is certainly a transformative project, one can certainly argue whether the Eaton Headquarters built there is a transformative/legacy project for downtown. 

 

Also, interesting that he mentions that the CEO is a "true believer in Cleveland" and "didnt shop his headquarters to other places, and wants to do a project that would benefit downtown" (hmm, a somewhat isolated campus).  I got the idea that they so wanted a suburban type "campus" that if they didnt get the go ahead for the FEB spot that they were looking at places like Independence in order to have that.  (what a benefit to downtown) 

         

THERE IS SOME talk swirling that the various governmental entities involved in the talks surrounding Eaton Corp.'s proposed move to a campus in the Flats aren't making things easy for this multinational company to finalize its deal.

 

Eaton CEO Alexander “Sandy” Cutler is a true believer in Cleveland. He didn't play the game of shopping his headquarters to other places in order to wrest huge concessions from our city. He wants to do a legacy project that would have a huge benefit to downtown.

 

Officials at the city and the Port Authority should do everything reasonably possible to get this deal done sooner rather than later and help jumpstart what promises to be a transformative project for downtown Cleveland.

Follow this link to view a rendering of the hotel in FEB.  I have not seen this before and stumbled upon it on Forum's page.  There are some other renderings there I have not seen befor also, none of which are for E&Y however.  Ypu can kind of see it in the background though. 

 

http://www.forumarc.com/portfolio/flatseastbank/feb7.html

Hmm... I'm seeing some visual references to the buildings that used to be on the site, particularly the windows. Not exactly envelope-pushing design, though  :|

 

^I believe that is an old image, used for marketing purposes only, before 1 Hotel signed on.

i'm going to go out on a limb without actually knowing one way or another... but I'm guessing that this is (even though we haven't seen it yet) very old.  I'm guessing that based on the renderings on the site... and then fact that the brand of this hotel was revealed a couple months ago and it is incorporated in any way into the rendering.  So I'm not going to worry about it too much.

Follow this link to view a rendering of the hotel in FEB. I have not seen this before and stumbled upon it on Forum's page. There are some other renderings there I have not seen befor also, none of which are for E&Y however. Ypu can kind of see it in the background though.

 

http://www.forumarc.com/portfolio/flatseastbank/feb7.html

 

Are we sure that this isn't anything more than just a generic pre-design rendering?

Are we sure that this isn't anything more than just a generic pre-design rendering?

 

That's what I'm thinking.

Follow this link to view a rendering of the hotel in FEB.  I have not seen this before and stumbled upon it on Forum's page.  There are some other renderings there I have not seen befor also, none of which are for E&Y however.  Ypu can kind of see it in the background though. 

 

http://www.forumarc.com/portfolio/flatseastbank/feb7.html

 

Are we sure that this isn't anything more than just a generic pre-design rendering?

 

I have no clue.  Like I said, I stumbled upon it and have never seen it before.  I know KJP went to some of the press releases.  Maybe he saw this one there months ago, but I have not.  E&Y building is in the background however, so we know it was produced within the past year, but not for certain if it was drawn before Starwood signed on.

Considering that it just says "hotel" on it, I doubt that this is the final design.

"Are we sure that this isn't anything more than just a generic pre-design rendering?"

 

Nope.

Follow this link to view a rendering of the hotel in FEB. I have not seen this before and stumbled upon it on Forum's page. There are some other renderings there I have not seen befor also, none of which are for E&Y however. Ypu can kind of see it in the background though.

 

http://www.forumarc.com/portfolio/flatseastbank/feb7.html

 

Are we sure that this isn't anything more than just a generic pre-design rendering?

 

I have no clue. Like I said, I stumbled upon it and have never seen it before. I know KJP went to some of the press releases. Maybe he saw this one there months ago, but I have not. E&Y building is in the background however, so we know it was produced within the past year, but not for certain if it was drawn before Starwood signed on.

 

don't get me wrong though... I'm glad you posted it. I LOVE renderings... even if they're craptastic.  :)

I've never seen that rendering before. And I think it's part of the renderings that were developed for the press release but weren't included in them (for whatever reason). Most of the street-level renderings are night shots and have the same color, composition, features and such.

 

But, guess what? There's a way we can find out for sure.... Wait and see (I know: THAT'S BLASPHEMY!)

I've never seen that rendering before. And I think it's part of the renderings that were developed for the press release but weren't included in them (for whatever reason). Most of the street-level renderings are night shots and have the same color, composition, features and such.

 

But, guess what? There's a way we can find out for sure.... Wait and see (I know: THAT'S BLASPHEMY!)

 

That's mean is what it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i was looking at the renderings link & maybe i missed this discussion, but might there be a rapid station added to the e&y offices? it just seems so logical. the train goes almost completely around them yet they need to drive or walk over there to work? doesn't make sense.

 

maybe even more importantly, if an elevated station were put on the northernmost side then rapid transportation service would be all in place for when the port authority land starts to get redeveloped.

 

oh wait - i looked at it again and there might be a station added there, its just does not look connected to the e&y campus. can anyone 411 me even if its a guess? thx!

 

i was looking at the renderings link & maybe i missed this discussion, but might there be a rapid station added to the e&y offices? it just seems so logical. the train goes almost completely around them yet they need to drive or walk over there to work? doesn't make sense.

 

maybe even more importantly, if an elevated station were put on the northernmost side then rapid transportation service would be all in place for when the port authority land starts to get redeveloped.

 

oh wait - i looked at it again and there might be a station added there, its just does not look connected to the e&y campus. can anyone 411 me even if its a guess? thx!

 

 

I think you are referring to the possible Eaton campus, and I can not recall if a station was to be added there.

I read it somewhere that they are proposing a new station. See between #9 and #10.

Yeah I thought they were proposing a new station along the tracks. See the diagnol building furthest north, you can see the proposed pad for the station right there.

To my knowledge the only new station that's been discussed (and maybe not even officially) has been along the northern edge of the loop by the proposed Eaton campus (like gotribe said, I think that's the one you mean, mrnyc).  If Eaton lands there, they will be rebuilding the loop to expand their site, so I'd expect a new station to be part of the mix.  Just guessing/assuming though.

Then all they'll need is some trains to run on the line!

According to the proposals, they'll run during rush hour! :)

 

I wonder if the tenants of FEB/Eaton would be willing to help subsidize additional rail service. That's sort of sad that they'd have to do that, but I guess it's an idea.

one has to imagine that in 2 years when this development is up and running that service would be restored... until then events and rush hour makes sense.

I wonder if the tenants of FEB/Eaton would be willing to help subsidize additional rail service. That's sort of sad that they'd have to do that, but I guess it's an idea.

 

Why not? Business/property owners in a number of downtowns subsidize fare-free zones for transit services. Makes sense for them to help fund expanded services, too.

I wonder if the tenants of FEB/Eaton would be willing to help subsidize additional rail service. That's sort of sad that they'd have to do that, but I guess it's an idea.

 

Why not? Business/property owners in a number of downtowns subsidize fare-free zones for transit services. Makes sense for them to help fund expanded services, too.

I agree, but I thought that FEB was the one being subsidized by public dollars...so how/why would they subsidize a public project?

whoops i mean eaton in the loop yes! thx

 

"some trains to run there" haha good one -- made me laugh. but seriously if its built its not only for the offices but also with an eye toward the port authority land. might as well get a new station built there sooner than later. i may be long gone, we all may be, but one day that freakin wfl rapid will pay off!

I have been keeping a photo diary of FEB for the past year or so on flickr. You can access the set here:

http://flickr.com/photos/muscatello/sets/72157594539959654/

 

Here are some relatively recent shots of demo work and site prep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^I definitely wish I had more shots of the former buildings from the West Bank :|

 

Ah well, here are some from today - maybe some of our construction/engineer types could tell us what we're looking at *cough*gotribe*cough* :-D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pics MayDay!  I got the same on Saturday, but due to computer illiteracy and a dumb computer, I could not download them.  All in all, the construction is fascinating isn't it?

 

Anyhow, most of your photo's are showing a crane with a hammer that is installing sheet pile for what I would have to say is shoring purposes for Main Avenue.  My only guess at this time is Main is going to get a complete reconstructionwith utilities, and they due not want to lose that slope.  Also, take a look at what is along main, the pier foundations for the Main Avenue Bridge (Rt 2).  Lose too much soil and too much of the peirs are exposed possibly leading to a bit of failure. 

 

Also, they appear to be removing alot of fill (unsuitable soil material, and bulding debris) from beneath the parking lot.  My guess is they are going to remove roughly 2' to 4' of this material and replace it wwith a structural fill (dense clay of 304 limestone) for better stability.  The fill there now just would not cut it.  Trust me, it had to come to no suprise whatsoever based on how old the site is and the amount of exploratory boring taken there.  Anyhow, that is another purpose for the shoring there.  Primarily so there is no slope failure. 

 

Now the yellow crane out by E&Y is more intriguing to me.  That tells me that they are getting ready to excavate a foundation.  I believe it is there for shoring, but there is really no slope there to protect.  The only logical reason would be for foundation prep...I think.

 

Looking again, maybe the yellow crane isn't on E&Y's lot, but rather "Eatons".  If so, I can't answer why that one is there other than for unloading flatbeds with sheetpile. 

Judging by the W steel beam sections on the ground, i'd say they are getting ready to pound the steel "soldier" beams into the ground and then infill with wood planks.  That will stabilize the earth along the road so that excavation can begin.  Have to love the site of cranes  :clap:

^cool. Very informative stuff.

As if driving eastbound over the Flats on the Shoreway isn't the coolest view of Cleveland already...  Awesome!

The yellow crane is between Front Street and the Norfolk Southern freight tracks, not on the "Eaton" site between the NS tracks and RTA's loop. Eaton hasn't made any announcements yet about going to Flats East Bank. Let's wait and see if they do....

^I definitely wish I had more shots of the former buildings from the West Bank

 

ZIP IT!!

 

 

 

May Day's last pic brings back memories.  Notice the two dollar price to park all day.  I use to park in that lot in the mid 90's when I worked on W. 6th Street and it cost a buck to  park all day (and you got your daily exercise trudging up the Main Street hill).  The price really did not go up much over the years.  I am sure the new parking garages will be a little higher.

Check out Musky's second to last pic....gives the impression that the waterfront Loop isn't as isolated as I first thought.

 

In fact, when viewed from Shooters, the area looks downright accessible.

^yes, but what you can't see from that picture is the commercial train tracks running right through the middle of that opening, cutting off what's in the loop.

Check out Musky's second to last pic....gives the impression that the waterfront Loop isn't as isolated as I first thought.

 

In fact, when viewed from Shooters, the area looks downright accessible.

 

I wish it were actually accessible, but its not. Seems like they could have avoided creating the loop if they weren't trying to anticipate a stop for the new aquarium back in 1996.