Overall it seems to lean heavily on narrowing Prospect Avenue for the sake of impeding automotive traffic.  I guess I would focus more on buildings.  I've never been a fan of pocket parks because they're too small to function as a real park, and they never seem to involve much vegetation beyond grass.  A tree or two on a miniature lawn is a treelawn, not a park.

Yeah, but it offers a place for your dog to heed nature's call.

Overall it seems to lean heavily on narrowing Prospect Avenue for the sake of impeding automotive traffic.  I guess I would focus more on buildings.  I've never been a fan of pocket parks because they're too small to function as a real park, and they never seem to involve much vegetation beyond grass.  A tree or two on a miniature lawn is a treelawn, not a park.

 

Agreed!

Overall it seems to lean heavily on narrowing Prospect Avenue for the sake of impeding automotive traffic.

 

It is called a road diet. the irony of shrinking from 4 lanes to 3 lane sis that traffic moves better not worse.

 

the because the lack of turning lanes and the spotty inclusion of on street parking creates obstacles for through traffic.  prospect is not a high volume road way.  it volume is well within the guidelines for the road diet treatment.

 

It frustrates me to no end that "urbanist" fail to internalize the fact that automotive traffic displaces all other traffic.  for the redevelopment of the area you almost need to rebalanced the area to facilitate pedestrian movement, over Automotive movement.  if you don't you are guaranteed to get new buildings with few residents and more parking. in my plan I have Replaced all parking lost 1 for 1 but i have not added any more parking to the area.  the idea would be that the residential parking would displace the Peak and office parking.  Which would create a more consistent flow of traffic from the 4 garages in prospect. 

 

Ask the question  WHY IS LOWER PROSPECT so DEAD? why is the development focused on Euclid not the abundant storefronts on prospect?

 

I guess I would focus more on buildings. 

 

there is a limit to what an urban planner can and should do, my goal was to best manage what is in the public domain, the roads the sidewalks and the green space.

 

while focusing on the massing of the building around that space and less so on the actual building that reside in this space.

 

this is a goal of Form based Zoning.

 

for Example: can you or anyone here determine the actual number of buildings on east 4th street between Euclid and prospect?  the point is from ground level the buildings on east 4th street are less significant than the Street scape and floor it's self.  the building become walls and the textures of the building are ll that matter the "buildings" themselves fade into the background.

 

the Space and the street-scape are what EAST 4th is.  it is sense of place it is sense of being Someplace you want to be. 

 

I've never been a fan of pocket parks because they're too small to function as a real park, and they never seem to involve much vegetation beyond grass.  A tree or two on a miniature lawn is a treelawn, not a park.

 

you should watch this video

 

William H. Whyte: The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces - The Street Corner on Vimeo

 

the concept of a park is not linear or inclusive. there is not Definition of "real park"  To me the malls Are not real parks they are too large and they are rarely used as parks.  you have to understand there is Science behind park design, we know what works and doesn't work.

 

 

The plaza I installed are roughly 5000-7000 square feet.  They are not true pocket parks.  they provide an place for people to watch other people, they are open they cut through short cut, they encourage people to to watch other people.  they are informal spaces in a very formal space.

 

 

Good analysis, even if I don't agree about "road diets" and such.  Squeezing a hose does not calm the flow.  The effect you're looking for would involve turning down the faucet, which in this case is hard to do and not necessarily good for business.

 

Regardless, you're right that the streetscape is paramount.  That's why E 4th works so well and why lower Prospect has so much potential.

Good analysis, even if I don't agree about "road diets" and such.  Squeezing a hose does not calm the flow.  The effect you're looking for would involve turning down the faucet, which in this case is hard to do and not necessarily good for business.

 

Regardless, you're right that the streetscape is paramount.  That's why E 4th works so well and why lower Prospect has so much potential.

 

 

 

Before Road Diet

 

After Road Diet

 

Makes a great point. We should probably include the obese people in the first one...and then the leaner walking populace in the second depiction!

With that, let's keep this thread for discussion of actual construction and development.

With that, let's keep this thread for discussion of actual construction and development.

 

so where should this go?

Not here. Maybe start a thread in General Discussions? It's great material, but it's off topic here.

At the Kent State game I ran into the manager that runs the University Circle chipotle and he said that he is about to run the one downtown when it opens. I asked him for an opening date and he said December-January.

The Public Square Farmers market posted on Facebook that the market would be moving indoors for the winter season, utilizing the "5th Street Arcades" previously known as the colonial marketplace. I haven't heard it called this anywhere else. Must be new  owners new name?

I kind of like the name.  Although, based on their locations, they should be the 5th Street Arcade and the 6th Street Arcade.

There's been a "dumpster" outside of the Volk building a good portion of the week and it's pretty full.  It looks like they're cleaning out the second floor.

They were working in the old hat store, as well.

Does anyone know if Red Steakhouse will be using both floors? I read it is a 2mill.investment.

Also something called  http://clevelandindoorcycle-com.webs.com/ has opened at The Bike Rack on e4th.

I kept forgetting to share this until now, but a week ago while walking from the Tower City Rapid station to work, I saw the construction workers inside the space where Chipotle will go on Euclid Avenue. I poked my head in and asked "When does Chipotle open?" The reply? "On the first." When I asked them which month, the guy replied "December."

 

I'm not sure how they could open that fast, considering they were only putting up studs when I looked in. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

 

I kept forgetting to share this until now, but a week ago while walking from the Tower City Rapid station to work, I saw the construction workers inside the space where Chipotle will go on Euclid Avenue. I poked my head in and asked "When does Chipotle open?" The reply? "On the first." When I asked them which month, the guy replied "December."

 

I'm not sure how they could open that fast, considering they were only putting up studs when I looked in. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

 

 

No way December 1st they are open.  I would believe the 15th at earliest.  Also it would depend on how much of the staff will be new.  If they are going to be brought in from existing stores then they could open much sooner.  Actually I think they will need to for the first month or so, there may be a 1 hr wait for a burrito on their grand opening.

Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but did anyone notice the Xmas pop up shop in the space between hodges and colossal cupcakes-- the storefront on Euclid, part of the arcade? Interesting!

Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but did anyone notice the Xmas pop up shop in the space between hodges and colossal cupcakes-- the storefront on Euclid, part of the arcade? Interesting!

 

I was in the "5th street arcades" today as was happy to see how busy it was, as well as the fact that there were workers in several of the empty storefronts painting and making repairs. Looks like there's a lot going on. Now I wish they could fix up the facade on Euclid. It needs help

^^Yep...Gateway District Thread.

Hard to tell the difference on that one. Especially when you don't really associate the Euclid storefronts with the gateway district. It's really cool to see though, it lights up Euclid

I walk by that J Gumbo/Chipotle space every day, there is zero action inside the Chipotle space that I can see. The J Gumbo space is hopping with workers in and out continuously.

I walk by that J Gumbo/Chipotle space every day, there is zero action inside the Chipotle space that I can see. The J Gumbo space is hopping with workers in and out continuously.

 

Really? It seems every time I walk by there from Tower City to my office that there's someone coming out of Chipotle, so I always ask them how it's coming along. I chatted with a worker as we both walked east on Euclid, and he said both places are coming along, with drywall going up now. He thought that both opening by the first of the year was realistic.

New soul food restaurant 'Stonetown' to open in downtown Cleveland near East 4th in January

 

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/new-soul-food-restaurant-stonetown-to-open-in-downtown-cleveland-near-east-4th-in-january

Glad to see it. Hope they have better luck than Nexus did. Frankly, I forgot that Nexus was there, even though I work only one block north.

Again...this is Gateway district...not E4th. The article even states it!

Who cares, Gateway District is too broad IMO. I think of it as mainly directly around the arenas. It makes more sense to include this stuff in east 4th, because of the fact that these developments are a direct result of the East 4th development, not the gateway district. Gateway thread just kind of mixes everything up and makes it messy IMO

So with that logic then, all of the townhomes on Bridge are a result of Gordon Square? So shouldn't we then get rid of Detroit Shoreway? The Gateway District was founded in 1988, prior to the rebirth of E4th. The popularity of E4th is spilling over, yes, but that does not mean that it is now the East 4th Street district.

^Gordan Square is a district, Detroit Shoreway is a neighborhood.  E. 4 is a street and Gateway is a District so the parallel doesn't really match up...  (Not that I necessarily disagree, just think that clarification should be made)

Burrito-fication in progress along with J Gumbo and all the other hustle and bustle of the constantly improving Euclid  Avenue

The tile is pretty cool in the back of the store. I peeked in tonight.

The tile is pretty cool in the back of the store. I peeked in tonight.

At Chipotle? And do you know when it's supposed to open??

if this is a new concept Chipotle like just opened at Cedar Center it will have much different look then we''re used to.... (including mostly communal tables, which might play better in city)

A couple weeks ago, the UC location said January 15th.^^

if this is a new concept Chipotle like just opened at Cedar Center it will have much different look then we''re used to.... (including mostly communal tables, which might play better in city)

 

Communal tables are pretty cool.

If communal tables were more common in CLE, I don't think there would be an issue. But making the restaurant almost exclusively communal - in a society that likes its space - will be a tough sell in suburban locations, especially.  Heck, restaurants around here have a tough enough time seating guests at 2 tops in between/close to other 2 tops, etc.... How many times have I seen customers being seated reject a seat like that?

 

Anyway - hope this Chipotle is new design - and communal will work downtowns/during busy lunchtimes - that's a different story...

New Chipotle design to likely be seen in one off E 4th.

 

http://dcinternationalist.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/chipotle-quietly-unveils-new-look/

 

 

I like it. Should look really nice! plus i cant wait to get my burrito on when i go downtown

If communal tables were more common in CLE, I don't think there would be an issue. But making the restaurant almost exclusively communal - in a society that likes its space - will be a tough sell in suburban locations, especially.  Heck, restaurants around here have a tough enough time seating guests at 2 tops in between/close to other 2 tops, etc.... How many times have I seen customers being seated reject a seat like that?

 

Anyway - hope this Chipotle is new design - and communal will work downtowns/during busy lunchtimes - that's a different story...

 

Check this out. It's the Pizza Port, one of the most popular small-chain restaurants in Southern California. I don't see any reason why Cleveland wouldn't like this festive, traditional kind of setup.

 

 

 

 

^ Regarding communal tables and suburbanites- the Chipotle on 303 in Brunswick is all communal tables and they seem to work fine.

As is the new one on Cedar/Warrensville - pretty nice set up.

I know there is already a communal design in the Fountain Square location

I was walking down Euclid today and noticed that the windows were uncovered at the Chipotle site, seems to becoming along nicely. Wasn't able to get a picture because my phone died.

Just passed it this morning.  They are finally replacing the Westlake style door's that were there with more typical doors.  I like this as those stood out like a sore thumb.

Just passed it this morning.  They are finally replacing the Westlake style door's that were there with more typical doors.  I like this as those stood out like a sore thumb.

 

Thank you Tedders, you hit that on the head by your descrition.  Yes they wee certainly that "faux" Home Depot "fancy" door that had no place here.  Thank goodness they are gone! 

They took the plywood off the Chipotle facade. Either that or they cut holes into it for the windows. Starting to come together.

 

edit: And yes, the news has been really slow the past week.

Are those doors for REALLY tall people?

 

EDIT: Mendo, most newspapers are pre-written before the holidays with lots of news features, end-of-the-year wrap-ups and "best-of" awards, plus borrowed material especially from national/world news wires like the Associated Press or Reuters. Newspapers are also a lot thinner except for ads for holiday-related sales.

 

For example, I wrote all my stuff for Sun's 12/27/12 and 1/3/13 issues last week. Other writers did that, too. That's all we'll have unless someone burns down Terminal Tower. This truly is the most difficult time of the year for writing hard news, so you have to plan ahead and even "ration" your hard news stories, which is what I did for the 1/3/13 issue by holding off on two road reconstruction articles.

^ I was just busting your chops, KJP. Nobody is expecting you media types to be working. It's the holidays man! You should be at a Christmas party, double fisting eggnog and rum, trying to make out with your hot neighbor under the mistletoe, like the rest of us.

^ I was just busting your chops, KJP. Nobody is expecting you media types to be working. It's the holidays man! You should be at a Christmas party, double fisting eggnog and rum, trying to make out with your hot neighbor under the mistletoe, like the rest of us.

 

In the absence of Christmas parties, hoisting a few and trying to pick up hotties, I've been working but only for my day job (AAO).

 

But I figured a little insider info on how the media operates during the holidays might be of interest to some folks.

 

I strolled by the two new establishments, Chipotle and J Gumbo, yesterday but didn't take a picture. Sorry folks! I'll bet they both open the first or second week of January.