Re Verizon - must be different in approach than Sprint. Sprint actually has outsouced most service work to 3rd party "authorized dealers"... and refers customers to those service centers for warranty service. Most company stores do not have service centers and don't deal with warranties. On the east side - your option is pretty much the poorly run authorized dealer on Chagrin Blvd near Eton. I spent a week there one day.

When is the Constantino's to open?  Is the Verizon now open?

Last weekend the the entire sidewalk in front was blocked off to the public.  Did they actually create the walk since then?

When is the Constantino's to open?  Is the Verizon now open?

Last weekend the the entire sidewalk in front was blocked off to the public?  Did they actually create the walk since then?

 

I'm guessing they will open soon.  Patience, young Skywalker.

From last Friday ...

 

 

Based on these pictures, I think the facade is turning out better than I had expected from looking at the few renderings that were ever released.

From the Case Daily:

 

New businesses springing up as Uptown project brings new life to University Circle

 

http://cwru-daily.com/news/?p=6284

 

In addition, a yet-unnamed specialty pizza shop by Greenhouse Tavern/Noodlecat’s Jonathan Sawyer will make its debut in late summer,

 

Wait a sec, I know Sawyer's name was thrown around before, but did we already know it was going to be a pizza place?  That could be really, really awesome.

I think that was news to most people.  It was symon that we were expecting to come out with a pizza place....

 

Also that same article mentions April for Constantino's

From the Case Daily:

 

New businesses springing up as Uptown project brings new life to University Circle

 

http://cwru-daily.com/news/?p=6284

 

In addition, a yet-unnamed specialty pizza shop by Greenhouse Tavern/Noodlecat’s Jonathan Sawyer will make its debut in late summer,

 

Wait a sec, I know Sawyer's name was thrown around before, but did we already know it was going to be a pizza place?  That could be really, really awesome.

Sawyer was the opening chef for Bar Cento, and they've continued making the same pizzas.  So if you want a preview you can check out that spot.

With qty of apts coming online in the univ circle area,  cleve state (north campus), downtown apts will cleveland see an uptick in cab culture along euclid??

With qty of apts coming online in the univ circle area,  cleve state (north campus), downtown apts will cleveland see an uptick in cab culture along euclid??

 

Good topic for:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,10540.msg146549.html#msg146549

 

Let's keep this thread to progress on construction/development of Uptown.

I  got to the new B&N yesterday. Glad to see it's somewhat larger than the one near CSU (though, as stated here) that one does not replace the official university store. One of those cases where planning wasn't done well and the walks aren't even finished a week after the store opens. If one parks in the back one has to walk into sort of an arcade that goes through the building to the front - the only sidewalk area on Euclid that is finished whereby one can walk in from the street.

 

Frankly, mikel et al, I was not impressed with the parking behind at all. I guess it's a big thing to have a free parking area in that vicinity, so for that some entity deserves some credit, but it's not that large and if it has to be shared with upstairs tenants in the future there'll be no room for shoppers. And, as I remarked last week, if the tenants in those luxury apartments upstairs aren't even offered parking very nearby, that's a big negative factor in choosing those particular apartments.... I don't know about the Verizon but it looks like it will be weeks before Constantino's opens. It will be large and wonderful, though, when it eventually happens. But, again - the parking will be a big problem, as I see it, except for those who come there with no vehicle. Cafe in B&N, by the way, awfully nice for a B&N closed at 5 on weekends and only 'til 7 other nites.  Just like a full B&N cafe (e.g. Woodmere).

^Do you think the hours will expand  (cafe) once the project is actually done and tenants move in?

Got a good look at the facade this weekend.  I don't mind the dullness caused by lack of color and it looks good on approach...... but up close, me no likey.  When I look at it, it reminds me of the expandable material in one of those extenders you put on an A/C units to seal of the opening in the window.  And I don't like how it is exposed on the bottom end which just makes it look that much more cheap when walking by.  Not trying to be a Negative Nancy.... just an observation on what I percieve to be a light fault in an overwhelmingly positive and impressive project.

Lafont,  I guess my impression of the parking is that it will more than adequate for that location.  The majority of business will come from people on foot.  The Parking lot that was behind Starbucks at Cornell and Euclid (before hotel construction)  was probably only about 1/4 as big as the uptown parking and it was almost never completely full.  The parking needs here are not going to be the same as the parking needs at severance center or some other suburban shopping complex. 

I  got to the new B&N yesterday. Glad to see it's somewhat larger than the one near CSU (though, as stated here) that one does not replace the official university store. One of those cases where planning wasn't done well and the walks aren't even finished a week after the store opens. If one parks in the back one has to walk into sort of an arcade that goes through the building to the front - the only sidewalk area on Euclid that is finished whereby one can walk in from the street.

 

Frankly, mikel et al, I was not impressed with the parking behind at all. I guess it's a big thing to have a free parking area in that vicinity, so for that some entity deserves some credit, but it's not that large and if it has to be shared with upstairs tenants in the future there'll be no room for shoppers. And, as I remarked last week, if the tenants in those luxury apartments upstairs aren't even offered parking very nearby, that's a big negative factor in choosing those particular apartments.... I don't know about the Verizon but it looks like it will be weeks before Constantino's opens. It will be large and wonderful, though, when it eventually happens. But, again - the parking will be a big problem, as I see it, except for those who come there with no vehicle. Cafe in B&N, by the way, awfully nice for a B&N closed at 5 on weekends and only 'til 7 other nites.  Just like a full B&N cafe (e.g. Woodmere).

 

Maybe these are people who don't want cars?  Because they will (eventually) have a full service hood right on a major transit line.

I forgot to mention that, as we all know, the commercial lot at the corner of Euclid and Ford will be gone this year (I assume - hopefuly that project too will FINALLY get underway, and there will go all those parking spaces! Sure Uptown expects a lot of foot traffic but many others might come if they can conceive there is parking very close to quickly go in and out. Also, when it is known there is parking nearby, that brings all the more people. Really not much parking and the big question, as already asked here, is if residents will be allowed to park there.

 

Was the lot off Cornell free, to?  That doesn't seem likely at all, as there's the pay parking garage so close by which draws hundreds and hundreds a day.

Do we really need to have the parking debate in every single thread when it comes to high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, transit-supportive (any other urban planning-isms I can throw in there?) urban neighborhoods? No neighborhood, be it urban or suburban, can be all things to all people. They are like art, and some are loved and some are hated. But a healthy metro area needs to offer a mix of choices. Considering that two high-density transit lines  converge in this part of University Circle and the large number of college students, I cannot think of a better place to offer land use patterns and services that cater to those who prefer to the ultimate in urban lifestyles, including being car-free or at least car-light.

 

MRN is at least trying to accommodate some of those who insist on visiting this part of UC with their cars. And that is  more than I can say about developers' efforts in the metro area's collar counties trying to accommodate Cleveland's transit riders.

^great post on so many levels.

Lafont....is there something you know about the lot at Euclid and Ford.  I thought that is a part of uptown phase 2, and I was not aware that it was a "go"...at least not this year.  Is it going forward so soon?

Some of the site plans show what looks like a small (two-level)? parking deck behind the north side of Phase I.  I suspect that MRN has some flexibility here, and if it feels it really does need to add more parking to get the rents it wants, it will be able to do so.  In the mean time, I'm happy just to wait and see how MRN does leasing out the residential and commercial space, and I suspect it will have no problem.

 

Does anyone know if and how much MRN is charging for parking spaces at Uptown for residential tenants?

I'm sure they will have dedicated/reserved spots for residents.  A parking deck would be nice, but I would rather that they not limit funding on the other aspects of this development before taking that step.  I actually think it is refreshing to see a development with a retail component supply parking that is something short of sufficient for the parking demands of Black Friday.

 

Something I heard a suburban developer say recently referring to the parking situation - "Maron is creating a clusterf#ck down there."  smh

KJP - I understand all you're saying except this one line:

 

"... some of those who insist on visiting this part of UC with their cars..."

 

Kinda makes it sound like you have little sympathy for those who actually want to drive to this partially commercial area.... I take transit most work days, yet I feel no reason to apologize for wanting to drive at other times - particularly to drive inward and to save some time and be able to take advantage of all that University Circle, and other city locations, have to offer.

KJP - I understand all you're saying except this one line:

 

"... some of those who insist on visiting this part of UC with their cars..."

 

Kinda makes it sound like you have little sympathy for those who actually want to drive to this partially commercial area.... I take transit most work days, yet I feel no reason to apologize for wanting to drive at other times - particularly to drive inward and to save some time and be able to take advantage of all that University Circle, and other city locations, have to offer.

 

That's correct. I don't have much sympathy. If you want to go swimming in cool water, don't jump in a sandbox.

 

You're not the only one, but far too many people don't grasp that having plentiful parking often destroys the kinds of places and spaces urbanists enjoy. Sometimes you have to make choices.

 

MRN is doing its best to compromise with its design without ignoring its passion for things that enliven urbanism.

I agree that people from other parts of the city should be able to park in university circle.  I do not think it is necessary for people to be able to park immediately adjacent to every building in University Circle though.  That is basically the suburban strip mall model where you drive from store to store down the strip.  Think of Uptown as "Crocker Park".  Do you demand to park directly next to Barnes and Noble at Crocker Park?  I don't think so.  Why do people have higher parking standards in an urban neighborhood than in a faux shopping district.  People walk farther to get to the store they want to go to when parking in a large shopping mall parking lot.  UC will be the park once and walk model rather than the hop from place to place by car model.  I think people will deal with it just fine.

For those of you who have been....  Is the Uptown lot metered?  If it's not, it should be, otherwise it's gonna be useless because people for Case and UH will just park there all day.

 

And I agree that it won't need THAT much parking - it just needs to be well-controlled due to the lack of parking in the area.

 

Great question, as one of those 'Case and UH people'... I forgot how this does occur whenever possible at un-metered lots.

I heard that it would be metered with 30 minutes free or something along those lines.

...a la Cleveland Heights, then. 8-)

KJP - I understand all you're saying except this one line:

 

"... some of those who insist on visiting this part of UC with their cars..."

 

Kinda makes it sound like you have little sympathy for those who actually want to drive to this partially commercial area.... I take transit most work days, yet I feel no reason to apologize for wanting to drive at other times - particularly to drive inward and to save some time and be able to take advantage of all that University Circle, and other city locations, have to offer.

 

That's correct. I don't have much sympathy. If you want to go swimming in cool water, don't jump in a sandbox.

 

You're not the only one, but far too many people don't grasp that having plentiful parking often destroys the kinds of places and spaces urbanists enjoy. Sometimes you have to make choices.

 

MRN is doing its best to compromise with its design without ignoring its passion for things that enliven urbanism.

I happen to be one who is more than willing to walk some distance whenever possible. When I drive to University Circle, often on the way somewhere else, I park in one place and walk ll over, as time allows.  My remarks pertained to others who don't care to do so or cannot physically do so.

 

Do we really need to have the parking debate in every single thread when it comes to high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, transit-supportive (any other urban planning-isms I can throw in there?) urban neighborhoods? No neighborhood, be it urban or suburban, can be all things to all people. They are like art, and some are loved and some are hated. But a healthy metro area needs to offer a mix of choices. Considering that two high-density transit lines  converge in this part of University Circle and the large number of college students, I cannot think of a better place to offer land use patterns and services that cater to those who prefer to the ultimate in urban lifestyles, including being car-free or at least car-light.

 

MRN is at least trying to accommodate some of those who insist on visiting this part of UC with their cars. And that is  more than I can say about developers' efforts in the metro area's collar counties trying to accommodate Cleveland's transit riders.

 

AMEN!!!!

I know Chris Ronayne has stated he wants to get rid of all parking lots in University Circle...well I'm happy to report even the necessary Uptown lot behind the street-front mixed use are made of brick:

 

 

Glad to see the attention to detail! Something different is good.

 

One question: how do you stripe that surface?

Thanks for the pics of the rear view, MH! I was totally wondering what it looked like back there. And what a great surprise- I really like the brick.  I kind of wish they were able to add some landscaping back there too to break up the lot, but I'm guessing they were trying to squeeze out every space they could from that area.

 

 

Thanks! The first floor looks cool back there! And I like the brick!

 

I haven't walked back there yet, so all I'm going on is the great picture above...but I don't see any parking meters. Maybe I'm wrong and I need new glasses.

Or, those meters are coming soon?

^No striping yet either, so I think they're still working on the lot.

This looks really nice: the front's catching up to the rear.  Hope B&N increases it's hours once more storefronts, and the apts, open.  I mean, 7p weeknight closures is for the birds, esp on a major college campus in a superior arts district.

 

^^Ah yes.

I'm anticipating a walk back there before the week is out.

This looks really nice: the front's catching up to the rear. 

 

Wouldn't that make it too narrow to live in?

the brick is permeable too which is cool

This looks really nice: the front's catching up to the rear. 

 

Wouldn't that make it too narrow to live in?

 

I confess, you got me...

OMG! So Do I! Pretty Amazing! Love It!

Thanks! The first floor looks cool back there! And I like the brick!

Very Euro-Esque!

I was in the new BN tonight.  Let me tell you, after being at Case for 9 years and hearing about a new bookstore someday, it was weird to actually be in it!  It is small in terms of regular stock, though - maybe about the size of what Walden stores used to be?

 

Also, I don't remember if this was mentioned, but Constantino's had their hours on the door already - they'll be open until 10pm Monday thru Saturday and 6 on Sunday!

I was in the new BN tonight.  Let me tell you, after being at Case for 9 years and hearing about a new bookstore someday, it was weird to actually be in it!  It is small in terms of regular stock, though - maybe about the size of what Walden stores used to be?

 

Also, I don't remember if this was mentioned, but Constantino's had their hours on the door already - they'll be open until 10pm Monday thru Saturday and 6 on Sunday!

 

I dont think it had been mentioned so thanks for sharing. Those are good hours in my opinion.

 

Also I know the space is larger than the CSU one, but does it have more regular books than the CSU one? I think I remember the one in CSU having a decent amount, nothing amazing or course, but decent.

I don't know personally as I have never been in the CSU store.

Uptown Update: Moca and the New Marriott Hotel!  03/30/12

WOW

 

Cant wait til the fall when this first phase of stuff should finishing up (and at which time CIA should be taking off)

 

The parking lot behind CWRU bookstore and Constantino's Mkt...there is nothing that resembles meters going in. Maybe it's too early but it doesnt look like there will  be much in the way of lighting. Again it's probably too early and/or I am interpreting what I saw incorrectly.

Maybe this lot will be minimally accessorized (low-lighting, no striping)? At least at this point in time, the bricked lot is more reminiscent of a driveway for a luxury home. I wonder if all this is in deference to the NIMBY Hessler Rd residents, whose apartment buildings and row houses are right up to this area, and also to the occupants of the Uptown Apts who could be paying the most in NEOhio for living per sq foot.

Some of the more detailed site plans on the web showed a very specific striping pattern, with what looked like some medians.  Looked like the lot was divided into two separate sections, which would make sense operationally (one for tenants, one for shoppers), though could also just have been a result of efficient striping.  Does seem a little odd to have bricked the whole thing without installing concrete medians/light bases first, but maybe it was just easier with their timing to pave now, finish later.

 

Yes I havent looked at this pdf forever.

The lot in question (with striping) is in the lower lefthand corner:

 

http://www.noaca.org/uptowntlci.pdf