I think there's room for X and I to both be right.  The goals he stated are all absolutely critical, but none are mutually exclusive with better design standards or better zoning.  And it seems like those could be taken care of with relative ease.  As for business development, demonstrating our class and taste through the built environment seems like an important strategy.  We need to put our best foot forward.  Cleveland has a lot of open space, so it needs a lot of new buildings.  If the buildings we put up are notably low-end in their appearance, it can't help but impact decisions about locating here.

I think there's room for X and I to both be right.  The goals he stated are all absolutely critical, but none are mutually exclusive with better design standards or better zoning.  And it seems like those could be taken care of with relative ease.  As for business development, demonstrating our class and taste through the built environment seems like an important strategy.  We need to put our best foot forward.  Cleveland has a lot of open space, so it needs a lot of new buildings.  If the buildings we put up are notably low-end in their appearance, it can't help but impact decisions about locating here.

 

I agree.

 

That's why I'm so emphatic about design, and better design standards. Like it or not, people make first impressions of a city based on how it looks. We're superficial as humans, to a large extent .. and what if people decide not to come back to Cleveland because of that? It's so much more than just pretty buildings. I really believe that good design impacts a city's future immensely.

I think everyone can agree the question at hand is "do we build something of lesser quality in order to get it up or do we wait and build something that will last and fit a "college campus"."  I'm in favor of all brick.. but the need is there..

Progress on the CSU Student Center as seen from the Healthline:

 

And the Education Building:

Wow. That went up fast.

Woooo buildings!

where in gods name did that come from???

^NBBJ, the construction crew... etc. ;-)

College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) Building

Receives Distinguished Award for Architecture (even before completion)

http://www.csuohio.edu/news/releases/2008/11/aia.html

 

COEHS Building Off to Great Start

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced the winners of the annual design competition held by its Columbus chapter and NBBJ, a leading global architecture and design firm, has received a Merit Award for its work on our College of Education and Human Services building.

 

A five-judge panel led by Scott Erdy of Erdy McHenry Architecture in Philadelphia selected a total of eight winners, three in the Honor and five in the Merit category. The CSU building is the only award winner that has not been completed. It is slated to open in the spring of 2010.

 

The $36 million building will serve as a center for collaborative learning and innovative teaching and learning, and will stand as an iconic eastern gateway to the CSU campus. Its environmentally friendly and sustainable design will feature digital interconnectivity and be well-suited for flexibility and future growth.

 

The approximately 97,000 square-foot building will feature:

 

    * A predominately glass exterior;

    * Twenty technologically state-of-the-art instructional rooms;

    * A technologically enhanced central public forum space where students, faculty, the community and leaders in education and nursing can gather to present, share and discuss relevant issues;

    * Gathering spaces outfitted with the latest technology where groups of students and faculty can collaborate, share and relax;

    * Cutting-edge computer, math education and science education laboratories;

    * Clinical areas where students of the College will get supervised practice and experience in teaching, counseling and tutoring;

    * Inviting outdoor garden spaces connecting the building with Fenn Tower to the west and the Health Sciences building to the north.

 

 

This link is to the thefrangosgroup.com website. Its kind of a rehash of College Town, nothing really new but something to read on a cold winters night  http://www.thefrangosgroup.com/collegetown.html#

When does construction start on the dorms to be built where the bookstore currently stands? I heard that the parking lot behind the bookstore closes in a couple of days. I thought this project wasn't starting until 2010.

Pictures from http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagendalist.htm of CSU's Wright Center (Building Demolition and New Construction, Schematic Review,1910 Euclid Avenue). There are more pics on the design review website, mostly of floor plans and general models of the buildings.

Isn't there still the possibility of this thing being reneged?

Isn't there still the possibility of this thing being reneged?

 

Is there?  Do you have more information? 

There was an article the other day stating the Ohio Economic Development Department sent a nasty gram to CSU that if they didn't get their ass in gear with this project they were going to rescind the grant they were given for this project.  The grant was pretty substantial, somewhere in the neighborhood of $24 mil.  It also stated CSU is next to nowhere in terms of raising the amount of money they were supposed to, to launch the project.

 

I think CSU's response was something along the lines, of they just completed acquiring this property in the past week or so and are doing everything in their power to move forward ASAP. 

 

So yes, I'd say it's not a sure thing.

CSU's inaction on engineering center threatens $24M grant

Posted by dsims January 11, 2009 02:30AM

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerCSU President Michael Schwartz points to leadership issues and problems buying land as reasons for the delays.

A much-ballyhooed engineering center at Cleveland State University is so far behind schedule that the state is threatening to pull a $24 million grant.

 

The Ohio Department of Development has given CSU a mid-February deadline for coming up with a plan to salvage the project.

 

More at:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/csus_inaction_on_engineering_c.html

Shame on Cleveland State for lateness on the new engineering center -- editorial

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

When Cleveland State University won a $24 million grant from the state for an innovative engineering center, its president was ecstatic.

 

"Winning this center says that Cleveland State is one of the big kids on the block," crowed Michael Schwartz.

 

Turns out the big kid has taken a bad tumble on its biggest state grant ever -- so bad that it must regroup quickly or suffer the humiliating fate of losing the engineering center.

 

More at:

http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1231925627229920.xml&coll=2

 

I hope they get it together.  It should be a nice addition to the street.

oh crap...i didn't realize that article was the same building.  What a waste.  Make it happen people.

It sounds like the two sides of this haven't talked much to each other.  Was CSU given target dates that were even remotely feasible?  If not, did CSU think the state was kidding and simply ignore the deadline?  Why is this all just coming up now?  It must have been clear for some time that there were problems.  CSU (Weinberg) seems to think there's still no real deadline or need for urgency.  I would like to hear a more leadershippy tone coming from CSU, given the state's position.

Yeah.. they better get their @$$e$ in gear..

It would be a stunning mistake during such a prosperous period for CSU.

Anyone know what is going on the lower level of the rec?  Increased locker space?

Rec Center construction:

 

"1)  Men's Locker Room.  There are actually 100 less lockers in the Men's Locker Room than in the Women's Locker Room.  And as is the case each and every semester that we have been open so far, there are currently zero Men's full time lockers available for rent.  So this project will expand the locker room and add 138 new lockers.

 

2.)  Plumbing.  As with most new building projects, there are a few oversights that crop up once you take occupancy of a building.  The Recreation Center is no different.  You may not have noticed but there is not a drinking fountain on the first floor (although the Racquetball and Squash players sure have) or that our Swimsuit spinners in each locker room actually drain into buckets instead of drains.  Both of these issues will be addressed in this renovation project.

 

3.)  Family Changing Room and access to the Pool.  Other than cutting through the locker rooms, there was no easy way to get to the Busbey Natatorium and the family changing room had two doors, making it very difficult for someone to secure and dress their children.  So we are moving the Family Changing Room a little to the right (with one door only) and adding a pool access corridor through the old family changing room location.

 

4.)  Entrance Heat.  Our front desk staff are often wearing coats or huddled around a floor heater when you check into the facility.  That is because our entrance usually is at about 55 to 60 degrees during the winter months.  A new baseboard heater for the desk and a more high tech heater for the entrance foyer should drastically improve these conditions.

 

5.)  Blinds.  If you work out at sunset, then you know it is very difficult to see out the West windows on the second and third floors of our building during that time.  We are installing blinds on both floors to give those early evening workouts a little relief and hopefully keep the heat down a bit during the summer months as well."

A very informative first post - welcome to the forum! :-)

Welcome Foraker!  Hope to see more post by you!

Is there any interest at CSU in starting Varsity Village any time soon? Are they waiting for the new parking deck to be finished in order to do anything over there? Is that project still on the table or is it another cleveland pipe dream?

Pipe dream? C'mon Gavster, sounds like you've been reading the PD too much lately.

sorry, i thought that may offend some here. After pesht and FEB among other projects, i was wondering if this got thrown to the wayside. A project like that would do amazing things for downtown. I assume in today's climate it would be much easier to finance dormitories than apt or condo buildings. just hoping this hasnt been abandoned.

hmm...not good

 

CSU amends plan to salvage grant for Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering

Posted by Janet Okoben/Plain Dealer Reporter

February 19, 2009 06:00AM

 

 

Lorain County Community College has agreed to become the primary host of an engineering center that was to have been housed at Cleveland State University.

CSU this week submitted a plan to the Ohio Department of Development aimed at salvaging a $24 million grant it won in 2006 for the Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering. In December, the state froze funding for the project because it was so far behind and gave CSU 45 days to come up with a remedy or risk losing the grant...

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/csu_amends_plan_to_salvage_gra.html

^What the hell?  So the campus is now getting some diluted plan because it could not keep its word.  That's disappointing.

From the way I read it, the campus now isn't getting anything.

^Wow.  That is incredibly disappointing.  What was the reason CSU could not come through?  It could not find the funding?  I don't think it says in the article.

It's all outlined in a previous article a few posts up.

That's not so much disappointing as disturbing.  How do you blow something like that?  My take on CSU, having been there 4 years now, is that they lack a sense of proportion.  They do most things very very well.  Faculty and staff are great.  They're moving the campus in a 100% positive direction.  In general the school deserves more recognition.  But it'll never get that because they keep missing the boat on big issues like this one.  Food service is another drive-killing fumble.  I've seen branch campuses and gas stations with better food service, and nobody is on the same page as far as what can or should be done. 

 

Why have they been doing so much construction recently that DID NOT have a giant grant riding on it?  It seems like an inexcusable misallocation of resources, unless there's some big factor we're missing.

Looks like work has started on the building next to the Barnes and Noble building. I saw some new metal stud walls in the top floor.

In another few years this whole stretch of Euclid will have been made over.  If they actually do the art building across that big space where the Corlett building is now, the street will look pretty darn solid, better than any time since before CSU first opened.

In another few years this whole stretch of Euclid will have been made over.  If they actually do the art building across that big space where the Corlett building is now, the street will look pretty darn solid, better than any time since before CSU first opened.

 

I truly think this project will do more for CSU than the average Clevelander thinks.. CSU has so many great programs, but starts off behind the ball because your average HS senior wants the college experience, not the commuter experience.

 

In turn, getting more students on campus will allow the school to be more selective, recruit better athletes for their sports programs, etc.

In another few years this whole stretch of Euclid will have been made over.  If they actually do the art building across that big space where the Corlett building is now, the street will look pretty darn solid, better than any time since before CSU first opened.

 

I truly think this project will do more for CSU than the average Clevelander thinks.. CSU has so many great programs, but starts off behind the ball because your average HS senior wants the college experience, not the commuter experience.

 

In turn, getting more students on campus will allow the school to be more selective, recruit better athletes for their sports programs, etc.

 

But with the economy in the shape it is, many people cannot afford to go away.  So these improvements could be good for CSU.

In another few years this whole stretch of Euclid will have been made over.  If they actually do the art building across that big space where the Corlett building is now, the street will look pretty darn solid, better than any time since before CSU first opened.

 

I truly think this project will do more for CSU than the average Clevelander thinks.. CSU has so many great programs, but starts off behind the ball because your average HS senior wants the college experience, not the commuter experience.

 

In turn, getting more students on campus will allow the school to be more selective, recruit better athletes for their sports programs, etc.

 

But with the economy in the shape it is, many people cannot afford to go away.  So these improvements could be good for CSU.

 

Absolutely.. but the economy is cyclical.. so when things pick back up, CSU needs to already have the infrastructure in place or in construction to compete for these students.

Living on campus is not necessarily more expensive.  Living on campus means that you don't need to purchase a car, auto insurance, or gasoline and you can get anywhere you want for $25 via the U-Pass.  To buy a $10,000 car, throw in gas and insurance, and it will cost somewhere in the $15,000 to $25,000 range for 4 years of school (assuming gas doesn't go back up to $4+.  I wish CSU would build more dormitories versus more parking garages.

They're doing both.  They may start on the next set of dorms, across from the new ed building, before the new student center is even done.  But I compared on-campus prices with other options and it wasn't close at all.  The U-Pass opens up a lot of cheaper housing in neighborhoods that are further along, in which car-free living is easier than it is downtown.  It was cheaper for me to have a single apartment and buy one garbage car every year.  You don't need a $10,000 car.  I've never had one, actually.  But the dorms aren't very economical because you're paying for maintenance and houskeeping whether you need it or not, and in many cases paying people to cook for you too.  Having your own kitchen saves a ton of money.

I went by the construction site for the new student center yesterday, and I'm unhappy to report that it appears to hate being on Euclid Avenue, more than its predecessor did.  Even the apex of the curved front portion is a long way from the sidewalk.  And similarly to E18th, there are sizaeable empty fields at the corners of the block.  The whole thing is sited much further back than I had expected.  The university has been doing a lot of things right lately design-wise, but this one is looking like 1960s thinking.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/03/csu_officials_envision_large_e.html

 

CSU officials envision large expansion of housing, parking

Posted by Janet Okoben/Plain Dealer Reporter March 13, 2009 21:35PM

Categories: Education, Real Time News

 

Courtesy of CSU

A plan is in the works to triple on-campus housing with apartments built around a new baseball field.

An ambitious plan to create a more residential Cleveland State University, tripling on-campus housing, will be rolled out to prospective developers next week.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe it is time for Sam Miller to finally hang it up.  Quite frankly, like the article suggests, most developers are sitting on their hands right now for obvious reasons.  Partnering with a public entity with an almost guaranteed revenue stream is one of the few projects that seems to make sense right now.  Maybe Sam is thinking that the way to go is to put up more bungalows in Parma since he was so good at that.

Wow.  Openly talking down on another board member?  Great move, Sam.

Sam Miller is a real classy guy.  Just because his company isn't interested in doing anything in Cleveland but trying to bilk taxpayers doesn't mean he should be talking trash about those who are actually attempting to get something done. 

 

Get this -sshole off the board, CSU!

 

I'm really surprised by the aggressiveness of the timeframe they are putting on this development.  Hopefully they can pull it off, and our Downtown will have a largely new eastern neighborhood.

I think the plan would be awesome.  IMO, it would increase the attractiveness of the university an unlimited amount.  The only think I am unclear of is the bridge to the Tri-C campus.  What is the distance bw the two? 

 

Here is a link for the concept: http://blog.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/2009/03/14CGCSU.pdf

I think the baseball stadium is unnecessary until I hear plans for it's year round use.  I think it should be located elsewhere (E. 55) so that the community at large can benefit from it's use.

 

Just build more dorms, housing and things that will benefit the residents to the north of the campus.  I also feel there are too many parking lots.

 

Eliminate the parking lots and show people the benefit of using the HL and the multiple RTA lines that run through the campus.