^Totally agree.  Now Peabody's would not be perfect if it were facing Euclid Avenue, but it's not.  It's off Euclid down a narrow street and it fits in perfectly were it is.  It has a real grittiness to it that adds to the experience IMO.

And Peabody's is much better than the old Rascal House, which always reminded me of a tired and despair-filled airport hotel bar....

Rascal House has very nice street presence; it's friendly and accessible looking.

 

This is in stark contrast to many of the CSU-created buildings that appear impersonal.

 

Besides, as another poster stated, Euclid is a historic street and it makes the most sense to realize and compliment what is pre-existing.

 

so this is ok?

 

 

I friggin' love that! If we're going to have window-less walls in this city, then that's a great way to make them unique to this city! I love that kind of urban messyness!

 

its awful. 

 

and you going build some ultra modern piece of architecture next to it? 

Rascal House has very nice street presence; it's friendly and accessible looking.

 

This is in stark contrast to many of the CSU-created buildings that appear impersonal.

 

Besides, as another poster stated, Euclid is a historic street and it makes the most sense to realize and compliment what is pre-existing.

 

it is less the building that bothers me and more the parking lot next to it.

 

 

Rascal House has very nice street presence; it's friendly and accessible looking.

 

This is in stark contrast to many of the CSU-created buildings that appear impersonal.

 

Besides, as another poster stated, Euclid is a historic street and it makes the most sense to realize and compliment what is pre-existing.

 

it is less the building that bothers me and more the parking lot next to it.

 

I got ya. The lot is terrible.

^That I think we can all agree on.

"relocate" Peabodys to a space more befitting its place in Cleveland history, and

use that space as parking lot for the rascal house.

 

es the old parking lot as an residential development opportunity maybe to reuse the Wolfe music facade.

I wonder how those afternoon concerts/shows at Peabody's will impact the activities in the new building.  I don't think there are very many of those events, but if I can hear them when I stand in front of the Student Center, I can't imagine what it would be like for someone in a classroom right next to Peabody's.

BTW, Peabodys is now just a black wall.

Besides, CSU has a lot of potential in the future in attracting a different type of demographic--an edgier, more mature, confident, urban set of students. If CSU were smart they'd try and ward off all of this homecoming silliness and spend it on some public art, or a film project, or an edgy photography gallery, or who knows what. There is so much potential as CSU sets itself apart as an urban university.

 

Anyway, here's the bird's eye view of the Langston that I took the other day:

Nice shots eurokie.  Minor detail, but I have no idea why the developer would want those dumb useless grass yardlets in front of the townhouses rather than a low/zero-maintenance planting.

 

Besides, CSU has a lot of potential in the future in attracting a different type of demographic--an edgier, more mature, confident, urban set of students. If CSU were smart they'd try and ward off all of this homecoming silliness and spend it on some public art, or a film project, or an edgy photography gallery, or who knows what. There is so much potential as CSU sets itself apart as an urban university.

 

That makes a lot of sense to me.  Sort of an NYU or BU for the state university system. BU famously terminated its football program several years ago, in fact.  I think Northeastern did too, come to think of it, which is another good comp for a sprawling urban university.  Even as it comes to athletics, it would be cool to see CSU take a different path and really invest in a soccer or lacrosse program to develop a parallel, "cooler" fan culture that doesn't try to compete with the [many] established football programs in the state.

Nice shots eurokie.  Minor detail, but I have no idea why the developer would want those dumb useless grass yardlets in front of the townhouses rather than a low/zero-maintenance planting.

 

Oh yes. I love the buildings fronting Chester, but the buildings on the side street really irk me... they look just like the apartments/condos right along 271 north of Chagrin. And to put yards in front of them too? no no no. not for downtown. they go much better in Beachwood.

CSU fielding a football team? CSU developing a fraternity/sorority community? Mob bosses being blown up in movies filmed in Detroit but set in Cleveland? There might be a thread for those discussions, but it's NOT here!

 

^Much of the reason you see grass yards in new construction is because of drainage concerns. Too much impervious surface can cause premature foundation failures especially in a place like Cleveland where the storm drainage system is poor. In that area in particular, the streets are quite prone to flooding and pooling after a heavy rain. The grass keeps the water from infiltrating the foundations of those more inexpensive townhouses.

^For sure, but I believe there are some lower maintenance/environmentally friendlier alternatives to straight up grass these days that would do the same thing.  Grass needs mowing, fertilizing, summer watering and herbicide to look decent, and even then often looks like crap when it's vulnerable to salt splash, tire treads, urban heat/reflections, etc. 

@ccars...I disagree--grass isn't particularly good at drainage. you really want to handle water, get some rain gardens in there.

The yardlets will do a great job of collecting cig butts and potato chip bags.

^^I was impressed by the rain gardens in Oakley Square in Cincinnati.  They looked good and clearly served a useful purpose.  It would be nice to see them used more around here.

The yardlets will do a great job of collecting cig butts and potato chip bags.

 

This.  It's straight suburban mindset, and it doesn't translate well to urban realities.

Is it possible to get CSU to swear off such mistakes in the future?  I mean, if you can ban smoking on a campus you can ban treelawns.  So let's ban treelawns.

Although "lawns" are not necessary, some buffer is needed between the first-floor apartments and the sidewalk, and I actually think they did a good job with the plantings on the side facing Chester.

I agree that a people need privacy, but a "buffer" isn't the only, or even the best way of achieving that.  Many older apartment buildings are built right up to the sidewalk, but usually are raised by half a story, so that passers by don't look directly into the unit, but the residents can look down onto the sidewalk.  I'd prefer to see this arrangement to any sort of setback buffer.

I agree that a people need privacy, but a "buffer" isn't the only, or even the best way of achieving that.  Many older apartment buildings are built right up to the sidewalk, but usually are raised by half a story, so that passers by don't look directly into the unit, but the residents can look down onto the sidewalk.  I'd prefer to see this arrangement to any sort of setback buffer.

 

x2

Turf grass is virtually useless and chemically co-dependent. Planters with native (Cleveland natural heritage) grasses and wildflowers/shrubs would be best. Big empty tree lawns in the city...no, (Convention Center turf grass good example)  but small buffer strips, green roofs, ok. Just because it was 100% concrete in the city in the past does not mean we cannot add a green component to improve in the future, without sacrificing density. It beats straight runoff right into the lake.

I agree that a people need privacy, but a "buffer" isn't the only, or even the best way of achieving that.  Many older apartment buildings are built right up to the sidewalk, but usually are raised by half a story, so that passers by don't look directly into the unit, but the residents can look down onto the sidewalk.  I'd prefer to see this arrangement to any sort of setback buffer.

 

As someone who lives in a condo built to the street and a brownstone, I'm not sure how many of you realize just how much of a buffer that strip of grass provides.  Do any of you live in a home built to the street?

I agree that a people need privacy, but a "buffer" isn't the only, or even the best way of achieving that.  Many older apartment buildings are built right up to the sidewalk, but usually are raised by half a story, so that passers by don't look directly into the unit, but the residents can look down onto the sidewalk.  I'd prefer to see this arrangement to any sort of setback buffer.

 

As someone who lives in a condo built to the street and a brownstone, I'm not sure how many of you realize just how much of a buffer that strip of grass provides.  Do any of you live in a home built to the street?

 

I kinda do. Though I live on the second floor above some shops, theres still alot of noise to be heard, especially when the windows are open and theres some kind of event going on. I could imagine how itd be being on the first floor right along the street on a busy street, or having a group of loud people come by. I dont disagree with having a "buffer" in that case, but i do not agree with having a front lawn in the heart of our urban area to do that...

I have, yes.  And that is my opinion, based on both that experience, my other experiences in urban environments, and on my training in urban design.  Any reason for asking that, other than to try to invalidate other people's opinions?

 

I'll stand corrected if wrong, but I do not believe there are any apartments or homes built "right up to the street" in Shaker Square. If there are apartments above the retail that lines the square, that may be...but I think that is all offices.

I cannot visualize anything at Moreland Courts that abuts any sidewalk. Again, I might be wrong.

Cleveland's East 22nd Street project to receive $1.5 million in federal funding

Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

on October 26, 2012 at 5:40 AM, updated October 26, 2012 at 5:41 AM

 

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Millions of dollars needed to convert a bleak East Side boulevard into a livelier link between major institutions are falling into place.

 

Transportation planners have promised $1.5 million for East 22nd Street by 2014, to narrow the road, build a planted median and install bike lanes.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/10/clevelands_east_22nd_street_pr.html

I swear someone posted this but I didn't see it...Bonfoey Gallery at Euclid/18th has new signage:

IMG_2837 by jjames0408, on Flickr

Its nice to see a Phase 1/Phase 2 occur at this quick of a pace. Usually we wait and wait for phase 2, and sometimes never see it actually built.

 

^ Agree this is very good to see, even with the somewhat controversial design. What's intriguing is that there is still so much room for the campus to grow.

And this is going to look nicely filled in once complete:

IMG_2859 by jjames0408, on Flickr

 

Renovation is pretty much complete on the building with with the small market and cigar shop on Euclid...

IMG_2860 by jjames0408, on Flickr

I saw the pillar of light sign thing the other night when it was snowing from the freeway. not sure what to think of it yet

I think the pillars will be neat... but I still don't understand how they are $100,000 apiece. Also posted a pic of Viking Hall coming down in the demolition thread.

The Langston leases first batch of 370 apartments on csu campus

 

 

www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/thelangston120612.aspx?utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=the+langston+leases+first+batch+of+370+apartments+on+csu+campus&utm_content=%7bEmail_Address%7d&utm_campaign=Seeking+Job+Hunters+and+Fun+Finders+Alike

 

The article states:

If the project goes well, there is opportunity for expansion in the future. CSU owns about 20 acres of land adjacent to the site that could be repurposed for housing.

 

Where is this? I started clicking on properties in the city's GIS and didn't find any large properties or collections of properties owned by CSU along Chester.

^Likely the remainder of their parking lots and plant services buildings to the north along Payne and from E. 21st to the Innerbelt. 

I saw the pillar of light sign thing the other night when it was snowing from the freeway. not sure what to think of it yet

Personally I'm disappointed in the "shooting light in the air part"-- you can generate more light with a flashlight pointed at the sky.

^Likely the remainder of their parking lots and plant services buildings to the north along Payne and from E. 21st to the Innerbelt. 

 

I would think so, that was supposed to be developed as part of "Varsity Village", though I'm not sure if it is part of "The Langston".

I think the spotlight feature of the Tower of Light is only for special occasions as described below.

 

"CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY" is written in white on the structure's four sides, two of which are painted green and two of which are brushed stainless steel. During special occasions such as homecoming and commencement, a powerful spotlight inside the tower will send a beam of light 2,000 feet into the sky."

Speaking of... I was here last night

I think the spotlight feature of the Tower of Light is only for special occasions as described below.

 

"CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY" is written in white on the structure's four sides, two of which are painted green and two of which are brushed stainless steel. During special occasions such as homecoming and commencement, a powerful spotlight inside the tower will send a beam of light 2,000 feet into the sky."

 

This is correct. I've driven by when they had the beam of light on-- it wasn't u til then that I became one of the people asking "100,000?"  The light is very faint and can't be seen in the skyline.

^Likely the remainder of their parking lots and plant services buildings to the north along Payne and from E. 21st to the Innerbelt. 

 

I would think so, that was supposed to be developed as part of "Varsity Village", though I'm not sure if it is part of "The Langston".

Isn't The Langston apart of their "north campus" development?

"North Campus"/"Varsity Village", whatever they're calling it today, the Langston is only a part of what they have shown in plans.

Varsity Village was cancelled I believe. That all revolved around the baseball stadium which they axed. They even cut the baseball team. Now they just leased the land out to a private developer.

As of tonight:

Cleveland State University takes another step toward converting Mather Mansion to hotel: Higher Education

 

"A year after Cleveland State University sought proposals from developers willing to sublease its historic Mather Mansion and develop it into a boutique hotel, university officials have decided to proceed with a development agreement with the Chesler Group.

 

The project will go forward only if Chesler, in Novelty, can put together a financial package to pay the estimated $12.6 million to redevelop the property, CSU officials said.

 

CSU owns the 43-room Tudor mansion at 2605 Euclid Ave. Completed in 1910 for iron-mining millionaire Samuel Mather, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building housed various CSU departments but has been vacant since August, 2011."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/12/cleveland_state_university_tak.html#incart_river_default

I had an interview on campus today and took some demolition pictures. Forgive the poor quality, took them with my phone.