Honestly, CSU could easily build a small dorm building on the useless grassy lawn that is next to the urban affairs building. That way they wouldn't have to wait until the Wolstein Center comes down to start building new on-campus student housing.

A bolstered Cleveland State basketball team would solve the problem of the Wolstein Center

 

Even still, it wouldn't be enough to fill the Wolstein Center. It's just too big. I'm a big supporter of the Vikings men's basketball team and wouldn't support anything that would hurt that program, but it looks terrible on tv when that cavernous building has 5,000 or less people in it and that section with the ridiculously cheesy cardboard fake picture of an audience on the one side. That building is terrible. It needs to be torn down and rebuilt smaller. It should have all of the accommodations of a modern arena (Digital tv scoreboards, luxury boxes, etc) in order to actually make money and then they should still bolster the CSU Vikings program. Most of their games still aren't televised and in 2016, that's a disgrace. That shouldn't happen. But the arena is too big, too ugly and too awkward. It needs to come down. (Honestly I wish there was a way to rebuild it at Gateway where it should be, but alas)

A bolstered Cleveland State basketball team would solve the problem of the Wolstein Center

 

 

It wouldn't solve its largely windowless bunker-style design, or its large apron (er, moat) of concrete and grass surrounding it. The whole structure says "I don't care about interacting on a human scale with my urban surroundings." And guess what -- it doesn't.

 

In fairness, most arenas aren't built to be big statements of urbanity

A bolstered Cleveland State basketball team would solve the problem of the Wolstein Center

 

 

It wouldn't solve its largely windowless bunker-style design, or its large apron (er, moat) of concrete and grass surrounding it. The whole structure says "I don't care about interacting on a human scale with my urban surroundings." And guess what -- it doesn't.

 

In fairness, most arenas aren't built to be big statements of urbanity

 

And there's plenty of space to build a 15 story, 1,000 room dorm in front of it attached to the arena....

A bolstered Cleveland State basketball team would solve the problem of the Wolstein Center

 

 

It wouldn't solve its largely windowless bunker-style design, or its large apron (er, moat) of concrete and grass surrounding it. The whole structure says "I don't care about interacting on a human scale with my urban surroundings." And guess what -- it doesn't.

 

In fairness, most arenas aren't built to be big statements of urbanity

 

And there's plenty of space to build a 15 story, 1,000 room dorm in front of it attached to the arena....

I highly doubt that CSU will build any dorms taller than four, maybe five stories. Ongoing maintenance expense is something they want to minimize.  By using the entire block of E. 21st to E. 18th between Prospect and Carnegie, one should easily fit an 8,000 seat arena, practice facilities for Men's and Women's basketball, as well as 1,000 to 1,500 beds of modern dormitory living.  CSU needs to rid itself of the buildings that have high ongoing maintenance costs.  This is just my opinion...

Honestly, CSU could easily build a small dorm building on the useless grassy lawn that is next to the urban affairs building. That way they wouldn't have to wait until the Wolstein Center comes down to start building new on-campus student housing.

 

I've always thought this! I was a student at the business building and saw this lawn everyday and it was NEVER used, except for people sitting on the benches on the sidewalks. Waste of prime space.

Not campus development related, but we have brought in our largest freshman class in history for the second year in a row

 

http://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-welcomes-record-breaking-freshman-class

 

And it could've been bigger if we had more dorm space to put people in...

A bolstered Cleveland State basketball team would solve the problem of the Wolstein Center

 

 

It wouldn't solve its largely windowless bunker-style design, or its large apron (er, moat) of concrete and grass surrounding it. The whole structure says "I don't care about interacting on a human scale with my urban surroundings." And guess what -- it doesn't.

 

In fairness, most arenas aren't built to be big statements of urbanity

 

And there's plenty of space to build a 15 story, 1,000 room dorm in front of it attached to the arena....

I highly doubt that CSU will build any dorms taller than four, maybe five stories. Ongoing maintenance expense is something they want to minimize.  By using the entire block of E. 21st to E. 18th between Prospect and Carnegie, one should easily fit an 8,000 seat arena, practice facilities for Men's and Women's basketball, as well as 1,000 to 1,500 beds of modern dormitory living.  CSU needs to rid itself of the buildings that have high ongoing maintenance costs.  This is just my opinion...

 

 

CSU is not in the dorm building business anymore and hasn't been since Viking Hall.  They own Fenn Tower, but it is managed by someone else (IIRC). As far as the rest of the state-owned property that makes up CSU goes, the state will continue to own the land and have private developers  build as the market dictates.

That's a trend at many campuses. They generate long-term revenue and new residence halls are typically owned by the university but leased in long-term contracts to private companies that oversee construction and management. It removes a liability from the university's payroll and expedites construction.

Whoa, Have not driven on this part of Chester in a while.

IT"S GONE!!!!

 

 

^Yep.  The new engineering building shall start to rise in the near future.

Does anyone have a picture of what was there before the demolition?

Close to the same spot I took the previous pic from:

https://goo.gl/maps/TyTdsD4HKEo

 

 

Also, all of this:

https://goo.gl/maps/aVtFMBYLgGH2

Small update to the article earlier this year about CSU possibly replacing the Wolstein center.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/09/cleveland_state_to_seek_propos.html

 

Cleveland State to seek proposals to add residence halls on Wolstein Center site or athletic fields

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State University will seek proposals from three teams to add housing for up to 1,000 students at the current site of the Wolstein Center or at athletic fields.

<snip>

Five teams submitted qualifications and the following three were selected to respond with a proposal. (The lead partner is listed first)

 

* American Campus Communities, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, SportsPLAN and Marous Brothers.

* Buckingham Properties, Newbrook Partners and AECOM.

* University Student Living, MVP Capital Ventures, Turner Construction, Ozanne Construction, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., National Development Council, Moody Nolan Inc. and Lord Aeck Sargent.

<snip>

 

[edit] Fixed list of developer groups

Like the Architects on the list.

Time for this year's Christmas party chatter.  I have no way of knowing if any of this is accurate, but there was enough detail to pique my interest.  The person was saying that he was pretty certain his company...in conjunction with a national college housing developer, had secured a better than 100 million dollar contract to tear down the Wolstein Center and to build 1200 units of student housing.  I got no info on any possible new arena or any details regarding the shape or style of the apartments. 

I don't want to give out the names of either company in case it was booze talk which maybe shouldn't have been announced.  I will say I did some research and it does fit with some previous reports on UO.

^ So, in that case would it be off-campus housing and the university is selling the land?

^ So, in that case would it be off-campus housing and the university is selling the land?

 

No, it would technically be on campus housing. But CSU contracts out the construction and operation of its residence halls. American Campus Communities manages manages Fenn Tower and Euclid Commons.

1200 units? My goodness, that's huge. Great for CSU if true. It's in the city's best interest for CSU to continue its transformation into a residential school

1200 units? My goodness, that's huge. Great for CSU if true. It's in the city's best interest for CSU to continue its transformation into a residential school

 

It would be 1,200 beds, not 1,200 units. But yes, it basically doubles the on campus residential population of CSU.

Wouldn't the approval of such a contract go through the board of trustees? And if so, wouldn't it have been reported in the media? If not, where are CSU board meeting agendas/minutes posted?

 

EDIT: found the board of trustees' meeting summaries posted at:

http://www.csuohio.edu/board-of-trustees/summaries-actions

 

In the past year, the only contract award/amendment I see that is related to real estate development was this one on Nov. 30:

 

Ratified, confirmed, authorized, and approved Second Amendments to ground leases

between the State of Ohio, by, through and for Cleveland State University and the Euclid

Avenue Development Corporation for Euclid Commons and Fenn Tower.

http://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/Summary%20of%20BOT%20Actions%20-11-30-16.pdf

 

Did I miss something? Or was this contract awarded last year?

The RFP was only recently put out. I wouldn't be surprised if someone was tentatively selected as a developer, pending board approval.

Even with an RFP, I would think that there would be some kind of board action requesting the RFP. This is a pretty major policy decision to abandon a publicly financed Arena and replace it with a new land use. University boards are usually consulted on consequential matters such as this, including possibly by a sense-of-the-board vote.

^ I don't know the specifics off hand of what would need to be approved by whom and when, but the project is technically being headed by the Euclid Avenue Development Corporation

Interesting if true. Vikings basketball would have to relocate to the Q, which already has a packed schedule but could probably accommodate.

It's a huge piece of land. If it's planned well, then I see no reason why it couldn't fit all the new dorms, in addition to a new smaller arena (and possibly a parking structure and green space as well).

CSU administration want to get the money by privatizing parking. Students currently pay something like $250 per semester to park in university-owned garages. A significant portion of on-campus employment is parking employment--sometimes the only jobs international students (the lifeblood of CSU's  tuition revenue) can get. So, that could have some sabotaging side-effects for the school.

 

Lord knows what cost market-rate parking managed by ABM would be... and no incentive to really hire students. But they want someone like Standard or ABM to fork over $50 million.

 

If students then had to pay $90 per month to park, so be it? That's like $400 per semester, which is a substantial increase. If you talk to students, parking spots and parking cost is a huge issue to folks, so there's that.

 

There is the Department of Student Affairs and Student Life which have been talking about selling the parking garage to a private parking management company to get an infusion of cash to pay off debt service on past construction projects (parking garages, rec center, student center, euclid commons).

 

In turn, they then would borrow money to get funds to demo Wolstein and build residential dorm-style housing, and whatever else. Wolstein is indeed a money pit -- something like $20 million annually to operate, and nowhere near revenue-generating.

 

The redevelopment would be dorms, opposed to real estate development like the Langston on Chester Avenue where the university leased parking-lot land to a private developer, and they in turn rent to students. The going rate at that housing is , $800 - $ 1200 which is a lot for a student's budget.

 

Dorm style housing is even less affordable, and you're forced to purchase a meal. Something like $1500 for each month each semester. And you can't stay there over break.

 

The land would be leased likely through the Euclid Avenue Development Corporation, which is controlled by CSU administrators.

 

The student life office has been surveying students on campus-housing a lot this past year, so this is probably going to be the culmination of that. Those survey results would be interesting to see. They should be available considering sunshine laws, and CSU is a state school. Records requests would probably get those.

 

 

RE: privatizing parking

 

Starts at 10:30

 

Dorms are always more expensive than apartments, everywhere you go.  Not recommended after freshman year.  Parking at CSU can be avoided by living nearby, plus it's well served by transit for those who don't.  I've always wondered why there aren't more student rentals along those sidestreets off Payne and Perkins.  You want big city culture?  Get a place in Chinatown.

Cleveland State University commits to future of iconic Rhodes Tower

By Karen Farkas, cleveland.com

on February 01, 2017 at 2:26 PM, updated February 01, 2017 at 2:27 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State University officials are committed to maintaining Rhodes Tower and keeping the iconic building open.

 

Trustees agreed this week to spend $2.6 million to modernize and upgrade the six passenger elevators, which were installed in 1971 in the 23-story building. Officials also hope to renovate several floors over the next five years and move classrooms and offices to lower floors.

 

"We are trying to make it more user friendly," said President Ronald Berkman. "There is and continues to be a plan to try and use it to maximum efficiency and make it more student friendly."

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/02/cleveland_state_to_fix_rhodes.html

^ The proposed larger windows would do that building a world of good.

Science building webcam.

 

https://www.csuohio.edu/webcam/FH_Addition.html

 

Monthly update.

 

http://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/Sidewalk%20Superintendent%20January.pdf

Amazon sets in motion plan for downtown Cleveland store

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170207/NEWS/170209853/amazon-sets-in-motion-plan-for-downtown-cleveland-store?X-IgnoreUserAgent=1

Spotted this on a bid site. Looks like an RFQ has gone out for the proposed CSU Film school.

 

RFQ/AE: School of Film Television and Interactive Media(CSU)

Valuation: $7,500,000 Owner Type: Public Bid Ends: Apr 7, 2017

Location: OH (Cuyahoga)  Report #: 201700570311 v. 1

Description: The project proposes to create an independent School of Film, Television, and Interactive Media. The program?s current facilities and equipment, housed in the Music and Communication Building, were constructed and purchased over 20 years ago and are not adequate for the future plans for the program.The University proposes the build-out of a new anchor facility to be located in long term leased space in close proximity to the CSU campus. The space consists of approximately 39,394 GSF to accommodate the project?s program of requirements. This new state-of-the-art facility will give the program room to grow and provide a more inviting and contemporary environment to attract new students and fulfill the educational mission. New equipment will further enable faculty to train students in the kinds of technologies students are likely to encounter in the professional realm. The proposed motion picture production lab, audio recording and editing facilities, and cloud-based editing technologies will enhance the University's ability to bring the most contemporary film, television and interactive media production practices into the classroom.

^Thinking about this CSU is looking for a new -build close to campus with about 40k of space on a long term lease. Two sites come to my mind. Euclid Ave. close to PHS would be my first choice.  So I am thinking the Film School could be the anchor tenant in the long rumored PHS residential tower. Taking maybe the first 3-4 floors. I think the state has committed 8mil for the Film school. That could be the catalyst to leverage additional financing. The other site would be the old Greyhound station across from Hofbrau house. I like the site because there would be room for further expansion such as a large film studio. Sounds like CSU is ready to move on this. I hope it happens.

^Thinking about this CSU is looking for a new -build close to campus with about 40k of space on a long term lease. Two sites come to my mind. Euclid Ave. close to PHS would be my first choice. 

 

Agree. Playhouse Square should function as the media center of the region. It just seems like great momentum to tie in the film school with all of progress going on in the theater district. 

Ironically, the Greyhound station is about 40,000 sf, perhaps even a little less.

Cleveland State University to build film, media school in Idea Center; add dance major

By Karen Farkas, cleveland.com

on March 31, 2017 at 10:41 AM, updated March 31, 2017 at 10:59 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State University will strengthen its partnership with Playhouse Square by building a new school of film, television and interactive media on the sixth floor of the Idea Center.

 

The college will also add a bachelor's degree in dance.

 

Trustees on Thursday approved both measures.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/03/cleveland_state_university_to_build_film_school_in_idea_center_add_dance_major.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like how it ties into the building with the historic facade. Not a huge fan of the massing, but it could look good finished. Thanks for the pics.

Amazon sets in motion plan for downtown Cleveland store

 

This is now open, located at 2020 Euclid Ave.

 

 

 

 

which building is that new building?

^ Campus International school.

 

https://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2289.msg789635.html#msg789635

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2016/02/design_for_campus_internationa.html

^^yikes, it looks like a moderate breeze would blow the siding off of that school. What a disappointment!

Cleveland State University to honor Norm Krumholz's 90th birthday today with street renaming (photos)

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/06/cleveland_state_university_to.html#incart_river_home

 

November 08, 2017 10:02 am

Wolstein Center's future remains uncertain as CSU studies privatized parking

KEVIN KLEPS 

STAFF BLOG  : Sports Business

 

The 2017-18 basketball season will be the 27th for Cleveland State in the 13,610-seat Wolstein Center.

 

Ideally, the Vikings — who have been last in the Horizon League attendance rankings for five consecutive years — would be playing in much smaller, up-to-date confines, but plans for the future of the on-campus arena have been put on hold until CSU completes its request for proposals as it studies a plan to privatize parking.

 

In June, Cleveland State trustees delayed a decision on whether to build student housing at Krenzler Field or on the site of the Wolstein Center. Instead, CSU hired Jones Lang LaSalle to develop a partnership agreement with a private company that would take over the university's parking operations. If a contract is awarded, the deal likely won't close until late 2018.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20171108/blogs06/141616/wolstein-centers-future-remains-uncertain-csu-studies-privatized

Cleveland State University to honor Norm Krumholz's 90th birthday today with street renaming (photos)

 

Will a stretch of freeway be named after Albert Porter next?

^

Almost reading for the ribbon-cutting...