CSU press release:

 

The new Recreation Center will open to the campus community on Monday, August 28, 2006.

 

Everyone with a current CSU Viking Card is welcome to visit and use the new Recreation Center for free from 11 a.m. on Monday, August 28, 2006 through 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2006.

 

The Recreation Center offers a two-court main gym, a multipurpose gym, weight training and cardiovascular fitness areas, two racquetball and two squash courts, a 1/10 mile indoor track and men's, women's and family locker rooms. Recreation Center users will also have access to the Busbey Natatorium for lap swim through the Rec Center locker rooms.

 

Full time students, which have been defined as students enrolled for 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate and law students, will receive full membership privileges. Faculty, staff, part-time students, and alumni will be able to purchase a membership. Information on membership fees for these categories is available on the Campus Recreation Services website at www.csuohio.edu/recreation_center.

August Project Status Report for Cleveland State University

 

 

Recreation Center

o Punch list underway.

o FF&E delivery and install underway.

o Final inspections complete.

o Occupancy attained.

o Building opens August 28th.

 

Fenn Tower

o Furniture delivery and assembly in progress.

o Design of retail space moving forward.

o Building opens August 15th.

 

Parker Hannafin Administration Center / Hall

o Cast stone delivered and to be installed.

o Interior framing inside Parker Hannifin Hall underway.

o Brick façade work on the exterior of Administration Center continuing.

 

East Parking Garage

o Glass installation underway.

o West façade brick install underway.

o Electrical installation progressing.

o Elevator installation slated to be complete end of July/beginning of August.

o Bridge from Garage to Recreation Center to be installed the week of August 12th.

 

Main Classroom Stair Tower Phase 1A

o Foundation installation has begun.

 

Main Classroom Plaza Build Out Phase 1B

o Bid documents have been received and are being reviewed.

 

Student Center Phase II

o Schematic Design kicked off August 2nd.

^Nice!  I didn't know/remember that there would be a retail tenant in Fenn Tower.  What will it be?

 

Everything, including the kitchen sink!

 

Cleveland State University is soliciting bids for the sale and removal of surplus equipment and supplies per the attached CSU Bid #414WE. All goods are sold "as is" and "where is" and all sales are final. Successful bidders will have two weeks to pay for and remove items. This bid will close on Aug. 24, 2006 at 2pm.

 

Some examples of equipment available on this bid are : Gateway & Dell PII & PIII computers, Xerox, Ricoh & Minolta Copiers, film strip & 16mm movie projectors, Walkie-talkies, HP laserjet printers, Sony video cameras, fire hoses, TV cameras w/ zoom lens, police car light bars, PC monitors, Apple iMac's, Motorola FM radio transmitter & port radios, File cabinets, parking meters, 17" monitors, Kitchen sink/ stove / refig w cabinets, mirrors & Science equipt.

 

Contact Rich Duxbury (687-2007) or Lamar Reed (X4059) for a copy of the bid or if you have questions. There is an open viewing of these items on each Tuesday & Wednesday from 1-3pm at 1802 E 25th St., room 201.

^There will be a deli with indoor and outdoor seating.

And here you go:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome!  Thanks for those! 

 

Will this deli/pizza place be run by the campus dining people or will it be independent?

Batteries are charged, and the memory cards are ready :-)

Fantastic!  I won't be able to make it, so I look forward to what you capture!

Awesome!  Thanks for those! 

 

Will this deli/pizza place be run by the campus dining people or will it be independent?

 

I just found out.

I guess all I had to do was ask.

The new Campus Food Service, AVI, will run the deli.

Some photos from the ribbon cutting:

 

An impressive turnout:

 

I SAID it was an impressive turnout!

 

I guess this is the gal that'll be moving in - her grandfather used to live here back in the day:

 

Goooo Deco lettering!

 

The east lobby looks like it'll be the spot for the new deli/pizza spot:

 

Looove the detailing around the elevators:

 

A small movie theatre - I overheard a few middle-aged hens cackling "It's tiny!" Were they hoping for a f#cking multiplex?  :roll:

 

The main rec room:

 

Purdy!

 

And the main banquet/dining room (and they had a good spread, folks!):

 

 

Close-up of the elevator detailing:

 

And some exterior shots:

 

 

 

Sorry I didn't get more photos, but I had to get back to work  :|

Great shots.

I can see my head in the second photo.

I'm near the closest ballon thingy at the door.

 

I have pics too, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

 

 

I hope the dorms dont get crapped up like how I remember all other college dorms becoming. I would hate to see all that nice intercate plaster and woodworking be runied.

Man, nice shots!  That place is majestic!  I'd have killed to have a kitchen on my floor that wasn't infested with cockroaches, but these undergrads are getting pool tables, a movie theater and all that deco!  Hey, more power to CSU!

Wait til you see the new Rec Center pics I took :-)

well?

Like I'm gonna stay up until 1am so you can see pretty pics. I'll have them up tomorrow! :-)

Like I'm gonna stay up until 1am so you can see pretty pics. I'll have them up tomorrow! :-)

 

Well??  Where are they...don't tease us!  You tease! :wink:

Thanks for the photos MayDay -- beautiful.

 

So who can shed light on the so-called College Town project that involves assembling and redeveloping the mid-rise commercial buildings on the south side of Euclid between Playhouse Square and Trinity? I heard reference to it last night.

Rec center pics:

 

Lobby:

 

Entry hall:

 

Racquetball/squash courts off to the left of the hall (I think there are at least four courts):

 

One of the gyms - some kind of rubberized flooring:

 

Second level:

 

 

 

The other gym:

 

These treadmills...

 

have THESE views!!! :-)

 

 

The track above the "other gym" with the circuit machines waiting to be moved into the room with THE views:

 

Back down at the main lobby:

 

thanks for the picks!  "tease"  he he he  :roll:

very nice...thanks!  I'm glad that there is attention paid to an indoor/outdoor orientation and that this thing isn't totally insular.  It's nice to see that the architect acknowledged the fantastic views and that it's nice to be exercising indoors with a view of the outside world.  Especially when it's snowing and you really shouldn't be biking around for a workout!  Now, I've gotta get motivated to use this facility!

Tables, Chairs and planters coming in today!

The last bits of furniture that still need to be delivered are some fancy-schmancy benches that will not be here until mid-september, LCD TV's (also running behind due to a contractor's bidding mistake), equipment for the smoothie station (near the front door) and a custom made carpet - also for the front door area.

 

very nice...thanks!  I'm glad that there is attention paid to an indoor/outdoor orientation and that this thing isn't totally insular.  It's nice to see that the architect acknowledged the fantastic views and that it's nice to be exercising indoors with a view of the outside world.  Especially when it's snowing and you really shouldn't be biking around for a workout!  Now, I've gotta get motivated to use this facility!

 

It looks good now, but a problem has already been identified with the equipment facing west on the second and third levels.

The windows are not tinted, nor are there shades to help block some of the late afternoon sun. It gets very warm in there very quick.

Thew will likely purchase the type of shades you see in restaurants that still allow a view, although it will not be purchased right away.

Just had a walk-through with Wimwar of both the rec center and the Fenn lobby.  I was very impressed with both!  We weren't allowed to go upstairs in Fenn, but they let us walk around the rec center as we pleased.  I'm looking forward to taking advantage of those facilities even moreso after walking through!  Very nice!

Blinker, I too have been curious about that "College Town" comment ... can't seem to find very specific details ... just that the University wants to increase students' street presence by facilitating adjacent retail hubs.

 

The only specific info I could find was "The newest piece of the puzzle is 'College Town,' a redevelopment of the CSU area between E. 18th and E. 21st, that would include a new 2-story bookstore, a Hawthorn Suites hotel, and student housing." (http://pages.prodigy.net/karapaul/cleve.htm). But that website was last updated almost two years ago. Anyone have something a little more concrete about slated street-level projects on the south side of Euclid between 18th-ish and 21st-ish?

^I think that the original College Town project is long dead.

Me too. But in the conversation I heard the other evening, it sounded like there was something more than just speculative going on now - that something was imminent for the area. I may have just misunderstood, as I think it would be unlikely that any substantial retail would move in before the ECP is complete. But my interest is totally piqued!!!

The concept of College Town is still alive. But the conceptual plans brought forht by a certain local city architecture firm are no longer in consideration due to their be fired by the university. (read =)

 

 

The bridge between the East Parking Garage and the Rec Center went up today.

Photos later (monday.

 

 

 

^Did I say Monday?

 

I meant Friday.

 

 

Howe may "look" like it's getting together on the outside, but the inside is a mess.

They did get the new windows up.

At this rate, I will be surprised to see it finished by spring.

But then again, they pulled off Fenn.

Musky (or anyone else): Do you know if that pedestrian bridge is a standardized, prefabricated design from a manufacturer? I'm wondering because I can think of some local transit projects that would benefit from such a pedestrian bridge. If one were a standardized design, it might help reduce construction and installation costs.

Well, today was the first day of the semester and campus was very bustling despite gray skies and drizzle. I think the Fenn Tower contingent is already making a huge difference.

I also exercised at the new Rec Center and it was great. Busy too.

Yep, first day of classes went well.  There was a lot of foot traffic on Euclid, which is always nice to see...

Agreed!  I spent half my day on campus at CSU and the other in University Circle...both were bustling and full of energy!

Can't say I'm troubled by this news...

 

Cleveland State University looks for new architect for student center

 

4:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28

 

By Steven Litt

 

Cleveland State University still wants a star architect to design the new $40 million student center on a prime site facing Euclid Avenue.

 

But it won’t be Charles Gwathmey of New York. CSU officials said Monday that contract negotiations had failed with Gwathmey, their top choice.

 

CSU announced in March that Gwathmey had been selected as design architect for the new student center, pending a successful outcome in negotiations...

Can't say I'm not ecstatic about the potential behind this news...

 

CSU among 3 finalists for sensor innovation center

 

You could almost see the excitement crackle like static electricity among more than two dozen people brainstorming around a conference table at Cleveland State University today.

 

Representatives of 18 corporations, institutions, organizations and government agencies leaned forward in their seats, using their hands, arms and eyebrows to argue their strategies to win $23 million in Ohio Third Frontier money for Cleveland.

 

The plotters want to build a Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering on the university’s campus. That’s a fancy name for a place where researchers, scientists, business and government people could solve nagging industrial problems with sensors ... together.

 

The Cleveland State group will compete with groups from the University of Toledo and the University of Dayton Research Institute for state seed money that could be a catalyst to make the center a reality. All will make their cases in Columbus on Sept. 7. A decision is expected in November.

 

Having survived the first cut — the three finalists were selected late last week from a field of eight — many members of the CSU group feel that they’ll get the money this time.

 

The group made an unsuccessful proposal about two years ago, said Ken Hall, vice president of architecture in the advanced technology group at the Mayfield Heights operations of Rockwell Automation Inc.

 

Collaborators, such as Rockwell Automation and Cleveland State, have worked toward forming an innovation center for more than four years, Hall said.

 

“Our first proposal was very broad,” Hall said. “I was the one who said, ‘Let’s focus on sensors.’ ”

 

Now, the 32 center collaborators range from academic institutions — such as the University of Akron, Kent State University and Case Western Reserve University — to companies, such as Keithley Instruments and Timken Corp., to nonprofits and government agencies, such as the Ohio Aerospace Institute and NASA Glenn Research Center.

 

Sensors control systems from robotics that build cars to baking lines that turn out one cookie after another, Hall said. “But we need to measure things we’ve never measured before,” he said.

 

That’s where the proposed sensor systems engineering center could come in.

 

Ohio is home to a lot of businesses that make or have the potential to make sensors. The challenge is coming up with ways to use sensors to do meaningful work for industry, said Mark Tumeo, vice provost for research and dean of the graduate studies college at Cleveland State.

 

Computer hardware, software and decision-making technology are needed to make sense of signals gathered by sensors, said Tumeo, who led today's funding strategy meeting.

 

Until now, local researchers and companies tended to work in only one of the “continuums” of sensors, software, hardware or decision-making technology, he said. There was little crossover.

 

The center could bring together research and technology with manufacturers in all of the continuums, he said. Sensor technologies could be developed for several industries, leading to gains in products and jobs.

 

If received, the Third Frontier money would be used for center development and operations over three years, Tumeo said. The center probably would generate revenues from membership and consulting fees, as well as licensing of intellectual property.

 

Industry already has committed $50 million to the center, he said.

 

Frank Nichols, president of FNN Enterprises LLC in Willoughby, is waiting in the wings to lead the center. Formerly, Nichols led Parker Hannifin Corp.’s aerospace division as group vice president of fluid management and control systems.

 

Musky (or anyone else): Do you know if that pedestrian bridge is a standardized, prefabricated design from a manufacturer? I'm wondering because I can think of some local transit projects that would benefit from such a pedestrian bridge. If one were a standardized design, it might help reduce construction and installation costs.

 

KJP,

 

The two bridges that were recently erected  for the rec center (Rec to COE & Rec to Parking) were both designed specifically for the project, assembled off site and delivered whole. However, the PM told me that there were prefabricated models available. They were not used because there would have been to many alterations needed and the cost would have ended up the same.

I confess that I have a soft spot for the University Center.  I've never been a regular user of the campus (just one high school summer course) so maybe it's a POS pragmatically, and there is reference in this thread to its energy inefficiency, but I think it is definitely a cut above the other concrete crapola to its east- including Rhodes Tower.  I think the geometry of its facade is actually quite beautiful.  Anyone out there share any of this or am just plain nuts?  Anyone got some good photos for reference?

You mean like this:

 

 

I like this part, too.

I always thought they could have torn down the actual "cage" portion and rebuilt there.

They could have enclosed the wedge with a new "cage" like atrium and bring it closer to the street edge.

The problem with rehabbing the building was it would cost as much, possibly more to do that then to build new.

The building was built to solid.

That time in architecture was known for the bunker mentality and this building would absolutely hold up if a war were brought to the streets of Cleveland.

Yes- cool, thanks, Musky.  I definitely dig the notch.  But I really like the main facade to the east of the notch too with its deep inset windows softened by the inset plantings.  I even like how the concrete has aged to a soft dark buttery yellow.

 

The main classroom building, on the other hand, is atrocious.

I dislike the "notch," but like the cage and the remainder of the Euclid facade just fine.  I'm fine with a total rebuild if that's what must happen, though.  I'm not about to chain myself to this one like it looks like I'm going to have to with Ameritrust!

^No chains will be needed, this building is coming down completely.

 

 

I have a post about the Rec Center Ribbon Cutting here:

http://clevelandplanner.blogspot.com/2006/08/csu-recreation-center-ribbon-cutting.html

From the Sunday PD:

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/steven_litt/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/115718644642370.xml&coll=2

 

New Rec Center makes CSU more student-friendly

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Steven Litt

Plain Dealer Architecture Critic

 

Cleveland State University President Michael Schwartz readily admits he wants to change the culture of his institution through architecture.

 

"This place has always done a great job with education, but in terms of being a place that was student-friendly, this wasn't it," he said Monday, just before the ribbon-cutting for the university's new, $29.5 million Recreation Center. "It was like a place surrounded by a moat, and every spring, they brought in fresh alligators."...

I think that Litt is pretty fair in his assessment.

I agree.

He could have brought up the buildings Silver LEED rating it should get though.

September 15, 2006

 

Major Actions Taken on Behalf of the Board of Trustees:

 

1.  Passed a resolution recognizing former trustee Trevor O. Jones for his distinguished service as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and as founding chairman of the Technology Committee, and appointing him as a founding Community Board member for a two-year term, ending June 30, 2008

2. Passed a resolution appointing non-voting Community Committee Members to standing committees of the Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2007 as follows: Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, Richard Schwarz and Interim Provost Mary Jane Saunders to the Academic Excellence, Competitiveness & Diversity Committee; Carol Caruso, Stanley Miller, P. Kelly Tompkins, and Dean Mark S. Rosentraub to the Committee on External Engagement; and James T. Guzowski to the Audit Committee.

3. Passed a resolution as a memorial tribute to Dr. Harold L. Enarson, recognizing him as Cleveland State University’s first president in 1966 and his service of seven years, providing a strong foundation as the institution transitioned from the private Fenn College to a state university.

4. Awarded tenure at the rank of Associate Professor to Dr. Sheila M. Patterson, who has been appointed as Chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance in the College of Education and Human Services, effective September 15, 2006.

5. Awarded Faculty Emeritus status to the 15 retired eligible faculty members nominated as of fall 2006: Mark H. Ashcraft, William C. Bailey, Edward B. Bell, James H. Burghart, Lee W. Gibbs, Chittaranjan Jain, Howard H. Lo, Lee A. Makela, Jane L. McIntyre, David T. Meeting, Paul F. Petersen, Carl F. Rak, Sherwood D. Silliman, John J. Tomko, and Stephen J. Werber.

6. Awarded Associate of the University Status to Nancy Hanacek and Andee Raklovits, effective September 15, 2006.

7. Accepted Gifts totaling $1,319,366 and Sponsored Programs funds totaling $10,713,591 received by the Cleveland State University Foundation and Cleveland State University during the period April 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006; and directed the President to use those Gifts and Sponsored Programs funds, subject to their terms and conditions.

8. Authorized the Administration to proceed in accordance with pertinent sections of the Ohio Revised Code to solicit proposals for the implementation of energy conservation measures that would significantly decrease energy consumption and operating costs in relation to the Fume Hood Renovation Project in the Basic Science and Science Research Buildings, and to seek Board approval for the vendor contract to implement the finance mechanism.

9. Approved a Joint Use Agreement between CSU and Merrick House Settlement and Day Nursery.

10. Approved a Joint Use Agreement between CSU and The Friendly Inn Settlement, Inc.

11. Approved the sufficiency of the Treasurer’s Bond in the amount of $250,000 for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.

12. Approved the extension of President Schwartz’ term in office as President for an additional two years, with a new term ending June 30, 2010, in recognition of his proven leadership, outstanding performance, and the University’s need to maintain continuity while pursuing its strategic planning for the future.

13. Recognized the students, faculty and staff for their cooperation and endurance during the phases of construction.

 

 

CSU settles on student-center architect

 

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Steven Litt

 

 

After six months of up and down negotiations, Cleveland State University finally has hired New York architect Charles Gwathmey to design a new, $33 million student center.

 

Gwathmey will serve as part of a team including the Akron architecture firm of Braun & Steidl, CSU Vice President John Boyle said Tuesday...

Gwathmey is a B+ architect at best.

Here's a radical idea - how about we wait and see what they offer for this project, before we shoot them down? If they offer up a schlocky pile of bricks, then have at it and shred their proposal. Or, we could go the other route - submit your proposal for a new student center here and we can all critique it.

 

I don't think they're the most envelope-pushing firm, but they've done some fine work. I was impressed with their redesign of the Summit County library in Akron. What really struck me was the complete transformation of the open area south of it into a great public space.

 

From www.gwathmey-siegel.com:

 

 

I would love to submit a proposal for the new Cleveland State University Student Center.  One problem:  NOBODY EVER HAS AN OPEN COMPETITION FOR ANYTHING IN THIS CITY!

That fact alone has made the overall representation of contemporary architecture in this city basically nonexistent besides the Frank Gehry building.  Rock Hall was designed by an architect way past his prime (the most interesting part of the building is the west façade which happened by accident), and the County Building proposal can hardly be considered a competition (it’s actually illegal for the County to have a truly open competition).

Based on CSU’s selection of Gwathmey as the architect for the student union, and looking at previous work by this firm and their reputation in architectural circles, I’m not as excited about this project as if it were being designed by more progressive architects.  We have enough static, modernist buildings in this city and I don’t think their approach to urban design will capture the energy and movement of this site (Euclid Corridor speeding towards downtown or UC, active pedestrian life, dense urban landscape, etc).

Open this city up to design competitions and you will see a marked rise in the level of architecture.