They're flying up, too! Block 1 looks to be nearing completion ... Balconies (or railings anyway) are being installed on units with french doors. Pedestrian sidewalk lighting has been installed. Most of the landscaping is in. Framing is going up on the third floor of Block 2. And foundation work happening in Block 3. You can really begin to see what a change this strip of street frontage will make along lower Chester.

 

Now they need to do something about pedestrian crossings along Chester. The lights crossing Chester are some of the shortest I've seen downtown, while the traffic on Chester gets a loooooong time without traffic light interruption. I'm a fast walker, and I tend to get across the street just in time when the light turns :)

^^The way the units I configured I don't think they'll have any problem renting these units.  You need to look at the per-tenant rent of each unit not just the total unit rent.  All of the units maintain pricing at about $700-$800 per bedroom with the exception of the 4-bedroom unit which is a little cheaper.  For college students or recent grads this seems reasonable to me for units like this on nearly any college campus, much less downtown Cleveland.

 

Most of us have probably experienced inflated rents at college and there is no reason why similar inflated rents wouldn't work at CSU. 

Yet, the majority of new leases based on pictures are students. You underestimate the purchasing power of college students, even CSU. They filled the new lofts on Euclid going for 1200-1400 per month. These were definitely designed for students. I paid $1,000 per month as a student for just over 700 square feet.

^Have to agree with that.  What students save on tuition at CSU will go to nicer digs.  These are similar rents to Riverpark Towers in Athens, which was more or less a 1960's era party hole dump.

I paid $1,000 per month as a student for just over 700 square feet.

 

God bless you.  The vast majority cannot.  I can't afford that now, and I do fairly well these days.  Do you really think most college students have that kind of budget?  Anyway, I had thought this development was overtly intended for people like professors, and grad students who already have careers downtown.

 

They cant afford it, they take out loans lol, the same as if they were going to live in a dorm, but instead they get to live their all 12 months of the year. And I think that graduate students, professors, and professionals were their the original target, but really they will rent to whoever signs on. I still think it will be a mix.

Students in the general sense were NOT the target of the Langston. They were pretty clear about that. This was for graduate students, professors, and the regular downtown residency. They said that when this was announced originally. I'm sure regular students are living here too, but its false to say that was their target. It wasn't.

^Fair enough.  But those 3 and 4 bedroom layouts are definitely designed with students (graduate or otherwise) in mind.

The studio apartments are renting at $1.76 per square foot.

One bedroom apartments are renting at $1.48, $1.52, and $1.66 per square foot.

Two bedroom apartments are renting at about the same.

 

Here is the floor plan viewer.

http://www.thelangston.com/TheLangstonOH/3dfloorplans.aspx

Students in the general sense were NOT the target of the Langston. They were pretty clear about that. This was for graduate students, professors, and the regular downtown residency. They said that when this was announced originally. I'm sure regular students are living here too, but its false to say that was their target. It wasn't.

I'm not sure who said their target was regular college students.  I have not seen a false statement as of yet. All we are saying is regardless of who they were/are going for, students are definitely a huge part of it.

I didnt know ACRT has left the campus area. That is where the langston leasing office is located now. Once they leave I hope they are able to fill it with retail or food. I never liked ACRT being located there for some reason.

 

I would love to see them do a renovation to the building and add windows and storefront along East 21st

ACRT became part of Miami-Jacobs career college, left about 8 months ago. 

 

Here's a picture from outside Rhodes Tower the other day:

People get their blue they wanted to stay on Uptown ;)

 

But this is really a major project. Over 300 units getting added to the downtown market. With some of those units being larger, I wonder how many people will end up living in these. Hopefully these are extremely successful, and CSU can work with them again to finish building out the lot north to Payne, adding another 300 or so units and an interior parking garage.

The bid to demolish Viking Hall and Kinko's came out to bid yesterday.  The bid date is 9/7/12.  I don't have the plans nor can I see the proposed site conditions after demolition, but based on this information, it would seem like these buildings will be demolished before the end of this year. 

Whoa

 

You should cross-post that in the Cleveland Demolitions thread down in the Architecture section.

The bid to demolish Viking Hall and Kinko's came out to bid yesterday.  The bid date is 9/7/12.  I don't have the plans nor can I see the proposed site conditions after demolition, but based on this information, it would seem like these buildings will be demolished before the end of this year. 

 

From the August Capital Planning Progress Report regarding Kinko's/Viking Project:

 

 Current Status Notes

o Bidding has been delayed due to City of Cleveland land-marking the building.

o Will go out to bid Week of August 6, 2012. The timing of demolition will be an “Add Alternate”.

The third building at The Langston has also started to rise with two floors up at the middle building. Landscaping is moving along quickly as well and is starting to look really good.

As I understand it, there is a wait list to get into the dorms for this Fall term.  Some juniors and seniors are being moved over to the Langston so that more underclassmen can get into Fenn, Euclid Commons or Heritage Hall.  The University is even putting in a Resident Advisor at the Langston to assist these students.

 

It's nice to know that the momentum continues. 

^Wait, what? Is this just a rumor or did you hear this from a good source? I'll admit I haven't been paying attention that closely to the project but that doesn't sound right.

^Not a rumor.  Trust me, I don't post rumors.  This is something that I was specifically told.

^Not a rumor.  Trust me, I don't post rumors.  This is something that I was specifically told.

 

I have also heard this from a friend on campus!

An excerpt of A Message from the President

 

"Demolition of Viking Hall will commence this semester and construction of a $45 million Center for Innovations in Health Professions will commence. Work will continue on the North Campus. Student demand to live in the residence halls this year reached an all-time high, with all facilities sold out well before the start of classes. Stillwell Hall, the home of the Fenn College of Engineering, will receive a $13 million makeover with funds provided by the state. The Campus International School, which has doubled in size to meet the demand for admission, has moved into the Cole Center. The renovation of the Union Building at 1836 Euclid is nearly complete, preserving an historic structure and providing a temporary home for the NEOMED campus and permanent new facility for administrative units currently leasing space in the Keith Building."

Today is moving day for the first wave of tenants to the new apartments (Lanston Apartments) I curious how these apartments energize the area...

Today is moving day for the first wave of tenants to the new apartments (Lanston Apartments) I curious how these apartments energize the area...

 

Photos please!

I took a couple photos but can't figure how to upload directly from iPhone so I will post later!

 

Getting close to opening...

 

I could've sworn I remember some people on here saying that CSU would "ALWAYS remain a commuter school".... :-P

 

CSU welcomes its biggest freshman class

 

Even as new apartments continue to go up at Cleveland State University, the school marked another kind of building boom on Saturday. The largest ever freshman class was moving into CSU dorms nearby.

 

The university's 1,100 dorm rooms sold out by the end of July, including 300 that were completed last year.

 

"That's something we've never done," said school spokesman Joe Mosbrook.

 

The overall influx of 1,550 freshmen is an increase of 222 over last year.

 

As cars pulled up to the Fenn Tower and Euclid Commons dorms, the license plates gave a hint of how the class achieved its size. There were people from Illinois, Virginia, and New Jersey with New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan providing the biggest share of out-of-staters. Incoming Ohioans included students not merely from Cleveland's outer-ring suburbs, but from counties around Ohio.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/08/csu_welcomes_its_biggest_fresh.html#incart_river_default

I could've sworn I remember some people on here saying that CSU would "ALWAYS remain a commuter school".... :-P

 

CSU welcomes its biggest freshman class

 

 

:clap:

That's really great! Looks like CSUs plan to turn itself into more than just a school of convenience is working. This should bode well for the Cleveland region as well.

I could've sworn I remember some people on here saying that CSU would "ALWAYS remain a commuter school".... :-P

 

I think it will always remain a commuter school.  What percentage of students live on campus now?  I bet that number still pales in comparison to the number that commute and will for the foreseeable future.  Which is good, because CSU has a niche in the region and the state and shouldn't be trying to vary from that too much. 

 

Either way I'll be finishing my program in May and likely won't ever step foot on CSU's campus again.  I'll be taking my business for further education elsewhere.

 

Oh wait, I think my post needs one of these  :-P so you know that the tone wasn't malicious.

I could've sworn I remember some people on here saying that CSU would "ALWAYS remain a commuter school".... :-P

 

I think it will always remain a commuter school.  What percentage of students live on campus now?  I bet that number still pales in comparison to the number that commute and will for the foreseeable future.  Which is good, because CSU has a niche in the region and the state and shouldn't be trying to vary from that too much. 

 

If the trend continues, that percentage will continue to grow at a rapid pace.  This is great news for the City, CSU and its alumni.  Students emotionally attach much more to schools in which they actually lived on campus for some period of their matriculation.  This, in turn, will raise the reputation and prominence of the school.  It won't make it Ivy League, but it will put it more on par with the Akron's and Kent State's..... as opposed to the Lakeland's and Tri-C's

Its clear to anyone paying attention that the tide is turning at CSU. That's obvious. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if the trend keeps happening then eventually the people who live on campus will overtake the commuters. And its absurd to see that as a negative. Its only a negative for people who don't fit the current direction. I get that. But hey, sometimes progress leaves some behind. I'd rather have the progress, thank you.

Everywhere I've driven in the region CSU is featured on billboards, including places like downtown Buffalo.  Cleveland is a big enough city to attract kids from small towns throughout the midwest, and CSU is using it's affordability to market itself well.    West Virginia U in Morgantown has been doing the same thing for years--if you go there you see mostly New Jersey license plates since it's cheaper for NJ kids to attend school out of state there than pay in-state tuition back home.

Very good point Cleburger. I've always felt that's a key element to our appeal as a city period, not just CSU. Go after people in those really small towns that want that big city living and Cleveland is just big enough and has the amenities of a big city to get that unique experience but isn't so big that its overwhelming. I'm glad CSU recognizes that in their strategy.

Go after people in those really small towns that want that big city living and Cleveland is just big enough and has the amenities of a big city to get that unique experience but isn't so big and/or expensive that it's overwhelming/unattainable.

 

Fixed that for you, and that's my life's story (small-towner who saw Cleveland as a viable place to live/work) and I didn't need an ad campaign or billboard to convince me but it's great to see those are working to get students from outside the region :-)

 

Back on topic, I love what I'm seeing at CSU as far as building their residential base.

What excites me about CSU is all the planning we saw in the early/mid 2000's is actually coming to fruition.  And not only that, but in a timely fashion.  That's what really suprised me.  CSU is really transforming the look of downtown Cleveland's eastside.  Now we just need the students and faculty to transform the vibe.

Its clear to anyone paying attention that the tide is turning at CSU. That's obvious. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if the trend keeps happening then eventually the people who live on campus will overtake the commuters. And its absurd to see that as a negative. Its only a negative for people who don't fit the current direction. I get that. But hey, sometimes progress leaves some behind. I'd rather have the progress, thank you.

 

"The tide is turning"?  I'm paying attention and yes it does appear that the school is trying to expand residential living.  That's fine, but I'm not at all convinced that it will be a primarily residential school anytime soon.  It's a long ways away from that ever happening.

 

As for being "left behind" or not fitting "the current direction," I'm not even sure what that means, but it comes off as pretty insulting.  Commuters ARE Cleveland State University right now and the school wouldn't exist, let alone be able to play this game of Sim City, without us.  And as the current paying customers, they have absolutely no right to sweep our needs and concerns under the rug like you seem to be suggesting that they do.

 

That said, personally I do think that Cleveland needs a big-time public university.  But we also need easily accessible and affordable basic four-year degree programs (business, education, liberal arts, etc.), and CSU has filled that role pretty much since it was taken over by the state.  If it's trying to shirk that role, or serve two masters, then perhaps it needs to help Tri-C take over the role that it once served.

 

Also change that god awful name or risk confusing potential students from Southwest and Central Ohio who will automatically think it's a community college.

I could've sworn I remember some people on here saying that CSU would "ALWAYS remain a commuter school".... :-P

 

I think it will always remain a commuter school.  What percentage of students live on campus now?  I bet that number still pales in comparison to the number that commute and will for the foreseeable future.  Which is good, because CSU has a niche in the region and the state and shouldn't be trying to vary from that too much. 

 

Either way I'll be finishing my program in May and likely won't ever step foot on CSU's campus again.  I'll be taking my business for further education elsewhere.

 

Oh wait, I think my post needs one of these  :-P so you know that the tone wasn't malicious.

 

Speak for yourself.. CSU is a great place and definitely becoming a residential campus. No doubt

I could've sworn I remember some people on here saying that CSU would "ALWAYS remain a commuter school".... :-P

 

I think it will always remain a commuter school.  What percentage of students live on campus now?  I bet that number still pales in comparison to the number that commute and will for the foreseeable future.  Which is good, because CSU has a niche in the region and the state and shouldn't be trying to vary from that too much. 

 

Either way I'll be finishing my program in May and likely won't ever step foot on CSU's campus again.  I'll be taking my business for further education elsewhere.

 

Oh wait, I think my post needs one of these  :-P so you know that the tone wasn't malicious.

 

Speak for yourself.. CSU is a great place and definitely becoming a residential campus. No doubt

 

Amen.

@Clevelander17, its not insulting, its life. It happens all the time. An institution or an organization decides to go in a different direction, a BETTER direction. Obviously, the people who benefit from the status quo tend to get left behind at times. Sucks. But that's how it goes sometimes. The plan is clearly working. Dorms are selling OUT. The Langston, which was NOT originally for 4-year students, has had to move students in because the other dorms are all sold out. The success of the plan is not up for debate. That's obvious. You may have a problem with the plan but it is clear that it is working. You're obviously left out of this plan. Sorry. [stuff] happens. But arguing that they shouldn't be doing this is the equivalent of arguing that Uptown in UC should've never been built because it would displace the customers of the McDonalds and Mr. Hero that used to be there. I'm willing to have that debate. lol. Surely you're entitled to your opinion. But its very short-sighted to believe that the best thing for CSU and the city of Cleveland is for CSU to be a glorified Tri-C.

How is CSU doing anything negative to the commuters? How are they ignoring their needs?

 

They have built new garages, making parking more secure, and protects car from the weather and saves students from having to clear ice and snow off of their cars.

 

Commuters and Residents can coexist. That is how CSU can be unique. Adding residential is great for people out of the area and people who want it, and want to live downtown. But due to its urban location, it will always have a large base of commuters. Therefor CSU is in a greater position for growth than a Kent or BGSU, since the commuter population is in place, and now they are working on residential which seems to be popular and demand is growing. Rural schools have the residential base already established and only have so many commuters to pull from. So if CSU can attract a residential population of Kent, and keep their commuter population, the school would be well off, and their would be amazing benefits to the city.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't start this again. Read back a few pages and you will understand every issue he has.

Thank you. We have all had this discussion already. No need to re-hash it in a development thread.

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION

 

IMG_4605 by cle618, on Flickr

 

IMG_1832 by cle618, on Flickr

 

IMG_0972 by cle618, on Flickr

 

IMG_5710 by cle618, on Flickr

 

THE LANGSTON

 

IMG_9556 by cle618, on Flickr

 

IMG_2800 by cle618, on Flickr

 

IMG_1804 by cle618, on Flickr

 

IMG_1048 by cle618, on Flickr

 

anyone been to the new mac n' cheese place?  I've been solely in Levin all summer and haven't ventured far enough down Euclid (outside the Healthline at least) to notice it.

anyone been to the new mac n' cheese place?  I've been solely in Levin all summer and haven't ventured far enough down Euclid (outside the Healthline at least) to notice it.

 

It's really good! Odd hours but I love their sign!

yeah I mentioned my visit in the restaurant thread. I liked it a lot. Also noticed they got a papa johns and some burger place over there on campus now.

anyone been to the new mac n' cheese place?  I've been solely in Levin all summer and haven't ventured far enough down Euclid (outside the Healthline at least) to notice it.

Did it just open? Over the summer there was almost nothing open on campus.

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION

 

IMG_4605 by cle618, on Flickr

 

 

Ah yes. Waiting in lines at a state school. I remember them well.

 

What's the name of the mac-n-cheese place?

JB Mack