I just noticed this little lot for sale on Detroit (currently a small parking lot just steps from The Harp). They advertise a potential three-story townhome building with several units in it as a possibility here. It would be great to see more of these missing gaps start to be developed and better help connect Hingetown with Gordon Square - hopefully the right person comes in and snatches this up, and then develops it adequately!

 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4204-Detroit-Ave-Cleveland-OH-44113/401220499_zpid/

WAIT these are the meter locations people are complaining about?!?! It's like four streets. People need to get a grip.

 

https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/08/23/cleveland-expands-smart-parking-app-to-ohio-city

 

It's actually happening. 

 

 

W29th now has concrete jersey barriers blocking off the stretch in front or Larder and Rising Star. Seating, tables, a new bike rack, and some turf placed down as well. Some Hingetown/OCI people were also putting together that bright green metal thing, not sure what it is yet. 

On 8/21/2024 at 8:45 AM, PlanCleveland said:

I thought this was a great slide to get their point across. The city needs to post that triangle on social media to explain that needing to charge a whopping 50 cents per hour is actually a good thing. It means the neighborhood has more demand than it has the capacity for. This may help deter the people who parking in Ohio City for free for events Downtown and never even go to one of the businesses, but take a parking spot from actual customers.

 

I do wish this was paired with talks of better transportation options in these high demand neighborhoods, though. I've mentioned a Tremont to Cudell streetcar before, which will never happen, but I think would do a ton for the businesses on the near Westside. It would help to alleviate the parking concerns as well. I wonder how many spaces in Tremont are taken by people from Gordon Square or Ohio City, and vice versa. Connecting Tremont, Duck Island, W25, Hingetown, Gordon Square, Battery Park/Edgewater, and Cudell neighborhoods would be huge, and probably give a boost to red line ridership and add a lot of development along Detroit. They are neighborhoods that are all close together, but aren't really connected. Few visitors are going to more than one of them when they visit, and few residents move between them as they are just far enough apart to make walking inconvenient, but close enough to make you feel dumb for driving and looking for parking. 

 

 

The pay spots seem to be focusing only on "convenient" from what it looks like. "Available" remains to be seen. The cost does not seem unreasonable at all though. 

 

As for transit... I know it isnt feasible at all, but a street car loop (with multiple vehicles in both directions) running down Madison in Lakewood -> Lorain (at W65th) -> Abbey (at W25th) -> into Tremont -> looping back to W 25th south of Lorain -> up Lorain to Detroit -> down Detroit all the way into Lakewood -> back to Madison, would be a neat route. I know people will say thats what buses are for, but come on. Street cars that you can just ride the whole way with out transferring are way cooler. But maybe thats just the New Orleanian in me.

 

On 8/21/2024 at 11:02 AM, MyPhoneDead said:

Tbh it annoys me when people move to cities and complain when city things happen in the city that you CHOSE to move to. 

 

I'm moving to Ohio City specifically for all the stuff I see happening. It looks great. New Orleans sees the same issue though. We had a millionaire businessman who liked to pretend he was all about the city and its culture, and bought a house next door to one of the most popular bars, then sued them for having live music so late at night. Like.... what did you expect?

if all these street closures are just going to be jersey barriers and Adirondack chairs....

4 hours ago, PlanCleveland said:

It's actually happening. 

 

 

W29th now has concrete jersey barriers blocking off the stretch in front or Larder and Rising Star. Seating, tables, a new bike rack, and some turf placed down as well. Some Hingetown/OCI people were also putting together that bright green metal thing, not sure what it is yet. 

I thought they were shutting down the portion between Detroit and Church?

15 minutes ago, coneflower said:

I thought they were shutting down the portion between Detroit and Church?

Nopeeeeee. I wish. Unfortunately I believe they're only planning this portion for now. Closing it off from Detroit to Clinton and then extending that up through the Dexter as well would be amazing though. 

 

25 minutes ago, Whipjacka said:

if all these street closures are just going to be jersey barriers and Adirondack chairs....

I heard from someone at OCI that this is just a test run for a few weeks. Gather feedback, and then hopefully a more permanent solution after that. At least someone is actually testing things out for once though. Instead of talking about a project for a decade before it just fades away. We need to be doing more pilot projects like these to show businesses that pedestrian streets and great infrastructure will almost always help their businesses, not hurt them. 

Edited August 23, 2024Aug 23 by PlanCleveland

They've been closing this stretch temporarily for events all summer. We were there a couple weeks ago for one of the City Stages concerts. It was a good time. Closing it just for events is the right way to handle it. Throw down some jersey barriers or road closed signs for the evening and your good to go.

On 8/23/2024 at 7:35 PM, Mendo said:

They've been closing this stretch temporarily for events all summer. We were there a couple weeks ago for one of the City Stages concerts. It was a good time. Closing it just for events is the right way to handle it. Throw down some jersey barriers or road closed signs for the evening and your good to go.

I think for now that's probably the best bet for the stretch of 29th between Detroit and Church. But there is no reason the area in front of Larder/Rising Star/Transformer Station shouldn't be fully pedestrianized.  The section they have closed is nothing more than a cut through for people who don't live in the neighborhood, because no one who lives there wants to struggle to drive on W29th. 

 

 

The neighborhood wants it, outside of 2 business owners that likely haven't thought about it beyond it taking away 4 parking spots. There isn't enough outdoor seating most days in this area so it will help the businesses, and there are so many little events that will use it. There are a lot of young children in the neighborhood that play in front of the Transformer Station, and Larder has hosted some very successful events for kids recently as well. When CMA gets more programming going in the Transformer Station, I'm sure they will be able to find more uses for the space too. 

On 8/23/2024 at 6:47 PM, Whipjacka said:

if all these street closures are just going to be jersey barriers and Adirondack chairs....

Yeah, I agree completely. What’s happened at Market Ave is truly embarrassing. I would have chalked it up to Pearl Street closing and fewer businesses on the street, but seeing a similarly low effort approach here is really disappointing. 
 

I remember the original Market Ave closer fondly, and I think the only difference was cafe seating? Now it’s kind of embarrassing to see, especially as someone who has been advocating for the closures.

 

It would be great for OCI to share more details and near term concepts for both. I think that would help get people a bit more excited, assuming there is a vision they can share.
 

Overall, I’m skeptical about the timing of the pilot in Hingetown, given that Market Ave looks remarkably similar to this after nearly a year.

6 hours ago, Henke said:

Yeah, I agree completely. What’s happened at Market Ave is truly embarrassing. I would have chalked it up to Pearl Street closing and fewer businesses on the street, but seeing a similarly low effort approach here is really disappointing. 
 

I remember the original Market Ave closer fondly, and I think the only difference was cafe seating? Now it’s kind of embarrassing to see, especially as someone who has been advocating for the closures.

 

It would be great for OCI to share more details and near term concepts for both. I think that would help get people a bit more excited, assuming there is a vision they can share.
 

Overall, I’m skeptical about the timing of the pilot in Hingetown, given that Market Ave looks remarkably similar to this after nearly a year.

I was 100% all-in with the closure of this street and based on the things they did with it when they previously closed it, why not?

 

However, as you state, what they have actually done is nothing short of a travesty. Huge, massive disappointment and embarrassment.

 

An out of town friend came to visit the other day and we all had a good sad laugh about the wasted space.

 

Again, an absolute embarrassment.

1 hour ago, ragarcia said:

I was 100% all-in with the closure of this street and based on the things they did with it when they previously closed it, why not?

 

However, as you state, what they have actually done is nothing short of a travesty. Huge, massive disappointment and embarrassment.

 

An out of town friend came to visit the other day and we all had a good sad laugh about the wasted space.

 

Again, an absolute embarrassment.

A case of the dog catching the car. 

Sorry I'm not following. What is the issue with the Market Street closure?

On 8/23/2024 at 2:15 PM, PlanCleveland said:

It's actually happening. 

 

 

W29th now has concrete jersey barriers blocking off the stretch in front or Larder and Rising Star. Seating, tables, a new bike rack, and some turf placed down as well. Some Hingetown/OCI people were also putting together that bright green metal thing, not sure what it is yet. 

 

We walked the dog through here last night, as we were excited to see it. Neither my husband nor I had the slightest clue what the bright green thing was supposed to be. It had fake turf grass on it and seemed to have no purpose other than looking cheap. (Wish I would have snapped a pic.) There were a handful of people around and one little child playing — which was nice — but the overall look was sad.

This all said, not sure what I would have done with the space myself if I'd have been in charge. I just know there has to be some better ideas in the community. 🫠

37 minutes ago, Paul in Cleveland said:

 

We walked the dog through here last night, as we were excited to see it. Neither my husband nor I had the slightest clue what the bright green thing was supposed to be. It had fake turf grass on it and seemed to have no purpose other than looking cheap. (Wish I would have snapped a pic.) There were a handful of people around and one little child playing — which was nice — but the overall look was sad.

This all said, not sure what I would have done with the space myself if I'd have been in charge. I just know there has to be some better ideas in the community. 🫠

I'm also still unsure what that green thing is haha. 

 

But ya it looks like they just put out some furniture they already had sitting around from previous things, and put the jersey barriers up. Hopefully more will be done to make the space look nice if they get enough good feedback to move forward with it permanently. The road there is in pretty bad shape which doesn't help the overall look of the space either. 

 

I could be wrong, but I trust that a permanent closure of this space will be handled better than Market Ave. Being connected to a CMA property, more public art already existing here vs Market Ave, and the fact that they got a $100k grant to help fund the transformation of the space. 

On 8/23/2024 at 6:47 PM, Whipjacka said:

if all these street closures are just going to be jersey barriers and Adirondack chairs....

 

Adding planters, string lights, picnic tables and a street mural should help. Cincinnati did a good job with its closure of 14th Street in OTR

 

 

Also would it kill us to consider parklets in more locations? I honestly can't think of one anywhere in town, though I'm probably drawing a blank. 

 

Edited August 27, 2024Aug 27 by ASP1984

1 hour ago, Paul in Cleveland said:

 

We walked the dog through here last night, as we were excited to see it. Neither my husband nor I had the slightest clue what the bright green thing was supposed to be. It had fake turf grass on it and seemed to have no purpose other than looking cheap. (Wish I would have snapped a pic.) There were a handful of people around and one little child playing — which was nice — but the overall look was sad.

This all said, not sure what I would have done with the space myself if I'd have been in charge. I just know there has to be some better ideas in the community. 🫠

 

The city planner there told me it was supposed to be a stage.

On 8/23/2024 at 2:15 PM, PlanCleveland said:

It's actually happening. 

 

 

W29th now has concrete jersey barriers blocking off the stretch in front or Larder and Rising Star. Seating, tables, a new bike rack, and some turf placed down as well. Some Hingetown/OCI people were also putting together that bright green metal thing, not sure what it is yet. 

This is it? 🤣 christ is that embarrassing. I guess I'll give a tiny applause for some sort of effort, but come on. What will outsiders visiting our city think when they come across this atrocity? 

It looks quarter-assed, not even half-assed. And when will this city's obsession with jersey barriers go away

It looks like people are setting up to watch a water main break.  At least wait until there is an aesthetically reasonable plan before closing the street.

8 minutes ago, Husat77 said:

It looks like people are setting up to watch a water main break.  At least wait until there is an aesthetically reasonable plan before closing the street.

 

I'm sorry - we're the city that arbitrarily put jersey barriers in the middle of our beautiful Public Square renovation... It's in our blood. 

26 minutes ago, GREGinPARMA said:

This is it? 🤣 christ is that embarrassing. I guess I'll give a tiny applause for some sort of effort, but come on. What will outsiders visiting our city think when they come across this atrocity? 

It looks quarter-assed, not even half-assed. And when will this city's obsession with jersey barriers go away

 

Its a temporary experiment to gather feedback on the use of the space to inform the final design. The actual street closure I believe isn't scheduled until next year.

 

Edited August 27, 2024Aug 27 by ASP1984

4 minutes ago, ASP1984 said:

 

Its a temporary experiment to gather feedback on the use of the space to inform the final design. 

I hope we hire McKinsey to analyze people's reactions 

2 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

I hope we hire McKinsey to analyze people's reactions 

 

$100K won't be enough!

so here’s what market Ave looks like right now:

here is what it looked like in 2019:

20 minutes ago, Henke said:

so here’s what market Ave looks like right now:

here is what it looked like in 2019:

 

Half assed work but at least it can be improved upon.

 

It can… but next week marks the one year anniversary of the street’s closure. Not sure it’s in the plans.
 

Anyone want to take a trip to Lowe’s and buy some bistro tables?

1 minute ago, ASP1984 said:

 

Half assed work but at least it can be improved upon.

 

Agreed. At least the flower barriers look better than that red plastic thing.

Just now, Henke said:

It can… but next week marks the one year anniversary of the street’s closure. Not sure it’s in the plans.
 

Anyone want to take a trip to Lowe’s and buy some bistro tables?

 

Seriously. They could fix this for under $1000.

 

The state of Market Ave and overall state of Market Square park has recently been brought up in multiple block club meetings as well as the Oho City Community meeting from many residents. From the responses given from OCI and the city it sounds like it was an issue with not knowing who was responsible for it.  OCI basically said its the city's responsibility and the city said we were not aware it was in such a state and it is now on their radar. I am not sure how to take this but OCI also said that although it is not there responsibility it is now going to probably be their responsibility which I would honestly welcome.

4 hours ago, TDi said:

OCI basically said its the city's responsibility and the city said we were not aware it was in such a state and it is now on their radar.

 

lol wtf 3/4 of Bibb's hires live in OHC. That's pretty funny passing of the buck.

15 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

lol wtf 3/4 of Bibb's hires live in OHC. That's pretty funny passing of the buck.

 

"yes the city signed off on the closure of a public street but without an idea of how said street would be managed" 

 

yeah sure guys

I was in Cincinnati last weekend. Stayed in a boutique hotel next door to the Music Hall. We wanted to experience and compare OTR with our town. I've been reading so much about it  (been there a few times) and l was surprised it wasn't further along in its renaissance. There were quite a few lots with nothing on them - still waiting for infill. Many of the side streets were closed to traffic but all had some combination of seating and streetscaping and restaurants. A few were very elaborate. One was set up for free movies with a poster of the schedule. The best part for me (aside from the ltalianate architecture) was the street retail and people walking. We don't have nearly as much. 

 

Also, there seems to be more awareness of style - making things look good. We don't seem to care so much or even be aware style is a thing. Like the Public Square barriers or closing these streets and then doing the cheapest rendition of attracting people. We have a looong way to go.

15 minutes ago, cadmen said:

Also, there seems to be more awareness of style - making things look good. We don't seem to care so much or even be aware style is a thing. Like the Public Square barriers or closing these streets and then doing the cheapest rendition of attracting people. We have a looong way to go.

This is hard to quantify but seems like a fair critique. I know in some towns, especially small towns, a lot of beautification efforts are done by volunteers and community clubs. Maybe that is something that could help?

It was alluded to in an earlier post, but it bears repeating that the W29th Open Street is a very temporary pilot -- 2 weeks, from August 24 - Sept 8th.

 

I agree that the space could be better activated & programmed, but the short timeline creates obvious limitations re: filling this space with hardy furniture, planters, decorative barriers, etc... Of course, 2 weeks is also no where near an adequate length of time to get a real feel for the space (and unfortunate timing with the 85+ degree weather). I went to one of the early community meetings and expressed that the pilot period should be tacked onto the City Stages closures, but alas.

 

Pic of the signage attached. Here's the W29th Open Streets Instagram link and here's the Feedback form the QR code directs to. 

 

 

Another space has been leased at Intro by something called Green Salad Co. I think there is only one available retail space left now.

Any of us on this forum could go set out more outdoor tables and chairs if we wanted. What are they going to do, accuse you of littering?

 

I'm serious though, if somebody wants to fix this, you could just knock on the doors of a few businesses, say "hey do you mind if I set up tables and chairs on the street?" They'll either say "um, what?" or "yes please!" and then you just set out $500 worth of outdoor furniture. 90% chance it works out great and everyone is happy.

14 minutes ago, LlamaLawyer said:

Any of us on this forum could go set out more outdoor tables and chairs if we wanted. What are they going to do, accuse you of littering?

 

I'm serious though, if somebody wants to fix this, you could just knock on the doors of a few businesses, say "hey do you mind if I set up tables and chairs on the street?" They'll either say "um, what?" or "yes please!" and then you just set out $500 worth of outdoor furniture. 90% chance it works out great and everyone is happy.

Cool, give me $500 for the furniture and I'll do it this week

57 minutes ago, GREGinPARMA said:

Cool, give me $500 for the furniture and I'll do it this week

 

I'll throw in $50 for this guerilla seating fund 🤣

Update: things have been added to spruce up the 2 week test of the street closure. Maybe if everyone yells loud enough, similar things will come to Market Ave. 

 

Barriers were painted, 4 or 5 umbrellas added, more plants, different games, and some toys and other things for kids. 4 or 5 kids were drawing with chalk when I walked by. 

 

 

 

On 8/27/2024 at 10:43 AM, Henke said:

so here’s what market Ave looks like right now:

here is what it looked like in 2019:

 empty now

Looks like a campsite in 2019. 👎

Edited August 30, 2024Aug 30 by Justbuildit
Spelling

 

Cleveland offers up prime Ohio City property

By Ken Prendergast / August 29, 2024

 

Cleveland city officials followed through on a promise they made in early July when they announced they would be making the city-owned McCafferty Health Center property, 4242 Lorain Ave., available for redevelopment. Today, they issued a formal invitation to professional real estate development teams to respond to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to redevelop the site and address the need for affordable housing in the Ohio City neighborhood.

 

MORE: 

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/08/29/cleveland-offers-up-prime-ohio-city-property/

 

I want to be excited about this because affordable housing is always important. But it just feels like at this particular location there would be more demand for market rate than affordable. This is also a very important location in connecting the low West 40s to the 50s. Right now this is kind of a dead zone between two pockets of businesses and there's enough space here to plant a ton of people with disposable income to really get Lorain going even more.

4 hours ago, TDi said:

I want to be excited about this because affordable housing is always important. But it just feels like at this particular location there would be more demand for market rate than affordable. This is also a very important location in connecting the low West 40s to the 50s. Right now this is kind of a dead zone between two pockets of businesses and there's enough space here to plant a ton of people with disposable income to really get Lorain going even more.

I know it's not your intent but please lets not start the conversation of affordable and market rate along Lorain back up again.

5 hours ago, TDi said:

I want to be excited about this because affordable housing is always important. But it just feels like at this particular location there would be more demand for market rate than affordable. This is also a very important location in connecting the low West 40s to the 50s. Right now this is kind of a dead zone between two pockets of businesses and there's enough space here to plant a ton of people with disposable income to really get Lorain going even more.

I very much agree, but this was discussed up thread as mentioned. This could be a great intersection with marquee type development here....very shortsighted approach by city leadership here IMO. Maybe developers push back during the RFQ process to make this mixed with market rate but that's just wishful thinking.

On 8/28/2024 at 10:46 AM, dwolfi01 said:

 

I'll throw in $50 for this guerilla seating fund 🤣

Count me in for $100

🤤 

 

https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/greens-salad-co-to-bring-fresh-salads-and-wraps-to-intro-in-ohio-city-45062965?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0KXQX1kswZJoEbDv4PnXCWP7mrOkGcslK7vlSJYyOrGbEWqtR5o2xrFMY_aem_aM-P847NXPuDKVxJJhIhOw

I've been wanting Sweet Greens to open some NE locations.  This sounds like a nice consolation prize.  Plus it's a good excuse to check out INTRO

Some pics from Intro of last night’s sunset, no filter

Hey UrbanOhio members. A few months ago, I submitted the post below and mentioned that I would be presenting that idea & other speculative projects in the near future. That presentation will occur at this month's PechaKucha Night, Vol. 42 being hosted at Ingenuity on September 27th. Come see & hear about these speculative projects and other Cleveland creatives' presentations then visit Ingenuity Fest 2024 - Era of Ascent!

 

PechaKucha tickets link:

https://www.pechakucha.com/events/pechakucha-night-cleveland-volume-42

 

On 4/20/2024 at 6:08 PM, bdaily said:

 

Thought I’d share a speculative passion project that I’ve been working on for a while now, since it pertains to the discussion. (link to animation below)

I plan to give a public presentation on this and a few other speculative projects in the near future. If that interests anyone then I can provide a date when it’s determined.

 

Would enjoy y’all’s thoughts!

 

These designs are by no means “the answer” - only initial ideas. I am, and have been, sharing these ideas to start a conversation about the potential of the WSM parking lots, W 25th Station, and other nearby properties in a visual format. Attached is an image of a map I put together that identifies surface lots in the district and the number of parking stalls in each.

 

Some intentions of the design ideas:

• Activate the W 25th Red Line Station with a built structure instead of the typical stand alone island station and provide (2) headhouses. One where’s currently. The other would connect to a public plaza where the WSM parking lots are currently. 
• Clean up the Gehring & Lorain intersection that’s currently completely f**ked with the WSM parking lot gates on heavily attended days. A 3-4 story parking garage could be provided in each new structure that would occupy where the lots are currently. The current WSM parking lots contain a total ~600 parking stalls. 
• Continue W 22nd back to W 24th 
• Connect the market district to Irishtown Bend from W 22nd on a City owned parcel. (Love sitting on the guardrail at that overlook.)
• Extend Market Ave from the market parking lots to W 28th St by opening the NE corner of the produce pavilion and activating the alley between the market and market pavilion. 
• Activate the OCI owned lots next to GLBC along W 26th with park & multi-family structure

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, bdaily said:

Hey UrbanOhio members. A few months ago, I submitted the post below and mentioned that I would be presenting that idea & other speculative projects in the near future. That presentation will occur at this month's PechaKucha Night, Vol. 42 being hosted at Ingenuity on September 27th. Come see & hear about these speculative projects and other Cleveland creatives' presentations then visit Ingenuity Fest 2024 - Era of Ascent!

 

PechaKucha tickets link:

https://www.pechakucha.com/events/pechakucha-night-cleveland-volume-42

 

This is really fantastic, and a great example of being the change you want to see! Bravo! 

 

I love the video and all the renderings. One thing I might suggest, for old fashioned people like me, is to compose and publish a few presentation like images detailing your proposal. I find it easier to contemplate proposed changes from a detailed annotated image than a video. Sometimes by the time I've established where the camera currently is in the video and what is new versus current it's time to cut to a new image. 

 

Not looking to make any extra work for you, so feel free to ignore my suggestion. I like your idea, and admire the effort you're putting in to promote it. Hopefully a few UrbanOhio people can make it out to check out your talk. Best of luck, hopefully this catches the attention of some Council or planning committee members.