Didn't get the chance to take a pic but there is work being done on the building next to Intro on Ghering Ave.  If I remember there were plans to renovate to add some retail spots.

1 minute ago, TDi said:

Didn't get the chance to take a pic but there is work being done on the building next to Intro on Ghering Ave.  If I remember there were plans to renovate to add some retail spots.

I was wondering when that was going to start.  It was approved quite some time ago...maybe a year ago.

It was approved for a drive through window on the east side. If it doesn't end up a Chipotle or Starbucks I will be shocked. 

25 minutes ago, Jukeboxer said:

It was approved for a drive through window on the east side. If it doesn't end up a Chipotle or Starbucks I will be shocked. 

With a traditional Chipotle Downtown and a drive thru Chipotle in Steelyard I'd be surprised if they opened one here. Starbucks, I would be surprised with as well due to a coffee shop, which is owned by someone involved with Intro I believe, already being there. 

14 hours ago, Htsguy said:

I was wondering when that was going to start.  It was approved quite some time ago...maybe a year ago.

Oh noooooooooo. That area is already bad enough with traffic back ups. The last thing the WSM area needs is a 15 car Starbucks or other popular/trendy new fast food option line. 

On 1/16/2024 at 7:20 PM, downtownjoe said:

1898 W 25th St set for rehabilitation with Chipotle moving in. 

What ever happened to this Chipotle proposal?

That Chipotle got annihilated by the Ohio City residents in every meeting they went to as with most chains wanting to come to the neighborhood.  I would be shocked if a chain is going into the Gehring building.

24 minutes ago, TDi said:

That Chipotle got annihilated by the Ohio City residents in every meeting they went to as with most chains wanting to come to the neighborhood.  I would be shocked if a chain is going into the Gehring building.

Residents like that are insufferable. 

37 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Residents like that are insufferable. 

As a resident, it’s been tough seeing small local businesses close and chains and developer-run concepts take over. People are definitely worried about Ohio City Burrito. 
 

I guess overall it’s a good sign for the demand in the neighborhood. And honestly it looks to be a great renovation. 
 

Now, while we’re on the topic of neighborhood restaurants- Jaja and Pioneer have been closed for a suspiciously long time for a car crash in the back of the building. Pioneer never really seemed to catch on. I’m sure there’s insurance money involved but what the heck is going on?

6 minutes ago, ITakeTheRapid said:

As a resident, it’s been tough seeing small local businesses close and chains and developer-run concepts take over. People are definitely worried about Ohio City Burrito. 
 

I guess overall it’s a good sign for the demand in the neighborhood. And honestly it looks to be a great renovation. 
 

Now, while we’re on the topic of neighborhood restaurants- Jaja and Pioneer have been closed for a suspiciously long time for a car crash in the back of the building. Pioneer never really seemed to catch on. I’m sure there’s insurance money involved but what the heck is going on?

Didn’t Jaja’s elevator get smashed? I imagine getting the appropriate parts could be an issue.

2 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

Didn’t Jaja’s elevator get smashed? I imagine getting the appropriate parts could be an issue.

Possibly. But thinking of the floor plan I can’t see how Pioneer is inoperable. 
 

I just feel if it were a small business owner they’d be scrambling to be open as quick as possible. 

33 minutes ago, ITakeTheRapid said:

As a resident, it’s been tough seeing small local businesses close and chains and developer-run concepts take over. People are definitely worried about Ohio City Burrito. 
 

I guess overall it’s a good sign for the demand in the neighborhood. And honestly it looks to be a great renovation. 
 

Now, while we’re on the topic of neighborhood restaurants- Jaja and Pioneer have been closed for a suspiciously long time for a car crash in the back of the building. Pioneer never really seemed to catch on. I’m sure there’s insurance money involved but what the heck is going on?

The best neighborhoods in vibrant areas/cities have a balance, there is nothing wrong with having both. Look at Short North, it has a balance of both and is probably the most comparable when it comes to walkability and location to Downtown. If people don't want Ohio City Burrito they won't eat there, they will and probably already have simply made the trip to Steelyard or Downtown. Actually, Chipotle and Ohio City Burrito already coexist downtown, there is no reason they couldn't have here. 

2 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

The best neighborhoods in vibrant areas/cities have a balance, there is nothing wrong with having both. Look at Short North, it has a balance of both and is probably the most comparable when it comes to walkability and location to Downtown. If people don't want Ohio City Burrito they won't eat there, they will and probably already have simply made the trip to Steelyard or Downtown. Actually, Chipotle and Ohio City Burrito already coexist downtown, there is no reason they couldn't have here. 

As someone who lived in the Short North for 5 years I personally hope Ohio City can do better. 
 

Maybe I care too much about the local food scene but in my opinion it is getting passed up by a lot of comparable cities. Chains and developer-run spots are hard to compete with these days. In the last 5 or so years Cleveland’s chef-run spots have dwindled. Columbus and Cincinnati’s have flourished. Ohio City can be the local food-hub and with the way things are trending I think we need policies to help it. Other cities are promoting like crazy, paying the Michelin guide. We have empty storefronts all over with restaurants going out of business because the rent is too high. 

 

I don’t really get the rent is too high argument. Is it significantly lower or subsidized in Columbus and Cincinnati? I doubt that’s the case. What we need is more population, more density, and more customers to support our restaurants and retail. 
 

Jaja is reopening in late Spring 2025. 

55 minutes ago, Henke said:

I don’t really get the rent is too high argument. Is it significantly lower or subsidized in Columbus and Cincinnati? I doubt that’s the case. What we need is more population, more density, and more customers to support our restaurants and retail. 
 

Jaja is reopening in late Spring 2025. 

So a 6 month closure? I wouldn’t be buying those gift cards….

 

I agree that more density and residents will help Cleveland. 
 

As a resident of Ohio City for almost a decade, I see where people are coming from though. Honestly I believe the future is overall really bright but traveling these days I’m getting jealous, especially considering where our scene once was. 

Edited December 5, 2024Dec 5 by ITakeTheRapid

6 months?  

 

Less than 50% chance they reopen.

Dan Whalen leaving Harbor Bay certainly doesn't help. He was the visionary for all of this hospitality and I'm sure that his departure hurt their ability to operate.

4 hours ago, Henke said:

What ever happened to this Chipotle proposal?

FWIW: They withdrew from landmarks so that project is dead: "Unfortunately, our client has decided not to pursue the project at 1898 W. 25th and its associated sitework at 2516 Carroll Ave. We would like to withdraw the local design review and Cleveland Landmarks applications for this work (not sure if it is an "official" step that is needed, but wanted to keep you informed regardless)." - Oliver Architecture

Edited December 5, 2024Dec 5 by downtownjoe

Sorry to interrupt the doom and gloom session, but Jaja & Pioneer are both definitely reopening. Plus, six months is actually pretty quick if you knew the extent of damage and the insurance hurdles.

That stinks Chipotle pulled out. In my old neighborhood in DC they vacated a similar spot that has since been home to a couple of great small local eateries. Chipotle saved them some money by investing in fixing up the building and preparing it for food service so the new places only had to renovate the look and tweak. I was thinking something similar could happen here but alas.

Just now, Clefan98 said:

Sorry to interrupt the doom and gloom session, but Jaja & Pioneer are both definitely reopening. Plus, six months is actually pretty quick if you knew the extent of damage and the insurance hurdles.

Thank you for that. It’s incredible how the original very positive post about a long vacant and graffiti scarred building finally being renovated fostered so much mindless negativity.

I have no idea how you can look at the videos of the car absolutely BLASTING into the building and be skeptical of them reopening in six months. It wasn't just a car through the window, it was a car into critical building infrastructure with a fireball for added effect. It'd be one thing if it was an old lady driving into a dennys, but this is a little different.

 

 

https://fox8.com/news/watch-new-surveillance-video-shows-car-crashing-into-ohio-city-restaurant/

10 hours ago, Clefan98 said:

Sorry to interrupt the doom and gloom session, but Jaja & Pioneer are both definitely reopening. Plus, six months is actually pretty quick if you knew the extent of damage and the insurance hurdles.

After telling their management staff they would be paid through the closure.... which has turned out to be false. They were all cut (small) checks and made to sign NDAs. 

 

I've helped two of my industry friends who worked there find jobs for the holiday season. Nothing as classy as promising people their jobs are secure, then laying them off weeks before Christmas.  

13 hours ago, GISguy said:

I have no idea how you can look at the videos of the car absolutely BLASTING into the building and be skeptical of them reopening in six months. It wasn't just a car through the window, it was a car into critical building infrastructure with a fireball for added effect. It'd be one thing if it was an old lady driving into a dennys, but this is a little different.

 

 

https://fox8.com/news/watch-new-surveillance-video-shows-car-crashing-into-ohio-city-restaurant/

 

The basis of my skepticism wasn't the damage, though this picture increases it.   It is a "trendy" restaurant being out of commission for that long.  Unless they have some major bucks in reserve and have a plan to hit the ground running, it's not that easy to do.

5 hours ago, originaljbw said:

After telling their management staff they would be paid through the closure.... which has turned out to be false. They were all cut (small) checks and made to sign NDAs. 

 

I've helped two of my industry friends who worked there find jobs for the holiday season. Nothing as classy as promising people their jobs are secure, then laying them off weeks before Christmas.  

 

An NDA in the restaurant (or bar) industry is pretty much useless.  Everyone knows people at other places, they talk, and there is no way to trace where the information came from.

Jaja and Pioneer are also restaurants owned by the owner and developer of Intro, Harbor Bay. They moved their hospitality business to Cleveland from Chicago. Chances are good they will reopen something in those spaces.

I'm no insurance expert but aren't these the types of things that business insurance covers? Damages, loss of business etc? 

 

I'm also in the optimism camp especially for Jaja as they had Marble Room type waiting periods for their reservations. Its turned into a very popular spot. 

1 hour ago, TDi said:

I'm no insurance expert but aren't these the types of things that business insurance covers? Damages, loss of business etc? 

 

I'm also in the optimism camp especially for Jaja as they had Marble Room type waiting periods for their reservations. Its turned into a very popular spot. 

I don't know what the actual stats are, but this type of insurance coverage is very expensive (although a very good idea if you can afford it) with high deductibles.  Given restaurant margins, many tend to do without this coverage given the expense and they simple keep their fingers crossed.  Large corporate chains probably have it but less likely when it comes to smaller independents.

 

Also agree with you about the popularity of JaJa.  Have only been there twice, but both times if was completely full, both on weeknights. Many friends have nothing but good things to say about it.

21 hours ago, Clefan98 said:

Sorry to interrupt the doom and gloom session, but Jaja & Pioneer are both definitely reopening. Plus, six months is actually pretty quick if you knew the extent of damage and the insurance hurdles.

For real. Every post about Cleveland the past few days has been inundated with negativity and a general belittling of the city and its residents of which I am one. Has the forum been taken over by burner accounts for suburban mayors or something? With all of the responses as of late you would think that we would need a few tornadoes to put out all of the fires going on within city limits. JaJa and Pioneer will be fine, and anyone who spent any amount of time on W25th Street 20 years ago would know just how much healthier the neighborhood is now. Just like EVERY OTHER city in the country, there is a disproportionate amount of poverty and crime within city limits because of 70 years of disinvestment and good old fashioned racism. Do we really need all of the negativity all of the time? We live in a city that was declared dead by a few magazines in the early 2000’s, and now we are finally seeing positive growth. Constructive criticism is one thing, but my god. 

Well I am here to jump on the positivity bandwagon.  Especially when it comes to Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway and Gordon Square.  I was watching Planning Commission this morning and continue to be super impressed with Justin Strizzi and how his company is moving so quickly to help re-invent Detroit Shoreway.  He was introducing  the new Hermann Avenue project and I not only admired the project in terms of design and the thought that has gone into it, but also the wonderful presentation by Mr. Strizzi.  Incredibly articulate, insightful and polished.  He understood his audience and it was clear he had done his homework, including engaging with the neighborhood, which is key now a days.  

 

Bottom line.  The next generation of developers-people like Justin Strizzi and Dan Whalen-clearly have what it takes to lead the city forward and the city should be doing everything it can to engage with and support these bright "youngsters"-says the old guy who can remember the bad old days of unfulfilled promises.

Edited December 6, 2024Dec 6 by Htsguy

Looking forward to seeing more from the Herman project!

 

One of my friends told me that Whalen’s hotel project was on the schedule for sometime this week or next with renderings - did anyone here catch that or get any screenshots?

29 minutes ago, Henke said:

Looking forward to seeing more from the Herman project!

 

One of my friends told me that Whalen’s hotel project was on the schedule for sometime this week or next with renderings - did anyone here catch that or get any screenshots?

Not this week from what I saw, but planning commish publishes their agenda every Wednesday on the week of meeting, so I'd look for the Dec 20th agenda then to see.

2 hours ago, Htsguy said:

Well I am here to jump on the positivity bandwagon.  Especially when it comes to Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway and Gordon Square.  I was watching Planning Commission this morning and continue to be super impressed with Justin Strizzi and how his company is moving so quickly to help re-invent Detroit Shoreway.  He was introducing  the new Hermann Avenue project and I not only admired the project in terms of design and the thought that has gone into it, but also the wonderful presentation by Mr. Strizzi.  Incredibly articulate, insightful and polished.  He understood his audience and it was clear he had done his homework, including engaging with the neighborhood, which is key now a days.  

 

Bottom line.  The next generation of developers-people like Justin Strizzi and Dan Whalen-clearly have what it takes to lead the city forward and the city should be doing everything it can to engage with and support these bright "youngsters"-says the old guy who can remember the bad old days of unfulfilled promises.

We are just thankful nobody was hurt in the buidling or even pedestrians.  The car/buidling impact fireball is amazing as seen in the TV8 news video repasted from above.  Glad they are working hard to reopen both.  I am sure there will be some new steel bollards placed on the perimeter of the building.  Still hopeful for INTRO Phase 2?

 

https://fox8.com/news/watch-new-surveillance-video-shows-car-crashing-into-ohio-city-restaurant/

On 12/6/2024 at 12:27 PM, Htsguy said:

Well I am here to jump on the positivity bandwagon. 

 

Hopping on the positivity bandwagon as well, actually as it relates to this specific corner behind Jaja >> renovations finally kicked off for this little building on Gehring, which should inject a good dose of life into this part of OC across from the rapid station. 

 

Edited December 10, 2024Dec 10 by ASP1984

28 minutes ago, ASP1984 said:

 

Hopping on the positivity bandwagon as well, actually as it relates to this specific corner behind Jaja >> renovations finally kicked off for this little building, which should inject a good dose of life into this part of OC across from the rapid station. 

 

So true! We saw that last week. Do we know what is happening there?

7 minutes ago, Willo said:

So true! We saw that last week. Do we know what is happening there?

 

Yep! Some new retail - edited my post above to include the rendering. Not sure what businesses but by the looks of the patio will probably be a restaurant! 

SweatHouz signed a lease at Intro in the large space next to Edda. I'm not familiar but from their website it's a national luxury wellness studio brand

Apparently SweatHouz did not consult with all of our local safety and crime experts prior to signing their lease 🙃

14 hours ago, TDi said:

SweatHouz signed a lease at Intro in the large space next to Edda. I'm not familiar but from their website it's a national luxury wellness studio brand

 

That's great. There are also two other retail openings to be expected: (1) a fast casual salad spot next to Intro's BoA, and (2) a vietnamese pho place directly across the street on W25th.

49 minutes ago, Clefan98 said:

Apparently SweatHouz did not consult with all of our local safety and crime experts prior to signing their lease 🙃

They may listened after the Dukes of Hazard ball of fire crash next door at Intro.

Let’s hope they put really strong bollards around the perimeter of the sidewalk patio envisioned as a precaution in case Clara Peller hits the gas by mistake while parking at the WSM - remember this

 

 

 

On 12/3/2024 at 12:53 PM, KJP said:

 

Ohio City townhomes project gets 2nd shot
By Ken Prendergast / December 3, 2024

 

A long-planned and contentious townhomes development at 4705 Bridge Ave. in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood is seeing signs of construction activity after being on hold for nearly three years. The project’s revival is due to several factors including an improved for-sale housing market of lower interest rates, more fluid financing for construction and a new construction contractor that was hired.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/03/ohio-city-townhomes-project-gets-2nd-shot/

Walked past this site today — there's quite a bit of activity, and looks like foundations are already done for some of them on the SW corner of the lot! 👍

 

D4G may have some more info for me on 4705 Bridge. Looks like more than just one (model) townhome.

Vitrolite Building got a tax credit award 

 

 

9 hours ago, Paul in Cleveland said:

Walked past this site today — there's quite a bit of activity, and looks like foundations are already done for some of them on the SW corner of the lot! 👍

 

Both of those foundations have been there for 2+ years. They tore down the old construction fence, cleared the jungle of weeds and put up the new fence a little over a month ago. They closed off the end of 47th near Bridge for work in the road (sewer and water) last week. They haven't started on any new foundations. I will monitor the site as I can see it from my master bedroom. 

Edited December 12, 2024Dec 12 by downtownjoe

1 hour ago, downtownjoe said:

I will monitor the site as I can see it from my master bedroom. 

That's the level of service we have come to expect from our UO field correspondents! 

 

Ohio City housing emerging south of tracks
By Ken Prendergast / December 13, 2024

 

An early indicator of an emerging real estate development is to see a request for unused public rights of way to be vacated. Another is a mass of properties being acquired by the same company in the same area. Yet another is to see decaying structures in that area be demolished. All three of those conditions are occurring on Barber Avenue at West 30th Street, at the south end of Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/13/ohio-city-housing-emerging-south-of-tracks/

 

 

New homes, new people. All good news.

Beckman made a small correction and, in so doing, gave me some numbers about what he plans. It's actually a pretty decent-sized development. Updated the article with the info.

Some demo equipment finally showing up at the Cleveland Vibrator site. 

Anyone have the latest on the Lutheran project?

 

The most recent news I can find is @KJP’s article from March of this year:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/03/29/ohio-city-megaproject-nearly-ready-for-roll-out/