hey, that's the 2nd architecture firm to move in and around that Fulton street/Lorain ave area..

 

Anybody who knows another, tell 'em to give me an IM.. I'll gladly let an architecture firm build out space at the my Oddfellows building.

 

Nice that they stayed in the city, but seems strange that they would move away from the "design district".

Ohio City in sights of architectural firm

 

 

The guy in charge of the architecture firm told me to wait before writing an article. And now Crain's scoops me. Argh.

hey, that's the 2nd architecture firm to move in and around that Fulton street/Lorain ave area..

 

Anybody who knows another, tell 'em to give me an IM.. I'll gladly let an architecture firm build out space at the my Oddfellows building.

 

Nice that they stayed in the city, but seems strange that they would move away from the "design district".

 

difference between owning and renting I guess.

Community Announcement for 12/26/07

 

Subject: Public Meeting on Hush Nightclub (in the Moda space)

 

Sent on behalf of Angela Hummel, OCNW Board President:

 

We have received numerous calls and emails regarding recent media reports that a new nightclub operator has applied for the transfer of their liquor permit into the old Moda space. This information is indeed correct. Heaven & Earth was a nightclub operating on the east bank of the Flats. They have applied for a liquor permit transfer into the old Moda space, located at 1871 W.25th Street. The building is owned by the Rialto Corporation. The nightclub would be doing business as Hush Nightclub. Contrary to what has been stated in certain print media, OCNW has NOT endorsed this nightclub proposal, and will not do so without community input and dialog. OCNW is very concerned about the impact of another nightclub in the old Moda space on the residential and business community. Thus, we are organizing a public meeting about this proposed nightclub, in conjunction with Ward 13 Councilman Joe Cimperman, who shares our concern about bringing this proposal before the community. It sho!

 

uld be noted that the Moda/Rialto Building sits in Ward 14, but Ward 13 Councilman Joe Cimperman has agreed to orchestrate the community input with the State Liquor Control Board. The meeting details are as follows:

 

* When: Wednesday, January 9th at 7:00 pm

* Where: The Lutheran Hospital Auditorium (the Castele Learning and Conference Center)

 

Please use the entrance of the Lutheran Hospital Spine Center building, located at Franklin Blvd. and Fulton Road. There is ample free parking available in the Lutheran Hospital lot on the NE corner of Franklin Blvd. and W.28th Street (enter off of W.28th). Once inside, follow the signs to the Castele Learning and Conference Center.

 

We are still organizing the meeting agenda, and have not heard from representatives of Hush Nightclub yet. Councilman Cimperman will be in attendance. Additional details regarding the agenda will be communicated, once they have been finalized. Until then, we wanted you to mark your calendars for this important meeting, and allow you time to spread the word to your neighbors. We hope that you will take the time to attend.

 

 

I really hope that the community doesn't just come out guns a-blazin' and shoot anyone who approaches this space down.  If they come out angry, the potential proprietor will more likely respond in kind and his/her incentive for cooperating will dwindle. 

 

The ideal scenario would be to get a business owner in that space who knows how to communicate with the neighborhood and sincerely wants to run a business, make money, and be a responsible neighbor at the same time. I'd love to see this space filled and open 7 nights a week.  I probably won't ever go to a nightclub, but I'd still support one if I got the feeling from the owner that they understood the concerns and had a plan to actively prevent problems from occurring.

Anyone know who/what is moving into the in-progress renovate near  W. 28 & Detroit, across from the Bop Stop?  So far, it's a beautiful renovation.  A sign on the window reads ICA.  Maybe another architecture/design firm?

Guv, that is Intermuseum Conservation Association, a group that restores works of art from major museums across the Midwest and Northeast. http://www.ica-artconservation.org/

They've been in that building for a few years now, having formerly been located in Oberlin. They are one of the major art conservation firms in the nation, and we are lucky to have them! It will be nice to see them have a street presence.

Interesting side note, that building was originally a showroom for a local manufacturer of Vitrolite glass, a type of pigmented glass that was popular in the Art Deco era. I believe the storefront renovation will pay homage to that history.

That's the Intermuseum Conservation Association, located at 2915 Detroit. They were the nation's first nonprofit regional art conservation center (founded in 1952). Today, they serve 90 member institutions, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock Hall and the Progressive Art Collection. From their website, regarding the renovation:

 

"In 2003, staff and operations relocated to a newly renovated facility in Cleveland's West Side. The historic structure is fitted with conservation laboratories, a climate-controlled art storage facility, and a large space fronting Detroit Avenue that will soon be renovated for use as a public meeting area and educational classroom. With this new urban location, and a corresponding expansion of staff and membership, the ICA has been able to redefine its role and seek out the general public and cultural institutions that are typically underserved."

 

http://www.ica-artconservation.org/about/history.htm

Ouch, Blinker beat me. Hates it.

Got this in my email today (it is also posted on the Ohio City Near West website):

 

OCNW Community Announcements:

 

Sent on behalf of The OCNW Board Of Trustees:

 

Last evening (Wednesday, January 9, 2008), Ohio City Near West Development Corporation (OCNW) sponsored a community forum to provide an opportunity for respectful dialogue between between residents and businesspeople in the neighborhood and the proposed operators of a dance club/special event facility, which is seeking to locate in the space where Moda Nightclub operated.

 

Nearly 200 concerned neighbors were in attendance.  While the proposed operators presented a sincere case to the community, the overwhelming consensus was to direct the OCNW Board of Trustees to formally state the community's objection to the proposed transfer of a liquor license to the former Moda location.

 

Thus, OCNW's Board of Trustees has approved such a resolution, requesting the filing of an objection to the transfer of the Heaven & Earth liquor license to 1871 West 25th Street.  You may view the resolution at www.ocnw.org on the http://www.ocnw.org/index.cgi?id=130&p=5332

 

Neighborhood attendees were nearly unanimous in their feeling that a nightclub, designed to hold as many as 500 patrons, is not appropriate for the proposed location on West 25th Street, as it could negatively impact the quality of life of the residents who live in close proximity and endanger the livelihood of the neighboring businesses.  The history of the prior nightclub at this same location and the current activities of other problem nightclubs within Ohio City and surrounding areas have caused the community to feel we've reached our limit.

 

Ward 14 Councilman Santiago and Ward 13 Councilman Cimperman have been notified of our objection via email and have received a copy of the resolution; they will also receive a formal letter of objection, as will the City of Cleveland Law Department and all members of City Council.  A press release has also been distributed to media.

 

If one or both Councilman file an objection on behalf of the community--and Councilman Cimperman has pledged to do so--a hearing will be scheduled with either Cleveland City Hall or the Ohio Division of Liquor Control (depending on the objectors.)

 

The announcement then goes on and details the objection hearing process and is signed by the OCNW Board of Trustees.  I must add that I was at this meeting (all 2 hours of it), and I have to admit that I agree with this objection.  While the owners of Heaven & Earth were professional and seemed earnest with their proposed use for this space, I just felt that this was the wrong location for their deliberated venture.  While it kills me to see an empty storefront right in the heart of Ohio City, this project did not seem to mesh well with the current tone of Ohio City (I kept thinking this should be downtown).  I feel that Ohio City's nightlife (as well as Tremont & now DS) is a welcome alternative to the downtown club scene, and offers a beneficial choice for us nocturnal revelers.  This is one of the main reasons why I chose to live in Ohio City and not downtown.  As stated earlier, the owners of Heaven & Earth seemed like decent guys, and I kind of felt bad for them (to have a whole neighborhood against you before you even open up), but they had to know that their choice in location, based solely on Moda's history, would not be met with open arms.  From what I heard at this neighborhood forum, it's safe to say that the memory of Moda will not be easily forgotten.

 

Oat,

 

Welcome to the forum!

What, now, would be best for Moda?  Live theatre or a music stage?  Another upscale restaurant?  Could the Heaven & Earth guys reconstitute their proposed establishment to pass neighborhood muster?  If so, to what? ... And what is going on, if anything, next door with the old City Buddha space.  Last I saw over the holidays it still sat empty with no apparent movement.

It's amazing how many new restaurants have opened in the city in the past 3 years!  Sure a few have left here and there but we probably grew by 50% especially in the downtown/oc/tremont neighborhoods.  My only concern is that we need to expand the amenities of these neighborhoods. OC needs some entertainment/shopping to make it a really vibrant/sustainable neighborhood.  Downtown is missing the shopping component but that's obvious.  Let's use the famous phrase, "in 5 years..." :| for that one...  I mean all of the restaurants are nice but one can only eat so many times in a day. 

 

Anyways back to Ohio City...some 'clubs' would be nice but by 'clubs' I mean NOT W. 6th.  We have a wine and beer galore on W.25th-how about a vodka lounge?  I know there's a nice one on North Ave. in Chicago but I can't remember the name.  Also, even though the Detroit Shoreway is gearing up to be the westside's Cedar/Lee, a small theatre in OC would be nice too.  Oh, and a cafe that is open past 6pm!  Come on Talkies!  Bar Cento/Bier Markt are open to 3 everyday and have good french press coffee and wifi but sometimes you want a cafe! 

Considering that we have Tower City Cinemas, a new movie theater going up in the Flats, Detroit-Shoreway's Capitol Theater, I don't think that someone would finance a new movie theater in the OC. If the theater was small and coupled with something else, then maybe. The Moda site is a challenge.

Are these Heaven & Earth people, name stealing  :? I thought Hush was going to be the name of Michael Symon's place? They seem like a shady bunch...

 

Also coming up is next spring's project, Hush, and its upstairs annex, Hush Up, just two doors down from Lola, on East Fourth Street. Food won't be served, but expect a full lineup of cocktails and wines.

 

http://www.clevescene.com/2007-07-25/dining/growing-pains/

That confused me, too.

How about a nice strip club for the old moda space?

How about a nice strip club for the old moda space?

 

You forgot to put a ;) at the end of your sentence.

I have nothing but total admiration and awe for the OC neighborhood peeps and my theory is, the City is kind of stagnant (!) about business retention and marketing to outside businesses...so the neighborhood needs to develop their own mini master plan and recruit. I'm totally serious.  I only work there but some day would like to call OC home as well. I have a client who wants to buy the building - long time Cleve company in the music industry but without the nightclub atmosphere; perfect for Rialto/Moda. We are working on it! lol  Either way, I still think a solid, anchor business that is going to bring in a sizeable amount of workers to the area is the way to go for a building of that size and stature.

I have nothing but total admiration and awe for the OC neighborhood peeps and my theory is, the City is kind of stagnant (!) about business retention and marketing to outside businesses...so the neighborhood needs to develop their own mini master plan and recruit. I'm totally serious.  I only work there but some day would like to call OC home as well. I have a client who wants to buy the building - long time Cleve company in the music industry but without the nightclub atmosphere; perfect for Rialto/Moda. We are working on it! lol  Either way, I still think a solid, anchor business that is going to bring in a sizeable amount of workers to the area is the way to go for a building of that size and stature.

 

Well, there is a master plan of sorts. I think that it is just collecting dust at OCNW. OCNW is in the process of hiring a new ED. The prior leadership was weak and the board was fragmented. Hopefully, things will be turning around.

A couple people at OCNW have been terrific to us, helping us find this bldg in the first place. And I think part of the issue is their staff is so small I don't know how they can do all they need to do.

But either way, I see OC as an example of a solid neighborhood that became a destination because of the people who live there. Grassroots works and I wish all the neighborhoods could be like that

So Carol, are you saying they would turn the Moda space into a concert club?  I've always thought that was one piece missing from the OC.  I've never been inside Moda...would it work for live music?  Kind of a west side Grog Shop or Beachland?

^Bop Stop

I couldn't tell you for sure that the Bop Stop is opened or closed (I know it's open some of the time, but I've never noticed any action over there).  I see a few courses of action for Moda.  My fave would be a brew 'n' view with second-run flicks, food, beer, etc.  No liquor license, $2-3 movies, themes (Sci-fi month, 80s month, etc.), maybe even a micro-brewer?  There are neighborhoods in Southeast Portland, OR where you can live within walking distance to 3 second-run theaters.  They don't make their money on the ticket prices.  They make money on the food & bevvies.  Anyway, that's one option. 

 

Second, a music venue.  I rarely go to the Beachland or Grog because they're on the other side of town.  I loved Parish Hall, but that's history.  I haven't been to the places in Lakewood since the 1990s, so I couldn't tell you if there'd be duplication there.  Problem here is that any club that would go in there would still likely want that liquor license.  So, is that the deal breaker or is it the proposed use that goes with the license?

 

Third, and I almost hate to say it, would be a Johnny Malloy's-type place like the one in the old Centrum in Cleveland Heights.  I don't want W. 25th to end up as the Near-West Side's sports bar district, but it seems to work well on Coventry and it doesn't have that component of being an events venue like a concert venue or club. 

 

There are certainly other options.  I'm just shooting from the hip...

^Bop Stop is very much open. They appear to be packed when they are open.

3231, you've been holding out on me!  But you get what I'm saying, right?  When is it open?  Apparently, they're on a 2-month winter hiatus right now!

Bop Stop closed as a regular establishment and now only opens for special events or regularly scheduled events, as opposed to being a regular bar/restaurant/jazz club like it initially was.  And yes they are on winter hiatus till March 8.

It would not be (Moda) a public music venue at all. It would be a place where podcasts and on line shows would be recorded - that is all I can say for sure. It would still be in the music industry since AP is one of the top music mags of the Country. And bands would be in there lol

 

The other wonderful thing about making AP a part of the OC community, no matter where, is their omsbudsman role. When bands and music industry peeps come into town they are taken around the City by AP staff and frequent clubs restaurants and shops etc. So over and above the good sized number of employees it's also the solid, heartfelt love of OC that the staff, especially Mike Shea, has for the area. I mean, they are here in Cleveland when they could be in LA. That says a lot. 

^ Wait, is that pie-in-the-sky talk or an actual possibility?

if you are talking to me it's not pie in the sky it's a definite possibility

but i do love peach pie :-)

Well, that'd be freaking awesome then :)

That is very, very cool!

I couldn't tell you for sure that the Bop Stop is opened or closed (I know it's open some of the time, but I've never noticed any action over there).  I see a few courses of action for Moda.  My fave would be a brew 'n' view with second-run flicks, food, beer, etc.  No liquor license, $2-3 movies, themes (Sci-fi month, 80s month, etc.), maybe even a micro-brewer?  There are neighborhoods in Southeast Portland, OR where you can live within walking distance to 3 second-run theaters.  They don't make their money on the ticket prices.  They make money on the food & bevvies.  Anyway, that's one option. 

 

Second, a music venue.  I rarely go to the Beachland or Grog because they're on the other side of town.  I loved Parish Hall, but that's history.  I haven't been to the places in Lakewood since the 1990s, so I couldn't tell you if there'd be duplication there.  Problem here is that any club that would go in there would still likely want that liquor license.  So, is that the deal breaker or is it the proposed use that goes with the license?

 

Third, and I almost hate to say it, would be a Johnny Malloy's-type place like the one in the old Centrum in Cleveland Heights.  I don't want W. 25th to end up as the Near-West Side's sports bar district, but it seems to work well on Coventry and it doesn't have that component of being an events venue like a concert venue or club. 

 

There are certainly other options.  I'm just shooting from the hip...

 

I would vote for number 2.  A live music venue would be great.  We have been to Beachland but now that we are on the West Side we were looking forward to Parish Hall and then.... it closes.

I'm not sure we can support another music venue of that size right now.

 

Theater?  I would love a second run theater like you're describing. There are a few in Columbus that are really cool.

 

Johnny Malloys is so painfully generic, but hey, I'm even guilty of going to the one in Lakewood sometimes. Give them credit for taking over the theater in Coventry. Cheap food, cheaper beer, top 40 music, sports, nothing remotely original.....unfortunately that's what the masses want.

I think OC/Det.SW could support a good music venue, especially if that venue had other streams of income outside of just doing shows and serving PBR tall boys. Good venues normally have a scene that's been built around them, that's always the challenge because you can't just say, "make a scene." It's much more organic than that.

Would seem to be a good fit to combine a smaller venue, say grog shop size, with another income generating, like minded business, say Alt Press

Detroit-Shoreway has the Happy Dog and the Parkview for small/medium shows. Those are great venues that get a lot of support . If a new venue can go into moda without putting anyone else out of business then great. It would mean more quality live music for Cleveland. But I'm skeptical that our city can support another place of that size. The beachland isn't exactly raking in the cash. For moda to work, the idea to go smaller and break it up is a good one, I think.  Then again, what do I know.

another idea for the Moda Space, suggested by an OC resident on i-neighbors:

 

"The Hush liquor license application has been much on the ohiocity list

lately and I just posted the following. I know it's been discussed

before and come to naught, but Moda would be an excellent match for

this, and the community will most likely fight any nightclub or

concert venue to the death.

 

This would be a great resource for the entire west side including Lakewood, downtown and many of the suburban parents who already bring their kids in to the Science Center.

 

_____

 

What are the alternatives for that space? What type of business does

the community envision there, and what can be done to recruit such a

business?

 

One possibility that might be worth exploring is an adventure play

space for children that includes play and climbing areas for older

children as well. Think a less migraine-inducing version of Chuck E.

Cheese without the video games and creepy animatronic animals - where

parents can get a decent meal. Gosh, maybe parents could even get

take-out from the great restaurants in the neighborhood.

 

If you're an energetic 9-year-old, there is pretty no much nowhere in

the city [add: and *nowhere* on the near west side) that your parents

can take you to blow off steam. You're not welcome at the Children's

Museum, the Science Center offers no physical activities, your gym

class has been cut to once or twice a week and if it's cold, you don't

even get outdoor recess. The rec centers have limited hours when you

are welcome to swim or play basketball.

 

Many parents just grit their teeth, drive out to the suburbs and hold

their temples for a couple of hours while kids play at Chuck E. Cheese

or one of those bounce-a-round places.

 

I would give my LEFT ARM to have a place like that to take my child

that didn't make me want to gnaw off my limbs. And I know I'm not

alone. Bar Cento's Tuesday night pizza night has been a great

success. Can you imagine the appeal to families of having these two

businesses on W. 25th?"

A ball pit with a $100,000 sound system in a neighborhood populated by mostly late 20's-40's singles, empty nesters, or low incomers.  Sounds pretty unrealistic.  But, I guess everyone has their opinions.

^I agree, but there have been a lot of babies born in the OC in the last two-three years. A lot of our friends have had kids (and we're hopefully about to have our second in a few weeks). I still don't think such a place would be financially viable.

 

The homes in the OC are not competitive for the middle to upper-middle class family family market.  I have some friends who are frustrated at the lack of options. There are so many 2 bedroom/2 bath townhomes. I wish that some developers would see that there is a market for a few 4 bedroom/2.5 bath units out there.

Maybe a Pet's Mart would be nice for Moda/City Buddah

^(and we're hopefully about to have our second in a few weeks). 

 

[/quote

 

^Didn't science figure out gestation periods for humans...?  :wink: Anyway congrats. As far as larger homes in the city, my guess is developers will get on board when the demand hits a certain point. From what I can tell Cleveland does not jump on trends real fast. I am still treated like a space alien by non city dwellers for living where I do (where do I grocery shop, do I carry a gun, how do we live with 2 people and 1 car? and so on). So actually spawning and raising resulting children BY CHOICE in the city is pretty new fangled right now.

My wife and I get by fine with one car. I get far more exercise now when I take care of my errands on my bicycle. It is quite feasible for me to this living in OC. I've even bicycled to shop at Steelyard Commons, which is not bad for an overweight 52 year-old guy. The streets are usually clear enough for me to ride almost all winter long. Also, there still are home bargains available, as long as you have patience and the vision to turn around a run down property. Most people want the perfect home in move-in condition, which requires paying a premium, which is just fine if you can afford it. We don't need to look any further than the Detroit area to see that we have a very affordable housing market (as long as you are bankable). Concerning what should or could go into the Rialto/Moda building, Alternative Press sounds like a perfect fit. A giant children's playground just does not sound economically viable, unless it caters to the very wealthy in order to make it profitable. I don't think the neighborhood will ever stand for another nightclub there either. The Rialto owners need to get out of this property while they can. They will be connected to the "curse of Moda" as long as they own the building, and this is due to the fact that they were complicit with everything that happened while Moda was in operation. The Rialto guys made this bed for themselves, and not only will they have to lie in it, they could possibly die in it (so to speak). Alternative Press is their best way out of this situation. This is the harsh reality of their bad reputation and a soft real estate market.

Welcome aboard, ohiocitybob. Don't be a stranger!

Thanks KJP. I've been lurking here for a while, and decided to go for a swim. It appears that these are not hostile waters.

No, most people here have brains that are actually connected to their mouths, er, fingertips. Unlike Cleveland.com ......

 

Just in case you don't recognize me by my initials, Bob, I'll give you a clue:  "The Sun comes out on Thursdays."

Beautiful, I should have known! Yeah, the Cleveland.com banter is a few notches below the Jerry Springer show (if that is still on). I enjoy spirited debate, but just do not have the patience for flaming. I've enjoyed the intelligent dialog on urbanohio.com, and could not resist a post. There is a plethora of information that flows past my desk, which has provided me the unique opportunity to view many neighborhood issues from the inside.

Since you're a cyclist (and apparently an avid one for someone who rides to Steelyard Commons in winter!), check out the transportation section here on UO, if you haven't already.

Thanks for the tip KJP. My interest in bicycling is merely as a means of conveyance, as I almost never pleasure cycle anymore. It's these neighborhood issues that really get my juices flowing. That's not to say I'm uninterested in global issues, I just have the ability and the access to impact the local issues much more effectively. Also, when I appear cryptic and vague, it is because I must tread very lightly in what I communicate, in the interest of keeping a job.