Will Beir Markt (?spelling) still stay open, or will it be merged with the new facility?

 

This is a totally seperate project and concept.  Will not affect Beir Market

 

RE Mkt Garden Brewery,

I've seen it mentioned a couple times lately that the opening would "be later this year".

That's up for interpretation, of course.

Regarding the old Baehr Brewery, that is proposed to be renovated into The West 25th Lofts, and is covered on the previous page.... I believe there's a charter school located at the back of the property (I wrote an article about it a few years ago). I hope this project happens as it should add new life to the north end of West 25th....

 

Here are some more images from:

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2011/03102011/index.php

 

 

 

 

^Looks like a great project!  Don't be offended by lack of discussion though; it was covered on the previous page of this thread :)

Thanks. I've edited my post accordingly.

 

At W. 25th & Jay, the facade of the Near West Woodworks has been removed and a barrier placed around it

This bldg had a for sale sign on it for a long time.

 

 

Not necessarily development news, but the windows started getting replaced in the CMHA highrise along W. 25th yeseterday.  The faded orangish/red are getting replaced with silver

Ohio City Near West, Charter One set up microgrant program for West Side Market vendorsBy KATHY AMES CARR

10:18 am, March 31, 2011

 

The Ohio City Near West Development Corp. and Charter One Bank have announced a new, competitive microgrant program that aims to help West Side Market vendors make improvements to their stands.

 

The West Side Market Micro-Grant program will provide winners with grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 to improve stand signage, lighting and shelving, or to buy equipment, invest in marketing tools or make an innovative upgrade.

 

The competition begins today and runs through April 22. Grant applications will be vetted, and winners and grant amounts will be announced after May 31...

 

More at: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20110331/FREE/110339958

 

 

 

ohio city's new rag refinery offers vintage and recycled threads

Thursday, March 31, 2011

 

The Rag Refinery, a new store that offers gently used, recycled fashions at affordable prices, just opened at 3904 Lorain Avenue in Ohio City. Owner Leigh Ring also manages Pink Eye Gallery in the same space, where she often rolls out the racks to host art openings.

 

"Our focus is on vintage shoes, clothing and accessories, and we invite customers to sell or trade-in their former favorites for cash or store credit," says Ring. "Our customers want to outfit themselves in creative and unique ways."

 

Ring chose Lorain Ave. because of the proliferation of affordable vacant spaces and because Ohio City is a draw for her customers. "With the help of Palookaville Chili next door and places like Open Yoga Gallery, we hope to be a part of the revitalization that's happening here," says Ring.

 

more at: http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/ragrefinery033111.aspx

West Side Market needs to be consistent and self-sufficient as it nears 100 years, report finds

Published: Monday, March 28, 2011, 7:48 PM    Updated: Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 1:51 PM

By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As the West Side Market approaches its centennial, it needs a more reliable schedule, consistently good produce and a plan to support itself for the next 100 years, a long-awaited report concludes.

 

The city-owned landmark also needs significant repairs and better parking, possibly at a fee, according to the report from the Ohio City Near West Development Corp., a nonprofit group that has been tracking plans for the West Side Market and the surrounding neighborhood.

 

Submitted Friday to Mayor Frank Jackson, the document plots a path for improving the market, fixing nearby storefronts and streets and celebrating the market's birthday in late 2012.

 

more at: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/west_side_market_needs_to_be_c.html

 

More parking. Yeah. Good idea. It's a city, people! There's a train station right across the street. I wonder if they even know that? Perhaps the authors should go down to the platform and just watch how many people are getting on and off trains, especially on Saturdays, carrying bags of food from the market. It could be an even greater resource if it was marketed and the pathways and signage between the market and the station were improved. The fact that several buildings in the area near the station were built with their back to the station shows how much the area has taken that station, and our electrically powered rail system, for granted.

Totally agree KJP.

Also, I say we tear down the Market for more parking...

More parking. Yeah. Good idea. It's a city, people! There's a train station right across the street. I wonder if they even know that? Perhaps the authors should go down to the platform and just watch how many people are getting on and off trains, especially on Saturdays, carrying bags of food from the market. It could be an even greater resource if it was marketed and the pathways and signage between the market and the station were improved. The fact that several buildings in the area near the station were built with their back to the station shows how much the area has taken that station, and our electrically powered rail system, for granted.

 

Yes, and they would be wise to get more parking too. Reality is the market attracts huge numbers from outside the city proper from neighboring suburbs and exurbs. Those dollars matter too for Ohio City in general and the market in particular. The area would do well with a large parking structure that could service the volume. The train sucks if you don't live in a few key spots. And even if you do live in say, Shaker Heights, 9 times out of 10 you're STILL driving to the WSM vs taking the train.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for pushing the train as a good alternative, but the reality is more parking and easier to use parking would be great for the area too. Especially if you could locate said parking in a strategic enough place that allowed foot traffic from cars to interact with the rest of West 25th.

That lot behind the WSM and other businesses would seem ripe for a 4-5 story parking structure.  Could even design a multi-function with ground-level space for rent.  I don't see it being retail, but would be a great location for something like professional offices, hair salons, studios and other neighborhood services that do not necessarily need the high-rent store front on W 25th.

More parking. Yeah. Good idea. It's a city, people! There's a train station right across the street. I wonder if they even know that? Perhaps the authors should go down to the platform and just watch how many people are getting on and off trains, especially on Saturdays, carrying bags of food from the market. It could be an even greater resource if it was marketed and the pathways and signage between the market and the station were improved. The fact that several buildings in the area near the station were built with their back to the station shows how much the area has taken that station, and our electrically powered rail system, for granted.

 

Getting to that station from the Market (or anywhere on 25th for that matter) is not ideal. I always thought a pedestrian bridge over Carnegie/Lorain would be awesome.

No! No pedestrians bridges! EVIL!  :whip:

The article says they want to charge for parking at the current surface lot, in order to finance a garage to replace it, thereby reducing surface parking in the long run. 

Yeah, definitely agree that better signage, some additional crosswalks, some traffic-calming measures on West 25th and on Lorain could go a long way. But I also don't think the parking concepts sound bad at all.

 

First, they're talking about structured parking, which could actually open some of the surface lots around the market for potential development. Second, they're talking about charging a parking fee that might generate a couple hundred thousand dollars a year, which in turn could subsidize the building of a garage, and after built, could go toward capital improvements, special events, an endowment fund, etc. Seems sound to me.

No! No pedestrians bridges! EVIL!  :whip:

Agreed, but if they are only to get across a busy street/highway they are not as bad. When they start connecting buildings, that's when trouble starts. I don't feel that a ped bridge is necessary in this instance.

Idk, the train station is really disconnected. You have to cross odd interestions as well. I think a pedestrian bridge like the ones on the interection if 91 and Stevens in eastlake or on 91 by the captains stadium wouldn't be too bad.

how about just using the crosswalk.

Idk, the train station is really disconnected. You have to cross odd interestions as well. I think a pedestrian bridge like the ones on the interection if 91 and Stevens in eastlake or on 91 by the captains stadium wouldn't be too bad.

 

I don't know where to begin...

if cost was not an issue, would there be any physical barrier to creating an enterance to the W. 25th station on the north side of Lorain, like a subway entrance?

I don't get the anti bridge sentiment, If it helps connect the station to the street what's the issue?

Totally agree KJP.

Also, I say we tear down the Market for more parking...

 

That comment here: hilarious.

 

That comment on Cleveland.com: scary.

,

I don't get the anti bridge sentiment, If it helps connect the station to the street what's the issue?

                                     

 

I don't either Hubz, but if you don't want to get beat up around here you don't mention the "b" word. I have always been a fan of pedestrian bridges or enclosed walkways. The theory against them is that they take away from pedestrian traffic, in turn keeping people away from store fronts. But I can take you to a number of northern cities such as Toronto, Minneapolis, Montreal and you will find that it is just not the case. To me I believe they increase pedestrian traffic and deliver it more efficiantly. Cleveland continually denies the fact that it is a cold weather city where conditions can be brutal. Its why we have an open air stadium. You can't make people visit a storefront by forcing them to walk past it. If you are a business worth frequenting people will find you whether you got there with a pedestrian bridge or not.

There are no storefronts where I suggested one be placed. Hell even Chicago has pedestrian bridges to and from Millenium park over large streets to, get this, make it MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY. Currently the walk from the station to to market sucks. Its lonely, empty, and your surrounded by cars. Then you have to cross a 10 lane street(I know its not actually 10 lanes) with a crosswalk sign that hasn't been replaced since the 80's and if there is any form of sunlight you cant see the fucking thing. You could even hang a sign on the bridge and have it also serve as a gateway into Ohio City or the market. Have a big sign that says "West Side Market" hanging on it.

I agree that the stretch of Lorain between the bridge and W25th isn't so pleasant, is poorly designed and is ripe for a makeover, but the rapid entrance is literally closer to the market than half of that big surface lot back there.  Anyone who thinks the walk from the rapid station is too long or too complicated or scary probably isn't going to be using transit anyway.

 

So we're on the same page, here's the view from the the rapid station entry to the market: http://bit.ly/ecmhoW

 

I'm not even rabidly anti-pedestrian bridge, but this is really not a hard walk.

 

EDIT: unless you take away the crosswalks across Lorain, how many people do you really think are going to choose to climb up 20 feet and then back down on the other side when there is a level crossing?  I'd guess not very many.

^ Its less about bypassing the traffic (which would indeed be nice) and more about not having to deal with the snow and slush in the winter, for me anyway.

you're also coming up from the train, and then proposing to go up again. That's a ton of steps for many train riders when they could just cut across Lorain, which while busy, isn't so busy you can't find a car free moment to get across.

 

That said, more than the walk way, I like the idea of a gateway sign that branded the area the Market Square District as you came over the bridge.

I can't believe one would characterize the walk as "lonely and empty".  It can't be more than 200 feet.  Yeah sure it'd be easier if there was a moving sidewalk that transported you right from the door of the train to your favorite stand in the market, but come on!  I mean I just rode the Metro around DC all weekend and was glad to only have to walk a few blocks to most my destinations.  If anything was as close to a Metro station as the WSM is to the W. 25th St. rapid station, I would have been thrilled.

That said, more than the walk way, I like the idea of a gateway sign that branded the area the Market Square District as you came over the bridge.

 

This.

The problem with a pedestrian bridge is that it's a million dollar answer to a problem that can be solved for much, much less money.  Better crosswalk markings across Lorain does the same thing as the bridge with less work on the part of the pedestrians.  And unless you're planning to make it covered and enclosed, and thus more than a million dollar answer, then you aren't doing anything about snow and slush except making people walk up stairs covered in it, then across and elevate bridge covered in it, then down stairs covered in it.

I agree that the market needs more parking... not for my own personal preferences, but people have to face reality that the market depends on car centric suburbanites as much, if not more, than a crowd like ours.

Better crosswalk markings across Lorain does the same thing as the bridge with less work on the part of the pedestrians.

 

And that part of Lorain needs a serious make-over anyway, for both drivers and pedestrians.  The current lane alignment and sidewalk bump-outs are very strange and could be vastly improved for not a whole lot of money.

Well im not sold on the idea it was just a random pitch. I just didn't understand why everybody seemed completely against it. And i though it would be cool to incorporate a sign. But yes, a simple changing of the crosswalk signs would also help tremendously.

The pedestrian bridge is a lot of infrastructure for little or no gain. Actually I think it would be quite ugly and dominant. The nice part about that stretch of Lorain is the view of the tower. The bridge would completely mar that view. The street needs to narrowed a bit. Add a simply planted median. Signage would be nice if it is tasteful and appropriately scaled. I'd hate to see a large "West Side Market" gateway sign arching over the road--that would be too cliche. The WSM tower is the gateway sign. You'd never see a large gateway sign just outside the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, would you?

^I completely agree.  That tower is ten times the beacon any cheesy signage could be.

^Yes, but I was thinking flashing neon for the gateway sign. How could that be anything but classy?

I really don't feel that strongly for any type of connection between the station and the market either, mine was more of a rant about pedestrian bridges in general. A more pedestrian friendly streetscape should be explored first.

I imagine those are the sorts of things we will be seeing out of the TLCI process in this neighborhood.

It's ironic some mention the physical barrier of crossing wide, busy Lorain to get to the RTA station.  Actually, they are right; crossing Lorain is a pain in the butt, esp during rush periods.  Ironic, because the old CTS/50s station used to be on the north side of Lorain, right next to the Market (you only had to cross the parking lot driveway entrance).  However, when RTA constructed the new station in 1992, in their infinite wisdom, they shifted the station to the south side of Lorain... moving farther away, and less convenient to the bulk of the people who use it...  The old station actually had a walkway under Lorain, which allowed exiting passengers on the street's soutside (where the whole station is, today).  They closed the walkway probably because of darkness/security concerns.  But it seems a motivating factor in the new station's location was to allow the Kiss 'n Ride dropoff lane to be installed that didn't exist at the old on.  Makes a lot of sense in an old, urbanized, close-in, pedestrian-oriented, city-neighborhood right?  (cue the sarcasm)  It's rather tragic/comical during rail rush periods (like Sat mornings/afternoons) to see people streaming to/from the station (often with WSM bags) across the Lorain to pass nearby where the old, more convenient CTS stop used to be...  It, once again, is typical of RTA/Cleveland's suburbanized, car-oriented approach to everything....

 

I wonder the walkway / tunnel is still there?  Maybe they can add an entrance on the north side of Lorain as part of the market upgrades

I wonder the walkway / tunnel is still there?  Maybe they can add an entrance on the north side of Lorain as part of the market upgrades

 

this would be tough to do based on how the new station was re-built.  however, with the new proof of payment setup, there should be renewed interest in making this station more accessible from the north side of lorain.

 

basically, a number of stations which used to have access on both sides of a road, now only have 1.  the reason for the red line station rehabilitations has been ADA accessibility, and having access on one side eliminates the need for another elevator.

^^I think the whole station was just on the other side of Lorain, along the tracks (duh) just north of the current location. 

 

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.485161,-81.701031&spn=0.002596,0.008583&t=h&z=18  Just a guess, but RTA may have built the station in the new location to allow room for the bus loop/drop-off area and because construction wouldn't have to work around operation of the old station. [oops, I see Clvndr alreay mentioned that]

 

Theoretically you might be able to build a walkway north from the current platform and a new set of stairs that went up to the north side of Lorain, but not sure if the elevator and staircase in the current station leave enough room.  In any case I don't think crossing Lorain is really that much of a pain.  I guess it can be annoying waiting for the light to change.  My market trips are usually on Saturday and bet I just jaywalk.

^ I think the main problem is the psychological distance between Market and Station.

 

I mean look, Lorain looks like I-90 in that pic!

 

Not pedestrian friendly at all.

But it seems a motivating factor in the new station's location was to allow the Kiss 'n Ride dropoff lane to be installed that didn't exist at the old on. 

 

Hey! I kiss my wife good bye every day at that stop before she takes the train to Case and pick her up there in the evening. So there.

Should this be in a different thread?  I thought we used to have a W.25 st thread...

 

Community leaders eye a quick cleanup on West 25th Street

Along with employers, they're strategizing on how to revitalize corridor between zoo, market

 

By JAY MILLER

4:30 am, April 25, 2011

 

 

People are beginning to pay attention to a tattered stretch of one of the West Side's main streets.

 

A group of employers and community leaders have begun meeting to plot a strategy for improving the look of a three-mile stretch of West 25th Street in Cleveland and linking a group of island neighborhoods into a cohesive residential and employment district. The hope is to spark redevelopment of the neighborhood comparable to what is occurring in the nearby Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood and in the Midtown area east of downtown.

 

Sparking this community effort is the growth of two large employers — MetroHealth Medical Center and L.J. Minor Co. — in the middle of the corridor; coming changes in traffic flow; and an expected increase in tourist traffic through the corridor with the opening of the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the development of the Cuyahoga Valley scenic byway.

 

The segment of West 25th that is the topic of discussion runs from Ohio City and the West Side Market on the north end of the road and the zoo on the south.

 

Cleveland City Councilman Brian Cummins, who inherited much of the southern end of the corridor when City Council redistricted before the 2009 election, said a first meeting this month brought together many of the stakeholders in the area to see if they could develop a coordinated effort to improve the look and feel of the thoroughfare. The corridor has suffered in part because the area lacks strong neighborhood development groups that could help fight the residential and commercial deterioration on West 25th.

 

“Hell, we can't even get banners on the street,” Mr. Cummins said.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20110425/SUB1/304259985

 

 

That is a  terrible stretch of road.  While on the topic, I've always felt like the heavy truck traffic along the W. 25th corridor is going to be a limiting factor to development in the area.  Ohio City area continues to grow with new developments, but having semi's and such grinding past really kills the pedestrian experience. 

That is a  terrible stretch of road.  While on the topic, I've always felt like the heavy truck traffic along the W. 25th corridor is going to be a limiting factor to development in the area.  Ohio City area continues to grow with new developments, but having semi's and such grinding past really kills the pedestrian experience. 

 

I agree.

 

Probably a topic for another thread, but I've always thought it would be nice to have a modern, wide road connecting the 77/490/Broadway area through the Flats to the mouth of the river for the express purpose of funneling heavy truck traffic to that area without putting them on our city surface streets.  I'm sure the truck drivers would support this route as well, especially on event days at Gateway!  The area around Ontario/Huron and W25 sees an incredible amount of truck traffic going to/from the Interstates to the river docks.  Worse yet most of these trucks are the super-heavies hauling stone, salt etc that definitely tear up our roads.  Anyone who makes a left from Huron onto the Detroit-Superior Bridge can feel the effect of these trucks constantly going through there!