Again great to see the "small guy" making a difference in a neighborhood...here is hoping that some of the energy from the Lorain-25th area can transfer north on 25th.

 

In various threads, posters are always suggesting that this area or that area would be perfect for high rise apartments (dispite the obvious cost issues we have discussed).  I have always thought that the perfect location (if the ground is stable enough) for a high rise apartment would be the southeast corner of Detroit and 25th (something like 25-30 stories).  Incredible views of the downtown skyline, the Flats, the Detrioit -Superior bridge and the lake.  Plus, you have the more neighborhood feel of Ohio City at your door step and all that is going on 25th, but then can just walk across the bridge and be in the heart of downtown.  I would live is such a building in a heartbeat.

^i agree, but hte projects at the end of west 25h are not very welcoming.  Somehow have to connect OC and Gordon Square on Detroit and West 25h, and not just by Franklin

What are these buildings? Apartments? Market rate? Any story behind them?

1. apartments. not luxury, but not slum-like either

2. developer tried to turn it into apts, could get the loans. too costly per sq ft

3. recently foreclosed on. up for auction. not able to be snagged by any reputable developer. 

4. this has long been an assisted living home for people with disabilities

5. these are renovated and very nice condo/townhomes

6. someone bought this and is/has renovated it into a single unit

7. renovated apartment townhomes

8. renovated apartment townhomes

9. West Virginia bldg--renovated, market rate. beautiful

10. developer is actively working on putting apartments on the upper floors as part of a larger redevelopment effort

 

SOHOsignage_27 by KP SMITH, on Flickr

What are these buildings? Apartments? Market rate? Any story behind them?

1. apartments. not luxury, but not slum-like either

2. developer tried to turn it into apts, could get the loans. too costly per sq ft

3. recently foreclosed on. up for auction. not able to be snagged by any reputable developer. 

4. this has long been an assisted living home for people with disabilities

5. these are renovated and very nice condo/townhomes

6. someone bought this and is/has renovated it into a single unit

7. renovated apartment townhomes

8. renovated apartment townhomes

9. West Virginia bldg--renovated, market rate. beautiful

10. developer is actively working on putting apartments on the upper floors as part of a larger redevelopment effort

 

 

Thank you for that. Was very helpful! With that, it shows that there are plenty of opportunities for market rate apartments in Ohio City in the future. The infrastructure is there, its just the money/vision lacking at the moment.

What are these buildings? Apartments? Market rate? Any story behind them?

1. apartments. not luxury, but not slum-like either

2. developer tried to turn it into apts, could get the loans. too costly per sq ft

3. recently foreclosed on. up for auction. not able to be snagged by any reputable developer. 

4. this has long been an assisted living home for people with disabilities

5. these are renovated and very nice condo/townhomes

6. someone bought this and is/has renovated it into a single unit

7. renovated apartment townhomes

8. renovated apartment townhomes

9. West Virginia bldg--renovated, market rate. beautiful

10. developer is actively working on putting apartments on the upper floors as part of a larger redevelopment effort

Any more info on #3? Anything about the auction?

http://www.ohiocity.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158:news&catid=38:news-items

 

Ohio City Incorporated launches Lorain Avenue in a three-day planning charrette & pop-up shop

 

JOIN US NOVEMBER 9-12 AT 3204 LORAIN AVENUE

 

Ohio City Incorporated is launching a community-driven planning process designed to focus attention on Lorain Avenue as Ohio City’s main street by leading a three-day planning charrette.  Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative will facilitate a community design charrette for the Lorain and South of Lorain area, with a focus on transportation, safety, retail development, housing, green space/recreation and  multi-modal connections.  The charrette is scheduled to take place November 9th-11th, 2011.

 

Ohio City Incorporated’s goals in this planning process are to better connect adjacent residential areas to Lorain Avenue, reinforce private investments that are occurring in the corridor, identify new opportunities for development and urban amenities in the South of Lorain section of Ohio City, and build momentum and excitement within the community about Lorain Avenue’s potential to be a center of retail and neighborhood activity.

 

“The Lorain Avenue charrette will launch the momentum of the Ohio City Market District West on to Lorain Avenue though projects such as revitalizing storefronts, activating public green space, engaging businesses and long standing institutions like Saint Ignatius High School,” said Councilman Joe Cimperman of Ward 3. “Lorain Avenue has always been Ohio City’s main street and through this initiative the Ohio City community has a chance to grow a thriving corridor.

 

Property owners will gather on Wednesday, November 9th to review existing conditions, discuss concerns, offer solutions, and talk about priorities and any future investments in the neighborhood. This gathering will be  followed by a community meeting to discuss existing conditions, community priorities and ideas for enhancing and investing in the neighborhood. On Thursday CUDC will host one-on-one interviews with key stakeholder groups and a meeting for community input on the progress of the last two days.  On Friday, a final public meeting will be held to discuss the ideas and recommendations from the charrette.

 

“With the collaborative input of residents and businesses, we can create a vision and a plan to redevelop Lorain Avenue and jumpstart economic development in and around Ohio City’s main thoroughfare,” said Councilman Zone of Ward 15.

 

In addition, at 3204 Lorain Avenue, a pop-up shop will exist between November 9th-12th as a part of the charrette including retail, art displays, and evening activities such as movies, comedy acts and live music.

CHARRETTE & POP-UP SCHEDULE AT 3204 LORAIN AVENUE

 

Wednesday, November 9th 5:30pm - Community Workshop: A public workshop conducted to discuss existing conditions, community priorities and ideas for enhancing and investing in the neighborhood.  Facilitated by the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative

 

Friday, November 11th 5:30pm - Final Public Meeting: Held to discuss the ideas and recommendations from the charrette. Facilitated by the CUDC.

 

A good start to make the scene more attractive.. Overlooked basics like litter abatement, window cleaning , planter refreshing, window art..all cost very little, and make a collective big improvement. New strreet-scapes without such stewardship will end up looking like crappy new street retail/business capes. Oh, sorry.. I am being an "Anti-Cleveland" poo pooer. I know such simple ideas are not welcome on this forum because Cleveland is perfect just the way it is.

A good start to make the scene more attractive.. Overlooked basics like litter abatement, window cleaning , planter refreshing, window art..all cost very little, and make a collective big improvement. New strreet-scapes without such stewardship will end up looking like crappy new street retail/business capes. Oh, sorry.. I am being an "Anti-Cleveland" poo pooer. I know such simple ideas are not welcome on this forum because Cleveland is perfect just the way it is.

 

No, because you litter unrelated subjects with the same incessant rant. If there is a thread on litter, that's a good place for you to post that discussion. If there isn't a thread, then start one.

 

It would be like me posting on the need for better train services in every single discussion.

^Thank you KJP.  As I've said to you before EC, stop playing the martyr.

Much of what EC suggests could be dealt with through a Business Improvement District, which I believe has been proposed.  Not sure where that stands right now.  But these maintenance issues are a big reason I prefer not to see planters and landscaping effects included in redevelopment plans.  Planters were added along Euclid that the city refuses to take care of, which looks worse than if we'd just left the sidewalks alone.

 

I'm excited about the upcoming... charrette... but I'm also somewhat worried its recommendations will be the usual suspects, namely greenspace and single family homes.  Perhaps a solar-powered barrel for rainwater.  I'm not sure what "activating public greenspace" means.  It doesn't sound like an appropriate priority, unless you "activate" greenspace by putting apartments on top of it.         

Much of what EC suggests could be dealt with through a Business Improvement District, which I believe has been proposed.  Not sure where that stands right now.  But these maintenance issues are a big reason I prefer not to see planters and landscaping effects included in redevelopment plans.  Planters were added along Euclid that the city refuses to take care of, which looks worse than if we'd just left the sidewalks alone.

 

 

The planters on Euclid are well taken care of and have been ever since they were installed. DCA decided not to fund a fall planting this year and therefore there is a 1.5 month gap between the summer planting and the winter planting. The City is not involved in this at all.

^ I agree. They look well taken care of to me.

Much of what EC suggests could be dealt with through a Business Improvement District, which I believe has been proposed.  Not sure where that stands right now.  But these maintenance issues are a big reason I prefer not to see planters and landscaping effects included in redevelopment plans.  Planters were added along Euclid that the city refuses to take care of, which looks worse than if we'd just left the sidewalks alone.

 

I'm excited about the upcoming... charrette... but I'm also somewhat worried its recommendations will be the usual suspects, namely greenspace and single family homes.  Perhaps a solar-powered barrel for rainwater.  I'm not sure what "activating public greenspace" means.  It doesn't sound like an appropriate priority, unless you "activate" greenspace by putting apartments on top of it.         

 

The BID for the Market District will roll out soon. It is a very complicated process and OCI has done a great job in getting this going.

 

Regarding maintenance and redevelopment on Lorain (EC), there are smart people who don't need to have an "ah ha" moment in order to come up with the basic urban planning ideas that you mention. 

I mean the planters beyond DCA's area.  Not the big bucket things, the treelawns.  DCA does a nice job downtown (which is why I think a BID will help a lot in Ohio City) but Euclid is a long street.  Many of the plantings are dead, others are overrun with toadstools, and some never even received plants in the first place.  I wouldn't want that to happen on Lorain.   

^the plantings on Euclid beyond downtown are the responsibility of each individual landowner. Blame the landowners first, then RTA and Sasaki for that one.

And with that, we can get back on topic. :-)

WSM getting some more press:

 

Finally marketing W. Side Market: editorial

Published: Monday, November 14, 2011, 6:43 PM

The Plain Dealer Editorial Board By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board

 

 

The West Side Market is a fabulous, funky, festive, digestive (the Epicurean penny-pinching perfection of a Johnny dog), cacophonous, caffeinated, creepy (bloody, fleshless goat skulls) kaleidoscope of blue-collar world cuisine that has celebrated diversity and deliciousness for 99 years.

 

It is a feast for the food snob and the food slob, the poor and the prosperous, a taste-bud trendsetter that has been showcased on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and "Man v. Food Nation," to name just two celebrity chow-downs.

 

Ohio City Inc., a local nonprofit with a robust resume, will spearhead a marketing campaign for the city-owned property if Cleveland City Council approves the move -- a decision that deserves three Michelin stars.

 

The strategy is smart and straightforward: Raise awareness of the upcoming centennial celebration -- not in a brief, confetti-filled, blow-out-the-candles whoop-de-do, but as a kickoff for a corporate donor campaign to raise serious capital.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/11/finally_marketing_w_side_marke_1.html

SOHO Kitchen + Bar had its soft opening last night, and opens to the public tomorrow. The food is extraordinary and this is a great addition to the Neighborhood. SOHO will initally open just for dinner but plans to add lunch hours over the weekend within the next few weeks.

SOHO Kitchen + Bar had its soft opening last night, and opens to the public tomorrow. The food is extraordinary and this is a great addition to the Neighborhood. SOHO will initally open just for dinner but plans to add lunch hours over the weekend within the next few weeks.

 

They also have some pretty delicious specialty cocktails...

SOHO Kitchen + Bar had its soft opening last night, and opens to the public tomorrow. The food is extraordinary and this is a great addition to the Neighborhood. SOHO will initally open just for dinner but plans to add lunch hours over the weekend within the next few weeks.

 

I always thought it should have been called NOLO (North Of LOrain) :)

 

Congrats smith and company

My sis and bro-in-law thank you!  I will probably be giving them a hand with bussing and food running from time to time.

Also opening today... Bon Bon Bakery and Cafe. Fantastic addition to the Neighborhood.

 

http://www.bonboncleveland.com/

 

Also opening today... Bon Bon Bakery and Cafe. Fantastic addition to the Neighborhood.

 

http://www.bonboncleveland.com/

 

 

Two words!  "Ganache" & "brownies"

Opening tonight:

 

Opening in Ohio City . . .

 

Energized restaurateur Sam McNulty's latest chapter unfolds today with the debut of the Ohio City Room in the basement of Market Garden Brewery & Distillery, next door to the West Side Market in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood. The expansive 110-seat space will serve as an extension of the restaurant and continue the theme upstairs -- what McNulty describes as "streamline modern meets log cabin." If it's anything like McNulty's other spots, it's bound to be a lot of fun.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2011/11/chez_francois_leads_zagat_pack.html

 

Looks like Elegansia on W. 25th was vacating their location in the corner of the Rialto THeater Bldg (aka Moda Bldg and the future home of Mitchell's Ice Cream). I wonder if they're re-locating. I didnt know that they would be leaving that space, if that is indeed what I saw today. That would mean Mitchell's must be taking up the whole building.

 

A sign on their door on Friday said they were relocating to 1810 West 25th. I believe this is the old Near West Woodworks location.

 

 

 

Looks like Elegansia on W. 25th was vacating their location in the corner of the Rialto THeater Bldg (aka Moda Bldg and the future home of Mitchell's Ice Cream). I wonder if they're re-locating. I didnt know that they would be leaving that space, if that is indeed what I saw today. That would mean Mitchell's must be taking up the whole building.

That's a much better spot for them. Big new windows.

^ Yes, a better space indeed.

The near west woodworks space has been divided into three sections & they have leased the middle section (which is also the smallest section in that building).  The largest section is the north section of the building (which runs along W25th & Jay Avenue) has yet to secure a tenant.  The south section (between the carry out beer/smokes store & the new Elegansia) has 2 real tenant possibilities with a third entering the mix last week.  I'll let you know, when I find out, who got the south section.

Great! Thanks!

Opening tonight:

 

Opening in Ohio City . . .

 

Energized restaurateur Sam McNulty's latest chapter unfolds today with the debut of the Ohio City Room in the basement of Market Garden Brewery & Distillery, next door to the West Side Market in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood. The expansive 110-seat space will serve as an extension of the restaurant and continue the theme upstairs -- what McNulty describes as "streamline modern meets log cabin." If it's anything like McNulty's other spots, it's bound to be a lot of fun.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2011/11/chez_francois_leads_zagat_pack.html

 

McNulty's the man... Market Garden is always buzzin' with activity, even on slow Cleveland Sundays... During prime time (aka Happy Hour/dinner time), the joint, which is gigantic, is packed to the gills...

Also opening today... Bon Bon Bakery and Cafe. Fantastic addition to the Neighborhood.

 

http://www.bonboncleveland.com/

 

 

Bon Bon is a very attractive space and the food is pretty tasty, too... It's big windows and attractive decor seemed to suck in a number of "incidental pedestrians" as opposed to appointment visitors... This is another establishment that is stretching the Market Sq. District, this time west along Lorain... Hopefully it can be stretched further west to that gorgeous historical cluster where Touch Supper club is.  Any prospects here?  Is Touch going to remain strictly a bar/club, or become something more accessible, around-the-clock?

SO MUCH continuing to pop up in Ohio City!

 

"The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Fred and Laura Bidwell Foundation join forces to create the Transformer Station gallery in Ohio City

Published: Thursday, September 15, 2011, 10:00 PM

  By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

 

The Transformer Station on West 29th Street in Cleveland, which once housed transformers for the long-defunct Cleveland Railway Co., will be transformed again into a gallery operated by the Cleveland Museum of Art and collectors Fred and Laura Bidwell.

For the first time in its 95-year history, the Cleveland Museum of Art is creating a permanent artistic presence on the city’s West Side.

In collaboration with the nationally recognized Akron art collectors Fred and Laura Bidwell, the museum will announce Friday at a press conference that it plans to open a 3,500-square-foot gallery in the former Cleveland Railway Co. transformer station at 1460 W. 29th St. in Ohio City, a block south of Detroit Avenue."

 

Link: http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2011/09/cleveland_museum_of_art_and_bi.html

 

 

I know I am late to this discussion - bu a few years ago we looked at purchasing this and renovating it to be our home. Great open space and built like the proverbial brick sheet houze.

people go to regular stores too. clothes, hardware, banks, bookstore or music store (if those are even in existance anymore). for kids, maybe some kind of dance studio or karate place, or a place to learn instruments. in the realm of food, coffee, bakery, pizza takeout.  affordable stuff that doesn't have a bar attached to it.  maybe these things exist in ohio city, im only really familiar with w. 25.

 

Most of these things exist on or immediately adjacent to West 25th, actually. There's a pretty good bookstore (Horizontal Books), there's a coffee place right by Market Square that isn't too expensive, you can get bakery in the West Side Market (not every day, granted), food - again, West Side Market, Dave's if you prefer a supermarket (I'll grant you this Dave's is a bit pricey), there's a Yoga place above Dragonfly, Elegansia is a clothing store (next to where Moda was/Mitchell's will be), and there was a pop-up clothing store across the street recently. Also, there's a bike shop, a little electronics store (anyone know the deal with that place?), and something will be going in the empty but now renovated storefront across from the projects/next to Lutheran.

 

We do lack a good sit-down pizza place, and the neighborhood isn't terribly kid friendly, although it's not really hostile either. St. Ignatius students use Ohio City Burrito as an afterschool hangout, they seem like the best customers. They're always there when I stop in. There's a library walking distance, but it's pretty overwhelmed by unsupervised kids. They need other places to go.

 

I totally share concern for the long-term fortunes of the neighborhood and I've commented several times that I'd like to see more affordable rental apartments, redevelopment of public housing, and I'm sure many people here would still like to see the RTA Red Line station on the 'better' side of Lorain, but things are pretty good. It's still okay to criticize. But we can enjoy what we've got, too!

 

I agree on the pizza place. Sit down until 10 or 11 then a sidewalk window open until 3 AM to catch the after bar crowd. If I had the $$$ I would do it myself!

Hmm, I just posted more about the Bon bon bakery last night on the previous page, you seemed to miss it.

 

I remember hearing a while back that Bon bon bakery was relocating from Gordon Square (behind Cleveland Public T) to the United Bank "Annex".

Here it is on the Landmarks Commission agenda.

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2011/10132011/index.php

 

 

 

 

 

Hahah thanks for reminding me, I just added it.

 

Glad to hear about a bakery!  Farkas Pastry Shop is in that area too. Fantastic old world pastry.

I really enjoyed Bon Bon.  Just wished it stayed open a little later than 3p on week days.  Starbucks doesn't close at 3p and, in case folks haven't noticed, Ohio City is becoming close to a 24-hour neighborhood.  Plus, Bon Bon's non-coffee/pastry stuff-- salads, wraps and other light menu items are not just morning/brunch-type foods... Hopefully they'll expand hours after they get their sea legs in their relocated digs... It's really a cute place; adds much to the neighborhood.

Bon Bon will be switching to its new hours shortly. The liquor license just transfered, and they of course wanted to iron everything out. I don't have the exact date of this transition yet, but it should be within the next couple weeks.

 

Monday 6:30AM to 3PM

Tuesday thru Friday 6:30AM - 9PM

Saturday 7AM to 9PM

Sunday 9AM to 3PM

 

Also, there's a new sandwich shop open late night at the west end of the building Old Angle is in.  Excellent roast beef with ajou.  Check it out.

Bon Bon will be switching to its new hours shortly. The liquor license just transfered, and they of course wanted to iron everything out. I don't have the exact date of this transition yet, but it should be within the next couple weeks.

 

Monday 6:30AM to 3PM

Tuesday thru Friday 6:30AM - 9PM

Saturday 7AM to 9PM

Sunday 9AM to 3PM

 

Excellent news!  Also, I have been meaning to try out the sandwich shop connected to Old Angle as I have heard only good things about it.

This is well into the Detroit Shoreway planning area.

This is well into the Detroit Shoreway planning area.

 

Oops! You're right. I moved it here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,653.msg592388.html#msg592388

OK, NOW I get to post an Ohio City development that's going to appear before a city board/commission.... :)

 

City of Cleveland

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

January 3, 2012

9:30

           

Ward 3

Calendar No. 11-230:

    1867-73 West 25th Street

Joe Cimperman

 

P&M Ohio City, LLC, owner, appeal to change use from a nonconforming night club to an ice cream production facility with a dining area in an existing two-story building located in a C4 Local Retail Business District, subject to the limitations under Section 343.01(b) food preparation/production is not permitted; and accessory off-street parking is required at the rate of one space for each employee, plus one for each four seats in the dining area, and at the rate of one space for each three employees in the ice cream production facility under the provisions in Section 349.04(f)(j); and in accordance with Section 359.01, no substitution for a nonconforming use is permitted without a special permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals. 

(Filed 11-28-11)

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2012/crr01-03-2012.html

Cross post from  Ohio: Historic Preservation Tax Credit News & Discussion thread:

 

 

Northeast Ohio projects win bulk of $14 million in state tax credit awards for historic buildings

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/northeast_ohio_projects_win_bu.html

 

Among the CLE winners:

 

$484K to the Rialto Theater (the Moda space) for Mitchells Ice Cream project.  Awesome.

 

 

 

A 100th birthday present for the WSM!

 

Cleveland, West Side Market tapped to host International Public Markets Conference in 2012

By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

Published: Monday, March 21, 2011, 5:04 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland has edged out competitors -- including London and Toronto -- to host an international conference focused on public markets in 2012.

 

The Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit group based in New York, will announce today that it has tapped Cleveland as the host city for several days of discussions, events and tours

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/cleveland_west_side_market_to.html

 

 

 

There is now a website up for this 2012 event: http://www.pps.org/8th-public-markets-conference/

 

A 100th birthday present for the WSM!

 

Cleveland, West Side Market tapped to host International Public Markets Conference in 2012

By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

Published: Monday, March 21, 2011, 5:04 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland has edged out competitors -- including London and Toronto -- to host an international conference focused on public markets in 2012.

 

The Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit group based in New York, will announce today that it has tapped Cleveland as the host city for several days of discussions, events and tours

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/cleveland_west_side_market_to.html

 

 

 

There is now a website up for this 2012 event: http://www.pps.org/8th-public-markets-conference/

 

In order to keep the forum neat and tidy, could the above be moved to the West Side Market thread?

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16572.0.html

 

Another new retail location will be opening up soon in the Market District. Ohio City Cigars, at the corner of 28th & Lorain, will be taking both floors of the old Zen Salon space (now Zen Metro Spa on w.25th). You can see the temporary sign below:

 

Another new retail location will be opening up soon in the Market District. Ohio City Cigars, at the corner of 28th & Lorain, will be taking both floors of the old Zen Salon space (now Zen Metro Spa on w.25th). You can see the temporary sign below:

 

Wash those windows!  Damn!  he he he he he

Another new retail location will be opening up soon in the Market District. Ohio City Cigars, at the corner of 28th & Lorain, will be taking both floors of the old Zen Salon space (now Zen Metro Spa on w.25th). You can see the temporary sign below:

 

 

What is going on with Zen? Not a bad place. Are they moving?