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http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/the-growing-pains-of-clevelands-newest-westside-neighborhood/Content?oid=4670345&showFullText=true

 

Very interesting article about Hingetown development and some sentiment from existing residents that gentrification of the neighborhood is bad (even though Cleveland is a long, long way off from having a San Francisco situation...). I remember partaking in a walking tour of Hingetown when I interned at an Ohio City social services organization in summer 2012, and the change in three years is strikingly good.

 

A couple quotes popped out. One from a Lakeview Towers subsidized housing resident:

 

"I love where I live," she said, speaking with conviction. "I live in Lakeview Towers and I've got a view of the lake. I love my apartment. I love it. I appreciate what people are trying to do to improve the neighborhood. People are talking about affordable units, but how many people do we have down in Lakeview? 1,500? We got plenty of affordable housing all around here. We going to be here. All y'all are gonna be gone and we're still gonna be here. We want to see this whole area improve. And if they're gonna do that, they've got to make money."

 

The other from Graham Vesey:

 

"I think the city has a lot of work still to do to understand what it takes to be a 21st-century urban area, and I think that the mayor's emphasis on being equitable is admirable. I don't know, but sometimes I get the impression it's a zero-sum game mentality, that if something's happening in one part of the city, it's taking away from another. The truth is we, as a city, can prosper in many parts. And we should celebrate all those points of progression."

 

I hope we will see the zero-sum game mentality erode as we see multiple parts of the city succeed at once... But I find it strange how many older Clevelanders still have that mentality.

 

A couple quotes popped out. One from a Lakeview Towers subsidized housing resident:

 

"I love where I live," she said, speaking with conviction. "I live in Lakeview Towers and I've got a view of the lake. I love my apartment. I love it. I appreciate what people are trying to do to improve the neighborhood. People are talking about affordable units, but how many people do we have down in Lakeview? 1,500? We got plenty of affordable housing all around here. We going to be here. All y'all are gonna be gone and we're still gonna be here. We want to see this whole area improve. And if they're gonna do that, they've got to make money."

 

 

I was at this meeting and I was so glad that she got up and expressed this. Before she spoke, many of the people were complaining about the high rents at the new development on W 25th and Detroit and were asking how poorer people were supposed to afford to live there. Well, they're not going to be able to. But not every development that gets built is for everyone. I could understand the sentiment more if Cleveland was even remotely close to having problems with "gentrification," but we're not.

It's hard for me to sympathize when they're protesting the potential redevelopment of the gravel lot across from Bounce. Why would anyone be against that? It's a terrible-looking lot and, by all means, Detroit Avenue should be completely built-up. There's still plenty of parking in the area. This reminds me of the people who would rather have the old industrial building on Clinton Avenue instead of the Geis proposed development. Ridiculous.

 

Honestly, Graham Veysey seems like kind of a douche. The way he refers to the neighborhood pre-Hingetown is pretty rude. However, I don't see any logical reason to oppose these developments. He actually has made a huge difference and, as shown in the in quote above, the poorest residents don't seem to be impacted negatively. It seems to just be the less-poor residents who have this false perception that these developments are negative.

 

 

Imagine opposing the construction of a building you can't afford to live in for the sole fact that you can't afford to live in it.  If that is not nakedly destructive envy, I don't know what is.

 

REMOVED

Imagine opposing the construction of a building you can't afford to live in for the sole fact that you can't afford to live in it.  If that is not nakedly destructive envy, I don't know what is.

 

EDIT: Now imagine doing that from the rec room of a CMHA housing tower where you are a resident, which by definition, you cannot afford to live without massive subsidy.  Holy crap, the irony bomb just exploded.

 

EDIT 2: That's no knock on public housing or the residents of CMHA, who are by my experiences very nice people.  I just had to point out that total contradiction.

 

I can't tell from your post if you really understood the CMHA tenant's comment. She was arguing for the market rate project.

She did.  But it sounds like many who spoke before her weren't.

^None of whom were identified as CMHA tenants, but whatever, no big deal. Just seemed like an odd axe to grind given that particular article. I definitely share everyone's view that gentrification concerns here are off-base and/or inappropriate. That article made me cringe.

^None of whom were identified as CMHA tenants, but whatever, no big deal. Just seemed like an odd axe to grind given that particular article. I definitely share everyone's view that gentrification concerns here are off-base and/or inappropriate. That article made me cringe.

 

I thought that was at the CMHA community meeting, not the block club.  My bad, didn't read carefully enough.

Regarding that historic house at Randall and Bridge, it doesn't look as late as 1860s or '70s, either though the white paint has something to do with that.  Could be from Greek Revival but stripped of some detail and/or not a good example.  Nevertheless, there's plenty of vacant land around such that a developer needn't demolish a house in Ohio City dating from that far back.  And 1,300 sq. ft. is just right for a lot of people interested in rehabbing houses of that type and in that type of setting.  Question: I might have to go there to understand, but how come the 2007 and 2009 County photos show a decrepit brick building to the house's left, and in the 2011 photo not only is that brick building gone but it doesn't look like enough space for where the building was?

 

Dunham Tavern goes under several dates, but part of it is from as early as 1824.  It competes with a house on Dennison Avenue as the oldest building in Cleveland built as a residence.

 

Much, much greater than the white house is the Hubbard House on Juniper Drive that was just lost.  The Landmarks Commission,  CRS, and Councilman Jeff Johnson came on the scene far too late to effectively save it, and the fact that CWRU failed to hold the required public meeting(s) and other untoward acts certainly contributed to the house's demise as one of the few remaining original Wade Park Allotment residences.  And a beauty it was.  I tried to alert relevant parties of this threat by CWRU and the Alumni House early this year, but nobody seemed to pay attention until too late.  Don't tell me this should be posted on the University Circle forum because - believe me - I have written plenty about it there.  I brought it in here to exemplify that the Landmarks Commission often fails in any attempt to save some of Cleveland's true treasures.

 

 

Dunham Tavern goes under several dates, but part of it is from as early as 1824.  It competes with a house on Dennison Avenue as the oldest building in Cleveland built as a residence.

 

 

Again, no offense meant on posting to the Ohio City thread, but what house on Denison Ave. may be the oldest residence in Cleveland? The Wirth House, Beltz House (both of which are in danger of demolition do to the lack of care my the leaders of the city [Landmarks Comm., Councilman, etc.]), or some other home I am not aware of?

Sorry, it's Memphis Avenue - no. 3506.  The Jeremiah Gates House:

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/listDetail.php?identity=103

 

It's mentioned in both editions of AIA Cleveland's Guide to Cleveland Architecture.

lafont, I am not sure what photo you are referring to but there has not been a structure next to the house for at least 30-40 years...maybe longer. There was something there at one point as the yard is sinking with the deteriorating debris that was buried in the basement of the demolished structure. You are right, that house is not as late as 1860/70's. It is Greek Revival revealed, in part, by its low pitch roof, original full transom front entrance and wide trim bands under the front gable and eaves. Also, the house has a 66 foot wide lot which is indicative of an early house as the later 19th century homes have lots that are half that width. It was mentioned at a recent block club meeting that the house was from the 1830's and I did not question it since most homes of this style were built between 1825-1850 in this region. Regardless, due to the architecture style and lot size I highly doubt it was built after 1850.

 

Also, I share your sentiments about the Hubbard House. I do believe these earlier homes although not as grand as the later and larger homes are very important to the historic fabric of the city.

 

Regarding that historic house at Randall and Bridge, it doesn't look as late as 1860s or '70s, either though the white paint has something to do with that.  Could be from Greek Revival but stripped of some detail and/or not a good example.  Nevertheless, there's plenty of vacant land around such that a developer needn't demolish a house in Ohio City dating from that far back.  And 1,300 sq. ft. is just right for a lot of people interested in rehabbing houses of that type and in that type of setting.  Question: I might have to go there to understand, but how come the 2007 and 2009 County photos show a decrepit brick building to the house's left, and in the 2011 photo not only is that brick building gone but it doesn't look like enough space for where the building was?

 

Dunham Tavern goes under several dates, but part of it is from as early as 1824.  It competes with a house on Dennison Avenue as the oldest building in Cleveland built as a residence.

 

Much, much greater than the white house is the Hubbard House on Juniper Drive that was just lost.  The Landmarks Commission,  CRS, and Councilman Jeff Johnson came on the scene far too late to effectively save it, and the fact that CWRU failed to hold the required public meeting(s) and other untoward acts certainly contributed to the house's demise as one of the few remaining original Wade Park Allotment residences.  And a beauty it was.  I tried to alert relevant parties of this threat by CWRU and the Alumni House early this year, but nobody seemed to pay attention until too late.  Don't tell me this should be posted on the University Circle forum because - believe me - I have written plenty about it there.  I brought it in here to exemplify that the Landmarks Commission often fails in any attempt to save some of Cleveland's true treasures.

 

This is a fine topic, but not for this thread.  If someone would like to start an "Earliest Cleveland Homes&Structures" thread, or something like it, go ahead.

 

Back on topic!

So, I consider this kind of a bummer.  Although the bathhouse has been torn down, the site has been graded flat with no signs of construction equipment on site.  It's always good to see work on the foundation to start immediately after demo but that is apparently not the case here.  Maybe the construction will start soon - hope so.

 

Construction has definitely begun.  It looked like they were getting ready to pour the foundation this morning.

 

Kind of difficult to tell with the crappy resolution, but significant work has been done in the last week or two on the Vintage Development Group's project on Detroit Ave.  The foundation has been poured, some structural components have gone up such as brick walls and door frames.  Excited for this thing to take shape.

^Sorry for asking, but are there plans out there for this site?  I couldn't locate them doing a quick search.

^ Here (3219 Detroit Ave.):

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/12192014/index.php

 

And here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2492.msg737998.html#msg737998

Two projects -- Steelman Building and the Van Rooy building...

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2015/12102015/index.php

 

Cleveland Landmarks Commission

CITY HALL - ROOM 514 - 9:00 AM

AGENDA - December 10, 2015

 

3. Ohio City Historic District: Case 15-078

Steelman Building 2885 Detroit Avenue

Renovation

 

 

 

 

 

4. Ohio City Historic District: Case 15-079

Van Rooy Coffee Building 2900 Detroit Avenue

Roof additions, new windows

 

 

 

 

Whoa, is this the first we've heard of this Steelman Bldg brewery/restaurant/retail conversion project?  I'd be sort of sad to see the cool checkerboard window wall go (RIP proposed SPACES tenancy), but this is a pretty nifty proposal.

Whoa, is this the first we've heard of this Steelman Bldg brewery/restaurant/retail conversion project?  I'd be sort of sad to see the cool checkerboard window wall go (RIP proposed SPACES tenancy), but this is a pretty nifty proposal.

 

Agreed. Will definitely miss those windows. But on the bright side the conversion looks stunning.

 

Let's start the petition to bring back that great big coffee pot to Van Rooy.

Never knew there was a coffee pot up there, does anyone have an archival image? Google didn't yield anything for me.

I used to drive past it every day along the West Shoreway in the mid to late 90s, but I'll be danged if I can't find a photo.

This is what it looked like though -

Tons of good info in this Michelle Jarboe piece today, about the Snavely project at 25th and Detroit and nearby Hingetown:

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/12/the_music_settlement_commits_t.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

*The Music School Settlement, which already owns the old Bop Stop bldg, is signing on to take 19k sf of ground floor space in the new project, mostly for early childhood programs.

*Snavely plans to break ground early next year on the new-build market rate part of the project. The building rehab part of the project still needs LIHTC, so won't start till 2017 (assuming they get the credits next year)

*A second location of "The Grocery" market will also be a tenant of the new build space.

 

This is great news. The Music School Settlement will be a nice amenity fir families in the neighborhood.

 

A new life for older properties

 

The Jay Hotel, at 2515 Jay Ave., and the West Side Community House, at 3000 Bridge Ave., reflect the diverse roots of Ohio City as the historic district near downtown Cleveland continues to evolve from a poor to increasingly well-to-do neighborhood.

 

Before the Jay went dark in the 1990s, generations of West Siders knew it as a flop house.

 

Meantime, the former West Side Community House opened in 1920 as a settlement house providing English classes and other services for immigrants and evolved to providing social services.

 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20151213/NEWS/151219927/a-new-life-for-older-properties

What's going on with the development at the corner of lorain and fulton? I thought I remembered seeing a post about new town houses being built there, but it's still just an empty lot with no development starting there.

Christy's Lounge, in the nearest building, was where Jewish gangster Shonor Birns held meetings from a booth from the 1930s to March 29, 1975. That night he walked out of the bar to his Cadillac parked across the street. He turned the ignition and was killed by a car bomb planted by associates of Irish gangster Danny Greene... http://imgick.cleveland.com/home/cleve-media/width620/img/pdextra/photo/9334412-standard.gif

 

Michelle Jarboe ‏mjarboe[/member]  20h20 hours ago

Riffing on today's story re: W 25th/Detroit and @MusicSettlement, an old picture of that project site, now parking.

 

Edit: looking from the opposite direction in 1973...

 

^It boggles my mind how much cool urban fabric we've lost.

^ Yeah, but luckily we're getting some pretty sweet new urban fabric to replace it soon.

Looks like Snavely got his preservation credits for the two older buildings across Detroit, so the affordable portion should be on schedule (early 2017 construction).

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/12/six_cleveland_projects_includi.html

The apartment building (The Heyse) at the corner of West 28th and Fulton also received a tax credit. This is great news, as, in my opinion, it is one of the most unique and architecturally interesting buildings in Ohio City. It will also help to bridge the gap between Hingetown, the West 25th Street Lofts and the rest of Ohio City, and bring some vibrancy to the Fulton, West 28th and Franklin intersection.

^ I love that little building. Always wondered why nothing had been done with it before now...

 

And the Snavely project it perhaps my favorite one that's still currently in the planning stage. I get to look at the parking lot every day. Will be so nice to see something else there. Not to mention bringing some connectivity!

I saw some workers drilling in the parking lot of the former gas station at 45th and Detroit.  Not sure if it was soil samples or what. 

Pillar closes $11 million loan for multifamily property in Cleveland

December 17, 2015

 

Pillar has originated an $11.8 million Fannie Mae loan for Mariner’s Watch, an ENERGY STAR Green-certified, Class-A multifamily property in Cleveland.

 

Mariner’s Watch was built in 2014 and is located in the near west neighborhood of Ohio City, a rapidly redeveloping area in one of Cleveland’s oldest communities located just across the Cuyahoga River from downtown. The 62-unit, four-story building includes 33 one-bedroom and 29 two-bedroom apartments, as well as an indoor parking garage. The property is 100 percent leased.

 

See more at: http://www.rejournals.com/2015/12/17/pillar-closes-11-million-loan-for-multifamily-property-in-cleveland/#sthash.lKRJYiUO.dpuf

So, I consider this kind of a bummer.  Although the bathhouse has been torn down, the site has been graded flat with no signs of construction equipment on site.  It's always good to see work on the foundation to start immediately after demo but that is apparently not the case here.  Maybe the construction will start soon - hope so.

 

Construction has definitely begun.  It looked like they were getting ready to pour the foundation this morning.

 

Kind of difficult to tell with the crappy resolution, but significant work has been done in the last week or two on the Vintage Development Group's project on Detroit Ave.  The foundation has been poured, some structural components have gone up such as brick walls and door frames.  Excited for this thing to take shape.

 

More progress at 3219 Detroit... Walls are going up and there is a large crane on site. I suspect the crane will stick around considering the planned height of the building.

Still alot going on at the 25th St Lofts. The whole exterior has been painted white, which I don't think is permanent since there hasn't been much facade work. It sure does make the building look a thousand times better already though! The interior looks to have been completely gutted by now. There's plenty of openings in the building right now where you can see clear in, and they've been working like crazy, even into the night.

 

I promise to get some more pictures too!

Forthcoming Ohio City Music Settlement to attract more than 200 students

 

The otherwise unremarkable corner of Detroit Avenue and West 25th Street is on the verge of a rebirth that will include hundreds of students, the bulk of which will be five years old and under.

 

"We think Ohio City is a perfect fit for us," says Charles Lawrence, president and CEO of the Music Settlement, a 103-year old organization that offers music therapy, early childhood education, and music instruction to people of all ages and levels of experience. "Hingetown is an incredibly energetic and engaging area."

 

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/musicsettlement010516.aspx

^While I'm happy for Ohio City, I hate that University Circle is losing this gem institution, which counts yours truly as an alum.

^It's not moving. This is an additional facility.

^Then this will be a 3rd facility, as they are already at the old Bob Stop jazz club at around 32nd & Detroit.  They will occupy considerable space in this new facility - 19K sq/ft.  I didn't realize the Settlement had this large of purse.  I'm glad they're not relocating out of U. Circle since the Circle is such a huge cultural resource.

3219 Detroit Ave six-story apartment building going vertical, seen today from fast-moving Clifton BRT-lite on the Shoreway...

 

^good stuff.  Wouldn't it be nice if Detroit quickly filled with these 6 story apartment (and maybe some ground floor retail) all the way from 25th to 65th!

^And then bury the power lines and make the street lights match the ones at Gordon square.

^good stuff.  Wouldn't it be nice if Detroit quickly filled with these 6 story apartment (and maybe some ground floor retail) all the way from 25th to 65th!

 

That's the goal  :wink:

^good stuff.  Wouldn't it be nice if Detroit quickly filled with these 6 story apartment (and maybe some ground floor retail) all the way from 25th to 65th!

 

That's the goal  :wink:

 

Not according to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District....

Here's a pic of the beauty they're refurbishing on W.33 and Lorain

So happy to see that being renovated! I've always loved that little bulding

I love seeing these smaller commercial buildings being renovated around the city. Does anyone know if there is a tenant for the retail space?

I heard something about a bagel shop and yoga studio going in there. 

I heard something about a bagel shop and yoga studio going in there. 

 

A bagel shop that is also a yoga studio? Or a bagel shop COMMA and a yoga studio.

Yes RMB please clarify