seriously, though, a year is a long time.  but it's progress that will be very visible!

 

on a side note, work continues in the Market Square building, which burned last year around this time.  I still don't know if they're just stabilizing it or if they're moving forward.

 

All progress appears to have stopped on the Middle East Imports store next door.  The construction workers must've been tipped off that their clients were both in jail!

But dude, chill out, get a life, it ain't that important.

 

Yikes, you're right!  I've spent more than 20 days of my last 2 years on this damned site!

 

No seriously, though.  I'm just trying to set the record straight, because I really do keep reading this on UO, which I feel is pretty credible in many regards.  I talked to two very trustworthy sources yesterday who confirmed that there are NO plans to demolish the towers.  So, that's that.

 

Now, the park is another story and I think could be a fantastic asset to the neighborhood.  As a dog owner, I see people out walking at all hours and we'd really love to have a dog park within walking distance.  Riverview would be a PERFECT opportunity for this!  Don't worry, I'm getting involved.  This is my life after all!

seriously, though, a year is a long time.  but it's progress that will be very visible!

 

on a side note, work continues in the Market Square building, which burned last year around this time.

 

 

Did I mention it was being completely gutted?

I think so.

 

I was wondering about that building. Any time I've been over there, I have not seen anything. I'm glad it is progressing.

they are also installing a new trash compactor and recycle container area behind the market.  should include some new landscaping as well. 

Did I mention it was being completely gutted?

I think so.

 

anything to keep your exquisitely coiffed 'do in tip top shape!  :mrgreen:

Don't know if this has been mentioned here, but see the 2005 update of the Towpath Trail extension here, http://www.planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/towpath/maps.html which indicates a leg of the trail that passes along the riverside at the foot of the site and a neighborhood connection to the trail follows Franklin from W25th above. With these plans, as well as the uber-sweet skyline view, this site is ideally suited to become a legendary local park.

they are also installing a new trash compactor and recycle container area behind the market.  should include some new landscaping as well. 

 

The March of Progress continues......

Anyone else worried that throwing a big park up there (which like JDD I fear might become a big barren drive-up field like so many others in town) might forever shut the door on a more comprehensive redevelopment closer in spirit with the original Telesis plan (which I still mourn) if the numbers ever worked out?  After all, the hillside isn't an engineering problem, it's money problem.  That view is too good not to share with the public though.

 

As for that very hillside, like JDD I got some mean fantasies about terraces, stairs and integrated public space and nifty housing.  I like nature as much as the next guy, but driving that stretch of Franklin and Riverbend really doesn't need to feel like some West Virginian holler...would be nice to reclaim it as part of the city.

I'd much rather see development there too, but I'm not hearing anyone clamoring to get in on that deal just yet.  Maybe they can have a reversion clause where after a number of years, the park will revert to a developable piece of land.  In the meantime, there's plenty of land on the west side of 25th, as well as north of this land and south of the bridge.  A park could help spur development on those parcels.

Work continues on the burned out Market Square building on W. 25th.  There was a moving truck in front of the West Side Community House on Tuesday morning.  (I passed by their new location last week and it looked pretty close to being done.)  More debris has been removed from the Jay Ave. Lofts site, a big hole has been dug immediately adjacent to the Jay Hotel building and the majority of the work is still taking place inside the existing structure. 

Regarding Jay lofts and the timeline of the demo work: the work crew stopped by my house yesterday and asked to borrow my kid's sandbox shovel. They figured that it would cut the debris removal time by half.

From Cleveland Indy Media:

 

http://cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2006/09/22165.php

 

Bookstore on West 25th Turns 30

by Cleveland IMC Monday, Sep. 25, 2006 at 6:58 PM

 

The Bookstore on West 25th street is having its 30th birthday party this Saturday. I talked with one of the co-founders Michael Brien as well as a faithful part time employee for sixteen years and very dedicated to the work, Nancy DiAlesandro. We spoke on the the history of the bookstore, what it does for the community, what it means to them, and politics, of coarse.

 

The bookstore originally was started as a co-op. Michael, along with a few others started the bookstore as a non profit organization and called it Six Steps Down located on 28th and Franklin. They were there for a year before moving to the space that is now the Catholic Worker storefront on 43rd and Lorain Ave. They inhabited the upstairs part of the building while the downstairs part was a food co-op. They were at this location for a couple of years before moving to where they are now right on 25th street just north of Lorain Ave and have been there for 27 years. Michael is the only remaining founder who has been keeping the bookstore afloat all this time. A couple of years into it, he realized he was going to have to quit his regular job and devote all his time to the bookstore if they wanted it to happen. All the rest of the founders have gone on to real jobs while Micheal is keeping the dream alive of getting good quality reading material into the hands of the public at a reasonable price.

 

The Bookstore on West 25th street is more than just an average used book store. It is a welcoming place where people can come,sit down, relax, share their troubles, buy a book for a quarter, hang out.....Michael sees his work as primarily prividing a community service. But, unfortunately, the throes of capitalism are inescapable and so they must be concerned with the ends and outs of keeping a business afloat as well. Which has been trickey, especially in the past year. In January, the bookstore was on the brink of closing down. Michael and Nancy saw little hope of making ends meet and being able to pay the bills to keep the place going. With the help of local musicians and poets, they threw a rent party to see if they could generate enough community support to keep the place alive. Sure enough, the response was overwhelming. The bookstore has been in the business of giving to the community for years and now they saw their payback. People showed through their generous contributions, just how important the bookstore was to them and to Ohio City and wanted it to stay.

So, they continue on. Some have dubbed them a "Commie" book store. No, they are not Communists, they are old hippies who were a part of the anti war movement and continue to be on the outskirts of regular socitey Because of this, their bookstore has become a refuge for the disinfranchised and a place where people can find many books of a radical leftist nature. The bookstore is a gathering place for various groups, it helps support the arts by having poetry readings and musicians play at the store, and provides a lot of non official services like counselling, helping people to find housing, homeless advocacy work...They are neighbors to all, helping out people who can't afford to pay the full price of the book desired because they put the emphasis on the written word, not on the dollar. No, they are not a communist bookstore, but like to consider themselves a communal bookstore instead.

 

Michael has been studying some sayings of the early founders of America. He related a quote by one of them stating that the only way to have a strong nation is to have an educated nation. Michael feels that bookstores are a key element in providing that education. He does not see books as objects, but rather as tools for education. He would rather sell 100 books at a dollar a piece than one book for one hundred dollars. It does not bother him that the printed world is moving into cyberspace. He is uncertain what the future for bookstores will be in general but is optimistic. He doesn't really like it when people come in there and by slodge as he called it and tries to stimulate people's curiosity into reading better, more rewarding literature. The bookstore would like to provide even more resources for the community but right now are limited in what they can do. They could use all the support they can get.

As many times as I go to W.25th, I've never stepped a foot inside the bookstore.

It's an interesting place.  I went in there looking for architecture books (poor selection), when I walked in, a cat was watching a man playing a fiddle.  The man continued until I walked to the door to leave, when he looked at me and said, "Nothing like an old fiddle tune I always say."

"Welp, see you later," I said.

Interesting place.

I've bought a number of classics there for a buck or 2; it's a really cool joint.  And the folks who work there are really hip 'n friendly.  We should pitch in and support the place.  There aren't many indie's around like it these days and, let's face it, with the increasing trendiness of OC/Market Sq, rents are going to be a bitch for the bookstore... So go grab an arm full of books there -- it won't hurt you.  Lord knows that Barnes and Borders -- neither of whom still have seen it fit to open a store downtown or within Cleveland's borders (no pun intended) at all, don't really need your $20 to $50+ for a book anyway.

^^Gee with sales techniques like that, I can't imagine why they almost went belly up  :roll:

 

Sorry - if the people can't step out of their asocial/quirky bubble long enough to at least greet a customer, should they really be in a retail environment? I go way out of my way to support local places, but one thing I will never tolerate out of any business, chain or otherwise is inattentive or apathetic service. As a published author, I'd be horrified to know if my book was sold somewhere where the only greeting customers received was a fiddle serenade.

 

well I certainly agree that customer service is important. And I think it is good there. the owner lady once rooted around for 15 minutes to find me an obscure used book I looking for. most important is places lilke these that are more likely to  proudly carry any obscure book anyone on this board would likely author while the mass market shops that are too busy hocking what windbags like  Ann Coulter barf out.

Oh my god w28th and Mayday.  When I was in town twice last year, after going to the market, I purposely went to this struggling bookstore after reading all the articles....  One of the times, there was an old man, I guess the owner, that seemed bothered by our presense and wouldnt lift his head to acknowledge us, the other time there was a nice women that tried to get me to adopt one of the cats kittens.  This summer when I was in town I walked by and there was some kind of meeting going on in the front, and when I saw the same man, I didnt bother going in.  As much as I hate the idea of chains I wasnt about to go in to be treated like I was a disturbance.

"most important is places lilke these that are more likely to  proudly carry any obscure book anyone on this board would likely author while the mass market shops that are too busy hocking what windbags like  Ann Coulter barf out."

 

I have to agree first and foremost that Ann Coulter is a windbag - a vile, wretched one at that. However, I've honestly found the mass market places just as willing to accomodate me for book signings as the locals. I dare say that places like Borders been more receptive than some of the local joints - I've gone into a few indie places, asked them about book signings and was more or less scoffed at because quite honestly, I don't look like a typical historical author. Honestly, I don't think they believed me until I literally produced ID - I guess I should have worn a tweed blazer and been smoking a pipe.  :? The reception at Borders, etc.? "Oh, let me get your number, and here's the number of our events planner for the region." The chain people acted more "hungry" than the locals - and in my background, that's simply unacceptable.

 

I think one area where "indie" places need to go above and beyond is finding their growth markets and competing as best they can with the mass marketers. The chains are starting to improve on their customer service (though they're still light years behind), I think many indies need to improve on their presentation and their image. One locally owned place that I think has it nailed is Loganberry Books near Shaker Square - a beautiful store with nicely organized areas, you name it. Oh, and the people working there can be bothered to at least say "hello" :)

I love Bookstore on W. 25th. It dares to be disheveled.

It looks like the Westside Community house is completing its move down Lorain Rd.  There is an article in today's PD about it.

Hello all - new to the forum.  I was over at cleveland.com/forums and was recommended to come here due to (I guess) alot of trash talking over there.  Anyway - I'm currently a homeowner in Lakewood and will be getting married next Saturday.  My fiance and I are seriously interested in moving to Ohio City within the next year.  The area intrigues us and the progressive home builders certainly seem to target the area.  The Vine Industrials project (on paper) is probably the project that is most intriguing to us and also seems to be within our budget.  The only hesitation is the area - Too many times people have said to us 'you don't want to live in Ohio City' - well by no means do we live in a bubble and certainly Lakewood is not free from crime.  We would like to have kids in the next couple of years and wonder if this is the place to do it.  Also - what's everyone's view on the Vine Industrials?

I live on Clinton about one block away from Vine. My wife and I have a one-year old (and we'll have more in years to come). The developer of the Ohio City Townhomes (who lives in the corner unit) has at least one young child. James Levin lives immediately next to the Vine Industrials (on Vine Court). He's the guy in charge of Ingenuity. He has a handful of young kids.  In the general Ohio City area, I've been surprised to see so many infants in strollers during this past summer (we just moved in from Cle Hts in June).

 

Vine is really surrounded by a lot of new proposed projects:

to the south: YMCA lofts and townhomes on the current parking lot

to the north: phase II of the OC townhomes and 22 new townhomes and lofts (the old meat plant on Vine) from CoRal

to the west: Clinton Courts

 

Crime-wise: there is crime in Ohio City from what I hear. I've never had a problem in my four months. Townhomes are as safe as it gets in the OC.  From what I've heard, a fence and a garage go a long way in avoiding property crimes.

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding :-)

 

Although I'd normally recommend the "Relocation" forum for posts like yours, I guess this is the appropriate place for questions about new construction in Ohio City such as Vine Industrials. Plus, it puts this thread back on topic :-)

 

I think that area is a good spot in Ohio City. You have the Jay Lofts just south, and the Townhomes of Ohio City in the immediate area which are going to boost property values. You're also in walking distance to the hotspots on West 25th, and the soon-to-be-developed park near Riverview. I think when people say "you don't want to live in Ohio City" - they're usually referencing the rougher areas toward the west (i.e. West 50s-70s). As you said, Ohio City may not be a bubble that's completely insulated from crime but I haven't heard of too many problems over by Vine Industrials.

 

I personally love the design of the Vine Industrials, and if they do everything right, they look like they'll have a quality product (image from Progressive Urban):

I live on Clinton about one block away from Vine. My wife and I have a one-year old (and we'll have more in years to come).

 

So there aren't any issues and no worries about your wife strolling your kid in your absence?  Also - just out of curiousity - I love Cleveland Heights too - what made you move, and since you've moved do you prefer Ohio City vs. Cleveland Hts.?

I live on Clinton about one block away from Vine. My wife and I have a one-year old (and we'll have more in years to come).

 

So there aren't any issues and no worries about your wife strolling your kid in your absence?  Also - just out of curiousity - I love Cleveland Heights too - what made you move, and since you've moved do you prefer Ohio City vs. Cleveland Hts.?

 

I don't understand this question.  You could be out with or without your wife in any place in the country and something could happen. 

 

As always, I suggest visiting an area at different times and days and check out the scene for yourself.  Also...check out Shaker Square......

^At 11pm, I wouldn't want my wife walking around alone. But at 7pm, she always walks to Fairview Park or the Kentucky Gardens. We live on Clinton near W.38th. If we lived near W.50th and Bridge or south of Lorain, then I'd be more apprehensive. Clinton is pretty mellow. Its even mellower near the Vine St. townhomes (boy will that area look completely different in 3-4 years).

 

I love Cleveland Hts, but we moved for a few reasons:

1. We want to be part of the solution and not part of the reason why Cleveland declines.

2. We have a lot of friends who live in Ohio City. Its a good community.

3. We prefer the portion of Cleveland Heights that is close to Little Italy. Trying buying a home for under $300,000 in that area. The population is so so transient in Cleveland Hts due to the large student population that it can lack a sense of community unless you live east of Coventry.

4. We fell in love with our house. It was a steal. Nothing like an 1870s Victorian that's been fully updated and redone!

5. Ohio City has so much character. No need to explain this one.

 

I don't understand this question.  You could be out with or without your wife in any place in the country and something could happen. 

 

As always, I suggest visiting an area at different times and days and check out the scene for yourself.  Also...check out Shaker Square......

 

What I'm asking is whether there is much need to worry about his wife (in his absence) taking his 1 year old child for a stroll.  There are certainly areas in Cleveland I wouldn't want my wife and kid to be in my absence.  If I had a child now I would have no issues with my wife taking my kid (in my absence) for a stroll in Lakewood.  That's what I'm trying to get at. 

 

Shaker Square?  Why do you suggest I check that out? 

"I don't understand this question.  You could be out with or without your wife in any place in the country and something could happen."

 

I think it's a perfectly legitimate question. It's one thing for me to say that I feel safe in certain areas, but I'm saying that as a young, in-shape male. I know that my galpal who is 5'7" and a size 1 may not feel the same way.

 

"Shaker Square?  Why do you suggest I check that out?"

 

There's a phrase called "boosterism". I mean, I love my neighborhood (Edgewater) but I can go without suggesting it as a place for everyone to live.

 

"I don't understand this question.  You could be out with or without your wife in any place in the country and something could happen."

 

I think it's a perfectly legitimate question. It's one thing for me to say that I feel safe in certain areas, but I'm saying that as a young, in-shape male. I know that my galpal who is 5'7" and a size 1 may not feel the same way.

 

"Shaker Square?  Why do you suggest I check that out?"

 

There's a phrase called "boosterism". I mean, I love my neighborhood (Edgewater) but I can go without suggesting it as a place for everyone to live.

 

 

that is why i suggested he visit any area's he and his fiance are looking at.  Everyone has their own level of "security".

 

Plugging MY NEIGHBORHOOD Shaker Square is a shameless plug....and I'll do it again!    LOL

I'm open to any area - my only stipulation is that the design of the place be fairly modern - again one of the intriguing things about the townhomes in Ohio City. 

If you're looking for modern townhouse style living in an urban neighborhood I would also highly recommend Tremont.  It's similar to OC in many ways, but a little quieter/more isolated.  Detroit Shoreway, west of OC, also has a number of options, but is a bit more transitional.

I just bought a rehabbed house right across 32nd from the Vine Industrials, so I obviously felt comfortable with that area.  I currently live in Ohio City, but in an apartment building right on Market Square, so living on the street level will be a change for me as well. 

 

There seems to be a ton of investment taking place in that immediate area, so it should become a more attractive and safe place to live as time marches on.

I live a few blocks away near 30th & Jay and I choose to walk over in this direction most days and nights when my girl & I take our puppy for walks.  It's attractive at present and is very close to the recently rebuilt Fairview Park, but it's also just exciting to see all the new stuff happening (mentioned above).  And you can see the lake from most of the cross streets!  It's still within walking distance from the West Side Market & Dave's, has good transit options on Detroit or further down on Bridge & Lorain & W. 25th, and is very convenient to the lake and the growing Gordon Square.

 

And I've never once felt threatened over there...or anywhere in the OC for that matter.  Sure, I'd recommend accompanying your ladyfriend on night-time walks, but that's the same anywhere...suburb or city.

It looks like the Westside Community house is completing its move down Lorain Rd.  There is an article in today's PD about it.

 

not finding this article, Wim.  Can you post it?

Alert! Alert! New retail coming to Ohio City!

 

That's right, if you haven't noticed already, there have been a few new vacancies along W. 25th, north of Bridge.  The Asian food store closed up and vacated after a short tenure (I think they sold two bags of rice and some trail mix while they were there) and the frame shop that was linked with Near West Woodworks had also moved out.  This made for a sad little situation in some of the nicer storefronts on W. 25th, bracketing Opa. 

 

Well, in the past week, I've seen two new signs in windows...one for a store called The Monastery and the other for Timz Ladies Shoes (or shoes for ladies...I can't remember).  So, the monastery... goth wear?  leather?  church decor?  Nope!  I can't remember exactly what the sign says, but it's something about culinary creations.  And Timz Ladies Shoes...well, I'm assuming they'll be selling shoes for ladies.  But what kind?  Are we looking at pay-less, the shoe department, DSW?  Or are we talking a cute little boutique?  We shall see!

 

One last note, Fit now has its signs painted on its windows in the old Metro Joe's spot on Bridge, across from the library...and they're open for business!  Anyone need a personal trainer?

the Monastery: Creative culinary concoctions

 

Oh, does Tim have some sort of foot fetish??

thanks for the clarification Wim.  and you'll just have to ask Tim!

 

Maybe he heard that your sister-in-law moved to the street and that she spends approximately 5% of her annual household income on shoes!  That's buying power, baby!

you know what I want? I just want a place in OC that sells stamps. and not having to stand in the 30 minute check cashing/money order/lottery line at daves. thats all.

Hey now!  That sounds like some "random Cleveland venting" ;)

Anyone see the two news blurbs in yesterday's PD that pertain to the OC?  One was about St. Ignatius building a community park with a driving range and basketball court and the other was about CMHA installing green roofs on top of Riverview Towers, which will save them millions each year.  Nice!

Oooh, got 'em!  Love the Lexis-Nexis!

 

Both from the October 11th PD:

 

Basketball court, golf center

 

The Ohio City community gained an outdoor basketball court and golf-learning center through a cooperative effort by Saint Ignatius High School, the Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership and Trinity Lutheran Church. The recreation area on West 29th Street off of Lorain Avenue includes an $18,000 golf center, with a three-station driving range, and the $30,000 full-size basketball court. Cement Masons Local 404; Laborers Local 310; local construction, design and supply companies; and the Browns made the area possible.

 

 

CMHA 'green' building to save energy, money

 

Grant Segall, Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Braving the lakefront wind atop a high-rise, officials announced plans to turn the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority green.

 

Green as in conservation, and green as in money.

 

On the roof of a 19-story building at Lakeview Terrace, CMHA Executive Director George A. Phillips said a 12-year contract for energy conservation would save about $4 million per year for the authority and additional money for the tenants, who pay for their utilities on a sliding scale.

 

 

more at: http://www.cleveland.com

- The old YMCA building at W. 32nd and Franklin, being developed into apartments by the same guy who did Detroit Avenue Lofts

 

The condo units at the YMCA building are now listed on Progressive Urban -- first time I've noticed that -- and they're reasonably priced as well.

^Nice!  He's really wasting no time with this conversion.

 

There's some intense work going on inside of the Market Square Building.  I still haven't heard anything about the time frame for that one, but it's nice to see them coming back from last year's fire.

 

There's a new sign on the Monastery space...something about food and coffee...so I guess it'll be a restaurant/cafe of sorts.

I checked out Rysar's website to see if anything had changed concerning Clinton Courts.  If I remember correctly, the price has been lowered to $199,900.  I take that as a positive: it means that they still are thinking about the project and that its more likely to sell quickly.

- The old YMCA building at W. 32nd and Franklin, being developed into apartments by the same guy who did Detroit Avenue Lofts

 

The condo units at the YMCA building are now listed on Progressive Urban -- first time I've noticed that -- and they're reasonably priced as well.

 

Hmm, I can't find it on the site. Any help?

^Try this.  It's one of the listings; there are multiple.

 

EDIT (to fix URL link):  http://pure.visn.net/cgi-bin/search.cgi?view_details.x=1&mls=2330326&current_page=1&area

 

Even though it is a PURE listing, it only shows up when you "Search all MLS listings".  Filter on the Ohio City/Tremont neighborhood and keep your eye out for 3200 Franklin.

^Try this.  It's one of the listings; there are multiple.

 

http://realez.progressiveurban.com/propview.php?view=19242370

 

Even though it is a PURE listing, it only shows up when you "Search all MLS listings".  Filter on the Ohio City/Tremont neighborhood and keep your eye out for 3200 Franklin.

 

Nothing's coming up.

How about this?  (I even tested it before, and it worked -- not sure why it stopped working)

 

http://pure.visn.net/cgi-bin/search.cgi?view_details.x=1&mls=2330326&current_page=1&area