Thanks.

 

I hope that once they get some floorplans, etc that they'll put this up on the main page. Right now, you'd really have to stumble across it to find it.

something new I found out that is coming to OC: the "Pride Clinic" at Mcafferty Center on Lorain (around 4400 block). Is is Wednesday only (at least at first) starting in Dec, for transgenered men and women.  Apparently a lot of transgendered folks are embarrassed to go seek health care, are rejected by providers, or have special needs that typical providers do not know about --so this clinic would help ease these concerns. Anyway I believe the clinic will be staffed by transgenered professionals. Pretty cool and a welcome addition to our neighborhood. :clap:

There is another condo project in the works for the upper Ohio City area.  I don't have any details other than a condo project is being proposed at the intersection of Detroit Ave and West 32th on the old Cleveland Yacht Supply property.  This would add to a vibrant cluster on the two block section of West 32th between Detroit and Franklin Ave (OC YMCA, OC Townhomes, Vine Industrials, Ewoops renovated home, and CoRal's townhomes. 

Anyone seen any activity over at 26th & Jay lately?  I haven't seen a soul.  Plus, the pile of trash is still there and the plastic window coverings have all torn and are now flapping in the breeze.  Very unsightly!  Yet, they continue to promote the project just two blocks away at the Bier Markt...

Good to see the old YMCA building up and advertising itself. Work slowly continues on the inside as the drywall is going up. This area of OC will look so different in a couple of years. Exciting stuff.

 

 

Franklin Lofts offers eighteen condominiums on historic Franklin Boulevard in Ohio City.

 

Priced from the mid $100's

 

 

Features:

 

1,000-2,000 sq. ft.

1-2 BR's, 1-2 BA's

Secure and covered parking

Hardwood floors in living room area

Granite kitchen countertops

Maple cabinets

Common exercise room

Storage units in building

12 year tax abatement

1.5% reduced rate financing through Key Bank

 

 

is there a website?

Its on www.progressiveurban.com

thanks I didn't even think to look there.  A young lady I know from Philadelphia is interested in moving into the area

thanks I didn't even think to look there.  A young lady I know from Philadelphia is interested in moving into the area

 

Well, she'll have her pick between:

 

Vine Industrials

Jay Lofts

Franklin Lofts

CoRal townhomes

condo midrise on Detroit??

Clinton Courts

she's already been to Cleveland quite a few times.  She's transferring to TWC and is thrilled at the REVERSE sticker shock. 

 

She's interested in the Flats, Tremont and Ohio City, the Walker & Weeks Bldg. and Asian Village.

^Well, she should have loads of good choices in those areas...some on the cheap and some on the pricier side of things...but it'll all look remarkably affordable to her!  Is she keeping her NYC salary?

 

Is she looking for new construction? new to market? or a classic?  You know where to turn for more advice!

 

BTW, in regard to Franklin Lofts, what happened to the pool?  Have the developers decided to scrap that idea?  I know they're still sincerely talking of developing townhomes on the lot across 32nd...

^Well, she should have loads of good choices in those areas...some on the cheap and some on the pricier side of things...but it'll all look remarkably affordable to her!  Is she keeping her NYC salary?

 

Is she looking for new construction? new to market? or a classic?  You know where to turn for more advice!

 

BTW, in regard to Franklin Lofts, what happened to the pool?  Have the developers decided to scrap that idea?  I know they're still sincerely talking of developing townhomes on the lot across 32nd...

 

I'm pretty sure she'll keep her salary, granted i don't think Philly Salaries are far off from Cleveland.  UO is the first place I told her to look!  She has a condo in Philly (not to far from Temple) so I know she'll have some money to play with.

oh, philly, sorry.  lovely town!

Franklin Lofts Condominiums were the most recent headline development on the PURE eNews that goes out each week.  It's nice to see something new to buy in Ohio City that covers a broad range of price points, from $100+.

 

Also, an update on my favorite heap o' trash at W. 26th & Bridge... it's been removed!  Wahoo!

 

 

Construction is coming along nicely on the building that burned last year on West 25th close to the market. It looks quite nice.

^^Isn't it just in dumpsters? I was over there this morning and there were two full dumpsters on the site.

I'm sure you're right... I just got tired of seeing the rotting mattress sitting next to the sidewalk.  But how about hauling the dumpsters off every once in a while?  That's my next crusade!

Bar denied attempt to add dance club

Thursday, November 16, 2006

By David Plata

West Side Sun News

A request by Envy, a controversial restaurant and bar on West 25th Street, to expand by adding a dance club has been denied.

 

The city board of zoning appeals on Monday unanimously turned down the request after a fusillade of opposition from residents, business and community groups.

 

In June, a patron of the establishment was shot and killed in a parking lot across the street after leaving the bar.

 

"My fear is for the safety of my employees," Daniel Sedor, president of Voss Industries Inc., told the board. "It's well known there was a murder in our parking lot."

 

Voss, a metal bindings manufacturer and defense contractor, employs about 260 people working three shifts.

 

Patrons of Envy which has been operating as a dance club Friday and Saturday nights, but without a permit had been using the Voss parking lot across the street. Since the shooting, the lot has been chained off.

 

Envy's variance request was to operate a dance club in a semi-industry district, and within 500 feet of a residential district.

 

Erica McDaniel, representing Envy owners ZMDS Entertainment and Davor Stevanovic, told the board the business, which only has eight parking spots, also requested a variance to allow for parking at two off-lot sites.

 

Joe Mazzola, director of Ohio City Near West Development Corp., the local nonprofit development group, presented the zoning board with a resolution against Envy. The OCNW board is expected to approve the resolution Dec. 6, he said.

 

Opponents also said the residents' group Near West Neighbors in Action complained of residents being assaulted by Envy patrons, and of public urination and drug trafficking by patrons.

 

McDaniel also dismissed comparisons to Club Moda, the notorious West 25th nightspot shut down earlier this year. She said Envy planned to hire three security officers and two off-duty police officers to ensure security.

 

Councilman Joe Santiago, D-14, asked by the zoning board to comment on the variance request in his ward, gave a rambling talk repeating most of the points made during the hearing, then concluded, "I'm not here to oppose or support" the plan.

Good for the residents!  Envy is nothing but trouble (although, I tend to think the residents' assaults, drug-trafficking and public urination might be the products of opponents' over-active imaginations)... As I've said before, I sure wish OCNW could concentrate on expanding the success of Market Square south along W. 25, which would include Envy.  It seems everything just kind of stops at the old, dilapidated United Bank building (that has such huge potential, in itself) and the crappy Market Sq. plaza across the street.

 

Ohio City is great, but still has a ways to go before it's truly arrived in my mind.  I'm still amazed at how rundown and seedy the residential area is immediately east of the Rapid Station along Abbey Ave.  OCNW's magic wand, that was so successfully waved over the Bridge Street corridor, certainly hasn't reached this quadrant, save the nice Velvet Tango Room jazz club.  Is there any more talk of Hope VI building residential units around/over the Rapid stop?  ... sounded promising.

Using Google Earth, it looks like the building they purchased is the crappy convienient store at the corner of Franklin & 25th.  I was always hoping that this building would be torn down and replaced with something much better once all of the parking lots near there are consolidated into parking decks.  I've never heard of this company -- Cinecraft -- before either.

 

 

Cinecraft crafts property purchase

By JOHN BOOTH

8:31 am, November 20, 2006

 

Multimedia company Cinécraft Productions Inc. has purchased a 4,000-square foot building across the street from its Ohio City headquarters at 2515 Franklin Blvd, but has no immediate plans to occupy any of its new space.

 

More at:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20061120/FREE/61120004

Well, that's cool!  That building needs to be scrapped ASAP!  The Cinecraft building, on the other hand, is a beauty!

I'm surprised that Lutheran/Clinic didn't buy the land. I believe that they own all the parking lots that surround this parcel.

The Monastery (W. 25th, next to the Old Angle) looks about ready to open.  The paper's out of the windows and there's a menu up next to the front door.  It looks like they have a full tea menu and some tasty comfort food.  I didn't get a good look inside, but I'm going to try to go when they're open!

 

Haven't seen a soul on the Jay Lofts site in a while, but the Market Square Building is bumping every day.  They've got new floors in and some new exterior walls where the old ones were knocked out after the fire.

I am looking forward to checking out the monastery. here is another new place (I poached this off another community site)

Ohio City Cafe & Grill at 1496 W. 29th Street.

 

They are not open Sundays, but are open Monday to Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM.

>

>The owners are Tiffany and Michael. Tiffany was the former chief at the

>It's

>It's

 

I estimate this to be running behind Lutheran somewhere

Weird...I'm not picturing that.  It appears to be a block west of Halite...

I know. I was just down that way a few days ago before I saw this post and do not remember anything. maybe it is a set up?  :-o

It's just south of Detroit in the complex containing "The Shed."  They have a sign advertising the cafe on Detroit. 

I had visited the ohio city cafe and grill on w.28 or w. 29 near detroit last week.

 

I had a cup of coffee and since they didn't have any pastries or muffins, I had oatmeal.

Certainly nothing to write home about and the coffee was terrible.  It seems like many new businesses in ohio city are content to enter the market with low expectations for their customers.  A fine example is the new Nick's on Lorain just west of Randall.  I received a flyer on my car trumping great coffee and a $1.99 breakfast with 3 eggs, 3 sausage, toast, hashbrowns, etc.

I'm not sure I want to know where those eggs come from. 

 

Nick's may very well improve as the new owner is the son of the building owner, and original owner of Nick's.  Currently, however it is mired in mediocrity. 

 

I just want a decent cup of coffee for cryin' out loud!  Outside of oui oui and their sporadic hours and city roast, no one in the OC is serving great coffee.  frustrating.

I've had several great cups of coffee while dining in at Oui Oui, but the one time I got coffee to go, it was baaad.  Lukewarm and not particularly tasty.  Near West Coffee & Tea isn't great either.  What about Talkies?  I don't seem to have any bad memories from theirs.  Here's another problem, though: no one knows how to make a decent espresso or Americano! 

 

What ever happened to the Ohio City Coffee Collaborative? 

I'll make some good coffee and invite you two over. Sound good?

I'll believe it when I see it...errr...taste it!

^Mrs. Good Day brought over some nice coffee this morning. Some sort of hazelnut/toffee smell to it.  The coffee you seek is right under your nose, Mr. Good Day!

 

 

Yeah, Talkies is pretty good. City Roast is the best, but it's only open when the Market is. Oui Oui has good dine-in coffee (in French presses) but the carryout is just plain ol' drip.

 

I don't know what happened to the coffee collaborative. The last I heard they had almost reached their fundraising goal -- but that was months ago, and nothing has happened since.

 

Strangely, I can get better espresso drinks in Chinatown than I ever did in the OC. Koko Bakery serves up a mean cup of latte.

^Mrs. Good Day brought over some nice coffee this morning. Some sort of hazelnut/toffee smell to it.  The coffee you seek is right under your nose, Mr. Good Day!

That's neighborly - do you people live on wysteria lane?  :wink:

Strangely, I can get better espresso drinks in Chinatown than I ever did in the OC. Koko Bakery serves up a mean cup of latte.

You're the fourth or fifth person to say that.  I gotta check this joint out.

 

strange... but good for you B12! 

 

Wim, I know I get good coffee from home, but what about when I just feel like buying a cup on the go some day?  I have to wait 'til I get over to school or work, which means that I don't have any coffee for the commute!

 

By the way, that morning blend has caramel in it today...no toffee or hazelnut

Granted it isn't in Ohio City, and I'm guessing that everyone already knows - but the folks who own City Roast are the same people at Civilization in Tremont (thus, more convenient hours than the Market). 

Anyone know how the coffee is at Algebra in Little Italy?

I do like Civilization, but I love Lucky's!  Where is our Lucky's in the OC?  I guess we'll just have to open it... W. 38th & Whitman, perhaps?

38th and Whitman would be a nice location. How about putting a Starbucks at Jay/W.30th? I hear that there is a parcel there and that the community wouldn't be opposed to a drive thru window in the alley. Oh, but make sure that there is enough parking. The locals really fear a lack of parking.  Ok, mission accomplished.

you're out of your mind, Wim!

 

I am curious to see what Heartland's plans are for the first floor of the Jay Hotel.  Also, they've got another big spot on the other side of the development (facing Bridge) that has the potential for something dense, multi-story, perhaps with a retail tenant.  Proximity and contiguity from the Old Angle and Dave's would possibly make this a good retail location.  I could see them just going for more townhouses, though...

this is a reply to all!

YES, we need a Lucky's- Algebra tea house (that place is awesome!) hybrid . I adore Lucky's. With exception of one visit, the coffee has always been great. the sat/sun brunch is fab.

 

Nicks: a dive, but the service is good...and for a cheap diner, the coffee is oddly flavorful. I have eaten there many times and lived to tell about it. When did the new owner take over? All the wait staff have been there a long time and I have not noticed a menu change.

 

Ohio City Cafe and Grill (the new one of 29th/Detroit) . Picked up a menu today, classic diner stuff. but we already have a few of those-how about some innovation!

 

Starbucks: they are an evil empire  :lol: with many marketing geniuses who will open a store the very second there is the perfect population to open a store and turn a profit. In fact I have heard stories where they lease empty space for next to nothing and wait to strike. I know there is a building across from stone bridge where they have a sleeper cell waiting...waiting... for one more yuppie to close on a condo.

 

wimwar that coffee sounds good...maybe I am off to the market now for a cup..

Starbucks: they are an evil empire   :lol: with many marketing geniuses who will open a store the very second there is the perfect population to open a store and turn a profit. In fact I have heard stories where they lease empty space for next to nothing and wait to strike. I know there is a building across from stone bridge where they have a sleeper cell waiting...waiting... for one more yuppie to close on a condo.

 

The real estate arms of Starbucks, the Gap Inc., Sephora, Rite Aid, McDonalds, the limited Brands, to name a few, along with various banks do this without blinking.  Many times, they "lease" space, sight unseen or unbuilt to block competition as the preconstruction price to lease is significantly cheaper.

^ that is exactly it...you just put it better than I did!

I, too, love Algebra Tea House!

 

But, I'd stop far short of calling Starbucks and "evil empire."  True, their market strategy of squeezing out the little guy is crappy, but they also have one of the most sustainable (ie: green & equitable) corporations I've come across.  From their purchasing and product selection to their employee benefits packages, I could think of a few worse companies that I'd not want to see in my neighborhoood.

I will settle for slightly evil empire as I would rather see a local guy or gal succeed (but they need to have good coffee of course!)...that said I am impressed that Starbucks has some sort of health care for their workers. A lot can be said for that, I admit

I heard from the person who is developing the corner of W. 32nd and Detroit. (I think wimwar has made passing reference to this before.) He is planning to build two condo buildings -- one 5 stories, the other 7 stories. The units will range in size from 1,100 to 2,500 square feet. Prices will start in the low 200s, but will also include some high-end penthouse units. Preliminary designs are done and they are going through the design review process now.

 

I'm not sure exactly what parcels he's working with. My first thought is that the seven story building, in particular, may be a little out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood and that he will run into some problems in design review. The existing buildings at the intersection are one and two story wood buildings -- nothing at all special.

2500sq ft is huge for a condo. But I do think that developers have been missing out on that portion of the market. 

 

Thanks for the info, Blinker.

2500sq ft is huge for a condo. But I do think that developers have been missing out on that portion of the market. 

 

Thanks for the info, Blinker.

 

Huge, I think that's about average.  I think condo's of that size would appeal to families in Ohio City.  Families that want the urban experience without the yard work.

If you're talking about Detroit Avenue, I think there's some serious potential for taller buildings over there.  You already have a few in the 4-story range on the north side of the street, so if you want to capitalize on views, you're going to have to build taller.  Not to mention that no one is talking about building anything comparable to the public housing or hospital bohemoths that dominate the landscape over there.  Further, much of Detroit and adjacent parcels is currently zoned for industrial use, so who's gonna complain?  Wim?  You're not going to complain, are you?

 

By the way, is this separate from both the HOPE VI and A Place for Us proposals?  If so, we're talking about quite a few units over here in the next 5-10 years.  That, in my opinion, is what SHOULD be happening at this location!

Great to see some more market-rate projects coming in the pipeline! 

 

2500sq ft is huge for a condo. But I do think that developers have been missing out on that portion of the market. 

 

Thanks for the info, Blinker.

 

Huge, I think that's about average.  I think condo's of that size would appeal to families in Ohio City.  Families that want the urban experience without the yard work.

 

FYI, 2,500 is waaaay larger than average for multi-fam units.  Per US census, median/average sf of new for-sale units completed in 2005 in the Midwest was 1,418/1,504  (http://www.census.gov/const/C25Ann/mfu_medavgsqft.pdf)