On 11/15/2018 at 1:04 PM, OldBearcat said:

No they don't when compared to a traditional intersection. A driver has to look left to yield to get into a roundabout, that's it. For a single lane roundabout (RAB) this represents one conflict point that is the yielding driver's responsibility.  There are 32 conflict points in a traditional intersection as compared to just 8 conflicts in a RAB intersection.  All conflicts in a RAB are low angle and slow speed, whereas  the 32 conflict points in a traditional intersection are high angle and higher energy points.

 

A well-designed RAB puts the pedestrian crossing directly in front of the driver's eye, also with a pedestrian crossing set back one full vehicle length from the yield line (That way, pedestrians do not have to cross in front of drivers that are looking for their gap in traffic).  There are 16 pedestrian/vehicle conflict points in a traditional intersection as compared to 8 pedestrian/vehicle conflicts in a RAB intersection.

 

I don't know about a brand new roundabout but I'd sure like tosee real Franklin Circle brought back!

Edited November 17, 20186 yr by lafont

 

^Looks great!  I didn't know it was open during my visit last month or I would have stopped in.

On 11/17/2018 at 9:25 AM, lafont said:

Sure hope that's the start for construction of the new, curved apt. house....

I was just there.  Didn't see digging that looked new.  Where exactly is the new apartment house supposed to go?  I was thinking northeast of the long-gone circle.

On 11/17/2018 at 12:10 PM, KJP said:

OMG! That's my article. Lol, I didn't expect to log on today and see that posted here! Glad to see it got some traction, though. ?

 

 

 

On Dec. 3 BZA......

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2018/crr12-03-2018.pdf

 

9:30 Calendar No. 18-253: 4607 Lorain Ave. Ward 3 Kerry McCormack 13 Notices

4607 Lorain LLC., owner, proposes to establish first floor retail use and 6 residential units with nonconforming parking in a C2 Local Retail Business District and a Pedestrian Retail Overlay District. The owner appeals for relief from the strict application of the following sections of the Cleveland Codified Ordinances: 1. Section 349.04 which states that accessory off-street parking is required at the rate of one space per residential unit, and one space per 500 square feet of retail space. The retail space parking requirement can be reduced by one-third, per Section 343.23(i). A total of 10 off-street spaces are required and four are provided. (Filed Nov. 2, 2018)

 

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/4607-Lorain-Ave-Cleveland-OH/9961417/

 

 

Some news about the big Weston-Kertesz development that's still looming out there... They are trying to buy the big 5-acre parking lot from Lutheran Hospital. But that's not as easy or simple as it sounds. It requires navigating a maze of departments and approval processes at Cleveland Clinic. And that doesn't count trying to come up with at least $20 million for a huge parking garage that can also serve the new Irishtown Bend Park. A TIF is being contemplated. I also suggested that they could do what the Clinic did to help fund its huge parking garage at East 93rd and Euclid -- get federal transportation dollars for it and call it a multimodal transportation center. The Clinic isn't going to pay for it out of its own pocket, not when they're content with the parking situation they have. If someone wants to change it, they're going to have to come up with the funding for it. So....it's moving, but slowly.

 

On 11/13/2018 at 11:12 PM, X said:

There's no room for anything like that on Franklin.  I'm guessing they're talking about those little middle-of-the-intersection planter/gardens that are just big enough to make you slow down to go around them.

 

On 11/13/2018 at 11:12 PM, X said:

There's no room for anything like that on Franklin.  I'm guessing they're talking about those little middle-of-the-intersection planter/gardens that are just big enough to make you slow down to go around them.

 

??  There are no buildings right there except for the hospital in one corner.  Shouldn't there about as much room for a circle as there was, say, in 1910?

Yeah, three quarters of the circle can still be seen from goog maps, the only thing that would have to go is some of the churche lawn and the ambulance drive-through .

I wasn't referencing Franklin Circle, but rather the series of "traffic calming" roundabouts that they are suggesting for the length of Franklin.

Along the sames lines, this summer I was showing my friend around Ohio City and noticed there are a lot of silly little traffic lights all over the neighborhood at a lot of intersections. Seems to me a lot of them could be turned into 4 way stop signs, with well striped crosswalks. It would fit the character of a residential neighborhood better and save the city money on maintenance. They seemed uneeded for how light traffic is around there. 

 

Some Examples:

 

Bridge Ave and W. 28th

Bridge Ave and W 30th

Fulton and W 30th.

Franklin and W 32nd

^disagree with every example you list

^ Why is that? I feel like on residential side streets with lighter traffic, 4 way stop signs and well marked crosswalks are much more calming to traffic for pedestrians. Drivers see a green light and assume right of way, even when making right or left turns into pedestrian paths. We experienced it first hand crossing at a couple of the intersections mentioned.

So i have been looking around and i cant find any information about the empty building directly East from Ohio City Galley.  Its been Vacant for a while now and the leasing information has been removed.  Is this land part of the Irish Bend Project?  or is there a possibility to add for Density with another building here?  I've attached a picture for clarity.

FYI....

 

Add Bobby George's name to the next round of West 25th Street plays

https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180626/news/166371/add-bobby-georges-name-next-round-west-25th-street-plays

 

This property was sought for Irishtown Bend Park. But George bought it with the full knowledge of those plans. He publicly admits he bought it without his own end-use plan. However, he's going to need a variance to add enough parking here to make a go at whatever he's intending to do here. I don't think he's going to get that variance. We discussed this project earlier in this thread. Most here seemed to agree that this acquisition is an apparent ploy by George to pump up the price of this property and get more money from the county, then walk away from his "project" a wealthier man.

Edited December 7, 20186 yr by KJP

I am really starting to not like this guy, he seems like a real jerk.  I understand business is business but this just seems dirty! 

 

I have sources indicating Bobby George has indeed purchased the building and in discussion around a tenant who is working on a partnership with the irishtown bend project.  Breaking news here is (god willing) it will NOT be another eatery or brewery!

 

Haven't heard any updates since summer though, so not sure current status.

 

On 12/7/2018 at 4:36 PM, tklg said:

I have sources indicating Bobby George has indeed purchased the building and in discussion around a tenant who is working on a partnership with the irishtown bend project.  Breaking news here is (god willing) it will NOT be another eatery or brewery!

 

Haven't heard any updates since summer though, so not sure current status.

 

I thought the George’s were done with acquisitions in Cuyahoga County?

19 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

I thought the George’s were done with acquisitions in Cuyahoga County?

I'm not sure where you heard that, but I assure you that is not the case.

 

Edited to add: @KJP did forget about Tony George saying that, but Bobby George did come out and disagreed with his father. But I also meant to imply that there are other transactions the "tail-wagging" son is working on.

Edited December 10, 20186 yr by andrew0816
Edited for clairty

19 minutes ago, andrew0816 said:

I'm not sure where you heard that, but I assure you that is not the case.

 

Tony George said he would move his restaurants and business out of Cuyahoga County if it passed the LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance. So the county said, "bye."

 

Edited to direct this part to the correct person...  But @YABO713 this property acquisition isn't Tony George's. It's his tail-wagging kid's.

Edited December 10, 20186 yr by KJP

Meanwhile, the big, visible property across Detroit Avenue is about to go on the market. Could be yuuuge...

@KJP Which property?

It's all spelled out in my article "Pop goes the West Rim" I posted here yesterday.

 

EDIT: Here's the link for convenience....

https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2018/12/pop-goes-west-rim.html

 

And of course, a couple of maps

 

Edited December 11, 20186 yr by KJP

12 hours ago, KJP said:

Meanwhile, the big, visible property across Detroit Avenue is about to go on the market. Could be yuuuge...

 

NICEEEE teaser for the article. Well played. 

That's county property, right?

5 minutes ago, StapHanger said:

That's county property, right?

 

Yes, as noted in the article. ? 

Developing that corner would really start to tie the Superior Viaduct and West Bank of the flats into the fabric of Ohio City as well.

^Especially if there was a pedestrian walkway between buildings where that diagonal sidewalk is today

 

Does anybody have intel on the parking lot(s) across detroit from Linda's/Jamestown building?  I had heard Snavely was interested but nothing since then.

Edited December 11, 20186 yr by RMB

5 hours ago, tj111 said:

Developing that corner would really start to tie the Superior Viaduct and West Bank of the flats into the fabric of Ohio City as well.

 

Add in another building behind there, the one that Daryl Kertesz seeks. But he dropped enough hints that he isn't interested in another top-of-the-market residential building. Most of his properties are B- and C-class multifamily. That's his expertise. I'd look for him to build something similar there. I don't know if he's going to build 20 stories like he wants, or even 11 stories that the code allows. But I think he's got a shot at building some meaningful density there.

^Could you give an example from around town of one of his C-class multifamily buildings (or even a B-class)

Finally, a development that could put the prospect of a revamped Skywalk through the Detroit-Superior Bridge into arm's reach. From a high-line style urban park in the sky to pop-up retail or events in the abandoned subway stations on either side of the bridge, it could easily become one of the most unique urban spaces in the country. I would sincerely hope that the County / whomever responsible for disposing of that property will keep that broader goal in mind when entertaining buyers. Is there anything the City of Cleveland can do to influence that outcome? (e.g. conditioning approvals for future development plans on the basis of supporting a redevelopment of the underside of the bridge, codifying it in the City Master Plan, etc.). 

Edited December 11, 20186 yr by ASP1984

9 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

^Could you give an example from around town of one of his C-class multifamily buildings (or even a B-class)

 

Unfortunately, I didn't ask him for an example. But I did a search on his company "Activity Capital" and came up with a number of multifamily properties around town with "Activity" as the first word in them. Ironically, one of them is the apartment building right next door to my Lakewood condo! I checked the incorporation of "Activity Clifon LLC" and, sure enough, it lists to Daryl Kertesz! What's just as interesting is he has it listed for sale at $1 million. 

 

Here are all of his properties according to the county's fiscal officer.....
 

121-18-016

ACTIVITY HOLDING LLC

2174-76 E 105 ST

CLEVELAND, OH.  44106

 

312-29-031

ACTIVITY CLIFTON LLC

12015 CLIFTON BLVD

LAKEWOOD, OH.  44107

 

684-04-025

ACTIVITY HAMPSHIRE LLC

2814 HAMPSHIRE RD

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH.  44118

 

763-13-004

ACTIVITY HOLDING II LLC

4950 GREEN RD

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH.  44128

 

762-30-003

ACTIVITY HOLDING II LLC

NORTHFIELD RD

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH.  44128

 

762-23-074

ACTIVITY HOLDING II LLC

WARRENSVILLE RD

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH.  44128

 

763-12-109

ACTIVITY HOLDING II LLC

VERA ST

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH.  44128

 

The county/city should only vacate about half of Superior Viaduct and add on to the Campbell block parcel. The other parcels should be combined into one or two (west and east). East could be developed with 15-20ish stories. West block and Campbell with 6ish. And then non or limted vehicular Superior viaduct running down the middle from the 25th/Detroit intersection. That's how I would do it.

In cities with robust rail ridership, larger residential and commercial buildings are typically placed closest to rail stations & get smaller & more car-oriented the farther away from the station. If we want to make the best use of Cleveland's rail asset, we need TOD!

 

A non-copyrighted article below.....

 

Dec 10, 2018

Tags: 

Community

Written by Amy Snell, RTA Planning Team Leader

 

RTA is in the TOD Business!

 

How would you like to exit the W.25th Street Rapid Station and find yourself just steps from your apartment? The office? Bars, Restaurants, and Shopping?  That is what Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is all about! With the help from our regional partners, the Cleveland Metroparks are constructing the Red Line Greenway – a multi-use, 1.8 mile trail vacant railroad right-of-way that plans to open late 2021!  This project was been funded by the Federal Transit Administration, with the sole purpose to reinvesting in communities for economic opportunity! That is why we believe that with this trail, the vacant property along Columbus and Abbey Road will be a catalyst for growth in the neighborhood and become truly accessible by all, through rapid transit, BRT, bike, cars, and on foot!

 

So why this site?

 

The W.25th Street Station is already known for being located in one of the hippest neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio City.  With excess land not being used for track maintenance and the Red Line Greenway, this provides an opportunity to make the W.25th Street Rapid Station more centrally located as a hub for the neighborhood, and connect the nearby Duck Island Community with W.25th Street. 

 

Earlier this fall, RTA announced it is working to find a reputable partner to work with RTA and the community in creating a development that will be beneficial for all.  This TOD project is not just an RTA project, but a project that will ask for stakeholder and community support.  The more successful this development is, the better it is for RTA!  This project could be used as a source of revenue that can be returned to customers like you!

 

Keep an eye out for future information and developments on this exciting project, and how you can get involved and stay informed. RTA is excited about this project, our partnership with Cleveland Metroparks, and the future of Transit Oriented Development in Cleveland.

 

http://www.riderta.com/blogs/tod-red-line-greenway

^If only RTA and its predecessors had started thinking this way 60 years ago.

Sadly, many transit in the USA agencies didn't think this way. And the federal government hasn't been financially supportive of TOD until very recently...as in, since 2015.

^TOD is a smaller version of what the railroads and the early streetcar/interurban lines did from 1850-1929. How did the idea elude the mid-century transit planners? (No answer required.)

I think you know the answer. If not, read the book "Getting There: the epic struggle between road and rail in the American century." Book is worth reading regardless, especially if you like politics, big business, transportation, and the brutal relationships between each, etc.

Ten Northeast Ohio buildings are awarded Historic Preservation Tax Credits

 

Belden Seymour (Cleveland)

Total project cost: $2,221,700

Total tax credit: $222,000

Address: 3805 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland, 44113

 

Description: "Built in 1874 in the Italianate Style, the Belden Seymour house was converted from single-family use to apartments. Now vacant, the building's small apartments will be redeveloped into larger units. The tower, reduced in height during a previous renovation, will be restored to its original height."

 

AND

 

Rhodes Mansion (Cleveland)

Total project cost: $13,062,715

Total tax credit: $1,373,109

Address: 2905 Franklin Blvd.

 

Description: "The Rhodes Mansion, constructed in 1874, spent its first 40 years as a residence. However, from 1914 until recently, it was owned and used by Cuyahoga County as offices, a nursing home, and archives storage. Now vacant, the historic home, along with an annex built by the county, will be converted into 33 market-rate apartments. An additional nine townhouse units will be constructed on an adjacent vacant lot."

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/ten-northeast-ohio-buildings-are-awarded-historic-preservation-tax-credits

Edited December 12, 20186 yr by KJP

I'm fully on board with this, but that RTA press release is a little confusing.  Are they referring to some kind of structure they're going to build near the greenway, or is the article about the greenway itself?  Presumably the former but the article doesn't quite make that leap.

7 minutes ago, 327 said:

I'm fully on board with this, but that RTA press release is a little confusing.  Are they referring to some kind of structure they're going to build near the greenway, or is the article about the greenway itself?  Presumably the former but the article doesn't quite make that leap.

 

It's about the proposed townhouses on RTA land along Columbus Road, mentioned last in my blog: https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2018/11/big-developments-converge-on-ohio-citys.html

 

Some neighbors are raising a little stink about this, complaining that the west side of Columbus Road should be left undeveloped. The Red Line Greenway founder claims this will mess up his vision for the greenway. While I don't know exactly what his vision is, it won't block its construction. Also I believe that no greenway should be built here and this right of way reserved for future commuter and intercity railroad passenger use to restore such services to Tower City Center. But an interim trail use would be OK as long as they understand it is an interim use.

Interesting.  I'm supportive of the greenway idea, but not to the extent that it blocks actual urban development.

It's a tough decision for planners- there are really two very good uses for that site.  It can either be part of the linear park that the Redline Greenway organization has been envisioning, or it can be TOD.  I hope they find a way to split the middle, with some attractive high density use right at the W. 25th St station, but most of the land left for parkland further south.

12 minutes ago, KJP said:

Some neighbors are raising a little stink about this, complaining that the west side of Columbus Road should be left undeveloped. The Red Line Greenway founder claims this will mess up his vision for the greenway. While I don't know exactly what his vision is, it won't block its construction. Also I believe that no greenway should be built here and this right of way reserved for future commuter and intercity railroad passenger use to restore such services to Tower City Center. But an interim trail use would be OK as long as they understand it is an interim use.

 

I went to a meeting at Forest City Brewery where reps from the Rotary Club presented their objection to RTA developing the hillside. While I love the idea of the greenway, I had a similar concern in the back of my mind about giving up the ROW for future rail expansion. Once people get used to green space it will be nearly impossible to give it up. Exhibit A is the hillside itself.

I hope that many of you who support RTA's sale of the land to the developer will speak up when it comes time for the RTA's board to vote on it. That will likely happen in February. If I hear any date/time/contact info, I will pass it along.

 

EDIT -- as I typed that, I got an e-mail from RTA on their 2019 board meeting schedules! The next two months look like this.....

 

January 8 – Committees

January 15 – Board

 

February 5 – Committees

February 19 – Board

 

 

Edited December 12, 20186 yr by KJP