^On the topic of Rockport Square, they've got the foundations for another 6 townhouses up now.  Still no loft building though.

 

I'm surprised that Lakewood doesn't have some kind of law or regulation that forbids new developments from being set back from the street. Yeah, it's up to the developer how a building should be placed, but Lakewood isn't exactly Brunswick.

Lakewood riverfront project allowed to proceed Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Molly Kavanaugh

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Lakewood- An upscale riverfront development announced more than a year ago has the green light to proceed.

 

The Cliffs on Rocky River needed land and money for an access road, and both issues have now been resolved. The city will provide $250,000, the county is donating 0.4 of an acre and Cleveland Metroparks signed a memo of understanding agreeing to grant an easement...

 

more at http://www.cleveland.com

 

 

Anyone know what they are building next to the new Aldi's on 117th near Madison?  It looks like another Quik-E Lube type place or some equally attractive structure to add to the strip of ugliness that stretch of road has become...

Close guess... It's going to be a car wash.

 

Gee, what good urban planning and design, Lakewood -- put low-density, auto-oriented businesses within walking distance of a mass transit hub. You'd think these people never attended an Urban Planning 101 class. I hope no one wonders why not as many people use our rail system as they do in most other American cities (I'm not even going to bring Europe and the Pacific Rim into this, since they're on another level or 10 above America when recognizing the interdependency of land use densities and transportation densities).

 

It doesn't take imagination to anticipate what's said by urban planning experts from cities like -EVERYWHERE THAT HAS ITS ACT TOGETHER- as they travel past the area around West 117th and Madison. But I would love to hear what they say. Then again, you can't quote a shaking head.

 

I'd be willing to loan to Lakewood and Cleveland planning commission representatives my Geography of Urban Transportation textbook from 1986....

Lakewood's plan for consolidated parking, mixed use development, enhanced transit waiting environments, bike racks, rain gardens, etc.......as a gateway to their central biz district

 

Bunts/Detroit area to get a facelift

Thursday, November 08, 2007

By Tony Lima

Lakewood Sun Post

 

As part of a plan to create an "eastern gateway" into the city's downtown or central business district, the corner of Detroit Avenue and Bunts Road is schedule for a facelift.

 

A development project at the site of the empty Giant Eagle supermarket on the southwest corner, along with the adjoining parking lots and three nearby houses, will kick-start the project. Plans call for both residential and commercial units and include a two-level parking deck.

 

The vacant building, which would be leveled, was left empty when Giant Eagle moved across the street into the former Tops supermarket building.

 

The proposed parking structure would not be visible from the street and would be accessible from entrances/exits to and from both Bunts and Parkhaven Row Avenue. In addition to the parking deck, the new streetscape plan includes a handful of additional on-street parking spaces near the site.

 

As part of the streetscape plan, the Bunts-Detroit intersection would become the eastern gateway into Lakewood's downtown or central business district. While the location is touted as highly desirable, the vacant supermarket structure is one of a handful identified in the streetscape plan as "unfavorable" in the new eastern gateway area.

 

P&P Real Estate, LLC and Global Fitness Holdings, LLC, of Kentucky, has purchased the parcels for approximately $3 million from Rego Realty. Mark Yates, of P&P/Global Fitness Holdings, has chosen not to comment on the project at this time, stating it is "too preliminary."

 

Global Fitness Holdings is the largest Gold's Gym franchisee in the world. While it's likely the development will include a Gold's Gym, the city is promoting a mixed-use development of additional commercial and residential units to be developed on the site.

 

The streetscape plan recommends new custom-designed RTA bus shelters to create a transit waiting area that will include special landscaping, signage and shelters. The purpose is to clearly define the "gateway" and let motorists and pedestrians know they are entering the central business district. "Downtown Lakewood" signage is to be integrated into the streetscape in the area.

 

The streetscape plan also calls for integrating rain gardens and other "ecologically friendly methodologies" into the design of the proposed expanded tree lawns and green spaces. Additional suggested amenities include a variety of seating surfaces, trash receptacles, bicycle racks and newspaper boxes.

 

A tiny park or public green space at the southeast corner of Detroit and Parkhaven Row is included in the suggested streetscape plan. Additional suggested plans for the area include a high-density residential building or individual townhomes on the north side of Detroit west of The Winking Lizard and immediately west of the entrance to the new Giant Eagle location.

 

The "western gateway" to downtown or the central business district, begins at the newly renovated and expanded Lakewood Public Library. The Drug Mart Plaza and Kauffman Park, across from the library, became the subject of some controversy recently when it was reported the same streetscape plan calls for selling the park to developers for a retail and office complex.

 

Glitz & Associates, of Canton, recently purchased the shopping strip center on the north side of Detroit. The company is also attempting to purchase the 7-acre park site, which is tucked away from many residents and bordered by homes, railroad tracks and a parking lot behind the strip center.

 

"While it's true we are studying a report on the park move," said city Planning and Development Director Tom Jordan, "we have not come to a decision on this. More importantly, the Detroit Avenue streetscape plan does not call for total removal of park space."

 

The current streetscape plan allows for developing the park space for residential and commercial use, but also for creating park space or a 'community green' in the area where the strip center is to be torn down. "Kauffman Park is not used to its full potential because it is difficult to access," said Jordan. "The new plan calls for a park space or 'community green' that will be accessible from the street."

 

Jordan stated he and other city officials value the city's park spaces, adding future streetscape and development plans call for more green space, not less.

 

"Before we would agree to selling Kauffman Park, we would see to it that the baseball activities at the park could be moved elsewhere," Jordan said.

 

The Central Business District is one of five defined areas or sections in the new Detroit Avenue Streetscape Plan. Others include the following: Rockport District, approximately 1/2-mile from West 117th Street west to Lakewood City Hall; Garfield District, 0.61 miles from city hall west to Bunts Road; Cultural Arts District, from the Lakewood Public Library west to West Clifton; and the Entertainment District, from West Clifton to the Rocky River.

 

Close guess... It's going to be a car wash.

 

Gee, what good urban planning and design, Lakewood -- put low-density, auto-oriented businesses within walking distance of a mass transit hub. You'd think these people never attended an Urban Planning 101 class. I hope no one wonders why not as many people use our rail system as they do in most other American cities (I'm not even going to bring Europe and the Pacific Rim into this, since they're on another level or 10 above America when recognizing the interdependency of land use densities and transportation densities).

 

It doesn't take imagination to anticipate what's said by urban planning experts from cities like -EVERYWHERE THAT HAS ITS ACT TOGETHER- as they travel past the area around West 117th and Madison. But I would love to hear what they say. Then again, you can't quote a shaking head.

 

I'd be willing to loan to Lakewood and Cleveland planning commission representatives my Geography of Urban Transportation textbook from 1986....

 

Wow, pretty distressing.  Is there just no interest in Lakewood city hall?

Oy.

 

It's no surprise that local developers and civic leaders don't have much interest in making areas actually walkable and/or transit-oriented.  But Lakewood, one of the most populous and densest cities in all of Ohio, continues to allow the sort of developments that are characteristic of the exurbs.  Literally on the border with Cleveland, no less. There's something wrong with that picture.

 

At least the Buntz-Detroit project sounds promising.

At least the Buntz-Detroit project sounds promising.

 

^Agreed.  Now if they can just get a developer to manage the project better than Forest City has managed Rockport Square, then it might turn out successfully.

More retail Cannibalism in Lakewood, the Military recruiting center has taken all of the new retail in Rosewood place and will leave a 3 storefront vacancy a block down on Detroit. This after Curves moved from a location in Lakewood too. Man am I ever bummed about that one. I was hoping for a new watering hole or restraunt in that building. Which by the way is fricking beautiful.

 

I know that times are tough and you need to move tenants in if you are the developer, but you couldn't find one new tenant????WTF....At what point does NEO become appealing again, perhaps we need a drought or wildfires or a hurricane to make our region appealing. Flock to Ohio we promise a natural disaster every year!

 

KJP, do you know anything about what happened with Rosewood place? Was it simply bad timing?.

Well, it sounds like they have a new tenant, and one that is likely to be stable at that.  Just because it isn't what you want doesn't mean that the developer is having some sort of problem with his project.  Talk about a self centered view of how things should work.  And another bar in Lakewood?  Yeah, that's what they need.

Sorry for the self-centered tone  but all that I was hoping for a properly done development like Rosewood place to attract some new businesses to Lakewood. After the recruiting office moves 2 out of the 4 corners at Summit and Detroit will now be vacant storefronts. Along with the vacant funeral home across the street from Rosewood place.

 

That is what is depressing.

That's OK to hope that, and I share that hope when new development happens around me.  But the developer isn't out to bring a new business to Lakewood, he is looking to fully lease the space he has created with a stable tenant.  He has done that.  The important thing now is that someone else be found for the old space vacated by the recruiter.

I'm not too worried about this retail "canibalism" in Lakewood. Of course I'd like to see new tenants, but I'd rather see retailers upgrade their space and stay in Lakewood.

 

 

 

Maybe it's proof that there is a demand for new retail space in Lakewood.  Lakewood has so much retail space, but much of it is older and probably lacking the modern amenities that higher-end businesses want.  Maybe it bodes well for the future retail development of Rockport Square and any other future retail construction.  I love the old mom-and-pop stores in Lakewood, but there probably needs to be a better balance and mix of old versus new retail spaces.  (As long as the new spaces don't end up being the type of stuff they are building along 117th...)

 

Or maybe the older spaces just need renovation to become more competitive.

Or, maybe we can look at this as though these business owners demand more space because they are growing.

Or maybe the older spaces just need renovation to become more competitive.

 

I believe that to be true. There seem to be a lot of great shops with good merchandise and services, but they're interiors need to be updated/upgraded. I think it would do a lot for business.

 

We know there is a surprising demand for Class A Office Space - and it seems like there is demand for Class A Retail Space (if there is such thing).

My sources tell me that the party store on Detroit, across from Chipotle, has closed.  It will soon be home to a Five Guys Burgers and a $tarbucks.

 

Supposedly the Five Guys franchise owner wants to have outdoor seating and wants to somehow create a cut-in of his part of the storefront for a patio facing Detroit.  Not sure how that will look.

A recessed storefront patio maybe? Possibly something like they did with the Rosewood Place storefronts. What is a Five Guys Burger? Is it like a Fuddrucker or is straight fastfood like McD's or Rallys.

 

Not to state the obvious but that will be 3 coffee shops within 300 feet of each other (Cariboo,$tarbucks and Phoenix). That's a lot of caffeine...

Not to state the obvious but that will be 3 coffee shops within 300 feet of each other (Cariboo,$tarbucks and Phoenix). That's a lot of caffeine...

 

I had forgotten about the Phoenix, but was already thinking that two would be a lot -- although that area has enough activity that I think all three could do well.

 

Starbucks doesn't actually have a Lakewood-proper location, does it?  I happened to have noticed that just the other day.  Makes sense that they'd want to get in on the action.

^Yeah, Lakewood doesn't have one.  There is the one on Clifton in Cleveland and the one in Rocky River just across the bridge on Detroit.

 

^^Five Guys is more like Fuddruckers than McD.  There is one in Avon and at Southpark Mall. 

This was mentioned on this thread a while ago, but on Dewey's Pizza website, they are listing the Lakewood location as coming soon, "Late Summer of '08".  It appears to be going into the storefront west of the West End Tavern.

 

I love Dewey's in Cleveland Hts, so I can't wait for them to open down the street from me.

^because the park is well hidden from the street, there is a lot of illegal activity that goes on over there. The police are very much in favor of this plan.

 

Illegal activity like what, underage smoking?  I practically grew up in this park in the 90s and don't ever remember a remotely serious crime taking place there.  Has there been stuff going on lately?

Five Guys is perfect for that area in Lakewood.

 

You order and pick up the burgers at the counter like you do with subs at Jimmy Johns or burritos at Chipotle. It is quick, but pretty fresh and very good.

Does anyone know if the Cliffs project is dead?  It seems that way, since I drove by the site yesterday and the sign I snapped a pic of last summer (below) is no longer there.  Just the fence and cleared ground.

 

Does anyone have any details on the Applebees moving to the Rockport Square location....Have they scrapped the condo tower on the north side of detroit.....will it be included as ground floor retail....if this is a standalone store i am outraged and will fight this. I live in the direct area of this. WTF!

^Eek!  I hope that's not the case.  Even if Applebees does think it's perfect for Cleveland (per the Steelyard Commons thread).

Applebees Bar and Grill doesnt even own a grill anymore. Microwaves and deepfriers.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/lakewoodsunpost/2008/04/applebees_to_open_in_lakewood.html#preview

Where did you hear that an Applebee's was coming to Rockport?

^See the link in the earlier post.

A larger article is coming in Thursday's paper, so says its author who is also my carpool buddy.

seems like a complete disaster in the making.

How so? If you're raising a young family in Lakewood, how many dining places can you take them to within the city without running into drunken idiots/loud sports junkies? Maybe Angelo's? Or perhaps Donato's?

 

I know several people my age who are raising young children in Lakewood. They invariably have to take their kids to Westgate, Crocker Park and other non-Lakewood places that are family friendly.

^Dear god, is Lakewood that short on family friendly spots?

How so? If you're raising a young family in Lakewood, how many dining places can you take them to within the city without running into drunken idiots/loud sports junkies? Maybe Angelo's? Or perhaps Donato's?

 

I know several people my age who are raising young children in Lakewood. They invariably have to take their kids to Westgate, Crocker Park and other non-Lakewood places that are family friendly.

 

KJP, do you know how Applebee's is being integrated into the design of Rockport Square?  Will it just be plopped onto the parking lot north of Detroit?  Or will it be integrated into the loft building planned for that site?  I'm most concerned that, because of slow sales, they're giving up on the northern plan for the site.

^Dear god, is Lakewood that short on family friendly spots?

 

What's this hate on Applebee's? I've never had a bad meal there.

 

KJP, do you know how Applebee's is being integrated into the design of Rockport Square?  Will it just be plopped onto the parking lot north of Detroit?  Or will it be integrated into the loft building planned for that site?  I'm most concerned that, because of slow sales, they're giving up on the northern plan for the site.

 

The last plan I saw was the one discussed here on this thread. If I recall, we decried the inclusion of parking along the front of the loft building, which was to have a restaurant and other commercial space on the ground floor. I don't think the plan has changed since.

Thanks.  Well, based on casual observation, if they're still planning on building the southern loft building first, it doesn't seem like we'll be seeing Applebees & the north building for a couple of years.  The southern loft building has been on sale for at least a year or so and it doesn't seem like construction is coming anytime soon.

I figured it would be the north side loft building since it has more surface parking....

 

http://www.rockportsquare.com/pdfs/RockportSquare_siteplan.pdf

 

A Forest City Enterprises rep contacted our reporter and sounded pretty negative about the rumors surrounding Applebee's. Don't know if that's because the FCE rep was unhappy about the rumor getting out prematurely or because the rumor was false. Guess what? We'll soon find out what's what.......

I'll second KJP in saying that I've never had a bad meal at Applebee's....that being said, I hope this is going to be integrated into a larger multi-story building and NOT a stand-alone suburban-style store surrounded by parking. If that's the case I'll be righteously pissed.

I'll second KJP in saying that I've never had a bad meal at Applebee's

I have to say, their ribs are kinda good. 

 

What's this hate on Applebee's? I've never had a bad meal there.

 

Sorry, I wasn't really hating, I was just slightly surprised that there was enough of an unmet need for family friendly dining that folks were excited to see a (not meant offensively) kind of bland deep fry chain move in.  Aren't there a ton of diners and stuff around already?  Do kids these days only eat mozzarella sticks?

strap, you're nothing from a corporate perspective. 

 

Chains want to increase revenue and brand experience & exposure.  Cleveland has been pretty good at keeping chains out, but those chains always are looking for an "in". 

 

As the city redevelops chains will play a small part and in equal balance it helps Cleveland to have a presence in the chain field, just like us not having a Convention size hotel hurts.

 

The applebee's, red lobster, Max & Ermas, McCormick and Schmidt's have all crept into NYC.

^Um OK...but this isn't really relevant to anything I said.  I was just seeking clarification of KJP's point that there are too few places a family can go in Lakewood "without running into drunken idiots/loud sports junkies".

I'll be the first to say, I hate Applebee's and their food. If this has a rear setting with a parking lot in front, I'll very upset. If they build it right, I'll hush up and put aside my dislike of their food.

^Agreed

Applebees Bar and Grill doesnt even own a grill anymore. Microwaves and deepfriers.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/lakewoodsunpost/2008/04/applebees_to_open_in_lakewood.html#preview

 

Let me get this straight.  You're saying that their steaks, hamburgers and grilled chicken aren't really grilled , but microwaved? 

 

Oh, and StrapHanger?  There are a few 'casual dining' outlets within Lakewood and West Cleveland, but not much.  Certainly there are places I can take my family where entrees are generally in the $10-15 range, but more choices are always welcome.  Lots of pizza places, there's Aladdin's, some places like My Friends and the Indian restaurant.  Can't think of much else.

 

As much as some will turn their noses up at the place, I predict it will be very busy and draw a lot from Lakewood and Cleveland.  I'm very curious what the design will be as well.  The Rockport Square site plan calls for a restaurant to be built adjacent to (and including?) the existing building on the corner of Fry and Detroit.  That building is on the market for 300K.  On another board, a poster mentioned that Applebee's has a smaller-footprint urban model for walking neighborhoods that they could apply to this project.  I can't wait to see some amended site plans to see how this affects the outlook for that site.  A second six-story condo tower doesn't make much sense on that site in the current market, when they can't even get enough presales to start the first one.  Perhaps they will abandon that lot to retail?  I'm not really sure they can do that and still get their TIF money.

 

I'm highly doubtful that Applebee's was FCE's first choice for that spot, as it doesn't really complement the project.  They may have just been in a position to say 'yes' to the first stable income-producer that offered. 

I guess I don't really care if Applebees goes in - especially if it is a component of mixed-use development and not an out parcel - but I just don't understand the attraction to applebees. My Friends has them beat hands down. Personally, I'd rather eat at Lakewood Hospital's cafeteria than applebees.

I prefer My Friends, Dianna's, El Jalapeno (awesome new spot!), Pepper's Cafe and Maria's Roman Room to Applebee's. But if you want to keep the 8-18 kids and their parents spending money in Lakewood for food, you'd better have some places that do something to keep their short attention spans occupied. Places like Red Robin, Buci di Beppo, Max & Erma's, etc. that are big on the visual and auditory stimuli are what the kids seem to want.

Applebees Bar and Grill doesnt even own a grill anymore. Microwaves and deepfriers.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/lakewoodsunpost/2008/04/applebees_to_open_in_lakewood.html#preview

 

Let me get this straight.  You're saying that their steaks, hamburgers and grilled chicken aren't really grilled , but microwaved? 

 

Oh, and StrapHanger?  There are a few 'casual dining' outlets within Lakewood and West Cleveland, but not much.  Certainly there are places I can take my family where entrees are generally in the $10-15 range, but more choices are always welcome.  Lots of pizza places, there's Aladdin's, some places like My Friends and the Indian restaurant.  Can't think of much else.

 

As much as some will turn their noses up at the place, I predict it will be very busy and draw a lot from Lakewood and Cleveland.   I'm very curious what the design will be as well.  The Rockport Square site plan calls for a restaurant to be built adjacent to (and including?) the existing building on the corner of Fry and Detroit.  That building is on the market for 300K.  On another board, a poster mentioned that Applebee's has a smaller-footprint urban model for walking neighborhoods that they could apply to this project.  I can't wait to see some amended site plans to see how this affects the outlook for that site.  A second six-story condo tower doesn't make much sense on that site in the current market, when they can't even get enough presales to start the first one.  Perhaps they will abandon that lot to retail?  I'm not really sure they can do that and still get their TIF money.

 

I'm highly doubtful that Applebee's was FCE's first choice for that spot, as it doesn't really complement the project.  They may have just been in a position to say 'yes' to the first stable income-producer that offered. 

 

The Lakewood Planning Department will probably let them get away with something similar to the IHOP on Detroit--restaurant up to the sidewalk, but with parking to the east or west that also comes up to the sidewalk.

 

 

Or worse, like the Fifth Third Bank on West 117th. Or the Aldi's on West 117th. Or the car wash -- all within a 500-foot walk of the rapid station. All are car-dominated, parking lot-fronted, anti-pedestrian settings. Makes my stomach turn every day I go by there. Makes me wonder if anyone of these people ever attended an urban land use planning class in college.