I don't think the W 117th-Madison area will ever live up to its potential, at least not in our lifetime. Just an example of horrible, planning, or lack thereof. Right KJP, it's depressing to see it, and I have to go by there 4 or 5 times every day.

 

Everyone knows Applebees is a homogenized corporate takeoff on original places like the Rush Inn, Around The Corner, and many other places in Lakewood already. Like WalMart, it's become a flagship for suburban blandness. Yet because they are all "corporationy" they are fairly consistent, exude familiarity, and do some things better and more efficiently than the mom and pop places.

 

I am sure it will be packed just like IHOP, but I'll stick with the local places.

...As previously stated as long as the Applebees is done right, I am OK with it.

 

And everybody knows that Applebees is a rip off TGI Fridays which was a rip off of local places like the Rush or Around The Corner.

Word on a Lakewood forum is that it will look like this:

 

 

 

Who knows how accurate this is but I would not be the least bit surprised if it turns out this way -- let suburbanization in the name of redevelopment roll on!

^huh?

That photo was used in an e-mail distributed by Lakewood Chamber of Commerce President Kathy Berkshire. In her e-mail, she said "Below is a picture of what the Applebee's will look like." No architectural renderings of the Applebee's have been produced. How could they, when only a letter of intent has apparently been signed? So how could she possibly know what the Applebee's will look like?

 

Specifically, this is what Kathy Berkshire wrote in her April 23 e-mail:

"In addition, Cathy (Deiniger of Rockport Square) told me yesterday that they have leased the land where the sales trailer is now located to Applebee's, a franchise that is very excited about both coming to Lakewood and the location on Detroit.  They have been talking for quite some time but a letter of intent is signed so Cathy was given the ok to share the news.  A press release will be issued soon."

 

Berkshire said the site was leased. Then she said they have a letter of intent. Others may comment on Berkshire overall, but I'll limit my comments to her e-mail: anyone who doesn't understand the difference between a lease and a letter of intent probably wouldn't know the difference between a photo of an Applebee's in Everywhere, USA and a site-specific urban-designed Applebee's.

 

I'm not saying the Applebee's won't look like this. I'm saying there's no way to know just yet -- or even if one will ultimately get built. Anyone can back out of a letter of intent.

Just saw this from the Monday PD about the Cliffs project (delay).  Note the last paragraph.. Looks like he's cooking up something for Ohio City.  http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/other/1213000304267410.xml&coll=2

 

Whatever happened to the upscale housing development planned along the Rocky River in Lakewood?

By Molly Kavanaugh

Monday, June 09, 2008

 

The project has been delayed.

 

"Look out the window. There's virtually no new housing construction," laughs developer Rick Foran, who gets this question a lot...

 

 

The project in OC is the one that received tax credits (Exhibit Builders). Foran doesn't have the details because he doesn't know what he wants to do with the site.

Last week I attended a Lakewood Planning Committee meeting where Forest City asked for (and got) approval to amend their plans for Phase III of the Rockport Square project.  Instead of building a second six-story loft building on the north side of Detroit (which always seemed a little pie-in-the-sky as they are having trouble selling enough units on the south lot to begin building), they are now proposing a three-story Class-A office building to go alongside the "casual dining restaurant" (which will 99% likely be Applebee's).

 

They requested setback variances so the office building would abut the sidewalk on Detroit and Beach Ave.  Previous plans had a strip of green space along Detroit Rd - this area now is a little inset between the office building and the restaurant.  A three-story parking garage fills out the north side of the lot.

 

The restaurant is going to be street-facing, with parking in rear.  There's an option to build out a patio into the greenspace alloted, but that would require a new approval.

The photo above is the same one presented to the Planning Committee with the request for materials approval.

 

It's a disappointing use of the land, but better than an empty lot or an empty loft condo building, I suppose.  The developer's rep spoke of a higher tax rate for commercial real estate than residential.  If that's true, then I guess there's something positive to be said for it. 

To clarify, is the loft bldg on the south side of Detroit considered Phase II? Any idea on the sales progress they're making on it? Any timeline or whatnot? (I live right up the street from it)

No, jon, as this wasn't really the venue to question the developer on those issues, I wasn't able to get a clearer picture on when they ever plan on starting the loft building on the south lot.

 

I did request that Councilwoman Madigan set up a meeting with the developer's rep to present the new site plan to the public.  I'll let you know if/when anything happens on that.

 

P.S. do you own the pickup truck festooned with Ron Paul '08 messages that I see in the neighborhood?

^No, that would be my brother's. All 3 of us have Ron Paul insignia on our vehicles, though. :-D

 

Thanks for the info.

Rockport drops condos from plans

Thursday, July 31, 2008

By Julie Kreuz [email protected]

Lakewood Sun Post

Rockport Square recently made changes to its third phase plans to allow flexibility for the market.

 

"What we found is that the condominium multi-family unit has proven to be much more difficult, especially in this market condition, to sell," said Bill Sanderson, project manager of Rockport and vice president of joint ventures Forest City Land Group. Previous plans for the third phase of Rockport Square included living spaces above offices and a parking area on the north side of Detroit Avenue between Beach and Fry avenues.

 

A footprint for the third phase, which includes a stand-alone office space, parking deck space and restaurant building, was approved at the planning commission meeting July 1. The approval includes the placement of the buildings, but the building structures may change, said Nathan Kelly, director of planning and development.

 

Current plans for the third phase include the possibility of up to a three-story office space and three-story parking deck. The market will dictate how the buildings are shaped, said Sanderson.

 

"If somebody came in, if we all of a sudden have accelerated success with the multi-family unit we could theoretically change that plan. We're making progress but not that kind of progress to say, gee, we're going to go back and change that plan (to include residential space).'"

 

The office space and parking deck will have 20,000 square feet on the first floor, but plans include the possibility of adding two additional floors, which would make the buildings 60,000 square feet, said Sanderson.

 

"The parking garage is 160 spaces but that's not completely fleshed out. That is assuming an office use, opposed to a medical use. If it was medical it may call for up to a three-story deck and three-story building. One kind of drives the other," he said. "Several people expressed an interest in roughly 20,000 square feet, which would be a floor on the building," he said. "We are obviously looking for potential clients who want to own the building and would take at least the 20,000 square feet. Certainly more is available."

 

Plans for an Applebees restaurant included in the footprint, were approved at the Architectural Board of Review meeting July 14.

 

 

 

The footers are being dug for the next round of townhomes at Rockport Square (adjacent to the just-completed ones on Detroit Ave).

I know very little about real estate, but why not make the loft building rental unit apartments instead? I think there is a huge untapped market for newer construction rental units in Lakewood. Maybe there could even be a rent-credit program.

It can be tough to make new construction rentals financially viable. You'll need very high rents and Lakewood probably isn't the place for that now.

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.

 

Sometime this past weekend, Five Guys Burgers & Fries put a "Coming Soon" sign in the window of that former party store at Detroit and Gladys.

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.

 

Sometime this past weekend, Five Guys Burgers & Fries put a "Coming Soon" sign in the window of that former party store at Detroit and Gladys.

 

That's encouraging...

The "coming soon" has been up for a while according to our Lakewood reporter.

The "coming soon" has been up for a while according to our Lakewood reporter.

 

I must have missed it earlier.  Still good news, because several businesses along that stretch have closed in the past 6 mos.  Music store, Cleats, bridal/tailor shop.  I can never tell if that cereal place is open or not.  Nice to see something locally unique going in.

The "coming soon" has been up for a while according to our Lakewood reporter.

 

I must have missed it earlier.  Still good news, because several businesses along that stretch have closed in the past 6 mos.  Music store, Cleats, bridal/tailor shop.  I can never tell if that cereal place is open or not.  Nice to see something locally unique going in.

 

If only Five Guys was "local" or "unique."  :wink:

 

But it does sound like the franchisee has some interesting plans for that buildng beyond just putting the restaurant in, having bought the whole thing. Fingers crossed...

The "coming soon" has been up for a while according to our Lakewood reporter.

 

I must have missed it earlier.  Still good news, because several businesses along that stretch have closed in the past 6 mos.  Music store, Cleats, bridal/tailor shop.  I can never tell if that cereal place is open or not.  Nice to see something locally unique going in.

 

If only Five Guys was "local" or "unique."  :wink:

 

 

I see what you did there.

 

Ironically I wish it were a bar going in that spot.  I know, Lakewood has plenty already... but not in this immediate area, which already has an abundance of fast food options.  That's my corner and I want a corner bar.

 

While we're talking about Lakewood & Lakewood housing, a friend of a friend recently proposed that Birdtown be leveled and replaced with modern attached-garage houses on larger lots.  He also proposed a Lakewood "small business council" that could veto any idea if they considered it unlikely to succeed long-term.  I can't even begin to list the ways I disagree, but I thought these suggestions were funny enough to mention.   

I've been tossing the idea of buying 3 or 4 doubles, the ones that I had in mind are all side by sides, and rehabbing them and then selling the units off as condos/townhouses. But what does everyone think of that model to get some these rental properties into the hands of owners? What would the minium number of units be 6? 10?

 

I know that they tried to convert some up/downs to condos somewhere on the East Side and that didn't work out that well.  I am not suggesting anything as radical as that, just updating and not changing floorplans.

You might already know this, or it may be irrelevant to you, but Lakewood has a doubles to singles program.

Thanks, GIS monkey. I am aware of the doubles to singles program and the loans available to facilitate the conversion. I fully support the initiative to move the rental mix down to a more appropriate level and was excited by the project house on Bunts.

 

The following is mostly on-topic:

 

The problem that I run into when I look at that model is that houses are worth more as doubles ( cashflow from rent) than as a single, so in order to break even you have to purchase the house in foreclosure or it has to be in shambles. Basically that house A

is worth $150 as a double due to rents, and the same house is only worth $100 as a single. What I am wondering is it feasible that by turning the house into townhouses/condos the two units would be worth $90 each, or $180 per house, which would give you enough of a margin to update the house and still get paid for your time.

 

There are definitely problems that I see with this (buying three or four properties next to each other for one) and I don't think that it would work for all Lakewood doubles but it was just an idea that has been bouncing around in my head. The upside for the owners is the Association would handle exterior maintenance and any major costs (roofs, etc)would be socialized across all owners.

 

 

The "coming soon" has been up for a while according to our Lakewood reporter.

 

Update on Five Guys Burgers in lakewood from the Sunpost.

 

edited:article removed

Well, that makes me feel a little better about losing Nat City to PNC.  Take that, Pittsburgh!

Some good news....

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/lakewoodsunpost/2009/07/rockport_square_begins_constru.html

 

Rockport Square begins construction on six new townhomes

 

by Kate Spirgen Wednesday July 29, 2009, 9:04 AM

Despite the struggling economy, Rockport Square is moving toward completion of its second phase of development. The condominium complex is seeing significant success with townhome sales, three in recent weeks, and has begun construction on six new lots.

 

I think the conversation about the construction on the corner of Spring garden and Detroit was originally in the Random Cleveland Development thread which is MIA do to the BRSB* cleaning.

There is now a big banner saying that it is going to be a Dunkin Donuts. My carpool mate said the Social Security was suppose to go into the old church next door.

I'm posting this here because there is no general Lakewood news thread...

 

BusinessWeek designates one city in each state as a “best place to raise kids,” and Ohio's winner is … Lakewood. The magazine describes Lakewood as “an affordable suburb with tree-lined streets and great schools.” Those and other assets have kept me here in Lakewood for 13 years and counting!

 

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/11/1117_best_places_to_raise_kids/36.htm

 

(Gotta love that BW's first choice and two runners up for the statewide award were in Greater Cleveland! Of course, I didn't realize Quicken Loans Arena was in any of those three suburbs [see the picture at the weblink]).

I'm posting this here because there is no general Lakewood news thread...

 

BusinessWeek designates one city in each state as a “best place to raise kids,” and Ohio's winner is … Lakewood. The magazine describes Lakewood as “an affordable suburb with tree-lined streets and great schools.” Those and other assets have kept me here in Lakewood for 13 years and counting!

 

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/11/1117_best_places_to_raise_kids/36.htm

 

(Gotta love that BW's first choice and two runners up for the statewide award were in Greater Cleveland! Of course, I didn't realize Quicken Loans Arena was in any of those three suburbs [see the picture at the weblink]).

 

Yay for Lakewood!!!

 

Edit: Interesting, I noticed the average family income of 68k is way higher than the average household income in Lakewood, which I believe in around 40k. I wonder where they got the family income? I know, I know.  read the article.

I would guess that young college age singles and roommate households bring down the median household income quite a bit, but not the family income.

Update on the Bailey Building in Lakewood - they've peeled back the 1960's Brutalist skin, and they seem pleased with what they have found underneath

 

http://www.onelakewood.com/blog/2009/12/bailey-building-update.html

No new Lakewood news lately?

 

I was surprised to see the IHOP had closed.

Here you go -

 

Lakewood strip mall to see big renovations, possibly new tenant

By Kate Spirgen, Sun News

January 24, 2010, 3:09PM

Lakewood city officials are working with the owners of Lakewood Plaza, better known as the Drug Mart plaza, on redevelopment plans.

   

Although details for the space are not yet finalized, Giltz & Associates is in the process of undertaking a four-sided renovation to their property on Detroit Avenue between Arthur and Andrews avenues. The building currently houses two empty storefronts, a Blockbuster Video, 4 Seasons Tanning, Radio Shack, Dot’s, Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Discount Drug Mart.

   

Quaker Steak & Lube is in negotiations with developers to move into the east side of the building, which would be the company's first suburban location.

 

All slant-in street parking will be removed under the new plan as well, making room for a wider sidewalk.

 

More:

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2010/01/lakewood_strip_mall_to_see_big.html

No new Lakewood news lately?

 

I was surprised to see the IHOP had closed.

 

 

There is actually alot going on in Lakewood.  Aside from the proposed plans that musky just shared. The root cafe (vegan) recently opened in downtown as well as a really neat panera right on Detroit road.  There has also been significant construction on the opposite side of the building that Panera is leasing.  Also, there was a new diner opened up downtown called two dads diner.  Of course five guys opened its regional location, along with the route 6 cafe and blackbird bakery (both opened about 6 months ago).  Dunkin donuts built a brand new building across the street from St. James, and there is more construction going on right next to that (unsure what it is).

 

Lakewood population is forecasted to be increasing in the next 5 years. 

The construction next to DD at the site of the old Lakewood Christian church will be a Social Security Admin building.

 

I am worried about RT 6 there never seems to be anybody in there.

I am so glad that this project is finally getting off the ground.  The parking lot behind the strip mall is in terrible shape!  Does anyone know how much of Kauffman park they are going to preserve or recreate?

Does anybody know what the deal is with the Lakewood Dog Park possibly closing? I've only heard extreme viewpoints from either side and don't feel like I've gotten an objective description of the issue.

   

Quaker Steak & Lube is in negotiations with developers to move into the east side of the building, which would be the company's first suburban location.

 

 

Huh?

 

Quaker Steak & Lube is in negotiations with developers to move into the east side of the building, which would be the company's first suburban location.

 

 

Huh?

 

Yeah I didn't realize Valley View was not a part of the suburbs, or that Milford in Cincinnati wasn't near the Exurbs. 

 

Quaker Steak & Lube is in negotiations with developers to move into the east side of the building, which would be the company's first suburban location.

 

 

Huh?

 

Yeah I didn't realize Valley View was not a part of the suburbs, or that Milford in Cincinnati wasn't near the Exurbs.

 

And they opened one in Mentor a couple months ago too.

maybe they meant it will be the first "urban" location...?

maybe they meant it will be the first "urban" location...?

 

That's what I was thinking, although Lakewood is still technically a suburb.

Technically. But the square mile of my Lakewood neighborhood (Gold Coast) has more population density than any other square mile in Ohio.  :yap:

According to 'LakewoodBuzz.com', a Robek's is going into the Lakewood Center South bldg next to Panera. This is sweet b/c I love Robek's. Also, the Drug Mart plaza is supposed to get a major facelift in the very near future.

NICE!!! Great pick up.  My only worry is there may be too many Robeks in the area...but Lakewood could sustain it.

I love Robeks (another one withOUT an apostrophe, thank you!) and was excited when they opened one in Strongsville.  It couldn't be in much of a worse location.  A little tiny building that you can only enter into from one narrow driveway - tough from the R side of the street, nearly impossible from the L, and getting back into traffic right before the mall there is awful.  I've only been a handful of times because I either didn't want to deal with getting in and out of it, or it's such an inauspicious location I've driven by it before I even remember it's there.  If they would have opened up in the mall, they'd be making huge profits by now. 

 

Where is the Panera in Lakewood?  Cross streets?

^Right downtown, Detroit and St Charles.  There's also a Moe's opening and supposedly a Jimmy John's.

There's also a sign in the former IHOP on Detroit that says a 'Cozumel' mexican place is coming. That's walkin distance from my place :clap:

jonmoxon, I didn't realize you moved westward. Glad to hear about Cozumel. Hope they don't get confused with Casamel's in Parma (awesome pizza!!)....

 

http://www.casamelspizza.com/