July 20, 20186 yr Bruce's Automotive was incorporated in 2016. I wonder what they were incorporated as before? I'm hoping to write a blog about what's happening just west east of this site soon. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 20, 20186 yr Thanks "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 20, 20186 yr Cove Park Renovation Update [PHOTOS] The Cove Park renovation is almost complete and includes many great additions. https://patch.com/ohio/lakewood-oh/cove-park-renovation-update-photos "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 23, 20186 yr Cove Park Renovation Update [PHOTOS] The Cove Park renovation is almost complete and includes many great additions. https://patch.com/ohio/lakewood-oh/cove-park-renovation-update-photos I hope this means Wagar Park is next. The tennis courts are a disaster.
July 23, 20186 yr Cove Park Renovation Update [PHOTOS] The Cove Park renovation is almost complete and includes many great additions. https://patch.com/ohio/lakewood-oh/cove-park-renovation-update-photos I hope this means Wagar Park is next. The tennis courts are a disaster. I think Wagar is next. They will completely revamp the layout of the park.
August 4, 20186 yr Someone named Jim Hendrix (yep, one i away from a Purple Haze) from Newmark Knight Frank in Columbus has been calling on property owners along Detroit Avenue east of Bunts to get them to sell to a development team he represents. This guy, Hendrix, before his company Continental was acquired by NKF, has been involved in some pretty big developments including the North Shore in Pittsburgh, Red Cedar in Lansing, the Waterfront in Homestead, PA and a large mixed-use project in Grove City, OH outside Columbus. While that doesn't mean his team wants to build something as big as those development, he doesn't get involved in insignificant projects either. His bio shows he has a track record in developing: retail office multi-family hospitality student housing senior communities mixed use http://www.continental-realty.com/Our-Team/Land-Specialists/Jim-Hendrix-CCIM.aspx Anyone have any insight into what is being considered here? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 4, 20186 yr Not sure. He's contacted the owners of the old Spitzer dealership (which I'm told is now under contract but I don't know to whom) and has contacted George Shaker who own's the property on which Bruce's Automotive sets. I'm told Shaker turned him down (he has an emotional attachment to the site, as he grew up working there when his dad owned the auto shop), but Mr. Shaker may be having some financial troubles so perhaps he will reconsider. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 4, 20186 yr Not sure. He's contacted the owners of the old Spitzer dealership (which I'm told is now under contract but I don't know to whom) and has contacted George Shaker who own's the property on which Bruce's Automotive sets. I'm told Shaker turned him down (he has an emotional attachment to the site, as he grew up working there when his dad owned the auto shop), but Mr. Shaker may be having some financial troubles so perhaps he will reconsider. Is this the developer working on the Educator's Music site or someone else?
August 4, 20186 yr Not sure. He's contacted the owners of the old Spitzer dealership (which I'm told is now under contract but I don't know to whom) and has contacted George Shaker who own's the property on which Bruce's Automotive sets. I'm told Shaker turned him down (he has an emotional attachment to the site, as he grew up working there when his dad owned the auto shop), but Mr. Shaker may be having some financial troubles so perhaps he will reconsider. Is this the developer working on the Educator's Music site or someone else? It could be. I don't know who Hendrix is representing. Educator's Music was bought by Liberty Development Co. It is possible Hendrix could be representing them but I haven't heard anything specific to that. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 4, 20186 yr Even though I like Bruce's and take my car there, I would like to see Liberty get site control all the way to Bunts. Lot's of good stuff happening in Lakewood. My county assessment has gone up 25%.
August 4, 20186 yr Me too. I think whatever is being planned there will go all the way to the corner of Bunts/Detroit. It would be odd to have a McKinley Place-type development (or whatever is being planned) wrapping around a car repair garage. And Lakewood has the highest increase of residential real estate values in Cuyahoga County, as well as the highest increase in combined residential/commercial real estate values, according to this piece that I posted at: https://www.urbanohio.com/forum/index.php/topic,30477.msg929720.html#msg929720 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 13, 20186 yr FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2018 Lakewood commercial conversions continue In a follow-up to an earlier posting here at NEOtrans about Lakewood redevelopment, there is new activity to report. Two significant properties for sale are reportedly under contract to buyers who want to redevelop these with mixed uses. After roughly three years on the market and listing most recently for $1,050,000, the Phantasy Cleveland, 11794-11814 Detroit Ave. (including The Chamber nightclub), has an unidentified buyer who sources say will end the property's run as a performing arts venue. Foremost among the buyer's plans to substantially alter the 55,000-square-foot building, the three performing arts theaters and three bars will be removed. MORE: https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2018/07/lakewood-commercial-conversions-continue.html Any update on the sale of the Steve Barry land? Per the county's website, it doesn't appear that anything has changed hands yet.
August 13, 20186 yr It has sold. Like the Phantasy, there's a time period between when the contract is signed and the sale closes. For the Phantasy, it's Sept. 4. It will probably be around that same time for Steve Barry Buick (and perhaps the same for the Chrysler dealership ;) but the latter site has the extra complication of the tenant having a lease through to the end of the year). BTW, Educators Music has officially closed and vacated its building front Detroit in favor of the Wyandotte Avenue house directly behind. Liberty Development (built McKinley Place townhouses) reportedly bought Educator's Music and the house behind. I don't know who has bought the Chrysler dealership, but I'm told that a guy named Jim Hendrix (no joke) has been trying to acquire property here. I've checked out Hendrix, which isn't easy to do because some guitar player's name keeps coming up instead, but found out he's been involved in some very big developments including a 1 million square foot mixed use development in Grove City, outside Columbus, the North Shore in Pittsburgh, the Waterfront in Homestead, PA, and Red Cedar in Lansing, MI. He wants two whole blocks, from Bunts to Wyandotte. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 26, 20186 yr I saw a letter circulating around on Facebook that RCO limited wants to raze Bob Evans on Detroit and build a Raising Cane's chicken fingers restaurant. Did Bob Evans close? Isn't that building fairly new?
August 27, 20186 yr I saw a letter circulating around on Facebook that RCO limited wants to raze Bob Evans on Detroit and build a Raising Cane's chicken fingers restaurant. Did Bob Evans close? Isn't that building fairly new? I'm not sure if it closed yet, but the parcel (314-10-091) was sold a couple weeks ago for a little over $1mil. BE opened in 2013 or 14 or so and seemed busy whenever riding past. The proposal/letter has been confirmed on Councilman Rader's facebook. It goes to approval by the city's Planning Commission and Architectural Board of Review
August 27, 20186 yr I'm not sure if it closed yet, but the parcel (314-10-091) was sold a couple weeks ago for a little over $1mil. BE opened in 2013 or 14 or so and seemed busy whenever riding past. The proposal/letter has been confirmed on Councilman Rader's facebook. It goes to approval by the city's Planning Commission and Architectural Board of Review Yes, it closed on Aug. 21. It was bought by an LLC formed on Aug. 7 by LRC Realty of Akron http://lrcrealty.com/about-us/ I've been to the Lakewood Bob Evans only twice and both times it was nearly empty. So that's not a good sample size. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 28, 20186 yr Still renovating Lakewood Center North... I thought they were done, considering that residents began moving in about a year ago. Apparently they are working in phases. The view from the seventh-floor of the office building across the street.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 28, 20186 yr Pretty much how it looks now, except the boarded-up, newly added windows will have glass in them. :) They also added larger windows down the middle of each side of the building. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 28, 20186 yr That is one ugly building but it's great that they are finding a use for it. I had dinner with my wife at Forage on the patio and it was cool to see residents coming in and out of the building while we were out there. It gave it a cool urban vibe.
August 31, 20186 yr Bob Evans Lakewood Already Closed - more info: https://t.co/yluYFq1Xia "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 31, 20186 yr That thing looked ridiculously out of place. As for the proposed chicken place, I can understand the drive thru concerns after passing Dunkin Donuts this morning and seeing its traffic backed up onto Detroit Ave.
September 4, 20186 yr Phantasy Nightclub complex sale falls through at the last minute The deal to sell the storied Phantasy Nightclub fell through at the last minute on Tuesday, the day it was supposed to be finalized. Owner Michele De Frasia, whose family has owned the venue for more than 50 years, said the Lakewood complex on Detroit Avenue, which also includes the Symposium and the Chamber as well as the Phantasy Theater, said the deal had been in the works since April, and was confirmed in July. De Frasia, in a telephone interview, said the buyer pulled out of the deal. MORE: https://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2018/09/phantasy_nightclub_complex_sal.html
September 4, 20186 yr Hmmm. I was told this morning it was delayed by only a month. Could it have gone from delayed to dead in a matter of hours?? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 4, 20186 yr Phantasy Nightclub complex sale falls through at the last minute The deal to sell the storied Phantasy Nightclub fell through at the last minute on Tuesday, the day it was supposed to be finalized. Owner Michele De Frasia, whose family has owned the venue for more than 50 years, said the Lakewood complex on Detroit Avenue, which also includes the Symposium and the Chamber as well as the Phantasy Theater, said the deal had been in the works since April, and was confirmed in July. De Frasia, in a telephone interview, said the buyer pulled out of the deal. MORE: https://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2018/09/phantasy_nightclub_complex_sal.html Rachele Glynias, who is handling the sale for Howard Hanna, said there are two interested buyers in the property, which originally was listed for $1.2 million. The actual sale price that had been agreed to had not been revealed. Glynias said she was prohibited by law from naming them, but said one is a developer who "could pull the trigger tomorrow" and has all the financing in place. The second is a local music person who has more at least 30 years in the music business here. I'd much rather see buyer no. 2 come through, so that the building gets restored and remain a retail and music venue. The owners really had no idea how to run the place. Sure we need more residential. But seeing this complex bulldozed in a part of town with so much underutilized space would be depressing.
September 10, 20186 yr “Every bottle will say @LakewoodOhio on it.” Congrats to Western Reserve Distillery & Distill Table on their ? ✂️ Saturday evening. The food & spirits are amazing, & you’re already great neighbors! Welcome to Ward 3 & #Madisononthemove Pics... https://t.co/pzsmjS47kb "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 10, 20186 yr Burgers 2 Beer in Lakewood Closes https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/09/10/burgers-2-beer-in-lakewood-closes "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 10, 20186 yr “Every bottle will say @LakewoodOhio on it.” Congrats to Western Reserve Distillery & Distill Table on their ✂️ Saturday evening. The food & spirits are amazing, & you’re already great neighbors! Welcome to Ward 3 & #Madisononthemove Pics... https://t.co/pzsmjS47kb @LakewoodMayor Sep 8 Great night in Lakewood as we welcome Western Reserve Distillers as our newest “manufacturing” enterprise. Special thanks to the vision and confidence that Kevin and Ann Thomas have in the future of their business and Lakewood. Drink local! EDIT: They need a mural on that big, blank wall. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 10, 20186 yr Burgers 2 Beer in Lakewood Closes https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/09/10/burgers-2-beer-in-lakewood-closes I went once or twice. This place had a very corporate feel. Soulless. Then again I remember seeing it fairly crowded whenever I drove past. I think this retail area is cursed and/or rent is just too high.
September 10, 20186 yr Burgers 2 Beer in Lakewood Closes https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/09/10/burgers-2-beer-in-lakewood-closes I went once or twice. This place had a very corporate feel. Soulless. Then again I remember seeing it fairly crowded whenever I drove past. I think this retail area is cursed and/or rent is just too high. So, randomly, I was in Lakewood this past weekend. On Friday night around 10 p.m., I got lost looking for my family's house and passed by this place. Had a decent crowd and I was intrigued by how prominently they advertised free parking. Which day did it close? I went for a jog through there yesterday and it seemed open too.
September 10, 20186 yr Burgers 2 Beer in Lakewood Closes https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/09/10/burgers-2-beer-in-lakewood-closes I went once or twice. This place had a very corporate feel. Soulless. Then again I remember seeing it fairly crowded whenever I drove past. I think this retail area is cursed and/or rent is just too high. So, randomly, I was in Lakewood this past weekend. On Friday night around 10 p.m., I got lost looking for my family's house and passed by this place. Had a decent crowd and I was intrigued by how prominently they advertised free parking. Which day did it close? I went for a jog through there yesterday and it seemed open too. They closed yesterday.
September 10, 20186 yr ^That's nuts. I literally got back to the house and told my girlfriend: we should go try that on the next visit.
September 10, 20186 yr They had good burgers and tater tots. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 10, 20186 yr I wonder about their other locations. There is one by CSU and I've seen a few in the suburbs, but if you can't make it in Lakewood I doubt you're doing great elsewhere. I am pretty ambivalent on the place.
September 10, 20186 yr I think the only times we went there were on the Monday Specials night - those days were crowded, but people weren't paying full price.
September 11, 20186 yr Just same across something about "The North Coast College" and had never heard about this school before. Looking at the address, it looks like its the former Virginia Marti School of Design (https://www.thencc.edu/) and they still offer fashion in their curriculum.
September 11, 20186 yr Same college. New name. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 12, 20186 yr Just saw this on Twitter. I would have loved to attend this meeting. Anyone from UO at this meeting? @LakewoodMayor LakewoodAlive Board and Downtown Lakewood Bussiness Alliance members share their ideas and feedback about initial design concepts re: One Lakewood Place development -former hospital site. This is the 2nd of many citizen engagement discussions. #1lkwd "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 12, 20186 yr To add to my post of a few minutes ago, I just found this.... There's another meeting tomorrow. Looks like the tallest portion is going to be only six measly stories. But I didn't realize this project is still in the conceptual stage. Long way still to go.... @LakewoodOhio The Architectural Board of Review will meet tomorrow (9/13) at 5:30PM. Join us for a conversation about the design of the One Lakewood Place development & other community projects! Visit https://bit.ly/2wPFVD5 to check out the agenda & One Lakewood Place conceptual site plans! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 13, 20186 yr The site plan shows a 9 story apartment building tucked in the middle of the site. The main building will be retail with office space on the upper floors, so with the taller floor plates should still be pretty big. Here are a couple screenshots from the PDF.
September 13, 20186 yr Is the skinny orange building the apartment building? Originally they were considering adding apartments on top of the office building. Perhaps going more vertical was cost prohibitive. I think the city wanted to create a plaza/ green space on Detroit Avenue.
September 13, 20186 yr I think the city wanted to create a plaza/ green space on Detroit Avenue. Sigh.
September 13, 20186 yr I think the city wanted to create a plaza/ green space on Detroit Avenue. Sigh. I kinda like it.
September 13, 20186 yr I was so glad they were going to open up windows or storefronts on the west wall of the existing building. Now I'm not at all optimistic that will happen.
September 13, 20186 yr I thought they were opening up the south side of the building. Maybe? But here's the earlier render.
September 13, 20186 yr gotcha. so maybe they were opening the west and south side or I just mis-remember. That would create more connectivity between the Curtis Block and the plaza. I thought the idea is that the storefronts in the Curtis Block would have a "presence" on the rear side facing the new storefronts.
September 13, 20186 yr gotcha. so maybe they were opening the west and south side or I just mis-remember. That would create more connectivity between the Curtis Block and the plaza. I thought the idea is that the storefronts in the Curtis Block would have a "presence" on the rear side facing the new storefronts. I never thought of that but absolutely, opening the south makes good sense. I'm just worried about blank wall space. We have enough of that in Lakewood and it's awful. p.s. Curtis Block! Forgot the name.
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