May 17, 20187 yr Steve Barry Buick RIP. This site on Detroit Ave in Lakewood has been a car dealership since the 1920s. I remember it as DeBarry Oldsmobile. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 17, 20187 yr I remember it as DeBarry Oldsmobile. How old are you?? A friend of mine bought a Buick from Steve Barry in 1980, so that's going back a ways!! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 17, 20187 yr Lakewood to purchase Hilliard Square Theater land for $10 https://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index.ssf/2018/05/lakewood_to_purchase_hilliard.html Another huge opportunity. I wish the city could gain control of all the land going east up to the intersection. One point of contention. I think calling the theatre "an eyesore" was a reach.
May 17, 20187 yr My latest contribution.... THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 Lakewood Ohio's new residential boom times Lakewood's primary commercial district, Detroit Avenue, is becoming a lot more residential. The changeover in land use is due in large part to a change in business preferences, resulting in opportunities to offer contemporary housing in a stable, walkable community. The last time the city had so much land available for development was before the Great Depression of the 1930s. There are eight large properties along Detroit Avenue that were or are in play for redevelopment. Most developments are for new uses, primarily residential. They include: 1. Fairchild Chevrolet -- Forest City Enterprises/Ryan Homes & Knez Homes 2. Educator's Music (and Spitzer Chrysler-Jeep?) -- Liberty Development 3. McKinley School -- Liberty Development 4. Steve Barry Buick -- Unknown 5. Lakewood Center North office tower -- Lakewood Center North LLC 6. Lakewood Hospital -- Carnegie Management 7. Trinity Lutheran Church -- Unknown 8. Phantasy Cleveland -- Unknown MORE: https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2018/05/lakewood-ohios-new-residential-boom.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 17, 20187 yr Nice work. Although, is an apartment tower still in the works for the hospital site. i thought they were looking at the mid-rise office.
May 17, 20187 yr Nice work. Although, is an apartment tower still in the works for the hospital site. i thought they were looking at the mid-rise office. Nothing has been finalized yet. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 17, 20187 yr Nice work. Although, is an apartment tower still in the works for the hospital site. i thought they were looking at the mid-rise office. Nothing has been finalized yet. fair enough.
June 16, 20186 yr Glad to see this building is on the market, and being promoted as a possible residential conversion. This had the former Bi-Rite in it until last year.... 12501 Madison Ave Lakewood, OH 44107 · Office For Sale $900,000 http://images2.loopnet.com/d2/wQJdv-YS4lp4yYjSPInt7EVR5aXaI6OJA3AOyFJ48kw/document.pdf "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 16, 20186 yr Birdtown is becoming hip. I was there before it was “cool.” Yes I’m an inadvertent hipster haha. It’s funny I met friends for dinner at a Russian restaurant last night and out of nostalgia, I bought a Baltika - for TEN dollars! At Bi Rite it was always $2.00. And you could talk to old babushka ladies and also buy strange eastern euro candy bars and pickled things you normally didn’t see pickled. Miss it. But very glad to see this conversion going on. I’ve been worried for that building for some time.
June 16, 20186 yr No conversion yet. It's merely for sale. If it doesn't sell, then who knows what will happen to this building... Which Russian restaurant were you at, surfohio[/member] ? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 17, 20186 yr Even without the conversion, there has been some good redevelopment happening in Birdtown.
June 17, 20186 yr Even without the conversion, there has been some good redevelopment happening in Birdtown. Definitely. Some cool infill housing going on. But I won't be happy until everything along the north side of Madison, from West 117th west to near Newman Ave is replaced with mid-rise housing having ground-floor retail. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 17, 20186 yr ^^ the Kafe in San Diego. Still have my house in Lakewood but been out west mostly.
June 17, 20186 yr Even without the conversion, there has been some good redevelopment happening in Birdtown. Definitely. Some cool infill housing going on. But I won't be happy until everything along the north side of Madison, from West 117th west to near Newman Ave is replaced with mid-rise housing having ground-floor retail. How's this?? Just a little massing.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 17, 20186 yr ^ Nice. Put the park on the northern part of the site and the residential building on Madison and it would be perfect.
June 18, 20186 yr Even without the conversion, there has been some good redevelopment happening in Birdtown. Definitely. Some cool infill housing going on. But I won't be happy until everything along the north side of Madison, from West 117th west to near Newman Ave is replaced with mid-rise housing having ground-floor retail. How's this?? Just a little massing.... Too bad to rain on your vision but Tony George owns (listed as Thomas T George on the auditor's site) several parcels (adjacent to Madison) that you dream of as 'park.' He was also awarded a marijuana dispensary license for that site (11818 Madison) in early June. (ref http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24804 - the author of that post is the publisher of the Lakewood Observer; so I'd believe to be very credible and https://patch.com/ohio/lakewood-oh/medical-marijuana-dispensaries-coming-lakewood)
June 18, 20186 yr Too bad to rain on your vision but Tony George owns (listed as Thomas T George on the auditor's site) several parcels (adjacent to Madison) that you dream of as 'park.' He was also awarded a marijuana dispensary license for that site (11818 Madison) in early June. (ref http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24804 - the author of that post is the publisher of the Lakewood Observer; so I'd believe to be very credible and https://patch.com/ohio/lakewood-oh/medical-marijuana-dispensaries-coming-lakewood) I knew Tony George owned that property but I didn't know he was awarded a marijuana dispensary for that site. I don't doubt that info, but I do doubt the Lakewood Observer. Oh well, there's always the wasteland between Coutant and West 117th. That's a good place to start the redevelopment. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 18, 20186 yr They've been clearing out The Nationality Broadcasting Company space for a while. Such a weird place, like a CIA outpost. I wonder what's up with that property. Anyone? Also, does anyone know what's going on at the building at Madison and Lark? The configuration is very intriguing to say the least.
June 21, 20186 yr Two state historic tax credits announced today.... Lakewood • Detroit Clarence Medical Building, 13314 Detroit Ave. Total project cost: $297,800 Total tax credit: $20,950 Built as a small medical office building in the International Style in 1959, this building will serve as the new space for the Lakewood Historical Society with a museum, collections and a gift shop. • Reify Bros and Flanigan Building, 11730 Detroit Ave. Total project cost: $2,027,458 Total tax credit: $250,000 The Reidy Bros and Flanigan Building began as a furniture and appliance store and was used by a printing company (Vedda) until 2005. The Virginia Marti College of Art and Design will move into the building, and it will house a culinary school, studio and classroom spaces, and offices along with a student-run restaurant and bar. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180620/news/165756/northeast-ohio-real-estate-deals-land-state-rehab-aid-photo-gallery "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 22, 20186 yr Regarding the second development listed above, here is a photo of the building I shot during my morning walk. I'm very happy to see news of the redevelopment of this eyesore building on Detroit at Hird avenues. It was left vacant when Vedda Printing moved to a bigger building on Berea Road about 15 years ago. I was starting to worry that it might succumb to the wrecking ball. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 22, 20186 yr So glad. Here's hoping the renaissance continues just across the street...... https://www.howardhanna.com/Property/Detail/11794-11814-Detroit-Lakewood-OH-44107/NorthernOH/3935693
June 23, 20186 yr ^Many a night in the 90's was spent on that Pirate ship dance floor listening to the Sisters of Mercy, Meat Beat Manifesto, Thrill Kill Kult and whatever other industrial and goth bands they had playing.
June 23, 20186 yr We have a new university....OK, an old university with a new name and direction. Here's a press release... https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vmcad-embraces-the-changing-economy-becomes-the-north-coast-college-300670680.html VMCAD Embraces the Changing Economy, Becomes The North Coast College The North Coast College (TNCC) is a nationally accredited independent college located in Cleveland, Ohio, that provides a versatile and multidisciplinary education built around an innovative curriculum, where both the creative and business sides of the art and design industry converge. TNCC confers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees to students majoring in art and design management, fashion marketing, fashion merchandising, graphic design and interior design. NEWS PROVIDED BY The North Coast College 09:06 ET CLEVELAND, June 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- President Milan Milasinovic has announced that VMCAD (www.vmcad.edu), formerly Virginia Marti College of Art and Design, will be renamed The North Coast College, effective June 28th, 2018. According to Dr. Milasinovic, the change reflects a new strategic direction and effort to provide students the necessary foundation for a successful career in a fast-changing, highly competitive business environment. "The new economy requires a well-rounded education that provides the necessary skills for jobs, but it also requires sufficient academic preparation. We have redefined the education model and introduced our Convergence Curriculum to close the gap between career and liberal arts education," Milasinovic said. Since assuming the role of president in June 2015, Milasinovic and his leadership team have redefined art and design education, developing a disruptive curriculum based on how the brain actually works and learns. The college's Convergence Curriculum prepares students for an evolving marketplace that requires an integrated skill set that is the convergence of the creative/idealistic and the logical/pragmatic. The college has reimagined general education courses, putting them in a context that appeals to creatives in design-centric fields. Students take courses such as Physics and Art, The Neuroscience of Creativity, History of Revolutionary Ideas and Verbal Communication of Visual Concepts. The college is also exploring the addition of culinary programs affiliated with the prestigious New England Culinary Institute (NECI), a sister school acquired in 2017 where Milasinovic also serves as president. "Given the thriving restaurant and hospitality industry in Northeast Ohio, I believe that NECI's established programs would be well-received," Milasinovic added. With synergies expected to develop between The North Coast College and NECI, the two schools may sync up their academic calendars to offer courses that apply to both the culinary arts and design fields. The North Coast College will continue to honor its founder, Virginia Marti-Veith, by naming the fashion school the Virginia Marti School of Fashion. The college is hosting an official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new name and show off recent campus upgrades. These improvements include a brand new student lounge and a large public art installation on the outside of the building. This event is scheduled for June 28th, from 2-4pm at the school's campus in Lakewood. More information about the college can be found at www.theNCC.edu (live on 6/28), as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. SOURCE The North Coast College Related Links http://www.theNCC.edu "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 23, 20186 yr I like everything but the name. It sounds very cheap to me. Then again, maybe if they have a good logo that could be forgiven.
June 24, 20186 yr @LakewoodPatch Sign points to #healthcare. New signage is up at the soon-to-open @clevelandclinic Lakewood Family Health Center at the corner of Belle and Detroit. Community open house slated for June 30 1-5pm. Family Health Center preview and open house info here: https://lkwdc.it/2IqpgtG "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 1, 20186 yr Regarding the second development listed above, here is a photo of the building I shot during my morning walk. I'm very happy to see news of the redevelopment of this eyesore building on Detroit at Hird avenues. It was left vacant when Vedda Printing moved to a bigger building on Berea Road about 15 years ago. I was starting to worry that it might succumb to the wrecking ball. Apparently North Coast College couldn't wait to renovate this building to present a more attractive public face along Detroit Avenue. As you can see from the photo above, this building was looking pretty ratty when NCC bought it. Now that it owns it, it's got a new facade to wear until the renovations can begin.... NCC also has a new, more visible sign above its original classroom building which it renovated last winter/spring. I'll have to get a night photo of it.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 1, 20186 yr Great idea and I really like the signage. Looks like some classy people are running the place.
July 1, 20186 yr This is just my musings but, the Phantasy Theater complex just across Hird Avenue along Detroit Avenue is for sale for about $1 million. It makes me wonder if North Coast College could afford to not only purchase the Phantasy but to rehabilitate it into a performance venue and classrooms. Tell me there is some wealthy benefactor who would be willing to support such a vision. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 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 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 13, 20186 yr ^ Damn. I was hoping the Phantasy complex could continue on without such drastic alteration. This is sad news.
July 14, 20186 yr ^ Damn. I was hoping the Phantasy complex could continue on without such drastic alteration. This is sad news. Yeah there’s no place like it.
July 16, 20186 yr ^Great update, KJP. Especially happy to hear the activity on the Steve Barry Buick land.
July 16, 20186 yr Thanks. That article already has already generated 22,356 hits and I just posted it at 5 p.m. Friday. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 16, 20186 yr ^ Keep an eye on Educators Music. I think everything on that block might go including the mechanic, who was a new location further east on Detroit.
July 16, 20186 yr ^ Keep an eye on Educators Music. I think everything on that block might go including the mechanic, who was a new location further east on Detroit. Did you see my blog posting from May 17? http://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2018/05/lakewood-ohios-new-residential-boom.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 16, 20186 yr ^ Yes. I know you covered it then. So I should have assumed you are keeping an eye on it. But it looks like Bruce's is likely moving from that location creating a very large site.
July 16, 20186 yr Bruce's Automotive bought the Falcone's Repair garage at 12222 Detroit. And with the closing/listing of that store at Cove/Detroit, I suspect they might be eyeballing that too. After I posted the article in May, I got some comments that Liberty is interested in possibly a mixed use development, not just luxury townhouses like what they're building at McKinley Place, that would go all the way to the corner at Detroit/Bunts. George Shaker has owned that auto repair business there for about five decades. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 18, 20186 yr freefourur[/member] Unfortunately it seems that Bruce's Automotive bought the property at 12222 Detroit for storage, not to relocate. A source informed me that the owner (G & M Property Management 3, LLC) of the land on which Bruce's Automotive sets at Detroit and Bunts has rebuffed a recent offer to buy that property. That offer was by a nationally prominent retail developer. I'm awaiting more information about that. I hope that G&M is willing to play ball however. Big things are coming to the property to the east of it. ;) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 19, 20186 yr Great headline. Barring any surprises, I'm told the property will transfer Sept. 4.... Cleveland's Goth Community to Cry More Than Usual With Selling of Phantasy Nightclub in Lakewood https://m.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/07/16/clevelands-goth-community-to-cry-more-than-usual-with-selling-of-phantasy-nightclub-in-lakewood "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 19, 20186 yr freefourur[/member] Unfortunately it seems that Bruce's Automotive bought the property at 12222 Detroit for storage, not to relocate. A source informed me that the owner (G & M Property Management 3, LLC) of the land on which Bruce's Automotive sets at Detroit and Bunts has rebuffed a recent offer to buy that property. That offer was by a nationally prominent retail developer. I'm awaiting more information about that. I hope that G&M is willing to play ball however. Big things are coming to the property to the east of it. ;) It's still a nice sized site without Bruce's. Plus he's my mechanic so I don't mind him sticking around. ;)
July 19, 20186 yr Could you nudge him to nudge his landlord to take a purchase offer from Liberty? ;) To me, any redevelopment of Educators Music and Spitzer would be less impressive if it comes just shy of the corner of Bunts and Detroit and "features" an aged auto repair shop at that highly visible intersection. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 19, 20186 yr freefourur[/member] Unfortunately it seems that Bruce's Automotive bought the property at 12222 Detroit for storage, not to relocate. A source informed me that the owner (G & M Property Management 3, LLC) of the land on which Bruce's Automotive sets at Detroit and Bunts has rebuffed a recent offer to buy that property. That offer was by a nationally prominent retail developer. I'm awaiting more information about that. I hope that G&M is willing to play ball however. Big things are coming to the property to the east of it. ;) It's still a nice sized site without Bruce's. Plus he's my mechanic so I don't mind him sticking around. ;) I use him, too (he's an honest mechanic) and it is an easy walk to my house.
July 19, 20186 yr Could you nudge him to nudge his landlord to take a purchase offer from Liberty? ;) To me, any redevelopment of Educators Music and Spitzer would be less impressive if it comes just shy of the corner of Bunts and Detroit and "features" an aged auto repair shop at that highly visible intersection. Are we sure that the landlord is a different person or just a separate entity set up by Bruce's?
July 19, 20186 yr I was told they are separate. But... in checking their incorporation documents, the incorporator is George Shaker, the guy who founded Bruce's Automotive more than 40 years ago. His firms, G&M Property Management/2/3 LLC, also own an apartment building at 11829 Clifton Blvd and a duplex at 1272 Idlewood Ave. "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 My error. Bruce's Automotive was founded in 2016 by Bruce Henthorn. He pays rent for the car repair shop at Detroit/Bunts to G&M Property Management LLC owned by George Shaker. George Shaker's father founded a car repair shop on that site more than 50 years ago. George Shaker worked there as a young man and later took over the business from his dad. He diversified into owning numerous residential properties and, in his senior years, leased his auto repair building to Henthorn who runs his own business out of there as well as at the 12222 Detroit location. Shaker has turned down overtures to buy the Detroit/Bunts property. "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 Bruce's Auto moved there from another location (that site was a Tuffy Muffler for a long time) but I'm pretty sure they've been there longer than 2016.
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