I doubt a Marc's could, not with a full-service grocery store inside Wal-Mart and a decent-sized grocer inside Target, too. Don't know about the others.

I think it would be awesome to see a Crate and Barrel there, though.

I agree, C & B would be good but not sure they would do it. 

 

West Elm -- I like that store and I think there could be a market.  Given the $$$ value of housing stock I think their product line is consistent with what many people will spend to dress out a home. 

 

 

 

I doubt a Marc's could, not with a full-service grocery store inside Wal-Mart and a decent-sized grocer inside Target, too. Don't know about the others.

 

Marc's prefers second-generation space (retail space that was formerly filled and is being/has been vacated).  Plus, it would never pay the rents that SYC commands, which is outrageous compared to what it usually pays.

 

Retail brokers that I know have said that Marc's has missed some great opportunities because of its stubbornness and lack of interest in expanding when competitors (i.e. dollar stores) are exploding in Northeast Ohio. 

 

west elm would be great although I kind of picture it in place such as the Stark project as it is a few steps up from the rest of the pack at SYC. On that same vein the hipper version of Crate and Barrel,  CB2  (http://www.cb2.com/default.aspx)  would be also great, but now I am just talking smack at this point as either one of those would choose Crocker Park or Legacy area over us. It is too bad the outlots can't cluster stores that are a step up from payless, etc.

I would rather Steelyard kept to big box crap. Save the higher end stuff for downtown. (C&B, Trader Joes, West Elm et al) If that all ends up in Steelyard, it could hurt tenancy prospects for Stark and other downtown developers.

And why would you need to support a chain like West Elm when you have Duo Home or Anthropologie when you have Room Service - both located in Detroit-Shoreway:

 

http://www.roomservicecleveland.com/info.html

 

http://duohome.com/default.aspx

 

You're all a bunch of chain loving suburbanites!!! ;-)

I really need to check those two stores out!

Cleveland's Steelyard Commons retail center has a good first year

Posted by Zachary Lewis January 30, 2008 17:41PM

Categories: Breaking News, Retail

It seemed like a risky move at the time. Now, looking back, it's amazing Steelyard Commons didn't sprout up sooner.

 

 

Peggy Turbett/The Plain DealerRetail tenants at Cleveland's Steelyard Commons say customer traffic been increasingly steadily, particularly since the opening of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in October. But as this photo from the project's Phase II indicates, there's still a lot of room for future development.

A year ago Friday, when Home Depot opened its doors where Interstate 71 and the Jennings Freeway intersect, there was no precedent for big-box retailing in Cleveland.

No one could predict then how the hardware giant or other retailers scheduled to open later in the year -- all familiar sights in the suburbs -- were going to fare inside city limits, much less at Steelyard Commons, on industrial property once considered almost useless.

 

Now those worries seem quaint. By most accounts, the $100 million, one million-square-foot center is meeting or exceeding expectations, and Clevelanders continue to warm to big-box shopping within sight of downtown.

 

Traffic at Steelyard Commons since the opening of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in October has averaged 350,000 to 400,000 cars per month, said Mitchell Schneider, president of First Interstate Properties, developer of Steelyard Commons. By contrast, Legacy Village, a successful retail development in Lyndhurst, took three years to reach that amount.

 

Read More...

"On the dining front, Schneider said he'd like to see one or two more sit-down chain restaurants to complement the Applebee's that opened earlier this week. Eventually, he said, he hopes to lure a restaurateur from the Tremont neighborhood into Steelyard Commons."

 

LOL. I'm sure Lolita thinks SYC is just the place for the crowd it attracts.

On the dining front, Schneider said he'd like to see one or two more sit-down chain restaurants to complement the Applebee's that opened earlier this week. Eventually, he said, he hopes to lure a restaurateur from the Tremont neighborhood into Steelyard Commons.

 

Yes I realize that the tremont foodie types also like to buy shoes and groceries, but from the surface I just don't see the two mixing, ever. Especially in a strip mall.

I completely argee, thats just silly. Although I think we are picturing places like Lolita and such. Noting that Walmart is selling a lot of "ethnic"food (which ethnicity...Hipanic? not sure) a little ethnic eatery could maybe work.

Not once have I ever heard anyone say safety was an issue at Steelyard.  Is it a strategic move by First Interstate to mention that SYC is crime-free in the article?

I completely argee, thats just silly. Although I think we are picturing places like Lolita and such. Noting that Walmart is selling a lot of "ethnic"food (which ethnicity...Hipanic? not sure) a little ethnic eatery could maybe work.

 

Which one would be coming from the Tremont neighborhood, though?

 

Can you honestly see any westside neighborhood eatery plopping themselves down on an outlot surrounded by a sea of parking and next to an Applebee's?

I see no tremont chef, rather I was thinking an independent might...a little ethnic spot. I know I have been stuck down there on errands and I would have liked to eaten somewhere. Once I went to Chipolte, but would rather not again.  I can handle chain stores from time to time, but restaurants is kind of where I draw the line.

edit: one more thing-when I asked this very same question about Cracker Park (what indep would go there or be welcome there-I was blasted). Maybe a local chain would be more willing: ie an Alladins or Mi Pueblo for instance.

Of this topic, I love how the above article calls SYC an "island" like it is a good thing.

Yeah I caught that too.

 

They must be trying to get people to perceive it as an island of suburbia in the middle of the sea of cityfolk.  Maybe they want more customers to come in off the interstate.

^^who blasted you?

 

^^It does feel like an island. Actually, it feels more like an isolated valley.

I wouldn't mind seeing local places like Goodwin's Sandwiches or European delights (Great pierogi place in Parma)... Just some of those "strip" kind of eateries, why not expand down there?

^who blasted you?

 

^It does feel like an island. Actually, it feels more like an isolated valley.

 

At least they didn't call it an oasis! :)

I would rather Steelyard kept to big box crap. Save the higher end stuff for downtown. (C&B, Trader Joes, West Elm et al) If that all ends up in Steelyard, it could hurt tenancy prospects for Stark and other downtown developers.

 

Ditto.  That is my biggest worry about Steelyard, that it may preempt Downtown retail.

And why would you need to support a chain like West Elm when you have Duo Home or Anthropologie when you have Room Service - both located in Detroit-Shoreway:

 

http://www.roomservicecleveland.com/info.html

 

http://duohome.com/default.aspx

 

You're all a bunch of chain loving suburbanites!!! ;-)

They are great stores and I have been to and spent or plan to spend in most.  I do think the chains help support economic development on a scale that local businesses just don't have an infrastructure to do so.  I think there is room for both in the city to help drive sustainability of the region.

I would rather Steelyard kept to big box crap. Save the higher end stuff for downtown. (C&B, Trader Joes, West Elm et al) If that all ends up in Steelyard, it could hurt tenancy prospects for Stark and other downtown developers.

 

Ditto.  That is my biggest worry about Steelyard, that it may preempt Downtown retail.

  I think there is a lot that needs to be done to get stores in downtown.  CB2 or West Elm would be good in Tower City but won't last if it costs too much to park.  Since those are new concepts for the area, in my opinion, if a new concept fails in the area the rest will be gun shy.  I know many of us would love the city to be walkable and a place like Tower City to be a destination retail/business place but it's just not there yet.  Baby steps -- and I think SYC would be a good place to have a new concept introduced.  As the article suggests the success of SYC is still up for debate.  I want to see the debate go away and retailers be looking for the next hot opportunity.  For my vote I hope that would be TC back in glory!

OMG if SYC preempts retail downtown, I'm leaving now! 

 

For real, SYC is fine and let whatever stores are there now and the ones most likely on the way (Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohls, Dicks, Pat Catan's, stores along these lines) go there and leave downtown for stores NEW to NEO and stores where you're not pushing carts full of blue light special items.  Downtown can't be reserved for only high end businesses, but at the same time, it must contain stores/restaurants that we can't find out in the burbs and stores that will draw people in from all over the area.  Honestly, we'd be foolish to expect SYC to mimic some faux-posh lifestyle center in terms of retailers and atmosphere-it's an old steel mill site that sits a couple miles from a gorgeous downtown--that's where West Elm or CB or whatever else along these lines that have been mentioned here should go.  It's not like retail in downtown is bursting at the seams and we need an overflow space for the line of natl/intl retailers waiting to set up shop along Euclid.  One day I hope but today... :wink:

 

SYC filled a void in the city in a few short years and it's location surrounded by freeways and in the front yards of mills makes this plain jane strip mall way cooler than anything else in the burbs.  I think it's time to move on, let SYC finish its last phase(s) and let downtown and other pertinent neighborhoods attract new retailers. 

OMG if SYC preempts retail downtown, I'm leaving now! 

 

For real, SYC is fine and let whatever stores are there now and the ones most likely on the way (Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohls, Dicks, Pat Catan's, stores along these lines) go there and leave downtown for stores NEW to NEO and stores where you're not pushing carts full of blue light special items.  Downtown can't be reserved for only high end businesses, but at the same time, it must contain stores/restaurants that we can't find out in the burbs and stores that will draw people in from all over the area.  Honestly, we'd be foolish to expect SYC to mimic some faux-posh lifestyle center in terms of retailers and atmosphere-it's an old steel mill site that sits a couple miles from a gorgeous downtown--that's where West Elm or CB or whatever else along these lines that have been mentioned here should go.  It's not like retail in downtown is bursting at the seams and we need an overflow space for the line of natl/intl retailers waiting to set up shop along Euclid.  One day I hope but today... :wink:

 

SYC filled a void in the city in a few short years and it's location surrounded by freeways and in the front yards of mills makes this plain jane strip mall way cooler than anything else in the burbs.  I think it's time to move on, let SYC finish its last phase(s) and let downtown and other pertinent neighborhoods attract new retailers. 

  I do see your point.  Forgive my ignorance but if there is a concerted plan for downtown, particularly Tower City, I'm not aware of it.  That is what is necessary.  Right now there is momentum with SYC and from a retailers perspective SYC can "build to suit" as opposed to fitting into existing space.  I'mnp\ot sure there is any one right answer.  Would love to see TC be the home to Crate & Barrell, Nordstroms, and other places that draw people downtown!

I hope it didn't come across as b*tchy or condescending! :wink:

 

I don't know if there is a plan downtown either...

not too happy about all the low end fast food going in there. What can you do though.

Better to see them clustered in there than in the neighborhoods, I say.

true, so true.

"The city of Cleveland and Applebee's are a perfect match."

 

Shudder.

"The city of Cleveland and Applebee's are a perfect match."

 

Shudder.

 

Yeah, I know. But I don't conjure them. I just share them.

Funding isn't the problem. Back to Steelyard Commons.

a unique and rather inspiring perspective on SteelYard architecture.  it's too bad they didn't incorporate more of the architectural relics from the old steel site.  gives me hope for the future significance of this retail center.

 

 

via the excellent photo essay contest sponsored by levin college > http://urban.csuohio.edu/forum/photo_contest_submissions.shtml

the photo below appears on page 17 and was submitted by Joshua Burks

I hope it didn't come across as b*tchy or condescending! :wink:

 

I don't know if there is a plan downtown either...

  no, not bitchy!  Good dialogue.

Out of curiousity, has anyone done a photo gallery of Steelyard Commons? All I have are some aerials which show it u/c.

I hope it didn't come across as b*tchy or condescending! :wink:

 

I don't know if there is a plan downtown either...

  no, not bitchy!  Good dialogue.

 

Bitchy people on UrbanOhio??  Never.

Out of curiousity, has anyone done a photo gallery of Steelyard Commons? All I have are some aerials which show it u/c.

http://www.steelyardcommons.com/site_photos.asp

http://www.steelyardcommons.com/aerial_photos.asp

Developer likes urban big-box stores

February 09, 2008 15:54 EST

 

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The developer of a shopping center built at the site of a former steel plant is out to prove that big-box retail stores can thrive in urban neighborhoods -- not just the suburbs.

 

Steelyard Commons is a 125 million-dollar redevelopment project. It opened last February with a Home Depot store on a piece of industrial property west of downtown once considered almost useless. Target was the next major retailer, followed by a Wal-Mart Supercenter and others.

 

Site developer First Interstate Properties says traffic at Steelyard Commons is averaging 350,000 to 400,000 cars a month.

 

While the early returns seem good, the project isn't finished. Nearly 20 prime acres at Steelyard Commons await development, and other challenges remain.

 

http://www.fox45.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/2282de3e-www.daytonsnewssource.com.shtml

 

 

 

So what is everyone's overall thought about this project? I hope this is something that Dayton can follow suit with at the proposed Parkside Apartments redevelopment.

So what is everyone's overall thought about this project? I hope this is something that Dayton can follow suit with at the proposed Parkside Apartments redevelopment.

 

What, you didn't read all 39 pages?

Heck no, just a couple here and there. Basically I'm just wondering if big box can work in urban Cleveland, I wonder if Dayton can make it work as well?

Heck no, just a couple here and there. Basically I'm just wondering if big box can work in urban Cleveland, I wonder if Dayton can make it work as well?

 

I wouldn't call this urban. Close to urban, yes. (Industrial Valley is due south of downtown, old and functioning factories, very few residents.

So what is everyone's overall thought about this project? I hope this is something that Dayton can follow suit with at the proposed Parkside Apartments redevelopment.

 

On the whole, I don't mind Steelyard.

 

I'm finding that I don't go there often, even though I live about two miles from it.  I go to Marc's for pretty much everything that I would get at Walmart or Target, and instead of Home Depot, I'm willing to drive to Ace Hardware (locally-owned and operated) in Garfield Heights for home improvement products.  And I prefer the neighborhood businesses over the chain restaurants at Steelyard. 

 

But, Steelyard is good for when I really need something quickly (i.e. medicine) or the things that I can't find at the smaller local stores.

I work downtown and I am using Steelyard 2-3 times a week, mostly for supplies from Staples and Target. I also have other employees using Home Depot quite often. Overall, I like SYC, minus the awful and deadly freeway exit off 176 south. I refer to that as Dead Man's Exit.. if you're coming from downtown, you take I-90 to I-71, then take the SR-176 south ramp and immediately have to jump 2 lanes over to the Steelyard Dr. exit, and almost always get hit by heavy oncoming traffic. As for SYC itself, tax dollars to the city and enjoying the suburban life in the city is always nice (sarcasm!) but in the end, I honestly don't have a problem with the whole thing. I don't normally shop at any of the offered stores outside of work-related business and the food options are lousy, but again, it's better than nothing or having to go to the suburbs. The only thing urban about SYC is the bike trails, proximity to Tremont, and the attempts to keep it looking like a "steelyard". It still blows away most suburban shopping plazas. I do have to say that Severance Circle gets the upper hand since they implemented residential around the entire project. In SYC, I'd like to see some dense residential offered thru apartments of some sort.

And for those moving from suburban to urban envrions, SYC might be the tipping point in their favor. I have a few friends in suburban NJ that refuse to move any closer to the "inner city" because there are "few" shopping options -- mainly Target, Lowes', and etc. I wonder if many have this on their internal conscious.

immediately have to jump 2 lanes over to the Steelyard Dr. exit, and almost always get hit by heavy oncoming traffic

 

Hopefully you mean merging traffic...oncoming traffic on a freeway would be much worse. :)

 

If you're feeling really adventurous, try this out some time.  I can't guarantee you the road is still open, as I don't know if it's even an official city street (it doesn't show up on Google Maps), but I went this way one time when I was exploring down there while Steelyard was still under construction and it would at least help with your exiting problem.

 

Get off at the Harvard-Denison exit right after the Steelyard/Jennings exit.  Turn left and then turn right just after you get past the other exit ramps onto W. 14th St.  (Yes that's right, I said right, you used to be able to turn left, then right onto W. 13th, which wove its way down to Jennings, but they blocked that road off when Steelyard was built.)  Now as a disclaimer this road is kind of a narrow, creepy road going steeply down the hill...but remember, I said this was an adventure so don't blame me if you try it out.  It will come in right at the Harvard/Jennings intersection, where you turn left to go north onto Jennings and you'll come to Steelyard pretty quick.

 

It takes a minute longer or so, but it's possibly safer and definitely more adventurous than the suggested exit.

 

EDIT: Now that I think back, I don't even remember the road being too creepy, I think just the fact that it's not on the map makes it seem more adventurous.

All I have to say about that article is that placing stores like the ones at steelyards and doing so in such a manner makes it not "urban" anymore.  To say that this works in an urban enviroment is misleading.  Placing them there inherintly changes the context.

^^ I actually rode my bike down that hill and I thought I was going to die!

 

When the old LTV warehouses were still there, I used to ride my bike through them.  It was really rather surreal.  There were three warehouses the size of football fields back to back to back with doors opening into eachother that I could ride through.  They were pretty much stripped of everyone, but the lights were still on??  I used to use that route as a shortcut to ride to Independence when I worked down that way.  I really meant to take photos before they started tearing things down, but I waited too long and I am still kicking myself.  I took some other photos a couple years ago on the existing side that I should post sometime though.

I work downtown and I am using Steelyard 2-3 times a week, mostly for supplies from Staples and Target. I also have other employees using Home Depot quite often. Overall, I like SYC, minus the awful and deadly freeway exit off 176 south.

 

If you want to avoid that exit, get off I-90 at W 14th go through Tremont to get to SYC.  W 14th ends at a traffic circle that takes you directly into SYC.  You can also avoid the interstate all together if you head down into the flats and take Scranton south and cut over to W 14th on a cross street. 

If you do that, obey the speed limits - there are enough numbn#ts flying through this neighborhood as it is. :whip:

^^ You avoid "Dead Man's Exit" that way, but then you end up "Dead Man's Roundabout". heh  Can't win. ;)