Cool Cleveland Interview: Terri Hamilton Brown

A University Circle resident, Terri Hamilton Brown is president of University Circle Inc., a nonprofit organization that manages development, police protection and parking. It also banks land for future development within the one-square mile that houses Cleveland Museum of Art, Case Western Reserve University and Severance Hall. University Circle, Inc. has recently completed the Wade Oval renovations in just one year, and now is hosting a series of free events called Third Thursdays, featuring music, food and area vendors. This week, Third Thursdays takes place on Thu 8/19, featuring Doug Wood on progressive acoustic guitar from 11:30AM to 1:30PM, and Anne E. DeChant, playing folk, rock and jazz on the new Kulas Stage from 5-7PM. For more information, see http://www.universitycircle.org

 

You've lived in this neighborhood for about 5 years. How has life changed in the University Circle area over the time you’ve been living here?

Lots of development. And it actually feels like there’s a little more to do, that there are more people coming out. We’ve added a few new restaurants on Euclid, so there are more people out and about.

 

What hasn’t changed?

There's been a few things, like at 105th Street, there could be more development. There are non-profits around here that are our partners; Famicos Foundation [a nonprofit community housing development] is working on development, but that’s happening slowly. The surrounding neighborhoods have not picked up the pace as it has in the Circle. So we’ve started convening a meeting of the surrounding non-profits, and we’ll be working on some joint projects with them.

 

Is this the collaborative project you're working on for Peter Lewis that we've been hearing about?

Very separate. We started working on this before; Peter Lewis' involves the institutions within the Circle. But I’m talking about working with our neighbors in the surrounding community; I got that from my other jobs, that the relationships will help us build bridges and to partner with the other communities.

 

What can you tell us about the planned collaboration between Case and the rest of University Circle that you'll propose for funding to Peter Lewis?

That we’re working together; we’ve not been talking about it publicly, but some wonderful ideas are coming forth.

 

What is the potential for University Circle?

Unlimited. Our vision is to be the premiere urban district.

 

In Cleveland?

No, it's unlimited.

 

In the world?

You got it. We’re making investments, and executing plans to revitalize the Circle.

 

I dont know why, but i still feel skeptical of the concept of U Circle being a national destination in and of itself.  But with the way things are going and all.  (about $1 billion in projects)

 

I really hope those two new apartment buildings they're planning to build will be something interesting.  like this http://www.ptutt.de/architectour/architecpics/gehry/GEHRY-DDORF-02.JPG

 

even if its a Gehry overdose lol just something distinctive.

 

And also they need to have an ice skating rink on Wade Lagoon damnit

Zaceman,

 

Do you (or anyone else) have any graphics of the proposed development at Ford and Euclid? I'm also looking for graphics of the proposed TOD at Mayfield next to the proposed, relocated Rapid station.

 

Regards,

 

KJP

KJP, if I recall correctly, there was a rendering in one of Corwin Thomas' columns in the PD for the Euclid/Ford project. It was approx. 12-14 stories high with what looked to be a brick-like facade with a cylindrical corner 'tower' of glass as an accent on the southeasternmost point. Darned if I can remember when it was printed, though - I'll do some digging.

^ yea i saw that rendering in the paper. however it isnt final, i heard they want "more" with those towers.

 

i havent heard about the TOD at mayfield, but that definately sounds interesting

This has actually been going on for several years now, but heres some more projects underway if not already started. They even include three 10 story apartment buildings:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/universitycircleguide/wide/boom.jpg">

I was just going to post this, maybe Ill find the article.

Nice to see that major construction has been happening in other parts of the city besides downtown. Nice post

Nice post. Great summary.

Yep, I can say the same thing for Kent State. Ah well...

 

I'm really impressed with the plans for the apartments/retail on Euclid - I know the folks on Hessler aren't happy with it but I hope the project goes through.

Yeah that project was in the PD awhile back and I thought it was dead for sure, Im so happy to see it back.

oh no way, its part of Lewis's plan, hes very much behind it

UC as a whole has really boomed the last few years, as has spinoff in Little Italy, and other surrounding neighborhoods.

speaking of CWRU, it will be in the national spotlight tomorrow for the Vice-presidential debate.

yea last night there was a large red "CNN" projected on the wall of the art museum heh

Seems that there is more money going into construction in University Circle than there is going into Downtown.  Lets post some pictures of the completed, future, and ongoing construction projects and improvements in and around University Circle.  Big and small projects are all welcomed.

 

I'll start it off with links to three major projects. 

 

Phase 1 of the New north side Residential village at Case Western Reserve University (under construction)

http://studentaffairs.case.edu/living/construction/default.html     

---> the video link is at the right side of the page

 

The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center (you'll need flash to see this)

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/giving/?firstCat=59&secondCat=555

 

The newly acquired CWRU west quad -nearly all new construction here

http://www.cwru.edu/pubs/cnews/2002/9-12/westquad.htm

 

 

Also, I have a list of all the University Circle projects somewhere, but not in digital format.  If I find it, I will type up the list.

Some more renderings from CWRU's residential project

 

 

 

 

 

A view down bellflower

 

case's new dorms were "inspired" by hopkins dorms which are situatied around a football field (some credit is also given to carolls')

 

anywho, the new dorms are sh!ts and giggles better than the old ones which were a series of 16 bulidins each with a 140 max occupancy, all disconnected from eachother......

Here are some shots of the recently renovated East Building at the corner of Mayfield and Euclid Ave.

 

 

OK everyone, here is that list of all University Circle construction I said I had.

 

Actually, this list still doesn't include the UCI renovation of the old Commodore and whatever they are planning with The Triangle, either.

 

Note: edited to include picture instead of poorly formatted text

how does the case campus center come in more than the ford euclid development? (50 vs 35 mil)

 

last i heard ford-euclid was at least ten stories and that's not a small property

 

looking at the current site of thwing center, it would have to be say 22 stories.........unless ghery is behind this........

Ford Euclid is three buildings.  One is 11 stories.  The other are only 8, I think.  Residential construction tends to be less expensive than institutional construction.  Campus Center will probably have state of the art this and that, signature architectural features, and more heavy-duty fixtures and mechanicals, all of which is what's driving up the cost.

 

PS- one other thing that I thought of that isn't on that list is the new Mandell School of Nonprofit Management.  Its not huge, but it counts.

x,

 

wait a new msass school of mgmt? I haven't heard anything........if the need be, i know the dean of msass.......

 

or is the new school completely separate from msass?

It should be a new building adjacent to the existing MSASS building.  There is currently a parking lot on bellflower where it will likely be built.

i really don't think there's enough space next to the existing msass space.........goodbye fiji house!

Good point, but you'd be surprised to see how much you can squeeze onto a small space (hampton in downtown).  It'll be really interesting to see what happens to the FIJI house though, considering they recently lost their charter.  CWRU would have to cut a deal with their house corporation though, b/c CWRU does not own either the property or the house itself.

KJP- the design sucks, true.  And it is squat, but it is still huge- over 500,000 sq ft, and will basically be a tech palace inside.  So, the price doesn't surprise me.

 

Pope- The new Mandel School isn't going to be very big from what I've heard.  I don't remember square footage, but I remember it was (only) a few million dollars worth of construction.  That gets Case what- a quonset hut?

 

Does anyone know what Case is currently building on the West Quad, on E. 101st?  It isn't in the West Quad renderings I've seen.

anywho, the new dorks are shits and giggles better than the old ones which were a series of 16 bulidins each with a 140 max occupancy, all disconnected from eachother......

 

New dorks same as the old dorks . . . .

 

Looking at this, I am reminded of my tour in which the grand plan of burying Euclid Avenue and having a greensward from southside to northside.

 

Looks like top o' the hill dorms (Kusch! Head for the Mountains) will fall further behind.  Sigh.

birdman,

 

last i heard is that eventually the top of the hill will be converted (either re-use or re-build) into grad housing. Basically making north side for undergrads and the south side for grads.

 

As for a time frame, i would expect some details as the north residential village is wrapping up (once again occupancy in the fall of '05)

That's right.  I don't believe the plan has changed.  Here's a website you might be interested in.

 

http://www.cwru.edu/webdev/mplan/mplanhome.htm

 

 

Also, here's the masterplan.  Look at MSASS to see how they have actually planned for some time now to expand right on the tiny parking lot next to the current building.

 

http://www.case.edu/pubs/casemagazine/fall2001/features/place/download/MasterPlan.pdf

Are the walkways a UCI, CWRU or Euclid Corridor project?

Some of it has changed since then.  The West Quad and North Residential Quad are quiet a bit different.

Does the footprint look anything like these?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone else as happy as me with the plans for turning baker building into an entry point to the campus. :clap:

 

 

 

Some old pics for those who have yet to see them.

 

Here's the original plan Case had for the new Student Center.  I think now they're just gonna tear the whole thing down.  Can't say I agree with that, since the east section of thwing center is so historic.  They should at least save the outside and gut the inside except for the main hall.

 

 

 

Here's the original plan for moving the west portion of Thwing Center down the street and making an alumni center out of it.

 

 

And perhaps another good idea- to frame the rockefeller building with two others, thereby creating two separate quads out of the main case quad

 

Anyone else as happy as me with the plans for turning baker building into an entry point to the campus. :clap:

 

The auditorium left something to be desired but the basement classrooms were fun during summer session.

oallostavros-Maybe Case will decide to move both halves of the Thwing Center?  They are not just nice on the outside.  The ballroom is spectacular.  I've been to a few events there, and people always ooh and ahh about it.  It would be a shame to lose something so impressive and well liked.

 

The building under construction on the west quad is probably the upper leftmost building in the second rendering.

X, I agree, and that was their original plan, but last I heard, they were planning to demolish it altogether and build anew.

 

Here is a rendering and current pic of the building going up at Mount Sinai.  It will actually house the Cleveland Center for Structural Biology and another group as well.

 

 

^Hopefully Euclid Ave through midtown will build up so it is a seamless downtown region

That would be a nice 100 block long downtown...but I like it.

That would be a nice 100 block long downtown...but I like it.

Don't dream any small dreams! 

 

:-)

 

How large of a site are we discussing? The reason I ask - 500K sq. feet is roughly equivalent to the floorspace in One Cleveland Center. 2 million sq. feet - well, Key Tower has about 1.4 million sooo... this could be *huge* with a capital F!  :-o

 

*EDIT* Ok... on 14 acres... interesting indeed!

Here is an editorial from Thursday.  It has some interesting tid bits, like the fact that two developers approached Case about the site.

 

Case for the future

Vision of a modern medical mecca on University Circle holds tremendous promise for all of Greater Cleveland

Thursday, February 24, 2005

 

The pioneering medical complex that Case Western Reserve University plans for University Circle represents the type of vision this region needs if it is to prosper in the 21st-century economy.

 

The West Quad proposal builds on the area's greatest economic strengths even as it focuses squarely on groundbreaking approaches to health care. It carries the possibility of thousands of new jobs, cutting-edge biotechnology companies and millions of new dollars in research grants.

 

Most important, it positions Cleveland to be a national leader in what Case medical school Dean Ralph Horwitz sees as a revolution in the way individual patients are treated and cured.

 

The proposal for a complex encompassing as many as 2 million square feet of laboratories, academic offices and commercial space clearly carries financial risk. But without risk-taking, this region will continue its economic slide. What's more, Case is approaching the project in a careful, thoughtful manner, committing resources of its own but also placing responsibility for its overall financial success with whichever developer wins the job.

 

The concept is attractive to developers. Case's leaders have already met with four firms - and two called the university first.

 

The proposal has not only a substantial commitment for space from Case, but the planned relocation of the Cleveland Health Department and the possibility of a satellite county health office. In addition, developers can count on the proximity and engagement of the region's two major health systems, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic.

 

Five years ago, this community suffered a significant loss when Mt. Sinai Medical Center closed its doors. Today, Horwitz and Case President Edward Hundert have presented a compelling vision for the now-vacant site - one made possible only because organizations that once treated one another as rivals now recognize the benefits of collaboration.

 

This cooperative spirit, made possible largely because of Case's visionary leadership, holds the promise of significant economic growth for the region and progress in health care for the nation.

 

 

 

I've been keeping up with this project through the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission's Weblog: http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/blog, which is a great resource for those of us who live out of town, but want to keep up with day-to-day news around the Cuyahoga Cty area.  CoolCleveland is also great...and there used to be a Cleveland Development Projects website, but I think the guy called it quits.

 

Anyways, great news.  It seems like all the needed players are on the same side and we could actually see this thing happen over the next 10+ years.  Add to that new housing construction all around the Circle and up the hill, a renovated Wade Oval and Lagoon, an expanded CMA, CIA CIM, and CWRU and continued investments by both hospitals...plus Euclid Corridor.

 

On the housing note, any progress on the renovation of the beautiful, historic Park Lane Villa?

I saw a construction vehicle (a cherry picker type thing)  out front of it yesterday, but I didn't stop to see what it was up to. 

Here is somewhat of an update on the Triangle and Beach projects (scroll down a bit).  Geez, I wish they would all get on the same page because it doesn't look like anything will happen soon with all these issues.

 

http://www.hotelbruce.com/01_02/bruceblog.php

 

University Circle deal spins round and round

 

With all the noise being made about infusing University Circle with a new street life, the stakes are getting higher and the allegiances shifting in the plot to figure out where to create the type of thriving commercial center that is a given at world-class universities.

 

Bruce blog has obtained information that explains the deafening silence of late surrounding the proposed $35 million retail-residential development at the corner of Ford and Euclid. For starters, Heritage Development Co., the developer, has not acquired the rezoning and variances from the city. The process has stalled in large part because the university is now insisting that the developer conduct a market analysis for the proposed supermarket tenant, a traffic analysis, and an analysis of residential rents.

 

After the university was pressured from the community to lower the height of the project (among other things), it insisted on reductions in the proposed size from 234 to 220 residential units and a reduction in underground parking spaces from 334 to 247. Meanwhile, Heritage’s refusal to take a public subsidy in order to maintain full control over the plan may be imperiling the financing of the project. Sources inform Bruce blog that the developer recently tried to negotiate a cash investment from Case and University Circle, Inc., which was met with a chilly reception.

 

Documents obtained by Bruce blog show university officials in December telling the developer that maybe ‘it would be wise to take a step back and take our time reviewing all aspects of this development.’ In a letter to Case and UCI, Heritage complains that ‘I distinctly feel that there is a change of attitude on each of your parts towards this development.’

 

Indeed, if Heritage is feeling the wind coming out of its sails, it might look across the street to see where it’s heading. The closer Case gets to finalizing its purchase (from UCI) of The Triangle apartments and commercial strip center on the northeast corner of Euclid and Mayfield , the more bargaining power it gains. Here it has a developable parcel with less issues: It’s not casting a shadow on Hessler Street where neighbors have complained (and threatened lawsuits) about the Heritage project, the university has a large surface parking lot practically attached, and it has existing structures from which to work (all of which drastically reduce development costs). Can Heritage hope to regain the leverage it once enjoyed? Stay tuned...

 

Speaking of The Triangle...

 

It seems as though UCI is the gatekeeper in seeing that Case commits to a plan to redevelop the Triangle as a commercial-use property. Whether the nonprofit has what it takes to stand up to the behemoth of Case is not clear, but, in documents obtained by Bruce blog, it looks as though Case is leading the negotiations on this one. One alteration that jumps out is the university adding ‘academic’ to the memorandum of understanding between it and UCI on the proposed uses of the Triangle. Sources familiar with the deal speculate that Case is leaving the option of relocating a future home of its Arts and Sciences college open. As it stands, UCI and other University Circle institutions will be informed of but not involved in making the plans.

 

Does anyone know about the time of the future phases of new Case dorms?  I think that Case would do a lot better in attracting students if it had a better campus (dorms+college town). 

wait, community wanted it shorter? never heard that....

 

future phases? not sure of a time line, but the north residential village will be completely rebuilt. I'd imagine they'd start on the old north dorms shortly after the new north village is complete (occupancy fall 2005)

With the huge construction boom going on, is there an area of UC that can be developed as a Forest City type mega development?

 

Just wondering, with all the new people probably moving to Cleveland ( :clap: ) for the new Case/Clinic labs, it could be a good opportunity.