1) Here's a cool time lapse video of CWRU's first wind turbine.  There are still plans to install two more (not sure of the timeline):

 

 

2) The Natural History Museum "Smart House"  currently sitting on Wade Oval has finally topped off in height.  It will be completed this summer and be ready for touring.

 

3) MOCA architects (and MOCA plaza architects??) have moved into the old Luchita's spot.  They've moved in desks and MOCA renderings can be seen from the window.

 

4) Amish builders arrived last week and are finishing the the last remaining 27 Coltman townhomes...man, do they start early...like 6 am!

 

5) Great to hear about Hazel Dr!  This will be a nice fill-in project for a somewhat forgotten section of University Circle.  I'll keep people posted when I see dirt start to move.

Thanks for the all the updates!  That video is awesome.  Being the guy at the top of the tube who helps fasten the new pieces as they get lifted into place has got to be a terrifying job.  Talk about having to trust your coworkers.

Has anyone had a chance to check out the new addition to the VA Hospital?  I drove by it last night and it looks pretty cool...

Has anyone had a chance to check out the new addition to the VA Hospital?  I drove by it last night and it looks pretty cool...

 

Yes.  That's my hospital ;)  Great work being done over there.

 

Here are some updated pics as well: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,13900.120.html

 

 

I wonder how close the Tudor Arms Doubletree is from being completed.  According the the Hilton website, it is still supposed to open in May: 

 

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/CLEUCDT-Doubletree-by-Hilton-The-Tudor-Arms-Hotel-Ohio/index.do

 

Hopefully we'll see an update here soon.

^I drive by every day....while I don't know what is going on inside I would be surprised, from the looks of the outside, if it will open in May...at least not early May.

OHHHH!  So that's what's going on in that building!  I was wondering what they were doing since I drive by it about 4-5 days a week.  So they're aiming for an early May opening?

I only wish the Tudor Arms wasn't so disconected from other UC attractions.  It just seems so lonely over there with its back to all the action.

 

And MH.... my man.... you really need to get off that military time.  There is no 0500 bugle around these parts.

OHHHH!  So that's what's going on in that building!  I was wondering what they were doing since I drive by it about 4-5 days a week.  So they're aiming for an early May opening?

I contacted them two months ago about the possibility of hosting a function for our organization May 21-22--but was politely told that the property would not be ready by that date.  I had the impression that at this point the opening date is still up in the air.

though I know they are much further along than people seem to be giving them credit for, inspections should be starting soon... i would say realistically 60 to 90 days.

Does anyone ever professionally clean the outside of older buildings, or is that reserved for total gutting/renovations? There are a few I'd hit with an industrial power-washer if I could, the Tudor Arms among them.

Back in the day, that building used to host some sort of Job Corps. right?  Was that its immediate prior use?  Anything else in the building during that time?

Site of the next University Circle hotel:

 

^ What's up with the blue-green colored section of the hospital building? Is that still not finished?

^ What's up with the blue-green colored section of the hospital building? Is that still not finished?

 

Yeah there's still paneling to do at least there and at the top right corner of that side.  Constructrion crews are still on site even though they had an open house two weekends ago.

Thanks for the pic

They pulled off those panels to bring in the MRI through the window.

 

They pulled off those panels to bring in the MRI through the window.

 

 

LOL!  wow thanks! 

 

The info you can learn from UrbanOhio...

Looking forward to the new hotel. I hate that parking lot - it's way too cramped and not easy to navigate. With UH/this/MOCA all in one block radius, I am very excited!

Site of the next University Circle hotel:

 

 

 

what hotel is being built there?  The snavely one?

^Yep.

After doing that darn Critical Mass, I've been inspired to ride my bike around...  All I had on me was my iphone, but here are a few other random pics of UC today (note: check out the Uptown and Cleveland Clinic threads for other pics of today).

 

1) Tudor Arms Doubletree Hotel:

 

 

Note: new "Doubletree" signage:

 

 

 

2) I'm liking the looks of this signage on Circle 118!

 

 

 

3) Cleveland Natural History Museum "Smarthouse:"

 

 

 

 

4) Random -- so when can we put a storefront in this place?? (one block from Uptown, across from CIA)

 

^I think the plan for the building in your last shot is for a fool full redo as market rate units if and when a new facility for its residents is built nearby- I'd imagine a new storefront, or at least an improved ground floor would be part of the program.  Anyone have any updates on their new facility?

 

Another thing in your last shot... could be cool if the Mi Pueblo parking lot were converted to outdoor seating someday, though I'm not holding my breath- parking's only going to get more scarce in that neighborhood.

 

"fool redo" , that's  funnny.

 

update on new facility which will provide ultimate accessible housing for the disabled:

http://login.npwebsiteservices.com/mil/NewCircle.asp

 

As soon as the New Circle Vistas are built the brick bldg on Euclid gets tranferred to Case.

^Ha, yeah, I suffer from phonetic spelling dissonance when I'm typing fast.  Nothing Freudian there I swear!

 

Thanks for the link to the Maximum Access project- sounds like it's a go, so maybe MarrayHill will get his wish sooner than he thought!

I had no frikin idea... Here's the map with what the new footprint will look like: 

 

 

Case has the money to fully rehab the existing building...very exciting!

Isn't the smart house a Natural History Museam project?

^ha!  It obviously is.  Sorry, must have had art on the brain.  Fixed.

Another thing in your last shot... could be cool if the Mi Pueblo parking lot were converted to outdoor seating someday, though I'm not holding my breath- parking's only going to get more scarce in that neighborhood.

 

Awesome idea about the outdoor seating.  I think it's worth it to lose a couple of parking spaces there.  And I think it would be worth it to Mi Pueblo financially.

^I think the plan for the building in your last shot is for a fool full redo as market rate units if and when a new facility for its residents is built nearby- I'd imagine a new storefront, or at least an improved ground floor would be part of the program.  Anyone have any updates on their new facility?

 

Another thing in your last shot... could be cool if the Mi Pueblo parking lot were converted to outdoor seating someday, though I'm not holding my breath- parking's only going to get more scarce in that neighborhood.

 

Parking around there can already be a headache on busy nights, but I do like the idea.

As this stretch of Euclid fills in, does anyone know where there will be parking that's available to the general public visiting the new restaurants and the [eventually relocating] Cinemateque?  Is that one of the purposes for the proposed garage at lot 45?

 

^Yes. A PD article as recent as February 9 of this year states that the owner of Lot 45 (Univ Circle, Inc. --- UCI) planned to issue a request for proposals to developers by April 1.

The master plan for this particular area calls for a large parking garage, among other things. That'll help out with things in the long-term like the Cinematheque, etc.

 

Before the garage is finished, where will visitors park? I don't know how feasible this is but the UH garages, one of them is essentially across the street from MOCA, have plenty of available spaces on evenings/nights and both weekend days.

Valet service should be a given for some of the restaurants.

 

Parking will probably not be an easy feat.

 

 

:-o woa, last time I drove by Tudor Arms it didn't look like they'd done ANYTHING to the outside.  What a difference, new windows and the overhang!  Can't wait to see it completed.

 

It's amazing how much the Tudor Arms has transformed in just the last ~3 weeks.

Looks more ready to open with every passing day.

SmartHouse Press Release:

 

PNC SmartHome Cleveland to Open June 6; Only Passive House in Nation on Public Display

 

CLEVELAND, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Northeast Ohio's first house designed to meet passive house standards is slated to open Monday, June 6, 2011.  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History's PNC SmartHome Cleveland is the only house constructed using the passive house methodology in the United States that is open for viewing to the public.  The custom-built, state-of-the-art home was designed to meet the world's most advanced standard of residential energy performance. It will be on display for public tours through October 1, 2011, in conjunction with an exhibit about climate change.

 

Built on Museum grounds, PNC SmartHome Cleveland represents the future of energy-efficient living. The home was constructed using a super-insulated, 12-inch-thick wall system based on structural insulated panels and energy-efficient, triple-pane windows.

 

Designed to function without a furnace, PNC SmartHome Cleveland will use 90 percent less heating and cooling energy than a typical home.  An air-source heat pump will keep the house at a comfortable temperature using the same energy as two hair dryers.  Air-tight construction will ensure that the home will have no cold drafts, no cold spots and extremely low heating bills.

 

The two-story house has a net living space of approximately 2,500 square feet, including three bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and a full basement.  It was constructed using sustainable materials and furnishings, advanced stormwater and healthy housing techniques, and biophilic design to connect occupants to nature.

 

Three elements distinguish passive houses from typical houses:  high levels of insulation, with walls up to 12 inches thick; a carefully sealed building envelope with minimal air leakage combined with efficient heat-recovery ventilation for superior indoor air quality; and high-performance windows—typically triple-paned.

 

Chuck Miller of Doty & Miller Architects in Cleveland designed the home.  Certified Passive House Consultant Mark Hoberecht of HarvestBuild Associates oversaw its adherence to Passive House Institute U.S. standards.

 

PNC Bank is the presenting sponsor.  PNC SmartHome Cleveland is funded by The Cleveland Foundation, The George B. Storer Foundation, an anonymous donor and other sponsors.

 

After the temporary exhibition closes, the house will be moved to a lot on Wade Park Avenue on the edge of Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood and become available for purchase.

 

Images and video are available at http://www.cmnh.org/site/SmartHomeCleveland.aspx

 

 

 

From an e-mailed agenda....

 

 

Community and Economic Development Committee

TUESDAY, May 31, 2011

9:30 a.m.

MERCEDES COTNER COMMITTEE ROOM

217 CITY HALL

 

Ord. No. 774-11

By Council Members Conwell, Brancatelli, Cleveland, and Sweeney (by departmental request)

Authorizing the Director of Economic Development to enter into contract with SDC University Circle Developer LLC, or its designee, to provide development assistance to partially finance the construction of a Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 2021 Cornell Road, and certain other costs necessary to redevelop the property.

Remarks by Director of Economic Development Department:  See Legislation.

Well, they did seem to have less and less items on the shelves for the past year, so I can't say people are too surprised.  Murray Hill Market currently fills the need until the new Uptown grocery store goes in at the end o this year/early next year.

 

But I wonder who owns the building??  This has to be some of the most valuable land currently not being used in UC.  Maybe the motivation of potential profit as the reason for the closing? (sorry don't want to start rumors! I've just been in the business mindse lately!) With UC booming as it is right now, how great would a mixed-used urban infill project be along Euclid  and along E. 116 ?  I can only dream... But still, what a perfect location. 

 

Cleveland Food Co-op shuts its doors after 43 years

 

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2011/06/cleveland_food_co-op_shuts_its.html

Well, they did seem to have less and less items on the shelves for the past year, so I can't say people are too surprised.  Murray Hill Market currently fills the need until the new Uptown grocery store goes in at the end o this year/early next year.

 

But I wonder who owns the building??  This has to be some of the most valuable land currently not being used in UC.  Maybe the motivation of potential profit as the reason for the closing? (sorry don't want to start rumors! I've just been in the business mindse lately!) With UC booming as it is right now, how great would a mixed-used urban infill project be along Euclid  and along E. 116 ?  I can only dream... But still, what a perfect location. 

 

Cleveland Food Co-op shuts its doors after 43 years

 

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2011/06/cleveland_food_co-op_shuts_its.html

 

pretty sure UCI owns building and was giving discount/free rent to keep them there.

Ugh, even if not really a surprise, I'm really bummed by the Coop's closing.

Ugh, even if not really a surprise, I'm really bummed by the Coop's closing.

 

I see this as a great opportunity. This parcel is surrounded by some very energetic developments. If the Co-op location and that small scale landscape/christmas tree operation don't find a higher and better use, then some people aren't doing their kindergarten-level homework. If losing the Co-op is a downer, I'd say that the incredible growth in local farmers' markets and CSA's renders the Co-op a white elephant.

^Well yeah, I certainly don't mourn the coop's physical manifestation and welcome that site's redevelopment, but I had hoped it would just find a new home somewhere in the broader UC neighborhood at some point when there were definite redevelopment plans.  I know it didn't have mass appeal, but the coop was a source of cost-competitive high quality, wholesome food in the city proper and served a definite niche.  At least on the margins, it's one less amenity that UC has to offer potential residents.  It also lent the east side some progressive cred for people who care about such things.

 

I'm a serious fan and customer of farmers markets too, but they don't come close to covering the non-produce product variety the coop had, let alone match its normal business hours.

 

EDIT: that parking comment in the article was interesting.  Anyone know what the public parking options will be for the diners/shoppers at the new UARD retail spaces?  As much as I wish they could survive off walking and transit-riding customers, I'm highly skeptical that will be the case.

EDIT: that parking comment in the article was interesting.  Anyone know what the public parking options will be for the diners/shoppers at the new UARD retail spaces?  As much as I wish they could survive off walking and transit-riding customers, I'm highly skeptical that will be the case.

 

You're forgetting that all UC restaurants get incredibly busy at lunch (less so dinner) from Case/CIA/CIM students and UH employees.

^I hear ya, but sounds like at least some of these retail spaces won't be aimed at students and might rely more on dinner revenue.  L'Albatros and Sergio's have on-site parking, which I imagine they consider pretty crucial.  The LI restaurants manage without a lot of public parking, so I know it's not impossible, but considering people b*tch about parking at Shaker Square and Detroit Shoreway despite well-marked, convenient and decently-sized public lots and on-street spaces, makes me wonder how it's going to work in the heart of UC.  Is this one of the goals of the proposed garage on Lot 45?

 

EDIT: reading the comments to the article about the coop's closing suggests that management had really slipped, so maybe this org isn't to be mourned so much.  The last time I walked into the coop was probably 5 years ago, so can't say my views count much.

^Agree with you SH which is why I wonder why you never hear anything about the Lot 45 development.  It seems like a no brainer.  Is it that UH (don't they own it or is it UCI) has a lot on its plate right now and it is not a priority?  Could it be they are waiting to see what CIA does with its proposed expansion since part of the development was to include housing for their students?  Could it be they are still soliciting proposals for tenants for the mixed use portion (or is anybody actually working on this and who would that be?).  Lots of questions but, again, really don't understand the delay since parking is really at a premium and it would also help Little Italy which has real parking issues.

I actually heard the other day that the lot 45 proposal is moving forward.

http://www.universitycircle.org/userfiles/file/Lot%2045%20RFQ-RFP%204-27-11.pdf

 

I did a little research re: Lot 45 and this RFQ/RFP pdf came up--very interesting.  Couple of observations:

 

1.  UCI owns the vast, vast majority of Lot 45 (see p. 8 of the pdf).  UC Housing, Inc. and CIA own nearby parcels.

 

2.  UCI is looking at more than just parking for this site.  In fact, they're calling for mixed-use development.  They specifically want street-level retail on Mayfield Road and offices/housing on top of said retail.

 

3.  The project would appear to be on track.  RFQ's were due June 1.  UCI will contact selected companies for RFP's, which will be due August 19.

 

4.  As far as parking goes, the developer will have to provide a minimum of 200 spaces via a structured facility (to replace the current 200 surface spaces).  But it sounds like UCI wants much more than that, as they call for extra parking for Uptown, MOCA, UH, etc.

 

5.  There's talk of re-routing E. 117th so it connects directly to Euclid Ave.

 

All in all, this sounds like an exciting project.  Can't wait for development to start!

^Thanks for taking the time and providing the info.

I used to go to that co-op all the time, and when they built the one on Coventry it was so useful for the year I actually lived there with no car. The place got depressing though, the shelves were empty and there was nothing in the freezers. I knew it wouldn't last at that point. And that was a couple years ago, I'm shocked it lasted this long. I do hope that they can find a new place to open up, maybe in that new development being built along Euclid, someone did say a grocery store was locked in, didn't they?

First public info about the (possible) designs for the proposed pedestrian bridge for MLK between the CMA and the Temple.  Pretty exciting!

 

A trio of pedestrian bridges proposed by Boston architect Miguel Rosales could change the face of Cleveland

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2011/06/a_trio_of_pedestrian_bridges_p.html

I'm not clear on what purpose this bridge would serve, but it still sounds pretty awesome.