But that doesn't solve the traffic issue, which is the whole point.  You can always cut through the park if you prefer.  Others might perceive the traffic as a bigger problem.  I just think this bridge would give UC a unique attraction, which would help everything else there.  And that to me is worth more than all the torn-up and rebuilt parks we've spent millions on instead.

I dont like the idea of a bridge anyways, but the proposed bridge doesnt even cross East 105th, which really doesnt make sense to me.

 

As long as it is funded federally or by Case Western then im fine with it. But I think a better connection can be made than the proposed one.

 

Id like a modified version of this one, but the Wendy Park one, to me, seems like a waste, especially if the city has to pay for any of it.

 

With this being in relative close proximty to the CMNH, shouldnt there be a delay to see how this bridge could be incoprporated into access for the renovated/rebuilt museum (of Natural History)?

I hope the bridge goes forward as proposed. This is the Arts and Culture district of our city. You build it because you  'can'. You build it to make a statement. Cost and function should not be part of the thought process.  Much like a piece of art  it's there to be enjoyed, to be remembered.

Have you ever tried to walk to Wendy Park from Downtown? Oh wait, you can't. I'm sure the usage will be worth the cost, especially with the final leg of the towpath being completed. Same applies to the Rosales bridge.  It's meant to link UC with Rockefeller Park and with the lake to lakes trails this will be a vital piece. 

 

There are other ways to make that connection besides an expensive bridge, but we should leave further discussion on that to the appropriate thread.

 

I hope the bridge goes forward as proposed. This is the Arts and Culture district of our city. You build it because you  'can'. You build it to make a statement. Cost and function should not be part of the thought process.  Much like a piece of art  it's there to be enjoyed, to be remembered.

 

Sorry, but I've always hated this line of thinking.  "We do expensive stuff for nonsensical reasons" isn't the statement I want our city to make, let alone the planning and design ethos that will make Cleveland into the best city it can be.  We need intelligent, thoughtful, and original yet pragmatic approaches to address our problems and opportunities.

 

The real reason for this bridge, as 327 sort of stated, is to keep pedestrians from getting in the way of auto traffic. It isn't to make an improvement in the situation for pedestrians, or to make a "statement".

Current connections to the Temple and West Quad. A small renovation and a few new paths is all you need. Not some 7 million dollar bridge.

 

Steps up to the Temple (Right side)

 

Further our shot

 

Steps up to Parklane and East 107th

 

I highlighted some of the current pathways, and added some possible new ones

Current connections to the Temple and West Quad. A small renovation and a few new paths is all you need. Not some 7 million dollar bridge.

 

Steps up to the Temple (Right side)

 

Further our shot

 

Steps up to Parklane and East 107th

 

I highlighted some of the current pathways, and added some possible new ones

 

ADA compliant?

Imagine: Cleveland's "second downtown" in the vicinity of Euclid Avenue and E. 105th remaining, after many decades, a district of fine and trendy shops, hotels, theaters, restaurants and nightspots, prestigious clubs, churches.... Many of the mansions and impressive houses of Eastern Hough (e.g. E. 89th, E. 93rd) or Cleveland's Wade Park district - including dozens that were demolished - extant and remaining single houses, with luxury apartments as well and prestigious clubs and the like.... Ditto the houses that lined Overlook and Carlton Roads in Cleveland and Cleveland Heights remaining.... Houses going now for, say, $350,000 to $1 million +.... YOU CAN SEE IT IN PITTSBURGH. Go to the Oakland area and immediately to the east around Shadyside.

 

 

 

One day recently I mentioned to someone how I still regret how the piece of what had been Magnolia Drive that went into East Boulevard was renamed Juniper, back in the '70s, and how I'm still sorry that Magnolia was cut off the way it was, and this person, who works for UCI, said something to the effect there might be a plan in the works to actually open up the street again to make it as it was?  Does anyone know if there's any truth to it? Magnolia was a beautiful winding boulevard of several blocks that cut through the district and was lined with mansions and fine houses. Sure would be nice if at least it were one street again and places such as University Circle Coffee House (or whatever it's name is - the former Arabica) again had a Magnolia address.... I was so glad when the piece connecting with E. 105th was reoopened to the public, anyway.

 

As long as I'm bringing up that topic, does anyone know what Mt. Zion's latest plans are for its "Family Center?" I'm sure very creative things can be done with their two former residences without their demolition, including their being joined.

Giving pedestrians an elevated bypass would help them at least as much as it helps the cars.  It also creates new views that only pedestrians can enjoy.  That area is poorly designed in general, so any way we can tie things together is a win in my book. 

One day recently I mentioned to someone how I still regret how the piece of what had been Magnolia Drive that went into East Boulevard was renamed Juniper, back in the '70s, and how I'm still sorry that Magnolia was cut off the way it was, and this person, who works for UCI, said something to the effect there might be a plan in the works to actually open up the street again to make it as it was?  Does anyone know if there's any truth to it? Magnolia was a beautiful winding boulevard of several blocks that cut through the district and was lined with mansions and fine houses. Sure would be nice if at least it were one street again and places such as University Circle Coffee House (or whatever it's name is - the former Arabica) again had a Magnolia address.... I was so glad when the piece connecting with E. 105th was reoopened to the public, anyway.

 

As long as I'm bringing up that topic, does anyone know what Mt. Zion's latest plans are for its "Family Center?" I'm sure very creative things can be done with their two former residences without their demolition, including their being joined.

 

Case Western in their master plans shows the Closing of Juniper and the reopening of Magnolia. I really like that part of their plan

Can you post this and how current is it? Where would Magnolia end? I personally wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than the entire Magnolia Drive, from E. 105th to East Boulevard. Why would they "reopen" Magnolia only to cut of off elsewhere? Thanks!

 

For wider context, I think it's from Case's 2006 master plan: http://wiki.case.edu/images/e/e1/MasterPlan.pdf

 

I wonder if Case's demo of the ZBT house is just the first of many on the north side of Bellflower in furtherance of this plan.

^ Ha that one picture of those kids sitting in a circle is straight up 1990's!

I have various plans for UC but not this one. Demolishing even one more of the old UC houses would be a terrible shame. I worry about the former New Gallery/Epstein Design building at Belflower and E. 115th.... Needs renovation and no one seems to be putting $ into it....

 

Going by this 2006 plan, I don't see what you're referring to.  On this page the streets look like their current configuration:

http://wiki.case.edu/images/e/e1/MasterPlan.pdf

 

Going by this 2006 plan, I don't see what you're referring to.  On this page the streets look like their current configuration:

http://wiki.case.edu/images/e/e1/MasterPlan.pdf

 

 

page 20 and page 29 both show magnolia reconnecting to east blvd.

 

[EDIT}

 

and page 45 explicitly calls for the closure of Juniper and reopening of Magnolia.

Going by this 2006 plan, I don't see what you're referring to.  On this page the streets look like their current configuration:

http://wiki.case.edu/images/e/e1/MasterPlan.pdf

 

 

Look at page 29. It shows the same rendering I posted as part of a much larger area.

Okay.  I didn't get it right, because the page I was looking at was said to be "Existing Plan" and the attachment didn't open to that page, anyway ("11" on the screen, no page number in actual Plan, apparently). I didn't see Magnolia going to East Blvd. on p. 20 but - never mind; too confusing. Yes they do call for reopening of all of Magnolia and closing of that piece of Juniper - the original Juniper.  I'm not in favor of that, either, but I sure would like to see all of Magnolia open and it all to have one name.  Meanwhile, is this 2006 actually being followed?  How about a later one???

Discussion of the University Circle-Cedar station renovation project was moved to:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6956.0.html

Hello there, I'm new to this board. I've been lurking for a while, though.

 

Anyway, I'm a student at Case, and have a few... rumors..., I suppose, on that 2005/6 Fat Man With a Surfboard plan. At the moment, Case isn't prioritizing construction. Despite that God-awful "student center" debacle (which was funded largely by a private donation), and the ThinBox lab, Case is currently investing money in other things. Most of this involves hiring researchers, professors, and enticing students.

 

I'd love to see anything come of those plans, especially because Case feels so closed off from the rest of Cleveland, and very anti-urban. It also has dorms that feel rather like cinder block, asbestos filled cardboard boxes. But, as I said, Case's current focus seems to be on academics versus infrastructure. Plus, Case's endowment dropped drastically from its 2005/6 levels when that plan was conceived (not that the university is in dire straights, but things are rather tight).

 

In conclusion, we may see some of those projects, such as the "student center" and Uptown (I really like Uptown, actually), but as for anything else, don't bet your firstborn on it.

^Welcome Zak!  It's great to hear a Case student's perspective.  Totally makes sense that Case has slowed down the construction while it gets its fundamentals in order after such a rocky period.

 

Could you elaborate on the "student center debacle"?  I'm definitely familiar with the Veale Center project...is it viewed negatively by much of the campus community?

Welcome Zak. Thanks for contributing to the discussion/debate.

Welcome to the board, Zak!  I definitely understand Case is in a tight position, it would be nice if they could partner with private developers for some new dorms, like CSU has done.

Hello there, I'm new to this board. I've been lurking for a while, though.

 

Anyway, I'm a student at Case, and have a few... rumors..., I suppose, on that 2005/6 Fat Man With a Surfboard plan. At the moment, Case isn't prioritizing construction. Despite that God-awful "student center" debacle (which was funded largely by a private donation), and the ThinBox lab, Case is currently investing money in other things. Most of this involves hiring researchers, professors, and enticing students.

 

I'd love to see anything come of those plans, especially because Case feels so closed off from the rest of Cleveland, and very anti-urban. It also has dorms that feel rather like cinder block, asbestos filled cardboard boxes. But, as I said, Case's current focus seems to be on academics versus infrastructure. Plus, Case's endowment dropped drastically from its 2005/6 levels when that plan was conceived (not that the university is in dire straights, but things are rather tight).

 

In conclusion, we may see some of those projects, such as the "student center" and Uptown (I really like Uptown, actually), but as for anything else, don't bet your firstborn on it.

 

Zak, I'm confused...this video says CWRU has raised $714 million at 1:28

 

^I guess I was a bit confused by the post as well as everything I have heard and read suggests CWRU has been doing great with fund raising the past couple of years...also like StrapHanger, did not understand the reference to the "student center debacle".

 

I guess I would have to also pointedly disagree with the statement that CWRU "feels closed off the rest of Cleveland" as the campus actually blends into many parts of the surrounding city scape and University Circle.  Also, while I have never been in any of the dorms, from the outside the relatively new dorms around the football field look great.  In fact I was a nieces' soccer game on the football field in the fall and her parents and friends watching the game could not believe how great the campus looked from that perspective and also noted all the new construction on Euclid.  The campus definitely was impressing vistor's who were not familar with it.

The new dorms are great, but I'm sure Zak was referring to the old dorms west of E. 115th St., which really do need to go.  Also, as a former student, I don't see the campus as being isolated from the city.

I'm not a Case insider, but just to clarify the financial issues, I think the issue is not that school is in tough financial shape now, but rather that the 2005/2006 master plan was the product of a more reckless era, when the school was redeveloping its campus in a financially unsustainable way.  Pretty sure it was one of the primary factors that led to large deficits and the rapid exit of one, maybe two university presidents, and maybe a few deans. The school had a lot of digging out to do and I think the experience launched it on a more conservative course.

Shh, I'm up late. Don't tell anyone.

 

The 114 Million was raised recently because of the previous drop (and to further fund Tinkham-Veale Center and ThinkBox).

 

I'm not a Case insider, but just to clarify the financial issues, I think the issue is not that school is in tough financial shape now, but rather that the 2005/2006 master plan was the product of a more reckless era, when the school was redeveloping its campus in a financially unsustainable way.  Pretty sure it was one of the primary factors that led to large deficits and the rapid exit of one, maybe two university presidents, and maybe a few deans. The school had a lot of digging out to do and I think the experience launched it on a more conservative course.

 

This is what I meant by tighter straights. Case isn't broke and begging, but it's in no position to spend on such projects.

 

The reason I say Case feels cut off is because on a typical student day, the engineers (I'm a Civil) trudge from dorms/apartments to the Quad, and back without really ever stepping foot anywhere else in University Circle. We call this the "bubble" (apparently...) in Case's student outreach programs. I suppose a part of the bubble are people who don't know what the sun is, but that's another topic. The humanities majors, however, get a nice view of Mather Quad and get to mill around in parks and use the facilities more immediately visible as "Case."

 

But I'm off topic. I don't think there will be any money for that pedestrian bridge to the long stalled West Quad anytime soon, either. It strikes me as a ridiculous waste of funds, and that money should go to building and maintaining drainage systems in my mind, because parts of Case like to flood. (Or we could build bridges for the seasonal rivers we get! XD) I'd like to see those new dorms, but eh, it doesn't matter to me much anymore, because I'll be living at Parkside Dwellings soon. Still, I feel bad for the Freshman that have to live in barracks. Also, that plan mentions "retail spaces" and such, which would really make Case feel urban with 3-4 story dorm blocks and street level retail, but we'd need more then 5,000 undergrads for that to practical. (But I'll dream about street level retail and zero set back anyway!)

 

Also, why do I have to assemble a turtle to post? :/

Last I heard, the Student Center is gonna happen.

 

I'll post more tomorrow.

^ http://case.edu/universitycenter/webcam/  I think you're a couple months too late with that news :)

:wtf: What do you mean "is gonna happen?" Construction on the new student HAS begun!

 

Any inside news on what Mt. Zion Congregational is cooking up to try to get plans for their new "family life center" passed? Since their property became part of a new National Register Historic District I've been hoping they find a creative means of retaining the mansion and other impressive residence - perhaps even joining the two but keeping the exterior features. Their website has mentioned a court case but meanwhile they show the new building was had been proposed several years ago.

Can anyone shed any light on what's going on with the former, long-abandoned terrace at Chester and E. 97th or 101st Street? As of two days ago every other row house was demolished - leaving what appear to be disconnected townhouses which could actually be retained and renovated attractively. Very odd, indeed! I had seen the article below discussing new residential at that site, which I thought might retain the entire terrace behind, and this is the first time I have seen any sign of life on that corner. I'd love to take a photo but I'm without car or camera today.

 

This is a 2008 article by Steven Litt regarding proposed apartments along Chester:

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/03/upper_chester_plans_are_exciti.html

:wtf: What do you mean "is gonna happen?" Construction on the new student HAS begun!

 

Any inside news on what Mt. Zion Congregational is cooking up to try to get plans for their new "family life center" passed? Since their property became part of a new National Register Historic District I've been hoping they find a creative means of retaining the mansion and other impressive residence - perhaps even joining the two but keeping the exterior features. Their website has mentioned a court case but meanwhile they show the new building was had been proposed several years ago.

 

I'm responding to Zak's "may" quote:

 

In conclusion, we may see some of those projects, such as the "student center" and Uptown (I really like Uptown, actually), but as for anything else, don't bet your firstborn on it.

 

Like you guys, as far as I know things are progressing well and slated to finish on time. I'm not sure if Zak has any better/inside info on this re: delays or what exactly the debacle is. I have a friend working on this and was gonna ask.

 

p.s. welcome to the forum Zak

 

Can anyone shed any light on what's going on with the former, long-abandoned terrace at Chester and E. 101st (?) Street? As of two days ago every other row house was demolished - leaving what appear to be disconnected townhouses which could actually be retained and renovated attractively. Very odd, indeed! A while back I had seen an article about plans for new residential at that site, which I thought might retain the entire terrace behind, and this is the first time I have seen any sign of life on that corner. I'd love to take a photo but I'm without car or camera today.

 

I'll bet someone here has the article from perhaps two years ago.

 

I noticed this demolition taking place last week while driving by (but did not notice they were simply demoing every other previously connected townhouse...hmmm) and simply thought that this was taking place now because the city has been accessing demolition funds from a variety of source and has a program to be more active in this regard throughout the city.  It did not occur to me that anything is currently planned for the site as I would believe anything of significance would be highly publicized given this is a pretty prominent location.

 

If I recall there were some vague plans to develop this site for housing (I think it was called Upper Chester and we might have even had a thread long ago) but I am pretty sure it was even longer than two years ago...probably even pre recession (2007) which of course explains why it is still sitting empty despite its superb location.

Wait, so they are demolishing every other one which basically creates separate houses?

That's what it looked like a few days ago.... Can anyone see it now and report on it? i wrote to Steve Litt but he was not following it.

I want to see as much possible remaining from that area's glory years as upscale district, so "every other house" is a heck of a lot better than complete demolition, strange as the whole thing seems. 8-)

 

The row is on Keemar Court, which goes west from E. 101st. There used to be other buildings between that street and Chester but none for many years, so it can all be seen from the parkway.

 

The picture was from Monday, although today it looked as if they are all getting torn down

EC2012-xxx – CWRU Temporary Parking Lots

Project Location: CWRU West Campus, between Ansel and E. 105th Street; and the NE Corner of Ford Road and Juniper Road

 

 

 

^what the hell is this all about...especially the Juniper- Ford lot?  Temporary parking for what?  What is it replacing and for how long?

Thanks, ClevlandOhio, but I don't get the photos, either. You refer to a photo taken Monday of Keemar Court, but instead you displayed a photo around The Temple off Ansel and E. 105th. When you saw Keemar Court on Monday ehat remained, exactly?

 

As for the Juniper and Ford photo, they're building a parking lot there right now? How did you obtain these birds-eye photos?  I don't get it....

Welcome to the forum, mdg48.

^lafont do you know why they are building this lot and how long it is suppose to last.  (the Juniper Ford lot)

I'm not the one to ask. I'm asking if the person who submitted the photo knows anything.  I'm going to the CMA tonite but will probably not quite make it to that intersection.

The student center is a "debacle" in the sense that it went through a student vote, that student vote was accepted, and then we were informed the voted upon design would not be built, because the parking structure under Kelvin Smith and the field was too far down in the water table (why was there no soil study before design started is beyond me). :? Additionally, we were informed about the same time that we'd be getting a student center for the "use of student groups," when student activity funding was cut. Furthermore, Case ignored many requests from student groups for what the student center should contain for, you know, students, and instead bowed out to alumni. And finally, we were informed that any further discussion was closed.

 

(Full disclosure, they ignored requests from my group, CWRU Film Society flat out. >:( )

 

So, yes it's on schedule for construction, and it's funded (thank you Tinkham-Veal).

 

ThinkBox, however, I happen to quite like, and wish they'd hurry up!  :-P

 

When I stated "don't bet your firstborn" I meant on the rest of the planned dorms, West Quad, etc. The performing arts center/community center in the Temple is still, apparently, scheduled to go forward, but administration was tight-lipped about it during the school year, and now it's summer, so I dunno.

 

I'm not saying that I know someone-who-has-family-who..., but I do. >_< But they don't tell me much. Rats. And it's not like I'm a gossip! The horror!

 

Anyway, for now, that's all I know. Once I'm back in classes, I'll surely hear more whispers on what Babs has got under those business suit sleeves. It's not, however, out of the question, for Case to launch another funding campaign.

So now that the terrace on Keemar Court, off E. 101st just to the north of Chester, is entirely knocked down (unfortunately), does any one have information on what's going on with the apartments planned for that site - Upper Chester?

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/03/upper_chester_plans_are_exciti.html

I was kind of hoping the terrace would have been retained and this project would go up in front of it but, in any case, there's plenty of room now for the project so what's going on?  I'd REALLY like to see construction begin this year! 8-)

Hazel 8 will be making an announcement this week regarding the date pre-leasing begins.

^That's great!  It's all happens so fast.  How is it looking these days as it takes shape?

I'm extremely happy about Hazel 8 because Hazel Drive used to be lined with fine houses on both sides (yes - even by the mansion that became part of WRHS) and there will be upscale living there again. It's shocking to me, though, how horrible WRAH's old garden walls look!  They're pouring millions (I must assume) into renovating parts of the museum interior but what's going to happen with these walls? I know volunteers have worked on the gardens in recent years but I don't know what's going on with that.  Of course I want to see the walls along the Court all restored - never, ever demolished and not replaced!!!

Anyway, the apartments will be a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL place to live for some very lucky people!