... to complete the thought, ... that said, I think it is imperative Stonebridge make Flats level entry to the Viaduct level a top priority – and the elevator in the County Engineers building is available to do so w/ no new construction – we went down through the elevator then back up to our car, it can be done.  Sure, God willing I, like you, will have many more years of being vigorous and ambulatory enough to easily navigate walking up the back streets/hill to reach the deck.  But what of those less fortunate?  Why cheat them of the experience? -- it's a stiff grade uphill nonetheless.

 

Also, why aren't we pushing Jane/Flats Oxbow to create a well lit, pleasant path from the Rapid (Settlers Landing station; East Bank, generally) through the back streets to the Center St. Bridge for the easy walk to Stonebridge. It takes all of 3-4 minutes to make the walk. There will be potentially more walkers/bikers once the Towpath is completed.  We, along w/ the EcoCity folks, really need to push the powers that be to make the Flats more ped oriented rather than making it, like most things, totally beholden to the auto...

 

... just my 2 cents.

 

 

... just my 2 cents.

 

 

Hey thats my line   :whip:   :-P

...geez, sorry for stepping on your title (but I thought you were the, more creative, MyTwoSENSE... not cents)... anyway, my bad.

How do we go about convincing the powers that be to make a pathway from Stonebridge/the viaduct to a place to get to the east bank? 

 

I ask, self interestedly, as a new owner of a condo in the building...

 

 

Also, I am moving to Cleveland after not being in Ohio since I graduated high school (Bexley, in Columbus).  Anything of which I should be aware?

Welcome to the forum, Lindsh and congrats on your new condo!

 

I presume you mean a pedestrian bridge to get from Stonebridge to the East Bank? That's a great concept - however as with all things in Cleveland, the problem is how to pay for it. I've heard of proposals for such a thing but nothing ever surfaced. The best bet for now is walking across the Center Street (swing) Bridge. Of course, we could always try to get the jackknife bridge back in use :wink:

 

When you are asking about Cleveland - perhaps you can give us an idea of what you would like to know. Some things have changed for the better, some for the worse, but those may or may not be issues you're concerned with. Let us know what we can help with.

 

Welcome again  :-)

Welcome Lindsh!

Where did you move in from?

Well, I went to college in New Hampshire (so I am ready for the snow), and presently I am living in North Carolina for graduate school.  I am very excited to come back to Ohio -- to the amazement of my predominantly New Yorker friends.

 

Given that I am relatively young, my concerns mostly center around how to best utilize the resources of downtown and hidden treasures that resident Clevelanders know about, but are hidden to newcomers.  Also, I have conflicting reports as to what the area near Stonebridge is like in the warmer months.  My father's friends were concerned I moved in there, but, although all of them were from Cleveland, none have resided there for 30 years.  Kids I know at Kent State paint a slightly different picture.

The first thing I would suggest to a new Clevelander is to go to the West Side Market on Saturday morning and budget a couple of hours there.  No pun intended, but you can really get a flavor for the whole city there.

 

If you like booze, I suggest grabbing a beer at the Little Bar & Grill in the Warehouse district (it is on a sidestreet/alley  called Frankfort between St. Clair and Superior, near the W. 6th street right behind Johnny's Downtown).  The reason I suggest that place is because it is a friendly bar, and a server hang out.  If you are there later in the evening on a weeknight, I bet most people will be in there from other restuarants and bars.  Just mention to the bartender that you are new in town (that you like Cleveland) and just want to know what is going on.  I bet many of the patrons will clue you into the happenings around town.

For Tremont try the same thing at Southside, or Treehouse.  Sherman owns Southside and Eileen runs Treehouse.  I will let someone else give you directions there.  Also in Tremont there is a fantastic little bistro called Lola, they also have great bartenders.  You may want to drop in there, grab some food at the bar and talk to the bartender.  Frank is usually back there. Anyone of the three or the bartenders there will send you to the best places.

 

Those are my suggestions....I always suggest booze.  Again, welcome to Cleveland

punch is right on (except for Lola, I'll explain later) with his suggestions.

 

As far as location - as I've said before, the area is getting better but it's also still in transition. You have the Lakeview Terrace (public housing) and St. Malachi (church with homeless outreach center) within walking distance. On the other hand, you have Stonebridge, the Federal Knitting Mills Building lofts, and the nightlife of the West Bank. As long as you maintain a sense of awareness (as anyone should, in any inner-city area), I think you'd be fine during the day - at night, I can't really say as I haven't been in that area much at night. Honestly, I carry pepper spray with me at all times and I live in one of the city's safer areas - that's just me. It also wouldn't hurt to spend a day or two driving around just to get a sense of your surroundings.

 

Getting to know Cleveland and getting involved ... the outlets are there if you look. I would recommend visiting coolcleveland.com and getting on their mailing list. They have a weekly newsletter that gives info about happenings in a nice one-shot format. Depending on your professional interests, you may want to consider joining the Cleveland 20/30 club - it's not my cup of tea but I've heard that they are well attended http://www.cleveland2030.com Finally, if you have any volunteering interests (arts, social services, etc.), I've found that's a great way to meet people - after all you have something in common and if you care enough to volunteer - it shows you're interested in making a difference.

 

Also, I'd be more than happy to coordinate a walking tour of downtown if your schedule accomodates it. I'm the author of Cleveland's Downtown Architecture, published by Arcadia Publishing and if it would pay my bills, I would be a downtown walking tour guide.

 

About Lola - Lola is indeed a fantastic bistro, however they are relocating to downtown and revamping their original Tremont location into a less-pricey (but still great food) spot. So if they're open when you arrive, by all means check them out - but if not, you may have to wait until their new spot is open.

 

 

Here's a pic from June 3rd, 2005:

 

The first group of tenants has started moving in, so I believe we can move this thread to "Completed Projects"  :clap:

Not often we get to do that here in Cleveland.  Feels good.  Real good.

 

***** taking pleasure in other's triumphs *****

So, how's the Viaduct looking?  Is it active?  A work in progress?  I'm looking forward to checking it out next week when I'm in town.  I haven't been by there in almost two years!

When I was there to take pics (the thread with the ore freighter), it wasn't what I'd call "active" but I did see a few people. One of the residents of Stonebridge was using it as a dogwalk, and there were some cycling folks doing a little sightseeing.

that's good, and it was still early in the spring and there was at least a month of snow left (!!!), so it's sure to pick up in the summer.  last time I was up there, far before the buildings were finished, I was envisioning great programming and active use of the outdoor seating that runs up and down the viaduct.  In particular, there was a huge blank wall on the south side of the viaduct that looked like the perfect spot to project a movie...anyone like this idea???  Get some folding chairs out there, set up a rolling cart with booze and snacks?  sounds awesome!  i'll check it out this weekend and see what's happening these days.

I've seen the outdoor wall projected movie thing before, but never with such an awesome setting!  That would be amazing.  That jackknife bridge and the Detriot-Superior bridge lit up, downtown in the distance, Scene Pavillion rocking out!  Wait a minute.  We might have to work out the scheduling there. Still, cool idea.

Stonebridge also just updated their website, and are now doing condos on Floors 7-11 (the 11th being 2 story penthouse), rather than the 8-11 as previously advertised.  I went up to check out the progress on my place, and the whole building looked quite a bit better than I had expected.  My only complaint (having not moved in yet) is that the bedroom walls are oddly angled, so furniture placement is difficult in a small room.  As far as I could tell inside the building, the 10th floor and up are totally done (and sold), and the rental units in the bottom are done, but the intermediate floors still need a lot of work (namely, finishing the walls, plumbing, granite installation, lighting, etc.).  When I get up there, I'll try to take some pics from inside to show views and anything else people want to see.

On the topic of the trolley line...

 

an ooooold post from the RTA website (the Superior Viaduct connection is down at the bottom):

 

Friday, July 18, 2003       

 

Public operation of century-old trolleys attracts national attention

 

CLEVELAND – Transit buffs from around the nation are expected to flock here on July 26-27 for the rare experience of riding century-old trolley cars.

 

The event

 

Rides will be offered from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, on the 2.2-mile light-rail Waterfront Line, part of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Rides cost $3 each -- the same price as an All-Day Pass, and purchasing the pass is being encouraged. The cars will stop at all six stations, from Tower City to the South Harbor Station in the Lakefront Municipal Parking lot.

 

The weekend is a joint effort of:

 

    * RTA

    * Flats Oxbow Association

    * Gerald E. Brookins Museum of Electric Railways, dba Trolleyville, U.S.A.

    * The Western Reserve Historical Society

    * Enerco/Mr.Heater

    * Stonebridge Development

 

Interurban Cars 36 (a 1902 Stephenson) and 303 (a 1906 Niles) were formerly operated by the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin (CA&E) railroad. They are now owned by Trolleyville, U.S.A. Interurbans have not been used in Cleveland since 1938.

 

Over the past few weeks, RTA has made operational upgrades to the vehicles without disturbing their historical beauty. Select RTA rail operators have received special training on the trolley cars. They will be operated as one two-car train, with a maximum of 100 seats. Standees will be permitted.

 

"We expect large crowds, and we encourage people to come early," says RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. "We have already received inquiries from Chicago and Boston, from trolley fans who are making this weekend the focus of their vacation."

 

On Thursday, July 24, the cars will be on public display on the center light-rail track at the Tower City station from 9:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. There will be an invitation-only VIP/media tour from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., when the trains will travel from Tower City to Shaker Square and back.

 

During the public operation on Saturday and Sunday, volunteer tour guides wearing period costumes will ride all trains to talk about the trolleys and give RTA service info. Bicycles and wheelchairs are prohibited on the trolley cars, but are permitted on other RTA light-rail cars on the Waterfront Line are.

 

All RTA media, including weekly and monthly passes, will be honored.

 

The reason

 

Trolleyville, U.S.A., a nearly 50-year old antique streetcar museum formerly located in Olmsted Township, has to move, and wants to relocate in downtown Cleveland. A new complex would be designed to include an interpretative center where the public can view the more than 40 antique streetcars, car display storage facilities, a state-of-the art restoration facility and a new right-of-way in Cleveland.

 

Trolleyville, U.S.A. is the more familiar name for the Gerald E. Brookins Museum of Electric Railways. Since the early 1960s, Trolleyville, U.S.A. has given school children, fans and family a chance to see and experience this grand form of transportation.

 

Trolleyville, U.S.A, officials believe it is important for this collection to stay in Cleveland, and RTA's Calabrese agrees.

 

"These trolley cars are part of Cleveland transit history," Calabrese says. "It would be best for everyone, including RTA, if these cars stayed here. We are pleased to work with Trolleyville, U.S.A., to give our customers this unique experience, and increase their awareness of these cars' historic value."

 

The history

 

Cleveland had its first taste of electric-powered transit in 1884, when an experimental railroad opened along Central Avenue. Over the next decade, the City chartered trolley lines connecting every neighborhood with Public Square.

 

Over the years, Cleveland led the industry in improvements of trolley operations, from the Peter Witt design of Front Entrance/Center Exit car design, to the first line in the country to connect the urban center with their airport.

 

In 1942, the city purchased the Cleveland Railway, creating the Cleveland Transit System (CTS), which gradually replaced the trolleys with modern diesel busses.

 

On a frigid day in January 1954, a trolley left Public Square for a trip down Bridge and Madison Avenues for the last time, marking the end of an era in Ohio.

 

The recent redevelopment of the Superior Viaduct with working trolley tracks has shown the possibility of a trolley operation that could connect the Viaduct and the West Side Market with the East Bank of the Flats, Ohio Canal Corridor Canal Basin Park and the RTA Waterfront Line.

 

For more information about Trolleyville, U.S.A., call 216.556.0100.

 

 

also, check out the Trolleyville USA site at www.trolleyvilleusa.org (duh)

On a side note, since this is one of the most dense housing developments in the city now and there's no retail component on the Flats level, what are things looking like in regard to retail on the Viaduct level?  The only thing I can think of that was there several years ago when this project was just getting started was Spaces art gallery.  They were one of the top galleries in the city back then and I hope they're flourishing even more now!

 

My other question is about the riverfront space across from the apartments.  Since we now have dead space on the Flats level below the apartments, what will happen across the street?  Do we see this as an opportunity for more development or as a potential promenade/park site? 

 

Same question for the east side of the viaduct on the Flats level...

http://zaceman.com/viaduct.jpg

 

the viaduct makes a wonderful parking lot...

 

theres a decent amount of people who are on it at all times tho, walking to wherever.  i still wish there was a retail element to it though

 

also as far as Spaces gallery... i work there haha... id say they're doing well.  they even started a world artists program where they get artists from around the country and the world to stay in cleveland for a period of time and create a work to be displayed during their openings.  thats also where much of the activity on the viaduct comes from tho, gallery openings/closings...

 

 

fantastic!  Spaces is a great gallery and really the reason that I found the whole Viaduct project back about 4-5 years ago...so, what kind of events are you guys working on for the viaduct???

 

and what's the deal with all those cars???  is that permanent parking or is that just until the whole thing is finished up???  this sight has put a serious damper on my evening...

They are building some permanent parking below the viaduct, but I am not sure if it will be leased parking only for the residents (we only get one parking space per suite, regardless of the number of bedrooms).  I was told that the parking on top of the viaduct would not be permanent when I originally went to visit/put a suite under contract.  Don't know if that has changed.  There already is some green space across the street on the flats level from the building, but I don't believe it is an established park as such.

 

I'd love to see some retail, though in the area, as I think the residents need something more than an art gallery and a salon (Lipstick and Razorblades).

yes, and this can happen either on the flats level, where there's plenty of developable land to the north, or further west, where the Viaduct merges into Ohio City.  I know the terrain is difficult in the latter case, but I can see this evolving as even more of a unique spot in Cleveland where townhomes take the shape of the streets and hills and retail fits snugly into future growth.  Just imagine this as the gateway to a fully built-out West Bank somewhere in the not-too-distant future!  (fingers crossed)

 

it's especially feasible as this turns into more of a 24-hour part of town with the new and proposed office buildings, residential growth, and existing entertainment complexes of the West Bank.

from the start of the Viaduct (sorry, I'll get better ones later!)

 

Any news on phase IV of Stone bridge development.

Nothing yet - I was there on Saturday and there wasn't anything like construction equipment at the site. I'll keep you posted, though.

I just spoke with someone over at Stonebridge in effort to get some work on the construction.  He said they are looking to start late summer/early fall on the new highrise. 

Don't forget the new Italian restaurant inside the County Engineer's building -- Ponte Vecchio (?).  We stopped there for drinks 'n appetizers several months ago (during the colder months).  It was small but very nice w/ a nice weekday night crowd and great Flat's views.  It's pricey, though.  There was an outdoor plaza which I'm sure they're using, now.

Can anyone provide any insight regarding living in the Stonebridge condominiums.  I visited the open house last weekend and am seriously thinking of putting down an offer.  It has great proximity to my new place of employment and you are still able to pick out your finishes on the 7th floor.  I've read on other threads that current residents have some concerns, but nothing was explicitly stated.  Anyone a current resident or know one that could help?

Can anyone provide any insight regarding living in the Stonebridge condominiums.  I visited the open house last weekend and am seriously thinking of putting down an offer.  It has great proximity to my new place of employment and you are still able to pick out your finishes on the 7th floor.  I've read on other threads that current residents have some concerns, but nothing was explicitly stated.  Anyone a current resident or know one that could help?

 

I can say some things...but not comfortable with too much detail on public forum. There are factions of  people supremely unhappy, another group nervous b/c of them- many are first time buyers so they stress, and a number that could not be happier. Make sure you  know where you will park -inspect the space in person, and get EVERYTHING and I mean everything, in writing that matters to you. I love living here but for me it is more about the location than the building- you are in stones throw of O.city, tremont, downtown , the lake , and the flats are beautiful too. as with all new construction (went with new construction for the location and price despite love of older structures...) there have been issues to work out, many have already been resolved at this point. The same goes for the management issues. The neighbors are great, the views amazing, and summer on the viaduct is great. Also we are easily going down to one car, once my spouse no longer has to go out in the "field" for work. I still do, otherwise we would not have a car at all . I  ride my bike to work when I can, and most summer /nice weekends you can avoid driving if you choose-great biking to ohio city, the market, china town, Edgewater -and I believe there is the hope to get direct access to Whiskey Island.  The worst thing (and maybe best) is  your friends will now want to come to your house to hang out and that puts a dent in your wine and beer stock. will you be happy here? You get 50 different answers if you asked residents. You would think some people did not live in the same building.  I  love where I live, but I understand the frustration that some residents have had . I hope this helps some and best of luck . let me know if I can be less specific !