Or how about UH buys some land off of Euclid, build a garage above retail near say Midtown.  Then all the employees can ride the Silver Line to work.

^Of course as part of that planning process you will have to have a designated area on campus where the employee's will be able to hang in effigy the administrator who made that decision. :-D

WOW, how inspiring... :roll:

 

and Cleveland architects are p*ssed that MOCA and CIA went overseas for their architects...

Well, it seems that if you want something interesting, you have to.

Interesting headline, considering it was not about the homeless shelter per se.  I wonder why they would lead with that aspect of the project.

My guesses?

 

A. Because the editor who wrote the headline intentionally wanted it in the headline. It's potentially controversial and will get people to read the article.

 

B. Because the editor who wrote the headline didn't read the whole article and instead skimmed it. The word "homeless" caught his/her eye. See second sentence in "A" for the rest of probably what happened.

Yeah, A is what I was getting at.  I think it paints the development in a bad light.

Except that "B" happens more regularly. I often complain to my editors about headlines they write because the headlines don't accurately reflect what my article was about. That's when I learn that they hadn't yet read the whole article before writing the headline. Happens all the time.

^ I'm inclined to agree. As a minor example (I wouldn't say this is necessarily on par with the operations of a professional newsroom), when I was features editor for my college newspaper, we ran two stories side-by-side one issue - one recounting an individual's experience in a concentration camp during the Holocaust and the other examining how the Holocaust continues to impact contemporary German society. A front page designer quickly reviewed our page and did a teaser that indicated we were telling "both sides of the story of Nazi Germany". Needless to say, that teaser ended up sparking quite a controversy, as many people rightly pointed out its lack of sensitivity to people of the Jewish faith. If you looked at the actual features page, you saw that it was actually a pretty thoughtful analysis of how the evils of Naziism continue to have a profound impact on the people who lived through it, as well as on the social structure of the country where it took place. But lack of careful reading by another staff member made it seem like I was anti-Semitic.

That's always the question when new development is involved. The answer is, most likely, that not everyone will be satisfied, unfortunately. I think it honestly just depends on how big they want to make this development and how much of a concern it is for them to incorporate it into the already existing neighborhoods. Everyone might not come out victorious here. But that has been, historically, the name of the game.

^^I think gentrification-related displacement is near the bottom of Cleveland's list of problems.  As "hot" as OC, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway and University Circle are or will be, I don't think any of them will have median sale prices above the national median for quite some time.

^^I think gentrification-related displacement is near the bottom of Cleveland's list of problems.  As "hot" as OC, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway and University Circle are or will be, I don't think any of them will have median sale prices above the national median for quite some time.

 

Do you see the similarities of the neighborhoods above?  Correctly if I'm wrong, but none of those neighborhods were or are neighborhoods where minorities are the majority of the neighborhoods population.  They were historically pretty mixed accross the board.  The same cannot be said for Hough, Forest Hills or Midtown.

^No, I follow what you're saying MTS, I'm just saying I don't think Clark Fulton or Glenville have to worry about any significant affordability issues in the foreseeable future if even the 'hoods with more development (UC, OC) with the potential for spill-over are themselves still relatively affordable.  I don't think you can really draw any parallels to NYC's crazy housing dynamics.

^No, I follow what you're saying MTS, I'm just saying I don't think Clark Fulton or Glenville have to worry about any significant affordability issues in the foreseeable future if even the 'hoods with more development (UC, OC) with the potential for spill-over are themselves still relatively affordable.  I don't think you can really draw any parallels to NYC's crazy housing dynamics.

 

I'm not to sure about that, Isn't one of UC missions to bring more people to the homes in the neighborhoods that is borders?

 

I don't know but it doesn't appear that there is very musch space to build homes in UC proper.   To the east, Little Italy and Murray Hill are very stable and still have some room for developement.  To the west Glenville, Hough are now seeing development that will stablize the neighborhood.

 

So all four of those neighborhoods should see increased activity due to the increase in jobs, visitors and developement in UC proper as the the UC and CC business want employees to live close to their respective.  So in the next 3 years there might not be a problem, but in 5-7 years, I could see this become a big problem.

We could only hope for such a problem, and see such desirability of those neighborhoods rise to that level..  But as Straphanger says, I also dont see it being one.  The dynamics are just not there in NE-Ohio.

Im hoping and praying that it could change though, and make it an issue somewhere down the road .       

Whether people (on here or out in the neighborhoods) agree on whether gentrification in University Circle is now or will soon be a problem, trust that people are attentive to it.  I haven't experienced a sense of urgency, but it's not something that is being taken lightly either.  One thing that most of these neighborhoods have going for them is that if gentrification is, in fact, going to occur, it is going to take place over a longer period of time than it has in places like the Lower East Side or Williamsburg.  Even with 10,000 new jobs in University Circle in the next 10 years, I don't see housing prices in Glenville going through the roof.  The most positive thing that could happen would be that existing residents experience increased opportunities to earn or accrue wealth as the neighborhood grows and jobs arrive and that they can stay with their properties as value appreciates.  Unfortunately, in the Circle proper, more than 3/4 of all residents live in rental housing.  In the surrounding neighborhoods, it's a different story.

^since we are talking about rentals, how active is WECO in the area?

 

http://www.wecofund.com/

Crain's:

 

Port Authority approves $131M financing deal for VA Medical Center

 

By JAY MILLER

 

12:13 pm, November 6, 2007

 

At a special board meeting Tuesday, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority approved the issuance of $131 million in tax-exempt bonds for a new office complex adjacent to the Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center at University Circle.

 

The project is being developed by Veterans Development LLC, which is led by Doan Pyramid Electric LLC president Michael Forlani. It is planned for the west side of East 105th Street between Wade Park Avenue and East Boulevard across from the main VA hospital complex.

 

The entire office building and most of the parking spaces will be leased to the VA medical center, which is expanding as it absorbs the work of the VA hospital in Brecksville. The merger is expected to bring 1,000 jobs to University Circle.

 

The project includes an office building for VA administrative staff, a residence for homeless veterans and a parking garage.

 

Construction crane at V.A. Hospital for the new Cares tower

 

 

 

^Wait a minute...this is a separate project from the new office building and parking garage on the west side of E105, no?  I don't think I knew about this part, thanks.  Is this thing immediately north of the votex of death traffic circle?  Did they close off the little piece of East Boulevard that fed into the circle from the north?

1970 called, says that rendering is very attractive.

^LOL, I was thinking the same thing!!

I can't figure out how that rendering relates to the original plans and renderings from the first post in this thread. :?

^I think the building under construction is separate from the earlier renderings - aka VA is taking over the block! Also, StrapHanger, I'll have you know that the West 14th/Steelyard/71/176 roundabout has a trademark/copyright on "Vortex of Death"; the circle you're describing is "Suicide Circle". ;-)

I work at the VA, maybe I can help.  Yes that little road that fed E. 105 to the circle is a goner...they are building right on top of it.  THe parking garage and everything on the west side of E. 105 will come after the cares tower, including the parking garage with connecting bridge(Thank God, we currently park in the old sinai garage and shuttle over).  Mr. Montague has done a good job getting approval from DC for this project, its not always easy to get that funding....when it is done it may be the best looking VA in the country along with the one in New Orleans.

^This must be exciting for all of those who work at the VA. I love the site plan and the design. I really like the bridge looking walkways. Very cool. You guys do allot of good work at the VA. You and those who desperately need this facility deserve it.

I actually like that rendering, aside from the flipping SETBACK. HONESTLY!!

More importantly does anyone see spillover construction, economic activity in this area

One of the most exciting changes that this will bring about (IMHO) is that the Cares Tower will house the inpatient psychiatric unit which is currently out at the Brecksville site (and in terrible shape). The Wade Park VA currently stabilizes psychiatric emergencies in a State of the Art Psych ER which (again, IMHO) is among the best in all the VA hospitals I've seen. If a patient needs to be admitted, they need to be transported to Brecksville by Mobile Martin which is not only very expensive, but also inconvenient in terms of someone in acute psychiatric crisis.

I work at the VA, maybe I can help. 

 

Did you get to meet Harvey or Toby?

 

...the flipping SETBACK. HONESTLY!!

 

That's part of the 70s vibe.  :mrgreen:  That, and the feminine shapes.

I actually like that rendering, aside from the flipping SETBACK. HONESTLY!!

 

I actually agree.  I'd also like to see more transparency, and hopefully some active quasi-public uses at the ground floor.

 

The design puts me in mind of Miami, maybe some sort of resort hotel.

Now I know it's the government, and it's also a psych facility, but does anyone see an entrance to this building in the rendering, except that island of a patio without any connection to the street?  I guess government building standards preclude building up to the street, but does this apply to VA facilities?  And if so, where are the usual concrete blockades/pillars, etc.?

Actually, this is one instance where the set back doesn't bother me.  This area is kind of unique filled with a tremendous amount of greenspace, trees, parks, a lot of the institutions in this area have slight set backs with trees, not to mention it's a very uncommon site and no where near a common street grid.

There's a way to do set backs, and a way not to do set backs.  But there's only one thing for sure from this rendering- and it is that they didn't spend more than 5 minutes on representing anything besides the building itself.

^Oh there is no doubt.  I guess I'm just saying, if you look at this site on google maps, it is directly, and I mean directly in the middle of the line of Rockefeller Park.  I think it makes sense to have it set back and properly landscaped.  It would fit better in the context of it's surroundings that way.

Maybe.  I think it depends somewhat on what happens at the West Quad, further up East 105th towards Glenville, and on the traffic circle.  That whole context is changing.  Ideally their should be a plan that ties all that together.  Maybe I would think it shouldn't be set back from East 105th, because that is primarily an urban corridor, but it should be set back from East Blvd, because that street has a very bucolic nature.

One of the most exciting changes that this will bring about (IMHO) is that the Cares Tower will house the inpatient psychiatric unit which is currently out at the Brecksville site (and in terrible shape). The Wade Park VA currently stabilizes psychiatric emergencies in a State of the Art Psych ER which (again, IMHO) is among the best in all the VA hospitals I've seen. If a patient needs to be admitted, they need to be transported to Brecksville by Mobile Martin which is not only very expensive, but also inconvenient in terms of someone in acute psychiatric crisis.

 

IIRC, Brecksville is completely closing down and everyting is moving to Wade Park.  That would include not only patient care, but also all the administrative offices that are out at Brecksville now.... such as accountants, lawyers, etc.

 

Nice to see such jobs coming into the City instead of out of it.

Maybe. I think it depends somewhat on what happens at the West Quad, further up East 105th towards Glenville, and on the traffic circle. That whole context is changing. Ideally their should be a plan that ties all that together. Maybe I would think it shouldn't be set back from East 105th, because that is primarily an urban corridor, but it should be set back from East Blvd, because that street has a very bucolic nature.

 

Sorry, I was referring to the new "Cares" tower which is at the pointed intersection of 105th and Mt. Sainai drive  (per mayday's pic).  And that building really is directly in the line of rockefeller park.  I also agree with your assesment of the other new VA building, that should definitely be built to the street on 105th.  Though didn't they say that while that is a strip of lawn for now that they do intend to "expand" at one point to the sidewalk on that side?

 

And I also completely agree, someone like UCI should probably be investing in a masterplan for this area since it is so unique.

I meant the same building.  I think the context is changing, that perhaps East 105th should be an urban corridor through that section of greenway.  Perhaps with the Cares Tower, the Administrative Tower, the VA Garage, and the West Quad built closer up to the sidewalk it would read that way.  East Blvd could still maintain a wider setback to create a green connection between Rockefeller Park and UC's greenery, though. 

 

Not saying this is a good idea, but just a thought on how the "green and grey (so to say)" could meet at this intersection.

 

IIRC, Brecksville is completely closing down and everyting is moving to Wade Park. That would include not only patient care, but also all the administrative offices that are out at Brecksville now.... such as accountants, lawyers, etc.

 

Nice to see such jobs coming into the City instead of out of it.

 

I realize that....I just didn't want to offer info on areas that I don't work with and know about. It's definitely exciting.

http://vaww.cleveland.med.va.gov/webcamera/

http://vaww.cleveland.med.va.gov/webcamera/

 

Pumpkin, nothing happens when I click the link!

Hmmmm....maybe it's only functional within the VA "intranet" computer system.

Update from March 5th:

 

I didn't realize we were closing the Brecksville Center for this expansion?  Well, back to the city core...from the PD today:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/124032062246970.xml&coll=2

 

VA center expansion reaches home stretch

Four floors of Wade Park nearly renovated; goal set for all phases to be done by 2014

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

 

Brian Albrecht Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Work on a $500 million project that could bring 250 new medical jobs here is quietly chugging into the home stretch at the Wade Park Division of the Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center on East Boulevard. Restoration and expansion of the 45-year-old facility started in 1999 and is planned to be completed in 2014, replacing the VA's 48-year-old, 100-acre Brecksville campus. Outside, workers clamber over the scaffolding on an eight-story, 222-bed addition being erected, while nearby sites are prepared for future construction of a medical lab, warehouse, parking garage, office building and domiciliary for homeless veterans.

 

Inside, already gone are most of the eye-numbing institutional white- on-white floors and walls of the original 1960s-vintage Wade Park facility, replaced by wood-trimmed bright colors, framed artwork and furniture that could easily be seen in a hotel lobby. Halls were fitted with equipment alcoves, floors covered with a "flex" material (the same stuff as golf-ball cores) that looks like wood, and even stairways were decorated with plants and painted in sunny hues shimmering to piped-in music. Entire floors were gutted to the framework so that new walls, wiring, plumbing, flooring, ceilings, bathrooms and beds could be installed. Large, multi-patient rooms were reduced to private or semi-private rooms. Center renovation reaching home stretch...

Isn't it great to see a consolidation being with the suburban campus employees merging in to the city campus and not vice-versa.

 

The Brecksville facility is architectural blasphemy under the views of this forum.  It is significantly set back and REALLY spread out.  Each building is connected by councourses that would put the walk from concourse D at Hopkins to shame.  Of course, one has to understand that it was built post WWII going into the Cold War and designed to minimize the impact of a targeted bombing.

 

The big impact of the merger IMO is that the administrative personnel will now be in UC, bringing more diversity to a professional area dominated by doctors and nurses.  Accountants, billing, HR, lawyers, paralegals, etc. 

Yes that little road that fed E. 105 to the circle is a goner.

 

Does this mean that to continue on East Blvd. from the museums area you now turn right onto E. 105th St. and then left back onto East Blvd.?  I always thought that little connector for East Blvd. was kind of dangerous anyways, as there was no light and it crossed at a funny angle.

Update of the Cares Tower construction:

Well here's an image from the webcam that's not nearly as pretty as yours.

 

ftp://ftp.va.gov/Cleveland-Med-cent/cares.jpg

 

 

well, for what it's worth:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/06/29/daily22.html

 

Carl Walker awarded $4.8M contract for Cleveland VA garage

Pittsburgh Business Times

 

Carl Walker Construction. a contractor that specializes in parking structures, was recently awarded a $4.8 million contract to build an addition to a parking garage at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland.

 

Planned for a surface parking lot next to the existing garage, the project calls for the company to build a three story addition that will space 115,200 square feet and make room for an additional 362 parking spaces.

 

Carl Walker, based west of Pittsburgh in Robinson, will begin construction on the project tomorrow, July 1.