I prefer this kind of "paving" for WHD.

 

 

There are several cities, even in the U.S., that require surface paving in parking lots or driveways to be cobblestone. That's actually standard almost everywhere in Europe.

 

I'd love to see a cost benefit analysis of using better looking materials. So much of our cities are asphalt, and so much of that asphalt looks terrible.  Where I live, near Madison in Lakewood, I'd say that poor looking asphalt is the dominant physical feature.

 

Anyhow, if a section of downtown deserves some street improvements, it's the WHD.

Visually, I love cobblestones. But older people hate walking on them.

On another note, the WHD seems to be struggling with the closing of Bar Flyy and the the "remodeling" of Sushi Rock.  Between the restaurants on East 4th and the bars on West 25th I think they are losing a lot of business compared to 4-5 years ago.  Also with the Flats opening soon it will be interesting how this neighborhood transforms, it at all.

On another note, the WHD seems to be struggling with the closing of Bar Flyy and the the "remodeling" of Sushi Rock.  Between the restaurants on East 4th and the bars on West 25th I think they are losing a lot of business compared to 4-5 years ago.  Also with the Flats opening soon it will be interesting how this neighborhood transforms, it at all.

 

I think the closing of Phoenix Coffee was a bellwether event.

Looks like they plan on it for West 6th, between Lakeside and St. Clair. Nothing for West 9th though that I see. East 9th will be getting a resurfacing though finally.

Anyone know anything about Fortress closing and a dog groomer going in? Heard this rumor, but couldn't find anything to back it up.

^A few months ago I spoke with someone that apparently had plans to open a "pet hotel" in the WHD.  Club Fortress was not one of the possible locations he mentioned though.

As for Tomo, they are being held up by the owners bad rep brought upon by his other owned property, Scripts. The city is holding up the liquor license not to mention the resistance brought upon by other warehouse district owners and residence. If someone else was opening Tomo, it would he open by now.  It will only take time but eventually he will get his liquor license with the help of lawyers... That is if he wants to wait that long and put that much money into fighting it.

 

As for Fortress closing... Good riddance. Nice people working there and I feel bad they need to look for new jobs but that place needed to go.

 

 

I know nothing of Fortress, but pet groomer replacing club sounds like a good step towards a more sustainable residential neighborhood - party district balance.

RTA's plan for a West Side transit center: Whatever happened to ...?: http://bit.ly/NU6trl

 

I'm on my phone, so I hope the link works. But I really really hope this project and the residential component go through. I can honestly say that I would be amongst the first to sign a lease if this comes to fruition... I'm that excited about the possibilities.

I wonder if there would be a way for the County to incorporate new office space in this project so it'd have residential, office and a transit hub.

I wonder if there would be a way for the County to incorporate new office space in this project so it'd have residential, office and a transit hub.

 

IMO, I don't want the county to move into a new building, only because we are oversaturated with office space at the moment, albeit it's not class A we are oversaturated with. I just hope this project moves forward and the residential component doesn't hinge on something like the county (or another player) having office space with it.

Anyone know anything about Fortress closing and a dog groomer going in? Heard this rumor, but couldn't find anything to back it up.

 

I've heard rumblings of a potential jazz-themed place taking it's place.  I won't name my sources, but it was at least a consideration a couple months ago.

I wonder if there would be a way for the County to incorporate new office space in this project so it'd have residential, office and a transit hub.

 

IMO, I don't want the county to move into a new building, only because we are oversaturated with office space at the moment, albeit it's not class A we are oversaturated with. I just hope this project moves forward and the residential component doesn't hinge on something like the county (or another player) having office space with it.

 

RTA folks told me the office tower was originally included in the plan to attract the county to it. But county officials said they weren't interested in it. They seem to be more interested in using an existing office building downtown -- likely the old Huntington Building at East Ninth and Euclid.

 

Still, having a large parking deck in that block of the WHD (which also includes a parcel bought by Forest City Enterprises in 2010) devalues the remaining surface lots as places to park, and increases the value of non-parking uses in the WHD. I am hopeful this transit center will have the intended effect of improving the chances of developing the remaining lots in the Parking Lot District, er, Warehouse District.

^ I consider that good news, then.

 

Some notes from the WHD:

 

El Guero on W. 9th has become the good burritto place that I had hoped for, imo. Im satisfied with the changes they've mae since first opening and I will continue go there even when CHipotle sets up downtown. I will go to both because the non-pharmed food at CHipotle always pulls me back. Hopefully, EG will be around for a while... and they will... as long as they get the support to remain open.

 

Per Barroco's FB page, they are getting real close to opening. Although openings in Cleveland are taking forever lately so Im not holding my breath. Sounds like it's gonna be worth the wait. It'll be a welcome addition for w. 6th, specifically for what I refer to as the 'goofy' side of W. 6th (b/t W. St Clair and Lakeside).

 

Tomo has had a lot of activity inside and out the last couple days. I feel like the removal of that shady place in FEB has let the owner of Tomo focus on getting [Tomo] open. As I commented in the FEB thread.

 

Fortress has closed. Sayonara! It never did contribute anything to the WHD.

 

It was nice to see BarFly closed, but it has quietly become "Rumor". Probably close to opening. Was hoping for a non-nightclub at this space. That scene is very fickle right now in the WHD anyway.

 

 

 

Sushi Rock just sort of sat there...doors locked with the inside completely visible, but nothing resembling a remodeling for the last several weeks... until just recently when the windows got papered. Will be interesting(?) to see what happens here.

 

I had a lot of fun in Barfly over the years. It's a shame it's closed.

^^I totally agree about El Guero.  It's become a pretty solid burrito joint.  I've been impressed with their willingness to make quick changes based on customer feedback.  Does anyone know what their lunch crowd is like?  I only go there in the evenings and it's never busy so I'm hoping they make up for it during lunch.

^^I totally agree about El Guero.  It's become a pretty solid burrito joint.  I've been impressed with their willingness to make quick changes based on customer feedback.  Does anyone know what their lunch crowd is like?  I only go there in the evenings and it's never busy so I'm hoping they make up for it during lunch.

 

I go there, too, on the way home from work sometimes and there is never anyone in there. I hope they make it, as I have come to enjoy having good, cheap(er) food a stones throw from my dwelling. :drunk:

 

Some notes from the WHD:

 

El Guero on W. 9th has become the good burritto place that I had hoped for, imo. Im satisfied with the changes they've mae since first opening and I will continue go there even when CHipotle sets up downtown. I will go to both because the non-pharmed food at CHipotle always pulls me back. Hopefully, EG will be around for a while... and they will... as long as they get the support to remain open.

 

 

 

 

What do you mean by "non-pharmed?" I can use my context clues, but I do not want to assume.

 

 

In a word: organic.

 

And all the different things that can add up to certifying meat, dairy, grains and vegetables as organic: grass-fed, free-range, no pesticides, no antibiotics, no growth hormones, no GMOs or cloning, no synthetics, etc.

 

Chipotle used to have a billboard (i personally havent seen it around the Cleve area for a while), it said "Chicken from farms, not big Pharm".

 

Kind of sums it up.

Not everything there is organic-friendly, but there is definitely a lot for a fast-casual concept.

I try to buy and eat as much organic as possible.

 

 

Back to EG...

El Guero can be sparsely populated at times. I think they turned a lot of people off their first week or so, but people really should give 'em another look.

I dont know what it's like at lunch since Im in UC mostly. I would think it has a decent lunch crowd. ANd, as far as I know, their late night hours (open til 3:30 AM on Fri and Sat nights) have not varied since opening last winter. The after-bar crowd must go? I dont know since I dont do WHD late night, anymore.

One more thing, it's too bad that more people don't go after their work day, or win the evening when they're back home in their WHD apartment. The sidewalk patio is probably the nicest in town right now, imo.

I know somebody that says great things about the burger place on w 9th (especially what they will do for vegetarians), but he says it is rarely crowded when he has been there.  Anybody been?

I know somebody that says great things about the burger place on w 9th (especially what they will do for vegetarians), but he says it is rarely crowded when he has been there.  Anybody been?

 

I was in there about a month ago, but I didn't have a burger. I liked the place a lot, but it was completely empty. This was a weekday at about 4 pm.

I've been to Brgr 9 many times.  It depends on when you go. Wednesday's are wildly popular (half price burgers). Their burgers are pretty darn good...if you've been to Heck's you know what they taste like.

OK, folks.  This is a thread for development, not restaurant talk. 

 

Back on topic, please.

That would put the WHD in play as a part of the solution for Public Square reconfig.

 

That red metal fence on the sidewalk portion of the old BarFly has been taken down and is seemingly being replaced with something else. Those fences are nice at skateboard parks but looked out of place on W. 6th, imo. I remember when this was Sixth Street Under jazz club and that is actually a neat open-air lower level (under the makeshift wooden patio).

 

 

On a sad note, it looks like Nova Bar and Grill has bit the dust. Too bad, I liked the place. Rumor has it that the neighbors upstairs complained a lot about the noise.

On a sad note, it looks like Nova Bar and Grill has bit the dust. Too bad, I liked the place. Rumor has it that the neighbors upstairs complained a lot about the noise.

 

The food sucked!  This placed does not know how to make Churasco!  On top of that they had no Ajilimojili!

I hope I'm wrong but the "Rumor" place just looks like bad news waiting to happen.

 

 

 

Wow, between the backwards first "R" and the faded second "R", that insignia looks completely bush league

I must say, I am not thrilled with the direction the WHD is going.  The vibe to me when there jsut feels worn, done, and not indicitive of an organically growing neighborhood.  Reminds me of a 55 YO guy trying to hold onto his glory days at the clubs. 

I must say, I am not thrilled with the direction the WHD is going.  The vibe to me when there jsut feels worn, done, and not indicitive of an organically growing neighborhood.  Reminds me of a 55 YO guy trying to hold onto his glory days at the clubs. 

 

Agree I'm underwhelmed. I still say that the closing of Phoenix Coffee was a major red flag. WHD should be a premier neighborhood, but for some reason, it just isn't.

^I am beginning to agree with this sentiment.  That is why the city just has to get more pro-active (what ever that means or entails) in getting those parking lots developed to breath new life and make a connector between the rest of downtown and the flats east bank  (We are going on more than 30 years with some of these lots).  I just don't see the focus by the city on this and I think it should be a major development issue at city hall.

If the WHD stays status quo for the next few years, I think the Flats East Bank (esp Toby Keith's bar in terms of nightlife) is going to be a significant blow to a lot of the WHD.  I'm not saying everything is going to close but I think it will be hurting moreso than it is already (at least judging by the recent closings).

When I read that restauranteurs lobby to keep surface parking, it's obvious that not everyone is on the same page, and that the place is in danger of stagnating. There needs to be more leadership to break away from the status quo. Compare this to the aggressive positive changes in the Market District.

At the moment, we're lucky the WHD has residential mixed in with the clubs and bars.  If it weren't for that, it would be a downward spiral as the flats were.  The concern is that as the WHD loses mroe and mroe glamour, the parking lots between there and PS also do in the eyes of developers.  That's what scares me.  I feel like those lots had to be developed in 2004ish time frame prior to the lending crash, and at the peak of the WHD developing. 

When I read that restauranteurs lobby to keep surface parking, it's obvious that not everyone is on the same page, and that the place is in danger of stagnating. There needs to be more leadership to break away from the status quo. Compare this to the aggressive positive changes in the Market District.

 

We've known about this sentiment for a while, and I can't help but think it's a major reason why nothing has happened there.  Interested parties actively do not want anything to happen.  As with everything else, the first step is to want it.  We aren't really there yet. 

^I've spoken with the owner of Nauti Mermaid about the lots across the street and he is vehemently against anything ever being constructed there.  I believe his quote went something like, "If they want to build on MY parking lot (he doesn't own it obviously) they'll have to do it over my dead body."  When I told him I thought adding an office / residential / retail component from St. Clair to Superior would be a huge boon to the neighborhood he looked at me with a confused expression and said, "my customers won't know where to park."

 

This really surprised me because the Nauti Mermaid is more of a neighborhood bar than a destination restaurant like Johnny's or Taza.  But that's the kind of attitude you're dealing with along that stretch.  It's really unfortunate.

I would rather wait until a masterpiece can be painted on the blank canvas which is the WHD lots.  If City Hall drives the development, it will be underwhelming and won't make best use of the land.  The developments would be closer to the idea floated by RTA than the Stark plan

^I've spoken with the owner of Nauti Mermaid about the lots across the street and he is vehemently against anything ever being constructed there.  I believe his quote went something like, "If they want to build on MY parking lot (he doesn't own it obviously) they'll have to do it over my dead body."  When I told him I thought adding an office / residential / retail component from St. Clair to Superior would be a huge boon to the neighborhood he looked at me with a confused expression and said, "my customers won't know where to park."

 

This really surprised me because the Nauti Mermaid is more of a neighborhood bar than a destination restaurant like Johnny's or Taza.  But that's the kind of attitude you're dealing with along that stretch.  It's really unfortunate.

 

It's more than unfortunate, it's destructive.  The forces of anti-density cannot be allowed to rule this city any longer.  This man has every right to believe whatever he wants.  He has no right, however, to impede the city's future for his own personal gains.  That's the gist of our problems here, all of them.

 

I would rather wait until a masterpiece can be painted on the blank canvas which is the WHD lots.  If City Hall drives the development, it will be underwhelming and won't make best use of the land.  The developments would be closer to the idea floated by RTA than the Stark plan

 

Whatever happens, City Hall needs to be on the right side of it.  To me that means actively seeking development of these lots.  Any administration that fails to understand the urgency of the situation should be yanked out of the building with a sheep hook. 

It's more than unfortunate, it's destructive.  The forces of anti-density cannot be allowed to rule this city any longer.  This man has every right to believe whatever he wants.  He has no right, however, to impede the city's future for his own personal gains.  That's the gist of our problems here, all of them.

 

This is the stupidest part. HE should be gaining the most from developing across the street. I love Nauti Mermaid, but his sentiments obviously bother me, and make me want to spend elsewhere. He reminds me of that Pizza Guy - at Sainatos - who was upset over construction of the skate park by Rivergate. Pizza Guy would rather see the area around him remain a foreboding wasteland? Wake up dummies!

I ran into this mindset many times while covering west-side neighborhoods for the newspaper. So many investors bought land and buildings but let them sit and rot, hoping that someone would come along to enrich by buying them up. They had no interest in trying to make the neighborhood better by trying to do something positive with their properties. They were only interested in themselves.

^^Don't get me wrong about Nauti Mermaid by the way.  That's one of our regular spots and I would recommend that everyone check them out.  I just think the owner (who has owned the place for maybe 2 years) has a misguided vision for what the Warehouse District should or could be.  And to be fair, I've heard that the owner of Johnny's is much more vocal in his opposition to development on W6th.

 

I actually think the biggest reason for their opposition are the views their patrons curently enjoy from their patios.  The view of Public Square and the skyline are very good right now because of 2-3 blocks of surface parking between them and PS.  I understand it.  I just wish they could see beyond it.

I am not sure where to start. Most respondents on this thread do not live in the WHD. As a resident, I love the bar and restaurants, but our neighborhood is more than that. People on this thread are continuously talking about bringing more residents downtown, but seem to forget that this is not the old "Flats".

 

I love Naughty Mermaid.  They have great seafood at a reasonable price.  Check it out!!

 

I'm a fan of the Mermaid too, and this doesn't change my opinion of it.  Two separate things.  It's just that at some point we do need to get going on "Warehouse District Developments" because otherwise this thread just chronicles the constant changing of the awnings.  Considering the area's trajectory 10 years ago, it's downright odd that so little has been built.  But if the neighborhood's movers and shakers oppose having anything built, the current outcome is a lot more understandable.  The question then shifts to their reasoning.

^^What does the old flats have to do with bringing more residents downtown? I don't understand. I live right by WHD and do most of my day-to-day things there. The parking lots need to be developed...that's the discussion here. On a side note...it's Nauti Mermaid not naughty.

^^What does the old flats have to do with bringing more residents downtown? I don't understand. I live right by WHD and do most of my day-to-day things there. The parking lots need to be developed...that's the discussion here. On a side note...it's Nauti Mermaid not naughty.

 

Agreed!

First time poster, but saw this article on the Warehouse district that shows what is being developed for the future.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2012/10/clevelands_warehouse_district.html

Welcome Buckeyeville!  That was a useful roundup of the street-level WHD action, thanks for posting.  Though memo to John Petkovic: if you still think Indian and Lebanese menus are "exotic," you probably have no business covering the nightlife beat in a metro area with more than 50,000 people let alone 2 million.