Aren't most of the plans posted the canceled stark warehouse district plan and not weston

 

The pictures I posted above are from Weston, pre-recession. Stark and Weston were going to do a joint venture but Weston opted to go it alone with something less dramatic/aggressive.

 

I like how they tell it like it is...

 

"Are you tired of walking past the same drab parking lots in the Warehouse District"

 

http://www.crowdrise.com/smallbox/fundraiser/warehousedistrict

This is a creative idea but I wonder if it will actually work.  What kind of retail will someone sell out of a freight container?  I'm wondering if it will end up looking like a cheap flea market stall.

I think its an awesome idea! Many national retailers will do pop-up-shops to test a market as well. I think that is part of the strategy of Topman/Topshop in Nordstrom stores in smaller markets (like Beachwood Place). Here is a shipping container pop up retail mall in London where you can see Lacoste, Vans and North Face as tenants:

 

http://inhabitat.com/boxpark-londons-first-pop-up-shipping-container-mall-opens-in-shoreditch/

Thanks, Clueless for posting. I'm gonna throw in some money.  Great idea.

I think its an awesome idea! Many national retailers will do pop-up-shops to test a market as well. I think that is part of the strategy of Topman/Topshop in Nordstrom stores in smaller markets (like Beachwood Place). Here is a shipping container pop up retail mall in London where you can see Lacoste, Vans and North Face as tenants:

 

http://inhabitat.com/boxpark-londons-first-pop-up-shipping-container-mall-opens-in-shoreditch/

 

Wow, those look legit!

I think its an awesome idea! Many national retailers will do pop-up-shops to test a market as well. I think that is part of the strategy of Topman/Topshop in Nordstrom stores in smaller markets (like Beachwood Place). Here is a shipping container pop up retail mall in London where you can see Lacoste, Vans and North Face as tenants:

 

http://inhabitat.com/boxpark-londons-first-pop-up-shipping-container-mall-opens-in-shoreditch/

 

I was skeptical of this idea when I first heard about it. Even though I was impressed by the vibrancy I saw at a similar pop-up market when in Warsaw a few years ago, the visual appearance of this market left a lot to be desired. It was very "third-worldish." So now seeing the pictures of London's version, I am more interested in this. From my experiences in London, they are very focused on having a well-kept city. And if we can enforce similar high standards here, then I'm all for it. Although I would really prefer some height in the Warehouse District. But I am more opposed to surface parking lots in a central business district.

"The residential revival of downtown Cleveland is on the cusp of reaching the Worthington Building, a little-known, five-story building at 621 Johnson Court — an address technically in the middle of an alley between West Sixth and West Ninth streets in the Warehouse District."

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20131020/SUB1/310209974

I wonder if there are any other downtown development projects that they are competing against for this round of tax credits?

I wasn't aware about that unused courtyard... Great news.

Excellent news. Many years ago I saw some of the Dalad plans for the courtyard in a local design firm's office and it definitely could be an awesome space.

This project has been kicking around for a decade. I hope it finally gets moving this time.

A tax cannot be punitive. One can argue that such a parking tax would be punitive. An alternative would be an impervious surfaces tax as the city is required to maintain aging, costly storm sewers -- especially downtown where there is so little greenspace. This tax serves a purpose to encourage the construction of structures with green roofs, rain barrels etc. Oh by the way, gravel or dirt parking lots should not be permitted downtown for ADA purposes..... :)

 

Taxes can be punitive, look at tariffs, sin taxes on tobacco, and liquor.  You could say that traffic cameras and parking fees are  a from of tax.  lets not forget the supreme count upholding the individual mandate as a punitive tax.

 

So yes Ken you can use a parking tax as a punitive tax and feel good about it,too :-D

Is the courtyard where Johnson Court Condimonium Tower was proposed to be built about 10 years ago.

A tax cannot be punitive. One can argue that such a parking tax would be punitive. An alternative would be an impervious surfaces tax as the city is required to maintain aging, costly storm sewers -- especially downtown where there is so little greenspace. This tax serves a purpose to encourage the construction of structures with green roofs, rain barrels etc. Oh by the way, gravel or dirt parking lots should not be permitted downtown for ADA purposes..... :)

 

Taxes can be punitive, look at tariffs, sin taxes on tobacco, and liquor.  You could say that traffic cameras and parking fees are  a from of tax.  lets not forget the supreme count upholding the individual mandate as a punitive tax.

 

So yes Ken you can use a parking tax as a punitive tax and feel good about it,too :-D

 

I recognize that a tax can be designed to encourage or discourage one's behavior. My point is that you can't just have a parking tax for one owner, or possibly even for one district. I believe a parking tax would have to be citywide. A sin tax cannot apply only to Great Lakes Brewing Co. products or maybe even to alcohol produced in Ohio City. It has to be for the taxing authority's entire jurisdiction. At least that's my understanding of the law. That's what I mean by it not being "punitive" -- it cannot punish individual taxpayers.

Is the courtyard where Johnson Court Condimonium Tower was proposed to be built about 10 years ago.

 

I think that was at the corner of Johnson Court and W. 9th.

^If you sat at a table at the back of what used to be Cleveland Chophouse, you could see the courtyard through the big windows.  It was pretty "weedy".

 

I hope this does happen but many of the statements in the article were very wishy washy (like don't get your hopes up...much has to fall into place).  The biggest thing was of course securing the tax credits (the project does not happen without them and it is clearly not a lock since they are so competitive). 

A Pecha Kucha was held in that courtyard about 4 years ago which drew about 400 people.  Pretty cool space.

The courtyard is spectacular. I always wondered why they didn't use it more?

 

The Small Box initiative in the WHD now has  a few "gifts" for donors (although Im wondering why thats not a "2014" membership)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The residential revival of downtown Cleveland is on the cusp of reaching the Worthington Building, a little-known, five-story building at 621 Johnson Court — an address technically in the middle of an alley between West Sixth and West Ninth streets in the Warehouse District."

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20131020/SUB1/310209974

 

Oh, please, please, please let this happen.  I hope the application for the tax credits was well written and they win this because the warehouse district really needs that property developed.  The hidden courtyard is awesome, Johnson Court has an opportunity to be redeveloped in a similar manner to East 4th and more dense residential in this area would be a great thing.

 

Fingers crossed.

Does anyone know what's going on in the old Sushi Rock space? The windows have been papered over again and there were a bunch of guys working on the interior.

it's turning into a brewpub place like Nano Brew on W25th

Seriously?

Seriously?

 

Seriously.  Remember, you heard it here first ;-)

That's great news. Thanks for the heads up Gottaplan.

The Plan to Bring Retail Back to Cleveland’s Warehouse District, By Shrinking it

30 OCTOBER 2013

 

Do you remember when Rustwire posted this shocking image of Cleveland’s Warehouse District? The animated gif immediately went viral.

 

So much surface parking, so many historic buildings lost. It was devastating to see what had happened to the downtown of this once bustling city. Despite a few gaping holes in its urban fabric, the Warehouse District is once again a thriving residential community.

 

Nearly all of the remaining historic buildings have been rehabbed and residential units are at 97 percent occupancy. The next big piece in that puzzle is diversifying the current business mix by attracting more retail that services the residents, while activating some of those parking lots until larger developments can be attracted.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://rustwire.com/2013/10/30/the-plan-to-bring-retail-back-to-clevelands-warehouse-district-by-shrinking-it/

So are the parking lots on board with this?

^Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.  Maybe some of the $30K is to buy out some of the spaces for a period of time.

Here's the Plain Dealer's take on it and it contains a bit more information including the parking lot situation:

 

Shipping containers at center of new retail strategy for downtown Cleveland's Warehouse District

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Despite years of discussion about building offices, apartments and stores in the Warehouse District, parking lots still stretch north from Superior to St. Clair avenues, dampening vitality in the heart of downtown Cleveland.

 

What if local stores, selling clothing, bicycle parts or other goods, took over just a handful of those parking spaces facing major streets?

 

Read more at:

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/11/shipping_containers_at_center.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2

^Good article- fills in a lot of the missing info.  The comparison the the 5th St Arcades is a good one.

 

These are up in the WHD on W 6th. Not sure how to refer to them (message boards?). I thought they lit up for nighttime, but that doesnt look so.

 

 

 

 

^ Cool!

So perhaps it should be called Cleveland's Garment District instead of the Warehouse District?

I'd love more history on how this marker came to be... I'm a fanatical plat map researcher and the current WHD was once indeed an incredible hotbed of cutting edge clothing factories in the 1880's.  It is sad that Cleveland lost this distinction, but I am glad to see that somehow this marker brings this awesome fact out to the public.

$5 million maximum state tax credits won for the Worthington redevelopment:

 

"According to the state, the project would cost $30 million and would include indoor parking, retail space and a rooftop penthouse -- tucked out of sight, to maintain the property's historic appearance from the street. Plans include a complete overhaul of two courtyards next to the T-shaped building.

 

And the new investment might spur a makeover of Johnson Court, a little-trafficked passage between West Sixth and West Ninth streets. The developer and Warehouse District leaders hope to reposition the alley as a pedestrian corridor lined with funky stores."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/12/may_co_worthington_redevelopme.html#incart_river_default

Great news. When I first started covering Cleveland for Sun in 2005, Yablonsky gave me a tour of Johnson Court when Dalad was considering redevelopment of the Worthington. It sounded like a great idea then, and I'm sure it's an even better idea now.

Don't think we knew about the condo portion.  This must be the first Downtown for sale units in 5 years??

Don't think we knew about the condo portion.  This must be the first Downtown for sale units in 5 years??

 

Yes, and no. Some of the older condo buildings never sold all of their units. The Park Building on Public Square took unsold units off the market and is holding onto them, presumably for a higher price. The Waterstreet building on West 9th is slowly converting apartments to condos. They trickled a few units onto the market the past couple years.

 

This might be the first new building with condos, but not the first new unoccupied units. And for what it's worth, many existing condos have been listed for sale for months.

Yes, and no. Some of the older condo buildings never sold all of their units. The Park Building on Public Square took unsold units off the market and is holding onto them, presumably for a higher price. The Waterstreet building on West 9th is slowly converting apartments to condos. They trickled a few units onto the market the past couple years.

 

This might be the first new building with condos, but not the first new unoccupied units. And for what it's worth, many existing condos have been listed for sale for months.

 

This is why I love this site. You learn stuff all the time.

I noticed that the Warehouse District gave every business along West 6th three christmas trees to decorate and display on their patios. I really like the idea. I wish more places did something like this!

So last night was the closing night for "Blind Pig" on West 6th street.  Been open for 18 years, probably the longest running bar still in original format at the Warehouse District.  The numbers for Blind Pig are way down from what they were a few years ago (pre-W. 25th) but it's still one of the biggest draws in the Warehouse District, also for Browns game days.  The bar owners have been trying to sell the business for several months now and apparently found some interested, qualified buyers but the landlord would not approve the deal.  Legal action is forthcoming I'm told

So last night was the closing night for "Blind Pig" on West 6th street.  Been open for 18 years, probably the longest running bar still in original format at the Warehouse District.  The numbers for Blind Pig are way down from what they were a few years ago (pre-W. 25th) but it's still one of the biggest draws in the Warehouse District, also for Browns game days.  The bar owners have been trying to sell the business for several months now and apparently found some interested, qualified buyers but the landlord would not approve the deal.  Legal action is forthcoming I'm told

 

Sorry to hear. That was one of my favorite Warehouse District spots in the 1990s, when the WHD was outclassing the Flats with new, more upscale clubs.

So last night was the closing night for "Blind Pig" on West 6th street.  Been open for 18 years, probably the longest running bar still in original format at the Warehouse District.  The numbers for Blind Pig are way down from what they were a few years ago (pre-W. 25th) but it's still one of the biggest draws in the Warehouse District, also for Browns game days.  The bar owners have been trying to sell the business for several months now and apparently found some interested, qualified buyers but the landlord would not approve the deal.  Legal action is forthcoming I'm told

 

 

WOW!!!  I didnt realize that it was closing.  I was just there for a work holiday party a month or so ago.  But prior to that it'd been a couple of years since I was there.  At the time I was surprised that it was still open and looked pretty much the same inside.  Many good times there thru the years!!!

 

:drunk:  :drunk:  :drunk:

It is time for a change. With the exception of the basement expansion, it's been the same place forever.

It is time for a change. With the exception of the basement expansion, it's been the same place forever.

 

I think the entire warehouse district is going to undergo a change, ready or not.  The rise of new entertainment districts like East 4th, West 25th & soon to be Flats East Bank has permanently changed the attraction of the Warehouse District.  They should focus on other uses like retail or other services to support the residential because I think they'll only attract second-rate night clubs at this point, which is a big reason why the landlord wouldn't approve the sale of the Blind Pig, so I'm told.

It is time for a change. With the exception of the basement expansion, it's been the same place forever.

 

Sometimes that's not a bad thing.  I'm glad the Harbor Inn is what it is.  There's a lot to be said for a neighborhood watering hole that remains unchanged.

It is time for a change. With the exception of the basement expansion, it's been the same place forever.

 

I think the entire warehouse district is going to undergo a change, ready or not.  The rise of new entertainment districts like East 4th, West 25th & soon to be Flats East Bank has permanently changed the attraction of the Warehouse District.  They should focus on other uses like retail or other services to support the residential because I think they'll only attract second-rate night clubs at this point, which is a big reason why the landlord wouldn't approve the sale of the Blind Pig, so I'm told.

 

The most active part of the Warehouse District is West 6th south of St Clair, and thats only half a street as the other side is a parking lot. You have restaurants, Starbucks, and a hair salon. The northern part of West 6th is usually pretty dead since it is mostly clubs only open a couple days a week at night. Not really a great use for the neighborhood.

I think the entire warehouse district is going to undergo a change, ready or not.  The rise of new entertainment districts like East 4th, West 25th & soon to be Flats East Bank has permanently changed the attraction of the Warehouse District.  They should focus on other uses like retail or other services to support the residential because I think they'll only attract second-rate night clubs at this point, which is a big reason why the landlord wouldn't approve the sale of the Blind Pig, so I'm told.

 

No surprise there. The landlord either doesn't like the new owners or their planned use for the space, or both. The neighborhood is at a crossroad. The last thing that block needs is another night club. The Blind Pig is already closed 4 days a week. Time for a better use of that space.

I've said this before, the WHD is - and will be - a neighborhood in transistion until those parking lots are built out.  The area is maturing and as more residents, specifically owners, move in Downtown - and the East Bank - the area will continue to evolve.  There needs to be dentist, Doctors, Day Care, card shop, butcher, bakery, Veterinary, Insurance agency, drug store, hardware store, home furnishings, financial Institution, Hotel, etc. Not to mention office space for small and medium size businesses.