A small but appreciated update to the Children's Museum on Euclid Ave. They are putting a small addition for a new elevator and a glassy atrium on the back to better connect the main house with the annex. I haven't been here in a while but this is such an underappreciated asset. We used to go all the time but the kids aged out of it.

 

Case 24-092: Stager-Beckwith House (University Club)

Children’s Museum of Cleveland – 3813 Euclid Avenue Addition

Ward 7: Howse

Project Representatives: Kaitlyn Boniecki, AODK, Inc

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fthrdkrqeqofv59iwzec9/AEPhjTTWBDnmnjDs8uwRI1U?e=1&preview=Children's+Museum+presentation.pdf&rlkey=47h0nv0h8cr37t5o3ekuq9n2r&st=qx8cec9l&dl=0

 

 

 

 

Elevator addition on the Western side:

 

 

Atrium on the Northern side:

 

17 minutes ago, Mendo said:

A small but appreciated update to the Children's Museum on Euclid Ave. They are putting a small addition for a new elevator and a glassy atrium on the back to better connect the main house with the annex. I haven't been here in a while but this is such an underappreciated asset. We used to go all the time but the kids aged out of it.

 

Case 24-092: Stager-Beckwith House (University Club)

Children’s Museum of Cleveland – 3813 Euclid Avenue Addition

Ward 7: Howse

Project Representatives: Kaitlyn Boniecki, AODK, Inc

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fthrdkrqeqofv59iwzec9/AEPhjTTWBDnmnjDs8uwRI1U?e=1&preview=Children's+Museum+presentation.pdf&rlkey=47h0nv0h8cr37t5o3ekuq9n2r&st=qx8cec9l&dl=0

 

 

 

 

Elevator addition on the Western side:

 

 

Atrium on the Northern side:

 

Tell them to plant a tree or two in the front yard while they’re at it. It’ll be a great exercise for the kids. 

Signet (Foundry Lofts dev.) is planning a sizable market rate apartment development around 44th & Euclid. 3 buildings, around 200 units. One fronting Euclid with street level retail space, also one fronting Chester. Vocon designed. Mid 2025 start goal.

On 12/9/2024 at 9:34 PM, Mendo said:

A small but appreciated update to the Children's Museum on Euclid Ave. They are putting a small addition for a new elevator and a glassy atrium on the back to better connect the main house with the annex. I haven't been here in a while but this is such an underappreciated asset. We used to go all the time but the kids aged out of it.

 

Case 24-092: Stager-Beckwith House (University Club)

Children’s Museum of Cleveland – 3813 Euclid Avenue Addition

Ward 7: Howse

Project Representatives: Kaitlyn Boniecki, AODK, Inc

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fthrdkrqeqofv59iwzec9/AEPhjTTWBDnmnjDs8uwRI1U?e=1&preview=Children's+Museum+presentation.pdf&rlkey=47h0nv0h8cr37t5o3ekuq9n2r&st=qx8cec9l&dl=0

 

The project received positive feedback from todays landmark meeting. The annex/northwest section of the mansion that this new project connects to has been mothballed since they moved into the building because of its difficult/minimal connection to the main museum area. So its a small addition, but should open up a lot of space for the museum to expand. 

 

On 12/9/2024 at 9:53 PM, marty15 said:

Tell them to plant a tree or two in the front yard while they’re at it. It’ll be a great exercise for the kids. 

 

Ya no kidding, the the current entrance off Euclid is so devoid of life. Its a shame the trees on the lawn were cut when they moved in. Some new plantings and maybe a mural on the social services building could help the museum feel more inviting. 

 

2 hours ago, NorthShore647 said:

 

The project received positive feedback from todays landmark meeting. The annex/northwest section of the mansion that this new project connects to has been mothballed since they moved into the building because of its difficult/minimal connection to the main museum area. So its a small addition, but should open up a lot of space for the museum to expand. 

 

 

Ya no kidding, the the current entrance off Euclid is so devoid of life. Its a shame the trees on the lawn were cut when they moved in. Some new plantings and maybe a mural on the social services building could help the museum feel more inviting. 

 

I know they need pavement for school buses and whatnot but some tourists may think they’re pulling into the Universal Studios tour of the Psycho house set not a children’s museum

2 hours ago, NorthShore647 said:

 

The project received positive feedback from todays landmark meeting. The annex/northwest section of the mansion that this new project connects to has been mothballed since they moved into the building because of its difficult/minimal connection to the main museum area. So its a small addition, but should open up a lot of space for the museum to expand. 

 

 

Ya no kidding, the the current entrance off Euclid is so devoid of life. Its a shame the trees on the lawn were cut when they moved in. Some new plantings and maybe a mural on the social services building could help the museum feel more inviting. 

 

That before and after is super depressing. The Forested City.

3 minutes ago, Willo said:

2 hours ago, NorthShore647 said:

 

The project received positive feedback from todays landmark meeting. The annex/northwest section of the mansion that this new project connects to has been mothballed since they moved into the building because of its difficult/minimal connection to the main museum area. So its a small addition, but should open up a lot of space for the museum to expand. 

 

 

Ya no kidding, the the current entrance off Euclid is so devoid of life. Its a shame the trees on the lawn were cut when they moved in. Some new plantings and maybe a mural on the social services building could help the museum feel more inviting. 

 

Expand  

I know they need pavement for school buses and whatnot but some tourists may think they’re pulling into the Universal Studios tour of the Psycho house set not a children’s museum

 

Yeah, very spooky vibes now. 

 

I don't believe they modified the parking area in the front at all when they moved in, other than the new entrance with its needlessly wide curb cut on Euclid. Schools busses use the original Chester entrance which still has a decently sized lot. Maybe they want the parking for larger events. 

A project like this would be beyond the museums current capabilities, but long term that front lawn would be a great piece of land to develop into some sort of outdoor play area for the museum. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis opened a great "sports park" outside their facility, with exhibits themed around the local sports teams/events. The Indianapolis project cost around ~$25 million. 

 

 

We have great museums in the region, however we are lagging behind our peer cities in the "Children's Museum" type of experience. Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis children's museums are some of the best in the nation, and COSI is arguably the best attraction in Columbus. 

26 minutes ago, Willo said:

I know they need pavement for school buses and whatnot but some tourists may think they’re pulling into the Universal Studios tour of the Psycho house set not a children’s museum.

I have not been there. It does seem like an odd place for a children's museum. Does anyone explain its history to the children visiting? 

1 minute ago, LibertyBlvd said:

I have not been there. It does seem like an odd place for a children's museum. Does anyone explain its history to the children visiting? 

 

No, and they wouldn't be able to stand still long enough to listen -- not with all the playstuff that's in there. My kid loved that place but at 11 years old, he just outgrew it.

totally depressing on the outside, but seems quite nice inside at least —

 

 

 

Maybe it should have been a Millionaire's Row museum instead. 

14 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Maybe it should have been a Millionaire's Row museum instead. 

Why? It’s a great children’s museum. 

Been taking my kids to CMC for a few years now.  It's truly a unique and beloved community asset.

 

Outdoor space currently has an obstacle course and a few seasonal toys.  Would love to see trees and increased activation here.

12 hours ago, jeremyck01 said:

Why? It’s a great children’s museum. 

I'm sure it is. But they could have put it in an abandoned warehouse and the kids would have been fine with that. 

 

I guess I'm a bit of a history buff. I love visiting old mansions, such as Stan Hywet in Akron, Casa Loma in Toronto, Breakers in Newport, etc.

 

Edited December 14, 2024Dec 14 by LibertyBlvd

39 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

I'm sure it is. But they could have put it in an abandoned warehouse and the kids would have been fine with that. 

 

I guess I'm a bit of a history buff. I love visiting old mansions, such as Stan Hywet in Akron, Casa Loma in Toronto, Breakers in Newport, etc.

 

Fair, but I doubt the economic case for such museum would be great. Probably good attendence from the people on this forum, but the broader public... I'm not so sure. Think of it this way, reusing it as a children's museum kept this historic structure in place and mostly in tact. 

Roynan has talked in the past about moving the county out of the social services building.  there nay be an opportunity in the future fo the museum to have proper grounds

14 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Maybe it should have been a Millionaire's Row museum instead. 

 

This essentially exists at the Western Reserve Historical Society, which has a wing in a renovated mansion.  Not Millionaire's Row proper, but the same idea.  Doubt there is room for a second similar museum.

On 12/12/2024 at 5:27 PM, NorthShore647 said:

A project like this would be beyond the museums current capabilities, but long term that front lawn would be a great piece of land to develop into some sort of outdoor play area for the museum. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis opened a great "sports park" outside their facility, with exhibits themed around the local sports teams/events. The Indianapolis project cost around ~$25 million. 

 

 

We have great museums in the region, however we are lagging behind our peer cities in the "Children's Museum" type of experience. Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis children's museums are some of the best in the nation, and COSI is arguably the best attraction in Columbus. 

 

I agree this museum could be more inviting, but I feel like the Great Lakes Science Center and the Natural History Museum along with thebChildren's museum together do a good job of satisfying this niche. It'd be another thing if the other two museums didn't exist and the Children's museum was all we had.

That lawn looks barren. They should put a "safety town" on some of that land with small replicas of the buildings downtown sponsored by corporate partners. Working traffic lights, cars, bikes, streets, crosswalks and all, That would bring in a steady stream of school kids all year long from CMSD and the suburban districts.

Looks familiar...

 

 

Large Midtown development planned
By Ken Prendergast / December 16, 2024

 

A property transaction recorded last week by Cuyahoga County revealed an emerging development site that could host about 200 apartments in Cleveland’s Midtown neighborhood. The site, located between Euclid and Chester avenues in the East 40s, has been the subject of interest by multiple developers in recent years.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/16/large-midtown-development-planned/

Doesn't look particularly dense to me.

Looks like they will be demolishing some early 1900s housing stock for no reason:

 

22 minutes ago, Eastside said:

Looks like they will be demolishing some early 1900s housing stock for no reason:

 

That’s staying.

12 minutes ago, marty15 said:

That’s staying.

 

Odd, if you look at it down the driveway from Chester it looks rehabbed, from the sides and back not so much.

48 minutes ago, urb-a-saurus said:

Doesn't look particularly dense to me.

 

It's "Cleveland dense"....

31 minutes ago, marty15 said:

That’s staying.

 

Yup, as noted in the article.

Pretty uninspiring site plan but I suppose it's something. Would like it more if they just copied the Foundry Lofts.

5 hours ago, Rustbelter said:

Pretty uninspiring site plan but I suppose it's something. Would like it more if they just copied the Foundry Lofts.

200 apartments filling an empty parking lot on Euclid. That’s an inspiring site plan.  

6 hours ago, Rustbelter said:

Pretty uninspiring site plan but I suppose it's something. Would like it more if they just copied the Foundry Lofts.

We got a shack on the parking lot on Public Square. Let’s cut the negativity down a notch!

My big problem is Euclid gets ground floor commercial space but streets not named Euclid continue to be treated like a spillover site for Euclid Ave developments. No thought goes into any buildings on they just say "here damn, happy now?" and hope that's enough. We can never have true vibrancy if only one street gets proper attention. 

I think the site plan photo doesn't do it justice. The red line in the photo designates property that is not part of the site and has existing structures on it, the photo makes it seem like that's actually parking for the site.  If you take that out it's actually a pretty dense development for the site size. 

 

Edit: disregard. I missed the entire section talking about how they bought the office plat too. 

Edited December 17, 2024Dec 17 by KFM44107

51 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

My big problem is Euclid gets ground floor commercial space but streets not named Euclid continue to be treated like a spillover site for Euclid Ave developments. No thought goes into any buildings on they just say "here damn, happy now?" and hope that's enough. We can never have true vibrancy if only one street gets proper attention. 

I'd like to see Prospect Ave get some attention.  So many available sites just waiting to be developed.  That is the part of downtown many visitors are seeing when attending an event at the arena or ballpark.  

1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said:

My big problem is Euclid gets ground floor commercial space but streets not named Euclid continue to be treated like a spillover site for Euclid Ave developments. No thought goes into any buildings on they just say "here damn, happy now?" and hope that's enough. We can never have true vibrancy if only one street gets proper attention. 

 

As Kristin Holzheimer Gail really should call her state of the city report, here's looking at Euclid.

5 minutes ago, E Rocc said:

 

As Kristin Holzheimer Gail really should call her state of the city report, here's looking at Euclid.

Ah.  I see what you did there.

2 hours ago, KFM44107 said:

I think the site plan photo doesn't do it justice. The red line in the photo designates property that is not part of the site and has existing structures on it, the photo makes it seem like that's actually parking for the site.  If you take that out it's actually a pretty dense development for the site size. 

 

Edit: disregard. I missed the entire section talking about how they bought the office plat too. 

 

@KFM44107 No but I think that office lot gets spun out of this development and possibly back to Priemer.

Just now, KJP said:

 

@KFM44107 No but I think that office lot gets spun out of this development and possibly back to Priemer.

Okay. So it's really not in play as far as building new residential structures on? If that's the case I go back to my first point. 

23 hours ago, urb-a-saurus said:

Doesn't look particularly dense to me.

I'm obviously happy to see a parking lot converted to housing, and I'm happy we have the Healthline,

 

BUT...

 

To me, projects like this just reiterate that BRT lines just don't move the needle in this country. Especially a BRT line that only averages about 8-9 MPH. Being right next to a celebrated rapid transit line appears to have no impact on this project, their already completed Foundry Lofts development, and many others along the corridor. It's another development that is more parking lot than building. 

 

Has the healthline assisted with some of the $10+ billion in development along Euclid? Yes. But a huge portion of that was Downtown/UC and Clinic Developments that likely would have happened anyway with the way things have been trending in the last 10-15 years. I know probably 15-20 people who live in the newer housing along Euclid, and none of them have ever been on the Healthline. Most know absolutely nothing about it. 

 

I wonder what Midtown would look like now if they had just gone with rail from the start. I dream of Euclid being a mini version of Toronto's Downtown/Midtown/North York for us. Projects like this likely would have already been built, and at much higher densities. The Clinic may have 1 fewer parking garage. The lots next to the Agora and in the E55 area would likely have been developed already. 

The HealthLine has motivated the zoning and thus the design of buildings fronting Euclid. In that past, we would have new buildings set back behind parking lots, such as the Applied Industrial building -- something straight out of Solon. The first one to buck that trend -- thanks to the new TOD zoning along Euclid that was implemented in anticipation of the HealthLine's construction -- was the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's new HQ building. When it opened in 2003, it was a major game-changer to see something built up on the sidewalk and with a retail space on the ground floor. It was something that urbanists like me were crying to see for years.

 

Unfortunately, until we start seeing population grow again in Cleveland, we won't see much new density beyond a few hot spots. And only then will we start to see people start demanding alternatives to driving.

On 12/16/2024 at 2:50 PM, Eastside said:

Looks like they will be demolishing some early 1900s housing stock for no reason:

 

 

hah I lived in one of those for a few years in the 00's. funny little community. some wild memories including a guy that used to enjoy stripping down to his undies and covering himself in bird seed to let the pigeons feast on him. glad they're sticking around, they were really solid.

 

 

On 12/13/2024 at 7:05 PM, mrnyc said:

totally depressing on the outside, but seems quite nice inside at least —

 

 

The outside of the Children’s Museum is not depressing! It’s a beautiful reuse of a wonderful old mansion, ensuring people can enjoy the building for decades to come. There are a few things outside that could be improved, but please don’t let those quibbles interfere with your image of this place. It is wonderful, inside and out, and I’m thrilled to see the additional investment. Give it a drive by the next time you’re in town. 

4 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

The outside of the Children’s Museum is not depressing! It’s a beautiful reuse of a wonderful old mansion, ensuring people can enjoy the building for decades to come. There are a few things outside that could be improved, but please don’t let those quibbles interfere with your image of this place. It is wonderful, inside and out, and I’m thrilled to see the additional investment. Give it a drive by the next time you’re in town. 

 

oh of course the mansion is a fine save, in a spooky addams family sort of way, at least for this purpose haha —

 

i just meant the dystopian surroundings.

Noticed some small sign of life for a project that seems to never go anywhere.  Apparently the Warner and Swasey renovation was before Euclid Corridor design review recently for schematic approval.  As such, I imagine it will be before Planning Commission for schematic review in the near future, maybe at its first Feb.  meeting.  Looks like actually construction is no where near, but at least we might get some idea what the developer has planned.

Edited January 21Jan 21 by Htsguy

^ Good news. This really needs to get done. Carnegie still has a lot of holes, but completing this project will pretty much make the it’s length between downtown and UC fairly active all the way through with what’s there. 
 

Then we can move onto Cedar. I drove it from 55th to 105th the other day for the first time in quite a while. Yikes!

54 minutes ago, roman totale XVII said:

Then we can move onto Cedar. I drove it from 55th to 105th the other day for the first time in quite a while. Yikes!

 

Yeah I did this recently too for perhaps the first time since moving back 10 years ago.  At least 3 times, at the red lights, the car that was tailgating behind me would pull up into the turning lane, and then proceed through the red light.   Mind you I was going well above the speed limit.   

Edited January 21Jan 21 by willyboy

2 hours ago, Htsguy said:

Noticed some small sign of life for a project that seems to never go anywhere.  Apparently the Warner and Swasey renovation was before Euclid Corridor design review recently for schematic approval.  As such, I imagine it will be before Planning Commission for schematic review in the near future, maybe at its first Feb.  meeting.  Looks like actually construction is no where near, but at least we might get some idea what the developer has planned.

 

Warner Swasey Project was scheduled for Jan. 16 on the Euclid Corridor DR agenda, but was pulled off at the last moment. The Euclid Corridor city planner Kim Scott didn't give any reason why it was pulled. Hopefully it will be back on again soon. Unfortunately the presentation didn't show much new from prior graphics. They keep using that same Geis rendering from a thousand years ago.

 

On the bright side, the East 70th Street Apartment Building (remember that one?) was on the same agenda. It had some modest design modifications (ie: removal of about half of the balconies) and was approved. Correction: it was tabled pending more information on the use of materials. But it should move forward soon.

Ah. Now l understand why a Geis rendering never looks good. They're a thousand years old.

Meh, made an article out of it. Here's that Geis render...

 

 

Long-sought Midtown developments have a pulse
By Ken Prendergast / January 21, 2025

 

Projects that have languished for half as long as the redevelopment of the Warner & Swasey factory, 5701 Carnegie Ave., were ultimately abandoned. But not this one and the reason is because just about anyone who follows redevelopment locally wants its catalytic reactivation for the benefit of Cleveland’s Midtown neighborhood.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/01/21/long-sought-midtown-developments-have-a-pulse/

2 hours ago, cadmen said:

Ah. Now l understand why a Geis rendering never looks good. They're a thousand years old.

Well, certainly @KJP you are not far off.   The street looks a 1000 yr old road built by the Roman Empire.  I can make out multiple potholes, so we can add points for authenticity.   But the best part is they included what looks like my old 1970's white Chevy van tooling down the road in a dust (road salt?) cloud headed out east.     

1 hour ago, DO_Summers said:

Well, certainly @KJP you are not far off.   The street looks a 1000 yr old road built by the Roman Empire.  I can make out multiple potholes, so we can add points for authenticity.   But the best part is they included what looks like my old 1970's white Chevy van tooling down the road in a dust (road salt?) cloud headed out east.     

I was thinking it was more a 1990's Ford Econoline. 

 

I don't hate the building though.  Classic design lasts.