Quick question. Working on a project for work and am trying to identify some vacant storefronts that could be filled for a temporary use. I have some thoughts about location, but thought I would ask for some input. I don't think we'll find anywhere in Cleveland that meets all of these requirements, but fulfilling most of them would be great. I am looking for:

 

- A strip of street-level storefronts that is largely intact (think W. 25th, Gordon Square, etc.);

- At least some storefronts within the strip that are currently vacant;

- Preferably along a major corridor ... i.e. somewhere where random people would see the project;

- Preferably in an area with an interesting built environment, somewhere that might not be a bastion of pedestrian activity right now, but is prime for that kind of walkability;

- A location that is easily accessible by out-of-towners (i.e. downtown or easy to navigate to from downtown, preferably with reasonable access to mass transit);

- A location with a relatively strong CDC;

- A location that is not necessarily gentrified yet, but where Clevelanders would generally be willing to venture without fear of crime, etc;

- A place where an arts project might be unexpected.

 

Any thoughts you have would be GREATLY appreciated.

How about across the street from Reserve Square along Superior (between 12th and 13th).  I believe at least one storefront is vacant and the rest highly under-utilized.  There is at least one that is state-run office that gets a steady flow of people.

 

Not to mention, the Avenue District is being built up around it.

I guess "Euclid Avenue" would be too snarky a response...though I think it meets all the criteria.  I know it's probably not what you have in mind, but how about Shaker Square?

The vaccancies in the strip plaza on the south side of Detroit Avenue near W.117th in Lakewood. It is a really vintage strip plaza with some interesting architecural ornamentation. Diverse Universe and the Shores Restaurant occupy two spaces in it, but I think there are several vacancies.

^I thought of those as well.

Old Brooklyn has a lot of vacancies in traditional commercial buildings.  I'm sure there are a few in downtown OB near the zoo. 

Broadway/East 55th area

 

St. Clair from East 55th to about East 71st

 

Waterloo

 

Lorain anywhere in the W. 65th to W. 117th corridor, just pick a section.

 

Payne Ave. from 30th to East 40th or so.

.

whatever you do, don't do what Brantford, ON does

 

(photo credit to Flar @ SSP):

 

 

thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=123197

I'd say there are a few spots along West 14th in Tremont (La Tortilla Feliz, the former "Church" space), etc.

whatever you do, don't do what Brantford, ON does

 

(photo credit to Flar @ SSP):

 

 

thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=123197

 

I had no idea there were so many black people in Brantford.

Pope, you stole my idea!!!

 

Nah, what I'm doing won't be THAT, I promise. I'll update once we've selected a site, etc. Thanks everyone for your recommendations ... many are the same ones I was thinking. The biggest dilemma, out of that list of characteristics, is finding something that out-of-towners without cars can find easily. These people would be traveling from downtown, so having access to frequent fast bus routes departing from or near Public Square, or near rail, would be really helpful. 

hey, you can always use my storefront on Lorain if need be.. gonna have to chip in for heat though!