This is the best option......

 

 

Which is similar to this......

 

shoreway relocation1-kjp by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

Not a bad proposal. But I wonder about having residences on a former power plant site that is deeply contaminated, especially a plant that burned the bottom of the pile of refuse in its last few years of operation. I'm sure much of the soil will be excavated and replaced with a cap, but still.

Which is why the freeway needs to be relocated through the former powerplant site -- and to get it away from the lake shore. If one of the serious proposal is to relocate the freeway slightly south of the shore, why not spend a bit more and put it through the powerplant site?

I'm not sure the topography of the area would allow the ball diamonds to simply be shifted over, but I wanted to post these aerial views of the area to give a little perspective.

 

The current site is below. This illustrates how isolated and disjointed any attempt at parkland would be from the lakefront, and any attempt at development whatsever, would be from pretty much anything else:

 

Taking the map posted in the Cleveland.com article as a guide, I've roughly sketched the relocation of the highway and the extension of Marginal as they have proposed.  It looks like KJP's plan is more aggressive than this, and aims to create more park and development land north of the Shoreway.

 

On the other side of E. 72nd, here is the current state, with Gordon park basically completely severed from the lakefront by the Shoreway and exit ramps and loops.

 

This crude sketch shows how shifting the Shoreway towards the railroad tracks creates a more contiguous greenspace, what looks like a restored Doan Brook outlet to the lake.

^ Is there even a single car on that highway?

If we're going to go to the massive effort to move the highway, we should go the extra mile and start the southward move at East 55th.  That would require moving Horizon Academy and WJW, but both of those are pretty old looking buildings, so it shouldn't be crazy expensive to do that compared to the overall project. 

 

The cost/benefit ratio probably goes down west of E. 55th, as there are more manufacturing facilities in the way of a relocation of the Shoreway, and the lakefront is filled with private uses, not to mention Burke.

^ Is there even a single car on that highway?

 

Is there a single car anywhere that's not parked? Makes me wonder if cars in motion aren't recognized by the satellite.

 

X, that was my thought. If we're going to move the highway, move it to maximize the value of the move. Don't do it half-a$$ed.

I perused other aerial views in Google Maps and it does seem that either the moving cars are not picked up, or for purposes of showing the streets themselves and not the cars on them, Google digitally removes cars from roads and highways wherever they can.

I could actually see this ticking quite a few of ODOT's boxes:

- big, earth moving mega-project that ODOT loves to promote

- Minimal impacts by maintaining traffic on the existing stretch of 90

- able to "upgrade" 90 with improved shoulders for their new intelligent traffic push

 

Would need heavy local buy in though, because they definitely won't propose something like this.

Using Google Earth, you CAN see cars on the roads.

A couple shots of the new pavilion going up at Edgewater. Perfect day to be out at the beach (in April!). Coming along quite nicely...

 

 

 

 

I was in that exact spot today as well!  That beach house is going to be fantastic.  Still amazes me what the Metroparks have done to improve that park.  Its mindblowing

 

Who wants to live in a development walled off from the lakefront by an interstate highway? Either build a green cap over the highway or move the damn highway away from the lake shore and through the former First Energy site, next to the rail line. The site is so polluted that nothing is proposed for it. Why have two pieces of land that retard redevelopment here -- a lakeside Interstate and the property that's surrounded by the First Energy site? Eliminate one with the other....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2017/04212017/index.php

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Former First Energy Power Plant Site: Strategic Plan

Presenters: Doug McCoach, CallisonRTKL

Sharonda Whatley, Staff Planner

 

MANY MANY (ie 50 or so!) IMAGES POSTED AT THE LINK ABOVE. HERE'S JUST A FEW.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I swear if this town cannot muster the energy to move the freeway south and open up the lakefront.  The closing of that plant is a once in 100 year opportunity to transform that area.  The curve ONLY exists because there was a powerplant there!!  Taking out the curve and moving the freeway makes 90 safer, while unifying Gordon park again into something that can become a regional asset.  We screw this up and it will remain like that for decades upon  decades.  Move the freeway and clean the land...PLEASE.  I can't believe options that don't do this are even considered.

You would think ODOT would be all over the opportunity to lay more concrete.

Move the freeway TO and clean the land...PLEASE.  I can't believe options that don't do this are even considered.

 

Fixed that for ya.

I can't see past the Comic Sans...

See what's popping up on Cleveland's waterfront

Updated May 01, 2017

Posted May 01, 2017

Peter Krouse, cleveland.com and Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Northeast Ohio has something any city would love to have, a vast expanse of freshwater at its doorstep. People and buildings come and go, but Lake Erie is here forever.

After decades of turning its back on the lake, Ohioans are now embracing it as a place to live, work and play. They are learning how to protect it and how to use it to boost the economy without filling it up with garbage and debris.

 

The importance of the lakefront has not been lost on public officials who have undertaken numerous projects to improve its economic and recreational viability, whether developing the North Coast Harbor area around the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to improving access to the lakefront at the Cuyahoga River.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/05/see_whats_popping_up_on_clevel.html

^Lots of promising projects, especially the retail and residences around the stadium.  Although not directly on the lakefront, I'm disappointed the North Coast Transportation Center wasn't even mentioned in this article.

^Lots of promising projects, especially the retail and residences around the stadium.  Although not directly on the lakefront, I'm disappointed the North Coast Transportation Center wasn't even mentioned in this article.

 

And why did the Lakefront Outlet Mall get mentioned? The worst project of all.

^Lots of promising projects, especially the retail and residences around the stadium.  Although not directly on the lakefront, I'm disappointed the North Coast Transportation Center wasn't even mentioned in this article.

 

And why did the Lakefront Outlet Mall get mentioned? The worst project of all.

 

Seeing that rendering ruins my good mood. Overall, it's very encouraging to see some long overdue momentum. Let's hope they get right.

^At least the article noted that there was some talk of locating the Outlet Mall south of the Shoreway in the Muny Lot.  Much better than putting that beast directly on the Lake.

^At least the article noted that there was some talk of locating the Outlet Mall south of the Shoreway in the Muny Lot.  Much better than putting that beast directly on the Lake.

 

I think it would be much better off up on the bluff, somewhere amid the urban street grid. Going on the assumption that this place will be popular and crowded, you can kinda see how traffic could overwhelm the Shoreway and the limited access of the Muny Lot. People will put up with that traffic for tailgating, but not for TJ Maxx.   

^Lots of promising projects, especially the retail and residences around the stadium.  Although not directly on the lakefront, I'm disappointed the North Coast Transportation Center wasn't even mentioned in this article.

 

Me too... I was quite surprised, actually.  Is that idea/project dead in the water or still a possibility?

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2017/05052017/DRC-2017_5_4.pdf

 

*Final Design Development Approval

2. Project: DF2015-044: North Coast Harbor Lakefront Plan – Site B

Project Address: North Coast Harbor (Lakefront)

Project Representative: Richard Pace, Cumberland Development; Gary Ogrocki and John

Holtz, Dimit Architects

 

Site B is the former skate park location:

^At least the article noted that there was some talk of locating the Outlet Mall south of the Shoreway in the Muny Lot.  Much better than putting that beast directly on the Lake.

 

I think it would be much better off up on the bluff, somewhere amid the urban street grid. Going on the assumption that this place will be popular and crowded, you can kinda see how traffic could overwhelm the Shoreway and the limited access of the Muny Lot. People will put up with that traffic for tailgating, but not for TJ Maxx. 

 

There's no doubt in my mind that this outlet mall would be extremely popular so I think you're right. (I'm a fan of the project, for the record)

^At least the article noted that there was some talk of locating the Outlet Mall south of the Shoreway in the Muny Lot.  Much better than putting that beast directly on the Lake.

 

I think it would be much better off up on the bluff, somewhere amid the urban street grid. Going on the assumption that this place will be popular and crowded, you can kinda see how traffic could overwhelm the Shoreway and the limited access of the Muny Lot. People will put up with that traffic for tailgating, but not for TJ Maxx. 

 

There's no doubt in my mind that this outlet mall would be extremely popular so I think you're right. (I'm a fan of the project, for the record)

 

I want a vast array of retail options on the waterfront too. But only if the design encourages access to, rather than blocking off, the historically hard-to-reach lakefront.

 

It's a tricky proposition, well outside of my pay grade! 

From the article:  "Northeast Ohio has something any city would love to have, a vast expanse of freshwater at its doorstep. People and buildings come and go, but Lake Erie is here forever"

 

Wow. This statement is such a F@#$% You to the city of Cleveland that the PD has been doing it so long they don't even realize it, as this is supposed to be a positive article.

 

"_______________ has something any city would love to have..."

 

Clearly the name of a city belongs in the blank. Not a state, not a country, not a region. A city. But so many people have bought into the idea that the Cleveland is such a S#$#hole, that the word cannot be spoken, and it must be replaced by a euphemism: "Northeast Ohio".  No pride, only shame. Rather than spreading the message of all good that is cleveland, they say "Northeast Ohio"----which to many people--especially outside the US--haven't got a clue what that means. It might mean "Cincinnati" or No city--just an area. After all, if there was a city there, why not mention it, as that's what drives economies. "Southern Illinois" may make sense as there's no well-recognized city there. But could you imagine if Chicago gave up "Chicago" and instead said, "Hey visit Northeast Illinois! We're so great!"  It would be pathetic. And its exactly what so many in this city and this region do. And, the PD helps reinforce this nonsense. And now, when the 'fill in the blank with a city name' comes along, they can't bear to say "Cleveland" so they say a place that is not a city.

 

Another thing really out of control about the article---it suggests one should never go to Nuevo Modern Mexican Restaurant unless you want to get robbed or killed. Take a look at the photo---a place with 8-10 cops outside---does that look like a safe place?

From the article:  "Northeast Ohio has something any city would love to have, a vast expanse of freshwater at its doorstep. People and buildings come and go, but Lake Erie is here forever"

 

Wow. This statement is such a F@#$% You to the city of Cleveland that the PD has been doing it so long they don't even realize it, as this is supposed to be a positive article.

 

 

Pugu, I agree with you in general—I similarly HATE the whole "Greater Cleveland Aquarium" bullshit name ... is CLE so small that a "Cleveland Aquarium" would not be believable???—but the editor in me thinks that in this instance, it could be simply an instance of trying to mix up word choice. Imagine:

 

**********

Embracing the lake: Cleveland's greatest asset

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland has something any city would love to have, a vast expanse of freshwater at its doorstep. People and buildings come and go, but Lake Erie is here forever.

 

After decades of turning its back on the lake, Clevelanders are now embracing it as a place to live, work and play. They are learning how to protect it and how to use it to boost the economy without filling it up with garbage and debris. ...

**********

 

I'm an editor by profession, and if someone turned this into me, I'd think, "Variations of the word Cleveland FOUR times in the first 50 words?! You need to change up your word choice a bit."

 

Just a thought ... ;-)

 

 

Great, now can we get back to thinking about "Lakefront Development and News"?

The second lakefront building behind the Rock Hall is going for final approval at the City Planning Commission this week: http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2017/05052017/index.php

^Does anybody know if financing is in place?  The last time I recall reading an article about the building (maybe 4-5 months ago) Pace indicated that this was still up in the air.

^Does anybody know if financing is in place?  The last time I recall reading an article about the building (maybe 4-5 months ago) Pace indicated that this was still up in the air.

 

Good question. Anyone else hoping Pace goes back to the drawing board with this?

 

I find this building extremely underwhelming, especially given the high profile location.

I really like the design -- I just wish it was 2-3 stories taller.

Never saw this before. Nice design for 1957....

 

Steve Kocevar‏ @SharkyFin5  4h4 hours ago

#ThisWasCLE 1957 - architect's drawing of a 34-story office tower on the lakefront with glass lobby, underground exhibit hall and garage.

 

Sailing Regatta in cleveland this week-end. http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/cleveland/ohio-state-university-of-toledo-to-host-sailing-regatta-in-cleveland/437930667

CLE Chatter: Planners consider wider design for pedestrian bridge to waterfront

By Mark Naymik, cleveland.com

on May 19, 2017 at 4:08 PM, updated May 19, 2017 at 9:04 PM

 

Reality returns: The Group Plan Commission -- which is a collection of civic leaders and officials convened to manage public projects for Cuyahoga County and the city of Cleveland -- is considering a more practical design for a proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the mall atop the Cleveland Convention Center and North Coast Harbor. For a while, our leaders have been fixated on the fanciful Self Esteem Bridge, a narrow 900-foot walkway envisioned by Boston architect Miguel Rosales. But the project stalled months ago when the city and county leaders realized that they can't afford to build Rosales' 170-foot-high cable-stayed design, which is estimated to cost at least $33 million. (The county, city and state have $25 million set aside for the bridge.) Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish insists his administration has nothing to report at the moment. That's why I thought you should know what's being talked about behind the scenes. I was unable to reach the commission, by the way. The phone number listed on its website still connects callers to a voicemail box for Jeremy Paris, who resigned in December as the commission's executive director.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2017/05/cle_chatter_planners_consider.html

Just took a walk on Edgewater beach.

 

It looks like the new pavilion has its own mini-set of "sunset steps" alla Lakewood park.  They look like they arc down to the beach facing westward.

 

Will try to get a pic next time.

Just took a walk on Edgewater beach.

 

It looks like the new pavilion has its own mini-set of "sunset steps" alla Lakewood park.  They look like they arc down to the beach facing westward.

 

Will try to get a pic next time.

 

I love the lights on the walkway railing at night.  Should look great when the entire project is done.

Amazing how far Edgewater has come in the few years since the Cleveland Metroparks took the reins from the state. The fact that the new pavilion is directly connected to the walk/bike path from Detroit-Shoreway shows how much they are willing to further integrate the park with surrounding neighborhoods.

Big cities struggling to connect with Great Lakes

http://radio.wosu.org/post/big-cities-struggling-connect-great-lakes

BTW, interesting comment in the above article from Richard Pace of Cumberland Development....

 

Meanwhile, plans for a $30 million foot bridge have been shelved because of the price tag.

 

Pace says a bridge would be a good start. But he’d like to see the return of an element from that thirty-year-old plan he helped with.

 

“ If you add another city block in there with office space, with residential space, all of a sudden downtown is connected to the lakefront,” he says. “It's no longer separated from the lakefront.”

 

I wonder -- could the $25 million in hand be used to build the foundations for private sector-funded building/plaza spanning the tracks? Or....

 

RESOURCES

+ There is about $25 million available for a pedestrian bridge linking the

convention center to North Coast Harbor.

+ If Greyhound relocated to North Coast Harbor, how much city capital

improvement fund/bonded lease revenues from the new station? $5 million? $10

million?

+ Amtrak has said it would be willing to make about $4 million worth of

improvements to its station. I'm told by Amtrak station personnel Justice

Department staffers were inspecting the station/platform area in January. Is an

ADA noncompliance action pending?

+ With $30 million to $40 million possibly available from project partners,

about $5 million to $10 million more could be needed from the federal government

to achieve:

 

BASIC FACILITY NEEDS

+ 200-foot pre-fab enclosed walkway over the railroad/RTA tracks -- $7 million

+ 250-foot pre-fab enclosed walkway over the Shoreway & Erieside Avenue -- $8

million

+ Walkway wraps around the interior perimeter, mezzanine level of new Greyhound

building -- see next item for cost

+ 22,000 sf newly constructed Greyhound station, driveways, parking, terminal

apron -- $20 million

+ Refurbish Amtrak station building, relocate parking, expand station platform

-- $5 million

 

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST -- $40 million

 

CLE-lakefront-multimodal-walkway by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

lakefront-walkway structures by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

Noooo! That Amtrak station needs completely replaced. It's sad, dreary and uninspired. Albany-Renssalaer used to have a similar depressing one story cinderblock box and recently replaced it with a beautiful structure.

So in one of my Urban Planning classes at Miami, we were assigned to fixing connectivity issues. I chose this very problem. Attached is our Plan to create a much better version than what is on the "table" currently.

It looks like the file size is too large to upload. Does anyone know how to compress pdf's?

Noooo! That Amtrak station needs completely replaced. It's sad, dreary and uninspired. Albany-Renssalaer used to have a similar depressing one story cinderblock box and recently replaced it with a beautiful structure.

 

Because New York State DOT invests $44 million per in Amtrak operations and, on average, hundreds of millions of dollars in rail capital improvements.

 

In the last 5 years, Ohio has invested $1.4 million total in passenger rail.

 

In the absence of more significant funds, you do what you can do when you can do it.

 

Because it is something of great interest I will break my personal prohibition against viewing/posting cellphone video that is shot vertically ;)

 

 

Here is a link to some fresh video from the finishing touches at the Edgewater beach house

When is the mixed-use apartment-over-restaurant building in North Coast Harbor supposed  to break ground?

^ Not always an indicator of when construction starts but Pace's Site B mixed-use project appears on the building permits for today. Should be soon.  Indicates building at 51k.

^what does "51k" mean? you referring to square feet?