I don't know how many of you have seen this, but I found on Peter Calthorpe's excellent website a two-page PDF overview of a possible plan for the Scranton Peninsula. Go to http://www.calthorpe.com/ and then click on "Projects" on the top row, then click on the picture above "Urban Revitalization." In the listings, fourth down on the left side, you'll see "Cleveland Gateway Redevelopment Plan." At first, I thought it was for the Gateway District.

 

This plan was commissioned by Forest City Enterprises, and is dated as 2003. Does anyone have more information about this plan? I suspect it was part of FCE's initial proposal to locate the convention center between Tower City and the river (remember the plan that had the pedestrian bridge over the river?).

 

KJP

At this point FCE is holding onto like 90% of the Scranton Peninsula.  You shouldn't hold your breath on this one, it's not going to happen for a long time. 

 

 

This might have been what they were planning when they said that if they got the convention site along the river, they would develop the Scranton Peninsula.  Of course, they pulled the Scranton plan later for whatever reason.

Really I can't see why the convention center should have effected their Scranton Peninsula plans either way.  I've never known anyone to say "This is a great location, I'll be right next to the Convention Center!  Just like I've always wanted!".  I don't think they ever intended to make good on this carrot that they were dangling.  Not until the timing was right for them, at least.  I wonder when that will be?

Wow, I like that plan a lot!  I know it's really just a framework plan, as they usually are at that stage in the game, but I think Calthorpe & Assoc. are right on with their scale, street network, and attention paid to the river and Downtown Cleveland.  I hope FCE is holding on to this until they can do it and do it right!

I remember at the time FCE said that the river walls needed to be reinforced, at a cost of something like half a billion dollars.  They said something like a convention center and the new development might get the necessary federal money to do the project.  Otherwise, if would be unfeasible.

 

Not sure how true it is, but that is what I remember FCE saying

 

Ok, that makes sense.

I was disappointed that plan is no longer available to view on Calthorpe's website.

 

I look at the Peninsula everyday at work through the window at my desk, and it just pisses me off to no end. It would be awesome to build a new mixed-use neighborhood there on the river. If there is any demand for urban housing in the heart of the city - then any units there would fly off the shelves. Assuming some pedestrian infrastructure linkages to Tower City, Ohio City, and Tremont - that would be exactly the urban neighborhood I'd like to live in Cleveland.

 

http://www.calthorpe.com/Project%20Sheets/Cleveland%20Gateway.pdf

 

its still on the server tho

Thanks for the link.

 

Isn't there some developer planning residential units on the riverfront areas of the Peninsula? I remember hearing about that not too long ago, but I forget the details.

Yes, John Ferchill. It's the narrow strip of land between the river and Scranton Road, just south of the closed Eagle Avenue bridge.

here is a link to a peedee article from 7/03 - I would post but it is very long

 

http://www.cleveland.com/convention/index.ssf?/convention/more/1059224101102130.html

It's a great piece of land, but I wonder how environmentally clean it is; Republic Steel had a rather large factory on that site (the Upson Nut Works), from about the late 1800s into the 1950s/1960s.  The whole peninsula was crammed with foundries and factories for decades.  Does anyone know if it's ever been cleaned up?  Is it "clean" enough for housing?

What is the status of the steak house that was on the river down there?  It isn't still there, is it?

interesting blurb in that pd article:

 

The peninsula has been shouting out for a world-class development, said Will Voegele, Forest City's regional development director. "This should be one of the best planned urban spaces in the country."

 

ahem. well?

 

it's obvious fcr is sitting on that property and holding it hostage in order to try to wring stuff out of the city. i'm so glad they did not get their convention center. shame on them.

 

 

If and when Stark successfully completes the WHD megaproject, Scranton Peninsula will become that much more attractive.  While I have faith in Stark, I think that it will take time to develop the port land east of the Cuyahoga. That could be the window for FCE to start on Scranton. 

 

Just thinking to myself..a fully developed Scranton would really benefit both Tremont and the OC. 

Here is a graphic.  I wish that while the land was waiting for development, that someone would begin to clean this up so that it would be a relatively easily to develop when the time comes.

 

 

 

http://cpc.cuyahogacounty.us/cpc/map.asp

 

 

 

 

The whole convention center thing seems to be stalled or dying, but the two sites remaining for consideration are a riverfront site attached to Tower City, and the existing site on the Mall that would include renovation/expansion (possibly over the railroad tracks to the lakefront).

 

A convention facilities authority was created to do the studies and make decisions. http://www.conventioncleveland.com/

What is the status of the steak house that was on the river down there?  It isn't still there, is it?

 

I think Jim's closed several years ago.  I think the building was occupied by a few clubs afterwards but not sure what's in it now if anything.

The Calthorpe design was pretty sharp but I'd definitely do my due diligence before buying a unit with a below-grade garage built on a flood plain. 

 

And, not to steal too much of Blinker's thunder, while I notice that there are words on the pages mentioning preserving some of the old buildings, I couldn't identify them on the site plan.  Some have been torn down in the last few years but I think there are still some solid (and possibly quite old) cool brick buildings on Scranton itself.

Trust me... there are still things giong on with the convention center river site...

I must have missed something. Does anybody know WHERE the New Convention Center is gonna be if its not on the peninsula ??? Thanks!

 

The powers-that-be (Mayor Jackson, County Commissioners, Forest City--who funded campaigns of the aforementioned pols) want the convention center at Tower City. If it gets built, that's probably where it's going to go (how I wish it weren't true). The goal isn't to put a levy on the ballot to specifically for the convention center, however, unless you count the gambling issue on this fall's ballot as it.... Word from the politicals is the profits from one or both of the casinos would be used to pay for the convention center. But they are very quiet about this because they don't want to people to a vote for casino gambling as a vote for the convention center. They want them to remain separate issues in the electorate's eyes.

Below would be my idea for the Scranton Peninsula. I say dredge it out and create a new inner harbor for Cleveland. Imagine the possibilities this could create. This would kick start development behind TC. And all along the perimeter of the harbor the development possibilities are endless. It would be dramatic. Not too mention what could be done in the harbor itself throughout the year. This would give Cleveland a whole new look. Of course I like to think big, but I think it would be very feasible. (I added some buildings behind TC for effect and "greened" up the land a little bit. I also added some people to CBS because I hate those damn orange seats).

^ you certainly earned your freethink moniker with that! i like.

That is certainly an interesting idea, however I'm having trouble imagining what the water in that vast "inner-harbor" would look like. I'm not one of those Cuyahoga River bashers, but creating a whole inner-harbor with that water might be a little sketchy to put there.

interesting idea - nice work on the graphics, btw.

 

 

but i'm thinking that the scranton peninsula might be better utilized by creating canals that run through the site, like a mini venice.  either way (lagoon or canals) the expensive issue of bulkheads is going to arise as well as flood control on the river. 

 

we def need more free or alt thinking on this topic though, so thanks for that!

hey freethink i really like your photos. excellent idea. it looks great! though i like the idea of making homes with canals running through. or possibly something that looks like the new developments off of the coast of dubai. good work

New Orleans didn't like the idea

oh man more like a muddy brown pond and how would those big ore ships get through?

 

it would be pretty amazing in transforming the area tho...  i wonder if they could do that somewhere else like in the west bank of the flats

Actually, back in the early 20th century, there was a plan to cut a straighter path through the river, to make it easier for the ore carriers to head to the mills.  One plan I saw (a map at the Cleveland Press Collection) even showed a cut right through the Scranton Peninsula.  Never happened though; why?  Because the steel mills vetoed it.  They wanted a straighter shipping channel, but not one that cut off their own land.  And Upson Nut was a pretty big company back in the day, and no city father would have annoyed them, since the city folks were doing everything they could to lure companies to set up in Cleveland.

 

But that was then ... it might be something to revisit now, to create an island in the middle of the river, and put some desireable housing on it.

 

 

Nothing makes me crazier than to take a unique piece of property like the scranton peninsula and build condo's and apartments on it. Great property, important property in a city should be used for the greater good-for everyone. Not just for those who can afford half-a-million dollar condos. There are enough areas in the center of the city that can be used for housing. This is a unique opportunity that we have to do something special with this area. I challenge FCM to do something different with this property, to think big and deliver us something that will be with us for generations. The Ratners will not be around forever, take this area and build your legacy, something that will change the face of this city. It could be that important. 

I'm afraid I don't quite understand.  What exactly would qualify as "greater good" and "special".  Those are nice words but they don't really mean anything.

 

I agree, if it's prime, unique property it should be used well.  There are lots of areas in the city that can be used for housing but few as unique as Scranton Peninsula, and therefore few that have that special draw and appeal that generates demand for special, unique housing.  That brings affluent, tax-paying population into the city and I don't really see how it's a bad thing if it's built right.  Increasing the tax base helps accomplish those nebulous "special" "greater good" (non)-ideas that everyone talks about. 

I agree with matches on this.  What Freethink is saying is true, but could be said for just about anywhere, especially the current proposals underway for the flats etc....  If Scranton is done right it should incorporate some unique housing.  Building something just to build a legacy doesnt necessarily mean anything if you dont incorporate reasons for people to be there (live there)   

 

A legacy to the Ratners?  The property does not belong to the Ratner family.  It belongs to a partnership between Forest City and another company.  A corporation’s job is to make money, not make a legacy for its chairman of the board.  Forest City has obligations to its shareholders and to its partners to develop property in a financially reasonable fashion, not by making parks.

 

It is pretty obvious why the peninsula has not been developed:

 

The Scranton Peninsula has been industrial for over 100 years.  It was fill added to an old swampy area.  As others have said, the land is polluted.  It is obviously clean enough for industrial use, but not housing.  The army corps have stated that all the bulk-heading in the flats must be replaced before you build near them.  Bulk-heading is somewhere between $3,750 to $4,000 a lineal foot to replace.

 

Because it is merely fill land, you have to build either floating foundations or go down to bedrock with foundations.  To build housing the land has to be cleaner, so therefor, the land has to be cleaned, hauled away or capped.  Then you have to put new bulk-heading all the way around the peninsula.  If you look at city records you will see that the sewers have to be totally revamped for a project that large.  You are talking about millions of dollars before you even can break ground on unit one down there.  You cannot phase it like other projects, because you have so much initial investment in the land.

 

Forest City will need a big project across the river to leverage the infrastructure investment that they need to make in developing the peninsula.

Icecream,

 

that's some good info. thanks for the post.

There are other reasons why many people on this site and in this city have a problem with the Ratners.

What they have done in this city has been mostly poorly planned, or has been a suburban development that has been a detriment to the city of Cleveland.

They cite Tower City's shopping mall as proof that Cleveland is not ready for retail, yet if the project would have been done in conjunction with residential developments, the mall would most likely be in better shape than it is now.

Their continued stance of "we react to demand, we don't create it," is a cop out of great proportions.  In a recent study, it was discovered that 21% of suburban Cleveland residents would consider living within the city limits in an urban environment.  That's 600,000 residents added to the current population of 470,000.  There is your f'ing demand.  How many condo/townhouses/apartment buildings do you think would need to be built to keep up with that demand?  Enough to fill 50 Scranton Penninsula's I would guess.

I have no sympathy for Forest City's poor image in Cleveland.  They will start developing late in the game and ask for a pat on the back, and nobody will give a damn.

from Cleveland.com

 

County board seeks Clean Ohio cash for Scranton Peninsula project

 

Nov. 30, 2006

5:22 p.m.

 

Cuyahoga County commissioners will ask the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for $750,000 to help developers with a housing project on the Scranton Peninsula, which sits across the Cuyahoga River from Tower City Center....

 

By Henry J. Gomez, [email protected]

Ok, so this is the same project as this thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6414.0

 

And I'm still a little confused about where this is.  Is it north or south of Lorain-Carnegie?  North or south of the Central Viaduct?  One map showed it on the main part of the peninsula, where another showed it down under the Innerbelt (Central Viaduct). This is confusing, because who'd want to build housing units there?  Especially considering the construction of another bridge right there in the somewhat near future.  And the articles keep referring to this as "across the Cuyahoga River from Tower City Center."  Do they mean Scranton or the project?  So unclear!

 

Anyway, I'm happy to see this moving along.  The City's behind it and now the County as well.  Good signs!

It's just south/southeast of the Lorain/Carnegie bridge. I'm working on a map of the site now.

 

And, yes, this thread should probably be combined with the Ferchill thread you found.

It's just south/southeast of the Lorain/Carnegie bridge. I'm working on a map of the site now.

 

Great!  That should help...

Here's the site. It includes two parcels, both owned by J. Christopher Enterprises (one of Ferchill's companies)....

 

Just as a point of reference, 88 homes is roughly the size of Beacon Place or Woodhaven, which I believe are about 80-90 units each.  Not that this development will look anything like those (please no!)

I cut out some  of the Park building stuff from this article.

 

 

Condos in offing for Public Sq., Flats

Park Bldg., former marina lined up for conversion

 

By STAN BULLARD

 

6:00 am, December 4, 2006

 

 

 

The Park Building, a century-old office building with shuttered upper floors on Public Square in downtown Cleveland, and a one-time marina on Scranton Road in the Flats will be redone as condominiums under plans two different developers are pursuing.

 

“We’re working on a real gem here,” said Matt Howells, a construction manager and managing partner of Howells & Howells LLC, in describing his plans to convert the nine-story Park Building into 26 for-sale condominiums and to add a 10th floor of penthouses to the structure at 140 Public Square.

 

The building has beautifully preserved brass elevators, intricately crafted terrazzo floors and first-floor retail, all of which will be retained. Howells & Howells plans to have one-, two- and three-bedroom units costing upwards of $200,000.

 

More at crainscleveland.com http://www.crainscleveland.com

re  riverside landing: three buildings? hmm, i like the sound of that. ferchill should add a small marina to it too -- and at least restaurant/bar or something on the ground so you can look out and sit out by the water.

 

their projects take forever, i'm thinking of book-cadillac, but at least they do happen, so that's good news.

Reading up on the Cincinnati streetcar plan got me dreaming.  It would be awesome to have a streetcar looping through the warehouse district, going through a newly developed mixed-use Scranton peninsula and then looping through Tremont.  I guess from reading previous posts here that the peninsula is polluted and it will be many years before anything will happen but one can dream can't they.

Sigh...too much dreaming on this board lately and not enough news...I personally need this recession to be over so I can get my Urban Ohio fix like the old days.

^No kidding.  With the location of the casino, that land will only be worth more (and the parking lot on Prospect/E.4th St as well).  Something will be done on the Peninsula soon, though.  I would hope as soon as the credit market thaws out, which amounts to more dreams I guess. 

To get a pre-view of some of the clientele that will frequent and be associated with casinos around here......an invitation is extended to visit S.R. 91 in Akron (Springfield TWP.  "internet cafe" alley) Its as though every Mall-Wart in the country suddenly broke open like a giant pinata and spilled its contents of patrons over a hundred acres! Enjoy oh this savior of the economy that will be so unlike the countless other nearby cities who have the same thing!

Sigh...too much dreaming on this board lately and not enough news...I personally need this recession to be over so I can get my Urban Ohio fix like the old days.

 

Soo TRUE!!!  I was just thinking this the other day!

Wait, isn't Rivergate taking up a decent portion of Scanton Penisula in the near future?