April 15, 20214 yr 44 minutes ago, tykaps said: New owner of the square seems extremely likely at this point. Though that's aside the point of this. That building proposal in the image is on separately owned land. Yeah I know. But I had heard the developer interested in the square was also interested in this strip of land to develop as well. The current owner of the strip doesn’t really have what it takes to get it done.
April 21, 20214 yr Shaker Heights / RTA announce plans for Van Aken transit hub remodel next year. Sounds good. https://shakeronline.com/767/VAD-Transit-Upgrades Edited April 21, 20214 yr by Taller_is_better
April 21, 20214 yr Author Bummer. That means they've completely given up on the idea of constructing the Warrensville Intermodal Transit Station on the southeast corner of Warrensville and Chagrin. If they built that, it would have made the rest of the Blue Line extension to Harvard-Richmond a veritable bargain at $100 million and would probably warrant federal funding. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 29, 20214 yr ^ per the link i emailed this planner about that so fast my head is spinning lol. i dk if that otherwise nice station plan is engraved in stone, looks like it is, but at least we all can be heard: [email protected]
April 29, 20214 yr I've somehow never heard of the plan to bring the blue line down towards North Randall before. It makes much more sense to me than the Green Line extension out towards Pepper Pike that people keep asking for. It's definitely a shame, because I think the whole RTA system would get a lot more riders if it had an extension out past the city and inner suburbs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the plan I saw from a quick Google search would have been to connect it down to a park and ride off of I-480 in North Randall. Honestly, that would have been a great project, and it may have even been used by people like me who visit Columbus from the Youngstown area but would rather not have the stress of driving and parking in Downtown. It would have been so cool to take the train from there to University Circle, Downtown, Ohio City, etc. But hey, I shouldn't have ever expected something like that to actually happen in Northeast Ohio! 😁
April 29, 20214 yr Author I'll respond here...... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 25, 20214 yr Shaker Heights has another public hearing scheduled for June 2nd at 7pm regarding the VAD/Farnsleigh apartments. The agenda links to a 312 page(!) document from RMS with an amazing amount of details about the project in case anyone's interested.
May 26, 20214 yr 23 hours ago, bikemail said: Shaker Heights has another public hearing scheduled for June 2nd at 7pm regarding the VAD/Farnsleigh apartments. The agenda links to a 312 page(!) document from RMS with an amazing amount of details about the project in case anyone's interested. It's nice to see all of the letters of support from business owners, new residents, and longtime residents alike. Seems to be a couple critiques of the height and design, but the rest of the public input is overwhelmingly in support.
May 26, 20214 yr Honestly I was afraid there was going to be alot of pushback to this, similar to everything that happened when the first phase of Van Aken was proposed. I think the wild success and popularity of the first phase has proven to people that contemporary architecture fits in Shaker. The response to these towers have been like night and day compared to Top of the Hill in Cleveland Hts.
May 27, 20214 yr Shaker Heights is FILLED with middle aged, former near west side and downtown renters, in addition to a lot of out of state people that want/are used to the density of successful cities. I’m afraid the voices of Cleveland Heights are the same crunchy types that have opposed new development for the past 30 years. Edited May 27, 20214 yr by w28th
May 27, 20214 yr To piggy back on my comment above, some of these new Shaker residents were forced eastward after failing to crack into the Lakewood housing market (after renting in Ohio City, Tremont, Downtown, DS in their 20's and 30's) either due to high prices or lack of available homes.
May 27, 20214 yr 1 hour ago, w28th said: To piggy back on my comment above, some of these new Shaker residents were forced eastward after failing to crack into the Lakewood housing market (after renting in Ohio City, Tremont, Downtown, DS in their 20's and 30's) either due to high prices or lack of available homes. One reason housing is relatively more affordable could be because the outrageous Shaker tax rates are holding down the value of Shaker real estate and the residents know it. So it makes perfect sense that the property owners would support reasonable development to broaden the tax base. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 27, 20214 yr ^Unfortunately, the generous TIFF arrangements helping get these things built soak up a lot of the potential fiscal benefit.
May 27, 20214 yr 16 minutes ago, Dougal said: One reason housing is relatively more affordable could be because the outrageous Shaker tax rates are holding down the value of Shaker real estate and the residents know it. So it makes perfect sense that the property owners would support reasonable development to broaden the tax base. to W28 point, we lived in Gordon square for a while and when it was time to get more space, Lakewood was too high. We came to shaker... the millennials are definitely coming to certain Shaker neighborhoods, as the market is getting pretty toasty over here.
May 27, 20214 yr 48 minutes ago, Dougal said: One reason housing is relatively more affordable could be because the outrageous Shaker tax rates are holding down the value of Shaker real estate and the residents know it. So it makes perfect sense that the property owners would support reasonable development to broaden the tax base. There is also a quality of school's element, (Though I think Shaker school's are great), perception and the grading system implemented on districts because of test scores drags things down. I think there is also a racial element. Cleveland is still predominantly a white west side, black east side city. The inner ring east side suburbs have more diversity than inner ring west side burbs and unfortunately there's a desirability discount for inner ring east suburban communities.
May 27, 20214 yr Author 1 hour ago, StapHanger said: ^Unfortunately, the generous TIFF arrangements helping get these things built soak up a lot of the potential fiscal benefit. What's the duration of the TIF and what does it include/not include? If it's only five years or so and doesn't include land, that's no loss to the city and big gain over the long-term. I'm hoping the office market returns to near normal for many reasons, the Shaker Heights reason is to get the 100,000 SF office building in the VAD built. It should produce some decent income taxes for the city. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 27, 20214 yr 10 hours ago, w28th said: To piggy back on my comment above, some of these new Shaker residents were forced eastward after failing to crack into the Lakewood housing market (after renting in Ohio City, Tremont, Downtown, DS in their 20's and 30's) either due to high prices or lack of available homes. That's exactly me. Spent years living in downtown and OC but got priced out and bought in Shaker after trying to buy in OC/DS/Lakewood. The main goal of the Van Aken redevelopment has always been to expand the commercial/office tax base in the city, and make things less reliant on residents. I think it's succeeded with that. My understanding is the office space is still completely filled, and there's only two retail spaces empty.
June 3, 20214 yr https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/rms-gets-ok-for-apartments-at-van-aken-district-in-shaker-heights/article_5ef3ee2e-c40c-11eb-8de0-7b12a2c4c682.html The Shaker Heights board of zoning appeals and planning commission approved a plan for an 18-story and 15-story apartment building, totaling 228 units at 20005 Farnsleigh Road at Van Aken District. The vote was 5-0.
June 30, 20213 yr Shaker Heights council confirms variance for Van Aken District apartment high-rise https://www.cleveland.com/community/2021/06/shaker-council-confirms-variance-for-van-aken-district-apartment-high-rise.html SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City Council has signed off on a variance that will allow developers and architects for the Van Aken District apartment high-rise to keep the project on schedule with detailed construction drawings and landscaping plans. The city Planning Commission on June 2 approved the major variances sought by RMS Investment Group, involving the 195-foot building height, setbacks, generator placement and loading area location, as well as the site plan on the city-owned Farnsleigh Road parking lot. Some of those came with conditions that will be revisited by the Planning Commission, but the only item that required council confirmation on Monday (June 28) was an allowance for all-residential use on the ground floor of the 228-unit apartment complex on the 2.5-acre Van Aken District “Phase 2” site. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
July 21, 20213 yr Northstar Cafe coming to Van Aken in 2022. First location outside of Columbus (same ownership group as Brassica). Big win for Van Aken. Construction has apparently started, and judging by the wording in the article, it will be located in the vacant lot next to Shaker Rocks: https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2021/07/21/popular-columbus-based-restaurant-northstar-cafe-coming-to-van-aken-district Edited July 21, 20213 yr by SgtBarone
July 21, 20213 yr 16 minutes ago, SgtBarone said: Northstar Cafe coming to Van Aken in 2022. First location outside of Columbus (same ownership group as Brassica). Big win for Van Aken. Construction has apparently started, and judging by the wording in the article, it will be located in the vacant lot next to Shaker Rocks: https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2021/07/21/popular-columbus-based-restaurant-northstar-cafe-coming-to-van-aken-district The tenants had mentioned this last year. Was waiting for it to be announced. my understanding was it would be in the empty ground level space at the corner of Warrensville and Farnsleigh.
July 21, 20213 yr 15 minutes ago, willyboy said: The tenants had mentioned this last year. Was waiting for it to be announced. my understanding was it would be in the empty ground level space at the corner of Warrensville and Farnsleigh. It might be. The wording is a little confusing where it says "vacant property." Edited July 21, 20213 yr by SgtBarone
July 21, 20213 yr 1 hour ago, SgtBarone said: Northstar Cafe coming to Van Aken in 2022. First location outside of Columbus (same ownership group as Brassica). Just an FYI, there is a Northstar Cafe in suburban Cincinnati (Liberty Center). "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 21, 20213 yr 5 hours ago, SgtBarone said: Northstar Cafe coming to Van Aken in 2022. First location outside of Columbus (same ownership group as Brassica). Big win for Van Aken. Construction has apparently started, and judging by the wording in the article, it will be located in the vacant lot next to Shaker Rocks: https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2021/07/21/popular-columbus-based-restaurant-northstar-cafe-coming-to-van-aken-district It's going in the current VAD development, on the corner, next to Nature's Oasis. Southwest corner of Warrensville and Farnsleigh.
July 27, 20213 yr Author How the Van Aken District Brought New Life to Shaker Heights: An Illustration Essay https://www.midstory.org/how-the-van-aken-district-brought-new-life-to-shaker-heights-an-illustration-essay/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 11, 20213 yr Author "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 25, 20213 yr ^ its so nice to see someone excited for new storefront retail again and doing it. best wishes.
August 25, 20213 yr The last retail spaces are about to me built out. I think that bodes well for future phases here, and shows that TOD can work in this town. Edited August 25, 20213 yr by PoshSteve
September 1, 20213 yr Author "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 1, 20213 yr KJP, I saw on shaker’s oct 25th council meeting that the city and RMS entered into a lease agreement on the land for the new van Aken apartments and future office building site at chagrin warrensville. They did so in order for RMS to apply for TMUD on the 18 story apartment project. Wasn’t sure if you had seen this as it wasn’t on the last article I read about potential applicants. Thought it was interesting and hopefully not a sign that financing has a hole…
November 1, 20213 yr Sounds to me like they are leveraging the new TMUD to expand this next phase to include the Warrensville-Chagrin parcel, instead of just limiting it to the Farnsleigh lot. That could be good in speeding up the development of that corner, but would slow down the new apartment towers if they're going to have to go through the application process. My understanding was that the towers were ready to go.
November 2, 20213 yr Author Thanks. I submitted a public records request for the TMUD applicants. I hope to hear more soon. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 3, 20213 yr Author Nine of 42 TMUD applications are from Greater Cleveland By Ken Prendergast / November 3, 2021 5 are in Cleveland, 1 each in Shaker Hts, Lakewood, Elyria & Mentor Responding to a public records request from NEOtrans, the Ohio Department of Development supplied to NEOtrans a complete list of all applications to the new Transformational Mixed Use Development (TMUD) tax credit program. Project applications had to be submitted to the state at the end of the business day Oct. 29. There are a lot of numbers to break down in the applications. There were 42 applicants for $100 million in tax credits statewide per year. Of that, $80 million is available for real estate development projects in Ohio’s six major cities with 100,000+ people and $20 million for general applications in smaller cities. Of that, 33 major-city projects are seeking $384,892,370.08 while 11 general projects are wanting $32,803,543.30. State officials said they would favor projects that are almost ready to go and need the TMUD credit merely to get over the finish line. MORE https://neo-trans.blog/2021/11/03/nine-of-44-tmud-applications-are-from-greater-cleveland/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 15, 20223 yr Is this project close to breaking ground? There are some big machines parked at the site.
January 16, 20223 yr Author 5 hours ago, EricRx1 said: Is this project close to breaking ground? There are some big machines parked at the site. Not that I'm aware of. Got photos? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 16, 20223 yr Unfortunately, I do not. There were a few very large excavators and a few other machines. It’s probably just a staging area for one of the other projects in the area.
January 17, 20223 yr With the weather being a mess tonight, I didn't get a chance to check it out. I'll try to see what's going on and snap some when I'm over there.
January 17, 20223 yr i took this yesterday before the snow came. They had a separate apparatus for snow removal so these ones are definitely staged for something..maybe for ripping up asphalt
January 17, 20223 yr Author An applicant is eligible to receive a TMUD even if construction has already started on part of the development. However I fail to understand the purpose of the TMUD then. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 17, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, KJP said: An applicant is eligible to receive a TMUD even if construction has already started on part of the development. However I fail to understand the purpose of the TMUD then. You're supposed to NEED the TMUD for your project, but I wouldn't put it past lots of developers to try and get one even if they don't need it. Would they needs a separate city approval to build the same project but with say three fewer stories? Maybe that's their plan if the TMUD falls through.
January 17, 20223 yr The City is going to be replacing the storm culvert along the parking lot edge before the building and garage go up. Could be equipment for that.
January 17, 20223 yr Author 27 minutes ago, enginerd12 said: The City is going to be replacing the storm culvert along the parking lot edge before the building and garage go up. Could be equipment for that. That makes a lot more sense. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 18, 20223 yr Van Aken has done great in fulfilling Pinecrest's promise to bring new retail/restaurants to the region.
July 15, 20222 yr Author How did we miss Thomas Jewell's story about this? Since I missed it too, I figured it probably needed more attention! Van Aken District high-rises may start next month By Ken Prendergast / July 15, 2022 In a sudden development, a major real estate construction project that was rejected for state financial incentives earlier this year has found its salvation from its host city Shaker Heights. And not only were the planned high-rises in phase two of the Van Aken District blessed with city incentives, a proposed office building in phase three was also a beneficiary of the city's generosity. The approvals came earlier this week during a City Council meeting as an emergency measure, meaning it would not go through the usual readings at three separate council meetings and thus without public input. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2022/07/15/van-aken-district-high-rises-may-start-next-month/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 16, 20222 yr Shaker Heights local income tax is 2.25%, but they only give 0.5% credit. So everyone who lives in these apartments will pay either 1.75% to Shaker if they work elsewhere locally, or 2.25% if they work in Shaker. Hopefully anyone complaining about the TIF is made aware of this. Clearly the city understands, as Ken wrote towards the end of the article. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
July 16, 20222 yr Author I guess if these two high-rises were downtown, the news that they're due to start construction next month would probably generate more excitement. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 16, 20222 yr Plenty of excitement over here in the Heights. The Van Aken district is already a welcome upgrade. This development - I hope - will change the perspective of what’s possible. I’m a big believer in inertia and I think Cleveland as a whole has been in self-fulfilling static cycle for far too long.
July 16, 20222 yr It's likely not going to happen, but I keep envisioning the Van Aken area being developed similar to downtown Bethesda, MD.
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