On 5/2/2025 at 12:25 PM, KJP said:

@marty15 Thanks for the reminder....

Walz Library-Karam Senior Living gets city OK

By Ken Prendergast / May 2, 2025

It’s a $34 million project nearly six years in the making. But after a pandemic, a sharp increase in construction costs, pursuits of additional financing and working out a complicated development partnership to build essentially two buildings in one, construction is finally in sight for the new Walz Branch Library topped by Karam Senior Living apartments.

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/05/02/walz-library-karam-senior-living-gets-city-ok/

Thanks, Ken!!

On 2/27/2025 at 6:02 PM, KJP said:

 

Watterson-Lake Apartments design approved
By Ken Prendergast / February 27, 2025

 

Efforts by city officials to repopulate Cleveland neighborhoods don’t always go smoothly when residents and community officials have gotten used to not having people, density and activity around for decades. But a mixed-use project intended to restore some of that urbanity got approved today by the Landmarks Commission in a contentious meeting.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/02/27/watterson-lake-apartments-design-approved/

19 individual permit application filings were submitted to the city yesterday for Watterson-Lake, using the address 1422 74 St and the permit record number B25015019 (I posted this here more so to make it easier for me to find this and occasionally check back on the progress!). The number of filings were slightly more in the favor of the multifamily building than the townhomes, which were referred to in the filings as rowhouses. Given the volume of material city building department officials will have to pore over and adjudicate, I don't expect to hear any news about permit issuances until perhaps the end of summer or fall. I'll keep checking this however,

On 5/10/2025 at 8:01 PM, KJP said:

19 individual permit application filings were submitted to the city yesterday for Watterson-Lake, using the address 1422 74 St and the permit record number B25015019 (I posted this here more so to make it easier for me to find this and occasionally check back on the progress!). The number of filings were slightly more in the favor of the multifamily building than the townhomes, which were referred to in the filings as rowhouses. Given the volume of material city building department officials will have to pore over and adjudicate, I don't expect to hear any news about permit issuances until perhaps the end of summer or fall. I'll keep checking this however,

I’m guessing this means their financing is locked in? I know it was in question not long ago.

7 hours ago, marty15 said:

I’m guessing this means their financing is locked in? I know it was in question not long ago.

Not necessarily. I've seen other applicants submit filings, so they could get input from the city on any variances that may be needed. A permit can be approved and ready for pickup indefinitely. True indicator is when they pay for the permit to pick it up. Then they have one year to use it.

Also, are we getting 1, or 2 tower cranes for Shoreway Tower? 😉

Update on The Vantage from today ...

i was waiting for the bus in front of the stockyard meats building last week and saw some people working inside

anyone know if that space was claimed or what might be happening?

30 minutes ago, JJM said:

i was waiting for the bus in front of the stockyard meats building last week and saw some people working inside

anyone know if that space was claimed or what might be happening?

No permit applications, certificates of disclosure, deed transfers or lease documents have been filed for 6101-6105 Detroit Ave. since 2015.

Looks like we are getting a dispensary

https://www.crainscleveland.com/cannabis/mavuno-expands-dispensary-network

Edited May 21May 21 by Henke

18 hours ago, Henke said:

Looks like we are getting a dispensary

https://www.crainscleveland.com/cannabis/mavuno-expands-dispensary-network

It appears a rogue one has set up shop on Detroit across from Abe’s.

On 5/20/2025 at 4:17 PM, KJP said:

No permit applications, certificates of disclosure, deed transfers or lease documents have been filed for 6101-6105 Detroit Ave. since 2015.

thanks

was back at the stop again this morning and noticed a new for lease sign in the window

unrelated but heard a rumor that the gem/rock store next to brewnuts will close at the end of the month so another vacant store front

22 hours ago, JJM said:

thanks

was back at the stop again this morning and noticed a new for lease sign in the window

unrelated but heard a rumor that the gem/rock store next to brewnuts will close at the end of the month so another vacant store front

truth be told I feel like those gem/rock stores are a weird fit in neighborhoods like gordon square. You need that sort of anti-medicine/anti-science hippy liberal crowd , if you know what I mean, and not the affluent educated liberal crowd. Being in a hot, largely gentrified neighborhood makes the expenses high enough that can one really survive selling rocks and other little trinkets?

Edited May 24May 24 by FutureboyWonder

39 minutes ago, FutureboyWonder said:

truth be told I feel like those gem/rock stores are a weird fit in neighborhoods like gordon square. You need that sort of anti-medicine/anti-science hippy liberal crowd , if you know what I mean, and not the affluent educated liberal crowd. Being in a hot largely gentrified neighborhood makes the expenses high enough that can one really survive selling rocks and other little trinkets?

These shops are popular with kids too. At least my kids have fun with rocks and gems.

45 minutes ago, FutureboyWonder said:

truth be told I feel like those gem/rock stores are a weird fit in neighborhoods like gordon square. You need that sort of anti-medicine/anti-science hippy liberal crowd , if you know what I mean, and not the affluent educated liberal crowd. Being in a hot largely gentrified neighborhood makes the expenses high enough that can one really survive selling rocks and other little trinkets?

I don't know who actually buys stuff from those stores, but they are very charming, and tarot readings have a supernatural veneer - I don't f with those even when the logic part of my brain rolls its eyes.

Plus these stores sell uncommon books, candles, teas, incense, etc, that make for great gifts. Beats an Amazon gift card.

Crystals are like flowers. They don't necessarily do anything (though crystals do absorb light), but they're pretty and hey, if benign pseudoscience works for some, then great! There's some value in placebo.

Astrology, however, I'll never understand, and pushes past my suspension of disbelief.

3 hours ago, FutureboyWonder said:

truth be told I feel like those gem/rock stores are a weird fit in neighborhoods like gordon square. You need that sort of anti-medicine/anti-science hippy liberal crowd , if you know what I mean, and not the affluent educated liberal crowd. Being in a hot largely gentrified neighborhood makes the expenses high enough that can one really survive selling rocks and other little trinkets?

Well Fount high tailed it and left for the burbs (like every retail business in this city), so I doubt there is that many affluent educated liberal people in DS

Well, someone is buying those $500,000+ homes, and I sure don't see MAGA signs there.

https://www.redfin.com/OH/Cleveland/7541-Father-Frascati-44102/home/79889547

Woof.

Edited May 24May 24 by TBideon

It’ll be occupied shortly. Those spaces fill fast. They’re sort of an incubator. There’s been a lot of businesses that start there because of the cheap rent NWN offers. Fount, Oceanne, Cool World, too many to name, that go on to being even more successful enterprises in the region. It’s a big net positive.

But holy s**t Dustin Fox, go see a therapist or something. You’re the most depressing doomer this site has ever seen. Completely detached from anything real or rational. You’re like any random FB thread or Cleveland block club combined. Zoom out man.

On 5/24/2025 at 12:48 PM, AsDustinFoxWouldSay said:

Well Fount high tailed it and left for the burbs (like every retail business in this city), so I doubt there is that many affluent educated liberal people in DS

Fount's lease at Crocker Park prohibits them from having a second location within a certain distance so they had to close the original shop. It's more an indictment, IMO, of the relatively weak market we have as a region that requires Crocker to manufacture exclusivity and reduce competition.

On 5/24/2025 at 10:52 PM, marty15 said:

It’ll be occupied shortly. Those spaces fill fast. They’re sort of an incubator. There’s been a lot of businesses that start there because of the cheap rent NWN offers. Fount, Oceanne, Cool World, too many to name, that go on to being even more successful enterprises in the region. It’s a big net positive.

But holy s**t Dustin Fox, go see a therapist or something. You’re the most depressing doomer this site has ever seen. Completely detached from anything real or rational. You’re like any random FB thread or Cleveland block club combined. Zoom out man.

i guess it just doesnt feel like it happens fast
you mentioned cool world and that space has been empty for months
same for the weird clothing store across from gypsy coffee

Looks like Terrestrial is sticking around as-is

2 hours ago, Henke said:

Looks like Terrestrial is sticking around as-is

My dog’s favorite spot. Good to hear!

Redfin

1828 W 48th St, Cleveland, OH 44102 - 3 beds/3.5 baths

(MLSNOW) Sold: 3 beds, 3.5 baths, 1740 sq. ft. house located at 1828 W 48th St, Cleveland, OH 44102 sold for $840,000 on Apr 4, 2025. MLS# 5092032. Welcome to 1828 W 48th St. , a luxurious colonial...

Guess $950,000 was too high. Still... wow.

That's a big price for a small home! 😮

Though its in Ohio City, this one just sold for $1.25 million.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3119-Clinton-Ave-Cleveland-OH-44113/67561174_zpid/

25 minutes ago, 3231 said:

Though its in Ohio City, this one just sold for $1.25 million.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3119-Clinton-Ave-Cleveland-OH-44113/67561174_zpid/

This is why it’s so important to keep the 15 year tax abatement program as robust and vast as possible. Every year now we get a new crop of fully taxed properties coming on line that likely never would’ve been built without it. Everyone benefits.

Shoreway Tower photo update from May 27. Are these steel tubes that were sitting in the staging area on West 78th forms for a concrete utility tunnel or perhaps for the base of the tower crane?

23 minutes ago, KJP said:

Shoreway Tower photo update from May 27. Are these steel tubes that were sitting in the staging area on West 78th forms for a concrete utility tunnel or perhaps for the base of the tower crane?

Recess play time for the construction workers.

20 hours ago, marty15 said:

This is why it’s so important to keep the 15 year tax abatement program as robust and vast as possible. Every year now we get a new crop of fully taxed properties coming on line that likely never would’ve been built without it. Everyone benefits.

Amen. But the changes in tax abatement were made for political reasons, not logic, and in the end, not for the clear economic benefits. Everyone/everything will bear the brunt; the city's general fund, construction companies, architects, local retail, RTA, population growth, and city services just to name a few.

The original tax abatement policy should have stayed in place, but extended to 30 years for underserved areas of the city.

The homes at the Vantage (5225 Herman Ave) are going for the mid $700s despite it being a slightly rundown street.

And they're already pending.

21 hours ago, marty15 said:

This is why it’s so important to keep the 15 year tax abatement program as robust and vast as possible. Every year now we get a new crop of fully taxed properties coming on line that likely never would’ve been built without it. Everyone benefits.

If l'm reading this correctly without tax abatement a propeety valued at $230,000 has a property tax of $17,000. How does that make sense? Someone please explain that to me.

24 minutes ago, cadmen said:

If l'm reading this correctly without tax abatement a propeety valued at $230,000 has a property tax of $17,000. How does that make sense? Someone please explain that to me.

Zillow is incorrect, it's assessed property value is 820K.

Walz Library-Karam Senior Living Groundbreaking set

By Ken Prendergast / June 2, 2025

Following up on a story first reported by NEOtrans a month ago, the long-planned Walz Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) and Karam Senior Living apartments will indeed see construction start in June. In fact, a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled at 10 a.m. this Friday at the project site, 7910 Detroit Ave., to officially kick off the project.

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/06/02/walz-library-karam-senior-living-groundbreaking-set/

Hope this is finally for real.

On 5/30/2025 at 10:08 AM, w28th said:

Amen. But the changes in tax abatement were made for political reasons, not logic, and in the end, not for the clear economic benefits. Everyone/everything will bear the brunt; the city's general fund, construction companies, architects, local retail, RTA, population growth, and city services just to name a few.

The original tax abatement policy should have stayed in place, but extended to 30 years for underserved areas of the city.

The abatement program wasn’t eliminated, it was just pared down in what they consider already hot neighborhoods. Correct?

Yes, but “hot” is a relative term. It’s a big policy mistake imo. It’s like they declared victory. No more development is necessary in those areas. Esp with current interest rates and increased cost of building materials. More is needed, not less.

While I understand the argument; trying to push developers into other areas of the city, these “hot” areas offer the safest risk environment and ROI. Removing any incentive in today’s environment and you’re just jamming a stick in the spokes.

It costs just as much to build in Buckeye, Clark-Fulton, Slavic Village, etc., as it does in Tremont, OHC, Downtown, but the risk and ROI is far from it.

a city that needs 200k more residents than it has shouldn't intentionally be cooling down residential development.

Edited June 2Jun 2 by Whipjacka

Newly built homes in the weakest markets are still eligible for 100% abatement. New homes in so-called “middle neighborhoods” receive 90% abatement. Such homes in the city’s hottest neighborhoods receive 85%.

The comments seem a little hyperbolic. If you see home construction completely halt in these areas, then maybe you’ll be right. But I think it’s way too soon to say “they declared victory” and “no more development.”

It might not be totally halting development, but it’s at least a cooling effect.

Besides the Shoreway Towers, nothing of scale has broken ground over here since Welleon opened.

And projects were already getting canceled or postponed ambiguously because of inflation/rate issues:

• Westinghouse

• 8400 Lake

• The zagelbaum work on 70th

If the Breakwater stuff and Watterson Lake actually come to fruition, I’ll be singing a different tune, but I’m not super bullish on the economics at present.

Also, I’m not in the industry at all, so this is really all based on what activity I’m seeing and general vibes.

Edited June 3Jun 3 by Henke

8 hours ago, Henke said:

It might not be totally halting development, And projects were already getting canceled or postponed ambiguously because of inflation/rate issues:

• Welleon

• 8400 Lake

• The zagelbaum work on 70th

Why is the Welleon listed under canceled/postponed?

Additionally, Breakwater is an active construction site - project is definitely moving forward.

As for Gordon Square, it's on the cusp of significant growth, with three to five large-scale developments likely to be underway within the next 8 to 12 months.

Patience is a virtue.

Edited June 3Jun 3 by Clefan98

Oops! I meant Westinghouse

And we have seen demolition happen at Westinghouse and at the Zagelbaum site with no actual development to follow. I’m optimistic for Breakwater, but I’m not calling it a win just yet.

Edited June 3Jun 3 by Henke

Yes, they're really cruising with the Breakwater demolition ... impressive. I was just saying last night how much I want something with Westinghouse to happen. That is such a high visibility site, not just from the Shoreway, but from all around that part of town, including on the bike path. I'm about ready to start the GoFundMe for it myself. 😂

Think it is also worth mentioning that projects in the city's "CRA 1 - Market Rate" neighborhoods (map) can still receive a 100% tax abatement if 100% of units are restricted to 80% of AMI for a minimum of 15-years (Tax Abatement Table and city abatement program website).

So, the tax abatement is not an issue for the Waterson-Lake development as that is a LIHTC deal with much deeper affordability. I would assume the hold up with that project stems from other issues largely stemming from changes at HUD and gap financing issues, which has been affecting a lot of LIHTC/affordable projects across the country.

16 hours ago, andrew0816 said:

Think it is also worth mentioning that projects in the city's "CRA 1 - Market Rate" neighborhoods (map) can still receive a 100% tax abatement if 100% of units are restricted to 80% of AMI for a minimum of 15-years (Tax Abatement Table and city abatement program website).

So, the tax abatement is not an issue for the Waterson-Lake development as that is a LIHTC deal with much deeper affordability. I would assume the hold up with that project stems from other issues largely stemming from changes at HUD and gap financing issues, which has been affecting a lot of LIHTC/affordable projects across the country.

Watterson Lake is an extremely ambitious project that would be one of the best LIHTC projects we’ve seen in awhile if built. Unfortunately they had to juggle neighbors, councilpeople, and city board expectations which all differed greatly and put even more strain on the project.

On 6/2/2025 at 11:52 AM, KJP said:

Walz Library-Karam Senior Living Groundbreaking set

By Ken Prendergast / June 2, 2025

Following up on a story first reported by NEOtrans a month ago, the long-planned Walz Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) and Karam Senior Living apartments will indeed see construction start in June. In fact, a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled at 10 a.m. this Friday at the project site, 7910 Detroit Ave., to officially kick off the project.

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/06/02/walz-library-karam-senior-living-groundbreaking-set/

They put up a tent today. Are you going @KJP ?

I won’t believe this is a real project til dirt is being moved by heavy equipment. Still no sign of any of that.

@marty15 probably not. I'm pretty swamped.

Infill next to W 65th Rapid Station

On 6/7/2025 at 12:03 AM, sonisharri said:

Infill next to W 65th Rapid Station

I'm in the minority here but I don't consider the elimination of back yards a win. The west side offers little in the way of attractive housing stock with back yards big enough to meaningfully enjoy.

1 hour ago, ASP1984 said:

I'm in the minority here but I don't consider the elimination of back yards a win

This was a vacant lot at 61st and Madison.

5 minutes ago, Dino said:

This was a vacant lot at 61st and Madison

Just because its subdivided that way doesn't mean it wasn't used or valuable to someone in the neighborhood.

This angle makes it look like its right on top of the house in the foreground. That's all I'm pointing out.

Private property right discussions aside (obviously we all get it), quality of life goes down with less green space. And a ridiculous amount of homes on the west side - turns out - have homes in what would otherwise be their back yard. Because it was subdivided that way. Because few people value providing actual yards with homes.

Densification is obviously good - this coming from an urban planner - just pointing out the frustrating lack of quality green space attached to quality single family homes in this city.

Edited Wednesday at 04:32 PM2 days by ASP1984

The vast, vast, vast majority of single family home in Cleveland, and even more so, Greater Cleveland, have backyards. And low property values means that densification is unlikely to occur in most areas of the city. Accessory units are one way to improve affordability in the very rare Cleveland neighborhoods that are getting denser and fairly expensive.