Frank's Falafel House W.65 & Franklin) is planning to open in early June. Somewhere on Detroit Ave, between W. 74 & W.53, an ice cream and chocolate shop will be opening.

Very cool!  I said when the theater opened that the street needed an ice cream & chocolate shop!  Damn I'm good!

Is there any information on that wine place supposedly opening across from the Capitol Theater? Or, is this the same place mentioned above?

^^Hopefully they will be able to attract a consistant business throughout the day and week.  An ice cream shop needs more than Friday and Saturday night theater goers to survivor (even if packed on those nights).

Is there any information on that wine place supposedly opening across from the Capitol Theater? Or, is this the same place mentioned above?

 

Public forum was held 2 weeks ago for the Toast wine bar on 65th.  The meeting was very well attended.  The residents directly north of it are very opposed to the idea as well as the church on the south side.  All of the other residents are looking forward to another new business in the neighborhood.  It is coming up for a BOZA ( Board of Zoning Appeals) hearing soon.

Are there any good places to have dessert around the area?

I can understand some of the concerns about the wine bar thing....however, it does not seem like it would be a dive kind of joint attracting the lowest common denominator or bottom feeders.

 

At the same time, I do wish our re-emerging neighborhoods would attract more functional businesses (not just eat, eat, eat, eat) that help serve daily needs of residents and to make it even more walkable. A place such as: More bakeries, post, gym, clothing, fruit shops, etc. I think the food co-op can be an important player in adding some of this element and to help foster the promotion of locally and/or independently produced goods.

 

I know we have all these such places, and perhaps enough to suit the needs of a given area, and maybe they just need to be more concentrated to form one continuous walking neighborhood.

 

But if there is not enough of such and room for more....By scattering such places strategically enough just a tad bit away from the center of these districts, may also help to promote more pedestrian traffic outside the immediate district.... and maybe spur even more interest in revitalizing other parts of the neighborhood/s. 

Good points EC.  I don't understand people opposing the wine bar... I like bars... but it's also frustrating to me that more neighborhood service businesses aren't opening, even in areas that have been redeveloping for years now.  Imbalance persists.  But the Capitol Theater is a major step forward, any way you look at it.

Not sure who you guys are asking to open all of these businesses.  Go ahead, open a few!

I guess I'm suggesting that the city, county and state investigate new development approaches.  Money exists even it I don't have it.  Although... wouldn't it be cool if I did. 

 

And what we're talking about isn't impossible if other cities have this stuff, and some do.  When in doubt you start with the goal and you work backward from there until you find a path to it. 

Won't be long now that you're a lawyer, the money should be rolling in!  Get into that structured settlement stuff, seems to be the way to go!!

I guess I was thinking more on the lines of 327's philosophy. Maybe neighborhood development groups could have a more heightened awareness of trying to lure such businesses along with what they're already doing. Approach businesses with a plan that markets their neighborhood and offer incentives to come to it. Also, work with commercial property owners who would like to lure new tenants. Maybe a couple months rent at half price or free if they sign a desired lease time. Something to that nature. Afterall, it is the first few months that have many smaller/independent businesses that would occupy such areas spending the big cash to start up, so a break might serve as an incentive.

Maybe neighborhood development groups could have a more heightened awareness of trying to lure such businesses along with what they're already doing. Approach businesses with a plan that markets their neighborhood and offer incentives to come to it.

 

I guess my point is, how do you know they are not already doing everything you describe above?  Have you spoken to anyone and the DS Development Corp?

Any approach to economic development must be multi-faceted.  Some folks think it's as simple as "Let's throw up some $200k condos and the money will start rolling in".  It's not that simple of course.  There needs to be investment in infrastructure, ensuring businesses & residents are getting adequate city services, attracting business development, and increasing property values through facade improvements, demo'ing vacant/abandoned homes, home paint/landscape programs, storefront renovations, etc.  Detroit Shoreway has done all this & more. 

 

The amount of work that has been done around there in the last 5 yrs is really significant.  Anyone remember what that strip of Detroit was like back in early 2000's???  I think they had maybe 2 storefronts open.  Now most all are open with more coming in.  Some of the businesses like Kitsch City and such have been debated here on the board but it's a start.  Eventually I know there will be more than just food/bars in the area.  I'd love to see the post office relocate from 65th/Lorain down to Detroit.  Perhaps a decent gym.  I think we'll see a salon of some type open up and my wife always comments that the area could benefit from a few boutique shopping stores for women.  We'll see.

For one thing, the approach needs to be broader in its scope.  Enough with the CDC's.  I'm not saying get rid of them, because they go great work, but they have too much power and they prevent the city and county from rolling out a more comprehensive plan.  As someone mentioned in the SE Cleveland photo thread, we gotta stop viewing every couple blocks as a separate principality.  Whatever happens at Gordon Square is also important to Ohio City and Edgewater... or is it Cudell... anyway we gotta think bigger, more integrated.  They all wanna be a separate and independent nightlife district.  Somewhere we really do need "a few boutique shopping stores for women."  Maybe one CDC can't make that happen, but with a combined effort maybe they could.  Neighborhood retail is a big enough problem that it needs to be addresed on a larger scale, starting at city hall.

Action happens locally, block by block, house by house.  Accountability and action get best results in small groups.  I think you should really familiarize yourself with the DSCDO and the people there and what they do.  I met them all and practically interviewed them before making the decision to buy in that area.

 

I don't think Gordon Square wants to be separate from O.C. or Tremont or vice versa at all, but to give one group the responsibility of improving all aspects of housing, streets, business, safety, etc for the entire near west side is futile.  The best approach is the CDC hands down.  The people of these CDC's are most often residents and should be.  They walk & drive through the area everyday and get to know the residents and the issues at hand more intimately than anyone could ever hope to from city hall.

 

Come to a block club meeting or attend a DSCDO meeting sometime and you'll change your mind.

I see what 327 is saying but I agree that the CDC's play a role that on the city level could not be accomplished.  I know in DC they do not have the CDC's like Cleveland (at least anything with any power to do anything), and the neighborhood really doesn't have much of a say in anything.   

 

Ideally there would be a coordinated approach, a larger city plan, coordinated with the neighborhood development corporation.  But sometimes Cleveland seems to lack that larger approach with the many fiefdoms.

 

Theres no doubt that DSCDO has done some great things, and often against the odds, but I have also seen many instances how (because they are so community based), they have held progress up or resisted development efforts for fears of such things as gentrification and such... but I really think that should be the last of the concerns. 

 

Also, with such power and emphasis put on these CDC's there are several that have been mis-managed and poorly run, with little correction from the city.  So there can certainly be some positives and negatives.   

 

 

mistakenly posted and thus deleted.

The CDC in this area is, for my money, the best in town.  My purpose is not to malign them but to propose a more coordinated citywide approach to development.  Less shotgun... more bazooka. 

CPA posted some photos of the new bus shelters in the area

 

http://www.clevelandpublicart.org/projects/completed/gordon-square-arts-district

 

It's all about attention to detail in these developing neighborhoods.  And this is why the CDC's exist in the first place, b/c frankly the City of Cleveland has about 0 attention to detail (perhaps too many layers of involvement).

 

For example, last fall by the tree lawn near where I live, the leaves were raked and put by the side of the road for pick-up.  But they were never picked up, then it snowed, they kind of decomposed, but were still like a wet clump on the road/tree lawn by the time spring rolled around.  When it rained, the street would flood.  I got sick of it so yesterday I borrowed a shovel from the maintenence guy and dug out the sewer drain and basically picked up all the leaves (that was now leaves/mud/crap) that should have been done by the city 6 months ago.  Maybe the street won't flood now.  And the thing is, this took my maybe 5 minutes.  The service department can't drive around once a month and look for little projects like these to do?

 

Now go throughout the city and you'll generally see there is no attention to these sorts of details anywhere.  Hence you get neighborhood groups to take care of this sort of thing.  The problem is the City never catches on.  "Oh, well, XYZ group is cleaning up sewer drains...one less thing to worry about".

 

 

CPA posted some photos of the new bus shelters in the area

 

http://www.clevelandpublicart.org/projects/completed/gordon-square-arts-district

 

 

Man I bet those make some weird noises when the wind blows across them....

CPA posted some photos of the new bus shelters in the area

 

http://www.clevelandpublicart.org/projects/completed/gordon-square-arts-district

 

 

Man I bet those make some weird noises when the wind blows across them....

 

Ha, I have never thought about something like that, but I bet you are right, and I think we all know how much wind we get 'round these parts

CPA posted some photos of the new bus shelters in the area

 

http://www.clevelandpublicart.org/projects/completed/gordon-square-arts-district

 

 

I would appreciate it if people did not refer to these public art bus stops as shelters.  They are not shelters by any definition of the word.

I would appreciate it if people did not refer to these public art bus stops as shelters. They are not shelters by any definition of the word.

 

Seconded, with gusto.

Was stopped at the light at 65th and Detroit while it was raining this week.

 

"Shelter" were completely empty, with all the people waiting for the bus crowded into the alcoves at the front door of the business fronts. *shakes head and sighs*

Was stopped at the light at 65th and Detroit while it was raining this week.

 

"Shelter" were completely empty, with all the people waiting for the bus crowded into the alcoves at the front door of the business fronts. *shakes head and sighs*

 

Form over function?

Was there a shelter before, or was it just a sign? 

 

Was there a shelter before, or was it just a sign?

 

Full shelters as featured in "American Splendor".

Next Saturday June 12th, they are hosting a "Party in the Square" in conjunction with University Circle's "Parade the Circle".  I was trying to find a link for the info but I cannot.  There will be cartoon showing in the new Capitol theater, live bands performing in the street, and a number of other activities.  I'm hoping someone with more info can update this thread, but it should be a great time to visit the area if you haven't done so yet.

Must coincide with "Made in the 216" which is next weekend (Friday and Saturday) in the DSGSAD area.

all the details are on the main gs web page.  they will even have a shuttle to and from parade the circle.

 

http://www.gordonsquare.org/

Made in the 216 is also happening Friday night, and I believe there's a special midnight showing of "Out of Place" at the Capitol.

What's happening with La Boca?

The CDC in this area is, for my money, the best in town. My purpose is not to malign them but to propose a more coordinated citywide approach to development. Less shotgun... more bazooka.  

 

I agree wholeheartedly.  For example,  the impending West Shoreway conversion and upgrades to Clifton Blvd presents a huge opportunity to improve both Detroit Shoreway and the already viable, though slipping, Clifton/Edgewater area, and bring along the region in between with it (Detroit and Lake Aves).

 

Cudell should be talking to Gordan Square and starting to lay the groundwork for the not-so-distant future.

What's happening with La Boca?

I heard that La Boca is closing down for a month, the owner is bringing in a new business partner and making some changes.  Hopefully it reopens, I really enjoyed the menu, service and patio everytime I was there.

I understand that La Boca will close and re-open later (+/- the same name) with new funding  and leadership support from the Luxe owner.

 

It will supposedly become a moderately priced taqueria.

^ Correct

 

"One Walnut to close in downtown Cleveland, but chef will open a second spot near Gordon Square"

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/06/post_51.html

^ Correct

 

"One Walnut to close in downtown Cleveland, but chef will open a second spot near Gordon Square"

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/06/post_51.html

 

Aww.  So sad.  But its best to get out  now then having the restaurant run down to the ground.

boutique store for women coming to a prominent storefront in Gordon Square +  4 one-bedroom 'loft style' apartment units further down Detroit.

hmmm... would this be going in the "kitsch city" front, and are the lofts going in at 74th/detroit?  I saw that building is undergoing rehab (or will be).

Is there anything going on with the old laundry building at the corner of Lake and W 76?  Lofts?

duoHome has expanded to take over the old Kitsch City space.

Kitsch City was the furniture place? Or am I thinking of something else?

Is there anything going on with the old laundry building at the corner of Lake and W 76? Lofts?

 

I have heard/seen nothing. You got a rumor or something? Or just wishful thinking?

Wishful thinking but I see activity there and it seems small changes here and there.  We live in BP and drive by frequently.

Whether anything is going on or not, the owner or whomever does a good job maintaining it.  Any graffiti is quickly painted over, the front doors & windows are clean and newer, the sidewalk isn't overgrown in weeds...  more than I can say for most of the buildings around it.

Attended the 216 festivities at Gordon Square with a group of friends on Saturday night. All the venues we visited were crowded with people, shopping, eating, drinking and just enjoying the atmosphere. As we walked from Luxe to Happy Dog around midnight the streets were still full of people.  A friend, and long time resident of D/S remarked when he moved there 20 years ago he never imagined the neighborhood would become what it has today.  Truly a great success story for the city.

Kitsch City was the furniture place? Or am I thinking of something else?

 

Kitsch City sold cards and other novelties.  Kinda like a Spencers Gifts.  duoHome is the furniture place, which has expanded into the old Kitsch City space as well.

Rumor has it that Reddstone is coming under new management.

 

Hopefully food and service will improve...I really have wanted to like this place since it is in walking distance, but it consistently lets me down.

A friend, and long time resident of D/S remarked when he moved there 20 years ago he never imagined the neighborhood would become what it has today.  Truly a great success story for the city.

 

No question, Gordon Square is a hit, and the northern part of D-S will only get better as Battery Park continues unfolding... I wish now, more attention was paid to the southern portion of D-S which is still struggling along the Lorain corridor.  It sure would be nice if some of the zillions of ugly used car lots pockmarking Lorain Ave could be converted into TOD, esp around the nicely rebuilt W. 65th Rapid station of 6 years ago.