Posted April 16, 200916 yr If I've learned anything about UO it's that the moderators like to keep topics focused and on track. I'm starting this thread in order to more efficiently respond to MidTown neighborhood related questions and to post news and event info. If there are carryover topics from other threads post it here and I'll try to get back to it. Thanks!
April 16, 200916 yr I meant to put this under City Discussion. Can one of the moderators help me out?
April 16, 200916 yr If I've learned anything about UO it's that the moderators like to keep topics focused and on track. I'm starting this thread in order to more efficiently respond to MidTown neighborhood related questions and to post news and event info. If there are carryover topics from other threads post it here and I'll try to get back to it. Thanks! if you don't mind answering, what is your role at MidTown Cleveland? Thanks for joining and proactively educating us on this area of the city!
April 16, 200916 yr if you don't mind answering, what is your role at MidTown Cleveland? Some introduction is probably a good idea. I am the assistant director of MidTown Cleveland, Inc. My primary responsibilities include real estate development, planning, visual quality (i.e. design review) and land assembly. MidTown Cleveland was founded in 1983 by the businesses in the area to combat crime and blight as well as market the area as a business district. The neighborhood is generally the area between CSU and the Cleveland Clinic but our service area is defined by the innerbelt on the west, Payne Ave. to E. 55th down to Chester to E. 79th on the north, E. 79th on the east and Cedar Ave. on the south (see attached graphic). We have approximately 650 businesses and institutions with around 18,000 employees in the neighborhood. The organization has 5 major areas of focus: master planning, aesthetics/visual quality, crime/safety, land assembly and marketing/branding. Hopefully this generates some interesting and useful discussion.
April 16, 200916 yr Awesome! Welcome! What, if anything, can you tell us about the future of this neighborhood? That may be a really broad question.
April 16, 200916 yr This file explains the zoning overlay I referred to a couple days ago. http://www.midtowncleveland.org/data/pdf/MTC%20master%20plan-zoning%20summaries.pdf
April 16, 200916 yr What, if anything, can you tell us about the future of this neighborhood? That may be a really broad question. The neighborhood has great potential. There are some expansions coming up (hopefully) of some well known neighborhood stakeholders, key pieces of real estate are currently controlled by MidTown or partners, the infrastructure investment on Euclid is complete and running and despite the economy we still receive calls for needed space. It's not all peaches... we're working hard to maintain access to the innerbelt, land prices (contrary to popular belief) are between $350,000 and $500,000 per acre and there are always challenges to the zoning, master plan and stakeholder vision for the area. We'll see...
April 16, 200916 yr FYI... Help keep MidTown beautiful this spring! Join your MidTown friends and neighbors on Saturday, May 2 for the annual Spring Beautification Day from 9 a.m. to noon. Register as a team or as an individual to hit the streets, enjoy the spring air and help our neighborhood stay clean and safe. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. with coffee and donuts at MidTown Cleveland's Offices, located at 4019 Prospect Ave. Click here for a registration form or register online. Please return all forms by April 29. For more information, contact Diane Dunleavy at 216-391-5080, extension 101.
April 16, 200916 yr What, if anything, can you tell us about the future of this neighborhood? That may be a really broad question. The neighborhood has great potential. There are some expansions coming up (hopefully) of some well known neighborhood stakeholders, key pieces of real estate are currently controlled by MidTown or partners, the infrastructure investment on Euclid is complete and running and despite the economy we still receive calls for needed space. It's not all peaches... we're working hard to maintain access to the innerbelt, land prices (contrary to popular belief) are between $350,000 and $500,000 per acre and there are always challenges to the zoning, master plan and stakeholder vision for the area. We'll see... What are you doing to address transit?: [*]What are you doing to Advertise & Promote the HL [*]Make people aware of the existing transportation options currently in midtown? (excluding the HL) [*]How many residential or commercial projects (confirmed) have come to the table as a result of the HL? [*]How many residential and commercial proposals are on the board?
April 16, 200916 yr and there are always challenges to the zoning, master plan and stakeholder vision for the area. We'll see... Can you expand on that last bit? What are these challenges? Given the scope of the Euclid Corridor investment, I'm surprised there isn't more public discourse going on as to what we should do with this area. I lived there for a year, and I have some ideas I wouldn't mind doing a little presentation about at some point. My greatest concern is that we won't adhere to truly urban design principles. The Master Plan provides a good starting point. But it really confused me when Midtown jumped behind the bike park idea, because that seemed like precisely what the Master Plan was created to prevent. There is absolutely no way that a mountain bike park is compatible with the stated guidelines for "MMUD 1: Euclid Corridor Area" on page four of the Master Plan. I think the Master Plan is terrific. But only if Midtown itself believes in it.
April 16, 200916 yr How bummed where you guys when Cosgrove decided to not put the tissue lab there? Were there sticking points?
April 20, 200916 yr What are you doing to Advertise & Promote the HL Advertising... not so much. If you saw our marketing budget you'd understand. We have had ongoing discussion with neighboring organizations regarding increasing ridership on the corridor. In terms of promotion, there isn't a conversation that I have with a prospective business/investor/resident that doesn't start with "MidTown has a brand new 220 million dollar infrastructure investment that connects downtown to UC". Board members and community stakeholders have blogged about the tangible benefits of being on the line. We also contributed information to Steve Litt's article on the line titled "Rebirth". The link to that post appears to be broken currently or I would post it. MidTown has worked and is working with RTA to make sure that the environment surrounding the stations are well maintained. Make people aware of the existing transportation options currently in midtown? (excluding the HL) One of the draws of the neighborhood is access to employment base via public transit. We are fairly well serviced by RTA with the main lines being the healthline and the 2 on E. 55th. Other than mass transit, we are fortunate to have the bike lanes on Euclid. A fair number of cyclists take advantage of that but I haven't seen a count. We certainly consider these modes of transit (in addition to walking) in our planning. How many residential or commercial projects (confirmed) have come to the table as a result of the HL? The hard number is around 15. With only a couple exceptions the projects that have started on Euclid in the past 2 years have at least in part named the HL as a reason for making a location/investment decision. How many residential and commercial proposals are on the board? There are 6 biggies currently. 4 commercial, 1 residential/office mixed use and a residential only. I'm interpreting on the board as meaning proposals that have identified locations that are seeking financing not with confirmed starts.
April 20, 200916 yr Can you expand on that last bit? What are these challenges? Given the scope of the Euclid Corridor investment, I'm surprised there isn't more public discourse going on as to what we should do with this area. I lived there for a year, and I have some ideas I wouldn't mind doing a little presentation about at some point. We are having extensive discussion with groups like the Port Authority, BioEnterprise, the Cleveland Foundation, the medical institutions and others in what should be in MidTown and how that can be best accomplished. Challenges range from uses that may not be contributory to the vision of the neighborhood or don't adequately address zoning that is in place to promote TOD. I'm always open to suggestion, so if you've got ideas I'd love to hear from you off-forum.
April 20, 200916 yr How bummed where you guys when Cosgrove decided to not put the tissue lab there? Were there sticking points? Definitely not a high point. I'd only be speculating as to sticking points because we never received any official feedback. I think that E. 57th is still a little distant from campus at least emotionally. The programming need of the clinic was extremely large. It seemed as if there was some concern about fitting that particular use on the 57th to 61st blocks that may have resulted in a need to relocate an RTA route.
April 20, 200916 yr "But it really confused me when Midtown jumped behind the bike park idea..." Welcome to the forum "bigriver". Please continue to think outside the box when it comes to MidTown. Just about everyone here has beaten up MidTown about this proposed bike park. Personally I didnt think this was such a horrible idea. If you want to attract young professionals to this area having amenity's such as this deserves consideration. IMO we are sometimes to trapped in our thoughts as to how a successful neighborhood might develop. Why not a bike park? I mean I am a big fan of Rays MTB and remember speaking with him numerous times in his first year about his hopes and plans. But there is always room for more. Besides it was just an idea. Continue to explore every opportunity you can, and leave nothing off the table.
April 20, 200916 yr How bummed where you guys when Cosgrove decided to not put the tissue lab there? Were there sticking points? Has it been announced where the tissue lab will go? Did we miss something?
April 20, 200916 yr How many residential or commercial projects (confirmed) have come to the table as a result of the HL? The hard number is around 15. With only a couple exceptions the projects that have started on Euclid in the past 2 years have at least in part named the HL as a reason for making a location/investment decision. How many residential and commercial proposals are on the board? There are 6 biggies currently. 4 commercial, 1 residential/office mixed use and a residential only. I'm interpreting on the board as meaning proposals that have identified locations that are seeking financing not with confirmed starts. Very exciting!
April 21, 200916 yr Help MidTown Cleveland, Inc. save the Carnegie and Prospect Avenue access ramps from closure! The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has proposed a final Cleveland Innerbelt reconstruction plan that will eliminate the Carnegie and Prospect Avenue ramps that provide vital access and connections to the business districts, institutions and neighborhoods they serve. This plan will be discussed at a public hearing on the Cleveland Innerbelt Project on Tuesday, April 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2187 West 14th St., in the Tremont neighborhood. MidTown Cleveland, Inc. supports the use of Federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to begin construction of a new Innerbelt bridge, repair of the existing bridge and commence the planning for the Opportunity Corridor linking I-490 with University Circle. However, MidTown Cleveland, Inc. does not support the current ODOT Innerbelt Trench Design Alternative which eliminates the Carnegie and Prospect Avenue ramp system for the following reasons: In November 2007, the Cleveland community, including government, business, community groups, and major institutions reached "complete consensus" in support of maintaining a direct Carnegie Avenue exit ramp from the Innerbelt. This was part of a community compromise and based on the belief that an omission of a Carnegie ramp from the final design would have a significant adverse economic and social impact on the community. This request of the community was rejected earlier this year by ODOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). We believe the current ODOT Trench plan does not take into consideration the future economic growth of the Central Business District, MidTown Urban District and Greater University Circle Area. Maintaining direct and multiple Innerbelt access points to these primary business districts is vital to the current and future growth of Cleveland and the region. As a result of the planned growth, the elimination of multiple and direct freeway access will place significant burden on the City of Cleveland street system. The ODOT plan does not adequately address how the local city streets will be modified to handle the additional traffic and who will pay for the street improvements necessary to prevent gridlock off the freeway. On Tuesday, April 21, MidTown Cleveland, Inc. will be calling for ODOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to allow for the Trench segment of the Innerbelt Project to be separated out from the Draft Environmental Impact Study (E.I.S.) approval process. This will allow the priority phases of the reconstruction project, such as the new bridge, to move forward while maintaining the City of Cleveland's economic viability through development of an acceptable Innerbelt Trench design. How you can help: Attend the public hearing on the Cleveland Innerbelt Project on Tuesday, April 21 to let your voice be heard If you cannot make the public hearing, call Jim Haviland at 216-391-5080, ext. 104 to express your thoughts, which can be communicated at the hearing. Write a letter about how you feel this decision would affect you and send it to Craig Hebebrand, the Cleveland Urban Core Projects Manager at the Ohio Department of Transportation, via email, [email protected] Make a comment about the Innerbelt project online by May 21. These comments will then be considered for the Final Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).The proposed plan can also be viewed at MidTown Cleveland, Inc.'s office. Learn more by reading cleveland.com's latest article on the Innerbelt plans and pass it along to friends and colleagues. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please call MidTown Cleveland, Inc.'s office at 216-391-5080.
April 21, 200916 yr I agree that those businesses need those ramps. Has there been any examination of how the ramps would mesh with putting caps over the trench? Many believe that would help the neighborhood considerably more. Ideally I'd like to have both.
April 21, 200916 yr I feel the Carnegie ramp would be the wrost one to remove. It carries a large amount of traffic towards University Circle and has a minimal footprint. The other ramps take up much more room. I would think the Carnegie ramp would be the most compatible with a cap.
April 21, 200916 yr How bummed where you guys when Cosgrove decided to not put the tissue lab there? Were there sticking points? Definitely not a high point. I'd only be speculating as to sticking points because we never received any official feedback. I think that E. 57th is still a little distant from campus at least emotionally. The programming need of the clinic was extremely large. It seemed as if there was some concern about fitting that particular use on the 57th to 61st blocks that may have resulted in a need to relocate an RTA route. Thanks for the response.
June 10, 201114 yr Sorry that it's been so long since I last updating this thread. I'll try to post additional neighborhood news as it becomes available. In the meantime check out our latest video that debuted at our annual meeting last week.
June 10, 201114 yr ODOT move to close I-90 East link with Carnegie Avenue rankles Cleveland's Midtown officials http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/06/post_473.html
June 10, 201114 yr Cross posted from the Midtown Developments thread: CWRU opens its National Children’s Study Center Office Posted: June 8th, 2011 The Case Western Reserve National Children’s Study Center will soon have approximately 15 people employed and working at the new office space (4600 Euclid Ave.). This new space is the Study Center’s first permanent location; it previously was located in borrowed space at the School of Medicine. It will also employ nearly 35 field workers who are in and out of the space as a home base. New people may be hired as the project expands. Various subcontractors (who are off site) include staff at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Invest in Children, University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth, along with others subcontracted to help with the study. The study also funds related research at Case Western Reserve University. http://thedaily.case.edu/news/?p=383
June 16, 201113 yr Freshwater Article on MidTown's annual meeting... midtown leaders say health tech corridor is gaining momentum THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011 When construction finally wrapped up in 2008 on the Euclid Corridor, civic leaders felt triumphant. The $200 million project to redevelop crumbling Euclid Avenue -- once dubbed "Millionaire's Row" for its opulent, turn-of-the-century mansions -- would spur economic development and connect downtown with University Circle, they believed. http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/midtownannualmeeting061611.aspx
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