Nothing has been mentioned of this here, as far as I know, so I figure I'll post something.  The stretch of Lorain Avenue from West 165th to Fairview Hospital is undergoing a bit of an overhaul right now, with several projects from burying the utility lines, to renovating surrounding buildings, to improving the pedestrian element.

 

 

 

It would be interesting to see how it turns out. Hopefully it would lead to spinoff development, particularly the removal of the gas station on the northwest side of the Lorain/Rocky River Drive intersection.  Also maybe get rid of the Kamm's Plaza stripmall, but unfortunately that's too much of a financial draw for the area.

Haven't been over there in a while. How much has actually been started? Is the photo recent?

Not sure when the photo was taken. It must have been within the past year or so. I got it from the Kamms website.

 

Anyway, it's mostly masonry work that been done so far.  New sidewalks, crosswalk ramps, foundations (or whatever they're called) for the new street lights and traffic/walk signals, as well as landscape plots along the north side of Lorain.

This will look nice in what is a really a nice neighborhood that has a lot of unique businesses. I have not been up that end in a few months though. I do know this project is a good one, but not talked about too much. Tanks for bringing it up here.

Hopefully more new street scrape projects in Cleveland will plant trees similar to the trees they planted in the redevelopment of the Coventry business district a few years ago.  They seem to grow like weeds and are really full.  Excuse my ignorance as to type.

I agree. Trees just make it complete, reduce noise, clean air and add value/class/beauty.

Not sure when the photo was taken. It must have been within the past year or so. I got it from the Kamms website.

 

 

The photo is at least a couple years old. When I was at Sun News we used that exact same photo from the Kamms CDC for an article about the announcement of the streetscape project.

I've got several friends in the area and visit fairly frequently.  The project is well under way.  Streetscaping can do a lot for development, there are several businesses that have opened on this stretch (and are planning to open) since the project was announced.  Not all are my type, but filling vacant storefronts is a great thing.  I also read yesterday in Crain's that Kamm's is exploring implementing a special improvement district with a clean and safe program like downtown.  Fantastic idea.

^Yeah, there seems to be a furniture store going in what I believe was the old Goodwill store.  And Panini's is taking over the old Alphanso's...thank god, that is a nice restaurant space and it's sat vacant for at least 4 years.

I don't really understand what the rendering is showing besides new streetlights and signals.  The trees are already there, just not in season.  I guess you can see the strip of brick pavers by the street too.

I don't think the picture shows what poor condition the sidewalks were in.  The trees were there, but there were no planters on the street, which can brighten up things quite a bit... but the biggest change is the burrying of the power lines and replacing the existing street lights with something much more aesthetically pleasing.  They are also narrowing the street a bit so it doesn't seem so pedestrian unfriendly and adding angled parking to accomodate more visitors.  You can see more of what is going on here...

 

http://www.kammscorners.com/streetscape.html

 

 

I like what they're doing here.  A lot of locals don't know about this area, yet it's probably the best-kept and most complete neighborhood in town.  I hope the rest of the city's commercial strips will get similar upgrades.

I don't really understand what the rendering is showing besides new streetlights and signals.  The trees are already there, just not in season.  I guess you can see the strip of brick pavers by the street too.

 

I thought the same, at first, but upon closer inspection I "saw" that the drawing has no nasty power cables running all over and it shows the much nicer streetlight and traffic light poles.

 

Also, it looks like, according to the drawing, they are going to paint the street a darker shade of black.  :-D

 

 

Also the new streetscape comes complete with people.

I don't think the picture shows what poor condition the sidewalks were in.  The trees were there, but there were no planters on the street, which can brighten up things quite a bit... but the biggest change is the burrying of the power lines and replacing the existing street lights with something much more aesthetically pleasing.  They are also narrowing the street a bit so it doesn't seem so pedestrian unfriendly and adding angled parking to accomodate more visitors.  You can see more of what is going on here...

 

http://www.kammscorners.com/streetscape.html

 

 

 

On the planters. I like planters too. Let's hope that whomever is responsible for their upkeep will do so. How many times have we seen things like this get implemented into streetscapes and have lackluster follow up on their ongoing care.

^ that is why I am so happy they are working to implement a special improvement district... That's one of the things they do! :)

I remember seeing "Adopt a Spot" signs in the old planters and garden spaces, and they were very well maintained.  Maybe the new ones will be taken care of by the same or a similar program?

I'm very glad that Cleveland is finally paying attention to improving Westpark.  I completely agree with 327 that this is one of Cleveland's most intact neighborhood.  I feel that in many ways Westpark is one of Cleveland's most important neighborhoods considering that it is a very family oriented neighborhood.

I totally agree.

Yes, I agree too... It is essential this area be kept this way because it is one of the last bastions of neighborhoods of its kind in the proper. On the planter thing... Even when the planters themselves are painted (if they are box types) makes a big difference. I hate when people allow the smallest things to erode...but then the smallest things seem to make the most notice, in either a positive or negative way.

It sounds from the description on the website that they are replacing the trees ... "new, more compact, yet airy, street trees". Maybe I'm reading it wrong and they will supplement the existing trees. But it doesn't sound like it. That would be a real shame, given how mature the trees look to be and how long a corridor we're talking about. Still, a great project.

 

Edit: Taking it back. Looking at a site plan of the corridor, it looks like at least a portion of the existing tree stock will remain.

It sounds from the description on the website that they are replacing the trees ... "new, more compact, yet airy, street trees". Maybe I'm reading it wrong and they will supplement the existing trees. But it doesn't sound like it. That would be a real shame, given how mature the trees look to be and how long a corridor we're talking about. Still, a great project.

 

Edit: Taking it back. Looking at a site plan of the corridor, it looks like at least a portion of the existing tree stock will remain.

 

I used to serve on an arbor commission. I always shudder to think how more mature trees are removed t plant saplings. Especially along a noisy street. Trees help to reduce noise and clean the air of auto emissions.

To reduce noise and pollution at Kamm's Corners, a forest would have to be established that covered the area from Lorain to Madison.

Well, if you have zero trees it will increase substantially. Most of the unnecessary/excessive traffic noise endured today is primarily from illegally modified exhausts, ragged ones, or boom cars. Check out www.noiseoff.org

 

Come to think of it, a 'forest' at Kamms wouldn't be a bad idea! :-)

Thanks KJP!

 

Kamm's Corners streetscape work spur business in Cleveland's West Park

By Ken Prendergast

November 29, 2009, 1:33PM

 

CLEVELAND The Kamm’s Corners neighborhood in West Park may soon refer to its business climate with two classifications — “before streetscape” and “after streetscape.”

 

The “before streetscape” business climate at Kamm’s Corners was one of vacancies, aging storefronts and memories. The “after streetscape” climate was one of new businesses, storefront renovations and optimism.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2009/11/kamms_corners_streetscape_work.html

I live in the middle of all this and am really excited about all the change.  It really is amazing what a streetscape can do to a neighborhood.  That being said, this project has dragged on for too long.  This project started in 2007 and it's still not done.  Construction did not end last month.  The historic light posts have yet to be installed on the soutside of Lorain west of Rocky River Drive.  There are still old utility poles along the southside and there is still quite a bit of concrete work to do where the original poles were removed.  We were told this would be complete last year.....then by July 4th....then the fall.  Now, it's starting to snow and we're being told that the remaining work and street paving will be bid out next year if they get federal stimulus dollars. 

 

I don't intend to sound negative, but seeing how quickly they did the streetscape work around Gordon Square on Detroit, 4 years of construction seems excessive.  The Euclid Streetscape didn't take this long.

 

Hopefully, there is a good reason for all the delays and cost over runs.

Sounds like they either did not have all the funds when they started the project (which I believe is rare in a municipal project of this type) or they had some significant unanticipated (but necessary) change orders which caused havoc with the budget.  I am guessing the latter, especially if the project is taking so much longer than originally plannned.

I think the big reason for the extra time and cost is that the first phase included a totally new and much larger sanitary sewer to accommodate the growth of Fairview Hospital. The new sewer was built from West 150th Street to the hospital, which is at about West 180th.

Eateries opening, revamping on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland

Published: Thursday, October 18, 2012, 12:40 PM    Updated: Thursday, October 18, 2012, 12:42 PM

  By Ken Prendergast, Sun News

 

CLEVELAND If you thought the pace of business openings and renovations would have slowed by now after the Lorain Avenue streetscape, think again.

 

Four buildings on or near Lorain are being renovated as restaurants right now. Three of those are new businesses to the neighborhood, said Cindy Janis, manager of commercial development for the Kamm’s Corners Development Corp.

 

“It’s a great time to be opening a business in Kamm’s Corners,” she said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2012/10/eateries_opening_revamping_on.html

Bethesda Lutheran wants to expand group home in Cleveland's West Park area

By Ken Prendergast, Sun News

on January 18, 2013 at 8:15 AM

 

CLEVELAND A charity is seeking city approvals to renovate and expand a group home next to a residential area after dropping plans to sell the property.

 

At its regular meeting at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 28, the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals will consider a variance to Bethesda Lutheran Group Home for its property at 3951 Rocky River Drive, in the West Park neighborhood.

 

Bethesda is seeking to expand the rambling, 3,639-square-foot house that extends along Bradgate Avenue to include three residences for respite care programs and offices for the charitable institution. Its Ohio offices currently are in Fairview Park.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2013/01/bethesda_lutheran_wants_to_exp.html

Two foreclosed homes get revamped in Cleveland's Kamm's Corners

By Ken Prendergast, Sun News

on January 25, 2013 at 11:17 AM, updated January 25, 2013 at 11:24 AM

 

CLEVELAND Foreclosed homes can become a cancer to once-stable neighborhoods where blight can quickly metastasize. So there are two ways to prevent that cancer from spreading: demolish houses or renovate them.

 

Demolition is cheaper and often preferred when there are many foreclosed homes, yet it can handicap a neighborhood for decades. However, when there are only a few troubled houses, they can be saved and restored when someone is willing and able to step forward.

 

That’s what the Kamm’s Corners Development Corp. did recently to two homes, and intends do to more houses in the near future.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2013/01/two_foreclosed_homes_get_revam.html

Kamm's Corners Development Corporation gets big response to online survey

By Ken Prendergast, Sun News

on January 31, 2013 at 9:07 AM, updated January 31, 2013 at 9:10 AM

 

CLEVELAND The last time Kamm’s Corners Development Corp. updated its strategic plan, having enough parking spaces wasn’t a concern in West Park’s main business district, but vacant storefronts were.

 

A lot can change in just three years.

 

That’s the frequency that KCDC’s strategic plan is revised. KCDC staff has started gathering input for the next revision.

 

A public meeting to get that input will take place 6-8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Thorp Hall, next to St. Patrick West Park Church, 4427 Rocky River Drive.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2013/01/kamms_corners_development_corp.html

I really enjoyed the neighborhood in the short time i lived there. Chipotle is opening there for a preview this weekend, I believe

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2013/crr11-04-2013.pdf

 

Board of Zoning Appeals

 

November 4, 2013

9:30

Calendar No. 13-225: 17510 Lorain Avenue Ward 19

 

West 176 Street, LLC, owner, appeals to change use from storage to retail stores on con-

solidated parcels located in a C1 Shopping Center District; contrary to Section 349.07©

(3) a driveway width of 48 feet is proposed along West 176th Street contrary to the maxi-

mum width of 30 feet that is allowed; and subject to Section 352.10 a landscape strip 6

feet wide is required along the frontages of Lorain Avenue and West 176th Street; and

the substitution of an existing nonconforming use requires the Board of Zoning Appeals

approval according to provisions under Section 359.01 in the Cleveland Codified Ordi-

nances.

 

Land use planning several years ago by the Kamm's Corners CDC has ID'd the Kmart plaza for a more pedestrian-oriented redevelopment. I don't know if this rezoning is in response to that (if so, a bit of a time delay there) or if it's a response to an actual development....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2015/04102015/index.php

 

City Planning Commission

Agenda for April 10, 2015

 

ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS

Ordinance No. 249-15(Ward 17/Councilmember Keane): Changing the Use, Area and Height Districts of lands on the southeast corner of Lorain Avenue and West 150th Street from GR-C1 to Local Retail Business, a 'G' Area District, and a '2' Height District.

I heard a rumor of a brewery currently going through the application and licensure process to go somewhere in Kamms, does anyone have information on this or know where I could look to find out more?

First of all, that brewery is Working Class Brewery, should be opening up sometime in 2017. https://www.facebook.com/ohioworkingclassbrewery

 

The other update is this letter being distributed around Kamms saying the the Clinic is putting in a new parking structure on top of a surface lot and allegedly where the (now former) Cafe Falafel building is.  Rumor has is that the Clinic has been strong-arming Cafe Falafel for a while and finally got their way when he closed down a few weeks ago (looking to relocate).  Here is a link to the location: https://goo.gl/maps/zcuvy9MoANv

 

 

 

 

The Clinic is obviously wanting to tear down this building because it's good urban design that brings life to the street and promotes walkability. Sadly, it's their M.O.

 

 

 

So then the plan will be leave it vacant for two years, then it'll be "too far gone" to save.

So then the plan will be leave it vacant for two years, then it'll be "too far gone" to save.

 

Indeed, if a demolition permit is denied this is exactly what they will do. 

The Clinic is obviously wanting to tear down this building because it's good urban design that brings life to the street and promotes walkability. Sadly, it's their M.O.

The Clinic is obviously wanting to tear down this building because it's good urban design that brings life to the street and promotes walkability. Sadly, it's their M.O.

 

 

 

 

Within the last few months we seen plans for a dog kennel and a 1-story day-care adjacent to 2 different Red Line rapid stops.  Now plans to demolish a historic-looking, classic mixed-use building in a walkable neighborhood...

 

... boy, Cleveland's really moving in the right direction, aren't we?  :roll:

Yup, these are the only things that have happened in the Cleveland during that time. :roll:

The pedestrian retail overlay on the south side of Lorain stops right at the Fairview parking lot. I'm sure that is no coincidence. Here is the map if you want to check it out.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/gis/cpc/basemap.jsp

 

The neighbor's only hope is to prevent the city from re-zoning the mixed use building, which is currently zoned for multi-family like the houses next to it. It would have to be rezoned to retail like the parking lot and other buildings east. Here is a better map. You can also see the PRO with this map.

 

http://clevelandgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a85a5285f3a949e991e0f086527604b7

 

Yup, these are the only things that have happened in the Cleveland during that time. :roll:

 

Indeed...  :roll:

 

This city has obviously done a lot of great things and made a lot of progress, especially downtown and in certain key neighborhoods... But the continued indifference and cavalier attitude toward mass transit and, in many cases, walkability threatens to undermine that progress...

The other update is this letter being distributed around Kamms saying the the Clinic is putting in a new parking structure on top of a surface lot and allegedly where the (now former) Cafe Falafel building is.  Rumor has is that the Clinic has been strong-arming Cafe Falafel for a while and finally got their way when he closed down a few weeks ago (looking to relocate).  Here is a link to the location: https://goo.gl/maps/zcuvy9MoANv

 

I got confirmation from a friend who is employed at Fairview Hospital that the garage is coming down.  Employees are being bussed in from either the IX Center in the south or St. Joseph's Acadamy just up the street (and potentially other places) and work is already under way on the garage.  They didn't know if they would be relocating it across the street or not, just that it was being replaced.  Either way the current version is an eyesore so hopefully the replacement at least puts some thought into aesthetics.

I was wondering why I saw the hospital staff parking sign in the Joe's and Our Lady parking lots last week

Funny that no one has posted to this forum in three years. That’s exactly how long it’s been since any development whatsoever occurred in West Park. It’s getting pretty noticeable and sad. Houses still look great but the main corridors are all struggling. Empty storefronts, abandoned parking lots, and endless ugly power lines. Much work to be done in WP! 

While I agree with your sentiment that the area definitely needs more activity, there have been a couple of things moving that I don't think people on here really care much about.  West Park Animal Hospital tore down two buildings, one for a temporary parking lot and one to house their new main building, after which they will tear down their current structure for a long term parking lot.  A new laundromat and motorcycle dealer got built, that new daycare center by the rapid station is open now.  A couple of restaurant expansions and new businesses have moved to the area but into existing buildings.  I'm amazed that with such strong home sales there isn't more stuff moving in.

 

Also for some reason there's two threads:

 

Edited August 19, 20204 yr by tj111

31 minutes ago, tj111 said:

While I agree with your sentiment that the area definitely needs more activity, there have been a couple of things moving that I don't think people on here really care much about.  West Park Animal Hospital tore down two buildings, one for a temporary parking lot and one to house their new main building, after which they will tear down their current structure for a long term parking lot.  A new laundromat and motorcycle dealer got built, that new daycare center by the rapid station is open now.  A couple of restaurant expansions and new businesses have moved to the area but into existing buildings.  I'm amazed that with such strong home sales there isn't more stuff moving in.

 

Also for some reason there's two threads:

 

You’re right. I didn’t mean literally no development, just not much from what we’ve seen in the rest of the city. I think it’s pretty accurate to say WP as a whole is a middle neighborhood, not thriving but not dead yet either. More work needs to be done with the streetscape on Rocky River drive. Some pretty cool old buildings are vacant or near vacant and empty lots can be turned into pocket parks. WPKND had a plan to “Revive the drive a few years ago but that must’ve been scrapped because i’ve seen nothing to this date about it since. It’s a shame, plenty of new home owners in the area youd think we’d see more business development. Three buildings that are ripe for redevelopment (IMO) : 

Kamms Building 17209 Lorain (For lease, Why is this not a historic landmark?!?) 

The Campbell Building 4153 Rocky river drive (Current listing: 274k)

and this beautiful old tudor style at 4178 Rocky river drive (Current listing: 749k)

I'm hopeful that more exciting things will start to happen in this area under the new councilperson. Slife seems to be much more checked in than Keane, and he was only in the seat a few months before COVID interrupted everything so he hasn't had a ton of opportunity to really take on any outward-facing initiatives focused on medium or long term planning.