So you can bid for multiple properties? That makes sense, i just hadn't thought of it until you posted your (impressive) analysis, KJP. So say my imaginary company wanted to bid for county buildings...I could put in an offer to buy 900 Euclid, 925 Lakeside, and the county administration building all in one bid?

 

Possibly. I don't know if one bid can be for two or more properties or not. All that we know are the names of the bidders, not how many bids or properties they're seeking. The reason why we know Optima has at least two bids is because they were made by different companies yet both under the Optima International umbrella -- "Optima 925 LLC" which is the former Huntington Building, and "Optima Ventures" which has acquired other office properties in Cleveland.

It won't be Optima.  It will be a local company that has been on a roll lately.

 

 

MRN?

I can see someone other than Optima getting Ameritrust, but Optima will get the county's administrative offices at the Huntington. And I think Optima will get the old administrative building in return to demolish and redevelop.

 

So you're suggesting either Geis or Weston will get Ameritrust? I never thought of Geis getting it because they've been so focused on office-commercial development. And I figured Geis' interest was limited to the lakefront, which would put them in line to get the county's Courthouse Square building at Lakeside and West 3rd -- across the street from another building they just bought, Lakeside Place.

 

But then I checked to see what Geis has done in the area of apartments and there it was -- I forgot Geis acquired the Avenue District condo building to turn it into apartments. Damn, I totally missed that!

 

Weston's a possibility, but I think their bid was to build an administrative office building for the county on one of the parking lots its owns in the Warehouse District. Everything that county officials have told me is they are going to lease existing office space to keep costs low and to make their move relatively soon. And they wanted a dramatic lobby for the public. Just about everyone I know says the county is going to the old Huntington Building.

 

But Geis buying the Ameritrust Tower? Yes, I can see that now! Brilliant move -- and for the same reasons why Optima would want it. It helps firm up Geis' office rents. And after Geis built its office campus on spec in Midtown, it is seeing the strength of the dual hubs of downtown and University Circle. Where is the Ameritrust Tower? On one of the main corridors linking those hubs via Midtown -- as well as on East 9th which goes up to the lakefront where Geis is trying to develop the city-owned Burke property.

 

Geis is brilliant!

 

EDIT: and so are you, Sky! Nice job.

 

EDIT2: MRN isn't a bidder for any county properties.

 

EDIT3: Guess who's been to the Circle In The City concerts at the Rotunda? Yup, developer Fred Geis....

https://twitter.com/fredgeis

fred geis ‏@fredgeis

What a great way to spend a Wednesday lunch.Cleveland Magazine: Ameritrust Rotunda Opens For Wednesday Holiday Concerts http://clevelandmagazine.blogspot.com/2012/11/ameritrust-rotunda-opens-for-wednesday.html …

11:35 AM - 1 Dec 12

 

 

Landmark is interested too, and they were a bidder. But Carney and Rains are getting up there in years. This is a big project. Perhaps Geis might partner with Landmark, with Landmark redeveloping 1010 Euclid next door to Ameritrust. But I think Geis makes a lot of sense.....

 

Reporters' Notebook: Sept. 24, 2012

 

4:30 am, September 24, 2012

 

Landmark Management has interest in landmarks

 

Developers John Carney and Robert Rains, whose Landmark Management Co. operates 700 apartments in rehabilitated buildings in downtown Cleveland and Indianapolis, proposed putting 250 suites and a high-end hotel in the 27-story Ameritrust tower in a joint venture with a hotel developer, according to Mr. Rains.

 

In a separate proposal to the county, Mr. Rains said he and Mr. Carney want to convert other buildings in the massive banking complex — most notably the 1010 Euclid Ave. building — into another 112 apartments and 300 indoor parking spaces.

 

The Ameritrust tower project would cost about $87 million. The 1010 Euclid building and structures facing Huron would cost another $22 million.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20120924/SUB1/309249983/1077/toc&Profile=1077&template=printart

Thanks.  Good analysis!  Weston may land the Marian Building on W. 3rd.

I can see Geis teaming with Landmark on Ameritrust, though. Like how Geis teamed with Zaremba and Panzica on reviving the The Avenue District. And when the project is done, Landmark would be good day-to-day managers of apartments at Ameritrust and the neighboring 1010 Euclid. This is going to be cool.

Thanks.  Good analysis!  Weston may land the Marian Building on W. 3rd.

 

Interesting find.... Geis and Weston have worked together on at least one project before:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20091112/FREE/911129976/1004/RSS01?rssfeed=RSS01

 

EDIT: here's another. Geis Companies has spent a lot of time and money developing suburban industrial/warehousing projects, especially on the southeast side. It's why the company is based in Streetsboro, which is about as sprawly as a place can get. But with all its recent activities in Cleveland, I thought this was a funny way for Fred Geis to describe it...

 

At a recent real estate trade meeting, Fred Geis said, “I've been spending more time with Mayor Jackson than with my girlfriend.”

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20101115/WHOBUSINESS10/101119905/1199/whobusiness10#

 

The best part is, Fred is still a young guy (53). He's got lots of years left in the business, and his brother Greg (44) even moreso.

A little more...

 

http://fox8.com/2012/12/10/cuyahoga-county-sells-ameritrust-tower/

 

PS does anyone know what time and where the announcement is supposed to be??

I would assume mid-morning.  They are supposed to make presentation at the city council meeting.

If the meeting is in the morning I figure the news will let it out by lunch.

It will be at a county council meeting, to be sumitted for approval by the county council. Given the scale and scope of the staff recommendation, the council will probably not pass this on emergency. Instead it will go through the requisite readings at three separate council meetings.

 

EDIT: unless there is an earlier press conference, the county council meeting is not until 5 p.m. Tuesday....

http://council.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/CM-12112012.aspx

 

The agenda item of interest is item F, Resolution R2012-0264 on Page 4. The agenda can be downloaded at the link above, but don't bother. Unlike every other resolution listed on the agenda, this resolution was included among the attachments to the agenda by the administration. So council will get the resolution tomorrow along with the rest of us.

 

EDIT2: Press release was posted at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1621.msg653706.html#msg653706

The third person today just told me that Geis Companies will get Ameritrust. It's going to be at least a $100 million redevelopment with apartments, plus retail/cafe in the rotunda. I have not heard about the 1010 Euclid building next door or the Ameritrust offices, parking deck to the south of the tower.

The third person today just told me that Geis Companies will get Ameritrust. It's going to be at least a $100 million redevelopment with apartments, plus retail/cafe in the rotunda. I have not heard about the 1010 Euclid building next door or the Ameritrust offices, parking deck to the south of the tower.

 

Oooooh a leak! So exciting. I wanted to attend but I see I have a meeting scheduled at 2:30. Dang it! Maybe ill just "get lost" while I'm out at lunch. 

The third person today just told me that Geis Companies will get Ameritrust. It's going to be at least a $100 million redevelopment with apartments, plus retail/cafe in the rotunda. I have not heard about the 1010 Euclid building next door or the Ameritrust offices, parking deck to the south of the tower.

 

Oooooh a leak! So exciting. I wanted to attend but I see I have a meeting scheduled at 2:30. Dang it! Maybe ill just "get lost" while I'm out at lunch. 

 

I'll be there and will post info. Only the Scofield Building and East 9th Street separate my office in the City Club Building from this event. So it's real easy for me to stop by.

Cuyahoga County to sell Ameritrust complex, lease new office back

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County government will move into part of the mothballed Ameritrust complex after all.

 

County Executive Ed FitzGerald announced a deal today to sell the complex -- in which taxpayers have already sunk $45 million -- for $27 million to the Geis Co. Geis will demolish part of the complex, outdated office space commonly called the P & H buildings, to build an eight-story headquarters for the county to lease.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2012/12/cuyahoga_county_to_sell_ameritrust_complex.html#incart_flyout_news

Surprise! I did NOT expect the county building new here. I do hope there is hope for the Huntington building but this will definitely be amazing for that intersection

I'm very surprised about demolishing the buildings to the south of the tower and putting up a new building for the county there, but it makes a lot of sense in the context of the overall development. So that's how the county will help finance the redevelopment of the old Ameritrust tower. Very smart.

 

EDIT: someone mentioned to me yesterday the possibility of demolishing the buildings south of the tower, but it was a brief comment in a larger, overall discussion. I should have been paying closer attention! And I will listen to that person more carefully in the future!!

Does anyone know which buildings are the P & H building

The two HIDEOUS office buildings south of the tower on E. 9th that are connected by sky bridge. They will not be missed.

NE corner of Prospect and E9th.  Just had to look that up too.

Is an eight-story building large enough for the county with 450 employees? Seems small.

From Laura at the PD: "@lauraejjohnston: Fun stuff: New eight-story county office building will have a green roof overlooking #ProgressiveField. See you there on Opening Day 2015?"

 

Can we combine this and the county HQ forums now?

All-in-all not a bad outcome in the end.

No mention of 1010 Euclid. Anyone hear differently? I'm assuming that was part of the rfp.

At first glance, this looks like a brilliant move by the County.  They save about $2mill per year while entering into a rent-to-own agreement for their new HQ's. 

 

Thinking about the end result, haven't we seen some conceptual drawings on this very scenario in which the AT Tower remains and there is a new build at E9th and Prospect?  I seem to remember some glass building overhanging E9th a bit?

 

No mention of 1010 Euclid?

So does this mean we also get to get rid of that skywalk?

 

For me the most exciting part is the residential.  I initially hated the tower but it has grown on me and with a good cleaning/renovation I think it can be a great looking/different building.

Is an eight-story building large enough for the county with 450 employees? Seems small.

 

200 sf per person (which is high) x 450 = 90,000 sf / 8 floors = 11,250 sf floorplates. Not sure the site size, but I don't think 8 stories would be too small for this.

Hopefully more info will come out of the 2:00 meeting...

 

After seeing the pics of the Ameritrust tower interior (was that from KJP?) I think residential will be amazing, I want on that waiting list!  The windows/view is spectacular.

 

I wonder if theyve gone so far as to render this yet?

At first glance, this looks like a brilliant move by the County.  They save about $2mill per year while entering into a rent-to-own agreement for their new HQ's. 

 

Thinking about the end result, haven't we seen some conceptual drawings on this very scenario in which the AT Tower remains and there is a new build at E9th and Prospect?  I seem to remember some glass building overhanging E9th a bit?

 

No mention of 1010 Euclid?

 

The rendering you're thinking of is Westlake Reed & Leskosky's for K&D's prior development

 

Still teetering on whether or not i like this... yay we get a new building, but at the same time, what is going to happen to the Huntington building? time will tell i suppose.

^This?

 

Definitely shocked and pleasantly surprised.

 

I'll be intrigued to know how many apartments can be carved out of the tower.

At first glance, this looks like a brilliant move by the County.  They save about $2mill per year while entering into a rent-to-own agreement for their new HQ's. 

 

Thinking about the end result, haven't we seen some conceptual drawings on this very scenario in which the AT Tower remains and there is a new build at E9th and Prospect?  I seem to remember some glass building overhanging E9th a bit?

 

No mention of 1010 Euclid?

This is when they were talking about demolishing it. I do remember the one you are talking about but the links are no longer valid.

^This?

 

Hopefully they go in a totally differant direction with the design.

This is the one i was thinking of

 

EDIT: Another photo from this article http://blog.cleveland.com/cribnotes/2008/07/sales_pitch_downtown_cleveland.html

^ anyone else counting the stories of these old mockups?

^ anyone else counting the stories of these old mockups?

 

Haha you caught me... although 8 stories in a modern building could be a nice height.  All depends of ceilings, etc.  I think its a perfect compliment to the tower, keeping it prominent.  Cant wait for a RENDERING :)

Prospect is quietly gaining some steam in terms of redevelopment.  The casino, the new restaurants around east fourth, the county headquarters, the hanna apartments.  we may need a 'filling in prospect ave' thread soon.

^ anyone else counting the stories of these old mockups?

I just read an article from 2006 that said there would be 2000 employees. I guess it is down to 450; no need for the additional floors.

I just read an article from 2006 that said there would be 2000 employees. I guess it is down to 450; no need for the additional floors.

 

The county has trimmed a lot of fat since then.

From the article:

The county plans to request proposals again for the administration building, at the southeast corner of Lakeside Avenue and Ontario Street, in January.

Little disappointed. I was hoping we would hear about plans for that site too.

This is the one i was thinking of

 

EDIT: Another photo from this article http://blog.cleveland.com/cribnotes/2008/07/sales_pitch_downtown_cleveland.html

This was one of my favorite renderings even has the outdoor rooftop space that the new building may have.

The article states about 750ee's will move into the new HQ....

The article states about 750ee's will move into the new HQ....

Yes it does say 750, thank you for the correction. Still a big drop from 2000 back in 2006.

The 2000 might have involved a larger consolidation.

 

The Westlake-Reed rendering was the one I was thinking of.

 

Re the current admin buidling, it makes sense to hold off on that.  It will be more than awhile before the county will be able to relocate to its new building.

Michelle J. McFee ‏@mjarboe

Geis Cos. would turn Ameritrust tower into housing; consider office, residential for Swetland Bldg. and retail/public use for rotunda. #CLE

 

 

I'm assuming the garage at the south-east corner of Prospect will be exclusive to the new admin. headquarters?  Is that even part of the deal?  Gut feeling tells me a sky bridge will remain or be rebuilt to meet the new building....boooo!

Great Michelle, now show us the rendering! :-)

If Westlake Reed Leskosky still gets this account, I can definitely trust the design will be of a very high quality.. where is the apartment waiting list? Condo's? :D