Maybe we should create a separate thread for renderings like this.

Clevecane, is it possible they were unloading that crane at that location, and moving the parts down to the garage?  I was thinking there is probably a need for a tower crane at the garage site.  It is tight there. 

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/11/cleveland_casino_opening_threa.html

 

Casino commission hopes Cleveland casino will open on time

Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 5:55 PM    Updated: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 5:58 PM

  By Reginald Fields, The Plain Dealer

 

 

Casino regulators are hopeful Cleveland's casino will open as scheduled next spring, despite a licensing delay.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - State casino regulators are hopeful that Cleveland's casino will open as scheduled next spring, despite a delay in Rock Ohio Caesars securing its operating license.

Asked Wednesday whether Rock's scheduled March 26 opening was still doable, Ohio Casino Control Commission executive director Matt Schuler expressed concern. "I think we need to work with them on that," he said, "but we're optimistic."

The commission is still trying to determine all the individuals and entities required to file applications and submit to background checks as part of the licensing process.

State law requires applications and checks on anyone associated with Rock or companies that contract with the gaming outfit, an expansive list that could include company officers, board members, and large stockholders and entities such as holding companies and parent companies.

Looks like MayDay's pic confirms GoTribe's speculation (and his response to clevecane's question) regarding the yellow crane unloaded on Ontario a while back.

Hey, it looks like they're replacing the roof on the Stanley Block. I see new black material on the roof which had holes in it before.

I still see that big whole in that picture

 

 

Has that area enclosed in red always been there?  Or is it new and some work going on inside the Stanley Bldg?

^Also notice what looks to be a port-to-potty (is that spelling even close?) at the front of the building which is usally evidence of construction workers.

as mentioned some time ago, there is work being done at the stanley. it is basically stabilization work. there is currently no redevelopment plans, but once stabilized they hope to be able to market the property for redevelopment.

thats actually a great relief to hear. looked like it might fall to rubble when i saw it in the summer.

Cleveland casino developer to make case to feds for Higbee Building skywalk

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio--The skywalk isn't dead.

 

The developer of Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino is appealing a recent decision by the National Park Service not to certify for federal tax purposes a 170-foot skywalk linking the casino to a parking center nearby, an official said Wednesday.

 

While that decision didn't prohibit Rock Ohio Caesars from building the enclosed pedestrian bridge, it did mean that the building's owner, Forest City Enterprises, wouldn't be able to receive historic tax credits for earlier renovations on the Higbee Building if the skywalk was built. Those IRS tax credits, worth millions of dollars a year, continue for at least four years.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/cleveland_casino_developer_to.html

They wont win the appeal.  They never really overturn a decision like this. 

That's too bad, I really think it would help the project and therefore the city.  Ridiculous that it's perfectly OK to tear down a historic building but verboten to attach a hallway to another one, leaving us with the worst of both worlds... no Columbia, plus an incomplete parking arrangement in its place.  Either don't tear down anything (too late), or finish the job that supposedly made the demo worthwhile.

Well that's their problem.  I think considering their arrogance in the situation and all the bending over the city has done, they really didn't expect to have any road blocks, or obviously didn't forsee this.  That's why I was laughing and sometimes crying, since I totally forsaw this would happen, thereby making that major piece of their plan (which involved tearing down the Columbia building) a bit pointless in the grander scheme of things.     

Doesn't this just mean that Gilbert doesn't think the skywalk is that important?  Couldn't he make this roadbock disappear by paying Forest City the expected value of the tax credits if he thought it was worth that much to the casino?

With all that money he might as well just build a tunnel

Yes thats the other thing.  I was curious as to what the cost would amount to, and whether it covered all of the credits given to the whole Terminal Tower complex or just Higbee.  Certainly if they were willing to shell out nearly 90 million for a lot.......  at least maybe they would reconsider a tunnel unless it just isnt feasable. 

From a "seeing people on the streets" perspective, I think a tunnel is even worse than a glass skywalk.

its not verboten to build a skywalk... it would simply be in violation of the historic tax credits FCE recieved for the restoration of the building and thus they would forfeit those funds. They incentivize people to restore historic buildings, not change them.

 

Thus Rock has a few options... build the skywalk, and work out a settlement with FCE on what they would be willing to take to walk away from the tax credits (roughly $8m if I recall correctly). Appeal the decision (which they are doing), or wait about 4 years (there is a 5 year hold before you can make alterations)... really about 3 years by the time the casino opens and then build the sky walk penalty free. This thing is going to be built its just a matter of when and how much it costs rock gaming.

 

^ Thank you  for bringing 1) clarity and 2) reality to this emotion-filled topic.

So are they building a second casino or is this the only one?

^The Higbee's casino is Phase I of a two phase Casino developmemt.  Phase II is the new construction to be built on the other side of Huron road.  Once Phase II is built, both phases will operate as one large casino.

Rock Gaming spent something like $90Million for the cost of the land for PhaseII.  Based on that, I feel that they will indeed build Phase II.

Here is a recent article/pics from the Detroit Free Press on Dan Gilbert's impact in Cleveland .

 

Dan Gilbert's development blueprint for Cleveland looks similar to Detroit's

1:48 AM, Nov. 6, 2011    BY John Gallagher

 

CLEVELAND -- If you think Quicken Loans founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert is having an impact on downtown Detroit, you ought to see what he's doing in Cleveland.

Since Gilbert bought the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team in 2005, he has renovated Cleveland's renamed Quicken Loans Arena (The Q), opened a mortgage banking center that now employs 300, built a $25-million practice facility for the Cavs, and is deep into construction for a $350-million Phase I of his future Horseshoe Casino in a former department store downtown, with a 16-acre new casino to follow in a few years. Gilbert's investments in and around downtown Cleveland will total close to $1 billion.

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20111106/BUSINESS06/111060426/Dan-Gilbert-s-development-blueprint-Cleveland-looks-similar-Detroit-s

 

 

 

Nice article and a positive comment about Cleveland at the end of the article.

No sure about Gilbert's spirit comment however.

 

Oldtinker

11:16 AM on November 7, 2011

Johnny Carson always used to bad-mouth Cleveland with his jokes but I don't know if he ever went there. I always enjoyed visiting Cleveland except the time I got snowed in there for 3 days. Great food, great people.

 

Anywho...back to the Casino.

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/bbs/agenda/2011/AGENDA11232011.pdf

 

Docket A-348-11 2105 Ontario Avenue WARD:    3

(Joe Cimperman)

USA Parking Systems, Owner of the Property appeals from an ADJUDICATION ORDER —(erect structural framing for the Casino Welcome Center),  dated  October 04, 2011, appellant  states that the proposed encroachments are required along East 2nd Street due to site constraints of working around  the  Stanley Building.  The Prospect Avenue and Ontario Street encroachments are required to accommodate interesting design features mandated by

City Design Review Committees.

 

EDIT: from the prior meeting's agenda.......

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/bbs/agenda/2011/AGENDA11092011.pdf

 

Docket A-336-11 2121 Ontario Street WARD:    3

(Joe Cimperman)

Macron Investment Co., Owner of the MXD Mixed Uses – Multiple Uses In One Building Four Story Masonry Walls/Wood Floors Property appeals from a CONDEMNATION ORDER—MAIN STRUCTURE, dated April 20, 2010; appellant desires the Board to waive its order due to the owner’s demonstrated efforts to date so that the owner can complete the stabilization as set fort in the material attached.  The owner believes that it will be able, within a reasonable time, not only to have the “Stanley Block” building stabilized, but fully functional as a mixed use facility adjacent to the Horseshoe Casino.

From earlier this month, and a view from across the lake.......

 

 

Dan Gilbert's development blueprint for Cleveland looks similar to Detroit's

1:48 AM, Nov. 6, 2011

BY John Gallagher

DETROIT FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

 

CLEVELAND -- If you think Quicken Loans founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert is having an impact on downtown Detroit, you ought to see what he's doing in Cleveland.

 

Since Gilbert bought the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team in 2005, he has renovated Cleveland's renamed Quicken Loans Arena (The Q), opened a mortgage banking center that now employs 300, built a $25-million practice facility for the Cavs, and is deep into construction for a $350-million Phase I of his future Horseshoe Casino in a former department store downtown, with a 16-acre new casino to follow in a few years.

 

Gilbert's investments in and around downtown Cleveland will total close to $1 billion.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.freep.com/article/20111106/BUSINESS06/111060426/Dan-Gilbert-s-development-blueprint-Cleveland-looks-similar-Detroit-s

Likely the Casino folks have pressured Forest City to upgrade the Public Square plaza entrance to the TT, or Forest City just figures there is no better time to upgrade the entrance to (hopefully) a soon to be improved shopping mall.  Although Im not sure how much of an improvment it will be...  They are taking out granite and using concrete bricks..  :| 

 

Otherwise, nothing too exiting on the City Planning/Design Review agenda, some street improvements plus the usual demolitions. 

 

1.DF2011-082: Tower City Exterior Plaza

Project Location: 50 Public Square

Project Representatives: John Williams, Process Creative Studios

Julia Cyganski, Process Creative Studios

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2011/12022011/index.php

 

 

 

 

Forest City just figures there is no better time to upgrade the entrance to (hopefully) a soon to be improved shopping mall.

 

Let's hope!!  I guess it could be more, but I think it will improve the look of Tower City's front entrance

Likely the Casino folks have pressured Forest City to upgrade the Public Square plaza entrance to the TT, or Forest City just figures there is no better time to upgrade the entrance to (hopefully) a soon to be improved shopping mall.  Although Im not sure how much of an improvment it will be...  They are taking out granite and using concrete bricks..  :| 

 

Otherwise, nothing too exiting on the City Planning/Design Review agenda, some street improvements plus the usual demolitions. 

 

1.DF2011-082: Tower City Exterior Plaza

Project Location: 50 Public Square

Project Representatives: John Williams, Process Creative Studios

Julia Cyganski, Process Creative Studios

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2011/12022011/index.php

 

Well, It will certainly be better than all the cracked granite and cheap fixes that are currently there.  Hopefully there wont be pools of water either.

Likely the Casino folks have pressured Forest City to upgrade the Public Square plaza entrance to the TT, or Forest City just figures there is no better time to upgrade the entrance to (hopefully) a soon to be improved shopping mall.  Although Im not sure how much of an improvment it will be...  They are taking out granite and using concrete bricks..  :| 

 

Otherwise, nothing too exiting on the City Planning/Design Review agenda, some street improvements plus the usual demolitions. 

 

1.DF2011-082: Tower City Exterior Plaza

Project Location: 50 Public Square

Project Representatives: John Williams, Process Creative Studios

Julia Cyganski, Process Creative Studios

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2011/12022011/index.php

 

Well, It will certainly be better than all the cracked granite and cheap fixes that are currently there.  Hopefully there wont be pools of water either.

 

Yeah, I was going to ask what condition things were in, since I havent been in that spot for a while.  So it should certainly be a plus then.

Lots to be done at Higbee's before Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino opens in March (video)

Published: Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Dave Davis, The Plain Dealer By Dave Davis, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jeff Cohen has put the bustle back in Higbee's.

 

Though it's been 10 years since the last shopper filed out, the veteran Detroit builder once again has hundreds of workers swarming all over the former downtown Cleveland department store, creating a scene on Tuesday that in some ways was reminiscent of the 1950s and '60s when the store employed clerks two-to-three deep at its counters to serve the throngs of Christmas shoppers.

 

While Cohen is running construction crews of nearly 700 people morning and night trying to transform the building into a glittering Las Vegas-style casino, he's well aware of the importance that the landmark building and its $450 million revitalization hold for Clevelanders, especially around Christmas.

 

He said that work was on schedule for a March 26 grand opening of Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino, and promised that Clevelanders would recognize their beloved Higbee building.

 

more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/lots_to_be_done_at_higbee_befo.html

 

this is the first i have heard of an opening date.

^I know it wasn't practical, and probably a fire hazard, but I wish they kept the wooden escalators

^I know it wasn't practical, and probably a fire hazard, but I wish they kept the wooden escalators

 

I'm going to speculate that they are not ADA compliant as they are very narrow and cost prohibitive as on going maintenance might be an issue.  Who knows if parts are readily available and at what cost? 

 

I recall people, especially children, having their hands/feet caught in them, so safety may be a concern, granted children wont be allowed in the casino.

The Casino's general manager states Cleveland is one-fifth the population of Detroit????  How do they hire these people? Cleveland has long been somewhere in the vicinity of one-half the size of Detroit (city proper as well as metropolitan area). Did anybody else notice this ridiculous statement in "Crains's?"  In some areas Cleveland is equal to or ahead of Detroit, in fact.  Always was. Detroit was smaller until the 1910s when they both boomed with the auto industry, and then Detroit got considerably ahead. For a while the gap has been narrowing, at least slightly.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111213/FREE/111219949

^^when I was a kid those wooden escaltors use to scare the hell out me....biggest problem was they would shake back and forth.

The Casino's general manager states Cleveland is one-fifth the population of Detroit? :?  How do they hire these people? Cleveland has long been somewhere in the vicinity of one-half the size of Detroit (city proper as well as metropolitan area). Did anybody else notice this ridiculous statement in "Crains's?"  In some areas Cleveland is equal to or ahead of Detroit, in fact.  Always was. Detroit was smaller until the 1910s when they both boomed with the auto industry, and then Detroit got considerably ahead. For a while the gap has been narrowing, at least slightly.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111213/FREE/111219949

 

Calm down.  He's talking about the gambling market.  Not the population of each Region.

 

Though he wouldn't comment directly on the size of the regional gambling market, Mr. Glover compared Detroit, which he estimated had a $1.2 billion gambling market, with Cleveland, which, he said, was one-fifth the size of Detroit.

^^when I was a kid those wooden escaltors use to scare the hell out me....biggest problem was they would shake back and forth.

 

I love that!  The shaking is the best part of the ride!

Read it again: "Cleveland....is one fifth the size of Detroit." Didn't say "the gambling market is...." Even if he that's what he meant, why on earth would Detroit's gambling market be five times the size of Cleveland's?

Read it again: "Cleveland....is one fifth the size of Detroit." Didn't say "the gambling market is...." Even if he that's what he meant, why on earth would Detroit's gambling market be five times the size of Cleveland's?

 

Think about it.  Detroit already 5 year head start.  I'm sure they've done their due diligence on visitor and travel patterns.

 

I think you're blowing this out of proportion.

Lets get back on topic

God I wish I could have gone to Higbees in its heyday. Look at those photos! There's a certain magic to downtown Cleveland pre-80s, and these pictures really show it.

Downtown pre 1980s?! I grew up in Cleveland and during the late 60s and 70s downtown shut down after 5:00pm.  Playhouse square was closed and nearing demolition.  The Fats was nothing.  The Warehouse District was nothing but vacant buildings.  The most popular saying was "Last one out, turn out the lights."  No comparison to today.

^I would agree with most of what you said but shopping along Euclid was still pretty strong (although not like the 50's and 60's).  Still had Halle's, Higbees and May Co. and lots of smaller stores (Bonds, Richman Bros, lots of other smaller chains and independents) and even stores like Woolworths and Kresgess (spelling).  I think Halles closed in 82.

Having seen it and remembered it, the only thing I miss about downtown Cleveland from the 1970s was the mix of chain and small independent stores plus the department stores of Lower Euclid Avenue -- although the recent rejuvenation of Lower Euclid is helping me not miss the good ol' days. I only remember visiting Halle's once. But I often went to Higbee's for Christmas, and later went to May's when I went to school downtown. Higbee's was an awesome store, but it was connected to a dead railroad station with lots of vacant, ill-maintained space. The redevelopment of the station into Tower City Center helps ease the loss of Higbee's. Sadly both didn't co-exist for very long.

 

So I am going to be very interested to see how Higbee's is rebuilt into a casino. I'm not a fan of casinos since I don't gamble. But I am interested to see how Tower City and Lower Euclid are impacted by the casino.

^^^Well, the 1940s and 1950s were before the 1980s.

 

Edit: And even in the 1960s and 70s, there was still a kind of magic downtown. Think Public Square then. Think retail and shopping. That's what I was getting at.

^I know it wasn't practical, and probably a fire hazard, but I wish they kept the wooden escalators

 

I'm going to speculate that they are not ADA compliant as they are very narrow and cost prohibitive as on going maintenance might be an issue.  Who knows if parts are readily available and at what cost? 

 

I recall people, especially children, having their hands/feet caught in them, so safety may be a concern, granted children wont be allowed in the casino.

 

still, what a damn shame.

 

you know every time i go on the wooden macy's escalator steps i think of higbees -- once next to the macys escalator i even overheard one of your pr brethern talking to someone talking on the phone in lorain and i forgot where the hell i was for a second lol!

 

The redevelopment of the station into Tower City Center helps ease the loss of Higbee's. Sadly both didn't co-exist for very long.

 

Luckily, I was young at the time when both were open, so some of my favorite childhood memories are riding the rapid downtown, seeing the Christmas lighting ceremony, walking through the newly-opened Tower City, lobby of Stouffer's Hotel (or whatever it was called at that time), Higbee's, going up and down the wooden escalators, seeing people ice skating on Public Square.  Downtown was magical to me then, and it was the early 90s.

 

I suppose downtown is magical to most kids at that age, so when we each think it was magical probably is related to how old we are.

Playhouse Square might still have some of that magic, even for adults.

 

so after the weehawken, nj thread i did this past weekend i get off the lightrail in hoboken at the 2nd street stop, which has a lot of all new TOD, and what do i see next to the platform? a tilted kilt coming soon in the new apt building. gee guess i can check'r out!  :roll: