Posted December 9, 200519 yr From the 12/6/05 Lorain Morning Journal: Elyria could get 98 homes along Black River near downtown MATT SUMAN, Morning Journal Writer 12/06/2005 ELYRIA -- City Council's Strategic Planning Committee recommended last night that the city enter into a Tax Increment Financing program to build 98 homes in the $175,000 price range along the Black River near downtown. Chris Eichenlaub, safety-service director, said the homes, called the New Riverbend Housing Development, would be built on about 25 acres that were once the Lorain County fairgrounds. The property is just south of Third Street between West River Road and the West Branch of the Black River, according to Eichenlaub. Forty of the homes would be geared toward senior citizens. ... http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15699318&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=566374&rfi=8
December 9, 200519 yr I'd be interested in seeing the site plan and models before I get excited. 98 homes on 25 acres is pretty suburban in density, unless a lot is given over to common space. That said, I love the potential of Downtown Elyria and environs. I just hope they don't muck it up.
December 10, 200519 yr Author I haven't had any luck finding a site plan. You're right, it does sound very suburban as far as density.
December 17, 200519 yr Author From the 12/12/05 Elyria Chronicle Telegram: Developer, city lack experience with financing for housing Cindy Leise The Chronicle-Telegram ELYRIA — The company that wants to build 98 new homes on the site of the old county fairgrounds off Third Street has constructed or renovated thousands of homes in Cleveland but has no experience using tax increment financing for housing. TESCO Builders of Cleveland has used such financing in commercial projects in Cleveland, however, and company officials are confident it can work for a plan to build the homes on the 25-acre site west of the Black River. “We’re full steam ahead” if the city approves the 30-year, $4 million tax financing plan to build roads and other infrastructure for the 58 single-family and 40 senior homes, said Harry Lee, development director at TESCO. ... http://www.chroniclet.com/2005_Archive/12-12-05/Daily%20Pages/Front/Html/Head4.html
February 14, 200619 yr Lorain Catholic could get new life JENNIFER BRACKEN, Morning Journal Writer LORAIN - The former Lorain Catholic High School could soon start a new life as senior citizen housing. The renovated building would anchor a $25 million, 220-unit retirement community being proposed by Catholic Charities Health and Human Services, an arm of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. The school, at the corner of Tower Boulevard and Falbo Avenue, was closed in June 2004 as a result of dwindling enrollment. ...
May 24, 200619 yr Author From the 5/24/06 PD: Lorain Catholic High converted to condos Chapel will remain along with patio homes Wednesday, May 24, 2006 Molly Kavanaugh Plain Dealer Reporter Lorain - The chapel at Lorain Catholic High School is getting a new class of worshippers. The high school, which closed two years ago due to waning enrollment, is being converted into condominiums for the over-55 crowd. The 37-year-old building will lose any semblance of a school, but its state-of-the-art auditorium and small chapel with stained-glass windows will remain. ... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1148459458279560.xml&coll=2
May 27, 200619 yr Author From the 5/25/06 Elyria Chronicle Telegram: PHOTO: Amish and Mennonite workers build the New Riverbend Homes project in Elyria on West River Road near Blake Street. Chuck humel / chronicle Amish, Mennonite workers helping to build Riverbend homes Cindy Leise The Chronicle-Telegram ELYRIA — Drive along West River Road and you’ll see a sight that brings to mind Amish country. Amish carpenters climb over the fresh wooden frames of 60 homes being built in the New Riverbend Homes project, swinging hammers to create lively “tap-tap” music of construction. Amish carpenter Enos Hershberger, said his work day begins two hours before he arrives on the job at 6 a.m. and ends two hours after his shift ends at 3 p.m. ... http://www.chroniclet.com/2006_Archive/05-25-06/Daily%20Pages/052506local4.html
September 8, 200618 yr looks like lorain is moving along in poaching this museum from vermilion. nice that now the museum can be much bigger, but still poaching it from the neighboring city is not good. :| Maritime Museum moving KATE GIAMMARISE, Morning Journal Writer 09/08/2006 An artist's rendering of the proposed Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Lorain. http://images.zwire.com/local/Z/Zwire1699/zwire/images/MJMUSEM_R348.jpg LORAIN -- Imagine a 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art museum facility, complete with a jaw-dropping full-scale replica of a Great Lakes schooner and spaces for permanent and traveling exhibits, workshops and events. Officials and board members from the Great Lakes Historical Society, which owns and operates the Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion, have this vision for Lorain's waterfront -- and they'll present it to City Council on Monday. More at http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17168182&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6
September 16, 200618 yr Author From the 9/12/06 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: Lorain committee backs maritime museum plan Joe Medici The Chronicle-Telegram LORAIN — City Council members on Monday enthusiastically greeted plans for a maritime museum in Lorain, gushing over the idea to move the Inland Seas Maritime Museum from Vermilion to the site of the former Pellet Terminal. “This is a piece of the puzzle that is downtown, and I support it wholeheartedly,” said Councilman David Wargo, D-1st Ward, during a Council committee meeting. “I remember watching the museum in Vermillion go up, and now I hope I will get to see this one come up here.” Chris Gillcrist, the museum’s executive director, asked Council to support the museum’s goal of moving into the city. “When people think of Great Lakes history we want them to think of Lorain, Ohio,” Gillcrist said. More at http://www.chroniclet.com/2006_Archive/09-12-06/Daily%20Pages/091206head4.html
September 17, 200618 yr The competitive side of me wants to see this brought to Downtown Cleveland instead. They would have higher visibility here. We should get aggressive and try to steal this, the Beck Center, and the MLS stadium.
September 19, 200618 yr Vermillion, like most suburbs, is only what it is today because it pilfers jobs and people from other places. Mostly Lorain.
September 20, 200618 yr Vermillion seemed like an little lake port to me when I drove through many years ago. Lorain would be an appopriate home to this museum as its big industry was shipbuilding. A lot of those lakers where built in a shipyard in downtown Lorain.
September 20, 200618 yr There is a small, charming little lake port area. Most of Vermillion is standard suburban sprawl.
September 20, 200618 yr Parts of Vermilion are pretty. I'm thinking of the houses by Chez Francois, near the water. When I read about how 2nd grade museums are economic development I grow kind of skeptical.
October 18, 200618 yr Author From the 10/11/06 PD: Vermilion maritime museum moving to Lorain, planning bigger building Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Carl Matzelle Plain Dealer Reporter Lorain - The Great Lakes Historical Society's museum will move from Vermilion to Lorain and expand four-fold, hoping to attract visitors from across the country, officials said Tuesday. The Historical Society plans a 40,000-square-foot lakefront museum with space for permanent displays, traveling exhibits, private gatherings and dock space for tall ships. More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lorain/1160555959105360.xml&coll=2
October 19, 200618 yr Parts of Vermilion are pretty. I'm thinking of the houses by Chez Francois, near the water. When I read about how 2nd grade museums are economic development I grow kind of skeptical. those very cute bungalows in the nabe just west of chez francois and the harbor are old ship captain and shipping folks homes. it's a very interesting history as vermilion was also a retirement town for shipping workers (but not w/o it's sad side as the reason they were never much enamored of lorain was, well ok lets just say it -- vermilion's history w/ people of color is retched). btw in reference to what x mentioned: despite the recently closed ford plant being in lorain vermilion schools always got all the tax money. i dont like museum theft, but i guess this would be payback of a sort if it happens. ps -- if cleveland really wants to steal a museum they should steal back the dali museum from tampa.
October 20, 200618 yr Author The adjacent project mentioned in previous articles, from the 10/14/06 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: PHOTO: New Sunrise Properties are among the developers on the west side of Elyria who look to lease houses, such as the ones shown above, to low- and moderate-income residents by year’s end. JASON MILLER / CHRONICLE Housing projects on city’s west side taking shape Cindy Leise The Chronicle-Telegram ELYRIA — The complexion of the west side of Elyria is rapidly changing as a $12.5 million federally-funding housing project is taking shape. Twenty-six of 60 homes being built on the city’s west side are nearly completed and the project is ahead of schedule, said Ken Outcalt of NRP Group. The three- and four-bedroom homes, which have two-car garages, are being built on West River Road, Gateway Boulevard, 17th Street, Douglass Avenue and on a new street east of West River called Sommer’s Way. ... http://www.chroniclet.com/2006_Archive/10-14-06/Daily%20Pages/101406local1.html
November 16, 200618 yr looks like we care about yakking on our cell phones more than we do our senior citizens. a shame. :| 'For sale' signs back up at Lorain Catholic High School JENNIFER BRACKEN, Morning Journal Writer 11/16/2006 LORAIN -- Lorain Catholic High School is for sale. Again. After nearly a year of trying by Catholic Charities Health and Human Services to transform the former high school into a senior living community, plans have been quashed and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is looking for a new buyer, according to Bob Tayak, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. ...
July 10, 200717 yr Author From the 7/9/07 Lorain Morning Journal: PHOTO: Two of the steering wheels becoming part of the museum's collection. Inland Seas museum lands 3 special artifacts By: MEGAN KING, Morning Journal Writer 07/09/2007 VERMILION - Three new pieces of Great Lakes history have been added to the collection of the Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion - and within the next few years will eventually become part of the museum at its new site in Lorain. A ship's steering wheel from the first five-masted schooner in the world, the ship's steering wheel from a ship involved in an historic race in 1901, and the first commercially-sold Thistle boat are all items of "national significance," said museum Executive Director Chris Gillcrist. More at http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18563953&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6
June 7, 200817 yr New owner breathing life back into former school JENNIFER BRACKEN, Morning Journal Writer 06/06/2008 http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19751550&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6 Todd Roby stands in the gym of the former Lorain Catholic High School, which will be called the Spartan Village. LORAIN -- It has been nearly four years since the last class graduated from Lorain Catholic, and the school's new owner is breathing life back into the facility with plans for a multi-generational campus providing access to everything from medical care to education. The $30 million project will start next month with a $1.5 million renovation of the building at the corner of Tower Boulevard and Falbo Avenue, according to owner Todd Roby. Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use [email protected]
June 7, 200817 yr No plans that I've seen- the building is a sprawling single-story 1960s flat roofed architectural nothing. I guess I could scan pictures from my senior yearbook in 1988. (Feeling old on this board - 20th reunion later this month :-()
June 9, 200817 yr i hope the building can be put back to use, but i am dubious because of the expense of bringing it back online. i wouldn't be surprized if the school building was cleared for a housing development someday. i read on a local blog that the land was originally donated to be "for catholic education only," but that may not hold water anymore. if you look just west up the street to anna martin's last patch of open land that was supposed to be held as a forest stand & is now an ugly strip mall plaza i guess those agreements are meant to be broken. :| here is the only shot of lc i could find online:
November 7, 200816 yr Former Lorain Catholic site is open for business Stephen Szucs | The Chronicle-Telegram LORAIN — Todd Roby was confident that if he rebuilt the former Lorain Catholic High School in Lorain, he could fill its vacant halls. The aging structure had begun to feel the brunt of neglect — windows had been broken and graffiti littered its sturdy walls. But Roby had a vision to breathe new life into the building while filling a void in the community. Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use Contact Stephen Szucs at 329-7129 or [email protected].
August 29, 200915 yr News Museum moving to Toledo: Inland Seas pulls anchor from Vermilion, Lorain Saturday, August 29, 2009 By SCOT ALLYN [email protected] Content edited 9/4/09 URL: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/08/29/news/mj1528425.prt © 2009 morningjournal.com, a Journal Register Property
November 16, 201113 yr I could have sworn we had a general thread for Lorain-Elyria developments, but I couldn't find it. If someone can find it, please bump it up to the top by posting in it and I'll combine that thread with this one.... Republic Steel, Governor Kasich to announce new electric arc furnace at Republic Steel Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 By RICHARD PAYERCHIN [email protected] @MJ_JournalRick LORAIN — A new electric arc furnace for making steel is expected to be installed at Republic Steel. The company and Gov. John Kasich will announce a major capital investment announcement this afternoon at the Lorain steel mill, East 28th Street. “We are looking at the possibility of building an electric arc furnace in Lorain, which is something we hope to get started on,” said Ken Braun, director of benefits, health and administration for the Canton-based Republic Steel. READ MORE AT: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2011/11/16/news/mj5297438.txt "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 16, 201113 yr Crain's take..... Republic Steel to add nearly 450 jobs in Lorain By DAN SHINGLER 2:40 pm, November 16, 2011 Lorain is about to get nearly 450 new jobs thanks to a planned $85.2 million investment by Republic Steel, the company announced today at an event with Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Canton-based Republic said its money will go toward installing a new electric arc furnace and supporting equipment at the Lorain plant, adding 449 jobs to its existing work force of 480 people. Republic makes highly-engineered steel at the plant, which has the strength and other qualities needed for use in transmissions, drive trains and other automotive and industrial applications — as well as seamless steel tubing used in natural gas exploration. READ MORE AT: http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111116/FREE/111119868 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 28, 201213 yr My wife's school is hosting a student art show at this newly renovated gallery/coffee shop. The owner is pretty great, he wants to see all of Lorain turned around. http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2011/11/30/news/mj5364885.txt
September 16, 201410 yr Spitzer Plaza Hotel to become senior apartments in $10M project By Richard Payerchin, The Morning Journal POSTED: 09/15/14, 1:42 PM EDT The former Spitzer Plaza Hotel will become a new active senior community with about 50 apartments and first-floor retail space, according to plans announced Sept. 15 by a Chicago-area development group. The Broadway Building, 301 Broadway, which also has been named the Lorain Renaissance Hotel, will become “prestigious residential rental apartments” with amenities including a fitness center, pool, sauna, business center, library and community rooms, in a project expected cost $10 million, according to plans. “Due to its historic character, prime location and state-of-the-art design, the developer envisions the new Broadway Building Development to offer wonderful opportunities for its residents,” the developers’ announcement said. “The development is a significant investment that will contribute to the growth of Lorain.” READ MORE AT: http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20140916/spitzer-plaza-hotel-to-become-senior-apartments-in-10m-project "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 24, 201410 yr Lorain entertainment district approved http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2014/12/23/lorain-entertainment-district-approved/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 29, 20177 yr Some big plans for the lakefront in Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake, Lorain, and Vermillion! Not perfect, but better urban design than I would have expected in any of those communities. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/09/lorain_county_envisions_lakefr.html#incart_m-rpt-1
April 24, 20187 yr Several developers eye downtown Lorain; plans for hotel, brewery, townhouses https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-lorain/several-developers-eye-downtown-lorain-for-hotel-brewery-townhouses-and-other-shops "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 25, 20187 yr Amware holds ground breaking for new location in Sheffield Village By Zach Srnis, The Morning Journal POSTED: 04/24/18, 5:53 PM EDT | UPDATED: 37 SECS AGO 0 COMMENTS Amware, a full service freight and logistics provider, will set up shop in Sheffield Village. The company had a ground breaking ceremony April 24, to celebrate the future location at 3620 Mallard Run at the French Creek Business Park. “I’m excited for what the day brings with the ground breaking and having people come out to the future site,” said Brad Maloof, president of Amware. “It truly creates great possibilities for Amware.” FULL ARTICLE: http://www.morningjournal.com/business/20180424/amware-holds-ground-breaking-for-new-location-in-sheffield-village --- Avon Planning Commission approves Swenson’s Drive-In The City of Avon Planning Commission approved a new Swensons Drive-in restaurant to be located at 36041 Main Street on April 18. The 1,711 square foot location is expected to break ground in June and welcome about 22 jobs to the area... http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20180422/avon-planning-commission-approves-swensons-drive-in (Same article - In other business, the Planning Commission also heard the first presentation of the final development plan for a new proposed 27,820-square-foot Planet Fitness location to be located on the south side of Chester Road. Fechter said.) ---
April 25, 20187 yr I'M JEALOUS!!! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 22, 20186 yr Lorain Port, Broadway Building developer to announce project details By Richard Payerchin, The Morning Journal POSTED: 08/21/18, 6:12 PM EDT The Lorain Port Authority and Ariel on Broadway LLC will hold a press conference to explain upcoming renovation to the Broadway Building, 301 Broadway. The gathering will take place Aug. 29 at the building, according to notices sent out late Aug. 21. “The Lorain Port Authority and Ariel on Broadway are proud to announce the Ariel on Broadway Construction Kick Off,” the notice said. The event will include information about the creation of the Ariel on Broadway Event Center and Lorain’s new hotel, Ariel Broadway Hotel by Cobblestone, according to plans. FULL STORY AT: http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20180821/lorain-port-broadway-building-developer-to-announce-project-details PROJECT WEBSITE: https://www.arielonbroadway.com/abw/homePage.html
August 22, 20186 yr Meanwhile, next door at a former Ameritrust branch: Lorain school board approves tax deal for former bank building By Richard Payerchin, The Morning Journal POSTED: 08/20/18, 9:17 PM EDT The Lorain City School board has approved a tax deal that could help a new brewery and event center on Broadway. Jovic 2 LLC, a company owned by Lorain developer Victor Nardini, asked Lorain city and school officials to consider a 15-year, 100 percent tax abatement for the project. The brewery and event space would be a $4 million investment at the former Cleveland Trust Bank building at 383 Broadway, according to plans. FULL STORY AT: http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20180820/lorain-school-board-approves-tax-deal-for-former-bank-building
August 22, 20186 yr Other signs of life in downtown Lorain that have popped up recently: Speak of the Devil, a cocktail lounge just off Broadway on Fifth Street in a former paint store: http://speakofthedevillorain.com/ Campana Sauces, in the former Catholic Charities soup kitchen on Eighth Street: www.campanasauces.com Coming soon: Madi B's Scratch Chicken, 657 Broadway https://www.facebook.com/Madi-Bs-Scratch-Chicken-474769982920428/ A restaurant from Jenso Soto, owner of Smash! Food Truck at 747 Reid Avenue Summary article: http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20180818/NEWS/180819495
August 29, 20186 yr YouTube video of existing conditions at the Broadway Building in Lorain, formerly known as the Spitzer Plaza Hotel, soon to be renovated by Ariel Cleveland as a hotel and event space: (video courtesy of Chronicle-Telegram) www.arielonbroadway.com image from Wikipedia: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Broadway_Block_%28SW_Erie_n_Washington%29_P2160036.JPG Listing on National Register of Historic Places: https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/85002833
September 6, 20186 yr Lorain Council approves incentives for 383 Broadway By Richard Payerchin, The Morning Journal POSTED: 09/04/18, 11:18 PM EDT | UPDATED: 3 HRS AGO 0 COMMENTS The redevelopment of a former bank on Broadway will get an economic benefit from the city of Lorain. On Sept. 4, Lorain City Council unanimously approved a 12-year, 100 percent tax abatement for Jovic 2 LLC, a company owned by Lorain developer Victor Nardini. The former Cleveland Trust Bank could become a new brewery and event space – and a $4 million investment in downtown Lorain. http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20180904/lorain-council-approves-incentives-for-383-broadway Street View: https://goo.gl/maps/JjX9GGdQXkD2 (building to the right has been renovated into apartments and a currently vacant restaurant space below street level...
December 1, 20186 yr FULL ARTICLE: https://www.morningjournal.com/news/lorain-county/broadway-building-facade-net-comes-off-at-least-partly/article_fb5ff390-f4cd-11e8-8ce1-8b19b6c618a8.html PROJECT: Ariel Hotel on Broadway, Lorain Broadway Building facade net comes off, at least partly By Richard Payerchin [email protected] @MJ_JournalRick on Twitter 13 hrs ago On Nov. 29, 2018, workers from Coon Restoration & Sealants began removing the netting that covered the brick facade of the Broadway Building, 301 Broadway, Lorain. The restoration is part of an $8 million project to bring new life to the building, a landmark for downtown Lorain. Heading into the holiday season, observers of downtown Lorain have a reason to cheer: The netting has come off the facade of the Broadway Building. At least partly. On Nov. 24, visitors to downtown Lorain’s Waterfront Winterfest saw the fencing and work platform elevator set up by Coon Restoration & Sealantsat the building, 301 Broadway.
December 28, 20186 yr Cool new project -- including an observation area to watch the lake and....trains! New Vermilion Lakefront Park & Nature Center: Lorain County Lakefront Connectivity Plan https://www.discoververmilion.org/news/params/post/1515638/new-vermilion-lakefront-park--nature-center-lorain-county-lakefront-connect "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 2, 20195 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 10, 20195 yr Was out in Lorain today. The streetscape job they’re doing through their downtown should be observed by Cleveland city leaders on how to properly narrow a street and make it pedestrian friendly. And they have cut outs for TREES!!! Hallelujah!!!
April 14, 20205 yr A huge secret project brewing in Lorain county. I don't have any scoop, but with the level of secrecy and NDAs sounds like an Amazon. Pure speculation though.
April 14, 20205 yr Following a common tune, any chance it is related to this? Elyria evaluating Midway Mall plans https://www.morningjournal.com/news/lorain-county/elyria-evaluating-midway-mall-plans/article_2c2d6fd0-395f-11ea-884b-273668efa08d.html Sears JCPenny Best Buy
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