May 12, 20178 yr ^His Thompson Hine profile has him earning a BA from Harvard (1986) and his law degree from Georgetown. I graduated in 1985, I believe he was transferring the next. His dad was an alumni and his brother went there. His dad also owned the "Button" in Fort Lauderdale. Back then it was so popular only certain schools could go on certain days. Except Harvard and Case.
May 12, 20178 yr If you want wealthier people to live in denser city locations, you have to expect them to try to impact their surroundings.[/color] And not always positively. Again, the northeast side of Coltman Road is the posterchild lot for a dead city. That is what is being preserved by the lawsuit.... So when is the first group of pictures EVER better than the second group? First group (from Aug. 2016): Second group: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 20178 yr I did not reread, in detail, last year's article about this project, but I wouldn't be surprised if, like the apts planed for the Golden Bowl site, these units would be converted to condos once the market is right.
May 14, 20178 yr If you want wealthier people to live in denser city locations, you have to expect them to try to impact their surroundings.[/color] And not always positively. Again, the northeast side of Coltman Road is the posterchild lot for a dead city. That is what is being preserved by the lawsuit.... So when is the first group of pictures EVER better than the second group? The second group is artist's impressions. What will it look like built? Or perhaps more to the point five years later? Another possibility: the language of the suit is what one would expect if the plaintiff suspected, or knew of, some dealings that were less than aboveboard. You can't say such things, out loud, without proof.
May 14, 20178 yr What will the vacant lot look like in five years? And what is it doing to the resale value of the Coltman townhomes? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 6, 20178 yr Now up for Landmarks Commission approval. More pics at.... http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2017/06082017/index.php 4. Case 17-029 (Concept 5/11/17) Little Italy Historic District Apartment Building 12302-04 Mayfield Road New Construction Ward 6 Griffin Nick Muhvic LDA Architects Hemingway Development "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 6, 20178 yr Normally, I don't post single home developments unless there multiples of them being sought at the same time by the same developer. This one is interesting to me.... http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2017/06082017/index.php 5. Case 17-033 Little Italy Historic District 1961 East 126th Street New Construction of a Single-Family House Ward 6 Griffin Mathew Wymer WXZ Development Ron Lloyd /Bob Reighard RDL Architects "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 13, 20178 yr Some bad news in connection with the Woodhill Supply litigation. In a 2-1 decision the court found in favor of the homeowner, David Watson, and remanded the case back to the trial court. The appellate court did not rule on the merits but found that the trial court did not put in the record an "evidentiary analysis" in upholding the zoning boards decision in favor of the city. Without such an analysis, given the detailed record, the court found it could not determine the basis of the trial courts decision and it was not the role of the appellate court to review the record de novo. In other words the court politely said the trial court was lazy and was trying to get this sucker off its docket. The matter is now remanded so the trial court can provide its written analysis. I would imagine it will still rule in favor of the city. The case will then most likely (in fact I am 100% sure unless this guy croaks in the meantime) go back up on appeal and have to be briefed anew in that court. Bottom line is that this litigation is going to drag on for quite some time before the court of appeals renders a decision (my best guess a year...maybe more if the trial judge is now pissed and takes a long time to prep the required written record). As I have expressed before, it seems the city and the developer have a strong case but my fear is that the continuing delay will make the project less appealing if interest rates and construction costs go up in the meantime, or Visconsi just moves on to other less problematic projects (say some greenfield in Streetsboro).
June 13, 20178 yr ^That really sucks. David Watson should be proud of himself as an upstanding public citizen.
June 13, 20178 yr ^That really sucks. David Watson should be proud of himself as an upstanding public citizen. Um, did you read the synopsis? The court, and most likely by extension the zoning board, didn't document why they decided as they did. So the suit had merit. That even leaves aside why the decision might have been weak on documentation.
June 13, 20178 yr If I'm the developer, I make a small change to my design and resubmit my application, reflecting that change, to give BZA second chance at doing this right. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 13, 20178 yr If I'm the developer, I make a small change to my design and resubmit my application, reflecting that change, to give BZA second chance at doing this right. Pretty much a given, even in business you always change something before resubmitting. Would this new development inherently reduce the value of Dave's property (I am assuming he owns the condo, knowing of his family it may be their building)? Or is their something about the Visconti design that does so?
June 13, 20178 yr ^That really sucks. David Watson should be proud of himself as an upstanding public citizen. Um, did you read the synopsis? The court, and most likely by extension the zoning board, didn't document why they decided as they did. So the suit had merit. That even leaves aside why the decision might have been weak on documentation. If I'm the developer, I make a small change to my design and resubmit my application, reflecting that change, to give BZA second chance at doing this right. Pretty much a given, even in business you always change something before resubmitting. Would this new development inherently reduce the value of Dave's property (I am assuming he owns the condo, knowing of his family it may be their building)? Or is their something about the Visconti design that does so? Actually, what E Rocco is suggesting is incorrect and actually it is the exact opposite. From the briefs in the court of appeals it is clear that the record at the Zoning Board level is exhaustive and includes expert testimony and at least two lengthy hearings. In fact that is what the court of appeals was "complaining" about in its decision. Its decision was more procedural than substantive and it said that the trial court did not provide it with its analysis so it could determine whether the trial court applied the correct standard of review relative to this large and detailed record and it was not its role to review the huge record de novo. The purported error was at the trial level (which in this case is the first appellate level since it is reviewing an appeal from the zoning board) and not at the zoning board level. I am not a zoning expert but I read both parties briefs in the court of appeals and substantively it looked, to my uneducated eye, that the city has a stronger argument from a legal standpoint. I do not see any need to re-submit as I think the city and developer will eventually win when the court of appeals rules substantively.
June 23, 20177 yr Bravo! RTA fixes nasty sidewalks under CSX bridge between University Circle and Little Italy (photos) BY STEVEN LITT, THE PLAIN DEALER CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has kept a promise to fix what may have been the nastiest pair of sidewalks in the city. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, RTA held a ribbon cutting to mark completion of a $1.6 million project to refurbish 500 feet of Mayfield Road as it passes beneath rapid transit and CSX rail tracks between University Circle and Little Italy. The project is a follow-up to the 2015 completion of the new $15 million Mayfield Road-Little Italy rapid transit station, designed by City Architecture of Cleveland. http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/06/rta_fixes_ugly_sidewalks_under.html
August 10, 20177 yr These guys aren't messing around! Demolition & construction is about to begin on the new condo development on Random Road next to Tony Brush Park in Little Italy. This is the second station-area development following the opening of the new RTA Red Line Rail station in 2015. In fact in one of the photos you can see in the background a construction crane for the first station area development, Centric, on Mayfield Road. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 11, 20177 yr KJP, which project is this? Based on the signage, it looks like this one. http://www.quattrocondos.com/ . And here's an article from last year I found on it.
August 11, 20177 yr Nice...and that is moving pretty quick when compared to other similar sized projects!!
August 11, 20177 yr ^ LOL. I noticed that too. They should have put some gondolas in there for a real Italian (Venice) feel
August 11, 20177 yr ^ LOL. I noticed that too. They should have put some gondolas in there for a real Italian (Venice) feel most would blow there tops with Venice type density!
August 11, 20177 yr With Centric rising and Quattro, soon to be, the physical advancement of Mayfield Lofts would make it an LI, TOD trifecta.
August 12, 20177 yr With Centric rising and Quattro, soon to be, the physical advancement of Mayfield Lofts would make it an LI, TOD trifecta. I don't know if this was due to vandalism or because the project is about to begin but the sign in front of Mayfield Station apartments was gone yesterday. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 14, 20177 yr What is "Mayfield Station Apartments?" http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mayfield+station+apartments
August 14, 20177 yr With Centric rising and Quattro, soon to be, the physical advancement of Mayfield Lofts would make it an LI, TOD trifecta. I don't know if this was due to vandalism or because the project is about to begin but the sign in front of Mayfield Station apartments was gone yesterday. Correct. It's Mayfield Station... I mistakenly referred to it as Mayfield Lofts, which was the original proposal for this tract.
August 14, 20177 yr With Centric rising and Quattro, soon to be, the physical advancement of Mayfield Lofts would make it an LI, TOD trifecta. I don't know if this was due to vandalism or because the project is about to begin but the sign in front of Mayfield Station apartments was gone yesterday. Could have been Feast prep, worries about people leaning/sitting on it.
October 10, 20177 yr Construction is already starting on a mixed-use apartment and retail development on Mayfield in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. I'm surprised to see this moving forward so quickly. http://realestate.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2017/05/apartments_proposed_on_former.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 10, 20177 yr I love that anything Geis (Hemingway) touches is done in months. He just gets stuff done. And no, I am in no way affiliated with them. Just impressed by their efficiency
October 10, 20177 yr ,^You think Its months, but that's just because you only hear about Hemingway's projects when they're ready to go.
November 17, 20177 yr Interesting item on next week's GCRTA board agenda: http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/presentations/BoardAgenda_11-21-17.pdf 2017-100 - Authorizing the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to enter into a puchase and sale agreement with Little Italy Development LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company, for the purchase of land in fee simple and two permanent easements located at the Little Italy-University Circle Rapid Transit Station and power substation, Cleveland, Ohio for $139,500.00 Little Italy Development LLC is Terry Coyne's company, but also has as partners the Geis and Asher families. They sold 1.2 acres of land to GCRTA for $860,000. I sure hope that Little Italy Development LLC isn't getting all 1.2 acres back for just $139,500! http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/08/land_purchase_clears_way_for_c.html This is what Coyne/Geis/Asher proposed there: http://www.terrycoyne.com/ourproperties/detail_printable.asp?id=271 Wonder how this affects Tim Perotti's proposed 40-unit apartment building next to the station, fronting Mayfield. Perhaps mjarboe[/member] has some insight? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 20177 yr This is what Coyne/Geis/Asher proposed there: Wonder how this affects Tim Perotti's proposed 40-unit apartment building next to the station, fronting Mayfield. Perhaps mjarboe[/member] has some insight? I hope they change it so that it fronts the street better and doesn't completely block off traffic going through that road/parking lot.
November 18, 20177 yr Hi, Interesting item on next week's GCRTA board agenda: .... Little Italy Development LLC is Terry Coyne's company, but also has as partners the Geis and Asher families. They sold 1.2 acres of land to GCRTA for $860,000. I sure hope that Little Italy Development LLC isn't getting all 1.2 acres back for just $139,500! First of all, thank you so much for all your posts and sharing your knowledge. I'm confused with which parcels this agreement is in reference too. Doesn't the Little Italy Development LLC already own the long parcel next to the station?
November 19, 20177 yr It looks like Little Italy Development LLC would acquire the grassy strip between the parking lot and the tracks, north of the station headhouse (entry and substation). If so, looks like every inch of land not being used by RTA here is part of some development. Land really is a premium here. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 5, 20177 yr Interesting item on next week's GCRTA board agenda: http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/presentations/BoardAgenda_11-21-17.pdf 2017-100 - Authorizing the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to enter into a puchase and sale agreement with Little Italy Development LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company, for the purchase of land in fee simple and two permanent easements located at the Little Italy-University Circle Rapid Transit Station and power substation, Cleveland, Ohio for $139,500.00 Little Italy Development LLC is Terry Coyne's company, but also has as partners the Geis and Asher families. They sold 1.2 acres of land to GCRTA for $860,000. I sure hope that Little Italy Development LLC isn't getting all 1.2 acres back for just $139,500! http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/08/land_purchase_clears_way_for_c.html This is what Coyne/Geis/Asher proposed there: http://www.terrycoyne.com/ourproperties/detail_printable.asp?id=271 Wonder how this affects Tim Perotti's proposed 40-unit apartment building next to the station, fronting Mayfield. Perhaps mjarboe[/member] has some insight? My mistake. I have since learned that GCRTA is buying this land and easement FROM Little Italy Development LLC so that GCRTA can build a new power substation here. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 5, 20177 yr http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2017/12072017/index.php Case 17-065 Little Italy Historic District 2087 Random Road Demolition and New Construction of Apartments Ward 6 Griffin Stephen Bucchieri Bucchieri Architects "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 5, 20177 yr My reaction? It looks like a military-style office building that doesn't want to be a part of the neighborhood. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 5, 20177 yr Wow.....Thats horrible......It looks like an medical office building from the 70's
December 5, 20177 yr Holy cow. It actually could be worse. http://www.bucchieriarchitects.com/fairmount-house/ http://www.bucchieriarchitects.com/valley-ridge-house/
December 5, 20177 yr I didn't realize the bar could get this low for newly designed architecture. It's like they got the plans from an Ollie's.
December 5, 20177 yr I actually like the office-building design. The window pattern makes a very interesting view from inside the units. http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2017/12072017/image/2087_Random_IMG_26.jpg The street presence is awful though. When I see metal gates and walled-off elevations, I assume they are trying to address security concerns. There has to be a way to "friendly up" the design. Whether that's putting the garage below grade and elevating the first floor above the garage, or simply putting an apartment on the first floor along the sidewalk.
December 6, 20177 yr Renderings are usually supposed to help sell/promote a project, so I find that the real thing rarely looks as good as the renderings. That's not a good sign for this project where even the renderings look bad.
December 8, 20177 yr Wow check out those LA-style pilotis and parking under housing. Isn't that rather soulless and out of touch with the surroundings... Dingbat buildings are making a comeback?
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