They are separate projects. The second two photos I posted above are of the project (Mayfield Station/Lofts) I photographed and posted on Nov. 1.

 

I posted a couple of pictures of La Collina during the Feast and posted on Facebook but the Facebook URLs here have already expired.

Bella

 

 

Edited March 2, 20196 yr by MuRrAy HiLL

^ those responsible for the restoration. 

 

 

Some update pics of the current large construction projects in the neighborhood from today. I forget the names of all three, but the first is along Mayfield, second is on Random by the park, and the last two are the project next to the Red Line station.

 

 

 

Another large proposed development: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2806987179527363&id=1910456892513734

Looks good from what little is shown.

 

Hmm, people on Facebook don't seem to be happy. What would they have to demolish to build that?

1 minute ago, Stormtrek said:

Hmm, people on Facebook don't seem to be happy. What would they have to demolish to build that?

 

People on Facebook are never happy.  That's why they are on Facebook.

Hmmm...seems to overwhelm Washington Place a bit.  Maybe they need to cut a story (and I am usually not one of those "people").  I can see where the Little Italy powers that be might have a hissy fit over this similar to Mayfield Station.  I think the demolition would be two nondescript houses which I am sure are a mess inside like a huge swath of Little Italy properties.

Here are the two houses that the Facebook post says would be demolished and an aerial of the site. It always amazes me how much of Little Italy is just dilapidated rentals. In the aerial nearly every house has a gravel or paved backyard for rental parking. The two houses, especially the one on the right, would look great renovated. But realistically that will never happen.

 

A few construction update pics from Little Italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 20196 yr by KJP

Can't say I care much for the design of the Quattro, but love love love seeing all these new units in the heart of LI.

1 hour ago, StapHanger said:

Can't say I care much for the design of the Quattro, but love love love seeing all these new units in the heart of LI.

 

I really like the building. I like the brick.  I do not like the light siding on La Collina. I think that the entire front should have been brick. 

Is it just a matter of the site size that the Mayfield Station building is still missing the entire SW corner even three stories up now?

I was wondering when someone would notice that and either point out that void or hopefully fill in the void information-wise.

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2019/03282019/index.php

 

Case 19-012: Little Italy Historic District
2189-93 Cornell Road Washington Inn Housing 
Demolition and New Apartment Building Construction
Ward 6: Griffin
Project Representatives: Michael Panzica, Hemingway Development; LDA Architects

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great looking project.  A nice mix of upscaling/saving the three older structures and adding a bunch of modern rental units. And I don't think there's a single new curb cut here. 

I agree, that looks great. Shifting the frontage to Cornell was the best option. It minimizes the visual impact of the apartment building, and allows them to renovate the houses on Murray Hill which is the cherry on top. Huge thumbs up.

Great that they are renovating the Murrary Hill buildings.  Fingers crossed they do a tasteful and unique re hab.

 

Too bad they could not have continued all the way down to the corner of Cornell and Random.  Those two houses stick out like a sore thumb.  Especially that yellow beauty.  Would love to see the inside.  Would make a great HGTV Windy City Rehab (Forest City Rehab) episode.  You know the kind of episode where they hold their noses while touring the place and then tear down everything but the four outside walls.

NIMBYs strike again!

 

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/e-team/development-is-bringing-a-new-feel-into-the-little-italy-neighborhood-that-prides-itself-on-nostalgic-authenticity

34 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

NIMBYs strike again!

 

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/e-team/development-is-bringing-a-new-feel-into-the-little-italy-neighborhood-that-prides-itself-on-nostalgic-authenticity

I have to laugh at that headline.  There is nothing "authentic" with 90% of the buildings in Little Italy and that has been the case for decades.  Homes chopped up in to cubby holes, porches boarded up, bad aluminum siding or worst, chain leak fences just to name a few of many crimes.  I wish somebody would go in and just buy homes wholesale and bring them back to what they should be.

 

34 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

 

 

Edited March 28, 20196 yr by Htsguy

I wonder what the historical population of little italy was vs. today?  Could still be much higher in the past.

? Hmm...

 

 

That's a ridiculous stance for CRS to take. Little Italy has a very diverse collection of building stock and this is not "disrupting the density, scale, and vernacular style of the neighborhood." This will be getting rid of a few surface parking lots, restoring a few single-family houses, and the two houses that would be demolished aren't exactly noteworthy historic structures. 

So what ended up happening at Landmarks?

Former Woodhill Supply site in Little Italy sells, potential future development of new houses

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Those looking to move to Little Italy may soon have an opportunity to buy a house on a site that was once home to an industrial operation.

University Circle Inc. recently scooped up a vacant 2-acre property at East 123rd Street and Coltman Road, near the border between Little Italy and University Circle, in a nearly $2 million deal.

 

The non-profit group plans to work closely with its neighboring community development organization, the Little Italy Redevelopment Corp., to develop a strategic plan for the site that was home to Woodhill Supply, Inc. for decades. Leaders of both organizations say they see the property, which sits in a residential area close to numerous well-known institutions in both neighborhoods, as an opportunity to add for-sale housing to an in-demand neighborhood.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2019/04/former-woodhill-supply-site-in-little-italy-sells-potential-future-development-of-new-houses.html

16 minutes ago, Clefan98 said:

Former Woodhill Supply site in Little Italy sells, potential future development of new houses

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Those looking to move to Little Italy may soon have an opportunity to buy a house on a site that was once home to an industrial operation.

University Circle Inc. recently scooped up a vacant 2-acre property at East 123rd Street and Coltman Road, near the border between Little Italy and University Circle, in a nearly $2 million deal.

 

The non-profit group plans to work closely with its neighboring community development organization, the Little Italy Redevelopment Corp., to develop a strategic plan for the site that was home to Woodhill Supply, Inc. for decades. Leaders of both organizations say they see the property, which sits in a residential area close to numerous well-known institutions in both neighborhoods, as an opportunity to add for-sale housing to an in-demand neighborhood.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2019/04/former-woodhill-supply-site-in-little-italy-sells-potential-future-development-of-new-houses.html

I sure hope UCI first got permission from that NIMBY Thompson Hine attorney before they bought the parcel.  Interesting how the article states the Visconsi development "fell through"  It should state they  were NIMBYed to death.

16 hours ago, Htsguy said:

I sure hope UCI first got permission from that NIMBY Thompson Hine attorney before they bought the parcel.  Interesting how the article states the Visconsi development "fell through"  It should state they  were NIMBYed to death.

 

Hmmm.....I could be wrong but I think his dad was on the UCI board back in the day.

On 3/28/2019 at 11:16 AM, Htsguy said:

I have to laugh at that headline.  There is nothing "authentic" with 90% of the buildings in Little Italy and that has been the case for decades.  Homes chopped up in to cubby holes, porches boarded up, bad aluminum siding or worst, chain leak fences just to name a few of many crimes.  I wish somebody would go in and just buy homes wholesale and bring them back to what they should be.

 

 

 

Slightly valid concern for rising rent costs for business owners. Really would suck to see the place become generic, and lose long established business staples. There's still plenty of great historic structures, but they do need a lot of rehabbing. 

52 minutes ago, imjustinjk said:

 

Slightly valid concern for rising rent costs for business owners. Really would suck to see the place become generic, and lose long established business staples. There's still plenty of great historic structures, but they do need a lot of rehabbing. 

I was referring to the housing stock.  Most of it sucks.

6 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

I was referring to the housing stock.  Most of it sucks.

 

Yes, a lot of it does suck. I was just pointing out the part of the article / video that addresses business owner concerns. As the neighborhood redevelops there should be a healthy mix of new development and rehabbing where possible. Think of the schoefield downtown which was covered in crap and ruined.

Little Italy is a tough retail market and its definitely in transition - Jati, Ampersand Goods, Still Point Gallery, Art at the School House, Pennello Gallery, Blazing Saddles Bike Shop have all closed or are in the process of closing.  In the case of Pennello Gallery they were a long time "destination" retailer on Mayfield and they lost their lease because an ice cream shop wanted the space and was willing to pay a higher rent.  So you can see why the few small  local retailers that are left are worried  - Art galleries don't generate the sales of bars, ice cream parlors and coffee shops. The neighborhood aesthetic of Little Italy has long been based on Italian food and Art galleries.  The few galleries that are left are artists work spaces that are not open to the public on a regular basis.  So the neighborhood is going to change and many feel/fear it will become "Uptown LIght" .   

14 minutes ago, Jz65 said:

Little Italy is a tough retail market and its definitely in transition - Jati, Ampersand Goods, Still Point Gallery, Art at the School House, Pennello Gallery, Blazing Saddles Bike Shop have all closed or are in the process of closing.  In the case of Pennello Gallery they were a long time "destination" retailer on Mayfield and they lost their lease because an ice cream shop wanted the space and was willing to pay a higher rent.  So you can see why the few small  local retailers that are left are worried  - Art galleries don't generate the sales of bars, ice cream parlors and coffee shops. The neighborhood aesthetic of Little Italy has long been based on Italian food and Art galleries.  The few galleries that are left are artists work spaces that are not open to the public on a regular basis.  So the neighborhood is going to change and many feel/fear it will become "Uptown LIght" .   

Art galleries and workspace are kind of like those first trees in a field that grow back into a forest. They are eventually overtaken by other kinds of trees, but they importantly start the whole process of regrowth.  Perhaps it's simply time for those Little Italy artists to  kick start another part of town. 

 

 

  

20 hours ago, Jz65 said:

 So the neighborhood is going to change and many feel/fear it will become "Uptown LIght" .   

 

The neighborhood will never be what the old timers remember because they and their families all moved out. Will the commercial spaces remain heavily Italian? Who knows, several are owned by non Italians but the business works. The Italian theme is part of the charm and draw so I would think business owners will continue to play to that. It will not become uptown though and face those same issues unless they demolish all of Mayfield Rd and rebuild new. The neighborhood needs a diversity of housing stock and commercial spaces and they are heading in the right direction. 

A couple years ago, I did a very rough photoshop job of removing the wires along Mayfield. It would look soooo much better with buried utilities. 

Edited April 9, 20196 yr by TPH2

2 hours ago, Terdolph said:

I wish they would put the utility wires underground or at least move them to the rear of the buildings on Mayfield. 

 

It would make a big difference in visual impression.  

 

I thought that there was a proposal to do so a few years ago.

 

Burying the utility wires would be a huge improvement.  So would fixing up the Mayfield Theater.  With all of the investment happening in this neighborhood, I'm surprised there is no plan for it.  It could be the crown jewel of a fantastic neighborhood. 

On 4/8/2019 at 5:28 PM, Jz65 said:

Little Italy is a tough retail market and its definitely in transition - Jati, Ampersand Goods, Still Point Gallery, Art at the School House, Pennello Gallery, Blazing Saddles Bike Shop have all closed or are in the process of closing.  In the case of Pennello Gallery they were a long time "destination" retailer on Mayfield and they lost their lease because an ice cream shop wanted the space and was willing to pay a higher rent.  So you can see why the few small  local retailers that are left are worried  - Art galleries don't generate the sales of bars, ice cream parlors and coffee shops. The neighborhood aesthetic of Little Italy has long been based on Italian food and Art galleries.  The few galleries that are left are artists work spaces that are not open to the public on a regular basis.  So the neighborhood is going to change and many feel/fear it will become "Uptown LIght" .   

 

The galleries are actually a relatively recent thing.    As the neighborhood was beginning to shift a little towards student housing and the racial attitudes began to soften some, the arts community jumped on it as a safe place with cheap rent close to the UC institutions.   

At least three of the galleries in Little Italy now were little grocery stores when I moved there in 1979, and another was a hardware store.  The laundromat is still going strong, however.

On 4/9/2019 at 8:34 PM, jeremyck01 said:

 

Burying the utility wires would be a huge improvement.  So would fixing up the Mayfield Theater.  With all of the investment happening in this neighborhood, I'm surprised there is no plan for it.  It could be the crown jewel of a fantastic neighborhood. 

 

I doubt that happens anytime soon (relocating utilities underground), just because they resurfaced the street just a year ago, so unless they got a substantial grant, they probably aren't going to tear up the street again in the next 5 to 10+ years.

13 minutes ago, Mov2Ohio said:

 

I doubt that happens anytime soon (relocating utilities underground), just because they resurfaced the street just a year ago, so unless they got a substantial grant, they probably aren't going to tear up the street again in the next 5 to 10+ years.

I remember hearing a councilman a few years ago talk about how prideful he was about all the utility poles and wires on Cleveland streets and how it showed how the neighborhood's roots as an urban working class neighborhood. I hope it's not a thought that is shared throughout city council.

I like the overhead wires and don't understand people's obsession with removing them. 

5 hours ago, Sammy Voz said:

I remember hearing a councilman a few years ago talk about how prideful he was about all the utility poles and wires on Cleveland streets and how it showed how the neighborhood's roots as an urban working class neighborhood. I hope it's not a thought that is shared throughout city council.

Agreed!

On 4/16/2019 at 9:29 AM, Vincent_G said:

I like the overhead wires and don't understand people's obsession with removing them. 

 

Unless overhead wires have some dank trolleys running along them they’re terrible. The site lines downtown and other areas of the city with buried utilities are much better.

Edited April 19, 20196 yr by imjustinjk

A few diverse comments....

Little Italy has far more than "three galleries" - however one interprets the term.  However - no, it's not like it was.  I suppose Waterloo got a few, though I can certainly see all the advantages over a Little Italy location.  There are so many now in the former factories.

 

I'd love to see the theater in good use too but, as we all know, with the current extremely popularity of Little Italy as a restaurant row alone any new influx of large crowds for a theater venue (including lectures or concerts there, etc.) would be still further strain on the parking situation.

 

Sure, it would be nice if the wires were buried, and then some attractive street lights can go up - as any distinctive neighborhood deserves.

 

Finally, as to the remark about Little Italy being a "tough retail market," what does that mean?  The phrase means to me a market difficult to find renters to occupy commercial space. I think of Little Italy as a very lively retail market.  "Tough retail markets" in Cleveland,  just to name a few in Cleveland when we have so many dozens, would be St. Clair Avenue east of East 55th, Fleet Avenue, Clark Avenue, Dennison Avenue, East 105th Street, Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland, and East 185th Street.

On 4/10/2019 at 7:57 AM, bjk said:

At least three of the galleries in Little Italy now were little grocery stores when I moved there in 1979, and another was a hardware store.  The laundromat is still going strong, however.

 

The "official" beverage store of the south side fraternities is now a bar (Lounge Leo).   Go figure.

2 hours ago, E Rocc said:

The "official" beverage store of the south side fraternities is now a bar (Lounge Leo).   Go figure.

 

I used to refer to that as the "Junk Food Store", since my regular purchase there  was a six pack and a bag of chips

 

4 hours ago, lafont said:

I'd love to see the theater in good use too but, as we all know, with the current extremely popularity of Little Italy as a restaurant row alone any new influx of large crowds for a theater venue (including lectures or concerts there, etc.) would be still further strain on the parking situation.

 

Is the Centric parking garage open to the general public?

1 hour ago, StapHanger said:

 

Is the Centric parking garage open to the general public?

Yes (just used it last night!)

14 hours ago, bjk said:

 

I used to refer to that as the "Junk Food Store", since my regular purchase there  was a six pack and a bag of chips

 

 

Same, though the chips might depend on if I was stopping at Valentino's on the way back.  But when one lived on campus during the "PFM" era, one had a different definition of "junk food".  :0

 

Edited April 20, 20196 yr by E Rocc

KJP will be uploading the most recent renderings shortly here for the project. 

 

The community meeting will be an open house on Monday, 5/6 from 6pm-7:30pm in the basement of Holy Rosary church. If anyone can make the meeting in support of the project, it would be greatly appreciated!