CPC Weblog
an annotated chronological list of links related to planning and development in Greater Cleveland
02 January 2009
Demolition of the north side of Cedar Center was scheduled to begin earlier this week.
Labels: mixed-use, retail, South Euclid
31 December 2008
The Jacobs Group dropped its plans to build retail on a 30-acre portion of the former Geauga Lake site in Bainbridge Township after the development's would-be anchor store pulled out of the project.
Labels: Geauga County, retail, urban sprawl
The Macedonia Planning Commission approved expansion plans for the Wal-Mart at Macedonia Commons. The plans call for converting the store to a supercenter by building a 46,000-square-foot addition to the 121,000-square-foot store.
Labels: retail, Summit County
26 December 2008
Contractors that have worked on the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights filed about $9.5 million in liens against the property this month.
Labels: finance, Garfield Heights, retail
Valley View officials say that their concerns about City View Center have been addressed by the recent settlement between shopping center owners and the Ohio EPA.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, Valley View, water
23 December 2008
The Plain Dealer looked at the renovation plans for the closed Variety Theater on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland's West Boulevard neighborhood and the La Salle Theater on East 185th Street in North Collinwood.
Labels: Cleveland east side, Cleveland west side, historic preservation, retail
12 December 2008
With the Ohio EPA lawsuit resolved, McGill Property Group hopes to proceed with a second phase of construction at City View shopping center in Garfield Heights. Developers of the nearby Bridgeview Crossing shopping center may ask City Council to approve modified plans for its development.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail
South Euclid City Council authorized the expenditure of $1.8 million to raze the north side of Cedar Center. Demolition is expected to begin later this month.
Labels: mixed-use, retail, South Euclid
09 December 2008
McGill Properties wants to restructure the tax increment financing agreement for its Greenbriar Crossing development in Parma Heights, without which the company may be unable to proceed with construction.
Labels: finance, Parma Heights, residential, retail, tax policy
05 December 2008
The Bridgeview Crossing shopping center under construction in Garfield Heights continues to experience financial setbacks. In addition to the previously reported issues with the Lowe's store, Target has not closed on the purchase of 8.5 acres for its store. Port Authority bonds for the development are on hold.
Labels: finance, Garfield Heights, retail
04 December 2008
The City of Cleveland sued Standex International, the former owner of the Trinity property on Detroit Road, and is seeking more than $1.5 million in compensation for the environmental cleanup of the site. Meanwhile, the Ohio EPA reached a settlement with the owners of City View Center in Garfield Heights. The developers agreed to make major infrastructure improvements (PDF) and pay a $1.2 million fine.
Labels: Cleveland west side, Garfield Heights, industrial, land, retail, water
01 December 2008
The Ohio EPA is close to reaching a settlement with developers and the City of Garfield Heights in the City View Center lawsuit. A trial was scheduled to begin on December 8, but was pushed back to December 15.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, water
26 November 2008
Lowe's "has backed away from closing" on its store at Bridgeview Crossing, creating another delay for the shopping center under development in Garfield Heights. The Plain Dealer reports that it's unclear if Lowe's has pulled out of the project entirely.
Labels: Garfield Heights, retail
24 November 2008
The old Commodore Theater in Collinwood has been demolished.
Labels: Cleveland east side, historic preservation, retail
21 November 2008
Wal-Mart wants to convert its store at Macedonia Commons to a supercenter with a 46,000-square-foot expansion of the 121,000-square-foot store. Mayor Kuchta supports the plans.
Labels: retail, Summit County
14 November 2008
The City of Twinsburg will hire a consultant to help analyze the costs and benefits of the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center. The results will inform City officials in anticipated tax increment financing negotiations.
Labels: retail, Summit County, urban sprawl
13 November 2008
The Jacobs Group is under contract to purchase 30 acres of the 540-acre Geauga Lake site from Cedar Fair. The property is in Bainbridge Township, and the company intends develop it as big box retail.
Update: the Aurora Advocate has more information.
Labels: Geauga County, greenspace, Portage County, retail, urban sprawl
07 November 2008
The City of Fairview Park may purchase the Country Inn Motel on Lorain Road. Plans call for making the property attractive to developers by demolishing the building and preparing the site for redevelopment.
Labels: economic development, Fairview Park, retail
The final anchor store in the redeveloped Westgate shopping center opened late last month. Developers, retailers, and municipal officials in Fairview Park and Rocky River are all pleased with the project.
Labels: Fairview Park, retail, Rocky River
06 November 2008
Midwest Real Estate News spoke with four Greater Cleveland real estate professionals about the local commercial real estate market.
Labels: Greater Cleveland, industrial, office, retail
03 November 2008
Crain's Cleveland Business looked at the storefront renovation programs in Cleveland Heights, Gates Mills, and Parma.
Labels: Cleveland Heights, economic development, Gates Mills, Parma, retail
31 October 2008
This year, 11 businesses in Parma Heights participated in a storefront renovation program offered by the First Suburbs Development Council.
Labels: Parma Heights, retail
24 October 2008
Issue 105 in Solon is a proposal to rezone 3.4 acres adjacent to Solar Shopping Center from office to retail. The land might be used for a new Giant Eagle supermarket.
21 October 2008
A protracted credit crunch could force delays or cancellations of proposed commercial developments in and around Cleveland, including downtown office towers, suburban retail developments, and mixed-use projects.
Labels: Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, finance, office, retail
CNNMoney.com used North Randall as an example of the social and economic impacts of a declining mall. The article quotes Peter Lawson Jones as saying that the Village "could become the first municipal fatality in North Ohio" if it is unable to revitalize Randall Park Mall.
Labels: North Randall, retail
16 October 2008
While market conditions have forced the cancellation of some proposed retail projects, developers of the upscale Twinsburg Fashion Place in Summit County and the Cedar Center redevelopment in South Euclid are proceeding with their plans.
Labels: mixed-use, retail, South Euclid, Summit County, urban sprawl
The newly formed Madison Avenue Business Association in Lakewood is working to promote independent retailers and enhance the street's historical character.
Labels: Lakewood, retail, urban design
10 October 2008
Plans have bogged down for a $25 million retail/office complex at Tuxedo Avenue and Granger Road in Brooklyn Heights, but Mayor Procuk said that the "deal is not dead in the water."
Labels: Brooklyn Heights, office, retail
Because of the changing financial climate, developers of the Renaissance Park retail development in Strongsville opted to use traditional financing instead of the TIF package approved last year.
Labels: finance, retail, Strongsville
29 September 2008
Shaker Heights City Council confirmed its support of the redevelopment plan for the Warrensville-Van Aken area. The City will work with the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office to obtain an ODOT grant for reconfiguring the six-way intersection.
Labels: mixed-use, public transit, retail, roads and highways, Shaker Heights
25 September 2008
WKSU's NEO Development series continues with a look at the future of mixed-use development in Northeast Ohio and how economic issues are affecting the development landscape.
Labels: Greater Cleveland, mixed-use, retail, urban design
21 September 2008
Solon City Council rejected a rezoning request for a 2.38 acre site at the southeast corner of SOM Center and Miles roads. A Mentor developer had hoped to build a gas station or retail on the property.
Visconsi Companies announced that the Plaza at SouthPark will be anchored by a 147,000 square foot Costco. The shopping center under construction at I-71 and Route 82 in Strongsville will also include a Best Buy and a Bed Bath & Beyond. The stores are expected to open in fall 2009.
Update: the Sun Star has more information.
Labels: retail, Strongsville
15 September 2008
Citing safety concerns, Wal-Mart indefinitely closed its store at City View Center this morning. A company spokesperson said that the list of problems includes "structural shifts, foundation issues, electrical issues, methane gas level issues, sewage backup," and that Wal-Mart does not intend to reopen the store.
Update: the Plain Dealer and WTAM have more details.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, water
12 September 2008
Mayor Longo of Garfield Heights is confident that the Ohio EPA's lawsuit against City View Center will be resolved soon.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, water
While the developer of Mayfield Heights Town Center is happy with the performance of the shopping center, Brunswick Town Center in Medina County has not lived up to expectations.
Labels: Mayfield Heights, Medina County, retail
09 September 2008
The Ohio EPA remains unsatisfied with the efforts to monitor and vent methane gas at City View Center, and has threatened to shut down the shopping center in Garfield Heights if the issues are not resolved.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, water
02 September 2008
The old Commodore Theater at Lake Shore Boulevard and East 152nd Street in Collinwood may be demolished this year.
Labels: Cleveland east side, retail
22 August 2008
The Avon Planning Commission approved plans for the planned new YMCA and for Heritage Village, a 79,000 square foot shopping center proposed for Detroit Road.
Labels: institutional, Lorain County, retail, urban sprawl
Parma Heights City Council passed a tax increment financing agreement for the Greenbriar Crossing development at West 130th Street and Pearl Road. The agreement also requires the approval of the Parma Board of Education.
Labels: Parma Heights, residential, retail, tax policy
Solon City Council agreed to place one of the two Solar Shopping Center rezoning proposals on the November ballot. An office to retail rezoning issue for a 3.4 acre parcel on SOM Center Road will appear on the ballot, but a similar issue for a 2.6 acre parcel on Aurora Road will not.
18 August 2008
The planned redevelopment of the South Euclid side of Cedar Center will require public investment, thought the precise cost has yet to be established. The Cuyahoga County Department of Development is assisting the City with the environmental cleanup of the property.
Labels: land, mixed-use, retail, South Euclid
The Village of North Randall is facing financial adversity caused by the decline of its commercial areas. It was designated a situational distressed community and is receiving assistance from the the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office. If conditions do not improve, the Village may need to merge into a neighboring community.
Labels: North Randall, retail
15 August 2008
Demolition of the structures at Pearl and Whitney Roads in Strongsville is underway, and an expansion of the Renaissance Park shopping center will be built on the site. The first 6,200 square foot building in the 125,000 square foot development (PDF) will open in April.
Labels: retail, Strongsville
08 August 2008
Broadview Heights voters may see additional rezoning issues on the November ballot. The Jacobs Group wants to rezone five parcels along Route 82 from office laboratory to general retail.
Labels: Broadview Heights, retail, zoning
01 August 2008
Valley View officials are confident that stormwater controls at the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center under construction in neighboring Garfield Heights will prevent additional flooding in Valley View.
Labels: Garfield Heights, retail, utility, Valley View
Parma Heights City Council will be asked to approve a tax increment financing package for the Greenbrier Crossing development at Pearl Road and West 130th Street.
Labels: Parma Heights, residential, retail, tax policy
25 July 2008
The developers of the proposed retail and office project and at Tuxedo Avenue and Granger Road in Brooklyn Heights have modified their plans to include two office buildings instead of one. They are still seeking tenants for the development.
Labels: Brooklyn Heights, office, retail
The Twinsburg Township Trustees unanimously voted to rezone the site of the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center from residential and neighborhood commercial to interchange mixed use.
Update: the Twinsburg Bulletin supplies more details.
Labels: retail, Summit County, urban sprawl
18 July 2008
Paperwork problems have caused another delay for the Bridgeview Crossing project in Garfield Heights.
Labels: Garfield Heights, retail
By a vote of 3-2, the Solon Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a request to rezone two parcels adjacent to Solar Shopping Center, saying that the plans for the properties were too vague and kept changing.
The Brooklyn Planning Commission denied a proposal for an extended-stay hotel at I-480 and Tiedeman Road. The company is pursuing an alternate site in Cleveland.
17 July 2008
One homeowner on the site of the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center is refusing to sell her house. Developer Dr. Bahman Guyuron said that "the project is going to go forward, whether she cooperates or not."
Labels: retail, Summit County, urban sprawl
11 July 2008
Alcoa accepted a bid from a partnership of three Chagrin Valley residents for the historic Ivex mill in Chagrin Falls. The price was not disclosed. They plan to convert the 1841 building to a community center featuring a hotel, theater, and microbrewery.
Labels: Chagrin Falls, historic preservation, retail
The developer of Bridgeview Crossing said that its pace of construction will increase soon. Work on the shopping center in Garfield Heights is behind schedule. Major tenants in the development are expected to include Aldi, Lowe's, JC Penney, and Target.
Labels: Garfield Heights, retail
A company is seeking a conditional use permit to build a four-story extended stay hotel near the I-480 exit at Tiedeman Road. Brooklyn officials are concerned that it could interfere with their plans to redesign the interchange.
Labels: Brooklyn, retail, roads and highways
08 July 2008
At the request of the Ohio EPA, the Ohio Attorney General's Office filed a 25-count complaint against the owners and operators of City View Center in Garfield Heights. The lawsuit alleges (PDF) that departures from approved plans resulted in insufficient controls for erosion, leachate management, and methane collection.
Update: the Garfield-Maple Sun supplies more details.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, water
07 July 2008
A story in yesterday's Akron Beacon Journal examines the overbuilt retail market in Summit County. It references the Northeast Ohio Regional Retail Analysis and the 2007 follow-up study done by Cleveland State students.
Labels: Greater Cleveland, retail, Summit County
If the proposed rezoning for the Twinsburg Fashion Place development is approved, members of the Twinsburg Board of Education expect that they will be asked to authorize a TIF package for the retail project.
Labels: retail, Summit County, tax policy
A 140 room hotel has been proposed for a property near the I-480 interchange at Great Northern Boulevard in North Olmsted. The 13.59 acre site is currently zoned for office development, and would require a rezoning to proceed.
Labels: North Olmsted, office, retail, zoning
03 July 2008
The City of Parma Heights is suing Matt McGill of the McGill Property Group over the poor conditions at the site of the planned Greenbriar Crossing development.
Labels: Parma Heights, residential, retail
Road improvements will be needed if the proposed Central Park project is approved. Solon City Council is considering two road improvement plans, both of which include a new connector road between Aurora and Solon Roads. Meanwhile, the Coral Co. denied an accusation that it's trying to lure tenants from Solar Shopping Center to Central Park. The City will hold a public hearing about Central Park on August 4.
Labels: mixed-use, retail, roads and highways, Solon
02 July 2008
The historic May Company building on Public Square in Cleveland will be redeveloped as retail and residential space. The ground floor is slated to house a restaurant and a nightclub, and the upper stories will be renovated as residences and possibly a small hotel. An earlier renovation attempt called for converting it into the Public Square Tech Center.
Labels: Downtown Cleveland, office, residential, retail
30 June 2008
Site preparation is continuing for the retail development at I-71 and Route 82 in Strongsville, although no plans have been officially announced. Developer Visconsi Companies may reveal its plans in July.
Labels: retail, Strongsville
27 June 2008
The Coral Co. decided not to pursue an assisted living component for the mixed-use Central Park project. Meanwhile, the owner of nearby Solar Shopping Center accused the Coral Co. of trying to steal his tenants for the proposed development.
26 June 2008
The sale of Randall Park Mall is not proceeding as expected. Mayor Smith of North Randall said that "Cincinnati United Contractors is still involved, but at this point it's hard for me to say at what level - if it will be a significant level or if it will be a minimal level." Officials also asked the state to designate the Village as a situational distress area, which would give it priority in state loan and grant programs.
Labels: North Randall, retail
20 June 2008
The City of Rocky River maintains a spreadsheet of vacant office, warehouse, and commercial properties that are for sale or lease. It is available on the City's website.
Labels: office, retail, Rocky River
The Euclid City Schools expect to receive school construction funds from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, and will either convert Euclid Square Mall into the proposed K-8 Euclid Educational Center or will build new elementary and middle schools. One drawback of the mall site is that it would necessitate busing for nearly all students.
Labels: Euclid, institutional, retail
13 June 2008
The final draft of the redevelopment plan for the 60 acre Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district was shown to Shaker Heights City Council this week. Council members were generally positive about the plan, but had questions about finding funds for the $70 million redevelopment and reconfiguration.
Labels: mixed-use, public transit, retail, roads and highways, Shaker Heights
11 June 2008
South Euclid officials say that demolition of the north side of Cedar Center may begin in August. At Cleveland State, exterior demolition of University Center started this morning.
Labels: architecture, Downtown Cleveland, institutional, mixed-use, retail, South Euclid
06 June 2008
A Cincinnati company signed a contract to purchase Randall Park Mall for an undisclosed price. The company plans to keep the mall open while it explores ideas for redeveloping the property. Redevelopment possibilities include schools, medical businesses, offices, hotels, or retail.
Labels: North Randall, retail
03 June 2008
North Randall officials are preparing for the financial repercussions from the impending closure of Randall Park Mall, which accounts for 33% of the Village's general fund. Mayor Smith asked the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office for assistance with late-night patrols.
Update: a Plain Dealer editorial says that this is "a textbook case of why we need" a regional approach to governing.
Labels: Cuyahoga County, North Randall, regionalism, retail
02 June 2008
Yesterday's Plain Dealer included a rundown of the downtown Cleveland development projects that have a retail component. The article examined Bob Stark's Warehouse District plans, ideas for the redevelopment of Euclid Avenue, the Avenue District, and the Flats east bank development.
Labels: Downtown Cleveland, retail
27 May 2008
On Friday, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority voted to issue $40 million in tax-exempt bonds for the Bridgeview Crossing shopping center in Garfield Heights. Some hope that the new center will create a regional draw when it is added to nearby retail development. Critics of the decision say that the Port Authority should not be subsidizing retail developments.
Labels: Cuyahoga County, finance, Garfield Heights, retail
22 May 2008
Randall Park Mall will close on June 12, although the anchors with exterior entrances will remain open. Mayor Smith of North Randall views it as an opportunity for redevelopment. Meanwhile, consultants for the Euclid Board of Education raised the possibility of turning Euclid Square Mall into the Euclid Educational Center.
Labels: Euclid, North Randall, retail
The Solon Planning and Zoning Commission needs more information about the proposed expansion of Solar Shopping Center before it can rule on the project.
21 May 2008
The planned retail development on the site of the former Boston Hills Country Club continues to be a source of controversy, and a Boston Heights resident is now suing the Village for overriding last year's referendum issue.
Labels: greenspace, retail, Summit County, urban sprawl, zoning
20 May 2008
The poor national retail climate has led many large retailers to scale back their expansion plans. Cabela's recently announced that it would join them, which means that the company's plans for a Brunswick store have been delayed.
Labels: Medina County, retail, United States
12 May 2008
The challenges experienced by the owners and staff of the movie theater at Randall Park Mall exemplify the problems facing retailers in North Randall's struggling mall.
Labels: North Randall, retail
09 May 2008
Ernst & Young confirmed that it will move to a new office tower in the Flats east bank development. The 21 story building will be known as Ernst & Young Tower. A Plain Dealer editorial says that this "means that the mammoth task of revitalizing the Flats" east bank "is really going to happen." Developers also unveiled new conceptual images of the planned mixed-use project, and announced that they secured $4 million from HUD for an unidentified supermarket in the development. Half of the award is a grant, and the other half is a loan.
Labels: Downtown Cleveland, grants and appropriations, mixed-use, office, retail
02 May 2008
The University Square shopping center in University Heights has not performed up to expectations, both financially and physically. It has never been fully leased, and cracks in its garage support beams were discovered in March.
Labels: retail, University Heights
On Monday, Shaker Heights City Council approved plans to redevelop the Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district and reconfigure its six-way intersection.
Labels: mixed-use, public transit, retail, roads and highways, Shaker Heights, urban design
30 April 2008
The Village of Boston Heights settled a lawsuit with the developers seeking to build on the former Boston Heights Country Club site. The settlement (PDF) allows the developers to construct retail and office space on 100 acres of the 160 acre property.
Labels: greenspace, office, retail, Summit County, urban sprawl, zoning
25 April 2008
Avon City Council recently approved two rezoning requests for land near the planned I-90 interchange at Nagel Road. An 18 acre site at Jaycox and Chester Roads was rezoned to permit commercial development, and a 32 acre site at Nagel Road and I-90 was rezoned from residential to general business. City Council tabled two other rezoning requests for properties at Center and Detroit Roads that are involved in a legal battle.
Labels: Lorain County, office, retail, urban sprawl, zoning
Owners of properties near the I-77 interchange at Route 82 had mixed reactions to Mayor Alai's proposal for rezoning the area. Broadview Heights voters will have the opportunity to vote on two rezoning issues in November.
Labels: Broadview Heights, office, retail, zoning
A business on Transportation Boulevard is contesting an eviction notice filed by the City of Garfield Heights. Last month, the City took ownership of the building that houses the company.
Labels: eminent domain, Garfield Heights, retail
21 April 2008
The City of Garfield Heights is attempting to evict tenants from buildings it is acquiring via eminent domain. The City intends to take 56 parcels for roads leading to the under construction Bridgeview Crossing shopping center.
Labels: eminent domain, Garfield Heights, retail
At a work session last week, Shaker Heights City Council discussed the final plans for the redevelopment of the Warrensville-Van Aken commercial district. Council is expected to vote on the plans on April 28.
Update: the Plain Dealer provides additional details.
Labels: mixed-use, public transit, retail, roads and highways, Shaker Heights, urban design
Brunswick officials say that Cabela's still plans to build a store at Center Road and I-71, although there have been rumors to the contrary.
Labels: Medina County, retail
14 April 2008
The Ohio EPA has cited the owners of City View Center for at least 20 environmental violations, including a buildup of methane gas and seepage of polluted water into storm and sanitary sewers. The shopping center in Garfield Heights was the first major commercial development in the state to be built atop a closed landfill.
Labels: Garfield Heights, land, retail, water
The Village of Boston Heights reached a tentative settlement (PDF) with the developer seeking to build big box retail and possibly a hospital on the site of the former Boston Hills Country Club. Village leaders approved a similar development last spring, but it was rejected by voters in a November referendum issue. The developer responded by suing the Village. Residents are now considering litigation of their own.
Labels: greenspace, retail, Summit County, urban sprawl, zoning
11 April 2008
At a public hearing in Twinsburg Township, some residents expressed their support for the proposed Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center, but were concerned that the City of Twinsburg might attempt to annex the property. Developer Bahman Guyuron characterized the situation as a race between his project and the proposed mixed-use Central Parc development in Solon.
Central Parc is facing a potential delay due to issues surrounding the planned expansion of a stormwater detention basin near North Huntington Drive. The development could also create increased costs for the City due to the projected need to hire additional safety personnel.
Labels: mixed-use, retail, Solon, Summit County, urban sprawl, zoning
The owners of Solar Shopping Center are planning $10 million in renovations to the center at Aurora and SOM Center Roads in Solon. Their plans also call for the expansion of the Giant Eagle supermarket from 56,000 square feet to 80,000-90,000 square feet, plus the construction of a GetGo gas station, additional retail space, and an unidentified restaurant. The project includes a proposed office to retail rezoning, which would require voter approval.
The Chagrin Falls Board of Zoning Appeals tabled developer Larry Shibley's plan for the commercial portion of the property at Williams and West Orange Streets because it lacked sufficient parking. The BZA approved his condominium plans in February.
The Board of Zoning Appeals also approved a variance for the residential development at the Windsor Hospital site, authorizing the construction of 38 houses instead of the permitted 31.
Labels: Chagrin Falls, retail, zoning
Parma Heights officials are unhappy with the condition of the Greenbrier Crossing construction site at Pearl Road and West 130th Street.
Labels: Parma Heights, residential, retail
04 April 2008
The Twinsburg Township Zoning Commission is considering a rezoning request by the developer of the proposed 803,731 square foot Twinsburg Fashion Place shopping center. The Zoning Commission is also contemplating the development's traffic implications. Developer Bahman Guyuron wants to begin construction as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Peter Rubin of the Coral Co. says that his proposed Central Parc development in Solon needs to be built first in order to reach its full economic potential.


