Idea to revitalize Tower City Center (Cleveland: lofts, condo, hotels)

[NJB725]

Hello all, long time reader here.

We lived many years in Ohio and would regularly make trips up to Cleveland. It has become one of our favorite cities to visit and explore. One of the things I found most fascinating about Cleveland was Tower City Center. Here’s a place with fascinating architecture and history that should be viewed as the “hub” of downtown; it’s connected to the RTA (hopefully Amtrak soon!), the downtown stadiums, two luxury hotels, a casino, and of course the Terminal Tower and Public Square. Yet for some reason, it seems to have so much potential that simply isn’t utilized. Last I heard there were talks about turning it into some “tech hub,” but I haven’t heard anything about it in a few years.

I’ve wrestled with this for a while and wanted to share my thoughts with the board. In my opinion, it caters to the wrong demographic. It seems their intention is to be a primarily retail destination, which seems like the wrong idea in the age of online shopping. I think it’d be better suited if they went after people that lived in the city, especially since people are now living in Terminal Tower. They should also keep in mind how important it is to attract businesses that downtown residents can’t just buy online. Going after Target, a grocer such as Giant Eagle to give Heinen’s competition, or a pharmacy would be a good start.

Does anyone else have ideas on revitalizing Tower City? I’d be interested in reading them.

[TBideon]

The tech hub/block chain idea is pretty unlikely given Moreno's legal issues. Gilbert's Bedrock group has been radio silent for a while too.

Personally, I would love an outlet mall there. There were talks of one in some no man's land by the lakefront/Burke, but that too seems DOA. So why not at Tower City? Seems like a logical nexus point for east/west siders, tourists, and the downtown business/residential/student communities.

Another idea: some kind of mixed development with lofts, art galleries, famers markets, co-working space, and local businesses.

A little less sexy would be some kind of nursing home facility.

[NJB725]

Originally Posted by TBideon

The tech hub/block chain idea is pretty unlikely given Moreno's legal issues. Gilbert's Bedrock group has been radio silent for a while too.

Personally, I would love an outlet mall there. There were talks of one in some no man's land by the lakefront/Burke, but that too seems DOA. So why not at Tower City? Seems like a logical nexus point for east/west siders, tourists, and the downtown business/residential/student communities.

Another idea: some kind of mixed development with lofts, art galleries, famers markets, co-working space, and local businesses.

A little less sexy would be some kind of nursing home facility.

The mixed-use idea is not bad. Another idea, albeit a radical one, I had was to make Tower City itself an attraction by shifting solely to entertainment and dining. Think Mall of America minus the shopping. I can picture it now; an indoor Ferris wheel underneath the giant ceiling window.

Also, my question would be what could they do differently to make Tower City a successful mall despite the previous attempt?

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by NJB725

Also, my question would be what could they do differently to make Tower City a successful mall despite the previous attempt?

Get rid of Steel Yard. Increase downtown population. If downtown Cleveland were up to 40k residents, we could have nice things like good retail in the center.

[smittydore]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Get rid of Steel Yard. Increase downtown population. If downtown Cleveland were up to 40k residents, we could have nice things like good retail in the center.

You want more downtown residents? Enforce the noise statutes that are already on the books. The loud cars and motorcycles racing around until 2 a.m. on weekend nights aren't going to make people too enthused about paying big bucks for a condo.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by smittydore

You want more downtown residents? Enforce the noise statutes that are already on the books. The loud cars and motorcycles racing around until 2 a.m. on weekend nights aren't going to make people too enthused about paying big bucks for a condo.

For sure. I lived downtown last year, these people ruined the flats and warehouse district.

[SlideRules99]

Originally Posted by TBideon

Another idea: some kind of mixed development with lofts, art galleries, famers markets, co-working space, and local businesses.

This would be my vote. If you want vibrancy, get in the artists, local (small) theater, musicians, small business, crafts/farmers markets. Mix that in with some lofts and maybe work spaces for the incubator / entrepreneurial crowd. Figure out how to incorporate a small pod of trendy food carts/trucks that can be used year round.

[smittydore]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

For sure. I lived downtown last year, these people ruined the flats and warehouse district.

You would expect that in a trailer park area outside of Little Rock Arkansas, not a major city in the north trying to make a comeback. It's a real shame so many people ruin the comeback by acting like trash.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by smittydore

You would expect that in a trailer park area outside of Little Rock Arkansas, not a major city in the north trying to make a comeback. It's a real shame so many people ruin the comeback by acting like trash.

This crap (dirt bikes, etc.) is going on in other major cities too, from what I've heard and read.

[TBideon]

[quote=Also, my question would be what could they do differently to make Tower City a successful mall despite the previous attempt?[/QUOTE]

-Enormous security presence inside and out (the derelicts by the casino have got to go. Large groups of thugs should be thrown out before they start shoplifting, running into people, fighting, shooting, etc. Let the race hustlers complain as much as they want - f those enablers).
-Validated parking if you spend x dollars
-Induce the right tenants (downtown Cleveland doesn't need Neiman Marcus; it needs a Target)
-Incorporate the aforementioned ideas of lofts, art galleries, farmers markets, etc.
-Full commitment - the Ratners abandoned Cleveland as fast as Gilbert has the second casino. We need an active property manager/owner.
-Live performances in the atrium