Lee Chilcote
Stories by: Lee Chilcote
Lee Chilcote is an award-winning journalist, writer, and author whose writing has been published in The Washington Post, Associated Press, National Public Radio, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Vanity Fair, Next City, Belt, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland Magazine, Crain's Cleveland Business, and many literary journals and anthologies. He has also written poetry chapbooks, produced plays, and won a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. He is founder and past editor of The Land, a local news organization reporting on Cleveland's neighborhoods, and founder and past executive director of Literary Cleveland. He lives in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood of Cleveland with his family.
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Perspectus Architecture recently completed a merger with HFP/Ambuske Architects, bringing five jobs from Beachwood to Cleveland. Perspectus will remain in its second floor offices on the southeast quadrant of Shaker Square, where it has doubled its office space and is in the process of remodeling.
"Our focus is firmly based in healthcare," says Perspectus principal Larry Fischer of both companies. "We saw a lot of advantages in getting together."
Staying and growing at Shaker Square seemed like a no-brainer, he adds. "When we were looking for space, we wanted a venue or neighborhood that had a certain cool factor to it," says Fischer, who has expanded from a single 900-square-foot office to 10,000 square feet on the entire second floor of his building in the past 14 years. "We probably couldn’t afford being downtown in the primary core. There's a lot happening at Shaker Square."
The new offices are just as cool. There are now a total of 36 staffers in the redesigned space. "Being a contemporary firm, we wanted the space to really represent the work we're doing," says Fischer. "We kept a lot of the mahogany moldings and doors, then contrasted them with clean, light walls and contemporary light fixtures. At two ends, we actually exposed the old wood structure. There’s a contradiction of styles that works pretty well for us."
One big change is that Perspectus' new offices now reflect the movement towards open, connected spaces. "That was a big deal to us," Fischer says. "We didn’t want to be in an old, stodgy environment. We also reorganized the studio -- all or our architects worked in teams, but they weren’t sitting in teams. Now they're more organized and have more space. We really wanted to create a space that supported how we work, and that encouraged mentoring, interaction and collaboration."
That open environment goes for the bosses, too. "There are some people that wish I had my own office," Fischer adds wryly. "But I'm out in the open, too."
Fischer praised the Coral Company for its willingness to work closely with the firm to customize the layout. Perspectus employees continue to enjoy "problem-solving walks" around the Square, taking inspiration from the architecture.
Prospectus is headquartered in Cleveland, but also has offices in Columbus and Charleston, West Virginia.
Source: Larry Fischer
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"Our focus is firmly based in healthcare," says Perspectus principal Larry Fischer of both companies. "We saw a lot of advantages in getting together."
Staying and growing at Shaker Square seemed like a no-brainer, he adds. "When we were looking for space, we wanted a venue or neighborhood that had a certain cool factor to it," says Fischer, who has expanded from a single 900-square-foot office to 10,000 square feet on the entire second floor of his building in the past 14 years. "We probably couldn’t afford being downtown in the primary core. There's a lot happening at Shaker Square."
The new offices are just as cool. There are now a total of 36 staffers in the redesigned space. "Being a contemporary firm, we wanted the space to really represent the work we're doing," says Fischer. "We kept a lot of the mahogany moldings and doors, then contrasted them with clean, light walls and contemporary light fixtures. At two ends, we actually exposed the old wood structure. There’s a contradiction of styles that works pretty well for us."
One big change is that Perspectus' new offices now reflect the movement towards open, connected spaces. "That was a big deal to us," Fischer says. "We didn’t want to be in an old, stodgy environment. We also reorganized the studio -- all or our architects worked in teams, but they weren’t sitting in teams. Now they're more organized and have more space. We really wanted to create a space that supported how we work, and that encouraged mentoring, interaction and collaboration."
That open environment goes for the bosses, too. "There are some people that wish I had my own office," Fischer adds wryly. "But I'm out in the open, too."
Fischer praised the Coral Company for its willingness to work closely with the firm to customize the layout. Perspectus employees continue to enjoy "problem-solving walks" around the Square, taking inspiration from the architecture.
Prospectus is headquartered in Cleveland, but also has offices in Columbus and Charleston, West Virginia.
Source: Larry Fischer
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Developer Mike DeCesare had far greater success with the Waverly Station Townhomes than he'd originally envisioned. Anticipating that it would take three to four years to sell and build the units, he was surprised to find that he was able to sell all 22 units in about two years. Now he's getting ready to launch his next development, the seven-unit Harborview Townhomes at W. 54th and Herman Avenue, which offer lake and downtown views.
The developer, who has made the Gordon Square neighborhood his home and has developed several projects there in the past decade, says this project builds upon his previous work, and the location, design and views are strong selling points.
"They're larger units with higher end finishes and considerably different views," says DeCesare. "They've got some amazing views of downtown and the lake and what I call the 'Inner Harbor,' the area around Wendy Park and the salt mines."
Most of the units are two bedrooms, but a couple of them offer three. All seven units have fourth floor roof decks -- perfect for watching fireworks or Lake Erie sunsets. There also are attached two-car garages and compact backyards.
The units start at $269,900 and top out at $350,000. Bamboo hardwood flooring, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances come standard, according to the website. Green features include a 92-percent efficient furnace and sustainable exterior materials. At present, two of the seven units already are reserved.
DeCesare has not yet received final approvals from the City of Cleveland, but he is confident that the project will be well-received. He has eschewed bank financing, preferring to work with private investors who are committed to the neighborhood. He plans to break ground this year and have the first units occupied by December.
"The fact that we have two in reservation is incredibly encouraging to us," he says.
No city subsidy has been invested in the project, but the units are eligible for 15-year, 100-percent tax abatements on improved value (they pay taxes on the land).
Source: Mike DeCesare
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The developer, who has made the Gordon Square neighborhood his home and has developed several projects there in the past decade, says this project builds upon his previous work, and the location, design and views are strong selling points.
"They're larger units with higher end finishes and considerably different views," says DeCesare. "They've got some amazing views of downtown and the lake and what I call the 'Inner Harbor,' the area around Wendy Park and the salt mines."
Most of the units are two bedrooms, but a couple of them offer three. All seven units have fourth floor roof decks -- perfect for watching fireworks or Lake Erie sunsets. There also are attached two-car garages and compact backyards.
The units start at $269,900 and top out at $350,000. Bamboo hardwood flooring, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances come standard, according to the website. Green features include a 92-percent efficient furnace and sustainable exterior materials. At present, two of the seven units already are reserved.
DeCesare has not yet received final approvals from the City of Cleveland, but he is confident that the project will be well-received. He has eschewed bank financing, preferring to work with private investors who are committed to the neighborhood. He plans to break ground this year and have the first units occupied by December.
"The fact that we have two in reservation is incredibly encouraging to us," he says.
No city subsidy has been invested in the project, but the units are eligible for 15-year, 100-percent tax abatements on improved value (they pay taxes on the land).
Source: Mike DeCesare
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Downtown Cleveland was named one of the top cities for millenials to live by The Atlantic, with more than 1,000 new housing units coming online, and major projects like Flats East helping to reenergize formerly moribund parts of downtown. These are just a few of the successes listed in Downtown Cleveland Alliance's 2013 annual report, and touted at this week's State of Downtown forum at the City Club.
Yet more needs to be done to connect downtown's assets, including public realm improvements, pedestrian- and bike-friendly amenities, and especially lakefront connections. These were the messages conveyed by leaders at the forum.
"We're no longer in the 'big box' phase," said Joe Marinucci, President and CEO of DCA. "Now our challenge is, how we can incrementally connect the investments."
Marinucci pointed to Perk Park, a revamped green space at East 12th and Chester, as an example of a successful strategy for creating public improvements.
Now DCA has launched Step Up Downtown, an initiative to engage residents and stakeholders in envisioning the future of downtown. With abundant plans in place, the goal is to prioritize which enhancements to focus on first, garner feedback from residents, and drill down to the implementation phase.
"This initiative recognizes that we've made a lot of investments downtown, but in many ways haven't connected the investments as well as we should," said Marinucci. "We need to make the public realm as attractive as the destinations."
Attendees posed questions about connecting to the waterfront, making downtown accessible to all income levels, and prioritizing educational opportunities for families.
Marinucci cited lakefront development plans, the incorporation of affordable housing into downtown projects and DCA's work with Campus International School and the Cleveland Municipal School District as signs of progress.
Source: Joe Marinucci
By Lee Chilcote
Yet more needs to be done to connect downtown's assets, including public realm improvements, pedestrian- and bike-friendly amenities, and especially lakefront connections. These were the messages conveyed by leaders at the forum.
"We're no longer in the 'big box' phase," said Joe Marinucci, President and CEO of DCA. "Now our challenge is, how we can incrementally connect the investments."
Marinucci pointed to Perk Park, a revamped green space at East 12th and Chester, as an example of a successful strategy for creating public improvements.
Now DCA has launched Step Up Downtown, an initiative to engage residents and stakeholders in envisioning the future of downtown. With abundant plans in place, the goal is to prioritize which enhancements to focus on first, garner feedback from residents, and drill down to the implementation phase.
"This initiative recognizes that we've made a lot of investments downtown, but in many ways haven't connected the investments as well as we should," said Marinucci. "We need to make the public realm as attractive as the destinations."
Attendees posed questions about connecting to the waterfront, making downtown accessible to all income levels, and prioritizing educational opportunities for families.
Marinucci cited lakefront development plans, the incorporation of affordable housing into downtown projects and DCA's work with Campus International School and the Cleveland Municipal School District as signs of progress.
Source: Joe Marinucci
By Lee Chilcote
It's self-evident that there's a craft beer explosion in Cleveland, with several new breweries set to open this year alone. Now the beer boom is also spurring offshoot businesses, such as the playful, delicious Brewnuts. According to the company's Facebook page, it combines two of Cleveland's favorite things into "one epic treat: a craft beer based donut."
Brewnuts, which has been steadily growing for the past year and has occupied space at Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen, is expanding into a storefront on Professor Avenue in Tremont. The firm was recently selected to participate in the competitive Tremont Storefront Incubator Program. Owners Shelley Fasulko and John Pippin will test the waters for a new retail location while enjoying three months of free rent and seven months of reduced rent. After that time period, they'll hopefully make the leap to a permanent storefront in the city.
In a release, Tremont West Development Corporation, which owns and manages the space, stated that the Brewnuts application was "very strong" and will add vibrancy and a new type of business to the neighborhood. The hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, with morning pick-ups available during the week and evening hours that cater to hungry Tremont bar-hoppers and local residents.
"We chose Brewnuts because they were the applicant that could most effectively use the space, and the one that had the most potential to move on to a bricks-and-mortar space," says Cory Riordan, Executive Director of Tremont West. "It's a good fit within Tremont, because of the food businesses that are here."
The company creates delicious donuts that reflect the season. Currently "on tap" are the Doughboy, a cinnamon roll style 'nut made with Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale; the Symon, a chocolate peanut butter donut made with Willoughby Brewing Company's Peanut Butter Coffee Porter; and the Bernie, a lager-based donut made with Great Lakes Brewing Company's Dortmunder Gold.
Tremont West Development Corporation collaborated with the Hispanic Business Center to select Brewnuts to participate in the Storefront Incubator Program. Brewnuts plans to open its shop at 2406 Professor on Tuesday, April 29th.
Source: Tremont West Development Corporation
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Brewnuts, which has been steadily growing for the past year and has occupied space at Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen, is expanding into a storefront on Professor Avenue in Tremont. The firm was recently selected to participate in the competitive Tremont Storefront Incubator Program. Owners Shelley Fasulko and John Pippin will test the waters for a new retail location while enjoying three months of free rent and seven months of reduced rent. After that time period, they'll hopefully make the leap to a permanent storefront in the city.
In a release, Tremont West Development Corporation, which owns and manages the space, stated that the Brewnuts application was "very strong" and will add vibrancy and a new type of business to the neighborhood. The hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, with morning pick-ups available during the week and evening hours that cater to hungry Tremont bar-hoppers and local residents.
"We chose Brewnuts because they were the applicant that could most effectively use the space, and the one that had the most potential to move on to a bricks-and-mortar space," says Cory Riordan, Executive Director of Tremont West. "It's a good fit within Tremont, because of the food businesses that are here."
The company creates delicious donuts that reflect the season. Currently "on tap" are the Doughboy, a cinnamon roll style 'nut made with Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale; the Symon, a chocolate peanut butter donut made with Willoughby Brewing Company's Peanut Butter Coffee Porter; and the Bernie, a lager-based donut made with Great Lakes Brewing Company's Dortmunder Gold.
Tremont West Development Corporation collaborated with the Hispanic Business Center to select Brewnuts to participate in the Storefront Incubator Program. Brewnuts plans to open its shop at 2406 Professor on Tuesday, April 29th.
Source: Tremont West Development Corporation
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The development partnership behind the Music Box, a forthcoming supper club on the west bank of the Flats that will offer live music on two stages, will break ground this week. A demolition permit has been issued by the city, and the club will hold a soft opening in August and have a full concert lineup by September.
"The best part has been the breadth of support from around Cleveland," says Mike Miller, a boomerang who returned from Chicago with his wife, Colleen Miller, an experienced concert promoter. "People saw this as an important development for Cleveland, a new concept right on the river. While Cleveland has some great rock clubs spread out across the city, there isn't a downtown concert venue except for the House of Blues. If we’re going to have the Rock Hall and be the city that discovered rock, we should have another venue, and one that’s centrally located."
To pull off the project, Mike and Colleen Miller assembled a team of over 20 investors, including the Jacobs Group, owner of the former Club Coconuts space where the Music Box will be located. They also obtained financing from Key Bank and funding from the City of Cleveland's Vacant Property Initiative.
Krill Construction will handle the build-out. The architect is Dave Krebbs from AODK and the interior designer is Scott Richardson of the Richardson Group.
The basic architecture of the space, which has huge windows overlooking the Cuyahoga River, Flats East Bank and downtown, will remain the same. Construction will add new flooring and finishes, mechanicals, restrooms, two stages and an outdoor deck where guests can enjoy dinner and drinks overlooking the city.
Miller highlighted the support of the Jacobs Group and their vision for the west bank. Jacobs has already begun repositioning the Nautica complex as major event space to capitalize on the tourism wave that's hitting downtown Cleveland. Currently, the developer is working on a new master plan for the area.
The Music Box is located directly across from the new Flats East development, and plans are in the works to revive the water taxi service to better link the two areas.
Source: Mike Miller
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"The best part has been the breadth of support from around Cleveland," says Mike Miller, a boomerang who returned from Chicago with his wife, Colleen Miller, an experienced concert promoter. "People saw this as an important development for Cleveland, a new concept right on the river. While Cleveland has some great rock clubs spread out across the city, there isn't a downtown concert venue except for the House of Blues. If we’re going to have the Rock Hall and be the city that discovered rock, we should have another venue, and one that’s centrally located."
To pull off the project, Mike and Colleen Miller assembled a team of over 20 investors, including the Jacobs Group, owner of the former Club Coconuts space where the Music Box will be located. They also obtained financing from Key Bank and funding from the City of Cleveland's Vacant Property Initiative.
Krill Construction will handle the build-out. The architect is Dave Krebbs from AODK and the interior designer is Scott Richardson of the Richardson Group.
The basic architecture of the space, which has huge windows overlooking the Cuyahoga River, Flats East Bank and downtown, will remain the same. Construction will add new flooring and finishes, mechanicals, restrooms, two stages and an outdoor deck where guests can enjoy dinner and drinks overlooking the city.
Miller highlighted the support of the Jacobs Group and their vision for the west bank. Jacobs has already begun repositioning the Nautica complex as major event space to capitalize on the tourism wave that's hitting downtown Cleveland. Currently, the developer is working on a new master plan for the area.
The Music Box is located directly across from the new Flats East development, and plans are in the works to revive the water taxi service to better link the two areas.
Source: Mike Miller
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Larchmere Boulevard might just be Cleveland’s best-kept secret. This classic commercial strip has never earned the attention of Coventry, W. 25th Street or East 4th Street, but it offers one of the best examples of a “complete” neighborhood in the region, chock full of retail and residential within a walkable, transit-friendly neighborhood.
Tremont West Development Corporation is pushing a plan to reconfigure W. 14th Street, which for decades has been a busy thoroughfare for residents and commuters, into a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly street that will spur business growth. Under the proposal, the current configuration of two lanes in each direction (plus parking in some places) would be reconfigured to one lane in each direction plus a turning lane. This would create a dedicated parking lane and bike lane.
According to Cory Riordan, Executive Director of Tremont West, the proposal was warmly received by residents and stakeholders at a recent community forum. The next steps are to further refine the plan, respond to feedback and seek funding. Riordan wants to see the project done before the I-90 ramp reopens in 2016.
"Now's the time," he says. "There's an opportunity to reconfigure the street prior to the opening, have traffic calming measures in place and create a new experience."
W. 14th is an uncharacteristically wide street for Tremont. Additionally, it serves as a gateway to the community, yet the majority of businesses are located along Professor Avenue or other side streets. Finally, the street can be both confusing for drivers and hazardous for pedestrians. Riordan believes there's a win-win-win opportunity for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and businesses.
"We have a crosswalk at St. Augustine Church, but when people drive 50 miles per hour down the road, it's not a very safe crosswalk," he quips. "The bike community has expressed how dangerous they feel W. 14th is."
Depending on the final plan and available funding, there might be opportunities for streetscape enhancements including public art, decorative crosswalks, curb bump-outs and reconfiguration of the Steelyard Commons roundabout.
The good news is that Tremont has seen a transformation of W. 14th Street in recent years from a place considered hard to do business in to a sought-after location. As Professor Avenue storefronts have filled up, W. 14th storefronts have become more valuable. Riordan believes that's a sign of things to come and sees the potential for even more commercial growth along that street.
Source: Cory Riordan
Writer: Lee Chilcote
According to Cory Riordan, Executive Director of Tremont West, the proposal was warmly received by residents and stakeholders at a recent community forum. The next steps are to further refine the plan, respond to feedback and seek funding. Riordan wants to see the project done before the I-90 ramp reopens in 2016.
"Now's the time," he says. "There's an opportunity to reconfigure the street prior to the opening, have traffic calming measures in place and create a new experience."
W. 14th is an uncharacteristically wide street for Tremont. Additionally, it serves as a gateway to the community, yet the majority of businesses are located along Professor Avenue or other side streets. Finally, the street can be both confusing for drivers and hazardous for pedestrians. Riordan believes there's a win-win-win opportunity for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and businesses.
"We have a crosswalk at St. Augustine Church, but when people drive 50 miles per hour down the road, it's not a very safe crosswalk," he quips. "The bike community has expressed how dangerous they feel W. 14th is."
Depending on the final plan and available funding, there might be opportunities for streetscape enhancements including public art, decorative crosswalks, curb bump-outs and reconfiguration of the Steelyard Commons roundabout.
The good news is that Tremont has seen a transformation of W. 14th Street in recent years from a place considered hard to do business in to a sought-after location. As Professor Avenue storefronts have filled up, W. 14th storefronts have become more valuable. Riordan believes that's a sign of things to come and sees the potential for even more commercial growth along that street.
Source: Cory Riordan
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Fresh Water Cleveland is one of 22 publications run by Issue Media Group. Week in and week out, our sister sites cover all the latest news in urban innovation and development. This is the first in a new monthly series that will aggregate top news stories from around our network and profile "What’s Next" for cities.
