Topic: Cleveland: Truman Building & Security Federal Building Restoration

[Etheostoma Caeruleum]

Will look fabulous! Can't wait to see this when finished!

[Clueless,Ohio]

Today is the first day i've seen this on my drive home...they started boarding up the storefronts in the Truman Bldg.
Hopefully forward progress 

[Htsguy]

Where, if any where, did the Greek Express go?   At one time I use to eat there a couple of times a week.

[ClevelandOhio]

Where, if any where, did the Greek Express go?   At one time I use to eat there a couple of times a week.

Believe the Arcade.

Today is the first day i've seen this on my drive home...they started boarding up the storefronts in the Truman Bldg.
Hopefully forward progress 

Thanks for the pictures! Really hope so.

[KJP]

Wow, that was 11 months of silence in this thread until today! Glad see something is happening.

Let the Truman Show begin!

[KJP]

And, several more months of silence. But it sounds like next month there should be a lot of activity....

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,19154.msg602210.html#msg602210

[musky]

I sure hope so. This small slice of Euclid Avenue is always so depressing to drive/walk past

[Htsguy]

I understand from the Schofield thread that this building is the same developer as the Schofield and that work is being done on Truman and Security Federal in conjection with Schofield (and that per McCleveland the back lower floors of the Truman Bldg. will be parking for the Kimpton Hotel in the Schofield Building).  However, does anybody know what if anything right now is suppose to go in to these buildings?  Are the upper floors to be apartments or offices again?

[X]

Look what's on the April 30th BZA agenda:

CR Truman, LP, owner, appeals for a change of use from offices to apartments in a six-story building, the Truman Building, located in an E5 General Retail Business District; subject to the Area Regulations under Section 355.04(b) in an “E” area district the maximum, gross floor area may not exceed one-half the lot area and approximately 47,740 square feet is proposed contrary to 21,964 square feet; a rear yard depth of 20 feet is required and side yard width shall in no case be less than one-fourth the height of the main building on the premises, not less than 8 feet, in accordance with Cleveland Codified Ordinances 357.08(b)(1) and 357.09(b)(2)C. (Filed 3-30-12)

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2012/crr04-30-2012.pdf

[ClevelandOhio]

I really hope something finally happens! This part of Euclid Ave is so grand, but in an incredibly disappointing state.

[mrclifton88]

So true... if this goes through, most of the dead zone will be spoken for.... Schofield into Kimpton, John HB hopefully into Le Meridian or other hotel, Huntington isn't really empty but perhaps will become County HQ, and finally this cluster of buildings into apartments!  Only one huge chunk remains and that is Ameritrust  but hopefully not for long!

[ClevelandOhio]

And it is set up beautifully for street level retail!

But I can see them ruining it for parking garage entrances or other terrible uses.

[X]

So true... if this goes through, most of the dead zone will be spoken for.... Schofield into Kimpton, John HB hopefully into Le Meridian or other hotel, Huntington isn't really empty but perhaps will become County HQ, and finally this cluster of buildings into apartments!  Only one huge chunk remains and that is Ameritrust  but hopefully not for long!

The CAC is also a major project.  Hopefully someone will tackle that soon as well.

[KJP]

This is the last un-improved section of Euclid downtown. It could be an awesome, residential, hotel, small business and street retail district. Gee, isn't that what it was built to be?

[Firenze98]

^ And we have now come full circle.  It only took over 90 years to do it.  Next hopefully the E12th/Chester area can continue it's transformation.

[Flee2theCleve]

and not to be a debbie-downer, but the Halle building needs help too...it is like less than half occupied

[Htsguy]

^ And we have now come full circle.  It only took over 90 years to do it.  Next hopefully the E12th/Chester area can continue it's transformation.

I don't quite understanding your first comment.

[ClevelandOhio]

and not to be a debbie-downer, but the Halle building needs help too...it is like less than half occupied

And will only get worse

[MuRrAy HiLL]

historic downtown buildings will be transformed into apartments using tax credits
Thursday, July 05, 2012
The State of Ohio has awarded $35.8 million in tax credits to 18 owners who are planning to rehabilitate 44 historic buildings across the state. Two of the projects, the Vincent building and the Truman building, are located in downtown Cleveland.

The Truman building, located on Euclid Avenue between E. 9th and 12th streets, will be renovated to include retail storefronts, office space, 18 market rate apartments and parking. Construction is expected to create at least 50 jobs.

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/historicpreservationcredits070512.aspx

[jjames0408]

Just in case anyone has been wondering about the inside...

IMG_2862 by jjames0408, on Flickr

There are two cars parked in there tonight. Unfortunately, can't really get a good look of the upper floors.

[Flee2theCleve]

why are there two star wars light sabers in the photo?

[ClevelandOhio]

why are there two star wars light sabers in the photo?

Its the former Sith training facility.

[jjames0408]

Oh wow...I didn't even notice that last night!

[heightsfan]

Couple guys hauling more debris out of the Truman Building the past two evenings, with the building lights on throughout.  God let's hope this thing gets fully underway soon. 

[KJP]

True. See if they'll work overtime to get something going on Schofield, too.

Hopefully this is good news for Truman.

[Clueless,Ohio]

CRM Real Estate Services has a new website. Mouse over "Featured" and it brings up Truman Bldg...alluding to a Summer 2013 commencemnt on the project.

http://www.crmcompaniesinc.com/properties.html

[jborger]

They mention restoration of the "historic communicating staircase".  What's a communicating staircase?  A staircase with really good acoustics? 

[sizzlinbeef]

"The central communicating staircase and skylight allow natural light to cascade into the core of the building.  The open staircase also encourages employee interaction and communication."

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/blackstone/tour/

That's all I could find.  Probably just a rarely used term for an open staircase.

[3231]

Hmm.. I wonder if this signals the end for the Kimpton Hotel at 9th & Eucild. The Truman was supposed to handle over some parking for the hotel on its lower, alley facing floors. Or maybe they're just getting this portion up and running sooner than the other portion of the project.

[Clueless,Ohio]

Is the DCA still touting the Kimpton in their quarterly reports?
I think I recall they were reporting that Kimpton/Schofield initial construction would start in Q1 2013. this was stated in the 4th qtr report of 2012.
So Q1 ends Mar 31 2013?
25 days or so.

[Mendo]

It looks like CRM only has resources to handle one project at a time. The Calfee building was finished Spring 2012. They started the Chester Commons building next to Perk Park right after that. The completion date is un-coincidentally Summer 2013 right when they are projecting to start the Truman Building. So who knows, maybe the Schofield is after that?

Situated on the rejuvenated Perk Park in downtown Cleveland, Chester Commons is the Southern backdrop of this active urban space.

Completed in 1924, this historic building sits in a prominent spot between the Statler Arms and Huntington Buildings. The building was used predominantly for retail on the ground floor and office on the upper floors throughout its history. CRM Real Estate Services acquired the building in 2012 with plans for adaptive reuse converting the office component to residential apartments. Thirty-six loft style rental units will surround the central three-story atrium with many featuring views of the park and lake. Currently under construction, projected completion is summer 2013.

[Clueless,Ohio]

^That correlation can definitely be made in their string of downtown projects.

Not to veer off... but since Truman is an adjunct building of the Schofield Im wondering about synchronization of projects around E 9th & Euclid this summer (and by default, Truman).
WIth the re-surfacing of E. 9th supposedly kicking off on July 19 (after the much needed Ontario St is re-done b/t April and July 19), I would think this would have to impact construction timelines at the TOwer on 9th and, if started, the Schofield. It seems that some traffic lanes would have to be blocked off. I dont recall seeing a street (and definitely sidewalks) re-done if there is adjacent construction. There will heavy equipment all around, not to mention fenced-off safety zones. Maybe not so much at Tower on 9th because the sidewalk on the E. 9th frontage is wider than most sidewalks downtown. But the Schofield is right up to the street, c. 1903 style.
The July through October re-do for E. 9th would have to come into play. Even if only for a fraction of the time that they'll be at the Euclid intersection. Maybe impact will be minimal?

[jborger]

It looks like CRM only has resources to handle one project at a time.

Construction companies backed up with work isn't necessarily a bad thing, right?

[Mendo]

It looks like CRM only has resources to handle one project at a time.

Construction companies backed up with work isn't necessarily a bad thing, right?

Not unless you are looking to grow your company. Having work lined up is great, but I see it as a missed opportunity for growth. Hiring another team to start construction simultaneously would be great for revenue.

This might be less about desire and more about inability to secure financing for multiple projects at once. Banks see how resources are spread out and hesitate to bankroll another project.