Recap of The Fantastic Tweed Ride

While I had to miss the actual tweed ride because of work, I was able to meet up with the gang post-ride at The Happy Dog. I had just bought my bike that day and was eager to take it for a spin. The Happy Dog was in full force Saturday afternoon; tweed was aplenty, beers were flowing, and dogs were slangin'. This year's ride included a bit more than 70 riders that cruised throughout Cleveland's downtown, Tremont, Ohio City, and Detroit Shoreway neighborhoods. Amazing prizes were provided by Grey Cardigan, Spin Bike Shop, and Rickshaw Bags. They are considering a ride again in the Fall, but organizers assured me there will be ride next Spring for sure. Either way, I will keep you posted on all bike events in The Cle.

Photo Courtesy of The Fantastic Tweed Ride's Facebook Page.

New Downtown Cleveland Lofts COMING SOON!

As a Cleveland blogger (who also happens to work in real estate) I love to admit that I sometimes get the inside scoop on properties before they become available. So I am MORE than pleased to announce a new downtown condo property that will be on the market quite soon! I don't have updates on pricing, and cannot share the exact location. However, I did work on getting some inside shots of the building and some of the homes inside. We have pics from a family that currently lives there, but new units are under construction as we speak. Click on this Flickr page to see the AMAZING photos.

Enjoy! I know I have been daydreaming about it since I saw them....

Cleveland: Be a tourist in your own city

CLEVELAND -- With the kids off from school, it can be hard to keep them busy. But there is a way to keep them entertained and learn something at the same time. A local woman created walking tours of Cleveland's main attractions.

Jennifer Coleman started City Prowl Cleveland. She has gathered a wealth of information about the buildings some of us pass everyday or haven't seen in a while.

All you will need is a computer and an MP3 player to download the tours.

Jennifer gives you specific instructions on where to start the tours, and walks you through giving you the history of that specific area.

"I think if people knew more about how special some of the structures and the story of the culture of the city are, they would be ambassadors and know that Cleveland is really a special town," says Coleman.

The tours are less than 45 minutes and you can stop and start them as many times as you like.

There are 8 tours, including the Warehouse District, Public Square, Wade Park and the Fairfax neighborhood.

Click here to download the tours at City Prowl Cleveland.
(Article Courtesy of WKYC-TV)

La Strada Groupon

Today's Groupon is $40 worth of Mediterranean Fare for $20. Make sure to pick one up for a great date night on East 4th. Now that the days are getting longer again, I've been feeling the itch to go out. Enjoy!

La Strada Groupon

Coffee Lovers Unite- Phoenix Coffee gives Roastery Tours

Cleveland local business, Phoenix Coffee Company, will be hosting two tours of their downtown roastery(where the coffee is made) just after the Christmas holiday. On December 28th there will be two tours available at 10:30am and 1:00pm. Stop by and find out how your favorite Cleveland coffee is made, and also walk out with a free bag of beans! More details are available at Phoenix Coffee

Michael Stanley Holiday Show

Cleveland born Michael Stanley will be having his annual holiday show at The House of Blues this weekend, on Saturday, December 11th. The Michael Stanley Band will go on at 8:00 and doors open at 7:00. Tickets start at $31.00. VIP tickets are available, and come with a meet-and-greet.

The Cleveland Crush

Gentlemen, this post is for all of you...one void of shopping, art, and all things Christmas... I am here to announce that Cleveland is now the proud home of the latest Lingerie Football League (LFL) team, The Cleveland Crush. The lingerie clad ladies will begin playing at The Quicken Loans Arena in the Fall of 2011.

Chairman and founder Mitchell S. Mortaza was quoted with the following statement

"We could not be more excited to be in a market like Cleveland, with its storied history in support of its pro teams, whether they won or lost. LFL Football will translate incredibly well and, based on the initial fan support, we suspect Cleveland will be a top market for the league."

Any qualified individuals, as well as prospective players, can inquire at: Talent@LFLUS.com

(Photo Courtesy Edie Perlas LFL)

Winterfest- The season may be chilly, but the ticket is HOT!

Cleveland Winterfest is here, contrary to the warm weather we've been sporting lately. Make sure you kick off the holiday season right by attending this jam packed day of activities.

The event starts bright and early at 9am and lasts until the tree lighting and firework display at 6pm. Don't think it stops there, an indoor after party will be held at The Cleveland Plus Visitor Center. There will also be ice sculpture carvings on East 4th Street throughout the evening. Last but not least, do not forget about The Winter Wine and Ale Fest from 8pm-12am at 200 Public Square, which will be a great way for the 21 and over set to warm up from a day full of outdoor fun.

Highlights of the day include the showing of the OSU vs. Michigan game (GO BUCKS!), free horse drawn carriage rides, concerts, and of course the Public Square lighting ceremony.

*According to @DowntownCle, The Downtown Cleveland Alliance's twitter account, there are only 60 tickets left for this Saturday's Cleveland Winter Wine and Ale Fest so make sure you get yours while you still can.

*For more info and to purchase tickets check out: www.downtowncleveland.com/winterfest

Brain Gain: Which industries are growing in NE Ohio

CLEVELAND -- We are a rust belt city with the reputation of a dying economy. And, when you look at unemployment numbers and empty office buildings, its hard to imagine Cleveland is thriving. But, there's an exciting undercurrent in Northeast Ohio, one that promises a better and brighter future.

"There's just this whole idea that somehow everyone is leaving and its entirely wrong," says Thomas Waltermire with Team NEO.

The stigma of "Brain Drain" is all perspective. Waltermire has crunched the numbers and says the statistics show, Cleveland is gaining and gaining where it matters.

In numbers just released by Team NEO, they found that 80 thousand jobs were realized this year in the region, 23 thousand since July alone. And the Gross Regional Product is projected to grow 3.6 percent in 2010.

So why the stigma Cleveland's best and brightest have to go to bigger cities for better opportunities?

"We get so fixated on a few big brand names and somehow think nobody's here... But there are a lot of smaller companies that have developed and evolved and grown, and so we actually have more headquarters type functions now than we've ever had before."

Waltermire says both Akron and Cleveland are slowly attracting a different type of business - a far cry from steel and automotive.

"But what's in common is its all higher technology, its more globally competitive, and more export oriented and those are the trends going on in the economy here."

New "cleantech" energy technology is being created right here, biotech is developing and manufacturing isn't dead, in fact booming.

"The United States has never had more industrial manufacturing output than it has today."

(Article courtesy of WKYC.com)

Cuyahoga County commissioners clear way for medical mart and convention center

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County on Thursday closed a series of deals for the $465 million medical mart and convention center, clearing the way for construction of a project that backers predict will help revitalize the local economy.

Nearly five years after the tax-financed project was proposed, county commissioners approved key land purchases and a business agreement with the county's private partner, Chicago-based MMPI.

Their vote came at their second to last meeting. In January, a new charter government will replace the three commissioners and inherit the downtown Cleveland project. The mart will showcase medical products and technology in a four-story building attached to an underground convention center near the lakefront.

Here are details of agreements approved Thursday:

•Commissioners imposed a hike of 1 percentage point in the hotel bed tax to help pay for operations, which are expected to run $6 million a year. The measure will generate $2.4 million a year for operations.

• Positively Cleveland, the city tourism bureau, agreed to contribute about $16 million over 17 years for operational costs. Positively Cleveland's contribution will come from bed tax revenue, which accounts for most of its operating money.

• MMPI secured cost guarantees from design-builder Turner Construction Co. Under the agreement, Turner must complete design and construction for no more than $348 million. The deal calls for a 32-month construction schedule to be completed 2013.

• The county bought five properties, including $20 million for the existing city-owned convention center, and several parcels on St. Clair Avenue.

• A lease and operations agreement calls MMPI to build on the county-owned property. The county will pay MMPI $40 million a year, and MMPI will pay the county $36 million a year to pay its debt. The agreement allows under some circumstances for the county to use space in city-owned Public Auditorium, and for the city to use convention center space.

Workers will begin this month removing asbestos from several buildings in preparation for demolition. "Starting in the fall (2011), you'll see steel coming up," said Jeff Appelbaum, the county's point man on the project. Earlier this week, Appelbaum briefed all 11 members of incoming County Council, and urged them to form a subcommittee devoted to the medical mart and convention center. "Regardless of whether you have to make decisions, you are going to get calls," he said. "You're going to want to stay informed."

MMPI spokesman Dave Johnson said 41 companies have signed letters of intent to occupy medical mart showrooms, but he declined to name the potential tenants. 'The convention center has 16 signed letters of intent for trade shows and conferences, he said.

The deals approved Thursday mark the end of a process that been controversial at times, particularly when commissioners raised the sales tax a quarter cent without a public vote in 2007 to finance the project.

"We're delighted we've reached this moment," said Commissioner Tim Hagan. "It's important to the long-term vitality of the region."
(Article courtesy of Cleveland.com and The Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The Cleveland Top 10

Attention readers! This is your opportunity to post your suggestions for the 2009, Cleveland City Living Top 10 List. With so many great new additions to "City Living" in Cleveland this year, I can't help but try to set up a few posts about the best of the best! So reply to this post or to the facebook group posting with your big success stories in City Living in 2009.

Some suggestions that are along the lines of what I'm looking for include:

• The Grand Opening of the Detroit Avenue Streetscape
• The first residents moving into the Avenue District Condos
• New restaurant openings
• Successful new projects in the city (perhaps 668 Euclid, 27 Coltman, University Lofts)
• Euclid Avenue Streetscape Beautification
• Anything else you can think of that has made "City Living" special for you in 2009

I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Demographic Trends Now Favor DOWNTOWN!

by Jonathan Weber, courtesy of msnbc.com "The Big Money" blog.

“Location, location, location” has been the mantra of the real estate industry for as long as anyone can remember. Still, as the national economy transforms in the wake of the economic crisis, the power of place will prove to be ever more important for a broad range of small businesses.

Most demographic and market indicators suggest that growth and development across the country are moving away from the suburban and exurban fringe and toward center-cities and close-in suburbs.

What's behind this shift? Empty-nesters don't need the big house and don't want to mow the big lawn. High gas prices are making long commutes less practical. The urban renaissance in big cities ranging from New York to Portland, Ore. — and the revival of charming, vibrant downtowns in small cities like Missoula, Mont. — is making the bedroom suburb and the strip mall seem positively dull.

Retailers are the most obviously affected by these trends. For decades, locating a store in a mall on the fringe rather than downtown had a lot of obvious advantages: plenty of easy parking, tons of drive-by traffic from big-box neighbors, and newer buildings with better infrastructure.
These benefits won't disappear overnight. Over the long run, though, they will diminish in importance, especially if more big retail chains and shopping-mall operators go out of business. Downtown shopping districts, meanwhile, will benefit from increased investment and more proximate residents. If we assume, as many economists do, that the country is "over-retailed," some downtown development plans based on more shopping will stall, but the center will still prosper relative to the fringe — and more businesses might find the downtown storefront affordable.

Indeed, the advantages of a good downtown location extend to many businesses that are not dependent on walk-in traffic. At NewWest.Net, our alley storefront with a prominent sign is probably one of our best bits of marketing. Every month, we host an art show as part of the downtown "First Friday" art walk, which brings a lot of people into the office and gives us a chance to chat them up about NewWest.Net. Most meetings don't require getting into a car. Our very effective Downtown Association offers kinship (which can lead to deals) with neighboring businesses.

Locating downtown is sometimes associated with the "buy local" movement — the idea that the community benefits if businesses and consumers spend their money with independent, locally owned businesses. But you don't have to buy into this ideologically to position yourself as the friendly, local alternative to the big national chain, and part of the way to do that is to locate in a cool space — in a historic building, say — rather than a sterile strip mall or office park.

Want to Live in Cleveland's Coolest Lakefront Neighborhood?

This video montage was put together with segments from the Detroit Shoreway Streetscape Groundbreaking Ceremony. The Detroit Shoreway along with the Gordon Square Arts District has become the fastest growing neighborhood in Cleveland! With housing developments such as Battery Park, The Belvedere, Lake Pointe, King's Terrace, the Villas at Waters Edge, and Saint Peter's on the Lake, it's easy to find places to live. Located just a couple minutes from downtown Cleveland and footsteps from Lake Erie, you'll find few places in Cleveland that can compare.



Don't forget to contact Scott Phillips with Real Living Realty One, to find your Cleveland Lakefront home. With tax abatements and discount financing features, many of his clients are paying less per month for their mortgages than they were for rent downtown! Call Scott today: 216.986.7716 or email scott.phillips@realliving.com.

New Video Highlights Downtown Cleveland

To learn more about downtown living, email Scott.Phillips@realliving.com or call us at 216.986.7716.

Downtown Real Estate Bypasses Housing Crisis: Gas Prices Are Making City Centers More Attractive

This was written by Robert Krueger, communications associate at the Urban Land Institute.

An article in the Wall Street Journal, it was reported that despite the mortgage crisis and falling house prices, downtown properties have seemed to be unaffected by the housing downturn.

The article explains that in the bigger cities, the closer that residential properties are to the center of the city, the better they are maintaining their value. Of the three metro areas the article examines, all show resilience to tumbling prices and may serve as a great option for those buyers who are looking for an investment that is already gaining value and sure to surge even more once the economy begins to recover.

What are the reasons for this phenomenon? Many speculate that gas prices have something to do with it. Yesterday, CNN reported that according to AAA, the national average of gas is up 9 percent from a month ago and 19 percent from a year ago. Yesterday, the nationwide average for regular unleaded hit $4 a gallon.

As the price of crude oil continues to affect the price Americans are paying at the pump, it is also having a direct affect on the charm of living in the suburbs. In the Washington, D.C. area, like many other metropolitan areas, the average house price has plummeted. While the average of the area is an 11 percent decrease, the price decrease in parts of the housing bubble magnet, Ashburn, Va. of Loudoun County, has seen a much steeper plunge. Ashburn’s 40-mile distance from the center of D.C. is a good reason that foreclosed houses in northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs of D.C. are not getting many bidders for auctioned homes.

In addition, NPR reported that the median home price for inside the city of Washington is actually up 3.5 percent from a year ago. Economists are seeing this trend in others cities as well, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Boston.

According to CEOs for Cities, a Chicago-based pro-urban nonprofit, the price of gas tends to get overlooked as a factor when evaluating the reasons behind the mortgage crisis. In their recent report, Driven to the Brink, the decline of home prices have been more severe in the metropolitan and suburbs that require lengthy commutes, and where there is a lack of public transportation alternatives. The same conclusion was drawn from ULI's report on U.S. infrastructure investment, Infrastructure 2008: A Competitive Advantage.

What this means to buyers and investors is that gas prices are changing the urban housing market. Now, people are not only looking at where a house is located, but they are also taking the price of gas, commute time, and the amount of lost time of driving into consideration before purchasing. No longer will buyers be taking their commutes for granted as living further out from the city has become an additional expense rather than a luxury.

One way for city planners to deal with this problem is merge land use planning with transportation investing in order to create master-planned communities that offer a mix of retail, office, and housing that is close to transit stations. This will allow residents to cut down on both commute times gas money instead of spending both driving on highways. The 2005 ULI publication, Developing Around Transit, offers advice and examples for community planners to help cut down on growth and sprawl and retain the attractiveness of their residential neighborhoods.

Among the other factors that are driving people to downtown areas are the array of amenities, retail, restaurants, arts and culture, and fast-paced lifestyle that downtowns offer. This is not only attractive to younger generations, but also empty nesters and baby boomers who are beginning to retire that make a person feel young, despite your age.

Whatever your reason for wanting to live downtown. Contact the City Living Team at Real Living, Inc. and let the pros help you make the big move to downtown Cleveland... After all, we are your future neighbors.

Scott Phillips is a licensed Realtor with Real Living, Inc. Equal Opportunity Housing.

I Love Downtown Tours!

Think spring! Make plans now to attend “I Love Downtown”, the open house for downtown. On Sunday April 20th from 1-5pm take a trolley tour of downtown Cleveland’s hottest residential properties and see first hand why so many people are making the decision to move downtown.
Start your day with brunch or end it with dinner at one of downtown’s exceptional restaurants – then enjoy shopping and sightseeing as you visit a variety of stunning loft apartments, condos and new developments.

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Trolleys will drop you off and pick you up from your choice of 18 sites: The Arcade, The Avenue District, The Bingham, Bradley Building, Bridgeview Apartments, Hanna Tech Hotel, Hanna Theatre renovation project, The Lofts on Fourth, National Terminal Warehouse Apartments, 1900 Euclid Lofts, The Park Building, The Pointe at Gateway, Perry Payne Condominiums, Reserve Square, The Residences at Stonebridge, Statler Arms, Walker Weeks and Waterstreet Condominiums.

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The event is $20 per person when you register before the event; $35 at the door. For tickets and further information, call the Historic Gateway Neighborhood at 216.771.8088.

Can't make the tour, but still want to check out downtown homes? Call the Cleveland City Living at 216.373.6959.

Play Ball!

It's that time of year again! It's time to hear birds chirping, to take out spring jackets, to watch restaurants set up outdoor dining, to take out the grills, and time for Lake Erie to thaw. That's right, Clevelanders, its Tribe Time! Nobody knows Tribe Time better than the residents of Downtown Cleveland. In a poll of residents in a popular apartment building in the Warehouse District, 80% of them declared that they'd enjoyed strolling through downtown for a Tribe game last summer! And why wouldn't you?

For the cost of game-day parking, you can buy a cheap seat and have dinner and a beer in the batter's eye bar while enjoying the entertainment of your 2007 Central Division Champions! For more information on great places to live in walking distance of the Tribe, visit ClevelandCityLiving.com or email Scott(AT)clevelandcityliving.com.

See you at the Jake! oops... I mean Progressive Field!

Living Downtown on St. Patty's Day

Living in downtown Cleveland has many perks. A great social network, walking to work, a reverse commute, fitness centers, walkable bars, and the list goes on.... One perk, being able to walk to and from the bars, is seldom appreciated more than it is on St. Patty's Day.

On March 17th, hundreds of thousands of Cleveland+ residents proceed to downtown Cleveland to watch a two hour parade and then party like they're in Ireland. For just under 10,000 of those attendees, they end their evening walking (or stumbling) home to their apartment, loft, or condo.

Enter, Christopher O'Grady: a young man of 25 years who works in the health care field and lives downtown. He enjoys playing the bagpipes, watching football, and occasionally partaking in a Guinness or two.

St. Patrick's Day is Brother O'Grady's holiday and he begins it as any good son of Ireland would- in church. After the services at St. John's Cathedral (which were less expansive this year due to the overlap with Holy Week) O'Grady struts to the first sign he sees for corned beef sandwiches- Flannery's. After partaking in some authentic irish fare, he strolls through the Grand Arcade to Superior Avenue where he watches the parade with his family and close friends. Two hours and a few minutes later, the real fun begins.

Christopher celebrates his holiday at the Clevelander, Panini's, House of Blues (for live Irish music), and Flannery's before he takes a brief refreshing walk to the Warehouse District to finish his evening. Riding the bull at Tequila Ranch and stopping by the Map Room (a downtown residents favorite) is the perfect way to wind down the party.

At 11:45pm Christopher sees a line of taxi cabs from St. Clair and West 6th wrapped all the way around Lakeside Avenue to West 9th St. He and his friends chuckle as they see people quivering outside waiting for a cab in below freezing temperatures. Our neighbor finishes his drink, tips out the bartender, and shuffles past the line of taxis to his loft on West 9th St. Yes, our Irish friend is the host for a nine person slumber party so that nobody has to drive home after this long day of friends and fun. A great way to end a great bar-hopping St. Patrick's Day as a downtown resident.

To have your "Day in the Life" story published email: info(AT)clevelandcityliving.com