Plaza-Midwood Projects (Central, Commonwealth, The Plaza)

[richmondgolf]

Signage is up for Joe Hooper's Beverage and Sandwich Exchange. Anyone know when this will open up? Looks like it could be a good spot.

[Guest]

Signage is up for Joe Hooper's Beverage and Sandwich Exchange. Anyone know when this will open up? Looks like it could be a good spot.

Where is this at?

[southslider]

^Joe Hooper's is directly across Central from the Thirsty Beaver. I heard the operation is a "Whiskey Warehouse 2", much like the Peculiar Rabbit is actually a second Jackolope's. But just as those two "Jack's" are different, these two "Whiskey's" will be, too. If anything, the two "Whiskey's" will be more like Soul and Diamond, which have the same owner, but completely different vibes.

[hokiehigh]

Does anyone have renderings of The Nook apartments?

Also, I really like how the streetscaping is creating patios for the Diamond and Common Market.

[dubone]

I popped into Volume at the old camera shop location. It is actually a very cool decor and they had a good dj, too. It was still very sparse in crowds, but it was worth checking out.

I also notice that the Edison is all the way up in framing.

Is The Nook the one going up next to the DQ? I don't remember hearing about that and das göög does not return anything.

[hokiehigh]

Yes, it will be beside DQ. Glad to see infill on Central Ave!

[Missmylab4]

Elevator shaft is up for the Nook Apartments.

Anyone think the central avenue shopping center anchored by Family Dollar will be redeveloped anytime soon? Howbout the Sherwin Williams paint store??

[Guest]

Remember the days when we used to get renderings for everything built. there are at least 5 projects being built that I've never seen a picture of!

[nyxmike]

Remember the days when we used to get renderings for everything built. there are at least 5 projects being built that I've never seen a picture of!

Remember the days when people took pictures of construction progress?!

[Guest]

Remember the days when people took pictures of construction progress?!

Sigh... yea. I was one of them :-(. Too far away now!

[CLTNative]

Decided to take a stroll through the hood to let you all see the new happenings. I didn't go too close to The Nook, not much to see. There is a lot of masonry work being done that comes pretty close to Central Ave. Also threw in a few shots of the streetscape work done by the City.

Teeter

Common Market Patio (HUGE Improvement!)

Decorative Crosswalks

Diamon Patio

The Edison

The Peculiar Rabbit

The Nook in the Distance

[johnpro318]

Thanks for the pic updates. I haven't had a chance to make it to this part of town since summer.

[Sabaidee]

Hmm anyone else is annoyed that people aren't using the new street parking spots correctly along Commonwealth? You're supposed to back into it rather than get into it from other direction.

Edited November 30, 2012 by Shawn&Zae

[tozmervo]

I stopped to back into one of those spots and the person behind me flicked me off. So the answer to your question is a resounding yes. 

[Sabaidee]

Lol, there should be parking enforcement...I'd assumed it's like parallel parking facing in the wrong direction of traffic would yield a fine too right?

[hokiehigh]

Elevator shaft is up for the Nook Apartments.

Anyone think the central avenue shopping center anchored by Family Dollar will be redeveloped anytime soon? Howbout the Sherwin Williams paint store??

I don't see Sherwin Williams being redeveloped.

I would love for the shopping center to be torn down. I wish the stores were street facing with parking in the back. I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[dubone]

I actually wish they would just build a grid of real streets fronting the Bistro le Bon shopping center and then buildings and a parking deck on the current parking lot land.  It could connect somewhat to Commonwealth.  

 

With a new facade, it would be ok to keep the buildings.  

[hokiehigh]

Good idea! I never thought of that. Honestly I am surprised that place is not full.

[Missmylab4]

I think it's "sea of parking," breaks up any flow that plaza has. Thereby making it hard to fill the center. It's incredibly univiting by foot, not for the faint of heart.

[ah59396]

Dubone, that is an awesome idea.  Flat out awesome.  I like all the buildings in that little plaza and if they did just grid that bad boy, it'd be super inviting.  There are some businesses near the back of that plaza that would absolutely welcome it as well.

[nonillogical]

I had that same idea and didn't know if it would be feasible. But yes I think that the result of re-orienting that shopping center would be much more interesting than what we'd get from a blank slate if the whole thing were demolished. It seems like a no-brainer to reconnect Sunnyside to Pecan at least. 

A little wonky but something like this maybe? http://goo.gl/maps/DK6CT

Edited December 4, 2012 by nonillogical

[hokiehigh]

Good work!  It seems like that could work.  There would be two more railroad crossings but that would be ok.  Plus it may divert some traffic off of Central.  

 

My other wish would be to convert Kelly Tire? into a restaurant or shop.  It's sort of an eyesore on Central and it is in a prime location.  

[Missmylab4]

Another prime site. Old man Kelly must be waiting on a pay day like the Epicurean family on East Blvd.

[dubone]

Exactly, nonillogical, what I envisioned, although I figured only one railroad bridge/crossing on Sunnyside.   I would also figure the streets would be tightly up against the buildings like the current parking lot roads.  

 

I know the owner of this sees it as a cashcow investment and is not looking for much in the way of altruistic or growth development, but I think they would be pleasantly surprised with the results of having Clement Ave front the main strip mall making it more urban, and having storefronts on Central to continue the contiguous retail, and then add some decks and residential properties.    I think with a grid, the land would be more valuable and enable denser development.

 

 

On another subject of something more likely, I wonder when they are going to complete the fencing on the Common Mkt front patio and put some chair and tables out there.  I cannot wait for that, as the back alley gets very crowded and when I happen to go with my friends, a less smoky, enclosed atmosphere would be better.   I suppose they are not in a hurry to do it during winter, but with patio warmers, and mild [global warming] winter days, it would probably still have some crowds certain days.   I think with that and the patio at the Diamond, it will be a much more lively street like Gordon is now becoming with Snug Harbor's front patio and now Peculiar Rabbit's.

[hokiehigh]

I was wondering about the fencing too.  I wonder if it has something to do with city permits.  I talked to the owners of Volume lounge one night and it took them forever to be able to light up the sign on Commonwealth due to permits.  It's just a guess though.