Image: Jamie Katz
Van Aken
On Track
Yes, that could be us,
sitting, strolling, enjoying a new Van Aken District!
RMS announcement:
RMS, owner of
Van Aken Center, is working
with the City on a plan for
the first phase of the district
redevelopment. The plan will
include Van Aken Center, the
City’s Farnsleigh parking lot
and westbound
Van Aken Boulevard.
The Shaker Heights-RMS
team hopes to create a
gathering place for residents,
with high quality apartments,
unique retail shops and
restaurants, and second floor
office space – a walkable
mixed use district in which
to shop, live and play!
Last up: Dominion East Ohio is replacing gas lines in the district.
›› The vacant office building at 3550 Warrensville Center Road has been
demolished. This property will become part of a district redevelopment parcel.
Next up: The City has purchased the former Qua Buick property, 3393 Warrensville Center
Road, which sits directly across the street from the Van Aken district’s phase one redevelopment
project area. The property was identified in the City’s economic development plan as a
prime location for a community anchor such as a recreation or entertainment site.
The purchase of this critically important parcel protects and strengthens the redevelopment.
›› On October 21, Cuyahoga County placed a bid advertisement for a construction company
to reconfigure roadways in the district. County Council planned to award the bid in mid-February.
Watch for construction to begin in April. ›› Tower East, the iconic office building that anchors
the district, was nominated for inclusion on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Meanwhile: City staff is planning a public meeting to provide updates and to answer
questions you may have about the project. ›› In addition, a community event is in the works
for next summer, designed to give
residents an experience of the
new Van Aken district.
To receive emails with updated
information, sign up for Van Aken
on Track ENews at bit.ly/VanAken.
10 SHAKERONLINE.COM | WINTER 2014