University Circle’s ‘Holy Oil Can’ is up for sale

In Cleveland’s University Circle, two of that district’s tallest structures stand next to
the Wade Lagoon. The district’s tallest structure, The 267-foot-tall Artisan apartments,
was topping out in September 2022. But the district’s longtime height champion at
200 feet was the Church In The Circle, built in 1928 as the Epworth-Euclid United
 Methodist Church (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

When a church has been around for a long time, its name can often change. But for the 97-year-old Church In The Circle, 1919 E. 107th St., its appearance-based nickname has not changed — the “Holy Oil Can.” Nor has its ownership — until now.

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Ohio City Starbucks OK’d by Landmarks panel

The left side of this corner of an historic building in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood
is where a drive-through for a new Starbucks Cafe is planned. The cars from this drive-
through will exit here onto Abbey Avenue. In the background is the Intro development.
Out of view to the right is the West Side Market and, behind this camera is the Ohio City
Red Line train station Avenue (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

A plan to renovate an historic car dealership with retail uses, including a new Starbucks in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, was approved today by the city’s Landmarks Commission. But the question of whether a proposed drive-through should remain in the design was referred to the city’s Division of Traffic Engineering to decide.

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Here’s the Scoop: Ben & Jerry’s to Playhouse Square

Along Euclid Avenue, to the left or east of Starbucks in the Hanna Building, will be
the latest location of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. The new parlor will take the entire
space between Starbucks and the arched Euclid entrance to the historic building
(Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

While NEOtrans doesn’t normally devote an entire article to the planned opening of a small retail space, this is a new ice cream parlor in a high-profile location. And, of course, everyone loves ice cream, especially when it’s enjoyed before or after a show at America’s second-largest theater district, Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.

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Tony George buying Lake Avenue site

This office and warehouse at 8110 Lake Ave. on Cleveland’s west side is near to
being acquired by the George Group of Lakewood to apparently remain a
commercial use in a neighborhood with lots of residential development
(NEOtrans). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

A high-profile businessman is near to acquiring a piece of property between Cleveland’s stable Edgewater neighborhood to the west and the fast-growing Gordon Square neighborhood to the east. But despite the number of new residential developments emerging nearby, this commercial site is apparently going to stay commercial — possibly charitable.

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Rose Building sign not a sign of construction yet

This proposed sign for Project Scarlet, a renovation and conversion of the former
Medical Mutual headquarters into apartments and a hotel, is sought to stir up
interest and create buzz about the project (Diamond Signs & Graphics).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Cleveland Landmarks Commission is due to hear a proposal this week for the addition of a visible, unique sign atop an important building in Downtown Cleveland. But while the proposed sign on the Rose Building, 2060 E. 9th St., is touted as a “Temporary construction duration banner” — there is no sign that construction of a planned hotel-apartment conversion is imminent.

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NE Ohio Soccer HQ, training facility search begins

A FIFA-regulation-size soccer pitch measures just under 2 acres, like this one in at
the Old Crew Stadium in Columbus. In the winter, the field is covered with an air-
supported bubble dome that is usually 20 degrees warmer inside than it is outside
(KJP). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) has issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to municipalities, civic leaders and community development partners to establish a new headquarters and training facilities for two professional soccer teams debuting in 2026 — a men’s team and Ohio’s first women’s professional soccer team that will be announced soon.

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Next in Cleveland’s BVQ District: Vega Ave. Studio Lofts

The Vega Avenue Studio Lofts doesn’t just overlook its namesake street. The apartment
building, clad in wood shiplap siding, will also overlook Interstate 90, set immediately
south of the BVQ Lofts in the former J. Spang Bakery Building (Vocon).
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

If it seems like a new development is popping up just about every month in Cleveland’s Barber-Vega-Queen (BVQ) District, you’re right. The latest to pop up on public records is the Vega Avenue Studio Lofts.

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