Down on Broadway
As many of you know, the best part of my job is the large number of field trips I get to take around the City of Cleveland. By this I mean the hundreds of businesses and buildings I have been honored to meet or tour. A week ago, I was asked by Dennis Althar of All-Tronics Medical Systems to tour a few buildings that he owns near E. 55th and Broadway. This corner is a historic area - part of Slavic Village - but just as important was once considered the "second downtown" of the City. And if you ever get the whim to drive to this area, you can see why many called it as such. Obviously the area has seen better days, but you get the sense that something spectacular is about to happen in this neighborhood.
Anyway, Dennis was kind enough to have me stop by and tour two of his buildings. The first was a block north of Broadway and at one time was the headquarters of a Slavic Insurance Company. It is a gorgeous two-story art deco facility. The first floor has a lobby that is beyond description with numerous offices surrounding it. There is a large safe room past the lobby as well. The second floor has a board room that suggests that no expense was spared when the building was constructed so many moons ago. Behind the lobby was the living quarters of the Executive Secretary of the insurance company. Gorgeous. All of it. The insurance company moved out many years ago, but the building stands as a testament to how strong, vibrant and wealthy the neighborhoods were in this City.
The second building Dennis owns is actually on Broadway just west of E. 55th and is one of the original Carnegie libragies. In fact, it is one of the last remaining ten-sided buildings left in the U.S. The beautiful lobby that offers a step staircase to the full rotunda and library is stunning. There is a small apartment that was used by the head librarian at one time just off of the full rotunda. In the basement, a full 200 seat theatre. Amazing.
Both buildings deserve new life. And both once developed are sure to lead a new renaissance along Broadway and E. 55th. Dennis is nearing retirement and wants to sell both buildings and I can only hope that they are purchased by a serious developer who wants to help recreate the City's lost "second downtown."
