Ctownrocks1

Merchandise Mart Properties intends to renovate Public Auditorium Posted by Jim Nichols/Plain Dealer Reporter January 22, 2009 23:26PM Categories: Medical Mart Public Hall, part of Public Auditorium, which has been in existence for 86 years. Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. intends to renovate Public Auditorium and incorporate the nearly 87-year-old landmark into the convention center. The hall would become a secondary entrance to a new center and be retrofitted into a large space that can be used as overflow exhibition space or broken into smaller rooms, said Chris Warren, Cleveland's chief of regional development... http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/merchandise_mart_properties_in_1.html

See part 2 Right above this post. Cleveland's Gay Games Bid: The Federation's View Written by Brian Patrick Thornton Friday, 09 January 2009 00:42 Part three of three in Spangle's series on Cleveland's Gay Games bid. Kelly Stevens, a board member in charge of communications for the Federation of Gay Games, says Cleveland has a “great chance” to be selected as the host of the 2014 event. Phew. He sees among the city’s assets: its relative bargain and location as compared to competitors Boston, Miami and Washington, D.C. (Because many Gay Games athletes come from the United States, Cleveland is geographically closer to more of the country than the other three.) But what about the issue of the other three cities being considered likelier destinations for queer travelers?... http://www.spanglemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=178:gay-games-3&catid=41:miscellaneous&Itemid=78

Cleveland's Gay Games Bid: The Coalition Written by Brian Patrick Thornton Wednesday, 07 January 2009 00:29 Part two of three in Spangle's series on Cleveland's Gay Games bid. If you’re three men and one newly founded organization trying to bid for and put on a 10-day sporting event for 20,000 athletes and 250,000 spectators, you might need a little help. W. Doug Anderson, Jeff Axberg and Brian Tavolier — co-founders of the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the organization behind the region’s 2014 Gay Games bid — are starting to get that covered. When they announced their plans at a press conference in October, they were joined by representatives from the city of Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Positively Cleveland (the city’s convention and visitors bureau). Since then, the trio added support from Cleveland City Council, as well as the Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau... http://www.spanglemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177:gay-games-2&catid=41:miscellaneous&Itemid=78

Well the channel 3 news reported that Officials said the current convention center on Lakeside will be brought down and the new convention center and medical mart will be built on its foundation. What does that really mean and how are they gonna build this?

I know I read it a while back but I wasn't sure. The plan is to bring down the existing convention center then or whats the plan that they had.

The merchandise mart for the cleveland medical mart site was changed from the information they had earlier and simply says The Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center site is currently undergoing exciting new developments. Please visit us again soon. I was just looking at the original timetable from way back when and it statedthe convention center was to start construction in early 09'. When do you guys thing construction will start at this point?

Mexican Wolves - Rarest In N.A. - Arrive At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo By Tom O’Konowitz Cleveland, OH - For the first time ever, six young Mexican wolves are now on the prowl at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The 3-year-old sisters are actively exploring their new surroundings and interacting well with one another, having arrived at the Zoo earlier this month from the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center near St. Louis. The pack-mates – named “Catori,” “Sarita,” “Una,” “Aprecia,” “Nancita” and “Mitzi” -- are now on exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Zoo’s Wolf Wilderness... To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500 http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-845-Mexican_Wolves_-_Rarest_In_N.A._-_Arrive_At_Cleveland_Metroparks_Zoo

But yea most of it is all BS like most of these studies. Here is the site and it gives a grade for various categories and its really off on most cities. http://www.mensfitness.com/lifestyle/215

Miami has actually been in the top 10 fattest in a lot of various studies so that was not as big of a shocker.

Top 10 Fattest Cities: 1) Miami (2008 Ranking: 7) 2) Oklahoma City (2008 Ranking 8.) 3) San Antonio (2008 Ranking: 3) 4) Las Vegas (2008 Ranking: 1) 5) New York City (2008 Ranking: 19) 6) Houston (2008 Ranking: 10) 7) El Paso (2008 Ranking: 5) 8.) Jacksonville (2008 Ranking: 14) 9) Charlotte (2008 Ranking: 24) 10) Louisville, KY (2008 Ranking: 25)

Cleveland No. 15 among magazine's fittest cities; Salt Lake City on top Posted by Plain Dealer staff January 14, 2009 12:00PM Categories: Exercise and fitness, Impact, Real Time News, Stretching Out John Kuntz/Plain Dealer file Men's Fitness magazine has tagged Salt Lake City as the nation's fittest city in its annual ranking, followed by Colorado Springs, Colo.; Minneapolis; Denver; and Albuquerque, N.M. Cleveland was No. 15 on the fittest list. The ranking represents a move from fat to fit for Cleveland. http://blog.cleveland.com/health/2009/01/salt_lake_city_the_nations_fit.html

Cleveland office rents rose slightly at end of 2008, bucking national trend Posted by Michelle Jarboe/Plain Dealer Reporter January 06, 2009 18:05PM Categories: Real Time News Office rents in Greater Cleveland ticked up slightly during the final months of 2008, even as average rents fell in most major markets throughout the country. A 0.3 percent rent gain meant Cleveland's office rental rates basically were flat during the fourth quarter, said Victor Calanog, director of research for real estate research firm Reis Inc. More at http://blog.cleveland.com/cribnotes/2009/01/cleveland_sees_slight_rise_in.html

New Ohio speaker vows to work for cities Posted by Aaron Marshall/Plain Dealer Columbus Bureau January 05, 2009 19:20PM Categories: Ohio Legislature, Real Time News Eric Albrecht/Columbus DispatchArmond Budish is sworn in as speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. COLUMBUS -- Ohio's big cities could see special treatment from the state with income tax breaks on new jobs, more money for school construction and free broadband services for urban businesses under a plan unveiled Monday by new Democratic House Speaker Armond Budish. However, those potential freebies wouldn't come without a price -- Ohio's urban areas would have to participate in state purchasing cooperatives and abide by the results of a study focusing on whether regionalizing services such as fire and trash pickup would save public dollars. Cities also would have to match the income tax break on newly created jobs with their own municipal tax breaks... Plain Dealer Columbus Bureau Chief Reginald Fields contributed to this report. http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2009/01/new_ohio_speaker_vows_to_work.html

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's influence on medical mart doubted - Analysis Commissioners want his support but don't need his OK to pick site Jackson frustrated, but may have no major influence on project Monday, January 05, 2009 Joe Guillen and Henry J. Gomez Plain Dealer Reporters As Mayor Frank Jackson hurls himself into the talks to land Cleveland a coveted medical mart-convention center complex, some close to the project doubt he will be a difference-maker. Jackson has cheered the plan in speeches yet had little influence during closed-door negotiations between Cuyahoga County officials and Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., the Chicago company that will own and operate the mart... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1231147866253670.xml&coll=2&thispage=3

This was pretty cool also. Where were those fountains and water shown at 4:25-4:28? Was that still Euclid Beach? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10geApZ3VkA&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1 For whatever reason the video shows up when I preview but not when I save it for a post :(

I figured maybe we could just do a Cleveland Youtube thread on some of the past events and memories of Cleveland. This one video is kind of cool since I was only 5 and didn't really remember how Downtown looked like. It was interesting to see the building that was being destroyed to make way for the eventual Society Center. Also there are video shots from the observation deck showing downtown and overlooking the lake. Still odd to see the lake front before the whole north coast harbor was being built up.

Cities deserve a strong leader in Washington December 15, 2008 President-elect Barack Obama has vowed to pursue a serious urban agenda, in part by creating an Office of Urban Policy to coordinate federal efforts to rebuild cities and the metropolitan regions they anchor. The person he picks to head up this office should have ground-level experience in housing, economic development, transportation, public safety and other issues facing cities. Obama's point person for cities also should know how to cement the regional collaborations and public-private partnerships that will drive a 21st Century urban agenda... http://www.freep.com/article/20081215/OPINION01/812150313/1069/OPINION

East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer has concert venue plan for Forest Hill Park Posted by Jim Nichols/Plain Dealer Reporter December 15, 2008 07:46AM http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/large_forest-hill-park-east-cleveland.jpg Scott Shaw/The Plain Dealer East Cleveland's portion of historic Forest Hill Park could soon have a new feature to join this landmark lagoon: an entertainment amphitheater. EAST CLEVELAND - Forest Hill Park could have a new feature amid its meadows, wooded ravines and reflecting pond: a 12,000-seat amphitheater. But it's a longshot... http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/medium_rockefeller-forest-park-graphic.jpg http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/e_cleveland_mayor_has_concert.html

<a href="http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/12/university_circle_condos_desig.html">University Circle condos designed by Studio Techne for Donald Gest embody fresh concepts: Steven Litt's review </a> Posted by Steven Litt December 09, 2008 17:04PM Categories: Architecture, Arts Impact, City Planning, Real Time News, Steven Litt A popular scientific theory holds that a huge asteroid smashed into the Yucatan peninsula 65 million years ago and ruined the weather for big dinosaurs. Small, warm-blooded creatures survived the change in climate and evolved into big mammals that eventually dominated the food chain. Not to stretch the point, but something similar could be happening in Cleveland residential development. The economic crisis that hit the nation in September has stymied big real estate projects in Cleveland, including the $522 million Flats East Bank development and the proposed $200 million renovation of the downtown Ameritrust complex... http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/12/university_circle_condos_desig.html

For the 3 metro areas from October 2007-2008 (From Bureau Labor Of Statistics) Columbus Unemployment rate jumped 1.3% Cincinnati Unemployment rate jumped 1.4% Cleveland Unemployment rate jumped 0.9%

Plan to turn Cleveland's West Shoreway into a boulevard gains momentum Posted by Karen Farkas/Plain Dealer Reporter December 05, 2008 20:11PM Categories: Real Time News, Traffic CLEVELAND - The dream to turn the West Shoreway into a slow-speed boulevard and gateway to Cleveland's West Side neighborhoods is about to become reality after years of disagreement between residents, city officials and highway planners... http://www.wkyc.com/news/politics_govt/politics_article.aspx?storyid=102229&catid=130

Cleveland-Cincinnati passenger rail service plan gets boost from Congress Posted by Karen Farkas/Plain Dealer Reporter December 04, 2008 23:15PM Categories: Real Time News Associated PressPassenger rail service from Cleveland to Cincinnati could be up and running by 2010 if the state receives a $100 million grant. Passenger rail service from Cleveland to Cincinnati could be a reality by 2010 if the state gets $100 million in proposed infrastructure stimulus money. The Ohio Rail Development Commission also intends to apply next year for federal matching grants from a passenger rail bill passed by Congress this fall. ..... http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/clevelandcincinnati_passenger.html

I already sent them an e-mail asking for any details they can give me regarding the reasons of the closure and any future plans for an ice skating rink in Downtown. I'll post a reply if I get any information back.

Nice pics! Are there any other X-mas decorations other than the lighted trees?

Well I guess it depends then on what the reasons for the closing of the ice skating rink on public square was and I tried looking but found no information on it. Was it because of the construction around the square, size, weather (since it was made with real ice unlike the one at UC which is made of polymer stuff), attendance, economic issues, etc. If it is the attendance and economic issues that ultimately closed the rink then I would just assume it would be harder. I'm not saying that 2 of them couldn't both be open especially since more and more people are heading to downtown in the last couple years as well as the new entertainment features that have opened up close by.