Jimbo

MayDay I am aware those projects are 40 years old. That's my point. Some of those were pretty much done deals. I'm saying for the last time, just because something is proposed and they have nice renderings doesn't mean that is how the project will turn out. I hope in this case and others that it does turn out that way. For now I'm not drinking the Kool-aid. The Hippodrome and Richmond Brothers were demolished for a 28 story office tower. I remember much urgency to get them torn down. I went over during demolishion with a friend and scavenged a few souveniers. Then they put in a what they called "temporary" parking lot. The lot is still there. If they do build on it 100 years from now then I guess that it was a temporary lot. And thanks for the info on your site. I will check it out.

The stat about 1 in 12 proposed buildings ever is built sounds accurate. Before working for E & Y, I worked for an architect,engineering and planning firm. We did work for projects all over the country. Most of them never got built, many which did get built usually were scaled down. Developers have big ideas which is great, but usually the ideas are bigger than what came actually be accomplished. This is not unique to Cleveland. That is why is an skepical about this project being complete as proposed. As I said earlier i'm really a positive guy. I want Cleveland to grow and improve.

In the early 1990's Peter Lewis of Progressive had plans drawn up for a mega tower to be built on Mall C. It was to be taller than Key Tower and was of a very unique design much like the building at CWRU. There was a huge reflecting pool and some other much small building (an art gallery comes to mind) with a giant C-Clamp on it's roof. No Joke. I think the achitects where Kohn, Pedersen & Fox from New York. I don't think this ever made the media. I was at a different firm at the time and saw the plans. It was at the time the City was having the new Willard Park Garage designed. The Lewis tower had to be taken into considereation for the garage design. Obviously this tower was never built or even announced. I have no idea why. I didn't mention it in my list of projects that never happened because it was never publically annonced. But, since someone mentioned Progressive I decided to.

Just because I don't like this particular change does not mean I don't like change in general. If that change is positive and well thought out it's a good thing. If your company announced they were building a new office on the 5 mile crib because it would offer lake views for all offices would you like that. Of course you would need to take a boat to work but what the heck. I know that idea is far out but, hey it's change why fight it. Just making a point. It's nice to have the bank nearby and the drug store across the street and a choice of restaurants nearby. To be moving away from that isn't a plus to those of us involved. Aside from the longer commute, now we will have to do certain chores after work instead of during lunch hour. I know many of you are saying "quit complaining". That's OK, it doesn't effect you. I probably wouldn't be complaining if it didn't effect me to be honest. There are many here that give the immpression that this project will rise up on day 100% complete with everything anybody ever needs just like the Great Pumpkin rises from the pumpkin patch. Well, Linus is still waiting. Just like I'm still waiting for the second Cleveland Trust Tower(1971), The office tower on the site of the Hippodrome(1980), the 668 Euclid project (90's), Anthony Ashers World Trade Center (1973 or so), Sherwin-Williams Tower (1980 or so) the hotel just north of Jacob Field (late 90's) and all of the projects I mentioned in earlier posts. Yes, I sound negative, but let's look at the track record, most projects don't get built. I got excited about every one of those. I just think that there are better options that would benefit E & Y, it's employees and downtown as a whole. I've watched downtown decline over the last 3 decades. Up until the mid 90's Euclid, Ninth and other streets were full of people. Now there is just a faction of that. The small businesses have dried up. In truth there are fewer choices for the downtown worker than ever. Taking three large companies from the area will only make things worse. To say I don't like change is weak. To say I'm lazy because they're is a hill on my walk to work is too. E & Y wants something to show off to clients and younger employees, that's a big part of this move. The Huntington is old and young people want new. Forget that the Huntington is a classic building filled with history. So E & Y has decided to build on a hill where the artic winds will blast away employees and clients alike. I have nothing against a lakefront view however, the view form that location is pretty much nothing but a pile of gravel.

Sorry if you took that wrong. I was just trying to clarify without getting too long. My bus comes in from Ontario Street then west on Huron to Superior then east. I just doubt that this thing will be built on the time table they have. Something always causes delays or scaling back the project. I hope I'm wrong.

3231 That may be true. After more than 30 years of working downtown I've adopted an "i'll believe it when I see it" attitiude. I hate to be that way. I'm acually a very positive guy. I just seen so many "done deals" fall through of close soon after opening. Things of all sizes. I really think filling those gaps in the warehouse district is the way to go. That site on the square where Jacobs was going to build and the super block at W 3rd and Superior would be priorities. Talk at E & Y is they wanted something noticeable. So they go off to some far off hill next to a bridge. It doesn't add up. The square would be a noticable location. Plus a more expensive one I bet.

My bus doesn't go near 9th and Euclid. The nearest stop is at W 9th and Superior. to catch the trolley I'd have to go to the square and ride it back to the west. I've checked out the RTA options. Hopefully they will expand to the flats but they can't do that until there are enough riders to justify it.

I mean that the office tower and Eaton will be built first. Any restaurants and stores will come later if at all. There won't be any of that until there are enough people down there to make them successful. This could take years. Yes, there are restaurants on West 9th. Those are rather pricey and not an option for lunch everyday. Most accountants don't make as much as some people think. The "out in the cold" remark refers to the cold Lake Erie winds blowing directy up the Front Street hill.

I work for E & Y. I don't like this move. I ride the bus to work, it drops me off on Superior, two blocks from work. The new location is 4 times farther from the nearest bus stop. A loop bus would put me closer, tough I'd have to ride past that nearest stop to the square and wait for it. Then it travels right back the same way I just came from and through the Warehouse district a couple blocks away. The Lakefront line isn't far from the new location. That would involve getting off behind Tower City and waiting for that. It doesn't run as often as the other rapids. Then I still have a walk to the new location. I don't mind walking it's the added time involved. Do that twice a day and it adds up. Plus the location has got to be brutal in the winter. I really don't want to drive. Gas and parking add up too.The bus has always been a great option for me. If E & Y had gone to the warehouse district I could understand. The flats location is remote. If this developement is like most of Clevelands developements, much of it will never come to be. Look at North Coast Harbor. Where is the retail, hotels and aquarium? Tower city never got that department store on the other side of Huron. The list goes on. I hate to be negative but, that's the way it goes around here. I believe E & Y, Eaton and the rest will be stuck out in the cold. Tomorrow the E & Y bigwigs will be in town for the announcement. I guess we are all supposed to smile and pat them on the back. I won't. I think they really messed up and will regret this move.