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On this I agree. Ohio is so blind to regionalism it's just killing us. And yes, taxes do matter.

I've heard that Akron has laid off fewer cops than its competitors on these lists, because their obstinate union wouldn't take layoffs for an answer. One thing I've noticed since moving to Akron is that cops are a lot more visible on city streets. I really do believe that police presence pays dividends.

The weather problem is rather serious, but consider how much cost and effort it takes to make the southwest habitable. Their weather problem is serious too and the nation spares no expense in fighting it. Imagine if we had a federal driveway-shoveling program!

Strongly agree. We've gotta stop using inferior materials up in here.

I'm all for transitioning schools like CSU to residential, and that requires construction. But otherwise I think campus construction needs to stop statewide. Tuitions are way too high.

First, consolidate the metros. That'll save a ton of money and reduce local red tape for business. Then tell the cops to focus on crime instead of traffic. Exit Highway Patrol, enter State Police. I know suburbs need cops but they don't need all of them. Warren has 3 cops on patrol some days for the whole city. That's not enough. Areas in rural counties like Ashtabula and Perry often have no cops at all. Next, clean the place up. Things need painted. Rebuild with better materials... brick never needs painted. Make road construction a 3-shift affair, including weekends. Get it done. We shouldn't have all our roads torn up whenever the weather's nice. In short, the environment here needs to be welcoming and hospitable. We seem to be going for creepy and tough to navigate. Focus policy decisions on how they might affect young people. Turn left on social issues like pot and gay marriage. Reroute money from suburbs to cities, while containing sprawl and encouraging density. Growth necessarily means youth. I don't think there's any getting around that.

We definitely need a big bat. I'm amazed we've gotten this far with such weakness at the corner positions.

Great points, biker16. And I strongly agree that "Walkable Communities are key to greater transit ridership."

No more South Euclid. Problem solved. Suburbs should not have suburbs. Welcome to Cleveland, Sunny.

I like that! Let's do it.

Yes, there is something wrong with giving main street pedestrians the fence treatment while the entrance faces a parking lot. Pedestrian-oriented design is not a matter of taste. This is better than the typical dollar store, but we're not quite there yet. The improvement is noted.

A friend of mine gutted and rehabbed an apartment building there. It was a dump when he got it. Anything is possible. Last I heard he was getting high prices for the units, mostly from students. But from what I've seen of Little Italy interiors, high-end finishes are rare and everything's pretty beat up. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the stock gets replaced soon. Then again, that theater's been sitting empty for how long.

Is there a rule that all of our main streets have to be fronted with fences? If so, time to get rid of it. Can't tell if they're trying to keep wolves out or sheep in. Or people out or people in. Either way, it's inappropriate.

The near west side has a lot of concentrated public housing. The central west side has a lot of gang activity, perhaps more organized than that of the east side. I've worked with kids in these areas.

San Antonio's riverfront is awesome and we'd be lucky to have anything like it here.

The Uptown area is a major opportunity for Youngstown.

may have something to do with flood plains & insurance requirements? flood plains and insurance requirements. The Cuyahoga really isn't all that attractive up close by the way... might be a wise move to keep a little distance between that water & people dining outdoors... You've answered one question, but you've raised so many more.

Why is the boardwalk so far away from everything? Why is the boardwalk down a flight of stairs? A flight of stairs.

If people don't think all our money and reputations are on the line with every one of these projects... I can't make them see it that way. But we're talking about the actions of a public entity here. That's not ambiguous, is it? What am I missing? From the website: "...walking/jogging trails and beautiful gardens for contemplation and renewal." On a bare parcel in an industrial park by the projects? There are better places for contemplation and renewal. I've seen them. The site isn't big enough for a park of any real consequence. This is what might be called the lowest and worst use.

Incredibly awesome. I hope it happens.

No news here. The article listed three actual developments: 1) open grass, 2) renovated office space in the Agora, and 3) a police station that we already know to be inappropriately designed. No mention of neighborhood development along upper Prospect. Apparently the plan is still centered around non-public workplaces. Captions in the pictures above bear that out... "Midtown - Build Your Business. Make a difference." The only difference I want is new planning. Start over.

The highway portion is only part of the issue though. Once this family gets to Cincinnati on the train, then what? Suppose they actually wanted to go to Cheviot? Things get complicated. Ohio's sprawly metros and weak local transit reduce the feasibility of intercity rail for most purposes. Unfortunately that moves the goal post, speed-wise, to get people interested. However, that bathroom thing you bring up is a big deal, especially for core Republican voters. No one likes to talk about it but... That's pretty much where I'm at. The prospect of local rail in Akron and Cincinnati seems like a big step to me. More people will start to feel ownership of the concept, like they already do in Cleveland.

If only they'd listened to the detractors. That tower is now uninhabitable and too expensive to demolish. A monument to foolishness if ever there was one.

The time to pass judgment came and went long ago. At this point it is what it is. I agree about the convention center, our setup is ideal.

Fixing elections is a rather serious matter.