theguv

i agree with 3231 (break up the big curvy building nearest the river) and mayday (maybe there is an interior pass through) and gotribe (maybe the building is not that big afterall) yeah - its a partay! - i agree with everyone! ; > ) but i still would prefer some sort of symbolic pass through as it would be great to see that BLUE river through the building when you are strolling in the park behind. speaking of which, the coloring of the cuyahoga BLUE makes me think these drawings were done by an out of town firm....hmmmm

i too like the sign. i asked one of the wolstein reps the likelihood of the sign staying and he was quite giddy about it, making a reference (like W28) to what used to be in playhouse square. also of note, while i was there, the ernie young folks were busy convincing themselves that their new offices would be just as close to the cbd. as for the design, i like it okay, but would like (expect) to see more exposed steel elements and designs that references the bridges - something that tells you that you've landed in the flats.

not sure anyone posted this, but the CSU Cauldron wrote a retrospective of the construction of the ECTP http://media.www.csucauldron.com/media/storage/paper516/news/2008/04/28/Feature/Euclid.Corridor.Project-3355266.shtml

short update on the construction timeline for the new University Center as well as info about murals from the WPA, salvaged from ValleyView in Tremont, that will be placed inside the new building at CSU. http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/04/valley_view_murals_intended_fo.html

I really like the use of the quotes about food as it serves both as a semi transparent/translucent screen as well as a whimsical conversation piece, especially as people traffic increases over the coming years...

More than a thought. I remember bringing up this idea a few years ago when Lou Frangos (USA Parking) was convincing the Design Review Board to allow him to demolish the Petersen Nut Building (and another adjacent to Erie Street Cemetery) to build some housing (of course it would be a parking lot for the first two years......and still is today....) I asked the committee members why there was no provision to mandate that developers/the city post some sort of sign detailing the future use of the site. While a few design review members thought it was a good idea, it will take, at minimum, some repeat visits to Design Review meetings, to get something like this accomplished.

Luxe had some sort of soft opening/friends and family party last night. it was byob as their liquor license is still forthcoming. i think it's moniker as 'kitchen and lounge' is fitting as the front room (w/ bar) has a very loungey feel to it, sans couches. the dj booth is a focal point of the room, though the sound system was not yet installed. as for the kitchen, the menu, which is posted on their blog, is a nice mix of affordable and indulgent with nice tastes throughout and a nice selection of vegetarian items, which IMO, Cleveland needs more of. there will eventually be 5 beers on draft, none of which will cost more than $4.5. the list is set to include brooklyn IPA, a great lakes dortmunder, pbr, a wheat beer, and i believe a belgian. the interior pays homage to the bank which once occupied the space with vault doors used throughout the space as floating walls. when it's finished, i think it will serve as both a neighborhood hangout and suburban destination.

i love phoenix coffee. they seem to be on a retail rampage as they'll now have 2 stores downtown, up from zero one year ago.

i sure do like this piece of public art to represent the doan brook's path under most of univ circle.

uhh....the folks at Lucky's thought that the residential units would be a ways behind the Lucky's buildout.

M. Lang Executive Attire on Euclid at E. 14 is the aforementioned clothing store that will soon be opening up a small bar in the corner of the store to attract window shoppers and foot traffic to browse inside. All permits and licenses have been procured. He's looking to build out in the coming month.

Lucky's Cafe is building a 2nd location in the Gospel Press Building. The new location will present a new concept that will be part bakery, part neighborhood restaurant, and part music cafe. All bread baking will be moved to the new location. They are planning to open in the fall.

a nice review/analysis of the soon to be completed urban forest project at the Anthony J. Celebreeze Federal building @ E. 9th and Lakeside. http://realneo.us/blog/susan-miller/a-forest-city-again-urban-forest

^ where will the soccer field go?

yes, yesterday was opening day at stone mad. real classy place w/ top notch service, though you do pay for it as draft beers hover in the 4.5-5 range, though it was one of the smoothest pours of guinness i've had in a long long while. i'm really glad he kept it free of any tv's. it also appears to be free of any sort of music. all this, or lack thereof, makes for great conversation! the giant fireplace on the patio is sure to be a hit > i'm looking forward to a year round beer garden! i too am a bit disappointed for demolishing a house to create a parking lot. i'm guessing they are basing their parking needs on future development in and around the area. hopefully it will be designed as well as his current parking lot. that being said, i wonder if the prospect of $5 gas (possible this summer) has been taken into account for all the parking being planned and built in and around detroit shoreway and numerous other developments i'm also a bit disappointed that there was no bike parking, though i was told that it's on the way. imo, mandatory bike parking should be city policy for any new or renovated buildings, whether commercial, residential, or industrial. bike parking costs a few hundred dollars and adds to everyone's transportation options. perhaps it could offset the need for more car parking?

Ohio RideShare, a commuter matching service provided by NOACA, has just launched their Bike Buddy program, which will enable bike commuters to find another person to ride to work with. www.OhioBikeBuddies.com via NOACA: OhioRideshare is pleased to tell you about a new feature we have added to the Web site: a bicycle commuter matching service called OhioBikeBuddies. This new, free service works similarly to OhioRideshare: · Bicyclists seeking other people who commute to work by bicycle log onto the OhioRideshare/OhioBikeBuddies Web site and select “OhioBikeBuddies.” · They enter their starting point and destination. · They indicate the days and times they work. · They indicate whether they would prefer a male or female bike buddy. · The site produces a map showing a suggested route from the beginning location to the work site, as well as the approximate locations of other bicycle commuters. · Potential bicycling buddies contact each other directly by e-mail, so their personal information remains confidential until they decide to reveal it. Already registered on OhioRideshare for carpooling but want to try bicycle commuting with a bike buddy? You can register for the new bicycle partner matching service by going to the Web site address you have been using for OhioRideshare, OhioRideshare.com, and indicating that you would like to register for OhioBikeBuddies, too. Since you are already registered for OhioRideshare, you don’t need to re-register for carpool matching. Simply update your information indicating that you would like both Carpool and OhioBikeBuddies matches. Because this is a new feature it will take awhile before matches are available. As bicyclists register and the database grows, the greater the likelihood riders will have of finding a bike buddy. So please check back frequently. Please tell your friends and neighbors about this new service, too! Ask them to register or get more information by logging onto OhioBikeBuddies.com or calling 1-800-825-RIDE.

WCPN's Sound of Ideas did a nice piece on the Euclid Corridor this past Monday. You can listen online @ http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/soi/10786/ Guests: Joe Marinucci, President and CEO, Downtown Cleveland Alliance Tom Einhouse, VP, Real Estate Development, Playhouse Square Jim Haviland, Executive Director, Midtown Cleveland, Inc. Joe Calabrese, CEO, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

I found out a few days ago that one of the few clothing retailers left on lower Euclid is going to open up a small 'stylish' bar in his space as a means of appealing to the eventual increase in foot traffic and drawing in customers during night time business hours. He plans on opening it in the next month or two.

Well, that's the problem. There aren't any other sides. It's basically a BIG curvy metal box on a metal pole, with only ONE face. I can't figure out why the box is so bulky. Even a lighting system wouldn't take up that much bulk. Maybe someone from RTA can answer?

One last picture of a signage element for which the purpose is likely a map that due to the bulk of the structure, must at least be a back lit map. J Masek, can you please clarify? Also, at this station (SW quadrant of public square), the sign is facing Euclid. Shouldn't it be facing the opposite direction?

Someone mentioned the new wayfinding signage on the Towercity SilverLine station. While I don't believe this is all the station related signage, the currently displayed stuff is also on stations in the CSU campus area. Sorry if the pics are oriented the wrong way - the computers giving fits this morn.

One last shot from the top (5th floor) of the newly opened entrance to the main classroom from Chester Ave. This is the glass tower staircase attached to main classroom just west of the Rec Center and Fenn College of Engineering. The design of it references the new Rec Center and easternmost parking garage. Great view from the top!

Has anyone else noticed, over the years, how beautiful the landscaping is all over the main campus? I'd argue it's the most beautiful year round landscape design in the entire city. Here's a shot from a few days ago (university plaza) re: the attention to detail in trying to create eye catching and aesthetically pleasing landscapes during the winter months, a most difficult task in Cleveland!

Here's the new bus station design I was talking about. This is located on E. 18th, just north of Euclid by the new law building addition.

Another church re-use project in Cleveland is above Rockefeller Park. The name of the church is Notre Dame, though it may have been a combination of church and school, not sure. However, it was recently re-use to provide affordable housing for seniors. http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/106/ceraso.html