dave68

Here we go again. I find your remarks offensive. I asked legitimate questions with regards to an article posted by another.

What happened to the $5 million dollars Mayor Jackson requested for Public Square to eliminate the shortfall and now it is $3.5 million dollars introduced into the bill? It appears we now expect the funds be re-appropriated from the lakefront pedestrian bridge to pay for he cost overruns. Doesn't this just mean now the bridge is now underfunded? Imho I don't like the way this is headed. Shouldn't Cleveland's portion of the $10 million dollars assigned to that project be reallocate instead?

I am still fine with that at this location.

Yes I was thinking about that spot. Remember the old Courthouse Plaza proposal. That would work, courts and jail. Done I think this is brilliant site and plan! Kudos

They are. It's called Public Square and it's shaping up to be really nice. not true. non of the money from the quarter cent sales tax hike was allocated towards Public Square. It was allotted towards The Convention Center/The Global Center/ Convention Center Hotel/ and a baseline for Malls B-C landscaping

http://tribevibe.mlblogs.com/tag/progressive-field-enhancements/ January 5, 2016 photo updates from construction of the phase 2 ballpark enhancements. I attached one of many photos from the above link. I just don't get the introduction of the red brick to Progressive Field since it was all done in a yellow brick until last year's Right Field's The Corner was introduced

i would prefer the extra dollars be used to complete all the Malls landscaped as was planned by GGN. The citizens of Cuyahoga County should be rewarded with a public space that was funded by our dollars.

Is this another project that will be ready for the RNC?

if you didn't have the extra money for the design initially where would you suggest monies or cuts come from? Design projects with a set budget should not add elements that aren't affordable. Again the cafe/seating is not the only revenue generating source .The planned ice rink and Soldiers and Sailors Monument both create revenue. I am not against this reconstruction. All the elements should have had been set before construction began and the budget was presented costs. I was asked what I would cut to bring the budget back on course so those were options that ran the cost over the allotment. I don believe The State needs to make up the shortfall. What would you cut if you had to bring the budget back to its original cost? Maybe Jeff Applebaum should have been hired since every one of his projects he has watched over has come on or under budget.

Why is this such a big deal to you? You are the only one flogging this horse. Anyway, what cuts do you suggest should have been made? Because I actually care that a set budget was given and politicians and organizations act as if they do not need to be held to a number. They could have cut back on the scale/design of the cafe since this design was not finalized before construction began. I would have set strict guidelines for the price and I would have eliminated the art element on the backside since this is an additional element Land-Studio imposed onto the layout. I also would choose less expensive tables and chairs for the cafe since this is one item that is considered a cost overrun. I am allowed to question a budget that has grown from what has been presented. Wouldn't you question your contractor if there cost grew by not telling you what was involved to make the design a reality? So, out of a $35-50 million project, you want to save money by using a cheaper matierial to build the cafe and you want to buy fewer chairs, and get rid of art, thereby saving not much money at all. Interesting plan. It's pointless to get worked up about it now because it's happening. The benefits of this park for the surrounding area, and the likelihood that this project will spur other projects around Public Square far outweigh any costs of the renovation itself. You miss the point completely. Budgets obviously aren't your strong point,

IMHO The exterior finish could have been cheaper and the art on the back wasn't necessary. I am not saying to eliminate the cafe at all. I am saying choices were made to spend more than they budgeted . It is hard to say what the other additional costs were because they are vague in what those elements are. Seating was mentioned and the only additions/adjustments since the budget was approved were the revised cafe design and the addition of the curated public art install. None of this additional money is for programming and maintenance which will still need a cost. Lastly,the cafe is not the only revenue feature on Public Square. The planned ice skating rink during winter months and The Soldiers and Sailors Monument still remain. "Of the $5 million increase, $2.7 million is a contingency to cover the potential need to accelerate work to compensate for bad weather or other conditions, and to cover the cost of increased seating for the square's new outdoor café and other design elements" Paris and Deb Janik statement

Why is this such a big deal to you? You are the only one flogging this horse. Anyway, what cuts do you suggest should have been made? Because I actually care that a set budget was given and politicians and organizations act as if they do not need to be held to a number. They could have cut back on the scale/design of the cafe since this design was not finalized before construction began. I would have set strict guidelines for the price and I would have eliminated the art element on the backside since this is an additional element Land-Studio imposed onto the layout. I also would choose less expensive tables and chairs for the cafe since this is one item that is considered a cost overrun. I am allowed to question a budget that has grown from what has been presented. Wouldn't you question your contractor if there cost grew by not telling you what was involved to make the design a reality?

quote from Land-Studio "The budget at $32M was the first reported budget, before the Guaranteed Maximum Price ($34.7) was determined. It was based on estimates, while the GMP was based on actual pricing. The price tag of $50M represents the work that the utilities companies have done below Public Square. We are hopeful that the State will support the project. We expect to hear very soon." I still believe this project's cost was grossly inaccurate. The utilities necessary for reconstruction should had always been included in total cost. Even the GMP should have been figured before shovel hit the dirt Every budget I have ever done has a contingency fund and that is the GMP not oops we overspent. Cuts should have been made

Their website states they are accepting reservations July 30, 2016 https://druryhotels.com/locations/cleveland-oh/drury-plaza-hotel-cleveland#overview

The red reminds me of The Schofield facade

i would be interested to see actual time comparison figures of going around the square and what cutting through entails. i don't see it adding additional hours. With the budget expanded by over 18 million dollars monies could gave been spent to eliminate the buses cutting through. The same argument about additional time and gas money could be argued for each car that has to use the new route configuration.

http://www.citylab.com/commute/2015/12/us-infrastructure-projects-2016-transportation/421431/ The Big U.S. Transportation Infrastructure Projects to Watch in 2016 From New York’s Second Avenue subway to Cleveland’s Public Square to L.A.’s light rail line. ERIC JAFFE @e_jaffe Dec 22, 2015 Street Design The dramatic transformation of Cleveland’s Public Square is on frantic pace for completion by summer 2016—just in time for the Republican National Convention. That’s a bit of an odd convergence, considering that conservatives aren’t typically great fans of city street projects that prioritize pedestrians over cars. And the new Public Square, designed by James Corner of High Line fame, will do just that: turn a former traffic hub into a walkable plaza surrounded by greenery and largely cut-off to through-traffic. But long after Donald Trump and friends leave town, the square will be a selling point for the city’s newly revived downtown. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20151223/BLOGS03/151229937/the-country-will-be-watching-clevelands-public-square-redo The country will be watching Cleveland's Public Square redo December 23, 2015 SCOTT SUTTELL City Lab has a helpful rundown of the most prominent U.S. infrastructure projects coming online in 2016, and one of them is in Cleveland. “The dramatic transformation of Cleveland’s Public Square is on frantic pace for completion by summer 2016—just in time for the Republican National Convention,” the website says as it highlights the $32 million-plus redo in the “street design” category. I still am amazed how this project is touted as $32 million dollars when it clearly has been reported to cost $50 million dollars. Yet nobody in the press questions the costs. I have written to both The Group Plan Commission and Land-Studio for explanations on how this budget rose out of hand. No clear explanation was given other than the initial budget was estimated incorrectly. I asked what they planned on cutting if The State doesn't approve the $5 million dollars asked for and the answer I got was they are confident they will get the money so no plans will be altered. I am also tired of hearing Public Square wasn't walkable before it's redo. Much could have been done with simple maintenance and security along with park programming. All we still have is a transit hub divided into two quadrants instead of four. A water feature was on Public Square in two of the former quadrants. A cafe with public restrooms is only what is being gained. There was plenty of seating and walkable paths in the old layout. It has been designed from people whom IMHO never set foot into the park before. Yes the design is different but we still have buses intersecting a park that should be one cohesive area. I feel it is time to hear from the people in charge how they plan to activate Public Square 365 days a year, how they plan to maintain the area, whom is operating The Cafe, and what art will be placed on the back side of the cafe. Public Square should remain public and transparent in it's costs and ideas

Is the Baker's building sign on The John Hartness Brown Buildings?

i wished the cafe design related better to the layout. The circular design enhanced all the rounded edges of the paths and planters. Btw the bathrooms attached to the cafe should be non gender specific instead of designated male or female. It would send a message Cleveland is forward thinking

i believe they have stated the exterior work and restaurant buildout will be completed in the for the RNC. The restaurant will be placed inside the spectacular preserved intact bank lobby inside http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2015/12/jeff_ruby_steakhouse_coming_to.html "When it opens by early summer 2016 -- "we intend to be in full swing by the time the Republican National Convention opens in Cleveland," says Miller "

200 Public Square atrium renovations will start Monday By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer on December 18, 2015 at 8:40 AM, updated December 18, 2015 at 10:04 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio – Thirty years after its completion, downtown Cleveland's third-tallest skyscraper is getting a bit of a facelift – from the inside. A $4 million lobby overhaul is scheduled to start Monday at 200 Public Square, the 45-story building that some Clevelanders still know as the BP Tower. With new retailers moving in and Ruth's Chris Steak House preparing to take over a long-empty restaurant space, building owner Harbor Group International is ready to pull the trigger on renovations that have been discussed for years. Renderings show that Harbor Group plans to tear out the raised, central floor of the atrium, along with the plant beds that surround it and three small fountains in the middle. A terrazzo floor will replace some of the granite. A dining area for Ruth's Chris will jut into the lobby, taking up roughly 1,800 square feet. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/12/200_public_square_atrium_renov.html#incart_river_home Michelle is such an asset to Cleveland and The Plain Dealer. Her articles are always thorough and informative. I will be interested to see how this renovation turns out. Unfortunately I am a fan of the current atrium design and hate to see the formality lost. Yet one more project with regards to be ready for the RNC!

Flattering, but sad they couldn't give any credit to where they found it lol Sorry to hear that!

Congrats! Your photo made it onto Cooper Carry's Facebook page.

How does one get a hard hat tour?

I would suggest to all against these designs voice their opinion to The Group Plan Commission [email protected] Land-Studio [email protected]. or to Freddy L. Collier, Jr . He can be emailed from this link http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/Cabinet/DirectorCityPlanning. Until a true plan of programming is established I do not see a reason to add this public art( temporary or not) and gym equipment to the landscape. I would rather see The Cleveland Museum of Art given a chance to oversee/curate art throughout the promenades or CWRU's Phillip Johnson sculpture collection moved to this site. In GPC and Land-Studio's own admission the plan for The Malls hinges on The Drury Plaza Hotel and Hilton for further exploration. Let's wait and get it right rather than for the RNC. Cleveland deserves better than this watered down iteration