Map Boy

If someone would've told me a week ago that that Cavs would beat the Pistons by playing better defense than them and by winning close games in the 75 to 90 point range, I would've called them crazy. Or if anyone told me a month ago that we'd be winning playoff games in the 4th quarter, I'd have had the same response. I'm amazed that we're shutting the Pistons down and getting just enough offense in the final quarter to outpace them. Congrats to the Cavs! It's a great feeling watching these games at the local bars, where everyone gasps and cheers with every shot.

you believe it wimwar?

Ok, that sucks. Much like the arcades being closed to the public on Saturdays and Sundays when people are Downtown for Tribe games and want to show their friends around before and after the games and maybe grab a bite to eat or whatever. I'm all for people carrying around post-it notes that read "I would've spent money here, but you were closed" You can fill in the time and date as it pertains to each note you leave. That way, when the manager comes in on Monday morning to open the shop, they'll be welcomed by notes that remind them that there are actually customers afoot when they're closed! That, and all up and down E. 4th, we could leave notes that say, "I was really in the mood to buy some clothes/shoes/records/assorted goods today, but there are no shops here, so oh well, I guess I'll go to the mall or something."

Oh, hi there! I'm just going to pick up from where I left off yesterday... The following is from an article in Planning magazine (http://planning.org/planning/nonmember/default1.htm) on how to impact trip-generation figures with sound development. Essentially, it's about TOD and several projects nationwide that are doing it right. The one I'm posting below is in Atlanta, on the site of a closed STEEL MILL!!! Now, I don't know what's what with contamination and types of steel production processes and what not, but this caught my attention because it sounds similar in many ways to our very own Steelyard Commons. (Note the shape, size, and physical constraints of the site) Except for the fact that SYC is aiming low (by me), where Atlantic Station is shooting the moon. I would say that this is possible in Atlanta because they have a growing economy, while ours is shrinking, which enables them to build projects like this. But then I remember that it is one of my core beliefs that if we build unique, progressive, mixed-use projects befitting our urban context, then we'll be able to recapture our market advantage as it pertains to housing, business, retail, and industrial location. If not in the broader international context, at least within our own region. So, I say, build this here and screw the risk-averse amongst us!

I bought a $3 day pass yesterday and took the bus three times and the rapid once. That's $.75 per trip. Not bad! I'm glad they didn't go for the max increase and that they're going to phase this in over the next two years. Overall, considering inflation and the rising cost of alternative forms of transportation (biking and walking excluded!), this is not such a bad thing. Especially when you consider the "background" section posted above. It's ridiculous that the state is cutting transit funding by such large amounts...that's really where any negative response to this fare hike should be directed!

hmmm...is that new? Maybe I'm just not noticing the subtle differences... The more I look at the site plan, the more disappointed I get with the lack of inspired design from an urban design or architecture standpoint. I think this really could've been a chance for Cleveland to have a mixed-use "new-urban village" within its borders...one that could accommodate office and residential uses in addition to the big boxes. I'm seeing something that is devoid of any signs of creative motivation, though. something that looks to be about 10-15 years behind the curve. I'll post an example of what I think is a good use of a very similar space a little later on...

hot. I saw some people in there this morning and it looked about ready to open. let's hope the grand openings spread!

I think one of those plans has the line continuing through a revamped Chagrin/Warrensville intersection at-grade. I know this would be tough, but it would probably be a lower cost alternative. They could time the lights to prevent the trains from sitting for too long and could landscape the intersection in a way that would make all corners more attractive and accessible to pedestrians, while still accommodating for the high traffic volume that passes through. A former prof of mine at UC who had her own urban design/planning firm did a study of the intersection with options like running the tracks under, through and over the intersection. I think this may have been one of their recommendations, but I'm not sure.

hmmm...I highly doubt it! (if that was sarcasm, it was good!)

make sure all your graffiti is pretty...and is done with chalk or at appropriate art festivals!

yeah, joking. and yes, almost 100% sure that it will be maintained as a HUD property...ie: subsidized affordable rental housing.

copyright that name, wimwar!

This article appeared in Friday's Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060512/SPORTS0102/605120329 KEY to the CITY Cleveland reaps benefits of James' rise to stardom Joanne C. Gerstner / The Detroit News CLEVELAND -- Three years ago, the Cavaliers prayed for hope. As losses on the court grew, so did fan apathy. The city was obsessed with the fortunes of the Browns and Indians. The Cavaliers barely registered. Then luck smiled on the Cavaliers. They finally won -- the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft lottery... "There is no way (James) can fully appreciate the impact he is having," Nance said. "If this keeps going the way it is, I think it will transform Cleveland." You can re ach Joanne C. Gerstner at (313) 223-4644 or [email protected].

I'm not holding my breath... But I am getting a little red in the face with all of these projected start and completion dates that are just not realistic!

oh, this building is definitely the one from Ghostbusters...good call KJP!

yee haw! this is fantastic news! think of the multipliers!

it's nice to know that this can all happen with the opposition of thousands of residents whose lives will be affected for decades to come. I used to live on the corner of Dekalb & So. Oxford, which is about 4 large blocks from here, so to think of the shadows reaching that far is pretty mind-boggling. I can't help but wonder how the public would be responding if Ratner hadn't already built two shitty structures at the same intersection in recent history...maybe they'd believe that he was capable of doing work that wasn't half-assed and contextually out of place. Not that he cares what they think!

wow, those are gorgeous! I took some snaps out my window when I was staying there and they were nothing like this, but whenever I look at them, it just makes my mind swim thinking about how many people there are crammed into all those little houses and huge apartment buildings

Oooh, Strongsville? What about Strongsville appeals to her? Lakewood, I can understand...but Strongsville? Has she been there? I'm pretty confident that if you pitted the two against each other, Lakewood would win out easily...be sure to highlight the access to the lake, the traditional commercial districts, historic houses and apartment buildings, and the fact that it's not Strongsville! And don't forget about us here in Ohio City!

I think we'd all eat our keyboards... Coyne said that the permits for Kassouf's first phase proposal would cost a significant amount of money (can't remember precisely, so I won't try to regurgitate it) and that it's that kind of commitment that would say to the commission that he's serious. Really, to say that you're going to be ready to break ground this summer when this is the first the Planning Commission's heard of it is just ludicrous... Didn't Stark say something similar? Like he'd be ready to break ground this year over on W. 3rd & Superior? Let's see those permit applications folks!

^Don't you think we would've told you if we knew? sheesh!

Where'd you hear that? It's too bad that Larry's out indefinitely, but it sounds like the team is looking at it with the right perspective. There are lots of testimonials and personal thoughts from players and coaches on Cavs.com that speak to the true nature of a team.

but we don't need to go there...mr. leroy is going to move to Cleveland proper! by the way, well done folks. I can't really think of anything to add to what's already been said!

You are SO right! And Cleveland will be relegated to America's 22nd greatest city if we don't do something about it!

There's no doubt there are some talented artists out there who do great work that is technically vandalism. I understand that there is a counter-culture that supports this and I'll admit that I found it quite attractive when I was a teeny-bopper. And as MayDay said, there are a number of legitimate outlets for these artists through events like City Expressionz and Cincinnati's Scribble Jam. These two rug-rats, however, were not part of that "talented" set. As much as they talked down about the city, they really just wanted to be accepted by it. And, well, that didn't work out for them, did it? How does a brand new playground (Fairview Park in Ohio City) equate to the "ghetto?" They wrote their little kid scrawl all over this place before the first families ever got to use it. F*ckers! On a side note (and in response to the Ignatius comments), I grew up in the Heights and Ignatius was my first real exposure to Cleveland as a young adult. The four years I spent there, which involved a lot of voluntary and forced community service, inspired me to move back to Cleveland and Ohio City as a 27-year-old. Just as with any school, there are kids who take advantage of a great opportunity and those who don't...