Map Boy

You guys aren't kidding! I counted 50+ spaces for that BK! I know one of the block clubs and DSCDO has talked with them about ceding some of their land along the western end of the lot for a pocket park or some other landscape element, but I'm not sure how that's gone. I can't imagine they ever use even half of those spaces!

Yes, but all is well now. Plus, I've heard from 2 different people who had nightmare commutes in their private automobiles, so it's not like the bus is the only thing that was screwy today!

seriously, have that many people ever been in a Popeye's at the same time? Can we get together on some shared parking folks?!

Interesting, indeed! This would extend the Gordon Square arts & retail hub nicely, connecting the fast food drive-thru district to the traditional pedestrian retail district. FYI, the empty (beautiful) school house that has been mentioned here before is just off the image's bottom left corner at W. 74th Street.

I'll add my gripe here as well, since I have very little confidence in the online comment "box." I've tried to make the best of things since my beloved 326 was cut in two, thus removing my best "one seat" ride option from home to work. I was told that the splitting of the lines would help ensure on-time service all along the route, yet I waited for the 26 in some nasty weather this morning for 25 minutes near Gordon Square during a period when 2 different 26s were scheduled to come through. I was there from 8:00 to 8:25 and naturally missed my connection downtown, having to wait another 10 minutes when I got to Public Square. I was frozen and fuming!

From today's APA (American Planning Association) Advocate: House Passes HOPE VI Reauthorization "GREEN" HOUSING PROVISIONS SURVIVE After returning from holiday recess, the U. S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3524, the HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007 on a 271–130 vote. The legislation reauthorizes the HOPE VI program and makes a number of important changes that increase and extend funding for the program. It maintains the model of encouraging mixed-income neighborhoods and provides new safeguards for current residents. The bill calls for the guaranteed replacement of housing units, prevents re-screening of returning residents, and increases resident involvement. The legislation also includes language that specifically calls for the expanded use of green building and design elements in revitalization projects. That language, inserted by Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.), survived an amendment aimed at eliminating the bill's green requirements and substituting green standards as part of the project grading process. That amendment, offered by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), was defeated 169–240. The Senate's HOPE VI reauthorization bill, S. 829, which was introduced last year, has been the subject of one hearing but has yet to be marked up by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Senate action on a variety of affordable housing measures is likely later this year. The House bill includes the following provisions: * One-for-one replacement. The bill requires that all public housing units in existence on January 2005 that are proposed for demolition be replaced one-for-one. It also gives public housing agencies flexibility in meeting the one-for-one replacement obligation by establishing a limited waiver for compelling circumstances (such as a severe shortage of land). * On-site mixed-income housing. The bill requires public housing agencies to provide a mixed-income housing development on the site of the original public housing location in a manner that results in a decrease in the concentration of poverty. * Consistent eligibility and occupancy standards. The bill prohibits housing authorities or resident advisory boards from implementing strict re-entry standards, including credit checks, for returning residents. * Tenant protections. The bill requires public housing agencies to monitor and track all households affected by the HOPE VI revitalization plan. In addition, public housing agencies must develop a relocation plan that provides comparable housing for all relocated residents, protects residents transitioning to the private rental market with housing choice vouchers, and offers housing opportunities in neighborhoods with lower concentrations of poverty. The bill also allows up to 25 percent of grant funds to be used for community and supportive services for all residents affected by the HOPE VI grant. * Resident involvement. The bill provides for expanded notice and participation of residents in the HOPE VI process. * Implementation improvements. The bill gives public housing agencies 54 months from the date of execution of the grant agreement to complete construction. It also waives the grant-matching requirement for HOPE VI applicants in areas recovering from natural disasters or emergencies.

Just noticed the new header logo on the home page... beeeeautiful!

JeffreyT is correct. They are open to the public. In regard to the role of the UCDD, it is a local design review committee that supplants the Citywide Design Review, which is also held on Thursdays. Several neighborhoods have local review and their meeting times are listed here: http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/brd.html. These committees do not replace the City Planning Commision's review, however. And they are only advisory to the CPC. So, theoretically, the UCDD could vote to disapprove the demolition and the CPC could still approve it. Strap, the CPC agenda you linked to was from the last session (Jan. 17/18). The new agenda does not appear to be up yet.

I think it's hilarious that they've provided directional signage when the sign below it clearly states that you have no choice about which direction to go!

Posted here: http://www.designrag.blogspot.com/ They are HUGE and the blogger makes good points about placement... why is this sign necessary when Ontario and E. 9th are the two real options for north/south traffic? It's certainly not too late to take it down... let's just not force the aesthetic police to do it for them! :wink:

Are you kidding??? I haven't seen them, but I can imagine how bad they would be... You have to fight tooth and nail to get a sign for a local attraction on an interstate, but apparently putting up a huge sign for the interstate on a local road is ok? I guess I have to wait and see...

City Planning approved it "with commendations." This week's University Circle Design Review District agenda has been posted: http://www.universitycircle.org/content/design_review_district.asp

wow, this thread has become quite the snoozer!

^Wait, naming the whole line? Not just stations??? I don't know about that... Since we're on the subject of snow removal and RTA (this may be better suited for the other RTA thread), I have a gripe about RTA's bus stops. I understand if the every minor curbside stop along a bus route isn't cleared, but when you can't get off a bus at Superior & Ontario without stepping in a crusty, dirty mound of ice-snow, that's unacceptable. As I've said on here before, I'm a young, mobile guy. I see older riders and other mobility impaired customers trying to get out in conditions like this and I just cringe. The question: is RTA responsible for clearing snow from its bus stops?

I'm confident that Tremont Pointe will do well. Expressed expectations in the community are mixed, but the plan obviously has a lot of support from those who believe in it, seeing as it's half-built! And I haven't seen builders shy away from the surrounding blocks. My understanding about the Riverview project, though, is that what money we had from HUD is now gone. Is this true? One-for-one replacement via infill is a reasonable part of the strategy, but the opportunity to build something more catalytic seems to have passed us by. Again, Church & 28th? Gone by the wayside? As for the WSM and ped activity... I do agree that the rear lots take activity off the street, but come on, there's still a lot of activity on W. 25th on market days that you wouldn't see otherwise! Especially when the weather's nice. Families take their lunches across the street in Market Square, people walk over to GLBC or Bier Markt to enjoy a beer on the patio and watch the people... Open Air in Market Square... come on people! It's January and we've already forgotten how alive the place was three months ago! Sadly, since moving to Detroit-Shoreway and having a baby, I've been driving to the Market myself. The thought of carrying my 3-month old, plus the bags and bags of binge produce purchases (2 pineapples for $4! Try this delicious canteloupe! How can I resist?) 40 blocks just doesn't suit me. Sure, when she's old enough, I'll strap her onto the back of my bike, but right now, I'm definitely taking advantage of those parking spaces. Mind you, I'd be fine with parking in a garage if that meant that there were 300 new residents living in apartments on the other lots...

Thanks for the quick replies Jerry and JetDog!

fantastic! any idea where they'll be located?

fantastic! I should've known you'd have it under control :wink:

Love the website... very nicely done! The only thing I would want more of is a neighborhood scale map that has amenities highlighted. Certainly not necessary, considering the great amount of relevant detail you've already provided. 3231, you should know better... Wade Oval is a part of Wade Park! Though, I guess what is highlighted on the map is Wade Oval.

That's great the more people are utilizing the bike/transit tandem, but the more people do, the more I worry that I'll be waiting for the train and will be unable to get on a car because of the 2 bike limit. Great news on the ridership growth, though!

CSU got one vote in the latest AP ranking! Woo hoo!

Went to Bar Cento last night with the wife and baby and loved it! The food was good, the wine list was great, the decor was fantastic, and the place was quite busy for a Monday night. That said, there was no wait and we didn't feel cramped with our little one and all her gear. There were other families with kids there, which didn't feel odd, despite the bar atmosphere. I guess what I'm getting at is that it felt like a great mix of bar and restaurant in one space. With Bier Markt next door and the other great options in the neighborhood, Bar Cento adds yet another winner to the Market Square dining scene. We'll definitely go back!

^There are pictures of said framing on the blog, posted on the 19th, including a cool one where you can see the condo construction in the background. BTW, I just noticed that they link to UrbanOhio from the Avenue Blog!

Good stuff: A green streak grows through traditional Forest City Posted by Michelle Jarboe January 21, 2008 20:00PM The halls of Forest City Enterprises might be the last place you'd expect to hear executives discussing flush values. The giant real estate company, born here from an immigrant family in the 1920s, appears steeped in tradition. Its headquarters are nestled in of one of downtown's aging giants, a skyscraper dating back nearly 80 years. Control of the $10 billion enterprise still rests with the founding family. It's commonly known that Forest City is synonymous with major real estate development and massive projects such as the New York Times building in Manhattan and the mixed-use renovation of the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colo. A lesser-known fact: The 800 or so employees at Forest City's downtown headquarters produce more than 1,100 pounds of trash daily. More than 50 percent of that could be recycled. Here's another one: Executives estimate that the company could save roughly $70,000 by turning off or hibernating computers and monitors across the country at the end of the workday and during low-use periods. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

glass OJ containers... I see. Can you tell that I didn't spend a lot of time at the old Euc? I was 17 when I left Cleveland and it was closed by the time I got back... In fact, the only show I remember seeing there was Tsunami, which was probably in 1997-98.