Map Boy

my lungs thank you for carpooling... you're a good citizen! You deserve a cupcake.

funny... I had one of my urban nerd dreams last night and it was about Playhouse Square signage!

I heard at least one UO poster on the show this morning (Guv). He was VERY enthusiastic, which is normal for him. This project is all about the people! Quick question: will I be able to take the HealthLine down to the event tomorrow (from Univ. Circle) or will I be on the old school #6? I'm trying to get some co-workers to make the trip down with me and this would be a big selling point!

My guess is District of Design tenants

On this note, it would be great if all the big developments on Euclid that the RTA (and others) have been touting in the "$4 billion" spinoff investment number had their world class signage up in time for this weekend's big events. I mentioned on the HealthLine thread that I hoped there would be "ambassadors" on the vehicles who could point these projects out to riders who may not otherwise know what's planned for all these apparently bombed-out buildings!

It was definitely mid-afternoon on a Saturday and it was definitely not an Amtrak train (come on KJP, you know I know what those look like!). It was maroon-ish and it said either "Norfolk & Western" or "Norfolk & Southern" on it and it was definitely a passenger train. I don't recall seeing any giraffes or heffalumps, so I can't confirm the circus possibility.

this is very exciting... thanks for the updates!

On Saturday, October 4th, while canvassing in Ward 18, I saw a passenger train (Norfolk & Western?) on the tracks that pass over Lake Avenue, west of W. 87th Street. I nearly lost my sh*t I was so excited! My wife witnessed it as well, so I wasn't just hallucinating. Can anyone here tell me what that was all about?

I'm sure the RTA folks are already aware of this, but the elevator at W. 25th Street has been out of order for more than two weeks. Any reason why it hasn't been fixed yet? This is not an easy station to climb out of if you're disabled. And posting a sign on the elevator itself is certainly not the best way to inform a wheelchair rider that they will have to find another way to their destination.

quick question... is the poll attached to this thread from a previous vote? That's my assumption.

Don't know if this one's been answered yet. I bought five 5-ride cards last week and asked the booth attendant at TC if they would still cover 5 rides after the surcharge goes into effect or if I would be required to add a quarter each time I swipe. She didn't know and it appeared that I wasn't the first one who'd asked her this! Any updates? Also, is every fare free from October 24-26 or just on the HealthLine?

Great news: CWRU's budget back in the black, ahead of schedule Posted by Janet Okoben/Plain Dealer Reporter October 20, 2008 14:40PM UPDATED at 10:36 p.m. CLEVELAND -- Case Western Reserve University is operating in the black for the first time in four years -- a full two years ahead of schedule -- CWRU President Barbara Snyder announced Monday. Snyder, who inherited a $20 million deficit when she arrived in July 2007, told university trustees last October that she wouldn't be able to erase the red ink right away. Her staff had expected a $10.5 million deficit for the 2008 budget year, which ended June 30... www.cleveland.com

From Crain's: Auctions grab real estate action Speedy process, price clarity offer benefits in tough market for commercial properties By STAN BULLARD 4:30 am, October 20, 2008 Among the profusion of local real estate auctions that sellers are promoting, Chartwell Group auctioneer Mike Berland’s Oct. 28 sale is a jaw-dropper. With 35 commercial properties in Ohio and Indiana, ranging from an eight-story office building at 3101 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland to 21 industrial parcels in Westlake, Richfield and Seville, the auction covers a large amount of Northeast Ohio real estate. More at crainscleveland.com http://www.crainscleveland.com

I thought they'd already "broken ground," but I guess demo doesn't count. From Crain's: CSU starts building $55M student center 4:30 am, October 20, 2008 Cleveland State University broke ground on its $55 million, 138,000-square-foot student center. The new center, which will serve as the new front door to the downtown campus, will house the university bookstore, a pub, dining hall, computer lounge, game room, and various student services. Construction is slated for completion in spring 2010.

^posting after a few pints at Stone Mad, Mr. TheGuv?

I hope all that crap they've tacked onto the fencing doesn't become a habit. It looks like it's just there for a live ESPN radio broadcast, but still... What's up with the car to the right of the first picture?

Cleveland's City Planning web site has been updated to include a comprehensive presentation of bikeway planning accomplishments and related bicycling information: http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bike/index.php and cross-posted from the HealthLine thread: Press Release from City Hall: Grand Opening of the Euclid Corridor Bike Lanes Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson joins the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, Cleveland Bikes and the Regional Transit Authority in inviting Clevelanders to cut the ribbon and open the Euclid Corridor bike lanes on Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. on Euclid Avenue at East 24th Street. Cyclists will ride the City’s first commuter bike lanes along the new Euclid Avenue from Downtown to University Circle and back. “For the first time in Cleveland’s history, residents have a safe route to bicycle between our two largest centers of employment and education,” stated Mayor Jackson. The Euclid Corridor “Health Line” project has transformed Cleveland’s historic “main street” into a world-class “Complete Street” for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit riders. The new bike lanes are the latest addition to Cleveland’s growing network of bike trails and routes, connecting residents to the lakefront and to schools, jobs, shopping and recreation destinations. The Euclid Corridor bike lanes connect directly to the Harrison Dillard bike trail through the Cultural Gardens along the route north to Lake Erie and eventually south to the Shaker Lakes. Making Cleveland a “Bicycle Friendly Community” is part of a larger initiative to promote active living and to improve the health of Clevelanders, while creating a more sustainable environment for future generations. “Burn calories, not carbon” is a guiding principle of the active living initiative, which aims to help Cleveland realize the goal of becoming a “Green City on a Blue Lake.”

Press Release from City Hall: Grand Opening of the Euclid Corridor Bike Lanes Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson joins the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, Cleveland Bikes and the Regional Transit Authority in inviting Clevelanders to cut the ribbon and open the Euclid Corridor bike lanes on Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. on Euclid Avenue at East 24th Street. Cyclists will ride the City’s first commuter bike lanes along the new Euclid Avenue from Downtown to University Circle and back. “For the first time in Cleveland’s history, residents have a safe route to bicycle between our two largest centers of employment and education,” stated Mayor Jackson. The Euclid Corridor “Health Line” project has transformed Cleveland’s historic “main street” into a world-class “Complete Street” for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit riders. The new bike lanes are the latest addition to Cleveland’s growing network of bike trails and routes, connecting residents to the lakefront and to schools, jobs, shopping and recreation destinations. The Euclid Corridor bike lanes connect directly to the Harrison Dillard bike trail through the Cultural Gardens along the route north to Lake Erie and eventually south to the Shaker Lakes. Making Cleveland a “Bicycle Friendly Community” is part of a larger initiative to promote active living and to improve the health of Clevelanders, while creating a more sustainable environment for future generations. “Burn calories, not carbon” is a guiding principle of the active living initiative, which aims to help Cleveland realize the goal of becoming a “Green City on a Blue Lake.”

I believe the new residence halls are slated to break ground in January. There is a second phase that would be built in place of the bookstore. RE: Z Lot - these were from City Planning review a few months back.

You know what's going to be awesome? 4 construction cranes on campus at once! Student Center College of Education Z Garage E. 24th Street Student Housing

Sorry, it was a grey day, but I love this shot. You can see the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center being built on the right. I like how the crane seems to be looming over the entire neighborhood. They'll just use the same one to build all UH's projects, Uptown, MOCA, CIA, the lot!

Independent Towel is in full-scale demolition today. If you're the kind that likes to take pictures of such things, there's no time like the present!

I suspect there will be a lot more where that came from throughout the rest of the Circle, but those will be some of the larger installations.

Even CWRU lights up for football these days. And it doesn't hurt having 700 students with bedrooms adjacent to the gridiron.

^ah, yes, but those were the days when all of these big projects were just starting to get press...