Map Boy

I posted that above and was also dismayed that they did not mention it in the article.

I've often thought that it would be a prime location and building for a relatively easy conversion to apartments. The building itself has no real architectural merit (that I can tell), but it has a scale that is optimal for that part of Prospect. Looking forward to seeing what comes of it!

Blinker strikes again! Proving the power of the pen...errr...email!

Great shots, MrNYC! Here's a not-so-good-news article from today's PD: Putting Huletts back together might prove to be too much Councilman cites costs in suggesting only pieces be saved Wednesday, June 21, 2006 Sarah Hollander Plain Dealer Reporter Article Removed

A couple nice reviews from the PD's "Restaurant Row:" Velocity takes its shot at Clifton Blvd. spot Wednesday, June 21, 2006 John Long Plain Dealer Columnist It is hard to name all the restaurants that have been at 10427 Clifton Blvd. in Cleveland since the old Wilsher Grill opened there nearly 20 years ago and up through Giovanna's, which closed earlier this year. The latest to take over the space is Velocity, which opened two weeks ago and looks to have the best chance for longevity. Greg Korney has hit on the magic formula that will make this an instant hit - adventurous food that is reasonably priced. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

You know, they closed that place at the beginning of the spring "for one week." I went back when then said it would be re-opened and it was still closed. Did they ever re-open it or has it stayed closed since the end of March? I'd heard that it was a fantastic place...very romantic and swanky.

NICE!!!

I agree, w28th, that sharing different perspectives and opinions is what this site is all about. I hope you understood that that was what I meant to say in line one of my preious post... I also agree that we, as a city/region/citizenry, could do a lot more to push the design agenda in our places. Competitions like the one you mentioned above can do nothing but positive things for the future of our cities by increasing participation, awareness and potentially, the output. Tokyo has several districts that are distinguished by their street lighting. I was there for only two weeks, but I began to recognize where I was because of the unique design found in each neighborhood. Whether this was intentional or just a great side effect, I don't know! In Gordon Square, I might support something more old-fashioned, merely because that's what was there originally and the buildings at the main intersection (65th & Detroit) were all built prior to 1920. There's also something to be said for desiging lights that are pedestrian oriented versus street oriented. You can have more than one lamp on a single post...one at a height of 20 feet or so, for the street, and another at a height of 12 feet or so, for the sidewalk. I, however, disagree that these efforts are done to make the place friendly primarily to visitors. Coventry, West 25th, Mayfield, Wade Oval...these are spaces that visitors will certainly enjoy and be more likely to return to than if the sidewalk experience was unimproved, but they are also much greater amenities for neighborhood residents who walk those streets every day...not just once a week/month. And they are most often the product of neighborhood and stakeholder meetings/workshops that produce the basic ideas that go into the design. I'll give you that they could be more inclusive, but the initial effort is usually there. Sometimes it just takes a champion to keep the public involved. If no one is interested in coming to the meetings, then they'll stop having them.

Switching gears... I saw some sort of artsy event on the "park" land next to Riverview last night around 7:00. There were stilt-walkers with crazy devil outfits on doing a dance of some sort. There was a big painted school bus and a crowd (50 or so people) of onlookers. Anyone have a clue what that was?

There are two different types (correct me if I'm wrong!) of Section 8 subsidy. One is rooted to a piece of land and the other is given in the form of a voucher. The latter is based on the idea that a resident on subsidy should be able to look for housing, much as any other renter on a budget would be able to, and find a landlord who accepts the voucher and a unit within the price range. No section 8 tenant would be able to take their voucher and live in Bratenahl (partially because no one there would take the voucher, but also because it's too pricey), but they should end up having access to most neighborhoods in Cleveland. That way, if they want to try to locate close to family, friends or work, they can try to find housing in that part of town, not just in project-based housing. Also, the ideal is that you'd never know you had a section 8 tenant living above or below or next door to you. (this next comment is not directed at anyone) Any type of renter/owner can be a jackass and make you want to leave the neighborhood...regardless of their ability to pay the bills. The problem with the vouchers is that the housing and the vouchers themselves are relatively unstable. A landlord can decide not to renew your lease or the government can cut funding. Project based Section 8 is more stable from year-to-year, but tends to be much less desireable.

Could Ohio be next? Big cities hope as chain expands Tuesday, June 20, 2006 Shaheen Samavati Plain Dealer Reporter Detroit just got one. Pittsburgh's had one for more than a decade. Is Ohio now in the sights of this cheap-chic retailer with a cultlike following? Maybe. Ikea, the Swedish furniture seller, says it is evaluating Ohio's three major metropolitan markets -- Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati -- as potential store locations. But it's also looking at every other major market as it seeks to grow from 28 American stores to 50. "Ohio has been a little perplexing for us because Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati are all major metropolitan areas in fairly close proximity to each other," said Ikea expansion spokesman Joseph Roth. "Do you put one on the northeast side of Columbus? The southeast side of Cleveland? It just requires a more thoughtful and strategic approach." MORE: http://www.plaindealer.com

My first impression was to route all through traffic around the square like they do in Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square. But then I thought about the way that traffic hits Rittenhouse and it's much different. The buses may fare well, but the automobile traffic would just be a mess. Then again, the traffic is only significant during peak hours. So, now I'm thinking that I like the idea of a rush hour "through" rule and an off-peak "around" rule. It's not like there aren't enough alternatives for people who want to zip through Downtown. Just move an avenue north or south or a street east or west and you won't have to deal with Public Square traffic at all! And for the buses, I think this could be an opportunity to make the whole Downtown transit hub more easy to navigate and understand. Maybe they could even find a spot to post a bus map and a scedule or two!

^I'm looking forward to the article...and to the PD's piggy backer! I know that at least one of the stations on the Red Line (University Circle) had turnstiles at some point in time. When I used the system in high school, we had to go through them, but they were only effective if there was someone at the booth. And more often than not, there isn't. When there is, you're lucky if they look up from their crossword/newspaper/magazine long enough to register that someone is attempting to pay their fare. I know the new Silver Line BRT will have prepay and "proof of payment" to counter the waiting in line to get on the train problem, but what about our light rail routes? Also, will these new tvs be in stations as well as on the vehicles? I'd be more likely to watch the screen while waiting than while riding.

^I like the "bashing through" idea...though, that could have its drawbacks...but that's why it's called an "entertainment district!" I know you can buy windows that keep the noise out (I've experienced this on Houston & Christie in NYC) and blockades that automatically retract into the pavement when needed. These are problems that have easy, though perhaps not cheap, solutions!

^joking, right?

New strange doings at Franklin Castle Tuesday, June 20, 2006 Michael O'Malley and Joan Mazzolini Plain Dealer Reporters Once again, mystery shrouds the Franklin Castle, a hulking Victorian edifice that keeps people wondering what goes on behind those ominous stone walls, behind that old iron gate. For decades, the West Side Cleveland landmark was the subject of ghostly rumors - a murder in an upstairs bedroom; a banshee's face in a turret window; human bones in a hidden passage. Today, it is a gutted, boarded-up structure with no signs of life or afterlife. The owner, Michelle Heimburger, who lives in Canada, shows little interest in what's happening with the property. And the caretaker, Charles Milsaps, is marketing the place as an exclusive, members-only social club, but the club does not exist. He was recently pictured on a Web site seeking nude models. Milsaps said that he has nothing to do with nude models and that a friend set up the Web site without his knowledge. The friend confirmed Milsaps' claim. To see how the Franklin Castle Club is marketed, visit www.franklincastleclub.com. News researchers Jo Ellen Corrigan and Cheryl Diamond contributed to this story

W 28th...I think you're defining "urbanistic" in a different way than some of us here. And not that aesthetic beauty is "urban," but I think Coventry is much more picturesque today than it was 2, 5, 10, 20 years ago. Sure, the retail mix and clientele is a little different, but what they've done with streetscaping is pretty outstanding...from the decorative elements to the pedestrian crossings...I give 'em an "A!" I can't really speak to E. 4th, because I didn't really frequent it in the past, but I do remember walking by or down the street and thinking that it was something special...and too bad there's no reason for me to come here! Gordon Square is unique because it has such fantastic and intact architecture, but the sidewalks are so narrow that you can barely pass a pedestrian going the opposite direction. And Detroit is no E. 4th...it's a busy street! I'm not sure how or if they'll widen the sidewalk (taking away on-street parking will be a challenge), but there needs to be something done to make the pedestrian experience better. I have no doubt in my mind that the cdc is working diligently on this!

Ouch! Is that a problem? BTW, good suggestion with the two-way northern end of the street to accomodate that garage...

I will certainly contribute a "part" of that $3 million. Which part? I can't say at this time...

But on all RTA rail cars and BRT vehicles???

^What?! That's crazy! Now, if you'd told me that all BRT and rail stations will have this installed by 2007, I might have believed you and still be very impressed. Now, inside all cars? That sounds a bit much! Do you believe your source?

Very nice and well-rounded review of Cleveland for beginners. What kind of publication is this?

Friday, June 16th, from the Goodtime III:

I know, I was just confused about what had happened to the CMHA proposal for this site...see the Riverview thread...

Well, I just read this thread through from start-to-finish and man, what a depressing thing that was! I think this may have been the first thread that I started...[sigh] My summary, in a very small nutshell: MGD: optimistic/idealistic/foolish? KJP: called the unstable hillside issue before the engineers working for CMHA (a genius in our midst!) MGD: suggested that the alternative would be a park/promenade on the now vacant land beside the towers Anyway, with the newly surfaced plans for W. 28th & Detroit from A Place for Us, I became curious about what happened to CMHA's plans for this site. On this page (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2492.60), the site was part of the proposal. However, as we read above, the number of units has been trimmed significantly, so it sounds like W. 28th & Church will be it for CMHA over there as it pertains to the HOPE VI project. That, after CMHA moves to E. 79th & Kinsman. So, if plans go forward at present, both sites will still be developed and maybe we'll end up with something a little better on the Detroit property!