Three Cent Fare

If you are interested, the Cleveland Coalition, a new non-partisan, issue-based organization is having an event to discuss how the new casino will fit into Cleveland's existing urban fabric this Friday from 5:00-7:30pm at the City Club. The flier giving more details about the program is attached. If you plan to attend, please RSVP @ [email protected]

No, Asia Town is not a bad neighborhood. It IS a stable (owner-occupied, little foreclosure activity), growing, working-class, immigrant neighborhood bordered to the east by a less stable (more foreclosures and vacant properties) neighborhood (E. 55th as the definite divider). It's southern, western, and northern borders are largely lined by businesses. Asia Town has great highway access, good bus service, grocery stores (Dave's for general shopping needs and a number of Asian markets), a vast assortment of restaurants, some interesting retail, and wonderful art galleries. I have not noticed much of bar scene/nightlife (if that is important to you, I would focus more on Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway, Coventry). Happy searching and welcome to the area.

I don't think this is such a bad thing. The city's goal should be to ensure that excellent public schools exist. Charter schools like E-Prep, Citizens' Academy, and the Intergenerational School are all public and perform well above the average CMSD school. If kids are leaving CMSD schools for those charter schools or other quality charters, I don't think we really have a problem on our hands. Instead of focusing solely on "the district" we should be focusing on schools more generally. The CMSD would be well-served to work with (instead of against) these high-performing charters. Oldmanladyluck, I'm not assuming that your post indicates that you feel otherwise. Your post simply triggered these thoughts in my head.

They've got job postings on craigslist too.

Your thought process is difficult to argue with. But, my response is that the problems you listed (lack of economic vibrancy, not as cosmopolitan, etc.) operate as causes and symptoms simultaneously. The region lacks jobs because it lacks a robust applicant pool; it lacks a robust applicant pool because it lacks jobs, and so on. The only way that we are going to see the city and its surrounding area become something great again is if those of us who care (i.e. those who post on this site) stick around. I understand that this is a lot to ask especially when your job takes you elsewhere, in your case D.C. The sad reality is that if we don't stick around and take the steps to rebuild our once-vibrant communities, no one will. My view may not be realistic; it requires a sacrifice that many don't want to make. And though we love our city, we also love our families and, if lucky, our careers and must do what is best for their advancement, and often times that means leaving the region we love. Obviously, any decision based on that criteria is not "wrong." I guess what I am trying to say is that I only really disagree with your belief that raising your kids in Cleveland may not be the best idea regarding their futures. I say if we stick around and devote our collective energy to rebuilding and investing in the city, we can, in time, reverse the course of our forty-year downward slide and provide them with the same opportunities thought only to be available in the boom cities (SF, DC, Chicago, NYC, Boston, Austin, etc.).

For anyone interested, the Cleveland Leadership Center recently announced its 2009-10 Cleveland Executive Fellowship class. Here is the bio list: Ahmed Abonamah most recently worked as an Associate for the law firm of Goulston & Storrs in Boston, MA. Originally from Stow, OH, he has also worked as a Judicial Extern for Judge Morgenstern-Clarren, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio and as a Content Consultant for Universal Knowledge Solutions, in Dubai, UAE. Ahmed earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of Dayton, a Juris Doctorate from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and has studied Modern Standard Arabic at Georgetown University and Middlebury College. He has been involved with the 3Rs Program of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Student Hurricane Network, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and has given his time as a Volunteer Mock Trail Team Coach and offered Pro Bono Representation through the Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless. Meran Chang is a native Clevelander and joins the Fellowship after working on education programs for the Cleveland Council on World Affairs and as an Organizational Development Fellow for International Partners in Mission. Meran has studied abroad in Taiwan, India and South Africa and has served as a volunteer HIV/AIDS counselor, team leader and teacher in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nicaragua. She also volunteers with Swim for Diabetes for the Greater Cleveland Diabetes Association. Meran earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University. Thomas Gill has spent his career in service. Originally from Westlake, OH, Tom received the Xavier Service scholarship to attend Saint Louis University. He graduated with a BA, Summa Cum Laude, in Theological and International Studies. He then spent two years in El Salvador as a staff member with the Casa de la Solidaridad and ConnectEducation International. During his summers, Tom has worked with the Hispanic community in New Orleans, as a staff member of the Arrupe Summer Camp at Saint Ignatius High School, and as an advisor on policy and communication to MA State Representative Joe Driscoll. Last year, he served as a Deputy Field Organizer on the Obama campaign in Mansfield, OH. Most recently, Tom received a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Seth Kujat is originally from Litchfield, OH and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Kent State University. Following graduation, Seth founded Leap of Faith Building and accomplished his first organizational mission: roofing one Habitat for Humanity house in all fifty states in one calendar year. While continuing to serve as the Founder and Director of Leap of Faith Building, Seth served as Youth Director for York United Methodist Church in Medina, OH. In 2007, he became Founder and Pastor of PIERCED Ministries, an interdenominational alternative ministry for teens and adults. Phillip M. Robinson, Jr. is a native Clevelander who joins the fellowship after serving most recently as a senior account executive for Marcus Thomas, LLC. He has also held positions with Powell Tate | Weber Shandwick in Washington, DC and served as a congressional legislative aide for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Phillip earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The George Washington University. He serves on the boards of both the Centers for Dialysis Care and the Cleveland Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP). Phillip is a member of the Gilmour Academy Alumni Association, American Advertising Association, Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club and serves as a reading tutor at Warrensville Heights Middle School. He is currently running for a City Council seat in University Heights, Ohio. Cassandra Washington has spent the last 10 years of her career as a social worker with Cuyahoga County Children & Family Services. Originally from Cleveland, OH, Cassandra received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Mount Union College and her Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She has also received her Diversity Training Certification from The Professional Women’s Network and her Basic Mediation Training Certificate from The Center for Mediation. Christine Zuniga Eadie recently earned her Master of Urban Planning, Design & Development degree from Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, where she was a Graduate Assistantship recipient and a finalist in the Urban Land Institute’s Cleveland Real Estate Finance Competition. Christine, originally from San Antonio, Texas, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Tulane University’s Newcomb College in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prior to moving to Cleveland, Christine worked for the Urban Conservancy in New Orleans and as a planner for the City of San Antonio.

I guess I have two questions (they may show my ignorance, but here they are): (1) why wouldn't the waterfront line be able to run through the NCTC if the W. 3rd station remained? (2) Why tear down a station only to build another such a short distance away? Not to mention, the fact that the station is shaped like a football helmet is pretty neat.

Not so sure closing the W. 3rd station would be the best long term idea. But, depending on how the NCTC is configured, closing the E. 9th station may work out ok. Re: the W. 3rd stop, if all goes well and the Flats East Bank project continues to progress and the port relocates, demand for the waterfront line will increase in the area located between the East Bank and W. 3rd stops. Essentially, I think that any modifications made to the waterfront line need to be done mindful of the fact that the waterfront may look quite different in 10-20 years, and its service/stops should reflect that.

I went there 2 Thursdays ago and was told he hasn't played since January. I asked if he would continue playing there anytime soon and I didn't get a very straightforward answer. That's too bad. He can really play.

Glenn Schwartz's free Thursday night shows at Major Hooples.

I think that is the most disturbing part of this drama--there doesn't seem to be a plan. Midtown, Inc. has a plan, but it's not being followed. So while the social service nature of these developments is troubling considering the City's need for private investment, the most troubling aspect is the lack of a plan. Not having a plan (or more basically zoning laws) is how we destroyed Euclid Ave. in the first place. It's pretty sad that we (our elected officials) have not learned from history. Planning, even for private development, is critical. You don't want a paper mill next door to green grocer. That may be an extreme example, but you get the point. Hopefully the planning commission can put the brakes on these developments.

BINGO!

I couldn't agree more. Get involved. Assume nothing will change unless you make it change, or, at least, recognize that nothing is gained/accomplished through passive observance. I could go on, but I will not veer further off topic.

I grew up in Stow and my family's existence was Akron-centric. We visited Cleveland for Cavs and Indians games, to go to the old fish market, and the Bank Antique store. Otherwise, Akron was "our city." Then my parents moved overseas; I moved to Cleveland. So when they came to visit me in the Cleve last spring I felt they needed to "see" the city. So, I showed them, among other places: Ohio City (westside market and the beautiful homes), Shaker Square, Terminal Tower, Edgewater, the Tremont Tap House (best burgers in the City), and Algebra Tea House (wednesday night vegetarian, Libyan-style cous cous). Not sure what future development excites me most. I think I'd just like to show them a better utilized waterfront.

If I remember correctly, it is going to be a sports bar owned by a former professional athlete.