Etheostoma Caeruleum

I remember when this sort of service was regular there. Great addition.

Yes..I did neglect to mention that.... thanks.....That's another good point. If the windows are tinted that could filter out the blaring brightness that was a concern by someone who posted about it possibly affecting exhibits. There are many ways to capture the wanted light without having the unwanted glare... Kind of like setting a giant pair of HD sun glasses over the mall. Such a design could possibly also cut down on companies needing to carry a lot of extra lighting equipment. Add lots of plants to the area too ala Oprey Land Hotel, IF there is room.

Agreed.. I always said the same thing regarding speed posts.

I hope you didn't throw the butt outside! :-D

Agreed... Who is in control here.. Gangs or RTA?

Talking buses...another overkill idea of technology run amuck! This simply adds more unnecessary noise which makes it difficult to hear things you NEED to hear---and actually makes things less safe, but to explain that would take another thread. As you experienced, the talking cannot be heard over the din of other noises anyway, and making them louder is not the answer. It just adds fuel to a fire. What makes for safer buses and interaction between buses and people... is to START with better more competent drivers. Don't punish the rest of us because of cases where drivers bully the road or have no regard for pedestrians, then hit them...and then suddenly need to add all kinds of toots and whistles and voices. Absurd, and it is not only in Cleveland this has been a problem. See www.noiseoff.org

The mounds may actually look nice...Give it a chance. It is better than always having a flat, sterile boring space. It adds some character. Someone else mentioned we have to build around the fact we have homeless/panhandlers. That is really laughable! You don't desert what might be a nice park feature because you're afraid a homeless guy might come. You keep the nice features and maybe it will draw more of the kind of demographic you would like to see use the space. Public Square is flat...homeless there... The corner of 9th and Superior...the old Ohio Edison building...flat sidewalk all around there.... and there has been a homeless guy camping out in the side entrance for how long now? Point being, that open sight and flat areas don't seem to deter them...but more people showing up, will. So, how about showing up in the park so we have more of the pedestrian traffic we'd like to see. Let's all step away from UO for a bit and all show up... Then we will see what it could be like! Lead by example. I do hope, however, that the city exercises better maintenance of fountains, because I would hate to see this become another malfunctioning one like on the square....or the one in The Flats. By the way, someonementioned about 'native trees'....none appear to be native from looking at the diagram, but there ARE a few plants that appear to be...not the greatest choices if you worked for Ohio Prairie Nursery, though. . I also hope this lawn is not sprayed with chemicals.. Yes, our "green City" is using toxic lawn chemicals..... Soooooo many benign alternatives to this. Several cities have banned the stuff. Turf sod has no place in efforts to be 'sustainable' these days. Energy dependent, boring....and fake. If the only thing moving in a lawn these days is a lawn mower...its time to think about planting more natural spaces... and discover all the benefits it provides. Biodiversity is not a bad word. But, if we're bio-phobic, well... another story... One of the interesting things I am experiencing right now it the extreme biodiversity right in Sydney. Citizens embrace and celebrate it... Cockatoos and Rainbow Lorikeets...flying foxes..Awesome! Right in the CBD in the Royal Botanical Gardens and in a populace of 5 mil. All in all.. I really like this plan..... lots of great elements. Hopefully it will be appreciated and used and taken care of.

I agree about the argument thing.....Casino sentiment I also agree...But the Aquarium, a really good one is by no means a folly. Maybe Jacob's roadside attraction guised as an 'aquarium' yes...But for CA, which is a totally different story and a not-for-profit entity, I think we could benefit from producing a better educated public concerning local and worldwide aquatic ecosystems---and how they relate and how their good health is essential to our daily lives. Had we had such a philosophy ingrained in our population and business community years back, we may never had to deal with the burden of enduring this "river burning, etc" image for 40 years. That certainly did nothing to help our economy either. An iconic, educational cultural attraction like an aquarium can attract visitors, residents, offer many community outreach opportunities, field trips from other areas, jobs, and have spin of development in many ways. It boasts of a more "evolved" city in a way. I suggest visiting Chattanooga, Baltimore, Monterrey Bay, Newport, Shedd for starters--and visiting the new CA website. Betwen Pitt and Chicago, there is a spot for our own unique venue--unlike casinos saturating the entire midwest like Wal-Marts. Yes, we should try to attract what you're saying.....Yes we need some big players/anchors as part of the puzzle..... but let's also note that if we also do more to stimulate and offer incentives for smaller, locally owned, or independent businesses that diversify our economy to the point it will breed stability, then I think that is also better than hoping, praying, waiting and wishing for The Lone Ranger of one big company that we build our whole world around, to ride in and save the day and us. Build it all around one big or a few...they fall, we all all. Diversity breeds stability in the 'economic ecosystem' as it does in the natural one. One or two entities take a hit...several others left to pick up the slack.

That's right...and it shouldn't look like an under ground WW2 bunker or cavern either. Lots of natural light could be a selling point..and this light does not have to be 'sunny' light...it could be cloudy outside and still have nice daylight.

I just think its funny how, when looking from the outside in, the state finally rallies around casinos as some sort of cure...and yet promotion of this struggles. Priorities. I agree where it says that much re-development has been sparked around train stations. I find it really amazing that where I am at the moment...one train station has more business of all sorts, totally functional to the daily needs of the neighborhood...and is a walkable scene---than all the the core of downtown Cleveland. And this is a typical satellite station I am talking about...not Grand Central. The senator wants to know how we can afford the 17 million to operate.. I hope it will be addressed. I also hope the question will be raised of HOW we are affording the sky rocket prices to accommodate all infrastructure that is auto.

Sounds like a good model... I hope it encourages and helps stimulate indepently owned business overall as well; and not exclusively minority owned businesses.

^ I have often asked the same thing. Who, who supposedly moves out of "poor Cleveland" and the county, is affording the big moves and homes and new lifestyles? Second question, but serious one..... Does the above report indicating ridership decrease look at a national perspective of transit, or is it local? Lastly, I want to comment about some posts farther up the thread about litter on trains/buses and in stations, along right of ways..etc. The following questions/comments are for Jerry and RTA.. Are you ready RTA? I guess I will focus more on the obvious: The vehicles and stations. If you want to reduce litter on trains why does it seem so difficult to fathom the idea of a NO OPEN CONTAINER/EATING policy on the vehicles? Is there a policy? and if so, why is it not enforced? Dirty trains and buses is a contributing factor that could deter ridership. I know it sours my desire to ride. I am not saying they (vehicles) have to be spotless at all times but we're far from that point--and by striving for that goal, even if we got 70% there would be a wondrous achievement! Also, if the excuses will be lack of staff/funding to fix the problem...then remove any, if any, vending machines from stations---as this simply encourages litter that we already do not have control of. It is the same logic as us building more roads when we cannot maintain we already have. I just see no excuse for this trash issue if the proper rules are set and enforced. I am currently in Sydney taking trains daily (as I have a lot in the past as well)...where there are hundreds of thousands of more riders, longer trains, more stations, lots of careless people too...and seemingly understaffed in their own right as I have not yet witnessed anyone employed by City Rail walking through the trains... Yet, the trains and stations are typically very clean. Also, they are having transportation budget issues as well as I learned attending a local Greens Party Meeting. So, with a staff and budget that is proportionate to the service, (as I am asking if we achieve through cuts?) we should be ale to achieve some marginal results. From the looks of things often, I honestly feel that RTA simply does not give much a hoot about this, does not make the connection between these factors and lost riders....and it reflects all the way down to their employees. While all that may be unfounded, it is simply the perception I am left with--and perception is important in making good impressions to potential riders, visitors, and existing customers. Anyway, I would appreciate your addressing this issue and implementing some changes.

A great thing happening here.... too bad this post keeps getting dunked to the bottom by the Cincy threads!

^^Ain't that soooo sad.... :-P Sigh....Well, we'll have to focus on the concept of 'less being more'...and 'quality over quantity' and work with what we DO have and achieve more sustainable living and numbers---a logic that few seem to grasp these days in a world where marketing convinces us that cheaper...and more.... and bigger is always better.

Yeah, why should CB be given some sort of divine right and have a monopoply on defining what a given area's SMA should be!

Commenting on that posted editorial.... As though the Euro-model is bad and ours is 'right'. Sorry, but they didn't totally gut and level their urban historical fabric to suit the needs big fat automobiles like we did. Instead, they make the 'car fit the fabric', so to speak...and thus, this has helped to prevent a lot of sprawl and auto-dependent, non-pedestrian froendly designs of the landscape. Did it ever occur to some that just maybe, there are many more people who do not wish to own a car? I say this because I sense tones that the author assumes everyone would want a car if they could afford it. "Massive highway system" Hmmm....again, where is my freedom of choice, in the wonderful 'land of choice' to not have to be a part of it and solely depend on it for getting around? What interests really dictate and shape our urban planning to result in massive seas of concrete parking and endless roads? Does everyone really have a say so in this...or will the auto interests and all associated have the final say....

GARDENS UNDER GLASS at GALLERIA—UNDERWAY! CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Millions have passed through the Galleria at Erieview, sun glinting on its barrel-shaped glass roof. But it took a nurseryman's granddaughter to look up and think: This place looks like a giant greenhouse. Now Vicky Poole, the Galleria's marketing and events director, who worked on her grandpa's farm as a child, expects that by late spring or early summer, there will be fresh tomatoes for sale among the shops and galleries at the downtown Cleveland mall. For the whole story, visit this link: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/02/galleria_has_gardens_now.html Note: I just want to note, that this article above on Cleveland Dot Com had the usual tally of ignorant, negative and ill-informed comments. There were some great comments too..but the stupidity on that forum never ceases to amaze so I did some lashing myself. It would be nice to see more UO'ers counter some of this stuff.

I just looked at their criteria for what their "panel of experts" apparently deem "miserable" and I wonder......is there even such a need for a list? Afterall, this same crap has been harped on and spewed out in so many ways for so many years with different titled lists...... It is as though they come up with a new name for what is essentially a repeated list. Get a new gig already, Forbes. I mean c'mon... "sports?" Now I am a fan of the games, understand the connection with the city/region.... but we truly need to not build our entire economy, hopes, dreams and everyday spirits around this sort of thing. Some could care less about it and discover that life goes on. For every point they make about 'why we're miserable' I can come up with one about WHY we should be happy. So now Forbes rhetoric or a group of people they only approach in cities to gather such information determines what should or should not be something to be miserable about in any given city? Point being..their list is pointless and really irrelevant/redundant. Did anyone see this: http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/here-and-loathing/Content?oid=1520954 I actually wrote to Cle-plus many times about ideas for improving image, generating better civic pride throughout the region--and on improving attitudes, enthusiasm and knowledge of the area in the hospitality sector and at the airport.

I see your points and personally, I'm not making this a right/left issue, nor forwards, backwards ...up or down......... however, I'll bet a case of beer that if it will start to become that sort of issue---and I have a hunch some would like to make it so...that such sentiment would mostly come from the right. Let's watch and see...

I agree. I sound like a broken record to say again that many of the comments shared on this forum are preaching to the choir...and therefore, sometimes need to be directed at the other forums to counterbalance the information----so that we are not having one side: the ill-informed/skeptical or swing supporter side. Once again, I see the naysayes logic and opposition downright laughable.

Agreed.. Sports needn't be the only thing defining your town...Get a new gig, identity....re-invent. Many other things in life to get excited about.

If I hear the weather issue again I will scream. "weather sucks" that depends on what people define as "sucking" in weather. Personally, I am someone who finds beauty in ALL weather. I LOVE a seasonal change and moodiness in weather. I cannot do a sunny day every day and wind up getting crows feat from squinting all the time. It really is not that bad here...so what? You get 4 months or so of the hard stuff....a few of the wet...and the rest is fine...basically half/half.. what are the wimps complaining about? If people were extremely physically active outside, they would not want 96 degrees in the shade all year either! I happen to think sun 24/7 SUCKS! Where is one's sense of romance/creativity in making a stormy day the best possible day you can spend with a partner? Tired to death of this incessant woosy whining about the weather.... Waaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! Grow up and deal with it! Forbes seems to like to pick on cities they seem to think won't defend themselves. Did anyone hear about all the crime sprees with gangs in Melbourne, Australia? Sydney? The declining suburban neighborhoods?.....many of the same problems are escalating here in Syd, yet few hear about it. Could it be that the "richer cities" somehow evade the negative PR of such things. Has it just become a convenience thing to blame Cleveland for everything or assume it is the only city with real issues. EVERY place has their own set of challenges to deal with--and somehow it seems to be assumed that everyone else is successful in dealing with them, or IS dealing with them except Cleveland. At the end of the day, a lot of these Forbes assessments can be very misleading.

I hope the voids at Huntington will be filled.

If it was not real, the logic to use money for roads would be laughable. Instead, it is really disturbing to know we have people running the state who think like this.

It matters to some of us. As an avid local food advocate and sports fan health advocate who sees the increasing mega-corporate influence over sports to be nothing more than obnoxious, I hope he finds it within his charitable benevolent side to take some of that cashola and use it to help promote the local farm/local slow food movement that will help in reversing the many-a-year trend that has had many inner city neighborhoods become virtually nutritional wastelands; to help educate many how to cook healthy decent meals with a few simple ingredients like parents knew how to do far less than a generation ago--but where such knowledge has virtually disappeared in many neighborhoods. Many, like Mc D's, benefitted from that gross trend for years... so maybe somehow those profits can be reincarnated for something more socially redeeming....like helping to produce healthier athletes and school kids! Ooops! I slaughtered a sacred cow! How could I be in such denial....I must know better.. fast food is our benefactor..it can be party to producing nothing wrong. Oh, maybe a few cents going back to the sweat shops at Nike too! OH GOD! Sorry... cannot criticize my benefactors. Oh, no need to apologize for LBJ..I'm sure he's doing just fine. :wink: www.thecorporation.org