Etheostoma Caeruleum

Seriously, what the $%&# is wrong with the PD?!? Count me in too! I noticed this. It is a patern of subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, negative connotations on EVERY article that covers something good about the area. The article must open up with that editorializing sensational tone. Do they think this is creative writing or something? GEEEZZZ!!! The NEO inferiority complex strikes again. I soooooo much would love to do a subtle window display knocking their notorious and tired opening lines! The "PAIN" Dealer. If there are any positive feelings in anyone it seems as though they love evaporating those feelings. How else do they sell their product to scared suburbanites who must have their bad only...opinions about the city validated in ink. I swear, there has to be a method for their madness. The more they keep repeating these kinds of messages to the general public, the more they believe and acept it as truth.... No wonder we have a complex. The paper helps foster and cultivate it well.

I am not clear on this at all. What is wrong with the stainless steel facade? If that changes, it would render the park and grounds desgin less signifigant maybe? (because it basically matches the current facade) Unless this is for saving energy or something, if it is just for cosmetics, I have to wonder are we exercising the same logic and doing the same to this building what was done to say, the Schofeild Building in the 60's? Yes, the building is prety plain, but it is not ugly in my opinion. I actually like some of the effects the sunsets play on it. Can someone better explain what this might look like. There is no rendering. If there is any building I wish would get a makover, it is the Justice Center. Just something simple like cleaning the exterior to like new condition and adding acents of light at night. That's all, because this is a building that either someone hates or likes.. i like the natural stone look to it, although I can undersand why many think it is ugly. Anyway, back to The Fed Bldg.....can someone better articulate what this may look like---and YES, sounds like a big pricetag, but then again, I have no clue how much sich things cost.

^ Certainly we can come up with something more charming than adding a bank's name to a new station. Seems tacky. There must be something or someone much more noteworthy and deserving to name it after than Key Bank. I agree about the geographic component. I was in the station recently to pick up my sister who came in from Arizona. The sad thing about the condition of the current station is yet another testament of "slack".... on simple routine maintenance issues that if improved, can make one hell of a difference. While this may not be a "Cleveland" issue and more-so the responsibility of Amtrak (I don't know...does anyone know who's responsibility it is to maintain it?) such a condition STILL reflects on Cleveland. There are simple things like a fresh paint job, some thick landscaping in the earth beds at the entrance....washing the windows, and entrance walkways, better floor maintenance inside, getting rid of the stinky smoke smell...and adding some updated decor or features--as the same ones have been there since '76---and while that may be ok if they had been maintained well---or we are trying to go retro...... in this case, such is NOT the case and it simply looks like it has not been well maintained through the years. The lack of regard on this, I see no reason why, would not cary over to a larger station. So, we have a large beautiful station, ultimately poorly maintained. Again, it is about fostering a better civic pride philosophy in our area that can master the small before they take on the grand. I wrote several times to Amtrak and no reply. I also wrote to my councilman. Still, the station lacks the basics.....has for a long time, and I really don't want to have this blamed on the economy right now. As for the new vision of a station, obviously the city and county government (poorly as it may be modeled right now) need to work together on it and get on the same page because ultimately our decisions we make as separate entities, in the end, all intertwine and affect every piece of the puzzel...and ultimately the WHOLE that we call Geater Cleveland--in what is basically an economic "eco-system" whereby we pluck one strand of the web, we then effect the whole. Its about learning what is done to the whole when we timker with its parts. Instead, we have been used to years of having everyone who is ultimately in the same boat fighting for one oar. Its amazing what imaginary lines can do!

So will this be a go? In my lifetime? I always thought the current Amtrak station resembled more of a credit union office than a transportation station.

As much as I believe in the general philosophy of doing something right the first time or don't do it at all....and quality over quantity...and as much as I agree with 327's thoughtful and cautious vision that doing anything less could set it up for a lot of criticism from opponents.... I also have to acknowledge that Ohio is so lacking of any rail, that a nicely done conventional system with a higher speed may be all it takes to knock the socks off of people who have never grown up with or have witnessed any type of rail sevice at all.....whatsoever. I HOPE!!! (fingers crossed!) ....and thus, gain a lot of popular support. By the way, I know it has been discused, but while they're at it, can we get some kind of service to Youngstown/Warren? For my relatives there...and where I am originally from, specifically in N.E. Ohio, leaves one stranded to get into the city (Cleveland--as lots travel/commute to Cleveland from over there) unless you yave a car. There is absolutely NO choice...you're pretty much forced to have a car if you have to get anywhere!

Nice!

An emphasis on "CUSTOMER SERVICE!" Such a refreshing thing to hear someone acknowledge that! Now, I hope their help is instructed better than to reply to a traveler with whom they may be conversing about being in Cleveland, with the typical.. "Ohh why did you come heerrreee?" (said in the nasaly tone) :lol: On the flights subject. I cannot understand why (or the justification) a region with such a high population as ours--with CLE serving the region---is not offered more direct flights both domestically and abroad. I'm frustrated with having getting somewhere via N.Y. Chi, and ATL rammed down our throats and us settling and scrapping for the scraps we're thrown. UGH! %^%&$%&!!!)(***!! Sorry, just really annoyed by that scenario. :x

I agree.... this state is still in the top 10 for population...and sometimes I don't think most in the state, especially being raised with the suburban sprawl model for 50 plus years, understand WHY investing in rail makes good long term sense. Sure a right plan is essential, but the concept of rail here cannot be poo pooed. I tend to have a 'do it anyway for their own good' feeling too. If done right, the fruits will surface and maybe we can get back to showing people how it was done for so long in the first place! We're so lacking in being informed about benefits of rail, you'd think some have never seen or heard of a train before in their whole lives!

Hi everyone, I just thought I would post this here as it may be of related interest to the thread. I am in Sydney currently, and the story is below.... Sydney gets new transport ticket system A new public transport ticketing regime for the greater Sydney region is no substitute for the integrated system that the NSW government promised long ago, the opposition says. From April 18, the new MyZone system will reduce the number of travel zones from as many as 20 to just five. Commuters will have the option of buying the new MyBus, MyTrain and MyFerry tickets or a MyMulti ticket that will enable commuters to travel on all three modes of transport. For the complete story, visit the link below..... http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/local/6746851/sydney-gets-new-transport-ticket-system/

Fantastic photos! Great to cover something different about Cleveland too rather than the same old same old.... Love the housing stock, still solid, great opportunity for new investment. The infrastructure is there on the commercial areas and not in bad shape really. I think I will call that number to ask the selling price of that one house... I love it! Thanks for posting!

HA! Soooooo funny because it is soooo true! Spot on you hit the words!

Regarding customer service/attitude issues in airport. I want to expand a bit on what a few posters posted. Both Rock and Roller and Sirgees have made excellent points. The N.E. O. inferiority complex has been so engrained into the attitude of many that I would bet they don't even know WHY they have this attitude...they simply repeat it like parrots because they heard from their parents/friends/or whomever.......and the beat goes on to the next person and so on... The lack of personal pride in jobs like front desk/customer service related positions clearly demonstrate the attitude. When you get good service, it is obvious when you are dealing with slack. Indeed, as Rock and roller pointed out.....it does nothing for image. But how does it change? I don't think there is any one simplistic answer as it will take a combination of better customer service skills, and or a crash course on "Why to be proud of, and share Cleveland/N.E. Ohio with others" Naturally, it will take time to reverse these attitudes but I started--and maybe others can do the same--instead of reserving all the good ideas for UO---sart by writing to the airport to hire more willing and capable and articulate help. The slacker and inferiority attitudes need to change from the top on down before any grandiose ideas manifest with expansion, etc. By the way...the expansion mentioned in the article has me concerned about creating sprawl and undermining one of Cleveland's most treasured assets, our Metroparks. Anyway, I would trade all the quantity for QUALITY any day if we could first see a change of attitude in the kinds of people we're talking about...that can lead to making us the best we can be AS is, FIRST---or we employ them over the kind who act like the world owes them a living---or that they are doing YOU a favor just by being awake! Here is one basic rule-of-thumb example of such customer service that is eroding away, or already is: It should be the worker who says "THANK YOU" first, to a good customer...instead of the customer saying it, then the worker saying something like "yeah, ok" with a dopey careless chip-on-the-shoulder attitude. Another, emplyees in uniform smoking in the public eye.. Or shouting to one another across hallways or rooms. Real classy! Does anyone step outside the box to look at that from the outside in to see how backwards it is? Or, are we so used to accepting below average standards that when we get back to average, we think it is a language from Mars? Don't know, but I will say again that it will be improving the simpe things that will be very important. So what.. Big airport, lost of development...same old bad maintenance, customer service, etc. The only difference is that we will just become a BIGGER bad example of slack. It all boils down to leadership better examples that trickle down to, and set better more efficient standards for employees. When I ask a question about a city I am traveling to at a service desk, I don't want to be met with "Duhhhhh...I dunno!" Or the classic when someone comes to Cleveland from far away.....and the local says to the ousider... "Eweee!...Why did you come heeerrreee" Civic pride can do a lot in stimulating an attitude for a city that fosters the kind of caring that will not allow their city to be dragged down to the kinds of levels that people like some of the Cleveland Dot Com forums end up bitching about, and yet do nothing. As for the flights. I really wish we'd get more non-stops like to the west coast, Hawaii, international, if somehow possible. I'm over the Chicago or Atlanta stops and having to fly on what are essentially 98' chamber pots or sardine cans! I am willing to pay more. I hope airport officials read this thread as RTA officials read the RTA thread.

AMEN!!! RTA, would you please employ the philosophiy of 327? Hire him!

I don't know why so many call this a death trap. I use it all the time and never have a problem. If people would learn how to use a round-a-bout, they would have little if any issues with this. I have driven on far more complicated ones. But what is really scary is a bus driver not knowing how to use it! YIKES!!! :-o

Looks like flags of various nations....

I agree. In the future.,...we will not only be judged by what we create...but also by what we refuse to destroy. Hmmm.....where did I hear that before!I know it applied to the environment, but it can also apply to buildings themselves.

All these things are unacceptable behavior for any driver....and ESPECIALLY a supposed "professional" driver. I have witnessed on numerous occasions 'bully-like' driving of RTA buses. I have also been a potential crash victim of one and if had not been for me watching, this driver would have caused a big accident. I wrote and called RTA about this and NO reply. While I know eyes cannot be on them all the time and for every little thing..the general philosophy on this should be a zero tolerance. RTA... Are you reading this? These incedents (accountability) described above, to me, are the kind where no amount of funding will fix them...or prevent inconsiderate manners and plain stupidity in bus drivers...But rather, supervisors who do not tolerate such behavior can help the issue--and such a character need be in the make-up of the people who are hired to enforce better/safer driving. If not...then hire someone who takes it seriously and can demonstrate so. Safe driving philosophies need be instilled in the character of the people of RTA from the top on down. I often see evidence suggesting the opposite. Show me an effort that you are taking these issues seriosuly (among others) and I may consider riding public transport more often, and I will do al I can to encourage others to do the same. (as I used to in the 90's) On another note, I really like Rock and Roller's idea for trying to reach a broader customer base in ideas to attempt to better promote ridership. I am in Sydney at the moment...and have noticed, (like in many places in North America) the well done and atractive advertising lit up signs on the bus shelters at night. I know there was some talk about this earlier in the thread.

They were not installed this year supposedly due to the cost of installation/budget, etc. type issues. This, I was told from someone I know who knows someone who works in FCE TCC offices.... May Day is correct. The same scenario went for the big tree in The Galleria. I actually liked these animated decorations...fun....and good for drawing familys down there.

I second, big time! What are these people thinking? ARE they at all?

Yeah...... and that Dean Rufus house of fun is a real hoot! This group of businesses does a great job maintaining that block too.

Just thought I would pass this along from OCNW's announcements...Not really a restaurant.... But sells home made foods.... Nice and Sweet New Ohio City Business Announcement: "Nice and Sweet" announces their grand opening on Monday January 25th! This new, family friendly store is located at 1410 West 29th Street, between Detroit and Church Avenues. The store will feature homemade chocolates, pies (including homemade sweet potato pie) and other baked goods and desserts, along with nuts, flavored popcorn and more. Check out their holiday gift baskets, just in time for Valentine's Day. Call 216-515-1105 for store hours. Please stop by and give them a warm Ohio City welcome! While on this cool little block, check out the Dean Rufus House of Fun (PH 348-1386), Burton's BBQ (PH 298-5075) and the Ohio City Cafe & Grille (back in their original location, PH 241-2233).

They can widen the roads to stretch coast to coast and it won't solve the problem of poor growth management as a trend of blind growth continues down a road to nowhere. Growth beyond maturity is cancer.

^^^Write to them and suggest this building for such use.

It can be if you let it...especially if you work from home like me and have it so easy to pop on and off at any time...or just have it on while working. But, there is no more really good talk radio on the mainstream airwaves in N.E. Ohio, so this is kind of a replacement......besides, I do not watch tv (rarely)

Great idea!!!...freshly prepared food is so needed in many of the "nutritional wastelands" of our cities. Remember to clean and re-use plastic containers. A small thing that makes one hell of a difference collectively.