Etheostoma Caeruleum

"They said that so far I am the only one to raise these questions (obviously they don't read UrbanOhio)." Typical catch all answer. If Frangos is involved in this in any way shape or from, the outcome cannot be positive regarding any hope to preserve history--And, Cimperman is his pocket. Nothing more need be said...The End. Funny how seemingly higher education produces those who allow for this to happen. Gee... how no one seems to have thought about the potential appeal and character that can be added to this campus by integrating the past old, with the present new. Sadly the life expectancy of the new buildings will never compare. And of course they didn't find anything historically significant about the building in question... Not when the agenda is demolition for the new. How they think they can humor intelligent people with these catch all excuses is laughable.

Good news...especially more re-investment from suburban areas for a change. This is such a great building...has lots of curb appeal and I can only imagine what a nice re-addition to the street it would be.

Will it be operational?

You would think the one thing Kasich would understand about all this is the potential extra productivity component...by where business travelers who are forced to drive, can perform business tasks on a train that they cannot...or at least should not, while driving, hence creating dead wasted time.

^ Pure stupidity to not in the least say something! Not only is it unprofessional...its just plain rude.

^ The sad thing is that if new properties replaced the low income housing....they would probably, structural wise--and not that those brick places are any works of art---would be cheap spit and paste. And, yes, the W. Blvd and W. 25th stations are what has been described, but again, even the greatest design to replace them, should it be built, would wind up looking like crap not too many years after based on current standards/priorities that are displayed with taking care of what already exists--which again, I am not sold on the catch all excuse of "lack of funding" Rather, I'll buy lack of priorities, or understanding how small things left unabated become the big things that end up being costly. I believe some may call that in a word, "complacency" Pride is free.

Don't get expectations up again...6-10 team at best.

One thing is certain that corner...9th and Euclid does not need anymore reason to become desolate. The Huntington is fabulous...even underground were some nice little retail shops.

Sounds like a really good idea. Maybe send that one to Hines and Jacobs.... Based on what I found out from calling owners in NY of the old O. Edison Building about making over the street level windows, if the answers from Hines and Jacobs are anything like theirs in NY as to what they speculate for the property, we're screwed. (Psssst. they didn't have a clue what was going on in Cleveland or about the fate of the building..and at one point a demolition comment was mentioned if it didn't sell! YIKES--all subjective, I hope!) The parking ocean huge hole continues to give me heartburn every time I look at it. Not even Flaming Ice Cube's best can quell the pain. There may as well be a suburban style Mall-Wart sitting there. I just find it hard to believe that since this IS such prime space, that it has been empty this long...even in any economy...for this looooonng... God, a pedestrian park.... a wall around it built of stone...a huge pond...or even call up Hollywood to make some kind of artificial facade as they did for the Avengers set to surround the whole place..... but the largest downtown surface parking lot on the planet! UGGGGG!

Announcement from Friends Of Edgewater: Welcome the return of Fall at Edgewater State Park with three upcoming Friends of Edgewater events! September brings the last official FOESP clean-up of the year. We're holding it this coming weekend in conjunction with the Third Annual Lake Erie Boat Float in partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Drink Local Drink Tap, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Coastweeks. The Boat Float, launching from Edgewater Beach, features homemade plastic junk boats racing for prizes - and attempting to stay afloat - to raise awareness about plastic pollution, and is an experience not to be missed! Food and fun provided by 106.5 The Lake. Saturday, September 10th 10am Boat Float 11am Clean-Up: Meet at the Lower Level Beach Pavilion--Parking lot/park areas in need of more volunteers to clean away litter/butts, etc. All supplies provided

Part of the 2011 photo cuts off...so we're not seeing the whole scene as we are in '85.

It all comes down to head to head competition.

You're so right, EC. West Blvd is just over a decade old, yet from the inside, it looks like a dingy, worn-out station from decades ago. Same w/ W. 25, where maintenance has upticked lately (although, can someone please trim the weeds growing up under the station-level walls? it looks sooo tacky, esp given the efforts that the Cleanland Ohio (or whatever that group's now called) in trimming the grass, picking up trash and creating the cute garden nearby)... no doubt RTA's had serious cutbacks, esp from stingy Ohio re its operating expenses, and yes, station upkeep is a shared responsibility btw RTA and the riding public... but, as KJP noted elsewhere, when RTA spends the elbow-grease on the day-to-day maintenance, it spends far less on replacement costs when crappy facilities need wholesale replacment/refurbishment, ie, because of rust for example... The weeds are probably hiding lots of litter! Haha! But trimming would be good....Not spraying the lazy way, as then it will look even worse wit a bunch or brown dead plants exposing disturbed littered soils...making it more erosion prone. Simple routine maintenance like washing windows, a fresh coat of paint once in a while on doors or striping., refreshing planters with some native plants (less maintenance prone in the long run)...litter pick up and asking loiterers to leave, would do wonders...and prevent having to spend money on new stations. I have kindly suggested these things to RTA several times through writing and calling with very little feedback. I used to ride RTA regularly, but to be honest, these issues are what deters me. Probably not a great example...but in Sydney, Aust. a place where many feel the transport system is antiquated... they have a shortage of funding too as I was told at a greens meeting there......probably nowhere near the local issues, but having said that, even with thousands of riders daily...big crowds, the scene is still cleaner than ours! Their staff and resources are also disproportionate to their problems, but somehow these issues look to be a priority and make for a more pleasant experience. So, IMO, as I have stated before....a lot of this cannot be blamed on funding, but rather some flaw in priorities in the leadership of the organization that does not set a better standard throughout. If they want to increase ridership, perhaps it would be in their interest to address the commonly overlooked. I think we just need to admit we have room for improvement in how serious or not so serious management bodies take such issues around here and step it up. A 10 year old station, properly maintained, even a less than quality one, can look respectable with some basics. We should not have to settle for less. And I hope RTA is reading this.

If we'd make better choices as consumers such as reducing plastic, this would make a difference. A great book on the harms of using plastic and Styrofoam type materials (one big component of trash/litter debris) in the food system is called "Slow Death By Rubber Duck". Clean-ups alone, without reducing use of these materials in society when simply not necessary, can be futile...sort of like bailing water out of a boat with a bucket full of holes. Refuse, Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle...in that order.

All valid points. All problems. There is not much to do about leaf litter. This is actually from trees and other than a visual aspect, it pales in comparison to the other issues you mention that are top priority. Clean up after a storm is a must, but general leaf control along the shore by nature taking its course is another thing. Part of the reason we have trees toppling into the water in the first place is due to shoreline abuse which results in erosion. So, let's focus on those many other issues you bring up immediately. I doubt the city would be much better with the stewardship of this park based on how I see other public spaces under their watch maintained. They cannot even adequately deal with all the butt and other litter on the S.W. corner of the square, Let alone a 13 mile park system (couple that with the east side portion that current staff is responsible for as well). I actually would hate to see them get their hands on this park. If the Metro-Parks take over, as is possible as I have heard....that would be the better situation. This current state park crew is down to a skeleton staff. Resources parks need to be able to deal with these issues have, like public transportation, have been eroding for years. It is really bad when you get a guy like Kasich in office now. If Cleveland wants to "re-connect" wit its waterfront, it would be nice that we demonstrate current excellent care in places where we DO have access. Albeit, this park has also experienced a less than enthusiastic care crew in the last few years. But there IS new management that is working close with volunteers to address these issues. I like the fact that you pointed out issues like inappropriate behavior. This is often overlooked but has been addressed at meetings. This place should shine like a crown jewel in our area park system, but obviously it is not. The good news is that more participation to address and correct these issues is coming into the spotlight. For now, I'm afraid there is no magic wand or savior of this place other than neighbors and other concerned people getting involved in the clean-ups, writing or calling your elected officials and ask them to not vote to slash anymore funding for parks management..... Come to a Friends Of Edgewater meeting.... just get involved once a month. Power in numbers.... If this does not happen, the place will be lost to all the above you write about. Just the activity you mention is a first sign of the broken window theory. In many parks they'd be escorted out immediately. Much of what you state is already in the works to correct... It is good to see someone care enough to itemize issues they encounter. I will share them. Stay positive meanwhile....The best way, right now, to make a difference is to get physically involved with these efforts. Hope to see all those concerned, who live here, get involved. Clean-up Saturday, September 10th. Many are concerned about this place but too few actually get involved. The efforts could use help.

I know the narrative for UO Cle. threads is never to say anything that could be mistaken as "anti-Cleveland"... but let's hope that with this kind of investment RTA has dished out...that they will turn up the notches on the routine maintenance and watch at these stations...and not have them looking like crap in just a couple years, or welcome mats for inappropriate behavior or activity. With some of their current/recent past standards on such, I could see it happening. We have nice stations now...public investment....the least we can do is take care of them properly...and this means washing windows or picking up litter more than once a year. Not poo pooing anything... Just expecting above mediocre standards.

How touching! Good to hear outsiders have something good to say rather than hearing the local yocal "Joe's" on CDC who have not been downtown since 1972.

A fantastic photo set. It has a way of capturing the not-so-repetitive. The flags comment is certainly noteworthy too. I have inquired/written about issues like this a lot. Another example of so called "little things" that left unabated, add up to become noticeable--either for the better or worse. In this case, the worse. So, with all the city enthusiastic UO'ers here... lend your pen, voice, and a few moments to contact some of the property owners/managers and express your thoughts as was so plainly put it about the flag issue. Flags make the city look much more festive, alive, and exudes an element of pride. C'mon folks, do your thing! :-) Oh, by the way, the comic shots were great...too bad the old and new owners of 811 Prospect so carelessly ripped out the Apama mural at the time of filming and threw it into the trash. That would have added a nice local element and good impression to the film crew in showing even more new local interest in comic book heroes....or perhaps even had had the opportunity to be sold! Printing alone for that was over $2,000.00, less the many hours of volunteer work to clean and prep the place, fuel costs and an exhausting all day installation! Now it looks so much better with clear dirty windows looking into junk and buckets on the floor---in a building that would still be months away from occupancy without plumbing or electric! Nice move owners, how kind of you to not at least give CSA or Ted S. a call before pitching it--as it was clearly stated it was clearly wanted, should the place sell! :-o

Great job...life as it is...or isn't.

Great again! Love the retro photo look on many... Also, good to see J. Mangos finally painted the trim around the place.

There is a clean-up on Saturday, September 10th from 10 until noon. Please see Friends Of Edgewater Facebook page. Many things add to the algae blooms and odor. Algae, when out of balance and when it dies and is consumed by oxygen depleting bacteria....leads to odors and even fish kills. The huge storm sewer culvert there helps nothing, as well as the fact that Edgewater is actually a cove of sort, that collects debris and other issues like a baseball glove. This is why the least area residents, and especially those living along the shore can do to help is chose to not use lawn chemical services like "CHEM-ical--Lawn" etc... Tere are many alternative ideas to this product. As for the branches, that is left up to the state, but is non-toxic compared to human made litter. It may not look nice, and can have impacts connected to erosion, but the main focus is on artificial litter. There IS effort to see to it that the beach gets combed more often. The state park system, thanks much most recently to the current state administration, has been eroded of resources again. You may have noticed new anti-litter/cigarette but/cigar tip signage in the parks. This was an effort of bringing together three groups who made a great effort with a small grant used very wisely. This plastic tip issue was chosen for a petition drive because it has been such a recent pervasive issue that has grown so much in the last few years likely due to Middleton Company's aggressive target marketing toward urban and inner city youth which has made these things out to be some kind of status symbol, but when petitioning, we have to address one issue at a time to one specific entity. Indeed, the awareness of other issues is on the radar. I will pass along the information about the trails being littered. Writing to your representatives and requesting to NOT slash anymore funding for state parks is a good idea too. It is rumored that the Metro-Parks may take over this place--in which case could present new opportunities and better care. Thanks for the support!

Hopefully the developers are sensitive to the idea of "cross pollinating" downtown.... by this I mean districts actually promoting each other; not solely themselves. Example...word of mouth while city visitors are in one district spending....that they may want to check out "this other part of downtown too" is the basic rule of thumb. It amazes me at how many people go downtown here for visits, meetings, etc... and head straight for the districts, without being familiar with anything in between. Does this suggest spotlighting only a few spots? And, there is a lot in between actually. This way we spread foot traffic all over and not have it corralled in one spot. IMO, there are times I find E. 4th rather obnoxious in appearance, as it looks like one giant outdoor food court/feed lot..... But, having said this, the infusion of other kinds of business is nice and can start to dilute that feedlot feel. I hope that such a store like this, after people spend money in it, can have employees who are familiar enough with all of downtown say... "Hey, thanks for shopping here... one other interesting place you may want to check out here is The Only Cleveland Store" over in TC... Thanks..have a great day! That is what I mean by "cross pollinating" in that sense. Well trained employees can be and should be ambassadors to our city. Its the non-selfish thing to do, and in a downtown as concise and easy to navigate by foot as we have, it should not be a problem..... But, with the often lack of knowledge of our downtown and what it offers...by visitors and even suburban folks who continued the trend of hardly venturing downtown in years...or who work here and go straight from the office to the car to the interstate.... some seem to think walking 10 minutes is like walking 10 miles! What a bad car habit we've gotten into! :-o

Now if these places will keep up on their facade renovations... wash windows on doors daily...other parts of the facade weekly...and NOT once a year like so many seem to do these days, if ever. Curb appeal and window appeal used to be the pride of many such storefronts...especially on Euclid, where street traffic creates a lot of dust/dirt that settles on windows. (hence another value of trees along a street..as they help filter particulates out of the air) It is how to maintain a pedestrian oriented street-scape. Where/when that simple value was lost, I don't quite know. Probably when everyone started living in their cars.

^ Toooo funny!

Addressing beach litter ONE component at a time. This petition deals specifically with plastic tips from cigars. I believe in a recent estimate formulated by The Great Lakes Alliance, Cleveland area beaches had the highest tally of these bits of litter--and, according to data, one cigarette butt left in one gallon of water for one day can kill 80% of aquatic life. Collectively, this is a far bigger issue and problem on beaches than most people comprehend or realize. Hope you will sigh the petition! And, if you don't like me/my posts...that's ok, but we all love our beach, so let's do the right thing by her! And, by the way, the last year has seen many beach and park clean-ups and addition of much informational signage. Please check with Friends Of Edgewater Park for regular listings on scheduled clean-ups by them, (Facebook page) Drink Local Tap, and Sierra Club. :-D Thank You! http://www.change.org/petitions/promoting-against-littering-of-plastic-cigar-tipsbutts-their-discontinued-use?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall