Etheostoma Caeruleum

Lots going on...more than meets the eye.

I like the original street names in the Parking Lot District (A.K.A. WHD) such as "Bank Street" and "Water Street"..... Much classier in my opinion than just the numbers.

^^ Again, it baffles me as to why such a prominent place and project development group could do one thing in the total positive, and yet miss the boat on a simple thing like a coat of paint or cleaning a window. This is exactly the poster child example of what I mean about a method of operation in the air here that dreams and wants to achieve the grandiose...and that is all well and good.. BUT, misses out on improving the smallest things that collectively become big things left unabated..and collectively, become a noticeable difference in the positive, if made right. That wood, in 25 minutes and $15.00 could be made to look heaps better. It has been offered for FREE! I know some would rather make excuses, rationalize, and defend it, but I cannot buy any excuse for such a simple solution that can be implemented to make an improvement. It has something to do with raising the standards in that sort of storefront stewardship department to well above mediocrity. We must take some constructive critique here once and while without people lashing out and saying... "You're negative"..."You're anti-Cleveland.... yabba, yabba, yabba".... It is a no brainer....DUH!

This is a great building.... nice setting.... would make a great part hotel....

^ Wait!! You mean Rex is still doing the services? I would go for kicks just like I did when I went to see Ernest Angely.... Now this guy looks like a cat is sleeping on his head with that terrible wig!

I like this part..and hope it does JOLT the brains into gear! "As Cleveland struggles to re-invent itself, this would be a powerful reminder that Cleveland has a proud tradition of designing and manufacturing world-class goods."

This is nice... I wish C.R. and that bar room would treat the May Company frontage as respectful as this place has. The only thing I do not like about the PV place is the musical assault. On the other hand, it is nice to see folks dress up a bit for a change instead of showing up for planned dinner in ripped jeans, flip flops, ball caps and sneakers.

Patience is a key in having good at bats. These batters have been swinging at some really bad pitches. Indeed, a terrible way to enter the break. The lack of offense is amazingly so consistent. Then when the offense is somewhat there, some part of the pitching at some point decides to take a dump.

So when is the project beginning?

Agreed, and that is probably exactly the case. I hope something fills in there, though. That intersection is starting to get signs of unkempt issues. Empty storefronts cannot help.

That's good.. Just curious..what is under the black/dark brown glass? This was probably the least ugly siding of all the siding placed on old buildings... But is there any photo with the original look?

Is that adjacent church facility still in use..the one Rex used?

(Disclaimer: This will be a long response, because all am trying to do is shed a bit of history about the effort to improve the property mentioned above. I will refrain from mentioning names of the owners/developers as I think most here already know the parties who are responsible for the property. This response is to help this poster with the inquiry, and to let the poster know there is an effort out here that is trying to make a difference in situations as he describes. For those who do not care for my longer posts, feel free to ignore it--Thank You!) Interesting you should mention this. On behalf of Cleveland Storefront Art's "Adopt-a-Storefront" Program, there have been numerous letters sent to the appropriate people about doing an improvement makeover free of charge courtesy of volunteers. This is the same effort that brought the APAMA character to Prospect, Mona Lisa in Halle's, and many other window makeovers. We were told by DCA that intent to do something with that front was soon. Well, that was about 5 months ago....and still nothing. It took pulling teeth to get the Aperture Photography banners in the windows next door, and windows there cleaned. It did make that space look a bit better, although it was not the best of what we would have liked overall. So, it is no surprise to me the lack of attention given to that space. Still, I agree, that one space looks horrendous, is really inexcusable to just leave it that way because it would cost virtually nothing to--at the very least--get it away from (as one UO-er put it at one time), the "Post WW2 Berlin bombing aftermath condition".... in such a high profile area..... and I am shocked that such a prominent development group who has done a lot of good things, would leave this site looking like this amidst the good things going on in that area. It is a stain in the middle of other respectable looking fronts. We had a plan to clean it, then paint it...to essentially frame a mural that would have featured sepia, slightly colored misty color tone illustrations of many of the old big retail stores that once graced Euclid, as a sort of tribute. On it was going to be bullet point anecdotal information about each store and its time period of existence. That is when we were told by someone at DCA that plans had been made to paint it, or something. Again, that was several months ago and it still looks pathetic. I believe another letter will be sent to inquire about what is going on with that. But yeah, every time I see it is is shameful. More storefront owners need to better understand that these spaces, which receive a lot of grime and dirt from road traffic, weather, etc...need to be washed, touched up with a bit of paint now and then, windows cleaned on a more regular basis to do justice to their historical appeal and the millions put into their restorations. Old world shopkeepers used to do this daily in such settings, not once a month or year. The lack of pride in window displays is actually a slap in the face to how grand Euclid was with its window displays. Maintaining such curb appeal was first and foremost, a part of everyday business. I hope to set example of this through the program, of how it can be done. By the way, it could not hurt...and I would strongly suggest, to write to the appropriate folks about this and express the concerns as to why this should be remedied. The solution in the interim to make these spots look a hell of a lot better is so simple. Watch what we will be doing between W. Blvd and W. 90th Street along Lorain Ave!

I do talk a lot to a lot of area locals who have thought this project was dead.... the typical CDC "doomsday for downtown" folk who are the kind who think Banana Republic is still in the Galleria, and unless the facility is what they remember in the 80's, anything else it is striving to become must be a failure. This tells you how long it has been since they have been downtown or paid attention to anything going on. On the construction site itself, however, there is little to suggest what the project is.... or promote any excitement about it either. So with that, and our wonderful "newspaper", THE "PAIN" DEALER, I guess it should not be too surprising.

Surprisingly, I have talked to people who still think this project is dead! Ugh!

This is good news. I skimmed through the information. When is this beginning on these string of buildings, and are they demolishing any of them? I hope not, the rendering did not indicate that.

I inquired about this stretch of buildings to clean up the fronts and install art projects. Not much luck in contacting anyone to get us in there. But the plan would have made this stretch look 100% better in the interim. This project is now called "Adopt-a-Storefront" It would be such a more pleasant scene to walk past, until something is done with the structures. They have sat like this for too long to not have such a simple thing done...free. We will still try.

Although soils there are now devoid of nutrients as the top soils are gone.... I am sure a good consult with a prairie restoration group like www.prairienursery.com could help restore the site eventually, to a gorgeous scene when planes come in. It will take a while to restore...and deal with soil contamination issues. This group can select the plants best suited for such a situation. Look at their website and see some of the work they have done. Also, www.ohioprairienursery.com Yes, this does look like crap and is a testament for environmental abuse and disregard. I never saw beauty in these kinds of photos, although I acknowledge it as a part of history and for what it is. These pollutions have merely been replaced with less visually dramatic ones, brought to us surprisingly by individual households, which on average contain more noxious chemicals and chemicals in general, than Thomas Edison had in his 1850's labs...and they will likely end up in the environment.

^ I agree.

There are also valid reasons stakeholders may be opposed to a given type of project or business. It is easy for outsiders to criticize them or not take the time to understand the history behind why they may be opposed, no matter if we agree with their rationale or not. If the project is fully explained, and there is no trouble or anything that could be a problem for their property, then all is good. But, as a property owner, you betcha I would question anything going next to mine. Its my civic duty. Just because I question it does not mean I would be opposed to it either. By the way, off topic a bit there.. I wanted to post that the cube on the square... Flaming Ice Cube is now open later at night, past 9:00 PM to 9:30....great for enjoying an evening meal outside of the realm of bars or bar foods/crowds/sports crowds. Many people have asked me at random why more such places are not open later at night downtown, from locals to visitors.... Now that someone is being a bit of a pioneer in that effort, I would like to reward them with support. Maybe that could seed some bravery in other non-food or non-bar establishments to do the same. What's more interesting is that it is not directly in a "district" so it encourages foot traffic and discovery in other parts of our very easy to walk (but seems like a lot of locals, or those who play in the confines of the "districts" do not realize it) downtown!

So there is no basement under this?

Somewhat of a foolish baiting question if directed to me...but my sister and many other family members works in area hospitals. Bloody hands, burns, and other body parts.. I have also worked late night security positions and witnessed this again and again. It is a busy night and time, for sure. How's that for "evidence?" Or does a bottle rocket have to fly up the tail end to present some "evidence?" Here are a couple sites that may help assure safety: http://www.cpsc.gov/info/fireworks/index.html And for "evidence" concerning injuries.... http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=297&cookie_test=1 Keep me away from anyone who poses such a question.. Yikes? He must be the person we all need to watch out for. These products are not toys for the brain dead.

^ Hospitals buzz with injuries to the stupid at this time of year...those who have no business whatsoever having in possession, explosive materials. It can get way over the top.

Is there a basement foundation under this....Not sure what I am viewing.

Rode it three times. Nice concept, but I find what are newer vehicles already not well kept...dirty feeling and not reflective of the name "healthline" If this is the city's main transport showpiece, it should be kept immaculate.