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Woodward, Thanks for the comments. I lived in Detroit for a few years and understand what you are saying. The worst opinions that you will find about Cleveland are from the suburbanites who haven't been downtown in decades. There is an unjustified negative attitude that holds back the entire region. This campaign is aimed at improving our region's self-confidence.

The blog is interesting. I don't believe that the masterplan is confidential anymore. Some things have already changed since it was published. Case is in a strange position. Financially, they have had to cut a lot this year. Conversely, they have a large endowment that really helps. Hundert has made good and interesting changes, but he is also not well-liked in some circles. Also, the new dorms have really added life to that part of campus. The redevelopment of the Triangle could also be a huge improvement and add a lot of life to a vital intersection. However, there is word that the project's leader just doesn't completely understand how to build good urban spaces.

The Domain on Lee ad is still running on the Progressive Urban website.

In a way, this doesn't surprise me. It had taken them so long to get this moving on the project. Also, I don't feel that the location was the best for this project. I can think of two or three locations on Coventry where Domain who fit in perfectly and would probably be an easier sell. On a positive Cleveland Hts note, Kenilworth Mews is finally moving forward (at least I can see that they are digging and hauling away dirt) and the Derbyshire church condos have started the final phase.

How reliable is the source?

Please?

KJP, Very interesting idea. I'll post my thoughts when i can organize them.

Great job! Very nice.

MGD, The only negative press that I new about was when the union workers picketed. I don't remember the news story to mention much about the issues we have discussed. I have seen what appear to be finished units when I have driven past at night.

There are many who believe that Cleveland's population was greatly under-estimated by the 2000 census. The Social Compact estimates that Cleveland actually has a population of 588,000. http://www.nhlink.net/socialcompact/pdf/cleveland_drill_down/overallreport/cleveland_overview_executive_summary.pdf There are many commercial real estate bigwigs who put more faith in this report than the US Census.

I doubt it. I think that its completely rented out and making $. While its not pretty, it will be transit friendly considering that the ECTP will drop people off at the front door. Its unfortunate that they built it. It really cuts off Beacon Place from any possible expansion to the West and its design effectively discourages any interesting retail uses.

The Clinic doesn't want to spread itself thin. Operationally, it is not a good path to go down if they sprawl out. They are want to keep all new construction as close to their core as possible.

Hilarious.

brtshrcegr, Welcome to the board! Hope you can come back to Cleveland when you graduate like a bunch of us have.

Hospitals are very complex places that must stress health, functionality and safety over other things. I would think that there are only a certain sect of architects that do hospital work. Have you ever heard of Frank Gehry designing a new hospital?? I am not defending the Clinic's choice.. Bizbiz, There is a nascent effort that is looking at development just north of Chester (we may be hearing more about this in the coming months). And, its been reported that Zaremba is looking at a 500-unit development between E.79th and E.71 on Euclid. Considering the new zoning district in that area, its hard to see how it wouldn't be mixed use. Create more density and the retail will come. The frustrating thing about hospitals is that they often have huge cafeterias inside them that keep workers nestled inside the walls.

I saw a bit about this on the tv news last night. They were delayed in setting up the sting because the undercover cops kept on being offered drugs by local entrepreneurs. At least we have a one-stop shop for all our vices.

Is there a Chipolte anywhere downtown? They are pretty popular with the kids these days, ya know.

Homeless advocates name mean cities Friday, January 13, 2006; Posted: 9:36 a.m. EST (14:36 GMT) SARASOTA, Florida (AP) -- Sarasota, which recently imposed a no-camping ban, is the meanest city in the nation toward the homeless, according to a national advocacy organization. The annual list of the 20 worst cities for treating the homeless in 2005 ranks Lawrence, Kansas, as second meanest, and Little Rock, Arkansas, third. Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas and Houston were also among the top 10. For more info, click the link www.plaindealer.com

As others have pointed out, the mentioned company probably will only occupy a portion of the entire site. I don't see Cleveland investing all that money just so that they can create a hand full of jobs.

HA! I never knew that the Trinity was the Ferry Cap & Screw sited. I am very glad that something will happen to this area. I agree that it would make a great site for housing, but if the best that we can do is an industrial use, then so be it. It is the worst portion of Detroit Ave.

With the current budget, it appears that RTA has to decide between the extras (cameras, stop announcements) and raising fares. I am not of the opinion that we should radically expand our rail system. We need to foster the environment that will allow for sustainable rail expansion. While some champion the ideals of Tober, I have also heard that his expansion plans are not in-line with realistic budget forecasts. Is it overly ambitious so that maintenance costs will put too much of a strain on the system's budget? I agree with Urbanlife that we need to focus on TOD. It will not only increase ridership, but it will set an example to Clevelanders of how rail can actually be successful and convenient. I see West 25th and University Circle as areas that are ripe for TOD. After we focus on what we do have, then we should expand. As is, our rail system underperforms due to its routing. It will be easier to enhance the areas around some of the current stations than it will be to dramatically extent or reroute our lines.

Its good to see some movement on this project: County taps project honcho for planned downtown HQ By JAY MILLER Cuyahoga County has taken the first steps to get the ball rolling on its planned $100 million administration building at East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue. The country commissioners last week approved moving Joyce Burke-Jones — a principal planner with the county planning commission — under the wing of the county administrator and the county’s central services department to be project administrator for the building. Ms. Burke-Jones salary will be $86,000 a year. Also last week, the commissioners gave the go-ahead for the central services department to begin the process of hiring a construction manager.

I kind of like the Northside. X, What? Rock'n'Roll-ville would be a great name! ;)

Trinity clean-up cost: $2 million Thursday, January 12, 2006 By DAVID PLATA West Side Sun News Up to $2 million in city funds is expected to be approved to hire a consultant to oversee environmental clean-up and demolition of the Trinity Building, a 1920s-era structure that once functioned as an aluminum foundry. The vacant five-story building, at 9203 Detroit Ave., sits on a nearly 6-acre site. The property is one of two sites bought by the city last year with an eye to creating an industrial land bank to attract industry and jobs to Cleveland. Legislation to hire HZW Environmental to provide technical help and environmental oversight was introduced Monday and is expected to be approved in two weeks. This will allow for the complete remediation of environmental conditions in the building _ the removal of asbestos and demolition of the building and cleaning up of the site, said Councilman Jay Westbrook, D-18, in whose ward the property is located. Although a figure isn't specified in the legislation, Westbrook said up to $2 million is to be approved to hire HZW. The company will oversee the work of additional firms to be hired for the project. Westbrook said the city is still in discussion with about four companies interested in redeveloping the site. One of those is Energy Wise Systems, a year-old company in Brooklyn, Ohio. More at http://www.cleveland.com/sun/

^thanks for asking. Its a tampon.