clvlndr

I'll take being at Cleveland's hotels, transit hub, business and retail center over some minimal shelter out in the middle of nowhere any day.

I understand what you're saying, but RTA gradually replaced the Loops with trolleys IIRC. For a while there were just 1 or 2 trolleys and still a couple loops, which actually had printed schedules and required a fare. But the loops have now been eliminated in favor of the free trolleys and the trolleys have even expanded beyond loop territory -- such as the E.9th - Rock Hall Route... and of course, they now run on weekends where the loops were only M-F. Even though their routes are similar, they may be trickier to follow without printed schedules with the loop route on it, and even tougher if someone tries to flag a trolley down in the middle of the route pursuant of course to the restrictions Jerry noted, which make perfect sense... It's tougher to for younger, newer visitors and residents... Then again, it may not be that hard to remember the good old loop days if you're an old fart like you or me ... well, ... like you.

Yeah, that was my thinking as well... then again, with so many trolley routes now, this might not work; people do need to know which line they're getting on. It was much simpler when there was just the Euclid Route and the Warehouse Dist- Superior route.

This is a generally a very positive and comprehensive article. However, I was a tad taken aback by the writer's concern, especially that FEB would somehow hurt other growing/thriving areas of downtown... And I take serious exception with his description of the Warehouse District as "troubled". I think it's just a part of Clevelanders' DNA to look for problems and worry about hurting other areas as opposed to thinking, as I do, that yet another booming entertainment district helps everyone (remember, this is the same mentality that had our existing hotels for years fighting the large new convention-style hotel that we finally appear to be getting)... Yes, the WHD has had some rowdiness issues, notably with long-gone Lust a few years ago, but this image of the WHD as the "old Flats"(this PD writer didn't directly say so, but hinted it)is simplistic and way over the top. Maybe there have been a few W. 6th issues, but they are no different and often less serious than entertainment bar districts in other cities' downtowns. And it's more than ironic that the "mature/adult" crowd that moved up the hill to the more sophisticated WHD now apparently (inferred by the PD) threatens to move back down the hill to the revamped, now-more sophisticated Flats a decade later... To me, I'm just thrilled that the new FEB is open and looks like a high-quality endeavor, and that there is positive momentum to get Phase II moving ... all in harmony with a revived Cleveland core... I'll leave the worried hand-wringing to the PD.

It's great news for the economy, of course. But this is double good news because the Horseshoe is unusual in that it generates more revenue from tables than slots -- I'm no casino expert, but this is what knowledgeable folks are saying -- this apparently has given Thistledown (as a slots-based "racino") a reprieve since there's limited conflict/overlap with the Horseshoe. That's great for all of us who want to see Thistledown survive.

While this would be great for CSU students, it sucks for passengers needing to be closer to the center of town. The current location at W. 3rd a block from Tower City and Public Square would seem preferable.

I think they get worse when they talk about non-sports topics. Sports is already over Booms' head. Non-sports issues are over both of their heads. Chuck Booms is a bigot; can't stand him. Never listen to the show. Baskin & Phelps are a complete 180; I listen to them whenever I get a chance. Adam the Bull tries too hard to be a poor man's Chris Berman; too loud, too shrill, and he's not that knowledgeable despite the shtick ... Ken Carmam is loud, too, but at least he's funny and pretty knowledgeable .... I like Chris Fedor and am glad he bounced back on 92.3 after his firing at stodgy/tired WKNR.

Maron's clearly a young developer who "gets it" about maintaining and enhancing urban street presence and walkability... Maybe he needs to school K&D about such concepts.

Good question; I was wondering this myself... Bottom line is RTA OWES the public a much clearer explanation of what it's doing when it completely shuts down such a vital service as the Red Line. I've been noticing a rather cavalier, vague approach when stating rational for widespread rail service... i.e.: when closing the Blue/Green lines, which RTA does most years, we deserve more than just: "track work."... this shouldn't fly. Tell us exactly what work necessitates these closures because many riders, myself included, wonder whether such draconian measures as full closures are needed as opposed to sectional closures (like with the S curve work) or single tracking.... The lack of clear explanation by RTA sends the message of contempt for its riding public, whether RTA feels that way or not.

Yeah, I was hoping Jerry or JetDog would provide an answer, but they have both been silent on this issue. I wonder why.

Had a late lunch at Panera the other day -- on an afternoon when it was actually NOT RAINING. The foot and auto traffic was tremendous and parking was scarce -- it was the first time I saw a valet there. btw, it looks like the Phase II skeleton has reached its full height. I was surprised at how, even with just the skeleton, the structure is pretty overpowering at street level, which is a good thing... as they say: it's all good!

Salazar was amazing today. Indians may consider not making this a 1-shot start. Keep this fireballing kid on speed-dial; lets see how McAllister comes back.

Great move by Cavs. Low risk, high (potential) rewards. Hopefully, as you note, Bynum came here because of Brown and that he'll be motivated to play under Mike as well.

According to Fox-8, the Red Line is single-tracking while the "Watershore Line" is shut down. Glad no one was hurt.

Toured the faculties, mainly the Aloft hotel and WXYZ Lounge, last week and was quite impressed. The view from the lounge/lobby deck toward the river is very nice. Can't wait when Phase II components begin rising in the empty space, especially current E & Y surface parking by the Rapid tracks, disappears. Quick Aside: if any UOer visits/has visted an Aloft room of a visitor or decides to stay over her/himself, I'd be interested in your impression. Most of the few, early reviews on hotel websites from guests are favorable, though a number claim the rumbling and noise from the NS railroad corridor is distracting, with one guy saying it felt like "an earthquake" while in bed. Is this true?

Ditto on both points.... and yes, that's the best living/breathing, turn of the (20th) century photo of Public Square, or anywhere in Cleveland, I've ever seen.

It's comforting to know that savvy students like Zak, understand and appreciate the greatness and game-changing nature of Uptown. Fact is, Uptown should be a major recruiting tool for Case, which is a great yet under appreciated national university (it won't hurt CIA or CIM either). Uptown is a grand opportunity for Cleveland generally to increase it's appreciation of quality urban living.

Maybe you need to follow the NBA a little bit. Speights was a 1st Round (No. 14 pick) in a strong class. As a sophomore, he starred in the NCAA championship game where Florida bested Greg Oden/OSU. He was injured early on with Philadelphia, and played behind (then strong) Elton Brand. On Memphis he played behind Randolph and Marc Gasol. Even in college at Florida, Speights had to play behind guys like Al Horford and Jokim Noah, and yet he still turned heads ... You don't need to see a ton of games to see this man clearly has skills over every current and recent big man the Cavs have had in recent years -- including Andy, who always works hard and has upped his game considerably and Tristan Thompson, who is improving before our eyes... Who else among Cavs' Bigs: JJ Hickson? Z (maybe Z pre-foot injury in the 90s, and I'm not even sure about that)? an old Shaq? Drew Gooden?? ... I think not. In terms of mobility, ability to score around the basket, ability to score from distance, rebounding, space-eating; Speights can even dribble/beat you off the dribble in the open court ... when you put all those skills together, the Cavs haven't had such a player. And with Zeller still growing, needing to add strength and Andy out injured yet again, the Cavs would be absolutely crazy not to make a full-court press to secure this 25-year-old man as one of the cornerstones of this team... And what Speights has done already, to change the losing culture and attitude of this Titanic-like club, is more than obvious yet beyond measurable statistics.

Cleveland's the largest metro area of the 3, and yet has the shortest avg commute time, according to the survey... The difference is obvious: Cleveland has the best mass transit, esp. the only rail rapid transit system in the state -- Cincy's streetcars soon to arrive. But the actual way transit has impacted Cleveland is less obvious.... Even though metro Cleveland sprawls and continues to sprawl outward like the other 2 Cs, many key built up close-in Cleveland city areas and suburbs that grew-up around good transit: Shaker Heights, Shaker Sq., Cleve Hts, Lakewood, are still viable even after significant population losses in recent decades -- which btw recent stats are showing are slowing. These relatively densely populated areas are compact and close in (inside the beltway freeways), and is probably why Cleveland's circumferential freeway belt is far smaller than both Columbus' and Cincy's. Don't get me wrong, greater Cleveland does indeed have far-flung sprawl-burbs like Medina, Solon, Avon Lake, etc., but they are counterbalanced by a still viable, albeit shrinking inner-ring urbanized suburban network that is more accessible to mass transit.... ... not to mention the fact that Cleveland is smartly reinvigorating city neighborhoods near the 4 rail and 1 BRT (Health Line) such as Midtown, Univ. Circle/Uptown, Ohio City, Det. Shoreway, Shaker Sq. and the Flats, plus a few others… Cleveland’s also finally developing modern TOD which should also hold down commute times as well.

This is a start. Philly, like Cleveland, has to change it's mindset on where it's growth ought to be. But of course, in Philly it's even more extreme. They've got this metropolitan jewel in SEPTA's urban and regional rail networks, but since around World War II, all the area's growth has been along roads and away from it's gigantic rail network: ie King of Prussia Mall and Cherry Hill Mall and the mushrooming office and residential growth around them... It's true that most of what are today SEPTA's regional rail routes were up and running by the time Lincoln reached the White House (and some rail bridges from that area are still in use!!), so that TOD's go by such names as Bryn Mawr, Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, so a lot of railroad adjacent land is built out, in many cases for well over a century/century and a half. But that doesn't mean there isn't TOD spots for this near 300 mile rail network, as the article notes... one such TOD area that has seen a ton of growth over the last decade has been around the Conshohocken area stations along the R-6, er 'scuse me, the Norristown RR line.

Fantastic news! Keep the momentum...

Any word (or whispers) about Fairmount's financing for Phase II? ... when they may likely close?

All players shop their wares in free agent years, so there's nothing new about that. But there's no denying that Speights is the strongest and most talented/versatile big man the Cavs have had since Brad Daugherty and the Cavs, given the dearth of high-grade talent that's come through Cleveland since since July 10, 2010 -- save Kyrie of course, can ill afford to piss away such a talent with a primary eye (in this trade) on a first round draft pick loaded with so many protections, it may not materialize until 6 years from now.

I gather Mo really wants to play in Cleveland: lots of PT on a young, rising team with an All Star PG who will get him the ball... He also forfieted his Bird rights in OK'ing the trade which also indicates he wants to be here... He's only played a few games with us, but his impact has been huge. Speights, esp, and Ellington and Livingston have suddenly turned our sorry 2nd unit into a formidible bunch. In fact, they generally have been stronger than the 1st unit, and collectively they play better D -- esp. Ellington. They've broght us back in games that the 1st unit has put us behind the 8 ball... I hope the Cavs to all they can do to convince him to stay. He's a young Big who has muscle and can score from a variety of spots, including the 15-18 footer. I don't want to lose him.

Geez, I sure wish OUR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR actually understood the advantages of, and wasn't an enemy of quality Amtrak and mass transit... Bob McDonnell is a jackass on most issues ... but he's got it right on this one. Why not follow your brother's lead Mr. Kasich?