clvlndr

Hi Jerry, no disrespect as I know you're the messenger, but that seems like a pacifying statement. The question we would like to know, is what is Chief Joyce's plan for increased presence at major train stations, rail cars and the Health Line? Agreed. I'm not an RTA accountant, but I dare say transit cops could be redeployed to important, visitor-friendly stations like Ohio City (and the future UC-Little Italy station) at ZERO added costs. Not only, as I've noted, that Tower City is covered by multiple police jurisdictions, it also appears to be one of the safest stations in the entire RTA system... The redeployment issue, then, comes down to a matter of RTA's priorities rather than costs: is RTA more interested in using it's gun-toting cops to bust a few fare jumpers (which seem to be rare at TC, anyway, with turnstiles and fare personnel on site) or are they more interested in providing rider security and safety?

Through the deluge on Friday eve, we had a pleasant experience taking the Red Line to/from Ohio City; pleasant because 2 RTA cops were on site at the station, which was busy even til around 10:30p, when we headed back across the river to the East Side. With cop presence, everyone was well behaved and there was a palpable air of safety. Another poster has complained that RTA should have manned stations at key, busy points like Ohio City. I like the POP system, and would not welcome fare collectors, but there's no reason cops shouldn't be posted at that station around the clock. RTA's latest bulletin touts the Red Line as the best means to visit Ohio City, and that's hard to argue with. But if RTA wants the public, including some rare visitors, even tourists, to use the Rapid, why not invest in security? Why can't cops be stationed at key stations like Ohio City? Trust me, using that station during off peak hours is much more intimidating without the police presence. ... What say you, Jerry? Can we get cops permanently posted at Ohio City and similar stations? What reason would RTA have for not doing so, esp since so many bored looking cops sit around Tower City, which already is patrolled by both Cleveland cops and Tower City's only security force (if not directly at the station, they float all around it)?

Were you visiting or just looking at pics? Both - I recently visited and have been following the developments in the neighborhood for some time. Sweet. Let us know when you plan to return. I know local UOers will have some more tips for you.

Sightseeing, DUH! Visit Lake Merrrit. Visit Berkeley. Be an urban explorer! Show Oakland how you "Westsiders" roll! Yes, there's tons to do in SF and never leave its 49 sq miles. (and don't miss the City's thriving jazz scene, either!). But Berkeley's a tourist destination in its own right. And BART takes you right to Sather Gate, site of the now legendary Free Speech Movement demonstrations of the 60s. It's a beautiful campus and town with tons of museums and historic research sites (like the cyclotron where Oppenheimer and buddies conceptualized atomic energy) along w/ the outdoor Greek Theatre and the funky Telegraph Ave bookstores.

Apologies for the oversight... That's very good to know. The growing density of the area is amazing. For fun, GOOGLE street view Euclid @ E. 115 (whose photo was snapped about 3 years ago) compared to today. Thanks, Murray...

I understand the desire for this project. As people have noted, the current soul-less Browns stadium was rammed through on the voters, has robbed a giant section of the lakefront for redevelopment and is useful for less than 20 events per year. Personally, I'd prefer a retractable dome; I gave up the rah-rah craziness of freezing my tuchus off for the Browns during snowy, freezing temps back when I was in my 20s. And, yes, I'd love to see more events, concerts and other indoor events in our stadium; including, yes, giving Cleveland the chance to host an NCAA Final 4 and a Super Bowl (see the 'we need more downtown hotels' thread)... That crap about football being meant to be played in those elements is .... just that. Modern fans prefer to watch the games in comfort, especially given today's ticket prices -- if they don't get it at the stadium, they'll get it in their cozy homes or sports bars in front of huge HD flat screens ... That being said, it is the wrong time for this subject to be broached with a horrible, losing franchise in a financially devastated city ... unless Jimmy's going to foot the bill.

^Too much of this article was about the upcoming hassle for drivers through area due to the changing traffic patterns as opposed to more details about the station itself. I wish, in the PD articles about the Innerbelt reconstruction/bridge project, this much ink would be given about the hassles RTA rail riders endure(d) when entire weekends of service were shut down due to this road project.... Naaaa.

I just hope that MRN has all the financing for Phase II in hand before the Circle Vista tower is demolished. It's not necearily an attractive building, but it is a high-density residential mid-rise structure. The hole on Public Square and the demolished, historic adapted industrial buildings on Old River Rd. in FEB shows what can happen when viable, functional buildings are torn down before the planned replacements are secured. (obviously we're hoping that Phase II FEB financing will be realized, but at the moment we're hoping and waiting).

Not sure you're a regular Blue/Green Line rider. I frequently see trash on them; last time I rode, I recall an annoying Snapple bottle rolling/bumping into my foot every time the train accelerated.

I'm really impressed with the new Cleveland Hostel (esp. that funky neon sign!). ... I emailed photos of the rooms and rooftop deck/sitting/dining area (as well as the nice Ch. 5 piece on the place) and a couple out-of-town friends are itching to come and stay there next summer.

We need better rail connection to the MMPI conv. center (Amtrak/RTA) and yet, we get from from officials how ugly the train station is and how best to hide it. Can you say bassackwards? Aside from this stupidity, I'm very impressed with the scale and seeming quality of the new CC and excited for its opening.

I wish that would be the case; that Phase II would start at or around the time the Tower is complete.... Phase II are 2 scary words when it comes to Cleveland development.

I remember the PD article... It seems like $3M is (or should be) a drop in the bucket for the enormity of what this signal toward brings to the Red Line in terms of safety and speed. I'm a bit mystified as to why it's still 1 1/4 later and we still don't know when this tower is going to be repaired and, thus, still can't plan for the needed increase in train frequency for a region that needs quality/improved transit service on so many econmic levels. Perhaps I'm being unfair, but it just doesn't seem like there's the urgency at RTA to get this critical rail infrastructure fixed.

^^ Nice photo essay, Murray. Nice to see the density of Cotman Vistas. Question: once again, once this complex is completed, will the large redbrick tower on Euclid (next to the Mi Pueblo restaurant) be demolished? And if so what, if anything, will replace it?

Jerry, great news about the reinstitution of 7-day service on the Waterfront Line. Hopefully 15-min, Blue/Green intervals can be had. Thanks for that.

I care more about what it says, which is way cool.

because the corridor that the WL covers is empty. while the corridor for the bus is filled with places to get on and get off, i.e. destinations. the L line hits the casino, the convention center and lakefront, all would be door to door service, not an additional 2-5 minute walk from the station like the WL would be. this point out the advantage of being on the street. hopefully this can lead to a Real streetcar system for this area. I don’t buy this thinking. In the late 90s to early 2000, I used frequently travel to North Point for biz purposes, and would intersperse riding the WL with the 247 Loop bus from Public Sq. especially in the good old days when there WL ran every 15 mins all day (every 12 mins during rush hour). Yes, the cars were often pretty empty, but the a Loop buses were emptier. And no, Biker, the bus route didn’t travel pass many destinations to/from Public Sq. where people were clamoring to ride. It zig-zagged along Lakeside, E. 6th and Public Square, passing City Hall and the often near empty, cavernous Convention Center – destinations that were often close enough to walk to-from Public Square. And as for the casino, why would someone rather take this zig-zaggy ride to the casino and transfer outside, where the WL Rapid delivers you indoors? The WL travels it’s route pretty fast as it is. It would be even faster if RTA did the right thing and, at least, instated POP on the WL portion so that drivers aren’t sitting there holding trains while the count pennies (and nickels and quarters) of individual riders. Also, I don’t get this huge, arduous 2-5 minute walk from the Rock Hall to the North Coast WL stop. Honestly, I think Clevelanders are creative in thinking up excuses for people to NOT use rapid transit in this town (but will travel to DC, Chicago and elsewhere and walk blocks on end to use theirs); I just don’t get it. Some people here make it seem like it’s too far of a walk if trains don’t stop right at their bedroom door. Once the Flats East Bank development opens with the planned 10 or so restaurant venues (and hopefully with Phase II apartments soon thereafter), it will make the WL even more viable – but knowing our “planners” we’ll probably run buses and rubber-tired trolleys down to the FEB to “compete” with the WL there as well.

Jerry, I actually thought you'd once stated that RTA would add a 3rd Red Line, westbound, rush our car once Inner Belt bridge construction began in order to both have capacity for and encourage converted I-71 drivers, no?

No, in the practical scheme of things, 10 more rooms don't meant that much. But 500 rooms, as a hotel measuring stick for a major-city downtown, does. And as I noted, I feel we really need at least 1 600 room hotel (or preferably 700 room hotel) to make an impact. 490 rooms is simply not a convention-level hotel. And the Ren’s size, room-wise, isn’t the whole issue. Let's be honest, as much as we all love the history and beauty of the Renaissance, it is just not up to snuff as a modern convention-level hotel. I read and hear the comments from travelers: while everyone loves the classic old lobby (to me it’s as cozy, beautiful and near-perfect as I could imagine), I constantly hear that the rooms are too small, as are the elevators. It is barely handicap accessible, with weird back wheelchair entrances and lots of stairs. Many rooms are not updated, old and dank. The parking lot is cramped, expensive and just plain awful (scan some reputable travel websites like TripAdvisor if you're skeptical). And, of course, it's not directly connected to the convention center or even that near it, as a practical matter (yeah, for we Clevelanders who know downtown backward and forward and walk block after block often with few bags or empty-handed, often during the summer and non-snow fall/spring days, it’s a snap). And in Cleveland's uber harsh winters (well, at least before Global Warming), that means something. The Renaissance is great for the casino, sporting events and general sightseeing. It’s also very attractive if one's traveling light, using the Rapid and wants to grab a meal, go to a sports bar or do a little hopping, all under 1 roof, but not as much for the hard core business traveler. The Marriott on the other side of the Square is much more of a contemporary business-style hotel (and biz travelers seem to like it better for its more modern feel and amenities) and, of course, it's right at the convention center's doorstep... it's just not big enough. With the extreme growth in interest in downtown both as a residential neighborhood and as a entertainment and business area, it's imperative that we finally get off the schnide and build a large size, downtown, convention style hotel that practically every major (and even not so major) midsize to giant metro city has. To somehow think we can happily muddle through with our new boutiques and current old and/or refurbished hotels coupled with suburban clusters in places like Beachwood, Strongsville or independence, is simply kidding ourselves.

This very disheartening. Not having at least 1 500-room hotel is an embarrassment for a City of Cleveland's caliber. I find it amazing that we're building a huge, expanded convention center with no large convention center-level hotel being built connected to it. The boutique-style 100-150 room hotels we are developing (many from empty office buildings) are nice, but they don't fit the bill. We really need at least 1 600-room hotel downtown; something most every city in our market size (and smaller) has; from Cincy, to Indy to Detroit to even Milwaukee. To lose this NCAA event to Birmingham, AL because of a lack of downtown hotel space should serve as both a slap in the face as well as a wake up call; we're going to continue to dwell in the minor leagues in terms of major conventions and events until this problem is addressed. It also has negative implications towards attracting major businesses to downtown as well.

I guess the curvy design (no. 3 ) is the best. But I'm more concerned by the fact that the tunnel from the station doesn't go all the way under the RR tracks, but only heads east with an opening toward Little Italy. This means that riders headed for University Circle must head down the stairs (too cheap for escalators that should be there) and then head out of their way at least 100 feet out the entrance facing east, then U turn and walk back under the wide, exposed trestle of the Rapid then RR tracks, west to reach U. Circle destinations. It's not very practical or effective. A temperature-controlled (and secure) station entrance connecting east and west entrances would be much more preferable. I'm much less interested in function than looks.... We have a beautiful station at W. 25th, but functionally, it's disastrous. I hope we don't make the same mistake again. The U. Circle/Little Italy station is too important and potentially too busy to have otherwise.

^The bridges there have long since been finished. I sure hope the (terrible) opportunity corridor isn't the cause of this, but it did come to mind. The plan is, I think, to feed the freeway, er, opportunity corridor into E. 105, but that's at least a decade away. I still don't get how RTA could spend the capital to rebuild a station like E. 105 and not budget to lengthen the station. Heck, they could do so cheaply with a wooden platform exstension, which would be better than what exists now. Really bad planning here.

The short platform at E. 105 is one of the more sensless moves by RTA; it only slows service by forcing everyone to go out the front door. Why RTA did this while it was implanting POP fare payment to speed service is a befuddling, and just plain dumb. RTA officials need to explain themselves on this one.

Actually, DeBoe started off in Gordon Square w/ Room Service, then relocated to W. 25 in Ohio City, where she still is. She's said she wants to try again in downtown and I believe her. Her next project is going to be marketing bridal stuff, but I'm don't recall where she's going to have it, or if it isn't just going to be online for now. She moved downtown around the corner from DU... I'm hoping that Dan Gilbert's possible purchase of the Avenue at Tower City may open up retail possibilities. Phase II of the Horsehoe, I thought was supposed to have a retail component. Only problem is this will still pull retail away from Lower Euclid where it used to be and where most people want it to be.

A personal regret is that Danielle DeBoe's dream for DU died...This woman has such a positive upbeat view of Cleveland, you wanted to see her succeed (and us, as a city, too)... But based on her comments, she hasn't given up on downtown; look for her to bounce back. I feared this may happen. I think DeBoe and partner bit off more than they could chew -- way too big of space in the hottest section of downtown. A small energetic retailer like DeBoe, though her heart was in the right place, simply could not put on a Super(wo)man cape and save downtown retail all by herself --- although, I gather that's what she fancied herself doing per her comments on cle.com yesterday... I bought a few items there, but there was never more than a trickle of customers when I went; usually on prime time Saturdays... And let’s face it, this trendy, expensive no-(recognizable) name brand store sits like an island dead in the middle of the City’s densest, most popular food district which, btw, is pedestrian dependent, surrounded by restaurants and is away from passing auto traffic – people don’t the place and mainly only experience after having parked their car (or caught transit like me, often) on their way to someplace else (either to a restaurant, or an Indians or Cavs game). The Made in CLE store has the best of both worlds, at the entrance of E. 4th, but also on Euclid, in a tiny, intimate space (can you say MUCH LOWER RENT!). The CLE clothing space, and limited line of cheaper items, probably would have been the better choice for DeBoe. Her Room Service in Ohio City is more on the CLE scale, and in a cheaper neighborhood on top of that. I'm sure the Maron's did all they could to help them survive, but DU couldn't be saved. The cold fact is that retail inside Cleveland's borders is about the worst of any comparable city. Cincy's stronger. Pittsburgh's got a Macy's and the high-end shops at Shadyside. KC's Country Club Plaza blows away anything we have in Cleveland's borders (and all 3 are SMALLER metro areas than Cleveland) ... I don't say this to sulk, to hopefully pressure our leaders to demand more. A metro city of our diversity, wealth, culture and history deserves a more sophisticated retail in town than what we have. Yes, we can gripe that the suburban malls (and lifestyle centers) have killed downtown retail, but that shouldn't fly anymore. We've sat on our hands and spun this excuse for far too long, and it's kept our in-town retail in the dark ages; we're little better than Detroit in this sense (and that's truly scary)... If anything, the recent success of downtown's residential growth, the restaurant surge, the casino and, soon, the medical mart convention center have shown that our populace collectively believes in our downtown. The loss of DU is a bummer to everyone, but really isn't any kind of negative statement on downtown's long-term retail viability. Those who want to make it so, to be kind, probably didn’t have Cleveland’s best interest at heart to begin with. DU was simply the wrong store in the wrong place. Hopefully our forward-thinking movers and shakers, like DeBoe and Ari Maron, can learn from this mistake, and move on to jump start our retail in a better-planned approach the next time.