clvlndr

Z made an All Star team... I've never known of a "mediocre" player to do that.

^Yeah, RTA's computer chip-ish logo isn't the greatest. It's not the worst, either, ... have you seen that blocky-pointy thing that purports to be the SEPTA "S"?... ugh!

^Good question.... I THINK the idea is that whatever alternative RTA chooses will be the "preferred alternative" which could either be rail or bus... I could be wrong and you may be right. Someone more knowledgeable of this process than I can weigh in ...

Cavs are down +20 early in 2nd half v. Hawks. This is beginning to feel like last season, suddenly, when we were 7-9 and then we went into free fall. Once again, we're going through the motions on D for the most part; even Andy has mailed it in on a few D trips... Not good.

RTA Board Actions from 1/17 Meeting CLEVELAND -- The Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) met for a Planning and Development Committee meeting and a full Board Meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. All Board agenda items were approved. The presentation on the locally preferred alternative for the Blue Line Extension Alternative Analysis Study was moved to the full Board and will be voted on at the March 20 Board Meeting. Two public hearings will be held on January 31 and February 2 to discuss the recommendations made in the study. The final plans will go before the NOACA Transportation Committee and NOACA Governing Board for approval. The next scheduled Board Committee meetings will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The next full meeting of the RTA Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. All meetings are held in the RTA Board Room, 1240 West Sixth Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 and are open to the public. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1694

^^^ Seems that even in Detroit, the negative publicity of killing rail (LRT) and transit (Troy) got knuckle-dragging pols to back down... Seriously, that's an interesting barometer for the hopes of the rest of us.

^Nice work dontgiveupthefight... If we could build half of your proposals, we'd be in 7th Heaven.... But that's not unusal. Most transit systems have "dream" proposals, but only end up building portions of them -- Chicago once had an extensive subway system planned (50s, 60s?) that would have given that city NYC-type convenience, but very little of it was built... But we should NEVER stop dreaming or planning.

^Your assessment of heavy rail and the inadequacies of the Red Line are on target. Heavy rail lines (subways and els) have historically followed (under, over or, often in Chicago's case, next to or over alleyways behind the building line) major arteries where there is high volume flow. The problem has historically been that, in America especially, only those cities with the highest density have been able to justify the expense of subways. In the olden days (pre WWII), the biggest/densest cities in America (the Big 4: New York, Chicago, Philly & Boston) usually granted exclusive charter rights to private companies to build subways. It was therefore up to these companies to finance the building and often the operation of the built lines. I believe Cleveland did this around WWI, but like most places, the companies could finance the tremendous expense and couldn't justify it based on passenger projections... Cleveland also had a number of proposals to sell bonds to finance subway construction, but these were either defeated by voters in referendums (like in 1920) or by politicians (like County Engineer Albert S. Porter, in the late 50s)... ... So medium-sized, moderate-density cities like Cleveland came up with other ideas for rapid transit... of course we know the Van Sweringens pioneered using railroad rights of way as a cheaper alternative, which our present Rapid primarily utilizes to this day (even the 1990s Waterfront line largely follows the N-S mainline along the Lake Shore)... but of course, the problems you note are attendant with such operations -- they tend to travel by industrial areas (which sprung up along the railroads) and away from populations/residential neighborhoods and don't follow along main street arteries -- the Red Line/NS corridor, from Euclid E. 120 through Euclid and beyond being an exception (which is why I believe this leg should be/should have been built). Despite these flaws, Cleveland was a pioneer of rapid transit among medium-sized, moderate density cities, esp in the American Midwest (to date, outside of huge Chicago, on St. Louis and Minneapolis have built rail lines, with the latter 2 in the last 2 decades... Cleveland's Shaker lines are nearly 100 years old... Your assessment that the Rapid attempted to thread West Side interstates is a bit off -- the Red Line, which was projected in the 40s, built in 1955, predated all the West Side freeways, save the old Shoreway stub that ends at Edgewater Park. In the post Vietnam era of federal matching assists to cities building transit, Cleveland still has not been able to muster political will to build a subway up the Euclid corridor -- something most logical parties believe was the right idea. We got close with the Dual Hub corridor plan of the 1980s & 90s until it fell apart under Mike White, Tim Hagan (the Commsioner's office) and NOACA... So now we have the cheaper alternative -- the Health Line BRT... ... I still believe that someday, some crafty politician or civic leader (like say, a Chris Ronayne type) will see the flaw in the Health Line which, even today, with its corridor barely emerging is already choking under the strain of its own popularity... That individual will convert the Health Line to light rail, dipping into a short subway under Huron Road and Euclid (under Playhouse Square rising at CSU), and connecting to the Red Line, at Tower City and Euclid/E. 120 at the other end... To make such a line really be rapid, many current street crossings and Health Line stations would need to be eliminated. But until we have vision and political will merge, we will continue to go for the cheap alternative (much like Browns stadium, which we foolishly chose not to dome for financial considerations)... Only then we will realize that CHEAP doesn't usally = BEST.

That's a terrible shame, and ironic. Gilbert led a group of Detroit businessmen to underwrite a short section of the (now defunct) larger light rail link up Woodward Ave in Motown, and yet thumbs his nose at a more substantial, existing one in Cleveland (including the all-important airport link)... While I greatly admire Gilbert for all the growth he's spurring in downtown Cleveland as well as his strong, positive leadership of the Cavs, he should not have abolute power to destroy the access and passenger rail potential of our former/logical central rail station. While his leadership/particpation in the Detroit LRT project is admirable, it's obvious Gilbert still has a Detroit mentality when it comes to mass transit.

At least the CLE+ corner, esp the building above, looks quite attractive. For so many years it was dilapidated, and then, ugli-fied with that temporary Bodies exhibit... I'm very happy for Dredger's Union. It's a classy store.

^You're right, he get's tired out too much for a 19-year-old. I think that p.o.'d Byron a bit, but he seems to be keeping his minutes down as a result, at least for now. I also agree that now there is a significant Kyrie buzz spreading around the league, teams/players are going to adjust to him... Kyrie's developing a long-range game will keep them off balance... We showed considerable toughness on the D-end against the Lakers last night... We were dead in the water, 18 down at halftime, 19 down, early in the 3rd... we battled back with great D and nearly caught 'em in the 4th. Gee did a really nice job cooling off Kobe (he'd had 60 the way he was shooting if it wasn't for Alonzo). We could have stolen the game if we could have hit key shots down the stretch and not turned the ball over so much; LA was fit to be had... Oh well, it was just another step on the comeback trail for this franchise. Last year's team probably been torched for another 50-55 point loss. Erden's not showing much of anything but a few good D-ups. He can't score to save his life... Samardo, now, is so far down on Byron's bench, he's in the locker room.

The end of Phase 1, yes. But I still see at least 6 lots in those images I expect to be developed in the near future. There are two at Euclid and 115. There is the lot to the west of CIA. The lot at the corner of Ford and Mayfield. The Courtyard Marriot lot. Lot 45. And the area between Uptown and MOCA Courtyard Marriott construction is already underway...

Enhancing the comment I made a few days ago, in Kyrie, we may be watching a budding SUPERstar before our eyes... He literally saved and won the game -- we were slowly sliding into oblivion in Phoenix last night - down 6-9 points and struggling -- when he came back into the game in the 2nd quarter (Ramon has slipped a bit lately), and totally turned it around w/ 12 straight points... Toward then end of the game, when victory was still in doubt - I don't know about you -- but I wanted the ball in Kyrie's hands, waiting for him to do something exciting; big... and he did -- He drilled a dime to (someone, I forget) that all but sealed victory -- of course Boobie absolutely sealed it with a trey. I never thought I'd be this pumped in anticpating Cavs' games on TV, but each evening they're on FS-Ohio is like a mini holiday in my house (sorry, the GF has to become the equivalent of a sports widow -- although, happily, she's getting into it)... I want the Cavs to win, of course, but when they lose, I'm not at all upset (well, I was a little, when we almost stole that Indy game a few weeks ago)... The strike actually worked to my/our benefit, because they play at least every other night, and often consecutive nights.... This season aside, it's all about the future with this kid (and with Tristan and our quality coach, too)... and that future looks very bright right now. GO CAVS!!!!

So nice to see the fencing & site clearing/preparation for the Courtyard/Marriott. This is a key cog in getting more energy/boots on the ground for Uptown. I've rarely seen a project so fully developed (as the Uptown buildings) but without the outer skin attached... Yeah, I'm really anxious to see what Lot 45 becomes... I sure hope it's mainly residential. U. Circle needs more high-density residential development, and Lot 45 is also a key bridge btw U. Circle & Li'l Italy.

The LEDs are still there, as they are in most/all Red Line stations, but the larger video screens (including a huge one just outside the stations visible from the mall area) showing the "next 3 trains" have been removed. The latter interspersed paid ads (subsidizing the service) which IIRC created some issue/problem leading to the screens removal... The LEDs, btw, are frequently inaccurate and non-functional.

Nice. Lot's of nice old buildings there waiting to be rehabbed.

It's kinda surprising given the renewed intreat in the Flats /waterfront and, more importantly, unlike Cleveland projects of the past, Fairmout is off the drawing board and nearly half completed, structurally. ... contrast the Flats to U. Circle Uptown where there's a feeding frenzy of spin-off development that's electric -- even all the way into East Cleveland, for crying out loud!... I guess we can't underestimate the pall of skepticism that fell over the Flats after its demise a decade ago. We DO now have activity on the West Bank, with the Aquarium (of course, we know, the West Bank never fell as hard as the East). Let's hope developers pull out of it; it's still an interesting, highly unique setting loaded with potential (and easily accessible by mass transit). ... Are our leaders really pushing hard enough to once again promote the Flats? Just because we don't physically see any work, that doesn't mean behind the scenes or financial "work" isn't underway. Also, I think its unfair to compare one are of Cleveland to another. Was UC booming like it is 10 years ago? Several things had to happen in UC before it became what it is today. You're comparing a newly developed neighborhood to one in its heading into its prime. What's you talkin' 'bout Willis!? ????????????????????

It's kinda surprising given the renewed intreat in the Flats /waterfront and, more importantly, unlike Cleveland projects of the past, Fairmout is off the drawing board and nearly half completed, structurally. ... contrast the Flats to U. Circle Uptown where there's a feeding frenzy of spin-off development that's electric -- even all the way into East Cleveland, for crying out loud!... I guess we can't underestimate the pall of skepticism that fell over the Flats after its demise a decade ago. We DO now have activity on the West Bank, with the Aquarium (of course, we know, the West Bank never fell as hard as the East). Let's hope developers pull out of it; it's still an interesting, highly unique setting loaded with potential (and easily accessible by mass transit). ... Are our leaders really pushing hard enough to once again promote the Flats? There had been quite a bit of activity along Old River Road before construction started with properties changing hands in order to capitalize on the future East Bank development. I know there are plans for at least a couple restaurants, clubs etc. in the future along this stretch, just give it a bit more time. It would be rather pointless to do it now. Sounds good; loved the old Watermark restaurant and would love to see something similar opened in that site. Someone suggested apartments in the old Samsel building, which would awesome.

It's kinda surprising given the renewed intreat in the Flats /waterfront and, more importantly, unlike Cleveland projects of the past, Fairmout is off the drawing board and nearly half completed, structurally. ... contrast the Flats to U. Circle Uptown where there's a feeding frenzy of spin-off development that's electric -- even all the way into East Cleveland, for crying out loud!... I guess we can't underestimate the pall of skepticism that fell over the Flats after its demise a decade ago. We DO now have activity on the West Bank, with the Aquarium (of course, we know, the West Bank never fell as hard as the East). Let's hope developers pull out of it; it's still an interesting, highly unique setting loaded with potential (and easily accessible by mass transit). ... Are our leaders really pushing hard enough to once again promote the Flats?

I haven't heard about any spin-off development in the extant buildings south of the Main Ave bridge along Old River Road (outside the footprint) -- even so much as, say, the reestablishment of a restaurant in the (very attractive) old Watermark site ... nothing. You'd think that, given the size, density and proximity to the Fairmount development that there would be more buzz... Anyone hear of anything?

We're a donut hole in the middle besides Varejao... Glad to see the Cavs finally take the wraps off of Erden; we DESPERATELY need help at center. Andy's awesome, but is having to shoulder way too much of the load, and he's really out of position, anyway -- he's a 4 not a 5, as we know. Plus Hollins is a joke and we've already seen Samardo's quick stiff-star-stiff arc; he's REALLY irritating me; 1st with that stupid passport goof which kept him out of Toronto where we urgently needed help against Bargnani who, twice now has killed us (can you believe Toronto's 3-5, with 2 of their 3 wins coming against us?). Since then Samuels has been clueless -- he comes in last night and, in limited mins, turns the ball over 5 times, before Byron yanked his fat ass -- now we see why he was undrafted out of Louisville... All the more making it glaring why we need Semih... Erden's a 7-footer who came with some positive buzz when we got him from Boston (considerably more than Luke). I'm anxious to see what this kid can do.

Didn't say he was a star, but has star potential. It's obvious that his relative ease in taking the reigns and QBing a pro team have surprised a lot of people. Many star PGs today had a considerably bumpier start than Kyrie.

Low expectations of the Cavs was based on the belief that Irving would be a good-to-very-good point guard... Turns out, he's better than that, he's a budding star, maybe super star, already.

In John Kasich's rural-oriented, anti-gambling, Bible-thumping, anti-union, anti-urban, passenger-train-killing Administration? ... Nooooooooo.

Chris Grant's looking like Executive of the Year.