clvlndr

I don't use cabbies in Cleveland but I observe them and hear other people talk. I either drive or use the Rapid. Cabs just aren't needed in my universe... but that's not to say I'm oblivious to them... Some are nutcase-predators that prowl the Warehouse Dist on a weekend night -- they'll just as soon cut you off and damage their/your fender rather than lose a prospective fare... but I have sympathy for Cleveand cabbies. First, most of their work is limited to a) the airport to downtown (where they have to compete against the Red Line), or b) downtown Cleveland. We like to grump how losy service is in the burbs, but why shouldn't it be? How many suburbanites are going to opt for cabs when burb residents moved to their communities, often, to escape the very tools that make cities, cities. You gonna hop a cab from your Solon home to Progressive in Mayfield? I think not. If cabs were more existent in the burbs, who would ride them? Meanwhile, downtown is so compact that, unless they jack up fares, they're not going to earn much $ cause their trips are bound to be short. And downtown, esp the Warehouse Dist, is becoming more of a 24-hour place, cabbies seem limited to the Friday/Sat night insanity, mainly in the Warehouse Dist (but more and more at Gateway as well. Other times you see them lined up around Tower City and the Renaissance reading the paper or with bored looks on their faces... It's rather sad, actually. Remember, the light traffic in or to our walking districts is rather light so that cabbies suffer a similar fate as to RTA -- and, yet, cabbies are perceived as more expensive-- in fact, they are.

it was proposed to be condos upstairs. there was a dumpster there earlier this week emptying out the second floor. That's good and that would be about it in terms of residential adaptive reuse for little E. 4th -- it's a rousing success. Now, wouldn't a nice in-fill high rise be nice to bridge the gap where the vallet's wander?

I've bought a number of classics there for a buck or 2; it's a really cool joint. And the folks who work there are really hip 'n friendly. We should pitch in and support the place. There aren't many indie's around like it these days and, let's face it, with the increasing trendiness of OC/Market Sq, rents are going to be a bitch for the bookstore... So go grab an arm full of books there -- it won't hurt you. Lord knows that Barnes and Borders -- neither of whom still have seen it fit to open a store downtown or within Cleveland's borders (no pun intended) at all, don't really need your $20 to $50+ for a book anyway.

Stopped in Lola's the other day; they were still pretty much unpacking, setting up. Seemed friendly. Got a real nice decor; wine rack looked pretty extensive. They'll be a welcome addition to our burgeoning E. 4th, foshizel... btw, what's in store for the old Sissler's jewlers building? It appears the only one currently not developed/under development.

My folks bought me my first pair Florsheims in this building -- ah, the memories!

As the McDonald's commercials say: I'm lovin' it. Price & Corna are human, of course, but I have total confidence that these guys can pull this off; their track record so far is stellar. I agree with the notion of splashing this in the headlines now to generate excitement (and hence presales), esp since Stonebridge VI is rapidly nearing completion. I'm also glad they're not waiting/making this contingent on slots winning the vote in Nov ... This will have to be a walking district -- from the heyday in the 90s, we know the Flats blessing is its curse -- narrow streets isolated from the main city surface, so driving/parking will be at a premium so som serious shoe leather will have to hit the pavement -- you won't see any tear-shedding for the loss of autos from this corner... I know some have grumped at the glass walkway connection, but it makes sense with this dense of development. As beautiful/lovable as the Center St bridge is, it can't adequately connect the 2 sides alone plus its well to the South of where Wolstein is building on the East Bank -- heck, maybe we can dust off those old Holy Moses shuttle ferries that have been dry-docked since the Flat's decline.

Sixteen Northeast Ohio organizations agreed this week to support the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's proposed extension of its excursion train route north to downtown Cleveland. Well, sounds like the 'widespread community support' is well in hand -- I'm hoping the ABJ was simply mistaken on this issue. I'm well aware of the usual FTA studies that must be undertaken, including environmental impact (though I seriously wonder how this could be a major issue given the proposed 8-mile extension would, no doubt, traverse more brownfields then you can shake a stick it -- it's the industrial core of the region. But maybe this new Fed parks transit funding program won't have as many obstacles as the old FTA, but I may be wrong.

And Stark has never said he expects to see his downtown vision built all at once. He fully expects it will take decades to realize. But there needs to be a goal to shoot for, with a number of developers and elected officials lined to participate in achieving that goal. That's what he trying to do. Agreed. I was unfair to lump Stark in with the others because the man has a vision and a creative plan for private individuals to buy in to his plan. I just hope he can get some new establishments up 'n running piecemeal, like K&D have so brilliantly done with Stonebridge, and how the Avenue District is approaching it's highly worthwhile project.

Noozer, I hear what you're saying. But c'mon: 'establish evidence of widespread community support?’ Hasn’t this already happened? Cleveland leaders, going back years with RTA, CVSR, Akron Metro RTA, (hopefully soon to be Senator) Sherrod Brown and the Campbell administration, have been on board with this proposal in a rare display of civic unity. Everybody has supported this project in conjunction with the Towpath expansion into the Flats. In Akron, Metro expanded CVSR to Canton and the Pro football HOF. But Cleveland? We're talking an 8 mile connection over a largely unused/lightly used frieght spur from the perimeter into downtown -- it makes too much sense. Forget the commuter aspect, there are excellent reasons why the downtown/waterfront of the largest city in NEO should be connected by rail directly to one of the great national parks and tourist areas -- I've heard nothing but hearty support. But this new language smacks of the typical approach to any type of rail transit expansion in Greater Cleveland -- study it to death until the (relatively small band of) rail advocates lose steam, the general public loses interest and money dries up.

other developers in cleveland should take note of their strategy and start small and keep growing. there are 10 other areas near downtown where this type of approach would work - including many of the warehouse parking lots. the legacy village/crocker park wholesale construction just doesn't work as well in the city. Amen! Corna/Price have the formula down so right, esp for this city. Think how successful, say, Stark could be if he took Stronebridge's approach and built a couple small, new buildings fronting Johnson/Jobbers/Chamberlain block on W. 6th -- think of how much synergy good looking new buildings mixed in w/ the warehouses would create toward developing an ongoing colossus like what Stonebridge has become. But nooo. Stark, like others, want to generate this bank/public-funded home run. Doesn't work that way in Cleveland. It usually ends up with a bunch of selfish, bickering chef's who want their piece as well as the project developed in their image. This town very conservative, esp toward downtown and in-town trendy areas. It's very difficult to build consensus and momentum in Cleveland the way other cities do. Neighborhoods we consider hot have taken years, decades to get where they are (and most, like Ohio City, which we consider great by our standards are, but most big city standars, still quite a ways away from being 'there' yet ... Look at how slow even a short block like E.4th has taken, and only now its about half way there with the year-late Lola's opening... Cleveland's very conservative when it comes to high-impact/visibility positive development in the city -- unlike how the Crocker's, Legacy's, La Place's and Eton's are thrown up overnight... It's why Corna/Price smirk at big-splash Wolstein across the riv with his big splash/big pol/media event condo project that, going on 2 years later, hasn't turned a spade of dirt (Scott, like late daddy Bart never met a taxpayer cushion he didn't love)... All I know is that since the 1st time I was (pleasantly) visually assaulted with the eye-catching Stonebridge apts 5 years ago at the foot of the Center swing bridge, I was excited, and had no doubt that the project would continue developing into the mega-compact/high-density mixed use project that it has become. Is the Price/Corna approach rocket science or an innate gene in local developers to perpetually want to do the wrong thing?

After signing the agreement, the next step will be to establish evidence of widespread community support in Northeast Ohio for the rail extension, Cooper said. After that, public funding will be sought to pay for the extension, he said. Sounds like classic Cleveland hurry-up-&-do-nothing-speak.

Refurbished push-pull electric train sets, which will eliminate the need to turn the trains here at Harrisburg, will reach speeds of 110 miles per hour on newly installed contin uous welded rail supported by tens of thou sands of new ce ment and wood ties. I guess that means the end of the single track Y over the scenic stone arch viaduct over the Susquehanna... With this quality service now in hand, where does the planned Harrisburg commuter rail service stand? Also, could there be any momentum to extend electrified service across the state to Pittsburgh, which I believe was the original goal of the old Pennsy RR when funds dried up during the Depression and after the Paoli-to-Harrisburg electrification was finished -- which was only a few years after the humongous Wilmington-to-Washington NEC electrification? With Rendell as a transit advocate likely to retain his governorship against Lynn Swann, the iron sure is hot for Pennsylvania to make itself a sage example of the state-wide, high-speed rail so many states (Ohio, Fla, among others) have been unable to realize.

Quite the contrary, KJP; you don't know what I do... I use my considerable political, business connections in this town in ways that are not on the front page... or urbanohio.com.

I know you hate Calabrese, clvlndr, but give the guy a break once in a while OK? KJP, please don't or attempt to limit what I say or profess what I think. I don't "hate" Calabrese, KJP, b/c obviously I don't know him, personally. What I don't like is anyone who helms one of Cleveland's most important services for growth; smart-growth -- transit -- who seems either incompetent, indifferent or outright hostile to best utilizing that services to the city's advantages. From transit leaders to political leaders to sports owners -- who, after all are public stewards even though, technically private owners, we in this town have been cursed by too many 'leaders' who are more interested in the trappings of leadership more than using their leadership to shape positive change. But we curse ourselves because we too often know the score but give these guys a bye; let them get away with it without a peep often because we wear a ‘victim’ mentality – so many have ‘done it to us’-- we’re so damn ‘afraid’ of the even greater destruction they may reap (like Modell hijacking the Browns; Ratner shutting down Tower City or Calabrese, … well, there’s not a lot more destruction Joe can do outside that he’s already done). Look at how that cheapass/jackass Paul Dolan has come in and ruined one of the most reputable MLB teams in the league, all in the space of a few years… And I’m fucking sick ‘n tired of it. And our political leaders: like Jane, now Frank, just go along to get along… We need an asshole like Mike White to shake things up; but we’re content with choirboys (and girls), and that’s why we remain in the fix we’re in… And it's a shame, b/c this town has so much going for it; so muc potential, but we'll never get over the hump to real greatness b/c of the Calabreses; Dolans, Ratners, PB Lewises so on and so forth... Status quo = death in Cleveland... While I recognize your particular sensitive posture as a transit reporter, advocate (and doer) in muting your criticism to maintain professional relationships to people like Joe, I am not so limited and will continue speak my displeasure, esp toward Calabrese, when I think he deserves it – and btw, I have on occasion complimented the man – as I did upon his rerouting more long distance WS buses into Triskett, and his simplification of the fare system with the all-day pass. I have no personal ax to grind (I care most about Cleveland) can see both sides, KJP, it’s just that Joe most often doesn’t allow for that opportunity.

If I recall, Berea -- mayor, citizens, turned NIMBY and RTA yanked it. With Joe Calabrese at RTA's helm, it wouldn't have happened anyway.

Hmmm. Can't be for sure, but it seems you may, in catching the 75X or 55X, merely be bypassing then catching the very same 326 bus @ W. 6th & Superior you'd have otherwise caught at W.117 & Detroit as most 326's a thru buses (West Side to East Side, & vice versa) thru the Square -- and thus transferring when you could've had a one-seat trip.

Kummant... another Bush sycophant who knows little-to-nothing about the agency he runs, who replaces a brilliant, won't hold back transit-man like Gunn? Can you say, a Mike Brown replay?

I'm with you. How hard would it be to extend a Red Line branch from West Blvd along the N-S right of way, thru the most dense corridor, to at least Rocky River?... and if I hear that weak-ass BRT on Clifton as the "economical alternative" again, I may puke.

I agree and disagree with both/all of you. I think the photos you show are a tad misleading as they are on Chicago’s Michigan Ave/Magnificent mile – everything over there’s bound to look nice. Actually, I think RTA’s done a decent job of signage and shelter downtown, and those handsome, black Euro kiosks Mike White put up downtown and in many neighborhoods (identical to ones placed in Montreal), give you a good snapshot of the Rapid, loops and the new trolley. (what sucks is RTA’s system map, which needs to be completely redone and drawn correctly, but that’s another issue. As for the Airport Rapid: the signage could be better, but it’s pretty self explanatory. Hopkins uses the universal cartoon/symbol of a train downtown and, in fact, if I recall, the terms train and Rapid transit are used – I really think big boys & girls, esp business folks, know what a “rapid transit” is. Also, that city info booth has good info and the staff – usually decent – has Red Line schedules, and directs people to the trains as a fast/cheap option to downtown. A decentralization problem for Cleveland? Lack of extensiveness of RTA? Yes and no. I don’t think RTA’s lack of relative extensiveness has anything to do with airport riding. But despite Chicago’s greatness as a city – my favorite in the U.S. bar none – let’s not put it too high on a pedestal because CTA, while great by American standards, is far from perfect… Many business people and visitors to Chicago often use the L only one time – to get to downtown Chicago and back to the airport at the end; that’s it. I like the L, but I’m a weird transit geek. Many people do not. It’s old, it’s ugly (to many), it’s platforms are wooden (the elevated ones) and there are relatively few escalators and elevators only in the very few L and subway stations that have been renovated. Try lugging luggage up and down those long, dark staircases in L subway tunnels, or squeezing past commuters on those narrow wood stairs descending from a Loop L station… I do it b/c I’m young, strong enough and like transit; but for the elderly, semi-infirm who are indifferent to it; or don’t’ even like it??? That the CTA L is a living, historic museum piece is fine and good for some of us, but it’s archaic and even slow, even out of the way to modern, non-transit types who would much prefer the comfort, speed and safety of tech-y, SOTA systems like DC’s Metro – despite the fact it’s boring to some old-schoolers. I frankly think CTA’s subway portion of the L is deplorable – dirty, noisy, poorly lit, no elevators, broken escalators galore – the station renovation process is going at snail’s pace. And frankly, when it comes to the really trendy areas of Chicago on the North Side, even the Mag Mile (which has 2, maybe 3 subway stops 3 blocks away), it isn’t all that convenient, either. Many ride the hundreds of CTA buses that troll the Mile and lakefront area, away from the L. It doesn’t reach popular areas, either, like the museum campus on the lake, the convention center or (ugh) Navy Pier. Cleveland just doesn’t have the size or the density to get huge crowds. Some of it’s because the Rapid was built along RR ROWs, to be sure. But how do you account for this? [scroll --> for full effect] … Shaker Square, one of the region’s densest, upscale (generally), walk-able neighborhoods (with no RR’s or industry w/in miles), with nice, compact retail/restaurant districts (the Square, Larchmere and, to a degree, semi-rundown – though coming back –Buckeye, too) where rail use – while good by Cleveland standards, is paltry by other towns? Remember, greater Chicago’s far flung and defuse, too – but they do have a strong downtown, business-wise, residential, wise… It is here I think we kick ourselves/get kicked in the groin. Residential downtown is growing, but still small, relatively. And we don’t have to talk about all those vacant, nearly vacant offices that march up ‘n down Euclid, esp at E. 9th and Playhouse Sq. WE LACK LEADERSHP AND COOPERATION – to both lure retail, businesses back into town as well as forge some growth in walking-hoods, and TOD’s--whether is a problem w/ administrative structure-- why is every development malady here a problem with administrative structure!? -- we just aren't getting TOD's done here; not really, since Shaker Sq itself. And yes, when you have an anti-rail guy like Joe Calabrese running RTA, don’t expect it to do a lot of the little things that we’ve discussed ad infinitum here (replacing the Podunk-ish, slow fare collection; more security at stations, etc) to make riding more attractive.

^ Well thankfully stingy-seeming Blackwell looks like he's going down to defeat; I think Strickland will have a more sympathetic ear toward state rail funding. This could dovetail nicely with the momentum Amtrak's Ohio Hub plan seems to be having. We, as an interested constituency, need to keep a fire under all the state pols, though. My friends in other states, even in car-crazy Michigan, are stunned at how lousy Ohio rail service is and are appalled, as are we, that no service at all (F Amtrak's so-called 'thruway buses') between the 3-C's. We should flash that comparison chart of per-capita funding among Midwestern states in political faces every chance we get.

Yes, traffic does drop off at night, but remember, I'm only talking extending it 2 hours during Fri & Sat and all night one night per year, New Year's Eve, -- which used to be done until Joe Calabrese came on the scene. As to the Fri/Sat service, in Joe's (slight) defense, it's true that he came on board at around the time the Flats East Bank -- which was the genesis for the extended service (and was immediately served by the few year's old rail line) -- went into serious decline after the infamous 3 drownings and underage drinking (and drug) bar busts. But at the same time however, the Warehouse Dist and, more recently, Gateway, have picked up where the Flats left off and are both convenient to Tower City. So why not try it again? Also, remember as they tell you in NYC on lighter used subway lines at night: ride up front near the driver, it's a much safer feeling (if there's 2 cars they usually only open 1 of them anyway after hours). And maybe, MAYBE, someone could convince RTA to have those security guys hang around a few of the heavier-used stations at night, including trolling platforms, rather than merely driving around to style 'n profile in their fancy pseudo cop cars. Might induce a few weekend downtown patrons to give the trains a try, esp given the price of gas (yeah, down slightly of late, but for how long?) as well as parking lot prices... ya think?

The area doesn't even get "interesting" until you get south of Griffing/Continental. And with all the conversions taking place on South Moreland it might end up being more expense in the next few years. ... and have you checked out that new model/condo recently opened on Livingston near Southington? I think they're asking around $250K for it; I believe Progressive Urban Real Estate is listing it on its website.

^Nice. Only about 10 years ago, when I was living in Philly, there was loose talk of pulling down the wires and running Keystone as all diesel (which it does, today, as conditions had been allowed to deteriorate). The Commonwealth also toyed with the idea of pulling the plug on Amtrak's state appropriation which would have killed the Keystone runs alltogether. Fortunately, sensible heads got together and, now, this upgraded service is the end result... Sure would be nice if this fast, electrified Pennsy could serve as a model for other states... I'm not holding my breath...

Have you thought of lobbying to keep the bars open until service resumes at 4 a.m.? :wink: Not a bad idea, except Cleveland ordinances require 'last call' by 2p, and that would be a very tough law to alter (given the aforementioned MADD). And as you know, even if the bars/clubs stayed open, w/o drinks, a large bulk of the customers would take off. A few, though, like Panini's in the WHD do stay open till 3, even beyond.

noozer, I don't doubt what you say, but how come the late night weekend/New Year's eve trains were axed soon after Ron Tober left and Calabrese started? I hear what you're saying, but as a regular user of RTA for the past 10 years, it seems to me (looking into RTA from the outside) that under Calabrese rapid transit is not been given the prominent position it deserves in Cleveland transit's hierarchy. We hear nickel 'n dime excuses for very important service cuts (like a train/station security guard here 'n there, and maybe, maybe, a little extra service during some major events like last week's Air Show)... JoeC loves to cry 'money' when it comes to the Rapid, but there are plenty of buses, routes and policy RTA wastes money on that could/should be redistributed into what should be its Cadillac service -- rapid transit; a service many, many cities would give their eye-teeth to have... I'm far from being alone in thinking this. I've known of RTA employees who actually feel the same way. :whip: