clvlndr

Amen!

That's a reach. Gee tries really hard but his skills are limited. It's one thing to play solid ball, and even shine from time-to-time, with those awful Cavs teams in-between LeBron eras, but the expectations are so much higher now, especially in the playoffs. The Moment is often too big for even experienced players -- ie: after his last year's heroics, we saw Delly tumble back to earth in this year's championship drive to the point where he fell out of the rotation completely. I question whether Gee could give the Cavs anywhere near the quality backup-3 minutes Richard Jefferson did this season; assuming RJ was just kidding the fans about coming back for another season.

I agree that BRT is more direct to most U. Circle places, but a person can't go wrong with the Red Line. The Rapid gets there in half the time or less than the HL (about 14-16 minutes has been my avg), and new UC/LI stop is just 4-5 minutes from the corner of Euclid and Mayfield depending how fast you walk. Plus I just think the Rapid is just a more pleasant experience; even when HL buses aren't packed, which they often are, they seem a bit claustrophobic. ... I would also throw in the WFL to FEB. While many Clevelanders talk about how slow the WFL as opposed to their walking 8 or so blocks and up 'n down the steep Flats hill, it's much easier for visitors just to hop the train and arrive steps away from the new FEB boardwalk after a 3-4 minute WFL ride. As for locals, the Rapid could be a lot more useful than people give it credit for. In addition to the West Blvd destinations I mention, there are the Big Box stores near the W. 117 station if that's your thing -- actually, Home Depot, which is about a 6-8 minute walk can be quite useful if you're not carrying heavy stuff. Also near W. 117, the strip along Madison near Birdtown has cleaned up quite a bit in recent years and there are some clubs and restaurants along there -- it's a far cry from W. 25, Gordon Sq or Professor Street, but better than it was and it can be useful. Also the Lee Road Blue Line stop, with it's spanking new, very attractive and useful station, puts you near a number of retail services at Shaker Town Center... Avalon, 1 stop further, is closest to the excellent Shaker Hardware store (imho the best neighborhood hardware store in the world)... and these are just some of the places the Rapid goes. There are umpteen such destinations at Shaker Square and Larchmere, for example,...

Very interesting thread. I had no idea Dayton was seriously considering Light Rail. This just another sad reminder of What Could have Been... Here in Ohio, we have many, many more failed rail transit projects than we have those that came into fruition. Somebody could open a substantial museum of failed transit projects in this State.

Doesn't that car suit get uncomfortable after a while? Or do you feel naked without it?? ;) Ouch.

Why not? (excluding the West Blvd suggestion).

Anyone visiting Cleveland/downtown would never know Cleveland has a rapid transit system, unless, of course he or she used the rapid to get downtown. While this is true, there are arguably only two places the rapid goes that would be of major interest to visitors who didn't already come in via the airport, W. 25th and Shaker Square. Oh. And the waterfront. But I'm not suggesting we start that again [emoji2] University Circle? Little Italy? Yep; double yep... Soon we can throw in the soon to be built, end-of-the-line Van Aken Center... The Shaker Nature Center on the Green Line also could qualify... People don't realize it, but you can actually hoof it to clubs and restaurants in the Edgewater neighborhood from the West Blvd station (or simple ride the #26 bus from there a few blocks down Detroit if you don't feel like walking. That martini bar, among other joints on Clifton, at W. 104th street is very walkable, as is the western portion of Edgewater Park... Unfortunately some consider West Blvd/Cudell to be "dangerous" and won't use it. Me personally find such fears to be unfounded.

Anyone visiting Cleveland/downtown would never know Cleveland has a rapid transit system, unless, of course he or she used the rapid to get downtown. While this is true, there are arguably only two places the rapid goes that would be of major interest to visitors who didn't already come in via the airport, W. 25th and Shaker Square. Oh. And the waterfront. But I'm not suggesting we start that again [emoji2] Absolutely the Waterfront Line with FEB now booming on weekends, esp warm ones -- and Phase 3 hasn't even started building, added to fact that there are a number of empty and boarded-up former Flats eateries and establishments south of the MAB, like the fine Watermark restaurant; whose building has just been repainted. If these places came back to life along with Phase 3, there's be more than enough interest (hell, in my book, there's already enough down there to use the WFL... and me and my friends use it... it seemed there was a small bump in riders to FEB -- the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step). ...just sayin', but yeah, let's not start another protacted WFL debate.

Mozzie was the major factor in turning around our moribund club mid-season in 2014-15. He fought hard the year before last and was the 2nd leading scorer behind LeBron with our depleted lineup against Golden State... This year he fell off the table, but even his brief appearance in that pivotal Game 3 in this year's finals helped us win and, ultimately, propel the Cavs to the championship. Timo is an incredibly gifted player if only he could realize his gifts: for his size, he's incredibly quick and agile; and he's got an outside shot. Let's hope he pulls it together for the Lakers. I wish him well.

^I always wonder why, at West Park, RTA compounded CTS' mistake of rebuilding the station on the foundations of the old one rather than moving it to the bridge over Lorain Ave. The current station is so far off the street you can barely see it from Lorain; it has no interaction with the street where it literally takes a long walk or a short bus ride just to reach the street -- all done in order to build one of those typical, suburban-oriented, huge CTS/RTA park 'n ride lots.... Lorain, unlike Triskett, is a busy commercial street. You can see those low apartment buildings around Lorain & W143rd which now look rundown were an early attempt at TOD. Unfortunately that strip is dominated with fast foods and used car lots. I know Ganley's dealership is also nearby... Not the kinds of things one could call bustling TOD.

^I've noticed on my Red Line trips back n' forth to the airport in recent years, that there appears to be a good deal of rider traffic at W. 65th. Having driven around that area, especially in route to the Gordon Square area over the last couple years, it appears the neighborhood, though still rough around the edges, has improved markedly since the time that station was rebuilt in the early 2000s. And while the short stretch of "Eco Village" townhouses on W. 58th are nice, I've been very sorely disappointed in the lack of any other TOD built since, unless one loosely considers the Waverly Station townhomes a few blocks north TOD built a few years ago.

Crain's editorial: Fill it up One of the many pleasures of the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA championship was seeing downtown’s streets teeming — or maybe, in this case, teaming — with activity, both on the night the Cavs beat the Golden State Warriors and all day last Wednesday, June 22, for the celebratory parade and rally. Obviously, that kind of bustle on the streets is an anomaly, and we won’t be seeing hundreds of thousands of people downtown on a single day anytime soon. (Though if the Indians make another parade necessary this fall, we’re more than game.) It does, however, make it seem even more plausible and appealing that the city might one day reach a long-term goal of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance: 25,000 downtown residents. DCA sees that figure as a threshold level for establishing a consistently vibrant downtown. A recent report commissioned by the organization found the downtown residential population is about 14,000, up 79% since 2000. During an interview with Crain’s editorial board, DCA president and CEO Joe Marinucci said that based on residential redevelopment projects underway or soon to be developed, “that will take us over the 18,000 mark we’ve projected by 2018.” Predictions are hard, but if that pace kept up, a downtown population of 20,000 would be within reach by the end of the decade. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160626/VOICES01/160629858/crains-editorial-fill-it-up

Cities that currently have 3+ teams with a complete title drought I believe it's now: 1. Minnesota/Minneapolis 2. Washington DC San Diego has the longest drought in terms of total seasons since their last title. Cry me a river Chicago. Six NBA titles in eight seasons. Come to think of it, has San Diego ever won a title in anything? They had the Clippers for a hot minute and, I think, the Rockets some time ago, though I'm not certain of the latter.

End to Cleveland's waiting puts Cubs on the clock by David Haugh Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune For the first time in 52 years Monday, people in Cleveland woke up in a championship city — and it only felt like a dream. On the first day of summer, 2016 started to resemble the Year of the Anomaly in American sports, with the Cavaliers coming home as NBA champs and the Cubs coming on strong as World Series favorites. In Hell, they braced for the coldest of winters. Cleveland last celebrated a major sports title in 1964, when the Browns beat the Baltimore Colts in the NFL championship game. That was the year the Cubs marked a 56th year of futility since the franchise last won a World Series in 1908. What Clevelanders call a long wait for a championship, Cubs fans consider a good start. By the way, they still are waiting in Wrigleyville. How much longer will they have to wait till next year? http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cavaliers-title-cubs-next-haugh-spt-0621-20160620-column.html

Nice. So the building in the center is history, no?

Really cool... This is the 2nd time in as many months that LeBron and/or the team has been spotted at Alley Cat. They either really think it's a cool spot, have a relationship with Zach Bruell, or both.

Infill!!!!!

^It's problematic when a private company adversely impacts the function of a public service entity as RTA. Tower City, though a beautiful environment, is a labyrinth of different courts, levels, escalators and stairs that is confusing enough just to get around to its retail, restaurants, the Ritz, etc. Now RTA is likely getting more casual riders to come enjoy downtown; even more so with the new/improved Public Square, which hopefully now will be more of a destination. Let's hope this gets fixed.

Bar 32 at Hilton Cleveland Downtown opens Friday with stellar views (photos) By John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer Email the author | Follow on Twitter on June 30, 2016 at 9:26 AM, updated June 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The views stir the drink and the bar is ready. Bar 32, located on the 32nd floor of the Hilton Downtown Cleveland, will make its debut on Friday. Sitting at the top of the 374-foot high hotel, the sleek spot offers spectacular views of city skyline, Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River and Lakewood in the distance. "We asked a number of people what they would like to see most here," says Carolyn Deming, director of public relations at the property. "Overwhelmingly, the wanted a view of the lake and the city." Bar 32 provides both – and fills a void in the process. While downtown Cleveland has enjoyed explosive growth in bars and restaurants, there is a dearth of high-placed spots in the city's skyscrapers. From this vantage point, you can see the seats of the northern end of First Energy., not to mention the Great Lakes Science Center, the rock hall and the Cleveland Steamship William F. Mather. http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/06/bar_32_at_hilton_cleveland_dow_1.html#incart_gallery

PHS14, rightfully so, has griped about the poor rapid transit signage in/around Tower City... I noticed walking through the other day that JACK casino has large directional signs while RTA's are small and not very informational (just a characterization of a locomotive and an arrow). I know Dan Gilbert now owns TC mall as well as the casino, but the building is also the central station to the rail system. RTA's signage should be improved.

^Glad they're painting the old building... Any word on what might be going in the old Watermark Space? What about the empty club buildings next to Coastal Taco?

^I actually went in to S&S for the 1st time a couple years ago, and loved it. It's a wonderful monument and really beautiful inside.. and free! The free-flowing nature of the new Public Square does encourage people to go inside; now PS has an accessible (psychologically) museum in addition to a restaurant, interactive fountains, an outdoor theatre, etc...

Well, you know what happens when people assume … For the record: I was as impromptu as the parade. I left a meeting late Tuesday in Philadelphia and then ran to the dealer to get my car from an oil change and hit the road for Cleveland at around 8p (last min airl8ines tics were just too expensive – could have handled it, but why?) Arrived in C-Town at 2:15a; to bed by 3a and up at 7:45a. As a vet of these trips, I know the Zombie thing doesn’t set in till around 5p, especially this day with my Cavs adrenaline rush…. Some in-town friends we planned to meet downtown, departed early. Me and another friend who I ended up going down the celebration with, was in the same boat (he’d driven in from Chicago) so obviously we were not going downtown early. My intent all along was to attend the rally, only, not the parade. I figured, correctly, that the parade and rally would be seriously delayed by the crowds; we were following it on radio and, then, TV. I know that going to the parade meant standing in one place watching people go by and not going anywhere else because of the crazy crowds. Again, I was correct. By the time we waited for the crowds to die down and the Rapid somewhat normal, again, we departed around Noon and STILL got there to see the parade coming down Lakeside and into Mall B where the rally view stage was, where we stayed for about 5 hours… So that’s my personal story from last Wednesday. As for RTA, as one woman mentioned waiting for the Green Line said on the platform yesterday: if they had provided the level of service for St. Paddy’s day, it would have been much better. She, like me, was wondering why RTA ran 1-car Blue/Green line trains around every 20-30 minutes all day… My major issue with RTA is this: if there are just enough available, working LRT trains to run a normal rush hour and not something of the parade’s magnitude, which of course is a massive limited-time event, why not just say so? The budget woes are old news, but RTA management is ducking and dodging the question about LRT replacement and the apparently dire situation of possible Blue/Green shutdowns because of it. If that’s the case, just say it. Then folks like me would be a little more understanding instead of RTA acting as if all systems are a go while encouraging the parade multitudes to utilize their trains. You used the Rapid and, as you just said above, got to accomplish what you wanted to do. So where is the problem? As I said above, I had to wait until the crowds died down as they were running 1 car around every 30 minutes for a crowd that began leaving, taking buses or driving. That's a problem. And as I just stated, I wasn't aiming to see the parade but did want to get downtown just to establish a location but couldn't... and my problem wasn't nearly as acute as those who simply gave up and went home (or crowded buses). Surely you're not saying this is: OK? I'm going back to my original point. This is a once in a half century event. Even Metro here in DC would have trouble handling those crowds on a weekday. Yet local governments here would still encourage people to use transit if there was parade in DC. People gave up because they got going late. It happens. Could RTA do better? Sure. Could people have planned better? Sure. It's a complex situation but RTA, on the whole, didn't do so bad. As I said, I understand thoroughly of RTA's financial troubles as well as the impromptu, unprecedented nature of the crowd. Everybody in the City were flying by the seats of their pants. I heard the Red Line and the buses were less problematic. I just want some transparency regarding the LRT trains... This is ongoing and first raised months by Ken/AAO as well as Scene Magazine. It seems, though, that the doo-doo hit the fan last Wednesday when services were severely restricted due to a railcar shortage... Given this, to me, it's not acceptable to simply pat RTA on the back for giving it the Ol' College Try under extreme circumstances when lesser events than the parade, even regular rush hour service, may be hampered by the current car failure/shortage. I think the agency, esp Mr. Calabrese, have been less than forthcoming. The riding public needs answers as well as some kind of plan for the future.

Well, you know what happens when people assume For the record: I was as impromptu as the parade. I left a meeting late Tuesday in Philadelphia and then ran to the dealer to get my car from an oil change and hit the road for Cleveland at around 8p (last min airl8ines tics were just too expensive could have handled it, but why?) Arrived in C-Town at 2:15a; to bed by 3a and up at 7:45a. As a vet of these trips, I know the Zombie thing doesnt set in till around 5p, especially this day with my Cavs adrenaline rush. Some in-town friends we planned to meet downtown, departed early. Me and another friend who I ended up going down the celebration with, was in the same boat (hed driven in from Chicago) so obviously we were not going downtown early. My intent all along was to attend the rally, only, not the parade. I figured, correctly, that the parade and rally would be seriously delayed by the crowds; we were following it on radio and, then, TV. I know that going to the parade meant standing in one place watching people go by and not going anywhere else because of the crazy crowds. Again, I was correct. By the time we waited for the crowds to die down and the Rapid somewhat normal, again, we departed around Noon and STILL got there to see the parade coming down Lakeside and into Mall B where the rally view stage was, where we stayed for about 5 hours So thats my personal story from last Wednesday. As for RTA, as one woman mentioned waiting for the Green Line said on the platform yesterday: if they had provided the level of service for St. Paddys day, it would have been much better. She, like me, was wondering why RTA ran 1-car Blue/Green line trains around every 20-30 minutes all day My major issue with RTA is this: if there are just enough available, working LRT trains to run a normal rush hour and not something of the parades magnitude, which of course is a massive limited-time event, why not just say so? The budget woes are old news, but RTA management is ducking and dodging the question about LRT replacement and the apparently dire situation of possible Blue/Green shutdowns because of it. If thats the case, just say it. Then folks like me would be a little more understanding instead of RTA acting as if all systems are a go while encouraging the parade multitudes to utilize their trains. You used the Rapid and, as you just said above, got to accomplish what you wanted to do. So where is the problem? As I said above, I had to wait until the crowds died down as they were running 1 car around every 30 minutes for a crowd that began leaving, taking buses or driving. That's a problem. And as I just stated, I wasn't aiming to see the parade but did want to get downtown just to establish a location but couldn't... and my problem wasn't nearly as acute as those who simply gave up and went home (or crowded buses). Surely you're not saying this is: OK?