clvlndr

^That's good news... but is there a rider breakdown for weekday vs. Sat, Sunday ridership on the different services: bus, HL, trolleys, Red Line, Blue/Green/Waterfront, etc?

As I mentioned, I don't like the ramps, especially going down into a narrow trench/open cut like the one at E. 116. I'd much rather deal with the potential for elevator breakdowns which, btw, would be lessened impact-wise if there are a pair of elevators as projected (I believe) at the new Lee Rd Blue line station; therefore, in case of a breakdown, disabled individuals can ride the working elevator then crossover the tracks at the lower level for trains heading in the desired direction. ... As for the opening in front of the St. Luke's senior's facility, the City of Cleveland would then be on the hook for adding a traffic light at that location (and given that the City has been eliminating traffic lights throughout the City by the hundreds in recent years, I'm sure there would be a lot of teeth gnashing about adding a new one). No way can seniors, disabled persons ... or anybody else, can safely navigate crossing Shaker at that point with the traffic, esp given that it's heading downhill there.

9 for 10 - city street maps 10 for 10 - rail transit (metros)

Flats East Bank tax not the right tool to help ensure success: editorial By Editorial Board on February 18, 2015 at 7:15 AM, updated February 18, 2015 at 7:16 AM The Flats East Bank project -- a long-anticipated revival into a mixed-use neighborhood of the part of the Flats closest to downtown -- is shaping up to be a boon for Cleveland. The project includes an attractive new office building anchored by strong tenants such as Ernst & Young. There's the hip Aloft hotel and upscale restaurants. And when the second phase is done along the Cuyahoga River, there will be 242 apartments, retail and more restaurants. It's an amazing transformation that should serve as a catalyst for the further renewal of the once-popular Flats. The Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties, which are developing the project with ample public support, should be commended. Their development should receive all reasonable and necessary city support in road upkeep, bulkhead repairs and the like. But that shouldn't include giving the developers the ability to impose special taxes on visitors to the section of the Flats they control. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/flats_east_bank_tax_not_the_ri.html#incart_opinion

I really like the aggressiveness of this design, especially the bridge section... I must say that even though I know it's psychedelic effect, the uneven stacked design makes it seem like the tower could easily topple, ... even though I know it won't.

Yeah, I know a number of folks over at Stonebridge raised a stink when they relocated Larry over there just across the river from them.

I don't see this as a problem. As you note, the City facilitated Hustler's move away from FEB to aid in the more positive developments occurring now at FEB. The fact that the area where Hustler was shunted to is converting from a rundown industrial wasteland (next to the crummy-looking Diamond's Men's Club) into a more productive people-centered neighborhood, is a good thing. And if the City helps Hustler move again because it's growing-upscale neighbors don't like it, who's to say the exercise won't need to be repeated if Hustler's next receiving neighborhood similarly develops? Cleveland's a big, diverse city and can handle different types of venues so long as everybody concerned is respectful. Last I looked, we're (thankfully) not Salt Lake City... Even though some may not like the prospects fancy strip bars like Larry Flynt's joint, I haven't heard of a major crime problem there since it moved there 4-5 years ago (sadly, I'm hearing more crime surrounding the casino than at Flynt's ti**ie bar). Note that Adult Mart, with its "interesting" mags and creative adult "toys," sits on E. 9th in the thriving WHD almost directly across from upscale Constantino's Market -- A.M. has been there for years but the WHD has managed not to devolve into Sodom & Gomorrah...

Glad to hear the bridge (finally) reopened, Columbus Ave got repaved, and that residential and commercial opportunities continue to sprout along the Columbus spine on both sides of the River. I'm hoping some form of traffic calming (ie speed bumps; traffic signal(s)) be added to the street to address its continuing metamorphosis from a derelict, backdoor commuting shortcut into an actual thriving neighborhood street. And addition to the automobile and despite the fact that RTA will probably be slow to promote it, this area is actually very rail friendly lying between the Red Line (W.25-Ohio City) and Waterfront Line (Settlers Landing) stations which should enhance walkability. Let's hope, as Freethink notes, that the surrounding peninsular streets and sidewalks get repaved and fixed, respectively.

Giambi was huge for us, esp last year when, imho, without him, we don't make the playoffs... But for Giambi highlights, there's only one that gives me goose bumps:

I don't have exact figures, but the per-train boarding appears to be similar so, given the fact that twice the number of trains pass through E.116 than Lee Road, this would tilt the scales toward E. 116 even if the per train boarding was slightly in favor of Lee Road, which I don't believe it is... But are you saying the decision to forego elevators at E. 116 while simultaneously building them at Lee Road is based on the respective rider numbers? And if that's the case, why was an elevator (versus ramp) built at Quincy Ave with the seemingly low rider numbers there... along with the decision build a second elevator for the E. 105/Quincy Red Line station, once the widened E. 105/OC is built?

Hate this design... I'm not wild about the goofy ramps at Woodhill, but to build long ramps into a narrow trench like this is? Come on! I find it hard to believe these types of ramps are ADA compliant given these ramps' extreme length leading to the potential exhaustion by any disabled person not using a motorized chair of some type... More damning though is the stark disparities in elevator/non-elevator choices... The E. 116 station area logistics are nearly exactly the same as Lee Road's Blue Line stop's, even down the rising gentle curve as trains depart both stations westbound... And E. 116 handles more traffic... So why can't RTA shell out/seek FTA funding for elevators at E. 116, instead opting for these stupid ramps, while simultaneously building an elaborate double-elevator at Lee Road which probably sees half the traffic? Could it be that E.116 lies in a moderate-to-lower income track inside Cleveland while Lee Road serves moderate to upper middle folks in Shaker Heights? Probably so... and it sucks.

... but an enclosed, temp-controlled environment is an absolute must; preferably considerable space and seating.

Now THAT would be amazing.

I'd be happy with this... it's all we need, really.

I like the new toned-down Corner Alley design, whose sign is consistent with the newly-opened Uptown's lanes design. I also like the new Euclid outdoor seating, although I didn't think the elongated windows along Euclid were terrible because you could look in from the street and see all the inside activity which was inviting... I'm very happy, though, that the giant bowling ball and pins will remain along the E. 4th Street facade. It's one of the classic garish American advertising designs: I love it.

Actually, the ESPN play-by-play commentator calling the game with Hubie last night was Mark Jones who was, in fact, born in Canada.

... It's heartening to know there are at least some people, leaders we would hope, who believe in this project. That being the case, I wish there was a way to get some media behind it. We saw how Terry Egger used the full editorial force of his Plain Dealer to practically shame all leaders, including local pols, to line up behind the Opportunity Corridor. (and let's face it, the so called "news articles" about the OC were little more than veiled rah-rah editorial pieces)... And it's pretty ironic -- sad, really -- that the only serious voices of dissent raised against the OC have come AFTER the Feds (with a TIGER grant, no less) have funded for this urban boondoggle. Isn't there away to get the media to shine a light on those seeking to support, financially, the Red Line expansion so it becomes more than a dirty little secret between a few UO mass transit nerds? I would think that's really how you get momentum behind this project --- at least that's how it seemed to come together in other cities like Denver (with the amazing FasTracks Eagle P3 project), and in Baltimore with its new rail project; ironically also the "Red Line." It seems that supporting rail transit expansion in Cleveland is just so damn unpopular; it's a topic not to be discussed ... at least not in polite company.

^The "two nickels" comment? ... I can only guess.

^I would certainly agree, but didn't RTA take the same approach with regard to the Lakewood-CSU bus "upgrade"? I don't recall any alternatives analysis done for it.

^That's good to know. Hopefully people with a lot of energy and zeal are behind this (personally, I'd love someone like Chris Ronayne ... I know he's not a transit guy per se but, damn, with a resume like his, ie Uptown, Intesa, Little Italy relocation, etc, I'd definitely put my chips on the Red Line if he's at least solidly on board)... I'm heartened that a coalition is coming together to back a transit line, which doesn't happen every here... The last time was the WFL which, as you well know, had so much local support that it was built without Federal $$.

... or the Koch Bros. $$$$ backing them.

In my opinion, that's all for show and not really about improving anything in those areas. I mean, let's ask ourselves, does this thing even pass if it didn't have the pretense of improving the neighborhoods that it's really destroying? Seeing how bad I-480 East is in the mornings, I can only hope that this route ends up being just as bad or worse for westsiders going to UC. What a waste. Apparently there's been a request for a state $500M to extend the RTA Red Line to Euclid Square... Let's see how strong the community comes out to support this much more worthwhile expenditure of public funds the way local officials so strongly supported what was (I agree) wasted $330M for the OC; local pols seemingly had guns at their heads to support this road.

Kasich made the case for spending $330M for 3.5 miles of OC to Cleveland Clinic, including raising Turnpike tolls to fund it, so you'd think there's a stronger case imho for this rail extension... It would be great if a coalition of stakeholders could be put together such as Frank Jackson, EC mayor Gary Norton, UCI's Chris Ronayne, GE (Nela Park), Jeff Johnson (Ward 10), Mike Polansek, Ward 8, Euclid mayor Bill Cervenik, UH among others. While I know Federal funding, as did the study, looks at the walkable areas near future rail stations, one would think UH, for example, might be motivated to join in support if it could have a train line drop NE suburban commuter/hospital personnel dropped right at UH's door -- it's the fastest most direct shot from the County line area... If enough, and the right, people speak up for this project, it can happen I believe... Your 90 - 90 concept should be a talking point as well.

No and no.

Amen to that, brother!