clvlndr

^esp 1-story ones.

Really?... with Heinen's going in a few blocks away?

Very good points... I'm personally satisfied with the casino as it is. Yeah, I know some hardcore gamblers think gripe that it's "cramped," but I love the energy and excitement currently in the Higbee's space and really wonder if it will become watered down if the casino is extended south of Huron. I agree, I'd like to see some mixed-use residential, retail in the Huron space more than expanded casino space -- remember, the constitutional provision calls for only 1 full-service casino per each of the 4 big cities, and Gilbert was able to finesse the constitutional language so that, therefore, he would technically be allowed to extend the Higbee's space as opposed to creating a new casino along Huron ... Is there really that many people descending on downtown Cleveland who want to gamble that would warrant such a mega gambling facility? Also, I have no idea what lafont is talking about re Gilbert's fulfilling his mandated promise: Cleveland's Horseshoe casino consistently posts better revenue numbers than any of the 3 other full-service houses.

^I wondered where you were, MTS, particularly on the rumor that RTA may consider converting the Blue/Green Rapid lines into BRT buses... As you see (in the CWRU Observer), RTA has mildly refuted this rumor... Your take?

All thanks to my friend Gabby, for the great reporting she did! As an Observer alum, I couldn't resist chiming in. Routing light rail to the CC/UC area would be a boon for both. We've gone round-and-round with this... Yes, I do understand that UC/CC is a heavy destination point, but I just don't think a) there's feasible money available, locally or federally, to build an extension off Blue/Green Line trunk (that is, to build it correctly to attract the requisite patronage), b) building a surface connection -- which some have proposed, just won't cut it; Shaker area rides won't opt for a rail system -- in sufficient numbers -- which involves a slow moving, traffic mingling, bus-speed system that many auto drivers can traverse in 10 to 15 minutes, even during rush periods, and c) even though some folks on surveys are saying the work or visit UC/CC in high numbers (higher than downtown currently, according to KJP), that's probably deceiving -- just because they say this, does it mean they'll ride the aforementioned surface trolley to get there? I doubt it. Also, once again, I think you're making the mistake (as RTA routinely does) of looking at numbers that are probably dated vs. a downtown Cleveland that, although much improved, is only at the beginning stages of its comeback potential -- and that's just considering the projects that are either under construction or under consideration, like Bob Stark's huge nuCLEus proposal. With the extreme synergy going on now, you can't accurate project exactly how many people will desire to ride the Blue and Green Lines downtown, even 3 years from now, let alone 5 or 10 (when downtown is expected to have around 25K residents and umpteen thousands of new employment positions from spin-off construction projects that haven't yet been conceptualized.

As of now, the facts say that the Blue Line and Green Line are here to stay. Not what I'd call a an airtight, ringing endorsement for the future of the Shaker lines, but for now, we'll take it... At least RTA had their feet held to the fire and were forced to come public to address the absurd and retrogressive rumors... ... great work, Zak!

We needed that... Gotta give K-Love his due. In this very tiny sample size, he's given us some nice D while his shot's clearly off. So far, he's considerably better defensively than given credit for, at least rep-wise -- hustling, breaking up plays and taking charges. It's always great when a player is a major contributor even when he's not hitting his shot.

Very nice set... I didn't realize the roof-deck for Red, The Steakhouse was open. Everything looks GREAT.

Even though it was cleveland.bomb, I'm sure EVEN HE/SHE was kidding.

^Dusting off my ball and shoes for the new CA. Can't wait.

No issue. GCRTA will remain on the square. But what's going to happen to the buses, passengers who use routes currently traveling N-S through the Square along Ontario, such as the 14, 15, and 19?

I agree. The photo really does look interesting and inviting... even tasteful imho – esp the gaslight replicas. I will say that I'm not a regular enough visitor to Tremont (shame on me, ... that's going to change) to understand what people are complaining about-- I can't decipher whether it's more about the actual look of this new restaurant or its name-reference to Bourbon Street (which is just being a tad too touchy for my taste). I do know that I really like the lively but easy-going style of Professor Street (as opposed to the more frenzied, urban/big-city feel of W. 25th -- but both have their respective places). Count me in on planning a visit to The Bourbon Street Barrel Room.

No issue. GCRTA will remain on the square. Good.

^So, now what's up with the whole RTA/bus piece?

... or, it's a shrewd PR move. The "mural," which looks like a huge tarp-like removable banner, is less than pocket change to Bob Stark.

Wow... 1 point awarded to Mr. Calabrese.

^It just sounds like another typical anti-rail conservative maneuver … and in the Portland region, one of America’s leading, progressive transit/LRT metro areas. I’d love seeing similar voter pre-approval measures for highway/freeway extensions in cites (esp freeway-addicted places like Cleveland). Conservatives (esp at places like ODOT) would likely riot.

I disagree. It was the first acknowledgement by RTA that transit was a desirable connection from Public Square to the Flats. This thinking paved the way to the Waterfront Line a decade or so later.

I'm befuddled by S&SM's beef... or what it even is, really. I'm generally OK with the redesign, although the biggest issue seems how to handle the RTA problem, and from the sounds of the Group Commission's ill-thought proposal, this will not be a quick fix.

As I read the PD article, it appears Metroparks is contracting water taxi service with only this one boat. Seems they would need more than one boat to offer true, and frequent, water taxi service. The old rather poorly run (though still fun) Holy Moses Water Taxi ran at least 2 boats, and even then many people were standing at WT "stations" waiting for the rides... Surely 1 boat won't cut it. In the olden days (circla the late 1990s) Holy Moses even had an agreement with RTA whereby, if you had an RTA ticket or pass for that day, you could ride the Water Taxi for just $1. This was very forward thinking and encouraged Flats patrons to park their cars and take the Waterfront Line which, in those days, ran until 2:15a on summer weekend nights... Fat chance we'd ever get this kind of arrangement with the current anti-rail RTA management.

^^Windows!!!!

In general, if you're holding up various station locations in/around Cleveland for TOD, you're stacking the deck as, I'm sure you're aware, ... aside from TOD growth sprouting in/around Shaker Hts from the Rapid a century ago, Cleveland's been slow to develop TOD ... but that's changing. Plus, you're noise argument fails badly, because 2 of the sites where new TOD is sprouting are very noisy RR sites -- Little Italy and Flats East Bank... I'm assuming of course, you're talking about freight railroad noise and not the Rapid trains themselves, which aren't that noisy, and even then, are quick and fleeting compared to mile+ long freight trains.... And Little Italy, where TOD growth and density is off the hook -- one of the fastest growing mult-unit development areas sprouting new apartment complexes charging some of the highest rentals in the region -- is directly on one of the busiest freight train locations in Greater Cleveland with 2 elevated through freight lines in addition to the Red Line Rapid... Seems that bankers financing such high end development, and renters and townhouse seekers seeking to live there, are oblivious to your thesis. But then your train noise argument falls flat with your W. 65th example, because trains are on the single-track, less frequent NS route plus they’re in an open cut thus reducing their noise to people on the surface.

Your kidding? Is RTA really that sloppy? Well, someone is sloppy. I doubt that RTA staff apply the graphics or design the ads. Maybe the advertising company thinks that riders pay attention to the ceiling as the enter a bus so they gave instructions that were followed by the installer? Somebody should be getting a refund!!! I say that tongue 'n cheek... When you see such things as RTA's lack of station maintenance (NOTE: weeds growing through cracks at the Flats East Bank station after its being refurbished less than a year and a half ago), the ever-present trash in along the tracks in Shaker Blvd at MLK, the practically always wrong "Next Train" signs in rail stations, or the sometimes-on, sometimes-off goofy GPS station calls on the Red Line (with that still irritating, inaccurate male voice: ie, still talking about nearby attractions at E. 105 including the "soon to be built" Juvenile Justice Center -- hint, the place opened 4 or 5 years ago), or (worst of all) the bus driver talking on her cellphone while driving who struck and killed a pedestrian as she made a right-hand turn... ... so, yes, I absolutely believe RTA could be that lax and sloppy.

^Good for her. She's an impressive lady. Considering her long resume, the word "tireless" would be an apt description of her... to wit: http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/Cabinet/VMcCall

Your kidding? Is RTA really that sloppy?