Coneybear

Yes, and that's the problem. Like McCleveland said above me, they don't know any better. They just want cheap parking and a more convenient place for the CEOs to drive to.

They could have used the old eaton planned site in the flats Of course. And they could have used midtown for a campus, the parking lot on public square, the warehouse district parking lot, the old Ameritrust tower, etc. But for some reason they prefer a boring, secluded suburban bunker. If AG really wanted to make a bold move that would attract younger, more hip employees, they would renovate the Ameritrust complex and move their headquarters there. That section of Euclid is quickly becoming something the city should be proud of and, if I was in a leadership position at AG, I would strongly consider becoming a part of that section for the sake of the company. But they don't want to move to the "scary" city. They'd rather just stay in the bland suburbs, where it's easier for the CEOs to drive to. You have to remember that the suburbs are where all the creative minds are. Just look at the surroundings, it clearly inspires the employees to do beautiful things :roll: Yeah there's nothing like parking lots, lawnmowers, and rows of identical houses to really get those creative juices flowing! You just can't get any of that beauty in the city haha

They could have used the old eaton planned site in the flats Of course. And they could have used midtown for a campus, the parking lot on public square, the warehouse district parking lot, the old Ameritrust tower, etc. But for some reason they prefer a boring, secluded suburban bunker. If AG really wanted to make a bold move that would attract younger, more hip employees, they would renovate the Ameritrust complex and move their headquarters there. That section of Euclid is quickly becoming something the city should be proud of and, if I was in a leadership position at AG, I would strongly consider becoming a part of that section for the sake of the company. But they don't want to move to the "scary" city. They'd rather just stay in the bland suburbs, where it's easier for the CEOs to drive to.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure AG isn't intending on leaving NE Ohio. They're just using Illinois as leverage to get a good deal. I do wish they would still consider Cleveland, which has a lower income tax than Brooklyn and I'm sure the city gov't is willing to make some decent deals with them. But alas, AG prefers a secluded suburban campus to an urban headquarters that integrates with the area around it and attracts younger, more creative employees.

Too bad. I've never been there, but it seems like a pretty cool place.

Where on the lakefront could an aquarium break ground this year like the one in the Flats is going to? Good point. An aquarium would work if it was built with the first phase of the lakefront plan (next to the mathers museum), but that obviously isn't happening for quite a while.

I guess it could be in a worse location though. If the Flats east bank project is successful, and a pedestrian bridge is built to connect the Flats east bank and west bank, then I could see the aquarium being successful. But still, I would much prefer a location on the lakefront.

I'm glad downtown is getting an aquarium, but I just think the location is so strange. It would fit better on the lakefront, when phase 1 of the lakefront plan is built.

Yeah I'm pretty sure there is still a master plan in mind, but I doubt it will look like that. A simple google search led me to find 2 other master plans for the flats east bank project different from the one on Forum's website: http://passionsofazealot.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/eua-20080508-aerial-lr.jpg http://www.gcbl.org/system/files/flats-east-aerial-sm.jpg

Oh, I see. I guess I just remembered the California part correctly.

I believe that building has been vacant for a while... Oh that's strange... I could have sworn I read that some company from California had offices in that building.

I've seen this before and I'm a huge fan of the idea. There needs to be more downtown connection to nch and I think that is the most efficient way to do it. A combination of this and the "grand stair case" idea presented in the article would be very appealing.

Does anyone know where the offices that are located in the building that's being demolished are relocating? (or if they have already relocated)

Dem choice: St. Louis or Charlotte By MOLLY BALL | 12/16/10 6:29 PM EST With the site of the 2012 Democratic convention expected to be decided in a matter of weeks, insiders in the selection process believe it has come down to a choice between St. Louis and Charlotte, N.C., with the other two finalist cities, Minneapolis and Cleveland, all but out of the running. All four have pluses and minuses when it comes to the logistical and political considerations that factor into the pick for a convention locale. But the party seems to be leaning against Minneapolis largely because Republicans held their 2008 convention in St. Paul. And while Ohio has battleground state allure, Cleveland's convention facilities are seen as subpar; the Nov. 2 defeat of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland further hurt the city's chances. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46512.html

I hope there's a way to get a few more jobs but if not, I guess mayor Jackson should take it. At least the city would be getting the same amount of money as if there were 350 jobs.

Wow more respect to them for giving up such a historic location for the betterment of the city. I had no idea it was "the original sports bar". They'll definitely get a visit from me when they reopen.

Do the owners of the sportsman plan on reopening it at another location sometime? Or is it gone for good?

Yeah it seems like kind of a waste of money to me.

Why are all the big corporations so afraid of downtown? Cleveland's downtown is beginning to experience a lot of new development. It would be a good place to attract young talent.

However exciting my idea for the Ameritrust tower is, Catherine Kilbane, American Greeting general counsel, said that they don't want a tower. Of course, she gives no reason at all. I wish the big corporations in the area would realize the benefits of a downtown headquarters (yes I'm also talking to you, Progressive and Eaton).

I like that idea! Just the other day I was thinking of how that lot could be put to use...

Thanks KJP! (sorry I'm having some trouble with the quotes on here). I see a lot of potential in that building and I don't want to see it torn down. Is there a way to contact Fitzgerald with this idea? I don't even live in Cleveland but I'd be so excited if they worked out a deal like this with AG.

The County should offer them the Ameritrust building with 1$ rent for a 20 year deal. AG just has to pay to refurbish the complex. They'd be paying less taxes in Cleveland than in Brooklyn, and they'd save a lot of money on rent. There's lots of restaurants in that area, new apartments (668 and soon the Schofield building), a big parking garage, and it's an overall up-and-coming area of downtown where they could attract plenty of young artistic types. It seems like a good idea, so of course it won't happen :/

I'm going to advise everyone to write to American Greetings to reconsider. There are so many opportunities in Cleveland proper and I'm sure the city is willing to make some nice deals with the company to get them to move to Cleveland. Also write to the mayor.

Cleveland needs to do everything possible to try to keep American Greetings here. There has to be a way, even if it means building a lame "campus" headquarters in Midtown.