ClevelandOhio

I usually only shop at Walmart if I need to find a random item, like a pump for basketball or random things like that. Recently I went to get electric tape. I never go shopping there for food. They don't even have good pricing.

Its a weak landmarks/planning commission, a weak city vision/leadership, and bad property owner problem. I haven't had a chance to see it in person yet, but can imagine how awkward it looks and probably ruins the vibe/flow of the neighborhood.

Sometimes I just don't know about this city.

2013 is coming to an end. When will we see these changes!!

^ interesting, although I don't feel like it exactly applies to Cleveland.

^ I agree. Forgot to add that station to my list. Quick question. The red line seems to rock from side to side far more than any other train I have been on. What's the reason behind this?

Staffed stations change everything. Changes the whole vibe for the better. I still hope someday RTA staffs Ohio City and the two University Cicle stations. These stations are actually urban stations that serve destinations. Would be good on cutting down on people not paying, and more importantly, creating a safer, more secure feeling station, probably reducing vandalism, while also being able to help visitors of these neighborhoods know where to go and how to ride.

I'm fine with them, the media should just stop reporting them. They get us excited over nothing!!

It's funny how it is in the middle of all of that, yet isolated. You have to walk several blocks in any direction to actually reach somewhere cool. Hopefully the hotel livens up its own micro neighborhood a bit, although challenging due to the surrounding uses.

Today it is completely fine for blacks to go and eat in Little Italy. I think the biggest difference is that Little Italy, because of its past, or because it's makeup of things to do, is not a hangout for bored teens or thugs. Might be a little bit of both but who knows. There might be a few old landlords who care, but they hardly matter in the big picture. The large majority of the residents don't care and probably know nothing about that part of the neighborhoods history. The restaurants don't care either. I think the biggest reason Little Italy has low crime is because it is extremely active, full of families, and isn't full of bars.

did columbus do similar financing?

It has started. The entire parking lot is gone. But I agree. I am tired of these ceremonial ground breaking ceremonies that happen months before anything real happens. Im still waiting for the little italy rapid station to start!

Just wondering, how much is the total bill for the Medical Mart, Convention Center, Convention Center Hotel? What if you add in the new administration building?

Im guessing it is not always open because it forces you to cross a highway on-ramp and off-ramp. They close those down during the game I believe and have cops there as well. It would be extremely dangerous to have people crossing these types of roads.

There is endless amount of land in and near University Circle which already borders the major institutions and connects to the neighborhood. The railroad and two cemetery's complete disconnect East Cleveland from University Circle. Why not develop the connect Cleveland land first?

Isn't that bridge only open during browns games and events at the stadium(ok so only browns games! :P)?

The current walk isn't that far, and honestly, the mall is not a major starting point for most people. Why build an extremely expensive bridge, especially with that terrible design. We should either improve current connections, East 3rd/9th, or build a bridge actually worth building. Or better yet, demolish the shoreway bridge, which would allow the highway to be flattened/turned into blvd allowing for an even better connection to occur.

Didn't want this to get lost on the last page.

^interesting story. Its amazing how much times have changed. Today, that is all but gone. I have never once, at any time, or any side street felt unsafe or threatened in Little Italy. It's location is awesome, it's active, and always has a very safe vibe. My favorite is passing by at anytime and Prestis always seems to be packed! Day or night, any day of the week. I also like seeing the playground/park full during the summer, even around 9pm. It's nice seeing families enjoy an urban neighborhood. Makes it feel like more of a fully functional neighborhood.

I the toughness Little Italy doesn't really exist. Th majority of the residents are young and don't have those same feelings. Most are renters either going to case or work nearby. A decent portion is Asian. I think Little Italy's history worked out for it though. It survived some terrible times in Cleveland and didn't lose it's identity(very rare for Cleveland). It has escaped demolition and abandonment, something the majority of Cleveland failed to do. Today it one of the most lively parts of the city.

Nothing is actually cleared. They just used a google earth image of the land at an angle. The maps is flat and represents a satellite image. They didn't bother adding in 3d building other than the project itself.

I like the building a lot.

It would be interesting to see if a building could be built over the rail road tracks on the western side of East 9th. Maybe another on that lot north of rapid station. That would create an actual urban connection on the street, rather than some long isolated pedestrian bridge.

I don't see how that land is that valuable. If anything it has more burden then value. The majority of Cleveland is in bad shape. Why take on more? Its not like Cleveland has so much money and services it doesn't know what to do with them. It would spread police out even more. Also I don't know why people keep talking about UC extending into East Cleveland(not aimed at you Mov2Ohio). University Circle is extremely disconnected from East Cleveland, which cannot be changed. Additionally there is a ton of vacant land/troubled neighborhoods bordering University Circle and the Clinic. That land is far more likely to be developed, plus it would actually act as an extension of University Circle, unlike any East Cleveland Development. There is also a decent amount of land IN University Circle that still needs to be developed!

JMasek/JeTDoG Do you know when the Cedar University Rapid station will be finished. Based on the 24 month timeline it would be September 2014, but I believe that is for the entire project which also includes the new bus stations to replace the loop. Will the train station open before that and do you know if construction is ahead of schedule? Thanks. I look forward to seeing the finished station. And thank you RTA for improving a key station, while also relocating the East 120th station(which I hate) to Mayfield Road. I really cant wait for that one to open! I really believe ridership will jump and this will be one of the best urban stations in the system. Edit: Two more questions. For the RTA guys, does RTA plan to upgrade the pedestrian route under the Mayfield bridges like they are doing with the Cedar bridges? And for UO in general, does anyone know if Case plans on improving their campus's connection with the new station. Maybe demolish a building along MLK.