mu2010

I stand corrected. Perhaps it was just that the Berlin systems had a unified ticketing scheme that made me feel differently.

Knitpicking, but Berlin also has the S-Bahn (ostensibly something like commuter rail but has many stops within the city, not like Metra at all), not to mention trams all over town.

Hey everyone, thanks for all the replies. It's a huge help. I'll try to do some line by line responses. It's going to be a lot of words, but it's important to me! I think my heart's in it - at least in trying. I had no doubts until a few days ago when, I finally sat down and ran the numbers on how much this degree is really going to cost me and it's put a sinking feeling in my stomach the past few days. Age also comes into play - I'd be 31 and graduating and starting over, and you know, it just delays all those other aspects of adulthood. I'm currently single so no pressure coming from a girlfriend or anything, but still. One thing that I love about the OSU program is that you're required to do an internship from Day 1. I think it's invaluable to be able to try something before you put years into a degree. (not to mention you have some income) My fear would be that after putting all the time and money into it, I'd land a job and it'd be monotonous or the bureaucracy would be frustrating (as I know it can be) and I end up unfulfilled as I was doing auditing. Because then it's like, what was it all for. BUT I think these are the situations in life where you don't know until you try. If I now were to get a municipal finance job I think I'd always wonder what could have been. So I'm still leaning towards doing it. Just doing some due diligence. I'm going to challenge you a bit on the worthless thing but it's only because I'd like more insight on why you feel that way. If you could go back to the day before you accepted to go to CSU, what would you do differently? Right now even if there's an employer somewhere who would hire me even without a degree, I have no idea of the workings of anything or where to look or anything like that. I vaguely know what I'm interested in doing - helping redevelop urban areas - but I don't really know the nuts and bolts other than things I've picked up from a few books I've read and news I keep up with. The degree would teach me those things but also expose me to various directions I could go and that's key. Not to mention networking. If I were to go volunteer for a CDC I wouldn't know what to volunteer for. I don't feel I know enough about what CDCs even do - I imagine they are liaisons between developers and the city and they lobby to get development to go the way they like - but what are the day to day tasks involved in that, I really don't know. I'm not dead set on CDCs by the way, that was just an example that got used above. I could see myself liking real estate development in the private sector, and also enjoying the quantitative side of things. So I think exposure to different areas would be good for me. But your cynicism does scare me a bit. I don't want to end that way because if that's where it ends I'd just as soon get a job in some city finance department and buy a house in the next few years. Not an attack on you for being cynical. Just a concern. And I met a few planners when I was in Columbus last year and it seemed some people felt like you did and others didn't so I guess it's just a mixed bag. Accounting has its negatives but jobs practically grow on trees, so I think I'm a bit spoiled by that. Thanks a lot CbusTransit! I am going to think hard about applying for that job. It's pretty basic accounting-wise but I would just tell the hiring manager exactly what my interests are and she can tell me if she think's there's room to grow in the way I want to or if she'd think it'd be a dead end. I'm going to PM and ask you some questions about OSU particularly the tuition waivers. I'll check out some bank job websites. Are you talking about local heavyweights like Key, Huntington, Fifth Third, etc? Or smaller banks and credit unions and the like? As far as the second part, yeah I'm definitely an idea guy more than anything. Are you suggesting looking at PhDs? I know there's people who work the system by applying for PhDs and then get funded and also have an option to stop at a masters.

I'm not a designer at all and view myself as a policy and economics person and/or idea guy. Basically how do we set the stage to make the city grow organically in ways that make it more walkable or transit accessible, vibrant, sustainable, etc. How do we take advantage of the recent upspike in demand for urban living in this state (as evidenced by the rents) to shape the city for the better going forward. Real estate and development would definitely be an interest as well and I could see myself working for a developer. (I a separate but related ambition to buy and rehab a duplex and try my hand at landlording) Also I love maps and computers so I'd probably be good at gis but wouldn't want to get pigeonholed into it. I want to build on, not abandon my accounting background. And also my background is specifically governmental accounting and municipal finance so it fits well. I am attracted to planning in part because it's multidisciplinary... I felt accounting was just far too specialized if that makes sense. I know specialization often=$, but I felt like I was going to work all day using my brain power on accounting standards, and then coming home and reading about the things I actually cared about. And i just think, why not try to work in the things I care about?

Yes, but there's lots of things people do that aren't the optimal move for their net worth. It's not the only thing. And I say that as somebody who is quite financially motivated. The questions are 1)will the perceived nonfinancial benefits pan out, and if so will they be worth the financial pain? And 2)will the financial pain be manageable or unmanageable? The perceived nonfinancial benefits are greater intellectual stimulation at work, working with people who are more aligned with my values and lifestyle, and being able to affect change that I care about.

I considered posting this in the Career Networking thread but decided to start a new one. Mods please move if you feel it fits there or in any other thread. How many of you guys have careers related to urbanism, planning, etc in Ohio or elsewhere? I'm a CPA, age 28. I worked for five years doing government audits for a private firm subcontracted through the Ohio Auditor of State. I've audited countless cities, townships, villages, counties, and school districts around Ohio. Then I quit and I'm currently on a "sabbatical" in Europe, fulfilling a goal of travel - I taught English in an Italian school for a while and I've been travelling for another while, but it's ending soon and as a matter of fact I'll be flying back into Hopkins a month from today. I've been planning on going into urban planning for over a year, thanks to many influences including but not limited to UO. I'm actually already accepted into Cleveland State and Ohio State's masters programs and I deferred them both to Fall 2017. If money and time were no object it'd be no question, but I can't help but have a little bit of cold feet when you factor in the financial aspects of it. From a strictly financial standpoint, it's a bad decision. 2+ years lost wages, and then planning probably has worse job prospects than accounting and lower salaries. And I'd also probably have to go back into student debt. I'd be able to pay for a decent chunk from savings, and there are scholarships and tuition waivers I'd be up for at both schools (decisions won't be made until winter/springtime), but still there'd probably be 10 or 20k of debt. I borrowed 50k for undergrad and I hated it so much I paid it off early. I hate debt and I'm not eager to repeat the experience. Continuing to work in accounting would probably go smoothly and I'd be able to reach my financial goals especially home ownership way more quickly. I felt bored and uninspired in accounting and I really do care about and am interested in this stuff we talk about on UO and I'd love to contribute to redevelopment of one of our great cities. I also am generally somebody who enjoys school so I actually look forward to that aspect. But I'd hate to invest all that time and money and come out in a student debt hole and have a hard time finding a job with decent pay. I don't need to be a rich man but I'd like a career where I could eventually get to high five figures or low six figures. If any of you work in the field and can give your thoughts on job and financial prospects and also career satisfaction, please do. Alternatively, if you think there's a way to skip grad school and get involved in urban redevelopment in Ohio with my current qualifications that would be great too. Sometimes I look at job postings in the city governments as well as with developers but I feel like it's tough to break out of an accounting role.

I've been living in Italy the past few months and haven't seen many games. But I stayed up til sunrise last night watching. What a night. This means so much for the city, to get this curse monkey off our backs. And LeBron, all you can say is wow. He's realized what has really been his purpose since 2003. Can't wait to hear the stories of the general feel of the city today. Enjoy it everyone.

There's one on Westerville Road a bit south of 270 called Cushion's. Pretty interesting place.

Those are big tailgating lots. I wonder if people will complain about losing them.

I worked up the street for five years - last thing that strip of Cleveland Avenue needs is 282 new apartments. Get ready, they'll want to widen it in five years.

I think Cleveland looks best coming over the innerbelt or main ave bridges from the West. Coming in on the east shoreway it's less than impressive. I prefer density to height so I've always thought Cincinnati's skyline was very nice. Columbus looks pretty good from the east and west on I-70, but horrible from north or south, because practically all the skyscrapers are on high street.

The bus driver can't give you a transfer ticket if you pay cash upon boarding a bus? I don't remember but I think in Columbus/COTA, you can do that.

If you want it to have a shot at passing, you should be. If something like this were to succeed, it would go a long way towards additional reforms in the future.

I went to AC in the summer of 2014, prior to most of the big closures, and had a great time. There was good food, a nice beach, good priced gambling and hotel rooms, and lots of people around. What's not to like? I stayed at Donald J. Trump's fabulous Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino in the newer tower and it was very nice. That was back when Donald Trump was just Donald Trump, before he was Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. Simpler times.

^ That's not a bad wordmark at all with the star for the "A."

Visit the intuitive domain name www.columbus.gov. Then visit the arcane www.city.cleveland.oh.us. WTF is up with that? Seriously Cleveland, hire a web designer and get a new domain name. Get a city wordmark like COLUMBUS has done with the "US." www.cincinnati-oh.gov is also a pretty good site, not sure why they needed the "-oh" in the domain, don't think anyone would confuse it with Cincinnati, Iowa population 357, but still an 8/10. By having a website like that, Cleveland plays right into the stereotype of a city that is behind the times. It's not hard to get a modern looking website together. We all know Frank Jackson is all substance, no style and that's fine. He isn't a flashy guy or a marketer. So then HIRE ONE! In their defense, there seems to be alot of info on the site. But it's not organized and it could look a lot better, and the domain is terrible.

And now for the main question of the thread. I'm a native of the CLE eastside suburbs and I've been living in the Short North area (Harrison West) for five years. The two cities are definitely complimentary. I'm going to go to grad school for planning next year either at CSU or OSU, and I'm torn on which one I want to attend. Some random thoughts: -As echoed above, Columbus' continuity of desirable urban neighborhoods, primarily along High Street, is a great asset both for walkability as well as bikeability and busability. It's great to cruise High Street on a weekend night in the summer. Miles of activity. In CLE, the resurging neighborhoods are all separated by giant valleys and bridges and in some cases, swaths of urban prairie. I do wish we had more commercial streets in Columbus as opposed to just one. But for the area between 315 and 71, you usually aren't too far of a walk from High Street and what it has to offer. -Also mentioned above, Columbus has a superior housing stock... mainly the near North and East sides, though GV has some nice ones as well. Can't beat a jog down Neil Ave in the summer. Bliss. -Cleveland has a vastly superior downtown proper. Columbus' 1950s-1960s utilitarian skyscrapers just don't compare to the gilded age grandeur of downtown CLE. Combine that with a rail system, a shoreline, more storied history, and national recognition, and the end result is that Cleveland makes me "feel" more like I'm in a major metropolis than Columbus does. -Continuing that line of thought, Cleveland has abandoned downtown buildings to convert into apartments, grocery stores, and hotel complexes. There is just nothing in downtown Columbus like the 9. -Cleveland has the ethic influence. Columbus can feel generic at times. Though, if you learn where to look, the city does have pockets of some of the same ethnic groups found in Cleveland, albeit on a smaller scale. I travel between the two often, mostly for family and friends. When I make it up to Cleveland I get my fix of ethnic foods, big-city "feel," the Rapid, and national recognition.

My Clevelander parents happened to drive down one Saturday to visit this past summer and I ended up taking them to the fair. It was my third time at the fair, and the first two times I agreed with you - I thought it was a money pit and wasn't much fun. But, this year I figured it out and we had a great time. The key is to avoid all the carnival stuff. There's lots of art, exhibits, and animals that easily make for a day's worth of fun without spending anything other than admission and a bit of food. My parents are not country people so they were skeptical about all the farm stuff, but they ended up loving the animals as well as the prize-winning cucumbers and tomatoes. We barely walked into the carnival area.

I've never been to the Bay Area, but the article reads almost exactly like Jane Jacobs circa 1961. Amazing to see the same mistakes play out over and over again.

I don't believe there was ever another local rapid transit line that used that corridor, but it was probably used by the major interstate rail lines back when Terminal Tower was Union Terminal. The Red Line Greenway project wants to turn that into Cleveland's version of the High Line: http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2015/05/red_line_greenway_advocates_pl.html https://www.facebook.com/RedLineGreenway http://freshwatercleveland.com/features/Red_Line_Greenway_051915.aspx

CLE-JFK is definitely underserved. When researching flights for an upcoming transatlantic trip, skyscanner and kayak tried to give me incredibly long (12+ hour) layovers at JFK, because CLE-JFK flights are so sparse. (I wouldn't have had a problem flying into LGA and finding a way across Queens, but then you have to do two separate tickets and that scares me.) Eventually I found a good itinerary though. If JetBlue does a lot of codesharing with transatlantic carriers, even better.

Because their governments have power more concentrated at the national level, they don't have the zillions of municipalities constantly undercutting each other and screwing over the local taxpayers and residents like we do. Overall I'm definitely in favor of federalism but there's got to be some way we can curb that garbage.

^ Yeah, but we are no more likely to watch at a bar this year than last year. Illegal streams can come into play, but most likely not in the local market (which this article is discussing) where anyone with rabbit ears can pick up WOIO. My brother and I stream it in Columbus when CBS shows us the Bungles instead of the Browns, which is only a few games a year. It's definitely a real decrease and I'm part of it. Who could sit through that crap this year? Hoyer & Co were a blast to watch last year (the first half of the season anyways), this year was just torture.

Putting architectural/historic preservation issues aside: On one hand, I like the continuing densification and building upwards. That can only be a good thing for walkability and future transit potential. , but on the other hand, new buildings have high rents. That means all you get is corporate business. It's a shame so many of the older buildings around town and around the state are one story single use. Or maybe two story mixed use if you're lucky. It'll be interesting to see what we'll have in 20-30 years when the south campus gateways of the world are well worn and aged, and there are third and fourth generation tenants in there. Hopefully a return to economic diversity but with much denser buildings.

What, really, separates fashion from apparel? And this is coming from somebody who worked (albeit briefly) at one of the HQ's for one of the big brands in Columbus. The people there all called themselves fashion designers. It's not high fashion like Milan and Paris, bit it's fashion. We've got the Limited, Victoria's Secret, Bed Bath and Beyond, Tween Brands, Express, A&F, and more. Not to mention other retailers like D&W and Big Lots. Maybe we're more of a retail capital than fashion. It does tick me off that they're all located Northeast of town rather than in the city.