djunior

Little Italy is truly a model in building a vibrant urban neighborhood. Segregation enforced by organized crime syndicates is a proven strategy and I have no idea why it isn't employed in all of our neighborhoods and cities across the country.

For reference

Video of Bier's presentation if you have an hour and a half to spare -

Hipster has pretty much become a blanket word for "young person I don't like"

Agreed, (as stated in the FEB thread) but I have come along and agreed that it's diversifying our entertainment options. I also visited a few "hillbilly" (yeah, that how i feel) western venues in NYC & Philly over the last two weeks and they have a certain genre and niche that may bring more folks downtown. I wont patronize these venues, but if it helps bring more folks downtown Cleveland or introduce more people to Cleveland (NE Ohio) then I'm behind it. Venues like this entering the market also an indicator that our leisure tourist market is on the upswing. I generally agree with this line of thinking. I was mostly just poking fun with my last post. There's value in a way a neighborhood brands and markets itself and the types of businesses it holds play a big part in that. Places like "Cowboy Rock" aren't my ideal for this location, but I don't think we're in a position to be quite so discriminating yet.

"How can we rebrand ourselves to make the heart of the city appear even more douchey and off-putting???"

I'd agree that drivers in general here aren't great about sharing space with pedestrians. With our car culture, I don't think drivers have much sympathy for cyclists/people on foot and much of the city isn't very pedestrian friendly from a planning perspective to begin with. When it's an RTA bus rather than some anonymous vehicle it's not surprising that some would jump at the opportunity to call out the driver and then the entire agency. In my experience as a frequent bus rider and pedestrian, I'd say RTA drivers are generally more aware of the need to share the road than the average driver, although I've encountered some bad eggs too.

Students will sit on the benches surrounding the lawn when its sunny, warm, and dry out. So, yeah, it is utilized for about 5 or 6 days total during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Yeah, cool and interesting young people flock to cities for unique attractions like fast food and Old Navy. :-D In seriousness, I'm not vehemently anti-chain, but I view them as externalities of increased interest, rather than attractions that those trying to build a vibrant urban environment should aspire to have. I think I've seen this same discussion a million times on this site though so I'll stop there.

Crappy pic from CSU Main Classroom yesterday

On the topic of "Uptown" - http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/12/05/nyt-spotlights-university-circlebut-gives-it-a-new-name

After all the fuss over the casino planning it would really be something if Rock ends up with pretty much everything they've originally wanted with no real concessions. No Columbia, no Stanley, the complete Hot Wheels set, and probably the skywalk eventually. How does that happen? I don't think Gilbert and co. are the ones to complain about either. Whether or not they're evil businessmen that want to destroy Downtown Cleveland for their own gain is irrelevant to me..companies doing what they can to maximize profits should be expected..especially a casino company. I know there have been difficult circumstances and tough decisions to be made, but the end result of this project falls on city leaders when it's all said and done.

Good to see our familiar Scaffold Building will be immortalized in the upcoming Avengers film :lol:

We recently had a discussion in my marketing class about improving the appeal of CSU in the region. It's a large class and by far the most frequent responses from students regarded "campus feel" and "campus life"... more things to do on campus, a more social atmosphere, wider selection of restaurants/shops, more recreational spots, etc., so I don't think you speak for all students. Universities don't aspire to be seen as commuter colleges that students only attend for low enrollment standards and cheap tuition, so obviously if CSU feels they're in a position to improve they'll make an effort to do so. Given increased campus occupancy rates, increased enrollment, and interest in the North Campus project, their efforts would appear to be more than just shots in the dark.

When I arrive at Public Square, I'll often choose to walk from there to campus rather than transfer to the E-Line or Healthline. If I'm not in a hurry, the walk can actually be quite leisurely, even in the cold months. The fact that so many act like walking half that distance is a death sentence boggles my mind. When did "commuter" start meaning physically encumbered?

I passed by the art installation this morning and it actually looked like there were a few guys out working on the wiring.

If the artist won't pay for the repairs and RTA or the city don't see public art as the best use of funds right now that's fine, but I still say shut the whole thing off instead of leaving one piece lit and drawing attention to it..reminds me of a neon HOTEL sign with a broken T and L.

Yeah, the last time I passed it at night only one was lit up. They shouldn't light it at all if it's broken and they can't get them all to work properly. It makes the city look cheap. This makes the city look cheap? REALLY? YES, REALLY. It's putting poor maintenance/upkeep on display in area that's supposed to draw visitors.

Yeah, the last time I passed it at night only one was lit up. They shouldn't light it at all if it's broken and they can't get them all to work properly. It makes the city look cheap.

^For those that heaven't seen it, the documentary is posted here - http://www.ideastream.org/programs/artistic

As a CSU student I'm excited to see that Chester area finally get some development. I've always thought that empty space gave suburban commuters the wrong impression of Cleveland. I don't understand the parking criticism..unless we want these surface lots to remain surface lots they had to be closed for construction eventually..and the project includes a new parking structure. My classes are filled with suburban commuters and I hear complaints everyday about how awful Cleveland's traffic is and how there's nowhere to park. I think the city and CSU should be sensitive to these concerns, but also realize that they're coming from the type of people who are accustomed to driving their car to their next-door neighbor's house. These types of people will never be satisfied and every city I've spent time in shares this issue to an extent. As for the Wolfe building, I'd love to see it saved but I have trouble imagining CSU incorporating it into a design in a tasteful way. Hopefully the facade can at least be preserved and used elsewhere if the whole structure can't be saved.

Little Italy would be more convenient than SS for for CSU commutes. Both are good neighborhoods. I'd agree that Little Italy and Lakewood are safer than SS, but I don't think you'd have too much to worry about either way. Cedar-Fairmount is also worth looking into.

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I didn't expect full mergers to be discussed so soon. I really appreciate Fitzgerald's effort in this.

Didn't see this posted here..the Cavs are looking to start up their own D-League team in Youngstown -http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/557885/Mayor--Cavs-eye-Niles-facility.html?nav=5021