urbanlife

not trying to dampen the spirit as i really like this project, but the reservations may be misleading. when i looked at a unit/reservation in this building, the reservation was only $2000 and it was fully refundable as there were no condo agreement documents drafted, construction timeline was not yet determined, they didn't know what the exact condo association fee would be, etc. so, it could be that 16 people have put down 2k with very little downside risk if they choose not to ultimately purchase a unit. It still shows interest in this great project, but the number we really want to see are pre-sales.

and i don't think zocola has any chance for a may 5 opening. they were roughing in the hvac system today, but there still isn't any electrical or drywall started, not to mention all the final details of carpeting, ceilings, tables, etc.

i was by the townhomes this weekend and they looked to be progressing. the rough-in for the cable/phone/electric/sewer/water was undergrounded to each unit, and they had the plumbing roughed in for the first/basement level (anticipating concrete floor pouring). but, it does seem to be moving a little slow - but like everything being built in the cleveland, there are always fun surprises from 200 years ago waiting underground.

yeah, and almost all of the jimmy johns are late night spots...except for the one on euclid. it is good that they stay open until 7, but that is still very early for a dinner and certainly no late night crowd. they also are closed on the weekend.

i think that there were some major repairs and a large assessment to each of the condo owners. since the prices were relatively low and the condo fees low as well, i think the new assessment priced a few people out of the building.

if you go to the interactive map, http://www.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/interactive/homicides_2006/map/m10000.html you can click on the dots and it will bring a pop up with additional information, including the exact address or intersection.

here is the map that was posted online: yellow dots are white deaths, blue dots are black deaths: link to interactive map: http://www.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/interactive/homicides_2006/map/m10000.html http://www.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/interactive/homicides_2006/map/10000.png

Here are a few shots from the spiderman filiming on 1020. building has been for sale for a while... middle building (1010, also to be demolished to the right): street level (all currently vacant):

i like the green elements. if you build green then you get 10 or 12 years. build normal, on the cheap (perhaps with the developer taking the money that should be passed through to the purchaser), you get 7 years. so, maybe after some negotiation, this goes to 10 for traditional and 15 for green. Zone states something along the lines that "it is too expensive to build green." this is the kind of thinking that is holding us back. the same thing for the developers. i have a real hard time believing that you can't build stonebridge green. and if it is not green, why not? who doesn't like having a $30 electric bill vs. $150 a month? let's build cleveland for the next generation, by providing a housing stock that is easy to maintain, less costly to heat/cool, and perhaps reduce our water runoff problems.

the one problem i still have is that it is delaying investment in the corridor by not adhering to the stated timeline. for instance, the south area at playhouse square was supposed to be open in the fall of 2006 (from 2006 documents)...it is still closed. i understand a lot of the issues with a 100 year old road and infrastructure, but i *think* that some of the city waterline/vault work did begin in 2004, but was delayed for some reason. at the end of the day, i would just like to see everyone working almost everyday, and for longer or double shifts. i know it adds cost, but this is downtown, and the impact of the construction is far greater imo than a couple of million for increased labor costs (maybe even much less). when there is no work going on when i arrive at work, and no work going on when i leave, i have to wonder what is really going on and if there couldn't be a better/faster/more efficient way to complete key sections.

well, the *median* salary for attorneys is around 80,000, this would include attorneys at all levels. public attorneys only make mid 30s to start, for example. also, there could be law school debt. add a 100k of loans in to the mix, and it changes things. finally, akron has a lot of affordable and nice properties in the highland square area for 150k. maybe he doesn't realize that everything in cleveland is a little more to get the same type of property.

no new news on fantasy one. ran out of money and couldn't get more financing was my understanding, so they literally stopped in the middle - with all the concrete cut for windows, metal studs installed, etc. now just sitting. the building has much more potential with the windows cut in, but i'm not really sure on the ownership of the building. it has been vacant for a long time. cooperstown changed ownership in the fall or early 2007 i believe, but they just changed the signage and name in the past few weeks to home town local heros. i ate at table 45 this weekend (in intercontinental, old classics space). i was quite impressed. very different than classics in both food and atmosphere, but the prices were reasonable ($15-28 for main courses, apps and salads between $7-15).

my understanding is that this is a cash problem. but, heard that limited $$ had been raised to do some remedial work (not full plan) in near term. not sure what this means. but, this area could certainly use a renovated park. either way, websites should be updated to show status.

2% http://www.ccatax.ci.cleveland.oh.us/taxrates.asp

i think a vistor could view the activity as a sign of progress. i'm disappointed the city/RTA hasn't unified the construction process more. i know construction is dirty and creates a mess. but, nowhere downtown is there any signage depicting the NEW euclid avenue. how about parking one of the new buses (which is apparently in cleveland now) on public square for the tribe home opener? as Clevelanders seem to be their own worst enemy sometimes, i'm glad that vistors had a good time, and that many hopefully left with a good impression of our city. but, let's not lose this opportunity to advertise the project to the numbers of local residents and visitors who are stuck in this mess everyday. Simple measure such as putting some banners up, removing unnecessary obstructions after construction hours, filling in the terrible potholes/settling between e13 and e14, etc. would go a long way.

fear not. i know we all hate accountability and progress, and certainly the businesses on Euclid are probably hoping that this project takes another 10 years as business is booming... from the original site:

it's the same problem on the euclid corridor. why they don't have people working double shifts or at least 12 hour days when the weather is nice is beyond me. like clockwork, they start at 7 or 7:30 every morning, and euclid is a ghost town by 3 or 3:30, even though it is now light out until 8pm. probably should have included more performance and time based incentives to finish the work ahead of time.

p7 and p8 of this thread have some of the original proposals. i'm not sure how concrete any of the ideas are though.

to be clear, i posted in my original post that "i'm happy with a lot of the activities of the ambassadors" and i have posted in the past about the positive activities. i didn't place blame on the ambassadors themselves, but suggested that there must be a lack of leadership that would allow the general slide in attutide as well as it getting to the point where 1 ambassador would be reading a book while 2 others were next to them. If there is good morale and good leadership and accountability, the ambassador doesn't even think about reading a book on duty in public, the other ambassadors would suggest that they not read a book (or distance themselves), and finally the commander on duty would be establishing the ultimate attitude and what was acceptable. i think this is one of the most important positions downtown, and that many positives have come from the program. at the same time, i pay part of this assessment and i don't expect to see the people that i am indirectly paying to be reading books on a busy corner. these positions should be filled with the most outgoing and pro-cleveland people that the DCA can find. hopefully the long awaited launch of the DCA website will give more clarity to all of the good work that is being done. if the ambassadors don't "believe in cleveland" how are we to expect our residents and vistors to believe?

this seems like a breath of fresh air. we need more people asking questions about why people try to run over police officers in the first place. http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/117533070499020.xml&coll=2 Residents back policeman who killed teen Saturday, March 31, 2007 Brie Zeltner Plain Dealer Reporter Residents of the East Side apartment complex where an off-duty police officer shot and killed 17-year-old Angelo Miller last week gathered Friday evening to show their support for the security guard who made them feel safe. John Lundy, an 18-year veteran with the Cleveland police, was working as a security guard overnight at Lexington Village on East 79th Street when he shot and killed Miller after the officer was alerted to people breaking into cars on the property. Lundy stopped Miller's car in the parking lot, and fired at least five shots from the passenger's side of the vehicle. One hit Miller in the back. Police believe that Miller accelerated toward Lundy and he fired in self-defense. [email protected], 216-999-4283

here is a short blurb from the PD. at least there is some resistence to approving the demolition of the tower: 2 Ameritrust demolitions OK'd The city's Planning Commission voted Friday to allow the demolition of two buildings to begin making way for Cuyhoga County's new administration center. The commission also signaled it wants a lot more information before it votes to demolish a taller building on the site - the old Ameritrust Tower, which a number of preservationists want saved. The commission voted to approve razing the Huron and Prospect buildings and three pedestrian bridges, near the corner of Prospect Avenue and East Ninth Street. The approval came with six conditions, including a commission tour of the Ameritrust Tower, a master plan for redeveloping the site and a presentation on plans to preserve the tower. Commissioners voted 2-1 this week to demolish the tower.

here are the photos of the Ambassadors "at work" from last night. Picture is a little dark, but standing with a book, reading. It is certainly possible that they were on break or something, but the appearance is not good. and the book was quickly put away after the photo was taken. Here are 4 standing around, while pan handlers and tourists were at other areas around the arena (e4 and euclid, e9 and prospect, prospect and ontario). there should be some kind of internal rule that there are never more than 2 ambassadors or cleaners together. it turns into a big social fest, while nothing is getting done. on other nights i have seen 3 traveling together around the warehouse district. that seems extreme, and limits the coverage area. I'm not sure what they are getting paid or what the turnover is, but it seemed the first group that started last year was extremely friendly and diligent. as the year went on, they became less friendly, weren't stopping and talking to the homeless/panhandlers, don't look you in the eye when you pass, half the time talking on a cell phone, etc. If they are functioning how the DCA promised, they should be all smiles, asking people if they need help. as is, they seem more like glorified rent-a-cops who station themselves as a deterrent at some key areas (warehouse, public square, theater, e4), but don't actually reach out and proactively help.

i stopped in today and asked them. i was hoping that they were putting in a patio. apparently it is just a vault/sidewalk project to fix the sidewalk area. no patio in the future. they didn't seem to happy about the work, so i don't know why it is being done (building owners i assume) and the crazy part is that the enclosure is very elaborate - they have sealed the whole area in plastic.

the DCA ambassadors were out in full force tonight...at east 4th and prospect there were 3 when i went to dinner (one was openly reading a book, until i took a picture, which i will post later, then appearing embarrassed he put the book away) and after dinner, there were 4 at the same corner. when i asked them why they needed 4 people at the same corner they seemed confused and said they were told to be there to patrol for the homeless/panhandlers. when i asked why they didn't intervene for the panhandler in front of lola, they looked confused. what panhandler? well, when you are socializing instead of working, you might miss a few of those very things you are supposed to be looking for. come on cleveland. there needs to be some accountability. downtown property owners are paying for this assessment, there can't be this total lack of accountability for patroling, helping the homeless, cleaning the streets, etc. this is a very visable component to downtown, so 4 people sitting/standing around is very noticeable. as 1 year approaches, i'm happy with a lot of the activities of the ambassadors, but i think many of them have developed a very complacent attitude toward serving the city (and ultimately the property owners who are paying the increased assessments). my only guess is that this mentality is coming from the lack of leadership setting expectations and demanding accountability in daily interactions with the public. what does 3 million get you these days?

here is the text of the pan handling law. it can be found online at: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/clevelandcodes/cco_part6_605.html 605.031 Aggressive Solicitation (a) For purpose of this section: (1) “Aggressive manner” means as follows: A. Approaching, seeking or following a person before, during, or after solicitation if that conduct is intended, or likely to cause, a reasonable person to (i) fear bodily harm to oneself or another, (ii) fear damage to or loss of property, or (iii) be intimidated; B. Intentionally or recklessly touching or causing physical contact with another person without that person's consent in the course of soliciting if the touching or physical conduct is likely to cause a reasonable person to feel restrained or intimidated; C. Continuing to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response; D. Intentionally or recklessly blocking the safe or free passage of a person or vehicle by any means, including unreasonably causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact. Acts authorized by a lawfully issued permit shall not constitute obstruction of pedestrian traffic for purposes of this section; or E. Intentionally or recklessly using obscene, abusive, or threatening language, or gestures, toward a person being solicited. (2) “Automated-teller machine” means a device, linked to a financial institution's account records, that is able to carry out transactions, including, but not limited to account transfers, deposits, cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and mortgage and loan payments. (3) “Automated-teller machine facility” means the area comprised of one or more automated-teller machines, and any adjacent space that is made available to banking customers. (4) “Public property” means all property owned, operated or controlled by any governmental agency, including but not limited to streets, public sidewalks, tree lawns, parks, playgrounds, publicly-owned parking lots, schools, libraries, post offices, municipal transit facilities and other public lands and buildings. (5) “Solicit” or “soliciting” means to request an immediate donation of money or other thing of value from another person, regardless of the solicitor's purpose or intended use of the money or other thing of value. The solicitation may be, without limitation, by the spoken, written, or printed word, by gesture or by other means of communication. (b) No person shall solicit: (1) In an aggressive manner; (2) Within twenty feet of any automated-teller machine without the consent of the owner or other person legally in possession of the machine, provided, however, that when an automated-teller machine is located within an automated-teller machine facility, the distance shall be measured from the entrance or exit of the automated-teller machine facility; (3) Within twenty feet of a bus stop, rapid-transit shelter, or bus shelter; (4) Within twenty feet of a line of pedestrians waiting to obtain access to a building or event; (5) Within twenty feet of the area of the sidewalk used by an outdoor restaurant under a temporary public right-of-way occupancy permit issued under Chapter 513 of the Codified Ordinances or by a vendor under a permit issued under Chapter 508, Section 675.06, or Section 675.07 of the Codified Ordinances; (6) Within twenty feet of a valet zone established under Section 451.33 of the Codified Ordinances; (7) Within fifteen feet of any pay telephone, provided, however, that when a pay telephone is located within a telephone booth or other facility, the distance shall be measured from the entrance or exit of the telephone booth or facility; ( 8 ) Within fifteen feet of the entrance or exit of any public toilet facility; (9) On public property within ten feet of an entrance to a building; or (10) On public property within ten feet of an entrance to a parking lot. © Whoever violates division (b)(1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for a first offense, a misdemeanor of the third degree for a second offense, and a misdemeanor of the first degree for a third and subsequent offense. Whoever violates any provision in division (b)(2) through (b)(10) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense, and a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for a second and subsequent offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which an offense occurs or continues.