urbanlife

well, i think it changed hands last year to argent out of NYC.

i think the biggest problem is the size of the floor plates. unless you cut an atrium in the middle (ala bridgeview, or some of other other downtown warehouse rehabs), it would be extrememly dark in the middle. i guess if you can somehow devote the center of the structure to other uses (telecom, mechanical, parking?, etc.), then it might work.

one of the concepts that i like from the hague, nl: creating building spaces over existing roadways - not just walkways. over the main highway through downtown, there are 3 or 4 buildings that span across the highway. i think this concept has potential for bridging the innerbelt trench (along with caps in certain areas) as well as downtown. i can't find a picture of the building i really like - it is a huge arch starting on one side of the road, ending on the other and connected to significant structures on both sides. but, it is also at least 10 stories high and has some amazing offices. here is an example: [EDIT: Added images] apparently it doesn't like the links. here is a direct link to one example: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=haagsepoort-streethague-nestreetrlands here is one example of an arch (on the right), but this isn't the one i'm trying to find. imagine something like this framing lake erie as you drive in the trench or being high enough that it captures terminal tower as you approach on prospect ave.

no condo agreements or reduced financing mechanism is in place. so, the reserved units are likely only refundable deposits. either way, this building is TOP and will sell out quickly. other downtown developers please take note of price points AND amenities.

in the presentation, p.11, there is a matrix with the different options. from that, it appears that all silver line and all red line stations will have TVMs and be completely POP. i agree that they need to simplify. at least have the rail (and silver line) with a consistent POP and the buses all the same, so that there is consistency.

it looked nice tonight with one upper floor lit up. i think this building is fine as part of the greater downtown fabric, not necessarily by itself. clean it, light it, and put some people inside, and it works for me.

any word on the final 2006 ridership numbers?

is there an updated open date for the Target? it looks close...

A few pieces of information: The first seal was created in 1830 (see http://www.clevelandmemory.org/ebooks/kennedy/c08.html) The seal as it appears c.1994:

the real problem is the lack of structured parking. in so many of the neighborhoods, there is no surface parking or structured parking of any kind - it is all on street, and between fire hydrants, bus stops, and private garage entrances, it is a very frustrating experience to park a car in SF. i have never seen anything like it (in certain parts of the city). Even if you are willing to pay $10/hour to park your car to eat dinner, there are NO spaces. A parking deck on market can easily cost $40/per 24 hours, but at least you can find a space. the good thing is that SF has great public transit. but, there are still areas where it is difficult or very time consuming to arrive via public transit.

has anyone seen the AIA display in the windows on huron? it suggest using the preformed concrete (if building is torn down), and placing it on the front of the AIA building on huron. they also have some interesting ideas on new entrances to the building. i don't know how realistic this project is, or if it is just a concept.

i thought the 2d level was actually parking, with a ramp from the back area.

my concern is that ODOT is not taking a leading edge approach to transportation problems. i'm happy they have a nice funding source, but if it is business-as-usual, then this is truly a wasted opportunity to spend. i question what metrics ODOT is judged on. this may be one area that strickland can have an impact. the signage replacement could be viewed as a proactive, innovative technology that is reducing accidents, electricity and maintenance costs (since most of the new signs do away with any external lighting). but, that isn't really mentioned anywhere. if ODOT is innovating and pushing technology forward, then i think this benefits all ohioans and has the opportunity to create a good impression and results. however, what i don't hear about is innovation in adopting new bridge composite materials, widespread installation of energy efficient and light pollution minimizing fixtures, innovative approaches to solving traffic and environmental issues. i know that some of this does go on, but it appears to be the exception and not the norm. if it is the norm, then the PR really needs to be changed to show what ODOT is doing to put this state forward, besides just building more lanes and replacing bridges. the innerbelt design, noise wall design and placements, and general attitude don't leave me feeling this way about ODOT. it also amazes me that, at least in the cleveland area, we have no ITS/automated signage on any of the main highway links. i know a lot of sensor technology is now in the pavement and there are numerous cameras installed, but i would prefer to see signage with accident information, weather information, estimated travel time, etc. this should be part of the signage expenditure. i know columbus and cincy are farther ahead here. if ODOT starts putting these pieces together and showing that their mission is to create the safest and most efficient highway system in the country, than many of the expenditures could make sense. as it is now, it doesn't appear to be a unified strategy, except to spend money.

the biggest problem, as i understand it, with putting signage, schedules, maps, etc. in more shelters is labor. period. rta seems to have cut staff back to a minimum and are not in a growth mode - which is where TOD and systemwide improvements to things that make it easier for a non-transit dependent rider to CHOOSE transit. if you have to use transit, then you wait for the bus, whenever it comes. in order to get more choice-ridership (which the system needs outside of traditional rush hours), you need to start providing more inviting shelters, schedule info, etc. there are monthly meetings of the citizens advisory board and the board of trustees. i realize that many of them occur during the workday, but there is rarely anyone present besides the members. i suggest that more people that care about transit try and come to express support and interest in changing the direction.

i think the restrictions are on the financing mechanism from HUD used to finance the rehab, not an abatement. the financing requires a certain period of moderate income rental housing and rental housing. it is either through sec 207, or 221. i can't find the documentation now, but here is the overview: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/progdesc/rentcoophsg221d3n4.cfm i'm not sure if it can be paid off early or if the entire period must run. there were also probably city of cleveland incentives, but i don't think these are preventing a condo conversion.

the concerning part is that crimes are increasing, even as the population of the city appears to be declining. this is certainly not a good trend. http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/116721249047230.xml&coll=2 Shooting raises homicide total to highest since 1996 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 Gabriel Baird Plain Dealer Reporter A Christmas Day homicide was Cleveland's 115th of 2006 - making this the deadliest year in the city since 1996. Through Dec. 9, rapes, thefts and arsons in the city were within 1 percent of the number at the same time last year, according to police records. At the same time, the number of robberies, felonious assaults and burglaries were on pace to top 2005 numbers. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4141

are you looking east/west/downtown? do you have a work location you want to be near? 800/month is certainly doable, but what do you expect for this price? 2 bedrooms? parking? utilities? from my experience, 1/2 of buildings are looking for minimum 1 year to start, and the other 1/2 will do 6 months or month-to-month, but at a slight premium.

^ in one case a man was charged with trespassing after the owner told him to put out the cigarette, and when he didn't, the owner asked him to leave the premises, and he didn't, saying the lay wasn't in effect yet, etc. then the police came and charged him with trespassing, since the owner has the final say on who is the bar. i would assume this approach could be taken by many bar and restaurant owners in the near term to enforce.

the problem with retailers is that in general they don't really care about the city itself, they care about making money. so although i think it makes sense to put a flagship diesel store, h & m, etc. downtown NOW, and that these would cater to existing residents as well as draw a bigger crowd, legacy, beachwood, strongsville, crocker park, etc. are all sure bets in their mind, imo. so, it may take someone like stark who is a visionary and has a lot of energy, ideas, experience and $$ to make something big happen - lining up multiple new entrants to the market, as well as flagship type stores of existing retailers. i just don't get the feel that tc management 1) knows how to manage a mall and 2) is positioning their property in the manner that most of us on here want for downtown cleveland.

the best line on that graphic is "Work from Playhouse Square to the Innerbelt slated to end Dec. 24" ... in reality, work between e14 and e17 might be done by Dec 24. The entire south side of euclid between e18 and the innerbelt hasn't even been started yet. Between all of the delays in coordinating utilities, city work, etc., i can only imagine how long public square to e14 might take. i hope i am wrong.

well, the big trench which has large cement barriers at either end, will be the stations. closer to downtown, some of the trench will be for the stations, but in most cases i believe that it is just a few feet of empty space that will be cemented as phase 3 - they can't go all the way to the other lanes yet, they have to leave some space (see e14-e17). from everything i've seen, this will be paved, but later in the process.

Dear DCP, Please renew your website registration. http://www.downtownclevelandpartnership.com/ Sincerely, dr. urbanlife

well, i was disappointed in the DCP website before - but at least it was up. so much for moving this area to the next level, it looks like we can't even renew the DNS: http://www.downtownclevelandpartnership.com/ web .5, anyone?

i also heard that the cooperstown is changing after jan 1, to a more sports oriented place (and less music), and that the food is changing as well. i think that the name is changing, but i don't have confirmation on that. anyone have more info on this? ownership change?

but this also points out what should happen BEFORE the wal-marts, or any other big box is built. - initial construction that allows for easier subdivision later in a building's life (zoned HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.); - tear-down clauses after a certain period. - incentives (or disincentives) to re-use or expand existing structures (or not relocate). - other mitigating activities (i don't know what they are). as it is now, wal-mart is still paying leases and taxes, so they can basically do what they want, absent some other sort of enforcement mechanism defined by local code. in the end, this is really no different than a local bank merging and then deciding it doesn't need duplicate spaces downtown, so they abandon their building. still own it or lease it and pay taxes, but no one is using it. plus, as long as it is not being used, it can be written off for tax purposes.