Urbanophile

I don't even think the canopy is that bad... A long as the building remains intact, and they don't cut those pretty mature trees down, I will be happy.

I'm okay with the design, but I think a lot of work needs to be done in the area between the RRHoF and the GLSC. The current proposal reminds me too much of a freeway exit.

A few people wanted it to be wider. There was a lot of worrying that there is not enough room for foot and bike traffic going both ways. The architect pointed out that anything wider than 16 feet would be very expensive (and it could only be as wide as 16 feet toward the middle where the support tower is). Someone suggested a "lookout" area that juts out from the area at the tower. Not a bad idea, really, for those who want a nice view out of the way of foot traffic. There were suggestions to make the bridge blend better with the mall (similar to what I was suggesting earlier in this thread). I brought up the idea of planters, trash bins, and benches along the bridge. Oh, and he showed new renderings which show some benches toward the middle of the bridge, so we'll probably at least get that. A lot of people were concerned with the lack of coverage. I brought up the idea of connecting the bridge to the GLSC parking garage, to connect it to the real developments that will be built north of the Browns stadium. I doubt it's much of a possibility, but I at least planted the idea in their heads :P That's pretty much it. From what it sounds like, we are going to be getting some variation of the cable-stayed design. It is very hard to build support columns below because of the train tracks, so a High Line-esque bridge would be more difficult to build. Oh, and it sounds like the Pace development is pretty sure to happen, as they are working with Pace so the termination point of the bridge interacts well with the development.

Was anyone else at the meeting this evening? It seems like the cable-stayed design is the most likely to happen. I'd be interested to see if they make any changes after the suggestions that were made by those who spoke.

I always thought that cable/suspension bridges were a bit more expensive, which is why all the large bridges in Cleveland built recently (shoreway and innerbelt bridges) are not built in that style. Wouldn't ODOT have built a cable bridge if it was more cost-effective? And I still think falling ice would be a problem - just like it has been a problem for the I-280 in Toledo. But in this case, the ice will be falling on peoples' heads, not their cars.

Is the difference in cost going to be *that* much different by simply building a wider bridge without all the fancy suspensions? I'm not asking for a High Line replica... just a wider, more pedestrian-friendly bridge with some benches and places for shrubs and flowers. And it's honestly not that much longer to connect it to the top of the Science Center garage. There could also be a spot to get off the bridge in front of the Science Center with a path leading to the Rock Hall. I know what I'm asking for would cost more money, but I'm tired of projects like this being half-assed. I'd rather it not be built in time for the RNC if it means a better design.

^ My bad. I guess I missed that, and KJP said that the meeting already happened. Is anyone else on here going to go?

I will try to attend the meeting. Are they trying to get as few people to show up as possible by announcing the meeting just a few hours before? I stand by that they are doing this all wrong. It shouldn't be a suspension bridge... ice and snow will be falling from the cables on top of pedestrians. It needs to feel more like an extension of the mall - think something like the High Line in NYC - with planters, benches, and trash bins along the whole thing. And it's a mistake to have it terminate at the Rock Hall. The real development is going to be occurring north of the Browns stadium, and that's where people should be directed. Why don't they collaborate with the Science Center and connect the bridge to the top of the Science Center garage (where there is already a path built), and build a ramp/stairs leading to Erieside Ave. This would create a seamless connection from the mall to the lakefront - and much of it is already built on top of the parking garage! Yeah, this may be a bit more expensive, but we can't half-ass this project. If it can't be built in time for the RNC, then so be it. The RNC only lasts a week, and this project could mean the difference between an underutilized bridge and a vibrant connection to the lakefront.

Awesome! As Little Italy's developments keep moving further and further north, there could be some spillover development into East Cleveland - specifically the few parcels on Euclid between the gas station and the solar farm.

I hope they don't cut down any of the trees on this site...

^ It's still possible that a tower could go there, if they decide that it would be profitable. The storage container club is meant to be temporary.

^ Are there still plans on restoring Franklin Circle?

The recent article says that they are seeking public feedback on the bridge... will there actually be a meeting or hearing in which the public can show up and voice their concerns?

I always thought that the Greyhound Station would be good for a conversion into a grocery store, but that's not going to happen with the new Heinen's just a few blocks away.

^ Great, there goes all my productivity for the next couple days :P

^ This could be very good news for that stretch of Lorain, which I think is the next logical path of development after W. 25. I hope someone acquires that used car lot land and builds some apartments or townhouses.

As much as I'd like a Cleveland architecture firm to be chosen, I am much more impressed with NBBJ's portfolio. I hope they are chosen.

Why wouldn't something like this work? It's basically the same length of the hypothetical bridge that would terminate at the RRHoF (probably shorter), and it crosses the shoreway at roughly the same spot. I really think it would be a mistake to have the termination point at the Rock Hall. Instead it should terminate at the yard in front of (behind?) the Science Center. Of course, the yard would need to be converted into an urban plaza, with maybe some apartments and retail off of Erieside, and that "Key Plaza" driveway needs to be destroyed ;)

Millennials driving job growth in downtown Cleveland: the Mix CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Millennials are emerging as a key force in the revival of downtown Cleveland as employers court their skills by appealing to their desires for an urban lifestyle. That's one conclusion to take away from the most recent quarterly report of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which shows a downtown tech cluster growing in size and diversity. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/study_finds_millennials_drivin.html I haven't seen any mention here, but this article mentions that Inforce Technologies is moving from Garfield Heights into the IDEA Center in Playhouse Square.

Yeah, I'm very underwhelmed with these proposals. I guess the 2nd one is the best of the three, but I hope that's not what we get stuck with. I would much rather have something that's wider, at least at the beginning, so that it could somewhat feel like an extension of the mall. Something like this: And yes, there needs to be more protection from the elements if they really want to integrate the bridge with the transportation center.

^ I don't think it's so bad. The only thing I really don't like is the big modern window on the side.

^ That and Lutheran Hospital garages were covered in this old master plan for Ohio City. http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/cwp/other/Detroit_Ave_East.pdf Like most master plans, some parts aren't very feasible, but I'd love to see some of that take shape.

I hope they incorporate some kind of theater into this project - maybe some kind of dine-in movie theater. That would be a big hit with the CSU students.

^ I drive by that monstrosity everyday. It looks terrible. Does anyone know what's happening?

^ Hey, fellow young urbanite, let's get drunk together!