Urbanophile

I like the design. It's mostly red brick, and the design isn't so incredibly modern that it will look dated in a couple decades. Sometimes simple design is the best way to go.

^ Idk what that means, but it's definitely a gay bar.

^^ Very interesting. That's quite a shake-up for this area - but it seems to all be good news. The Diner on Clifton, Twist, and Starbucks could all use an expansion, and that would be a very elegant solution for those problems. That would only leave the to-be-former Starbucks vacant (and if you ask me it would be no loss to tear that building down). I hope that Diner on Clifton can do something good with the former PNC Bank building. Right now, it looks pretty bad. On a side note, Twist is killing it. It's pretty much become *the* gay bar of Cleveland. Sorry, Bounce.

^ It is going just south of the animal clinic. You can see the animal clinic's parking lot on the left side of the first pic.

^^ Or just the same proposed use, but without the terrible balcony.

I'm not sure if this has been announced, but rumor has it that the restaurant will be Parkers. It'll be the second location (the first being in Avon Lake). Never been there, but it seems to have good reviews. http://www.parkersgrilleandtavern.com/

^ Really? Our skyline is not that vertical, compared to many other cities. I think a tall modern building is really what we need to show that Cleveland is a modern city. I also don't think skylines are that important, tbh. I pay attention to the individual architecture of buildings. If the architecture is good, usually a good skyline just kinda happens naturally.

Regardless of your opinion on issue 3, you should vote against issue 2. It's a terrible proposal with potential far-reaching consequences much worse than the potential consequences of issue 3.

Couldn't it also be a retail tenant? It seems like the retail component might actually be the most difficult part of this project. Often with retail, certain tenants will only sign on if another type of tenant is signed on. And that tenant will only sign if there's yet another type of tenant signed on (etc.). So sometimes it just takes one major retail tenant to create a ripple effect and give the project serious momentum.

I think yanni_gogluck misunderstood (or maybe I do). I think Dave is referring to the "cornice" that goes around the top of the podium - not the glass canopy that juts out on the Lakeside Ave. side. I agree that the cornice looks like it's been size down, and I would assume it is not yet complete. They will probably add some kind of structure to cover the frame.

Are they definitely closed for good? I spoke to the owner of Leader Bar (probably like 6 or 7 months ago) and he said he was planning on renovating and possibly expanding.

^ Meh.

Ahh yes, the US had such smart policies relating to alcohol in the 1920s.

Wow, that's ridiculous. Now that everyone is aware of that stupid ordinance, I hope someone on Council steps up and moves to get rid of it.

Superelectric Pinball Parlor is now open (in the former Yellowcake space at W. 65 and Detroit). Here's a crappy pic I took from my car the other day: Looks like October could be a big month for the Gordon Square district. In addition to Superelectric, the Arcadian and Banter Beer & Wine are aiming to open by the end of the month (don't hold your breath, though).

I initially suggested that it should move to the fringe of downtown, such as the current Division of Printing site. But now I firmly believe that it should stay in the heart of downtown (with my favorite option being the big lot at Superior and W. 6).

^ Wow that's awesome! I had no idea that a facade restoration was going to be part of that project.

Nah, it's not a big deal. I just think it's terribly ugly. Not worth staging a protest over, but I can still hate the way it looks.

^ Why would the state have any reason to make this difficult? They should just give the land over to the City.

Ummmm yeah that's absolutely terrible.

^ Well, that's depressing to hear, considering I live like a block away from there. Such a nice old building with some real potential, gone overnight :( Maybe that concept could go in the Dorn Building (the yellow brick building being renovated in the above pics). Also, Banter Beer & Wine has said "Coming Soon" for months. Does anyone know when/if they're actually going to open?

Be still my beating heart!!! This is why it's worth spending time on building local pride in the city and investing in local entrepreneurship efforts. It can be quite difficult to get companies from outside the region to look at Cleveland, but it is very possible to keep our companies here and to help them grow.

^ Justin Carson is really the guy to be looking out for, when it comes to this part of town. He's very active in the redevelopment of this district (although I honestly hate the name SoLo). He could possibly be the Sam McNulty of Lorain Avenue.

Strange comment. Do you really think that a jail automatically kills all potential retail developments around it? What really matters is the design of the jail. It simply has to look okay from the outside, which shouldn't be too hard to do. A jail on the corner of Frankfort and W. 3 really wouldn't have any effects on new retail/restaurants facing W. 6 and St. Clair. Most people shopping there wouldn't even notice that they are so close to a jail.

^ I don't think I'd call it a club. It's more like just a fun, unique activity to do with your friends.