audidave

I think it can be sustainable with the foot traffic at night along there. They'll need to make the oven smells waft onto the street though. You wouldn't expect a store in downtown selling a single type of low priced item to survive but look at the peanut shoppe.

My feeling on this would be keep Cedar the same but add 1 lane of traffic on Exchange st going in to downtown. That might be control the flow a little better than 4-5 lanes of traffic heading west with timed lights. It would give a lot more flexability and ease of access to businesses on Exchange too. I don't see a need to change Cedar.

This is just conjecture if casino tax money isn't factored in. The reason I am in agreement with Clvlndr is it helps the greatest amount of people and improving access to UC. I think its best to start spending the casino money at the core of the city to handle future expansion since other big goverments are not going to bring much $$ to the table going forward. It makes sense to me that people that gamble at casino should see things improve for all around that casino. I see the casino tax dollars that should be used as bonus capital money for improving infrastructure in the various blocks surrounding tower city. Perhaps that is a different thread but i thought that was where we were going with this.

I wasn't trying to be dismissive of the transit center. I understand it is to be a massive multi-purpose facility. I was more expediently pointing out that growth on the HL may affect the numbers for that center if the goal is shifted to light rail. I recall that the HL would likely be rolling through there was or maybe that was just being surmised. I was just posing the question if the center needs the HL traffic as part of its reason to be built. I understand that this was federal money used for the HL. It would also be a massive project to rip up another street in Cleveland to install a similar system which would take multiples of years. With the intent on the various politicians part to want to spend casino money in downtown for the public good, I don't know of a better way than with public transportation.. Perhaps it will be just more free trolley buses running around downtown.. I would certainly be curious how expensive it would be to retrofit the HL for rail, if I were the county executive, and see where other savings would come from going forward. That would have a more lasting impact for a high profile politician than several new trolley buses downtown. When I say rail I'm also including modern street cars not meaning a train necessarily just something on rails. The crucial point is to use the hidden assets of Cleveland that are not being used: the tunnels underneath downtown that would alleviate the traffic underneath Euclid near the casino.

Hopefully casino tax revenue can be primarily used for improving transportation downtown. If capacity of public transportation is near full on HL then a more robust system is needed. Light rail is def the way to go there especially using tunnels. How would a project like that affect the warehouse district bus garage if that was being planned with HL buses in mind? Where would the HL buses be re-used?

I'll ask some girls that work there, but i don't believe they are "paid to flirt" with customers. I think as part of their training is to be more sociable than other places and that means spending time talking. The philosophy is actually a very good one in customer relations because it becomes for a lack of a better term "sticky". So i do not see it as flirting at all. I see it as making the customer not seem like a number and trying to hustle customers out for new ones. I've had a good time the three times I've been to the tk in Canton. The first time they were giving me free drinks and food for their soft opening. So how couldn't i. The last couple times I've just sat at the bar and been entertained there by the antics, expressions, and comments from the bartenders. As far as the outfit, i think once we get into July and see what the average twenty-something female in the city wears when it gets hot out or for a night on the town, it won't be a big deal.

I agree it would be better as ffb. It is certainly tackier as its a national chain with a fairly risque dress code theme. But maybe i don't go there enough, i don't see the classless side. It is a sports bar. What steps does a bar have to go to to be labelled as classless? I would not expect to see people having Sunday family dinner there. But it really is a free country though, so i wouldn't be surprised at any families that would go there. To me its not much different than walking into a winking lizard except the servers seem to sit down at the table and talk to you at tilted kilt. I see plenty of families at the lizard. I don't know what would offend those same people by being at the tilted kilt. If Cleavelanders hate seeing cleavage, then don't go there because you might see some there.

Well nothing has been done yet in Akron regarding any trains. A study is nearly forthcoming but I don't believe Cleveland had any consideration. That is a totally different scope. The study is more about using existing rail assets to enhance bus service and linking together the cuyahoga valley with downtown and goodyear with potentially points further south. I can't foresee a study starting until there is actual service via metro on the line which in the crazy best scenario would be 2 years from now. I think there is great appreciation of the train in summit county but i think people are just starting to realize the potential. I think there would have to be a lot of parties that would have to come together to make that link happen. Maybe Gilbert can spearhead that commission as part of his phase 2 plans.

Welcome to the AK! A lot of cool things in that neighborhood. But also a lot to explore in the city itself. A good website to keep you up on the goings on is www.downtownakron.com.

New guy running the cvsr. http://www.ohio.com/news/cuyahoga-valley-scenic-railroad-names-new-president-1.307542 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad names new president By Bob Downing Beacon Journal staff writer Published: May 16, 2012 - 10:01 PM The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has a new president and chief executive officer. Craig B. Tallman, a group vice president for YRC Worldwide trucking until last October, replaces Steven Wait, who has retired after 5½ years as head of the tourist railroad. Tallman, 58, of Hudson, has worked for national and international trucking companies since graduating from the University of Iowa in 1976. He was transferred to the Akron-Cleveland area 10 years ago. “I am excited about my responsibilities,” he said in a statement. “The railroad is performing well and is an enjoyable means to experience the nature and heritage of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. One of my focus areas will be to further engage our communities and businesses for participation and support.”

Again its not just a store going in. Its going to be an office building for rubber city mcdonalds group too.

If you enjoy beer, I'd highly recommend the u pick 6 store. They have 2 locations now. 1 downtown and 1 by the highway on the peach st exit. Surprisingly good food for a very good price. I love their 3 potato salad. Its basically a pub. Very nice website too now. http://www.upick6beerstore.com/ There is a maritime museum that is supposed to be nice. My sister loves popping into the coop grocery store since they have a vegan bakery. I'm pretty cool with going to Wegmans grocery, a full service grocer. Either are good places to stop to pick up a sandwich or meal to go. Erie is a shopping hub for Canadians and NYers to not only get good prices on clothes and goods but also to avoid the sales tax that they would have to pay in NY. That is why the retail is inordinately large and its hard to get a feel for Erie. Otherwise, Ellicottville, NY is a pretty quaint place to visit an hour plus away. Great walking village with very nice shops and restaurants. Its a ski and mountain bike mecca. They now have zip line and other activities at the ski resorts in town.

I've been to the tilted kilt in columbus and the one in belden village a couple of times. I cannot recall those areas raising a ruckus in puritanical Ohio about the lack of clothing. Since it is a new location they over-hire and also bring girls in from the Canton location until things calm down. If the employees are not offended neither am I. Since the OP drove by and didn't go in how does he know it was classless? The girls that i have talked have really sweet personalities. They aren't trying to hustle you for something. I will not have a problem taking a date there and/or out of town friends. I really don't get the ambivalence. I recall seeing a tilted kilt on the free shuttle in downtown Denver too. I wonder if people howled out there about it when they opened.

Good point. I wonder if any businesses nearby are even contemplating that. Bars are still open til only 2:30 but i would expect many more to be open later more nights of the week. Prob why twisted kilt is there and not applebees, as twisted kilt will go to 2:30am. The reverse affect that the casino will likely be the after-hours place which could be damaging to the wallet and the waistline after a night of drinking. The biggest change will then be a stronger nightlife downtown with more people employed to work longer hours throughout the week. Which will lead to surlier bartenders by the weekend. Perhaps food trucks will be part of after-hours mix. Maybe a 24 hr breakfast place will open on E4th.

I guess i'm ok with this. I'm not familiar with Menards at all. Hopefully they add something that their competitors don't. Here is a little more in depth article in the akron beacon journal. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/menards-to-be-anchor-in-state-road-redevelopment-1.297350. Note at the bottom of the article it gets a quote from Starks discussing the next project in the Falls that he's interested in right downtown. That will be more intriguing for me how Stark will attempt to redevelop a downtown riverfront area that was built on a footprint that pre-dates the automobile. I can't see him "Wolsteining" the property. This seems more of a challenge than there is area to lease or develop. It perhaps gets back to the debate in the Falls at least of opening up front street traffic or keeping it closed. With dams coming out of the river right there, and the neighborhood being updated from the Sheraton to the gorge, maybe a fresh perspective of linking the downtown to the river is what Starks is excited about. What that means i have no idea except that would seem to be the antithesis of his M.O. I don't see him "shopping" space at trade shows in Vegas trying to get eateries or retailers to move into 5-10k spaces. Its certainly a challenging location and i look forward to seeing what his vision is and how that will get people to want to visit front street mall.

I don't think highway access is supercritical with the volume of cars. It would make more sense for a costco in Montrose but then maybe that is too much competition and expense to get a lease deal. Falls is a good population center that wouldn't have to make the trip over to Montrose. I don't see a need for a Kohls in the Falls. One is in Macedonia, another is in Stow. There is one in Akron on S Arlington. I'm surprised they aren't in Montrose area someplace. That would be the most obvious place for a Kohls.

Another article in the Akron Beacon Journal that says all the same information but adds a mystery big box that is twice as big as the Giant Eagle space is close to signing. Most other American big box stores are within 3-5 miles of here some multiple times. Of the big boxes that are not close by and could be that size, all have significant grocery component: whole foods, meijers, trader joes. Obviously not one of them for Giant Eagle's sake. So in the unlikely event of getting a surprise Northeast Ohio location for bass pro, REI, or IKEA, I would say the safe bet would be Costco since the Akron area does not have one yet. It would be very shrewd though of IKEA to place a store in geographic center of Northeast Ohio. Not sure they will. Here is the article, since i teased. Not sure if it was posted already with all the random akron news stories that have been posted in the last week. http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/tenants-including-michael-symon-restaurant-announced-for-portage-crossing-development-in-cuyahoga-falls-1.294839 Some amusing and typical dot bomb commenters too.

I think everyone is limiting themselves to day to day Cleveland sites. The actual uniqueness to Cleveland is all the events that are happening throughout the year. I'm talking sports, concerts, festivals, what have you. Ignoring those particular interests and just coming to the Cleveland area randomly without concern for any particular event to see or be a part of seems a bit of miss in maximizing a trip to Cleveland. So its obviously very hard to predict one's interests in this regard. But I'd say there are unique concerts at Blossom that one would want to build a vacation around, perhaps a Radiohead concert, the Cleveland Orchestra, or one of the country music concerts. Perhaps some free music series at the Rock Hall during the Summer. I'm not sure anyone suggested popping over to the islands yet or all the crazy water parks over by Sandusky. Also, there are award-winning wineries and breweries that can be visited throughout Northeast Ohio. For foodies, obviously a lot of great places throughout Cleveland. Don't forget the Football Hall of Fame and the craziness that happens there the first part of August. If people are interested in golfing, there are a ton golf courses in the Cleveland area. If they want to watch the pros, they can come to Firestone CC in August. Chances are there is going to be a highly interesting event happening someplace in Northeast Ohio during the year that someone can build a trip to Cleveland around. An event then gives a fixed point in time and more important a reason in which to then build a visit, instead of the blank slate of possibilities and creating a long checklist of sites to see in Cleveland. Certainly one can do that, but that is a very hard list to limit.

Not a state but thought i'd take liberty with it being a major city in North America less than a 2 hr drive from Seattle. Vancouver's mass transit is very impressive and should be a model for other cities. They have a nice train system that links well with their bus system. Broken into zones one can ride for 90 minutes using whatever bus or train once a ticket is purchased. Hard to say whether it was the Olympics influence that pushed them to improve the rail system so much or the Chinese money that drives the city to build new condo towers throughout the city. I noticed public transportation was in much use last Saturday evening. It definitely makes a much more pleasant city to visit when transit is easy to use and accessible.

So pretty interesting that Metro will now have a freight rail strategy. That's been needed for probably 5-10 years. This is such a different animal I don't think they knew what to do with it. Passenger rail is going to be another thing again once that gets going So i guess the aspect that intrigues me most is the expansion into other counties as they keep talking Stark county for freight rail also the attempt to balance yet maximize passenger rail enhancements. Hard to figure where their rail line expansion stops based on benefit to increasing freight revenue vs trying to be a good steward of metro/Summit county capital resources.

This is one of my favorite threads. A nice local article about how metro rta is finally taking their rail holdings seriously. It looks like with the Utica shale potential, the rainy day of buying up all the track is finally going to be seen as a wise investment. The idea being usage fees will be able to upkeep more track and get passenger rail moving forward. http://www.ohio.com/business/metro-getting-on-board-for-train-business-1.285909 Ohio.com Metro getting on board for train business By Dave Scott Beacon Journal staff writer Published: March 27, 2012 - 07:43 PM | Metro Regional Transit Authority is thinking about getting into the train business. Known mostly for its bus service in Akron, Metro has been using federal funds to buy track over the last 20 years as it became available from Conrail and private railroad companies. Now industries are coming to Metro saying the time is right to improve those tracks and link them to their businesses.

Lol nice! I was curious to see how this article with not really a whole lot new would play on here. There are a lot of long winded comments on ohio.com that probably don't need to be rehashed here. I say let all parties discuss and come to a conclusion based on financial incentives and what is best for University.

Also there is space in north for outdoor events that used to occur there in the past. With the right store mix this could be a hit. I would think with this type of set up they are not expecting people to park and hit multiple stores. These have to be destinations of themselves and it will work just fine. My assumption these are 2-3 story buildings at portage trail. I'm not sure i like all the street calming. That is a very busy section of road. I think it would be cool to have a ped bridge connecting the 2 anchors rather than get crazy with street calming a major thoroughfare.

That is drastically different from initial massings for portage crossing. I'm not sure i like this layout either but its very interesting how dramatic it now is forming a narrow canyon of retail up to the street. I guess i like the southern section. The northern just seems to have too much parking. It could be ok if he brings in some strong big boxes (REI?). My guess is the giant eagle will be their upscale market district style. I don't think they have any in Ohio. (edit: they have one in columbus now.)

I don't think it will be that bad. Perhaps a buehler's or an aldi will grab it. I believe it was built by krogers in the early 80s.