PaulI

Actually - that's exactly what someone said...... "What issues? I love the SW quadrant of Public Square. It has the most active, noisy, organized chaos and big-city setting downtown. Wish we had more like it."

I am sorry, but I have to disagree on this. I know NY really well and have enjoyed walking throughout the city. It has an incredible urban vibe and is one of my favorite places on the planet. The vibe at PS is completely different. This isn't a case of suburban Clevelanders not "getting" what a real city feels like. This is a case of people not liking a nasty, dirty, down-on-its-luck area of Cleveland. Cleveland is an amazing place. But in no way does PS represent big city living, and in no way does it define what we want to be as a city. And, thank goodness, this is why it's being redesigned.

Here's a picture from today, showing the west end of the stadium. Looks like they still have a ways to go!!!

Here's all that's left. The original steps! No plaque or anything to remind anyone.

Thanks MTS. I really don't think that in order to honor history that we need six bus stops cutting through PS. Also, I have yet to hear anyone state that closing the entire four quadrants was not allowable by any federal or state mandate. Though it would be nice to get the final verdict on that particular subject.

i think a lot of people on this forum are a lot more well-traveled than you give them credit for. I have been to many of the major cities in America, Europe and SE Asia and I tell you with absolute certainty that there's nothing "big city" about the SW quadrant of Public Square. It's just a mess. And it's an embarrassing mess for Cleveland. Hence the new design. Though the idea of mixing bus stops into the middle of a public park is a dreadful idea. I don't blame James Corner for this. This is all on the RTA. Why the tail insists on wagging the dog is beyond me.

On the subject of FWD (btw, I really liked Andrew's examples) and shipping containers. It would be a neat touch if they incorporated some public art into the design (see the really example below). Maybe using my favorite symbol of Cleveland, the Guardians of Transportation - as used on the Lorain-Carnegie bridge). Just a thought.

You can see FWD on the left hand edge and the parking on the right of it.....

I am pretty sure that's a multi-story parking lot.

Sorry to switch the conversation from the container stuff at FWD (which could be great if it's done right). But I was at the Aloft today and took some pictures of the construction going on. You'll see a lot of progress! As usual, my pictures don't really do it justice, but at least you'll get an idea of what's going on ....

I was at Willeyville yesterday and noticed that they just fenced off the area where the Flipside burger restaurant will be and have started digging a foundation. No idea if they have started with any of the other buildings, but I thought this was a good sign. Spring 2015 isn't that far away!

I passed the plaza yesterday and it's looking absolutely amazing. The pictures don't do it justice at all. But here goes ....

I walked past the Truman building yesterday and they had the doors open while they were working. Looks like a really nice space inside!

Ah, that would explain this picture from 1831, and also why we have lighthouse steps on the top of W 9th where it slopes down to the flats .......

"Meh" sums it up perfectly. The designs look almost exactly like all the CSU housing that's gone up recently. Not sure why they felt they had to follow that standard. And it's not like the architecture company doesn't know how to do something interesting. They did this (Circle 118 Townhomes) not so long ago (note the nice big windows!) ......

Here's a few pictures taken from the game against the Royals on Sunday (which we won!). Not sure they capture the eye-catching vibrancy of the digital advertising boards on either end of the parking lot. You almost feel like they are part of the stadium. Which is pretty cool.

Thanks for posting the pdf, it was great to see the extra detail in the plans. One thing I didn't fully realize until I looked at the plan was that there will be six RTA stops in the middle of the square/park on Superior. That's a lot. Hopefully at some point they will revisit this decision.

Not the most exciting set of pictures you'll ever see. But in case anyone is interested, this is what the base looked like yesterday.

And if anyone is interested in checking out the Hingetown thread, here it is ..... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=29231.0 Also, for some historical background, not all Cleveland neighborhoods were named according to some strict methodology. Take Duck Island as an example. Anyone who has ever been there can tell you that not only is it not an island, but there aren't any ducks there either. Apparently it acquired a nickname a long time ago and it has stuck ever since. There's actually a thread about this ... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=23585.0 And let's not forget the Flats. Which, for a while in the 1830's, was called Willeyville. Apparently our first mayor (John Willey) liked to hang out there a lot (lucky for him TMZ didn't exist back then) and dubbed it himself. Nobody is aware of him asking anyone's permission.

Another great step forward for Hingetown. Exciting stuff! http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2014/07/spaces_reveals_design_for_prop.html

Hi Guys - Hingetown is an awesome place. Apparently some people hate the name and some people love it. But that's normal right. Nobody is ever going to come up with anything that everyone likes (I am pretty sure the person who invented pre-sliced bread had their haters!). And yes, a developer came up with the idea, but who really cares? I personally think it's a cool name. And the fact that the PD is using it means it's catching on. Here's why it's called Hingetown ..... "Hingetown is a part of Ohio City in Cleveland, and is at the hinge of Gordon Square Arts District, the Market District, and the Warehouse District".

Pictures taken Saturday. Looking good!

Pictures taken yesterday. Beautiful sunny day, everything looking awesome ......

In case anyone was wondering, the patio is open now at the Westin (Urban Farmer). It actually has nice view of E 6th and St. Clair.

Thanks so much, very helpful.