NorthShore64

More info coming on the June 3rd Industry Day: https://itsaclevolution.com/business

New on site rental car facility built with money from the rental car companies according to Francis.

The paper airplanes make their long awaited return!

Not sure about the RTA station exactly, they just said "new station". Would need to see a new master plan aerial view of the complex. No new concourses are part of Phase 1 is the impression I got. They said they will be evaluating those next, I'm assuming as Phase 1 kicks off. Doing all Landside first in Phase 1 then moving to all Airside in Phase 2 makes a lot more sense to me from a phasing and complete-ability perspective. Glad Francis acknowledged in the presentation that the old "PAL" master plan was unrealistic in this day and age and that that formula would've lead to continuous disruptions and lack of a cohesive vision, if not an uncompleted vision as a whole. Kudos! "The new garage will also include a Ground Transportation Center, where off-site parking and hotel shuttles drop off and pick up travelers, as well as a new Regional Transit Authority Red Line station. Because the main terminal is moving about 500 feet southeast of its existing location, the RTA stop – which is located underneath the existing terminal – will need to be moved as well." That's not an insignificant move. There are a lot of unknowns with this project right now, but my guess is that the station would be moved further southeast along the existing tunnel alignment. I think there would be just enough room for a new station on the straight portion of the tunnel if the new platform begins right at the end of the curve. That would require digging out a new station box under the new parking garage before work starts on it. If built right, this could dramatically improve the station from an aesthetic standpoint. Ideally a direct underground connection is maintained so passengers can continue to walk directly from the platform into the terminal. Going by their phasing of first the new Gold Lot (next to Concourse D) in 2026, then the new parking garage on the Orange lot, work on the new redline station would need to begin pretty soon as it would likely be in the lower level of the new garage. *EDIT* Yep, according to a timeline graphic in the presentation work on a new station would begin with the new parking garage next year.

The 8 page report from the Legislative Service Commission is a nice run down of a few major issues with the information and (partial) report the Haslam's have (so far) released. Its great to see some state officials understand this. Read the report here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25920639-lsc-stadium-analysis-redacted/?mode=document From Page 7:

Cavalanche "snow machines" were part of new lighting rig just installed in Rocket Arena, largest in an NBA arena Bret McCormick - SportsBusinessJournal - Apr. 28, 2025 Cavs installed new lighting rigs right before the playoffs. Here's a view from Game 2 The new lighting was also joined by the new "snow" machines for the Cavalanche celebrations. I'm not sure how much these improvements changed the gameday experience, but the Cavs sure do put on a good show. Fans loved the fake snow/bubbles.

The WPSL PRO has got company. NWSL submits application to U.S. Soccer for launch of Division II league starting in 2026 Pardeep Cattry - CBSSports - Apr. 25, 2025 "Eight existing NWSL clubs will field affiliated team for its inaugural season, should the plans be approved by U.S. Soccer. ... The WPSL Pro, which also plans to start play in 2026, is currently awaiting sanctioning from U.S. Soccer and would rival the NWSL Division II league if both get the all-clear."

Over the years I've been to a lot of college campuses, including just about every Big Ten university campus. Nearly all of the Big10 (and most large state flagship university campuses) have a growing number of dense / tall developments around them. All but a few have multiple private developments over 7 stories just off campus. It really is impressive what some of these smaller university towns can get built. What was the last >7 story (non 5over2) apartment building built off campus at Ohio State? Riverwatch in the 1980s? By my rough recollection, every Big10 city has seen a new apartment building over 7 stories off campus since Columbus has last built one except for Bloomington and College Park. If East Lansing, Iowa City, Lincoln and State College can have multiple new build apartments around ~12 stories, than one of the most dense neighborhoods in the nations 14th largest city should be able to pull it off. Here is a rough look at a few Big10 stadium adjacent developments: Iowa City Ann Arbor East Lansing State College Lincoln Evanston Madison New Brunswick Champaign/Urbana Minneapolis And the University District. Main campus's built environment is more dense than the surrounding neighborhood, the inverse of a lot of college campuses. NOTE - There are a lot of flaws in comparing cities. I have lived in the UD for years and greatly enjoyed my time there/in Columbus, I'm not trying to disparage the city/neighborhood. The area just needs more housing, and its time to catch up to other university towns and go up.

CPC approved a few small sales of City land to ODOT for the Central Interchange project at todays meeting. The phase around this section is still looking at an April 2026 start time.

The project development agreement between the city (Director of Capital Projects) and Metroparks to build 4 different trail extension projects, or the Raise East Side Trails Project, received approval from todays CPC meeting. The federal funding grant for this project is currently held up in DC right now, but the Metroparks said they were hopeful funding would come through.

The Vega Avenue Studio Lofts received final approval from todays (4-25-25) Planning Commission Meeting. Sounded like they were planning for a September start.

I quickly put together a version of this a few years back when the initial Bedrock plans for the riverfront site were being released. I had CVSR staying on the existing tracks to the Thermal Plant spur line/B&O tracks along the river. The tracks would end at a plaza directly below the Thermal plant and above the River along the relocated Canal Road. The biggest question was if there would be enough clearance under the new Eagle Avenue bridge/ramp. Again this was ~2 years ago before more details about Bedrocks plans were released. Repurposing a portion of the thermal plant for a historical center seemed like a no brainer with it being right downtown, across the river from the towpath, and essentially on the route of the original canal. The Visitors Center (maybe call it the The "Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area/Western Reserve Historical Society Visitors Center at Tower City /s) would be complemented by the extended Towpath trail, new Canal Basin Park, and a potential renovation of the B&O/Cleveland Terminal and Valley Railroad Depot. Work with the Western Reserve Historical Society to potentially display items from Cleveland's industrial past that they may have in their collection, and run a historic train tour type service on the CVSR to Hale Farm and Village / Indigo Lake station. Rent bikes from the facility with the CVSR providing an easy return trip downtown. Here's a look at the thermal plant and surrounding B&O/CUT tracks under the old Eagle Avenue viaduct in the late 1940s And the few tracks that remain today

Broadly speaking, I think other cities around the world (and rust belt) have done a better job of preserving their industrial heritage through adaptive reuse projects. Obviously there is Jacob's Powerhouse project on the West Bank for a Cleveland example, but I always thought the Columbus Muni Light Plant project was an interesting comparison to a potential redevelopment of the Thermal Plant. It was a pretty challenging and expensive project that took years, but it was a feasible redevelopment of an old coal burning facility on the edge of downtown next to a stadium mixed use project. https://columbusunderground.com/hard-hat-tour-municipal-light-plant-bw1/ https://www.gbxgroup.com/property-profile/577-589-w-nationwide-blvd I don't think anyone other than Bedrock could really get a redevelopment of the plant done (with them essentially controlling everything around the structure), so hopefully they show interest in preserving it for a future phase of the riverfront project.

Cleveland Thermal still owns it but I don't know if it's operating in any capacity. KJP article from August of 2023 - Cleveland Thermal target of acquisition

Record Rendezvous / 300 Prospect Renovation (4-23-25)

(4-23-25) Parking Lot Progress

Few things are better than a Gateway Doubleheader Also great to see the Guards and Cavs support each other https://www.instagram.com/cavs/p/DIzuBgLSNs3/?img_index=3 https://www.instagram.com/p/DI1q5dyOX33/

(4-23-25) Grading for the Franklin Blvd realignment. Not necessarily Irishtown Bend, but the neighboring Ohio City Farm's Roundstone Pavilion is nearly complete. Move in process started last week.

(4-23-25)

(4-23-25)

Regarding the departure board mockup pictured above, I slightly modeled it after the new real time departure boards currently being used by Sound Transit's Link light rail. Image credit to reddit Reddit user SounderBruce in his post here A more traditional Dot Marix display departure board would be fine at most platforms in the system, but nicer screens like those used in Seattle would be great to have at Tower City. These should be on the platforms, but also in the building or at street level in Public Square. These signs (along with improved wayfinding around the building) could really improve the user experience and serve as a good reminder to people passing by that there is fast, frequent rail service from Tower City.

Excellent points! Have you considered locking up a timetable? That could answer or reveal potential operational challenges Ideally my preferred system configuration would have each line running at 20 minute frequencies, creating 5 minute frequencies in the trunk, 10 minute on the branches and 20 minute east of Shaker Square (I have Blue to Airport, but could be switched with Green). There is a lot to like about this network with those frequencies, however it does have a few notable shortcomings. Dual interlining each of the four main branches will by necessity create a slightly unbalanced schedule on 2 of the 4 branches. Here is an example of the configuration with 20 minute frequency per line: Ideally for service from Tower City you schedule departures to be evenly spaced, alternating between their individual branch lines. Eastbound service would then have a departure every 5 minutes alternating between Shaker Square and Windermere service. Westbound service would also have departures every 5 minutes alternating between Airport and Muni Lot Service. Here is a rough mockup of what a real time departure board at Tower City period could look like under this service pattern: Evenly spaced, alternating branch departures like this from Tower City would then provide evenly spaced service every 10 minutes on the branch lines traveling away from Tower City. To get this service pattern though, you would have unbalanced service on the branch lines as they travel towards Tower City. 6 trains would still arrive per hour, but they would alternate between coming every 5 and 15 minutes. A station like Ohio City would have a train leaving for the Airport in 10, 20, 30 40... minutes, and a Tower City train leaving in 5, 20, 25, 40... minutes. This unbalanced system is not ideal, but still provides service on the 4 main branches with 6 trains per hour (per direction) with at most a 15 minute wait between Tower City bound trains. Its a tradeoff, but in my opinion worth the evenly spaced departures from Tower City. It is also worth noting that this service pattern is acceptable with each line at 20 minute frequencies, but becomes less desirable to implement at 30 minute frequencies per line at the unbalanced schedule would then create spacing between trains of around 7 or 22 minutes on some branches. I am not currently looking as in doeth as full timetables, but End to End travel times per line would be (in minutes): Red = 48 Green = 40 Blue = 60 Orange = 30 TL;DR - Interlining 4 lines on 4 branches with evenly spaced departures from Tower City creates unbalanced train spacing (5, 10, 25, 30...) on branches traveling towards Tower City. Disclaimer - This was all just sketched out on the back of a paper, so there may be inconsistencies in my logic.

Regarding the low/high doors and platforms - All high platforms are center island stations. All low platforms are side boarding stations (except for the 3 shared stations in the trunk and the terminal Warrenville-Van Aken Station). If platform alterations/extenders are added to the 3 stations in the trunk (Tower City, East 34th, East 55th) then any potential route configuration would have high platforms on the center (left) and low platforms on the side (right). The only stations where this potentially wouldn't be the case are the terminal stations where trains switch tracks/directions. A train could keep the high left/low right consistent by regularly switching tracks at the turnout after departures on a return run from all terminal stations (except for Warrensville-Van Aken where they would make the switch before arrival as it would be the only remaining low level center platform in the system). These changes aren't necessary for the use of dual platform height trains on this system, but are relatively small changes relative to their positive impact. Step covers would then only need to be switched at the end of a run when the operator changes cabs and the train remains at the platform for a few minutes, simplifying operations for drivers and riders. In general, these changes may be confusing to a lot of riders. The consistency of all low platform stations being on the right side, and all high platform stations being on the left side could really improve the user experience of the new configuration. Prerecorded announcements and the new interior messaging signs could help direct passengers to the correct doors. New signage, wayfinding and its inclusion on a redesigned system map should also be used to inform riders about the system changes. TL;DR - Small changes to infrastructure/system operations would allow for platforms to consistently be High Platform Left Side, Low Platform Right Side. Step covers would only need to be switched at the terminal stations.

MLSNP attendance for independent teams is not ~4,000. Only one team is above ~4,000. Most are much closer to or below ~1,000 with many teams not even bothering to report numbers. Some teams don't even make tickets available to the public. One team, Huntsville has their reported average attendance of over 4,000. They play in a former minor league baseball stadium that used to seat 10,000, but was reduced through renovation to 6,000. The stadium sat empty for years as its original tenants the Stars left for Biloxi. Two other Clubs that are drawing reasonably well are High Point and Chattanooga. Carolina Core (High Point NC) draw under 4,000 at there home venue, a 8,500 seat minor league baseball stadium whose primary tenant plays in the independent Atlantic League. Chattanooga plays at UT Chattanooga's FCS Football teams ~20,000 seat stadium. They do relatively well at drawing in fans because they have been playing in other leagues since 2009 (and also have one of the only fan ownership models in all of American sports). North Texas SC averages ~1,000 in the newly renovated 48,000 capacity Choctaw Stadium (the old Glove Life Field in Arlington). TL;DR - I wouldn't consider any of these examples (two secondary tenants and two renovated baseball fields that sat empty once their original teams left) as reasonable justification to build a new 10,000 seat venue in the same league. Sure there are other ways to justify a 10,000 seat venue, but the upstart Division-2 WPSL Pro team is not substantial enough at all. It could serve as a facility for area high schools and universities, but it would be limited to their soccer (and possibly lacrosse) teams.

The Cleveland teams will be in the second tier and third tier of the US soccer pyramid. To put it into perspective, the Cleveland Monsters are a second tier team, and the Akron RubberDucks are a third tier team in their respective sports. I love going to those games! And the fly-by-night Arena Football League was a blast while it lasted. And remember that FC Cincinnati started as a second tier team with NO stadium of it's own before being elevated to top tier status. If you need a top tier team in a world class stadium right out of the gate, then I agree, this might be disappointing news. But I'm excited. For a lot of reasons, lower tier Soccer doesn't equate well at all to lower tier Hockey, Baseball, Basketball, Football (certainly not 1:1 between the pyramids). If you are to make the comparison though (in terms of investment, fan interest and caliber of play), for Hockey the USL-C and USL-1 would be the rough equivalents to the AHL and ECHL. These lower tier leagues MLSNP and WPSL Pro would be closer to junior leagues like the USHL. The drop off in fan interest between USL-1 and MLSNP is a lot more sever than the drop between AHL and USHL though. What CSG is asking for is an AHL caliber arena for a junior hockey league team. For baseball USL-C would be Triple-A (with the roadmap to challenge for big league status) while MLSNP and WPSL Pro would be Frontier League. CSG wants a Triple-A stadium for the a team like the Lake Erie Crushers.