surfohio

Wow, they're not wasting any time! Thanks for posting all the pics. Anyone see the plaza, and how they're laying topsoil/grass right on top of that standard blue insulation? Who knew you could do that??

More power to this dude if he wants to do this HOF. Someone should drop him a line and let him know about this thread. It might be a good idea to get Cleveland Institute of Art involved in some capacity. And maybe offer some classes or lectures on the art, history and cultural impact.

^ Any idea how this will affect on-street parking?

I think Biker may take issue with that statement!

This is really positive. This building (right next to Latitude 41 IIRC) is an eyesore, surrounded by barbwire fencing. p.s. Anyone want to make any predictions as to whether/when continued street improvements will continue east or west of Gordon Square?

This Juan Vergara Cat is on a roll!!

I believe that's an excellent point for the higher floors. I don't mind the setbacks at all. But what it is now at ground floor - a windowless bunker - it neither lets in any light, nor is it good design from a sidewalk perspective. Anyhow, I'm disappointed in the design because FEB continues an "anti-sidewalk" trend that started in the West Bank. At least in regard to the lower Main St. portion of the new building. I'm more optimistic about the west face of the building. I think this will be my last post on the subject. I just don't like it so far. I bike through downtown every day and most of it is dead space such as parking garages or windowless walls. As a general rule I think every bit of sidewalk should be welcoming and safe, with "eyes on the street" especially in our premier entertainment areas. For now I'll quit the negativity and wait until the place is actually finished.

Exactly. A best case scenario would be retail storefronts all along there. You have to think that sidewalk between WHD and FEB will get a great deal of pedestrian activity. Plus, I can't pull it up on google, but if you look across Main St. at the lower level of the Terminal Apartments, they could also re- open up the brick for windows or maybe even storefronts. I have the feeling that at night that's going to continue to be a foreboding stretch to walk down. But it doesn't have to be. It could be a really cool little street like E. 4th, and not just a glorified driveway.

That's why you see Kosar wisely headed in the other direction. What's Bernie doing wearing Brian Sipe's jersey?? :P Okay, so maybe (definitely) not a 19 jersey lol. I may need my eyes checked, but not my memory. I remember being overjoyed when my New Jersey Generals got Brian Sipe!

That's why you see Kosar wisely headed in the other direction.

The ground floor window fronting Main, as seen here lower right: http://www.sierraus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/render-main-avenue.jpg

Glad you reposted this. I'd take this as is, we need it! But I would absolutely love it IF the multimodal facility could be more than a parking garage. Or at least make the pedestrian bridge wider, as during the Great Lakes Exposition.

^ Right. Seems they've abandoned the large window. There's no way around it. They dropped the ball here. It looks like a brutalist concrete bunker circa 1970. The Flats/WH District are supposed to be pedestrian oriented. I will say if the new website image is to be believed, I'll echo your sentiments that the frontage further up the hill on Main is much much better.

By the looks of the real photo, it doesn't look like there will be any windows fronting Main (vs. as it's depicted on website). http://www.sierraus.com/commercial/office-retail-property-flats-east-bank-cleveland/

I'm responding to Zak's "may" quote: In conclusion, we may see some of those projects, such as the "student center" and Uptown (I really like Uptown, actually), but as for anything else, don't bet your firstborn on it. Like you guys, as far as I know things are progressing well and slated to finish on time. I'm not sure if Zak has any better/inside info on this re: delays or what exactly the debacle is. I have a friend working on this and was gonna ask. p.s. welcome to the forum Zak

I hate stories like this. I have to say when my car was broken into the Lakewood Police were very supportive and polite. I often think of a guy I know in a band had his guitar stolen. This happened literally a block east of Lakewood border, in Cudell. So he went to Cleveland Police and told Police exactly WHO stole it, and WHERE it could be found. The officer basically stated that they were way too busy with much more serious crimes for it to be a concern. And that he was probably better off using "street justice" to get his guitar back.

Last I heard, the Student Center is gonna happen. I'll post more tomorrow.

Isn't there a way for the city to become more proactive in this department? I mean, it's one thing to criticize parking garages and terrible buildings from the 70's etc. But when recent buildings make the same bad mistakes it's extremely disconcerting.

At least not at those prices they won't.

Are you trying to say that Europeans are wealthier than Americans? Have you traveled in Europe?? I think a more accurate description is that most Great Lakes cruises aren't marketed to Americans. We Americans don't seem to find the lakes such a natural marvel or so exotic as they do in Europe. It's like the Rhine-Danube cruises which are popular with Americans, but the Europeans wonder what's the big deal. Whenever I bring people who live elsewhere in America to stand at the shore of Lake Erie for the first time, they are blown away. They did not expect to see a freshwater ocean. Many just stand (or sit) and stare for a while. Some speak. Some don't. If they speak, they usually say "wow" or "that's beautiful" or "I had no idea it was so big." :) IIRC there were favorable exchange rates that drove Euros here. As you can see below the costs are ridiculous. But I do agree 100 percent that the cruises (and the lakes) aren't marketed well. Currently, as far as I can tell, two lines operate cruises within the Great Lakes: Hapag-Lloyd, the big German shipping line, operates the only real cruise ship on the Great Lakes. After an absence of several years, its MV Columbus is back, this year making a single round-trip from Toronto to Chicago, in September. The ship, holding up to 418 passengers in 203 cabins, was designed specifically to serve the Great Lakes; it's the largest cruise ship able to navigate the limited clearances through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal. However, after initially trying to mount a full season, market support was apparently inadequate, and the Columbus didn't operate in the Great Lakes at all in some recent years. This year's rates are high—starting at $3,540 per person for 13 nights, or $272 per night—more than double what you pay on a mass-market cruise line in Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Mediterranean. Blount (formerly American Canadian Caribbean Line) operates three smaller ships with a mix of Great Lakes and river/canal cruises in the United States and Canada. The Grand Caribe, Grand Mariner, and Niagara Prince resemble European river cruise boats rather than cruise ships; they're small (100 passengers) and low-slung, to get under the many bridges they encounter on river and canal cruises. Together, they run a handful of Great Lakes cruises as well as some Great Lakes cruising on canal and river itineraries. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/great-lakes-cruising.html?id=7758960

If Strickland had Kasich's determination (and gall) I honestly believe he'd still be governor and we'd have 3C rail.

Kasich's lake protections are timely and wise By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board A high fin from the fish in Lake Erie to Gov. John Kasich, who signed an executive order Wednesday that bans oil and gas drilling in Lake Erie. His action provides a welcome layer of protection should Congress lift its own ban on drilling in the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem on the continent. Kasich's order prohibits drilling not just in but also under Lake Erie, a distinction that could be important given the anticipated expansion in Ohio of horizontal drilling by companies fracturing the rock, or "fracking," for deeply buried shale oil and gas. It bars the Ohio Department of Natural Resources from issuing any permit, license or lease that allows the withdrawal or production of either oil or gas from, or under, the bed of Lake Erie. cont http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/07/kasichs_lake_protections_are_t.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Right you are. The "isolation" issue is a huge problem I see throughout the midwest. The solution, I think, lies in improving design. Take Tower City for example. It's location itself is a tremendous asset. It's not too hard to envision a future where things could be improved to foster more interaction with Public Square on one side, and the Riverfront on the other.

You guys know that the costs to take a Great Lakes cruise are so high that basically only Europeans can afford it? That's really unfortunate, as I personally would love to experience such a thing.

Oh Rittman, you never seem to surprise me!!