surfohio

I now think the third option is building next to JAR. [edit: i see audidave beat me to it!] Those are good, valid points on the Arena Dist. Basically what I'd like to experience is an arena that has adjacent street life, lively with restaurants, bars, etc. You're right, Akron isn't in the same position as Columbus, but even a scaled down sports entertainment district would be great for Akron. I see downtown as a better alternative for this kind of development. But I won't count out Spicer - there's some opportunity there too. But I see Rt. 8 as a growth-limitation for that locale. The worst choice imho would be a complete, on campus location. The Schott in OSU for example, is an entertainment dead zone. I understand the desire for some to want a venue that's completely within the confines of campus; they want visitors to see how nice the school is. For me personally, I'm not interested in walking past all kinds of nice-but-closed campus buildings before or after a game. I'd rather splurge on happy hours and wing specials.

Digging the Terminal Tower referenced alongside the statues in #7 and #8. Thanks for posting!!

I thought his words were really moving. I mean, he had teachers from grade school in attendance!! He's a real showman by the way, enjoyed those guys. p.s. Beach Boys did not disappoint...I thought they were amazing.

Oh that map is so great...thanks for finding this!!!

Wow good question. The Flats were filled with live original music. Lots! Then as the WHD came into play seems those bars were DJ or cover band oriented. I'm not sure why downtown proper isn't more happening, though Wilberts is really great. Now Lakewood on the other hand, that is a mecca. Especially Madison. Some venues are cover oriented, but I hope they remain the exception and not the rule.

Serious story for sure, but at least this allowed me to laugh for a second: Drug amounts were called "six piece," "ballie," "higgity" and "bizzel."

^ Gramarye I cannot agree with you more on that bizarre name change. It's confounding. Do they really hate Polksy that much!! As for remaking/renaming Buchtel Commons, I'm looking forward to seeing more. In the first pic all I can see is they're switching around some patches of grass. It's got to be more far reaching, according to the article. [edit] upon further inspection, there looks to be some much need aesthetic changes to the Library other buildings. I'm sold. The Arena comment was interesting, as it suggests there are only two options in consideration. I'm not sold on the logic of locating an Arena by the Info Stadium. I mean, aside from consolidating parking (and there are parking opportunities all over), what's the advantage? The Arena District in Columbus should be the gold standard. Design the Akron Arena in close, synergistic proximity to spinoff development. Not next to what will be a huge empty football stadium.

Even an Oasis could use a vending machine! But really, I agree with you I much prefer local; those places you described would be an epic start vs. what we have now.

I had to google search Star Plaza! Got ya. Again I'm no expert. Even if I'm wrong and the leases aren't a financial windfall. We're spending public money on PS anyhow. At least this infrastructure, minimal as it is, at the very least could contribute to the quality of life and get the ball rolling asap.

Yeah I agree. The conversation was so awkward! Rome (or his publicist) released a really good statement. I expect them to be back on the phone asap. It would be good pr for Stern and of course, epic ratings for Rome.

Thank you. The solutions for PS seem so obvious to me. I want someone to explain why this won't work. At least to get the process started toward a greater, overall vision.

Any "takes" on the recent Jim Rome vs. David Stern episode?

I'm nowhere near an expert in this area. But you have to think that the sheer number of people who walk through here provides a great amount of potential. Give people any reason to stop for five minutes. Plus it would be a unique draw as well. http://www.otto-otto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sw-porch.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Bryant_Park_Xmas_shopping_jeh.JPG http://z.about.com/d/manhattan/1/7/u/_/Southwest-Porch-at-Bryant-Park.JPG Again, check out these structures. They are well placed, attractive and best of all could be built immediately! The flavor of PS could be dramatically altered in weeks, not years.

The Million dollar question...from the tone of today's PD articles I'm afraid it sounds like we're still many years away. Question: PS is very valuable real estate. Why can't the city provide some basic infrastructure and then lease out retail space to the highest bidder? Why can't they could generate revenues for continuing redevelopment that way? http://www.otto-otto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sw-porch.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Bryant_Park_Xmas_shopping_jeh.JPG http://z.about.com/d/manhattan/1/7/u/_/Southwest-Porch-at-Bryant-Park.JPG

Awesome. Jackson has said previously that he wants it to be one large square. I do hope they come up with better designs than last time though. I kinda hated the Connor designs. Especially the "drastic change" proposals. Look, we don't need to re-invent the wheel here. Rendering the place unrecognizable ie a big grass hill/field would be a major mistake.

I think I agree with the Mayor. He's accepting a middle ground, where if traffic must continue on Superior, that the street should at least match the rest of the big square aesthetically. I'm thinking some quality brick or even cobblestone will work. I always thought the worst part of PS wasn't that traffic moved through it, but rather the speed of traffic and the overall anti-pedestrian feel were the real problems.

The only things missing are "Jersey" barriers and interstate-style off ramps!

Sad. These sound like quality people, the kind you need to turn this place around. Thieves gut Lorain Avenue building in Cleveland, but owners remain steadfast in their commitment to the neighborhood By Michael K. McIntyre CLEVELAND, Ohio — It's not a cliche to say that the rundown building that once housed a precious stones store on Lorain Avenue, near the west end of Cleveland's Antique Row, was, for Aaron Pearl and his wife, Lisa Anne Carlini, a diamond in the rough. But the cop cars were not a good sign. The Cleveland couple exited the highway Saturday night to see the place -- which they'd been working to turn into a coffee shop and local foods mecca -- surrounded by cops. Everything of value had been extracted by scrappers. Two furnaces, one brand new. Most of the new electrical wiring. Copper pipes, even those hidden in the walls. Broken plaster and lath boards testified to the thieves' muscular determination. They even took the kitchen sink – two actually – from the apartments upstairs. Bathtubs, too. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/06/thieves_gut_lorain_avenue_buil.html

The walls were constructed of sea shells to make them impervious to canon fire!

I feel sorry for this building. I would've been really proud to have gone to school in a place this beautiful.

That was my thought exactly, especially when someone above mentioned an "art cinema house" (which is what the Cinematheque is.) Interesting idea. I'm actually surprised nobody has mentioned this before. By the way, you all should be proud to know that the Cinemateque has quite a good reputation nationally. Last year I attended a a film conference at the Brooklyn Academy of Arts (NY) and you should have heard these industry insiders speaking of the venue (and of Cleveland) in reverent tones.

Ugh, this pic really bothers me to no end. Not the photography- excellent pic btw. It's the architectural design that's bad. They stole a page from the lousy K&D playbook. Fronting the sidewalk with a concrete bunker is not attractive. Nor is it conducive to a walkable neighborhood. There was a tremendous opportunity to improve street life on Main St. along side the building. They dropped the ball big time. Maybe this is correctable? I hope so. We're so busy appreciating the upper floors but it's the ground floor we should be paying most attention to.

Everything illegal (or inept) traces back to Jersey. Is it me, or is Mason channeling McGruff the Crime Dog with this gem: Prosecutor Mason said, “The days of gambling with the law have come to a screeching halt.”

Right, though I'm hoping that if the County does locate there @ Huntington, the building could at least be of mixed use. Lots of disparate ideas (aka arguing) in that County relocation thread.

Right. To "re-naturalize" the coastline I'm betting the costs would be astronomical. I'm pretty sure that even in the most ambitious lakefront plans it hasn't been listed as an option. Which is too bad. I'd like to learn more about the possibilities. p.s. Hts you forgot "slabs of broken concrete" to your list