surfohio

An insightful article on the state of radio. I'm really passionate on the subject. I think you can catch some glimpses of what makes the medium special on college radio. To me the two most necessary ingredients are obvious; you absolutely need good on-air personalities and most importantly, new music. Cleveland radio faces incursions by Pandora and others, as well as a still-ailing economy Published: Sunday, June 03, 2012, Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer By Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You hear it in every barroom conversation about Cleveland radio: Out-of-state corporate offices have sucked the lifeblood out of the medium, and there are no Buffys around here to stick a stake in whatever hearts may beat in those New York and San Antonio home offices. The glory days, when WMMS FM/100.7 got national attention for our town as "the Buzzard," are long gone. Local radio stalwarts who spent not years but DECADES on the air here have been sent packing or died. Format changes just about outnumber the new voices, who are just that -- voices, not personalities, not neighbors, some not even residents of Ohio. Clearly, this is the end of radio as we know it. http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/06/cleveland_radio_faces_incursio.html

I don't currently have any "in" with UA. But after 23 years I'd say I'm pretty familiar with the way they do things. It would be extremely unfortunate, but I wouldn't be that surprised if the board were anti-transit. It's because outside of student circulators, the idea of transit is urban, and while not exactly a foreign concept, the idea of going "urban" is a much maligned concept for some at the school. Look, UA has a very mixed, contrasting record for urban planning. Almost schizophrenic at times, with on the one hand their desire to "bridge the tracks" into downtown. This was the legacy of President Muse, for UA to revitalize downtown. Yet on the other hand, the school cannot seem to maximize the benefits of the same urban environment. Some students and faculty absolutely hate the idea of campus extending into "the city." The weird, fortress-like treatment of the Polsky Building is stark evidence of this. But it's not just Polsky, the overall campus identity continues even today as a strange, hodge podge mix of conflicting urban and suburban planning. And I don't want to say UA is alone here. Anyone who has been to OSU could say the same about that campus I suppose. But in short, I have the idea that UA is a school that's not really comfortable in its location. Which is too bad. It's offensive to my principles, and I've suggested this already, but U Akron could have really benefited from the help of (the hated!) KSU and their School of Urban Design. Last, when I was a student, even as recently as late 90's, there was a very negative perception of Main St. downtown. Why? Because the sidewalks were often very crowded with poor "bus people." The perception of crime. Public Square Syndrome. Logically, it's an image that you can easily imagine some at UA want to distance themselves from. Perhaps the "negative" perception of public transit right in the middle of campus, and more "bus/train people" is a threatening one to some in power. Again this is me speculating...I'm very passionate about Akron, even though it may seems I love to hate the place. Quite the opposite. I bleed Zips blue and gold. The issue is important enough to me that it's worth a few phone calls to get an inside idea of why UA would not embrace the rail RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of campus.

Right. I'm surprised. Heading by this a.m. I actually thought today might be the last day for installing the steel beams.

^ nice!!

Diamonds in the rough!

You sir, and your media background expect too much. Isn't it enough that this park exists somewhere on earth ha ha.

I think it depends on the "rail." If you're talking 3C, I'm not sure it can cause that sharp contrast along party lines. Most of my co-workers downtown CLE are Democrats/liberal and they were relentless bashers on the perception of it being slow speed rail.

Right. I'm cautiously optimistic. The thing about Akron, to me it just seems like to move forward there you have to take steps backward first.

^ Huh, should I change my opinion about that "classy" Cash For Gold place that opened in my hood?

Was just listening to an interview on 92.3 The Fan with Akron head coach Terry Bowden. He mentioned that on Jim Tressel's main agenda is helping to increase enrollment. UA has a serious goal of adding 10,000 more students. The question is, if this does occur will those students be commuting or will they living on/near campus? If it's the latter, the sheer volume of students could be a game-changer for reviving downtown. The pedestrian-centric Akron of the future could be here sooner than you think.

Whoa, what city IS THAT?!!!

^ this was great, the best kind of development. thanks for posting!!

I am gonna give some props to Blu Olive. Delicious!!

Weird. This place was just renovated in 2010. This was no great urban building, but I think it had a quirky appeal that could've capably supported new retail. The jury is still out on the merits of UA's urban planning. I am hopeful new development takes advantage of the retail potential along Exchange. http://www.greenleafctr.org/content/2010-faade-renovation/

Hmm. Okay....coincidence maybe. But I know that a few of the big area brewers have visited the very popular Pizza Port out in San Diego. The brewery/pizza concept would go over well here. It's a good concept!

I liked the comment about the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. They have made an incredible difference. THANKS!!

Johnnys! Ha ha my good buddy Johnny SantoSuosso's place. She's a sweet woman that waitress.

Thankful for that.

SOmeone just called into KNR very much worried that the Cavs would take Drummond with the 4th!!

That's exactly what is surprising. With the given proximity you've mentioned, how could this area still look so....unimpressive?

KJP this makes so much sense it's astounding. Please keep up the good fight. I really hope U of Akron gets on board with this asap so they can plan their infrastructural changes to Quaker Square with the future in mind.

If you just spin around in that google street view you see there is potential for lots and lots of improvement there, aesthetically speaking.

I hope that either Beal or however unlikely, MKG is available at the 4 pick. I am wholly unimpressed with Harrison Barnes. I've also got the impression that Beal will be a better NBA scorer than MKG, at least initially. But to echo C17, wtf do I know.

Great pics. The Asterisk building looks so terrific now!! And I've noticed that Cleveland doubles look way better when the second floor balcony is opened up with a railing, vs a solid railing. Comparison: p.s. one thing, the look of the Fairfield Market gives the impression that the neighborhood is crime ridden.

Yeah I think it's laughable, but no different than any other survey that means to reaffirm already-held beliefs.