surfohio

Right. I wish the article focused on coexistence, which I think is the formula for success here in CLE. On that front I definitely like what I'm hearing from the new Port director so far. Sadly the biggest limitation on new development here just might be not the Port, but the project housing.

Found an interesting article in Salon. On the waterfront, the battle rages on That dock would make a great park. The water view is perfect for a new loft. Will gentrification kill shipping? By Will Doig In October, when an Australian metal-recycling company purchased two deep-water berths in Providence, R.I., Mayor Angel Taveras hailed it as “a major accomplishment in the city’s efforts to revitalize its waterfront industries.” Five months later, locals are unhappy about the “eyesore” their new neighbor has created: a 50,000-ton hill of steel. “Where did the scrap metal pile come from?” asked a Providence TV station. It’s the epilogue to a battle that’s been raging in Providence for several years — on one side, a developer who wanted to turn the shoreline into apartments, offices and hotels. On the other, the maritime industries that have been working there since the turn of last century. In the end, industry won, but the complaints that followed — who put this big, ugly heap of metal on our lovely industrial port? — say something about our attitude toward working waterfronts. “I think the average person likes the idea of a working waterfront,” says Jordan Royer of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association in Seattle, a shipping industry trade association. We picture barnacled vessels from foreign ports, distant foghorns, a bad-ass Marlon Brando strolling cobblestone streets — not 20-story gantry cranes and deafening machinery running ’round the clock. “Our tank barges have to test their alarm systems every time they go out,” says Robert Hughes, vice president of Hughes Bros. marine company in New Jersey, “and they go out according to the tides and the currents.” Such clutter and clamor makes for an awkward fit in today’s high-design cities, where “reclaiming” waterfronts for parks and dining, and “reconnecting” neighborhoods with their harbors, is seen as a way to lure high-earning residents. “The idea of promoting more traditional forms of waterfront use doesn’t necessarily fit with the image that many cities are trying to portray,” says Brian Doucet, a lecturer in urban geography at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. “Cities are trying to attract the ‘creative class’ and visitors, and make themselves seem like an attractive place to live, invest and play.” More here: http://www.salon.com/2012/03/10/on_the_waterfront_the_battle_rages_on/singleton/

Maybe a developer wants the entire block? But seriously, I'm going to send off some emails to the mayor, etc. This tax on small business is wrongheaded and counterproductive.

I always wanted this building too! The outdoor patio seems like a no-brainer. Great news and thanks for posting.

Oh heck yeah. And perfect timing for the possibility that Dan Gilbert can work Phase II in concert with CVSR.

Vulpster here's why I think the parking and transient issues resonated with me the most. To everyone in my office, those are defining issues on how they perceive downtown. Now it would be one thing if I worked in Strongsville, but our office is....downtown! Once again I find myself being the oddball where my (somewhat) positive views of the city are in direct contrast to 19 other people. It's just frustrating to me but it is what it is. For the sake of winning them over I'm putting myself in their shoes. Agree that transients are everywhere. Heck, in some cities I would even say they add to the culture. The problem with where I work currently (The 9-12) it's not the total number but the high ratio of transients that's the issue. If this was a vibrant neighborhood that wasn't so "street dead" their presence wouldn't be such a perception issue. Re: capitalist approach to parking, I sincerely wish we were in a place where development in CLE didn't require public subsidy, but for so many disappointing reasons we're just not there.

I've been no fan of Burke in the past. But I have to say I'm a bit won over by the plan involving the air park offices and observatory. Pretty sharp imho. Plus, it's the stability regarding the Port and the airport that's allowing this all to move forward. And as Vulpster mentioned, there is ample opportunity around the stadium and current attractions to make drastic improvements.

Never those stickers belong to me, and also to some of the stop signs in my hood! p.s. you've said before that "we" are the government. So sure, lets enter the marketplace. p.s.s. NO WAR WITH IRAN! BRING OUR TROOPS HOME! AUDIT THE FED! END THE DRUG WAR! lol

Vulpster I believe you are absolutely right on both points you've mentioned. But however many times I use RTA, cycle to work, or park my car in the flats or several blocks east of downtown, I also believe that the vast majority of people in NEO won't do that. The fastest way to accomplish what I'd consider a vibrant city is to cater to the automobile. (actually, expanding RTA across the board would be preferable, but my inclination is that would be drastically more expensive right now and that current downtown population couldn't justify it). With good planning this selling point of "free" parking garages could actually be done in a way to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. As more people become familiar and comfortable downtown it will become an even more attractive option for new businesses and new residents. Like Mike Holmgren would say, "it's a process." I just think that that many forget there is still a huge wall that prevents people from considering downtown. Sure some are hopelessly anti-urban. Yet I don't think we can transition without the support of suburban types; they are vital for our resurgence and I am certain that they can be won over. p.s. like your app idea, and would love to hear more about Zimzolla's PA "tax the lot owners" approach.

Hi Jeff. No no no, my idea was to subsidize parking with new publicly built garages, placed strategically to 1. work in concert with expanded RTA and 2. devalue current surface lots in the city center to allow for better use.

Agree we subsidize car culture too much. We also subsidize crooked developers too much. But at this point it's a necessary thing to evoke change. Right now the majority of private businesses don't have the resources to support parking. At least not yet because Cleveland is a retail ghost town right now. Again, if someone is content with the status quo I can understand the reluctance to go this "free parking" route. I'm just at the point where I am just not content with the pace of change; or rather, I feel as if every gain we make here comes with a nearly equal loss. Anyhow, that's something to discuss over an UO happy hour in the future. I don't want to go too far off topic with my heretical lack of faith in humanity.

Ha! When advertising makes me NOT want to buy a product, it's bad advertising. Good advertising benefits a city. Bad advertising doesn't.

Okay lets be clear. My use of the term "free" really means "subsizided." Yes I would accomodate all commuters and residents. We already subsidize cars to move, why not to park if it can benefit the city? You may be happy keeping people out of the city. I'm not. Every morning I walk to Key Tower from the lakefront and more often than not there isn't another person within 100 yards of me. I want more people here, downtown, as soon as possible. My parking suggestion isn't a permanent ideal. It's merely a temporary jump start to improving downtown and to devalue surface parking lots. It's predicated on an evolution in thinking; people who have suburban tendancies (the vast majority) can be won over. I am sure we want the same thing: a vibrant downtown. I'm just trying to think outside the box to see that happen within my lifetime. Then again, none of this forum talk has tremendous value. I just like hearing other peoples' ideas.

Oh man, I wasn't even realizing that this Toby Keith place would be a stand-alone building. Does anyone fear this could be some pretty bad architecture? Like Larry Flynt's Hustler Club?

Ironically, the pre-wrap parking garage was pretty good looking. At least as far as garages go. It's too bad residents of the Avenue will have to look out at that orange cubic eyesore. What a low-rent concept. It's hideous and tacky.

"If K&D's plans come through, the intersection of Superior and Ninth might represent a solution for the challenged business corridor: Office tenants and residents, in high-rise buildings, working and living side-by-side." -My preferred template for the Huntington.

That was enlightening KJP. I wish you could've written your book, but it's probably better that you didn't. Echoes of NJ. Growing up it was commonplace to have friends whose parents were under indictment - usually for embezzlement and the like. People who otherwise seemed so normal. Oh, and it was funny that no matter what restaurant you went to, half of your plate was always stuffed with a huge, inedible hunk of parsley. If you had a restaurant, you HAD to buy and serve parsley.

I've got mixed feelings here...bela dubby is my hangout. It's a small coffee shop/art gallery with beer and couches and cafe snacks and live music. John and Jill were inspired to open the place when they moved back to LW from Brooklyn, wanting to emulate the loungy dives popular in their Green Point neighborhood. I'm sad that both the name and the nature of the place is likely to change.. it's a bittersweet thing. However I am friends with the Crino family and understand the bottom line. I know this makes good business sense and Taco Tantos is just a fantastic place. I just wish our neighborhood could have both places.

^ Excellent points. Ya know when I moved here in early 90's North Coast Harbor was a really happening spot during the summers. People made their way down there in droves for rock concerts on this floating stage. There was no Rock Hall. No science center. No Voinovich Park. It wasn't even nice it was kind of a dump. It was just a cool place to hang out with a loose, welcoming vibe. Today, NCH is technically much nicer and boasts two heavyweight attractions. But at the same time, it's turned into a very sterile, unexciting environment. It's just weird how things evolve.

No the Akron model doesn't match my vision for parking utopia.

You would bet correctly. I was pretty involved in the Akron RR Club when I was at KSU in the 80s. Cool! I was pretty involved with KSU's bars when I was at Akron in the 90's!!

We already had a terminal velocity of mechanical bulls downtown with Cadillac Ranch and Whiskey Whatever. If this is true 1. I'm sure it will be a draw and 2. I'll never ever set foot in the place.

Akron to offer free parking to pump up downtown Cleveland can't make same deal Posted: 02/28/2011 AKRON, Ohio - A major city in northeast Ohio is about to begin a free parking offer in hopes of boosting downtown business. Starting Tuesday, the first hour will be free for people using Akron's city-owned parking garages. Mayor Don Plusquellic says in a statement that the program will encourage visitors to spend more time downtown and will support the growth of retail business there. Officials in Akron's larger neighbor, Cleveland, say they're not able to give the same deal. A spokeswoman for Mayor Frank Jackson said that the city needs all the revenue from its parking garages to pay off bonds used to build those facilities. Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/akron_canton_news/akron-to-offer-free-parking-to-pump-up-downtown#ixzz1pmYS3YWL

Maybe not what you're looking for city-wise, but Akron has free parking. p.s. we currently subsidize cars to move as we fund streets and highways. Why do we do that? I'm not sure why it's outlandish to suggest subsidizing cars to park also, especially when it could help struggling urban areas. Cities don't become vibrant overnight, and this kind of subsidy can be a temporary measure that phases out in the future as visitors/commuters become steered more toward public transit options.

If we're talking "free" garages, what if there were say two or three strategically located in concert with RTA. They would certainly be a tremendous draw, especially if they were safe and well-designed...heck, make them the best parking garages in the world, with available services to have salt washed off of your car, armor all the dashboard, etc. Now if you're a retailer, these garages now become prime real estate and you're going to want to benefit from the traffic. So design with that in mind and revenues from those leases can help offset the costs of the garage. Then after a year of seeing only four or five lonely cars parked in the vast sea of surface lots the owners will sell or develop them, and we can have a big party.