surfohio

^ Justifyably, those rims are now immortalized.

@ StrapHanger I think the desire for a lakefront location speaks to the broad desire for a more vibrant North Coast Harbor. While the aquarium would certainly help things on the lakefront, you can look at what the Browns Plan proposes and quickly realize we can improve North Coast Harbor in other ways. The Flats West Bank has the potential to turn into a fantastic attraction in its own right. The Powerhouse location should offer plenty of spin off development. It's easy to envision a boardwalk there. That would be the magic formula to foster neighborhood connectivity with improved access to the river. In that regard the aquarium could be a tremendous catalyst. However, it pains me to say I have some very serious doubts about the greater vision (or lack thereof) for the West Bank. Think of all of the tremendous potential there for a vibrant, walkable, attractive community. And sadly, we are getting burdened with some really awful, incoherent, counterproductive, streetlife killing architecture. It's pretty frustrating to lose interaction with the street, and it sets a very bad precedent. Blame Larry Flynt. The horrid windowless design and look of the Hustler Club is unforgivable. Blame K&D. Especially K&D, they of all people should know better. Or blame the city for whatever schizophrenia or incompetence that allows this to occur in such an important and historic district.

^ Good point on the "hit or miss" aspect re: future Westin and MM/CC. But really, this district could be the next restaurant/retail mecca. It's easy to envision that area becoming a vibrant and grand "entrance to the Lakefront" in the future. Just look at the imagery from the Great Lakes Exposition for a visual in how we can help make the connection. This isn't E 9th (like I always thought) but it would sure do the trick.

Good read. I'd say a prime example of missed opportunity here is W117. It is a "mecca" of fast food, but all of it is a good deal separted from the Rapid. Not sure how to do it from a planning perspective; the area is currently so scaled to car traffic. But it could be much more walkable. In theory it would be nice to have all of that retail in one large complex attached to the RTA station. But anyhow, when close proximity to RTA is recognized as a valuable thing, can't the RTA simply generate revenues by leasing out retail space on its premises? I mean, how much of a killing would a Starbucks Phoenix Coffee kiosk make inside there? Even today you should be able to buy an RTA pass from every business in the area, right along with your Whopper and fries transaction. It just seems like common sense to me.

^ the guys at WKNR are going to DIG THIS!!! And I imagine so will the Browns fans before/after home games.

Ha ha. Yeah, Johnny M. was huge on the east coast oldies circuit. Growing up in the "senior belt" of the Jersey Shore, Mr. Maestro was a frequent visitor to my town. I imagine he must have had quite the cut throat rivalry with the Duprees! Again, most excellent pics.

^ Great idea Whip!!! Now that makes a lot of sense. p.s. while on the subject, if you haven't been to the Negro League Museum in the Colonial Arcade, it's pretty awesome.

Nice!!! But Don you forgot this pic....

^ oh man, that was pretty good!

^ really like the idea, especially since standing on its own, this future county bldg. will likely be a major dead zone on nights and weekends.

Born in Puerto Rico, he surfs on Lake Erie and leads an annual trip to Nicaragua, where he and a team from the Clinic perform a week's worth of free heart surgeries. Watch the Doc relocate to an institution that's a bit more "oceanic" lol. Good luck Gonzo!!!

Certainly looks like a place in transition. Loving the rail station. Very cool.

Thanks for posting. Amazing I've never seen the inside before. A worthy cause....I'm definitely going to help this place out.

^ now that's a good idea.

MTS in 3.....2.....1.....

^ Man TBideon sounds like you really HATE the Dunham Tavern lol. :wave:

It's been a rollercoaster the past few days....I was getting depressed. So far everyone is praising this hire. While the last two years have been miserable, I'm optimistic that fans will be coming back now. GO ZIPS!!

^ Caribe. They have really good food there : (

My ideal thing would be to split up time between Ohio, NYC and San Diego- my dad is retiring there asap. I always thought Ohio was especially boring in the summer, because there was no "it" place to be...everyone sort of disappears. In the summer I am longing for the beach or the boardwalk, the atmosphere I grew up with. To me there is nothing comparable here to capture that crowded, "summer break" atmosphere. Otherwise, there are obviously awesome things to do all year round here. I like that I have a house in Lakewood. My wife, however, wants to move. After 18 years she's grown tired of our winters. She either wants to find a place with either more snow, or more sun.

That second pic, where the ground floor interacts with the surrounding grass/river, it's hopelessly sterile! I sure as hell hope someone can break the Flats West Bank trend of providing zero interaction with the street level. Hate to see projects with such ambition ignoring this most basic concept.

Great job!!!!

Welcome to the forum!!! :clap:

Rockne's, great idea! Thanks Andrew.

Shoot, you're right Rays doesn't have food. I just assumed....And my confidential Akron source says Mr. Zubs/Matinee doesn't have sports on their tv's. A deal breaker for my Dad! Back to the drawing board lol.

Serious question, is Lakefront Drive vacant 90 percent of the time like the Shoreway is? Every time I've been to Chicago that stretch of road has tons of 24/7 traffic. The current existence of the Shoreway, by comparison, does not appear to have the same level of necessity.