surfohio

Because the place was built with public subsidy, which I find unbelievable by the way, the argument that this is a "private" entity is weakened. Anyhow, I'm so glad this awesome history museum* isn't in Ohio.

I just wish that Wolstein's new development plan could have been woven into the existing fabric. Hindsight...right.... It would have psychologically provided more of a connection with the history and familiar architecture that made the Flats unique. Anyway, much thanks for the thoughtful and thorough retrospective KJP.

You said it. I am not really optimistic that the Flats will "come back" in my lifetime. The way that area was completely destroyed was extraordinary, maybe even unprecedented. And for many long time Clevelanders I know, it was the last straw. They lost faith in the city. I sorta view Wolstein as the Art Modell of the East Bank. He made the moves he thought was necessary at the time. But the clear result of his decisions pin a certain villain status on him.

How close will the rapid get me? p.s. I have bus-a-phobia

Great ideas! My wife used to be a manager at Borders Akron-Fairlawn back in the 90's. Her actual title was CRC- Community Relations Coordinator, and her job was to bring in as many people as possible through events for teachers, young readers, authors, ufo enthusiasts, musicians and more. The programming was not only fun, but extremely effective at bringing a lot of diverse people into the store. When my wife left her position to become a teacher, corporate made the strange decision to completely disband the CRC position company-wide. As you might imagine, the quality and frequency of special events went way south. Very unfortunate. Anyhow, your ideas reminded me of just how cool Borders used to be.

I wonder if Pizza guy is still up in arms over the skate park?

LOL at dynamite therepy! Right, no one will miss McIntyre, that's why they should've demoed that place and placed 22 Exchange there instead of destroying a fully restored historic building next door. O'neils still exists right on Main, they simply tore down 3/4 of it for a parking garage and to "open up" the open sewer that is the canal. Here's a far off shot of original O'neils for some perspective: http://assets.sbnation.com/imported_assets/10459/canal_20park_20akron_20aeros.jpg Ten minutes of google couldn't locate any shots of Jillians/Best Furniture...so therefore it never existed. But really, all of the doors/windows fronting the sidewalk could slide open on warm days. It had a really great street presence, better than the new 22 Exchange. In a city sorely lacking in sidewalk friendly street presence, with the arrival of 22 Exchange it was really just one step forward one step back.

Hey guys. I don't want to dwell too much in the past, but I think what's going on in Akron is pretty stupid planning. To me it would have been ten times more beneficial for 22 Exchange to go at the Parrish McIntyre site. Gramarye, you rightly mention density concerns. Why did the city allow the Jillians building, a historic building that was COMPLETELY RESTORED AND BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED to get torn down when there is so many vacant spaces in the downtown area? So while I'm 100 percent supportive and glad that more UA students will be housed downtown, it's hard for me to for me to appreciate the mindset. The idea that there will possibly be even more surface lots at the stupid McIntyre building astounds me. Then again, I'm still in disbelief that they demolished 75 percent of the amazing O'neils building. How awfully and unforgivably short sighted! I suppose I lived in Akron so long I was just ecstatic to see Jillians bring life to a downtown that so desperately needed it. And to be at the first game at Canal Park and seeing the fabulous O'neil building perfectly frame the right field. Oh well, Akron is turning a corner in many positive regards. I guess I really just don't understand the place.

Ha ha...definitely!

Hi Justine. I have a fair knowledge of the area. Two of my friends rent over on W 131 just north of Lorain. Their house is solid, a very nice bungalow. They've lived there two years and I haven't heard of any crime in the neighborhood. One of the nice things about the area is that you merely have to go north on W131 past George's Kitchen (excellent diner!) and turn right onto Lakewood Heights Blvd. Make any right off of Lakewood Heights Blvd. and you are right in Lakewood, so you are also in vicinity of the resources there. Another friend bought a bungalow same general area but south of Lorain. Again, beautiful house where the basement was converted into a bar back in the 50's. The wood paneling alone would cost a fortune! Again, no reports of any bad crimes. He has an infant daughter, and said he wouldn't live there if he thought it was dangerous. Now when I was buying I ended up choosing Lakewood. Admittedly my little house cost more, and isn't as nice as most that are in the neighborhood where you're looking. However, police response time, city services and quality school district were very very important factors for my wife and I. Otherwise, my take is that you can find an incredible house for very cheap by Lorain. Again, both of my friends houses are way nicer than mine. And their neighborhoods seem just as safe as mine in Lakewood. Anyhow, hope this helps. Good luck! p.s. everywhere on the west side is "far" from the east side! But you'll be so close to 90 that you can get over there almost as fast as if you were living downtown.

This kind of thing makes me cringe, unfortunately, regardless of which position is being supported. Ohio's fiscal problems *cannot* be solved in four years. Maybe you meant that we should expect Kasich to have made four years' worth of real progress in four years. To have gotten Ohio fiscally where it needs to be in four years is too tall an order for anyone. I'd be happy with just getting things on the right track. (In fact, with Kasich, I'd be happy if things simply hadn't gotten worse.) Sorry. Let me rephrase.... If he doesn't get Ohio at least on the right track in four years time then lets get someone else.

What the WSM needs is a television studio. Once a week there should be a feature on local chefs or restaurants to film with a live audience.

I echo your sentiments. I like my conservatives ARCH, and my liberals FLAMING lol. Really though, if he doesn't get Ohio to where it should be fiscally in four years time then lets get someone else.

Unless lunch is right downtown, I can't make it. Would love to meet some forum all stars.

Stitch and Bitch. They used to meet at bela dubby on Madison.

Look at PS from the air. Too much street, too little else. PS simply needs more than just bus stops. It needs retail. Badly. On each quadrant there should be a place to buy hot chocolate, a sandwich, a local pint, a nice patio and outdoor fireplace. I will spend every lunch hour at the "magical" place. Why can Crocker Park get this concept so easily, and not PS??? PS sucks not because of buses, but because there's no reason to spend any time there. It's a dead zone folks.

Jealous in Cleveland. :-)

That's an inspiring press release. 8-)

This to me is the most intriguing, and most important aspect of this project. Because I've never seen this demonstrated anywhere before (grew up near Atlantic City), the plan is rightfully under strict scrutiny. At the very least from our UO panel of experts!

Echo what KJP suggested. China Express on Detroit is solid too. Very polite, prompt delivery and cheap as heck. Though I have to say, it's getting difficult for me to settle for generic Chinese when we have the extraordinary Thai Kitchen and Khiems Vietnamese both right on Madison.

Ha ha...I'm not getting this from Trivisono or a Bob Frantz editorial! This was reported on the press releases that the WTAM news desk reads every 1/2 hour. Usually pretty reliable source. Anyhow, my point was simply to stick up for lafont, that there are in fact conflicting reports on the issue. 8-) Consider the source. Late night AM radio?.... especially WTAM... I believe Gilbert & Co. think/know they can skirt around that by somehow "connecting" the Higbee's building to the new build on Huron. How exactly they do that is beyond me, but you have to think with that kind of investment they have something in mind.

^ ^^ I think it's the state constitutional issue that's causing the confusion. Lawyers must be worried over what "connected" really means. If Phase 1 is connected to Phase 2 it's arguably one casino. If they're considered two separate buildings under the constitution, there is a potential legal roadblock.

There are conflicting reports in the media. Twice I heard on WTAM late last nite that Higbees was a "temporary" casino. Also, I read yesterday that original, ornate Higbees fixtures are still in storage but will not be reused. Today I just read that some are in fact being used. ????? Scroll up. This is not snark or meant to be mean, but did you read any of the posts from the last 25 hours?

Our cities are fly. We are Ohio. Kasich is a grateful "dead head" fan...so maybe even if he doesn't kick off the Brewery Plan he may be more into Hemp production. We could lead the nation. I didn't mean to crap on Michigan, but in terms of "cool cities" potential, they just can't touch Ohio (pretty much no one can, IMO). They win on natural environment, though. I'll give them that. Re: beer...Very true! Kasich should push for a brewery plan. Greg Hardman in Cincinnati is hard at work on resurrecting Cincy's beer heritage, so that's a start.

Forbes said the casino would not re-use original 1930s brass railings, lighting fixtures and other features, which were removed from the interiors in earlier renovations and set aside by Forest City for safekeeping and possible future use. :(