freethink

KJP, very nice work on this. Outstanding. I am more stoked about the OC than ever before. Having gone thru ODOT's proposal, a LightRail possibility is barely mentioned. What do you think the odds are that rail will receive serious consideration. And if it would be considered should we be concerned that it might set the project back even more while this would be discussed. Also for those of you who have fears about the OC, a very similiar project just completed would be the Crocker-Stearns extension in Westlake. If you take a drive on that I think you will get better idea of what is being proposed.

Work begins on nation's largest mass transit project By Steve Kastenbaum CNN Radio Correspondent NEW YORK (CNN) -- The largest mass transit project in the country got under way Monday with the help of federal stimulus dollars, as public officials broke ground on a second passenger rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/08/newyork.rail.tunnel/index.html

Leasing Director - Cleveland Medical Mart http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=QHCM&ff=21&APath=2.21.0.0.0&job_did=J8F1TQ6V3TDF1K9N04M&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=f5d7c32946de40788b725b3d7745bdd9-295533950-RE-4 Posted in Career thread http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,10741.msg395270.html#new

Leasing Director - Cleveland Medical Mart Description Position Summary This individual is responsible for leasing showroom space to manufacturers, distributors and dealers of the medical equipment industry. Other responsibilities include the development of industry prospect lists, competitive analysis and maintaining positive tenant relationships. Duties include: • Developing a prospective database of clients for the building products industry. • Providing direction for the design and development of all leasing materials including: leasing prospectus, mailers, and e-mail blasts. • Maintaining an accurate and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the showroom spaces. • Using cold calling, canvassing, networking and other creative, innovative, and acceptable methods to uncover prospective tenants for the property. Requirements Education/Experience Related experience in the medical equipment industry is essential. The ideal candidate for the director of leasing position will possess a Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years + sales’ experience. Proven prospects/contacts in the medical equipment industry are a must. Skills/Abilities • Must possess top level business management, interpersonal, and leadership skills • Previous experience managing a database • Ability to identify and/or follow up on leads and referrals • Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) • This position is available immediately Apply online at www.merchandisemart.com/careers http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=QHCM&ff=21&APath=2.21.0.0.0&job_did=J8F1TQ6V3TDF1K9N04M&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=f5d7c32946de40788b725b3d7745bdd9-295533950-RE-4

Cleveland Clinic, Ireland's Royal College of Surgeons team up on research, technology by Sarah Jane Tribble/Plain Dealer Reporter Thursday May 07, 2009, 8:45 PM Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer The Cleveland Clinic will team with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland on research, testing and development of medical devices. The Cleveland Clinic has signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Thursday to work together to research, develop, test and eventually sell medical devices throughout Europe. continued at>>>>>>> http://www.cleveland.com/medical/index.ssf/2009/05/cleveland_clinic_irelands_roya.html

Below is a snapshot from a website called StimulusWatch.org. It lists shovel ready projects submitted by mayors throughout the country. I found it curious while on the Ohio page that Cleveland is no where to be found among the city listings. I hope we are not asleep at the switch. Anyways check out the site. http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state/OH Projects in Ohio Below are the "shovel-ready" projects the mayors of this state submitted in the 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors report. You can click on a project to read (and add to) its description. You can also discuss the project and vote on whether you believe it is critical or not. For a more local view, you can drill down to projects in a particular city. Just choose a city from the following list. The total of cost of all the projects submitted by Ohio is $4,233,069,611 View a specific city in Ohio: Akron • Brook Park • Canton • Cincinnati • Columbus • Dayton • Euclid • Lakewood • Lima • Lorain • Marion • Mentor • Milford • New Bremen • North Olmsted • North Royalton • Parma • Sidney • Stow • Strongsville • Toledo • University Heights • Warren • Westlake • Youngstown • Zanesville

Northeast Ohio construction projects halted after laborers union contract talks break down Posted by Olivera Perkins/Plain Dealer Reporter May 06, 2009 21:01PM The local building laborers union has stopped work on several construction projects in Northeast Ohio after contract negotiations with a contractors' group broke down. Job sites went silent this week after Local 310 of the Laborers' International Union of North America couldn't reach a contract agreement with the Construction Employers Association. The previous contract, covering about 2,000 workers, expired April 30. continued at>>>> Plain Dealer reporter Thomas Ott contributed to this story. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/northeast_ohio_construction_pr.html

"Nehst (pronounced "next") founder Larry Meistrich downplayed the center's importance to his company's success. He said that he is trying to establish a film industry in Ohio and that passage of the tax incentive plan is necessary. "The physical space is one minor part of that," Meistrich said. "The convention center's great. But it's not the end-all or be-all." The above quote is from the PD article posted Wednesday concerning the usage of the CC space for the film industry. This is from the owner of the film company. He states that the CC is not a critical component of the deal. IMO this is just more posturing by the those who don't have the city's best interests in mind. If this doesn't work look for a new angle very soon.

Saw this on Westlake Reed Leskosky's website. Have no idea of the history behind it or if it's just spec work by them. Anyone know? SUPERIOR AVENUE OFFICE TOWER Westlake Reed Leskosky's concept design for a speculative office building in downtown Cleveland projects a highly memorable image. Located at a key transition point between Public Square and the Warehouse District, the canted form has dynamic visibility as a terminus to Euclid and Superior Avenues. Designed for LEED Gold certification, the structure reduces heat gain by self-shading the south façade. Horizontal blades on heat-activated sensors shield the east and west façades, which are most susceptible to heat gain and energy consumption. The roof of the podium is envisioned as a habitable living roof, which responds to environmental concerns, provides a programmable space for respite, and assures desirable views for all staff. Common spaces, including dining and meeting rooms, are located on the 9th floor to take advantage of this amenity. http://www.vwrl.com/projects/workplace/SUPERIOR%20AVENUE%20OFFICE%20TOWER.htm

hmm...I'll be right over :lol:

Very nice. You gotta love all the peeps in the Coventry shots.

I wonder if the cancellation of this note would free up money so Jacobs can consider moving forward with there proposed PS project? Jacobs Group no longer owns stake in Key Center by Michelle Jarboe/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday April 21, 2009, 5:34 PM The Richard E. Jacobs Group, which developed Key Center in downtown Cleveland, has relinquished its 50 percent stake in the skyscraper complex. Recent regulatory filings show that Wells Real Estate Funds, based in Georgia, took full ownership of Key Tower, the Marriott Downtown Cleveland hotel and the neighboring parking garage in October. continued at>>> http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/04/jacobs_group_no_longer_owns_st.html

My hope for the project has always been for one bridge with 8-10 lanes somewhere south of the current one. At that point we could tear down the current structure and reclaim that land for nature or development. The two bridge solution makes no sense to me, but I think that's what we will get. These guys at ODOT have very little interest in urban areas, they build turnpikes and rest areas. That's what they do best. I thought we had a chance for a better solution when Lee Fischer seemed to show an interest in making sure this was done right. But the more our fellow Clevander talks the less I listen.

"Or it could have twin steel arches that run parallel to the structure, a design idea that came out of public hearings several years ago." from PD I think it means this one...

At stake are hundreds of millions of dollars that project supporters say will be spent at hotels, restaurants and other amenities near the $425 million mart and convention center complex. Developers who own or have options on land closest to the project will be among the big winners. Ughh. A quote from the above article from the peedee. At stake? How is anything at stake. The author of the article seems to suggest that only those at the doorstep of the proposed CC/MM will benefit from its success. Everyone will benefit. It starts from the time someone lands at the airport and then the process begins. The mall area is centrally located, it is accessible from all sides of town. Public Hall has been in place for about 85 years, the current CC about 50 years. It is where it should be.

"But it really confused me when Midtown jumped behind the bike park idea..." Welcome to the forum "bigriver". Please continue to think outside the box when it comes to MidTown. Just about everyone here has beaten up MidTown about this proposed bike park. Personally I didnt think this was such a horrible idea. If you want to attract young professionals to this area having amenity's such as this deserves consideration. IMO we are sometimes to trapped in our thoughts as to how a successful neighborhood might develop. Why not a bike park? I mean I am a big fan of Rays MTB and remember speaking with him numerous times in his first year about his hopes and plans. But there is always room for more. Besides it was just an idea. Continue to explore every opportunity you can, and leave nothing off the table.

Here is a short vid with some interior shots of the Greenhouse Tavern.

Pic from Zaremba site...

http://www.walkerweeks.com/

Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects http://www.eekarchitects.com/

Although I believe Frank Jackson has done a credible job as mayor, to me this guy is what we need. I hope he runs before someone offers him the big bucks that's hard to turn down. University Circle head Chris Ronayne, chief of staff under Jane Campbell, turns down a feeler from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley by Henry J. Gomez/Plain Dealer Reporter Monday April 06, 2009, 5:26 PM Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer University Circle President Chris RonayneChris Ronayne, the president of University Circle Inc. and an oft-mentioned prospect for Cleveland mayor, has caught the attention of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Buzz around town is that Daley's people recently gauged Ronayne's interest in a Cabinet position overseeing Chicago's Department of Community Development. The new office combines the city's planning and housing departments. continued at>>>>>>> http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/04/university_circle_head_chris_r.html

Commissioner of Engineering and Construction About the Job The City of Cleveland, Ohio, Department of Public Service, Division of Engineering and Construction, is seeking a highly competent professional with proven managerial, administrative and technical skills. The qualified applicant will have primary responsibilities for the operation of the Division of Engineering and Construction within the Department of Public Service. Duties include oversight of major road and bridge construction; preparation of designs, plans and specifications; preparation of operating and capital budgets; management of the City’s right of way, by maintaining all land records and monumentation, conducting sidewalk compliance and pavement management programs, processing street vacations, land assemblies, encroachment permits and licenses, operate maintain and inspect 6 mechanical and 126 fixed bridges and culverts. The position reports to the Director of Public Service. The highly motivated and results oriented professional who is offered this position will administer a $5 million operating budget and oversee 70 employees and $150 million in capital expenditures. The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 10 years experience in a relevant business or public sector environment including 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering, public works, planning, public administration and must possess a State of Ohio registration as a Professional Engineer or be able to obtain Ohio registration within 6 months of hire. The successful candidate should have an understanding of sustainable design of roads and bridges. Strong leadership abilities, excellent communication and organizational skills are essential. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, with a salary band of $45,201 to $142,289.43. The City of Cleveland offers an excellent fringe benefits package. http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.aspx?JobID=80279516&brd=1&cy=us&where=44111&rad=20&rad_units=miles&pg=1&dv=1&tm=0&pp=25&re=5&AVSDM=2009-04-02+15%3a08%3a00&seq=12&fseo=1&isjs=1&re=1000

prolly not good news for FEB, let's hope they can recover. S&P cuts Developers Diversified rating to junk status Posted by Michelle Jarboe/Plain Dealer Reporter April 02, 2009 15:18PM Categories: Breaking News, Real Estate News Impact, Real Time News, Real estate Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its corporate credit rating for Developers Diversified Realty Corp. to junk status, based on concerns about the company's high debt load and limited access to cash. Developers Diversified, a shopping center owner based in Beachwood, has experienced a flurry of ratings cuts recently. Thursday afternoon, S&P announced it had cut the company's corporate credit rating from "BBB-" to "BB" -- tipping Developers Diversified from a low investment-grade rating firmly into junk status. S&P also lowered its ratings on the company's unsecured debt, from "BBB-" to "BB+", and docked the company's preferred stock, taking it from an already-low rating of "BB" down to "B." continued at>>>>>> http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009/04/sp_cuts_developers_diversified.html

here are a few transit related pics from SLC on a recent visit...

I don't know if there is anything specific, but if you go to the ODOT study, that will give you a better picture of what is being proposed. http://www.innerbelt.org/OpportunityCorridor/OChistory.htm