freethink

From CWRU http://cwru-daily.com/news/university-circle-institutions-unite-to-advance-areas-cultural-academic-character/ Three University Circle institutions have come together in a transaction that enables one to advance its existing aspirations and the others to preserve future opportunities. In a joint announcement, the leaders of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art announced the sale of the college’s property on East Boulevard to the university and museum. The sale will allow the college to fulfill its goal of unifying its campus on Euclid Avenue through construction of a new building adjoining the Joseph McCullough Center for the Arts. “This transaction is a marvelous manifestation of the increasing collaboration we are experiencing with our University Circle partners and represents an important milestone in unifying our campus,” said Grafton J. Nunes, CIA’s president and The 4.13-acre parcel sits at the corner of East Boulevard and Bellflower Road and faces the museum immediately to the west and the university to the south. CIA plans to vacate the structure on the site, the George Gund building, once it completes a new structure adjoined to the McCullough space. Construction is expected to begin by the middle of this year, and Nunes expects that process to take about 18 months. The leaders of the museum and university have not yet developed specific plans for the acquisition.

There is a short survey regarding the Gateway and Tremont proposals on the inner belt web site. If you would like to weigh in on what you would like to see in those areas take the quick survey and let them know. Pictured is what has been proposed for the gateway wall treatments. I liked the idea of the song lyrics but was not to crazy about the Cleveland Rocks graphics. I suggested a video wall as you come into the city which could be used for Cleveland promo videos or to advertise current events or news and info. Anyways go to http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/Innerbelt/InnerbeltBridge/Pages/Second-(Eastbound)-Bridge.aspx and you will see 'Take our short Survey'.

Saw something on the Cleveland Planning Commission site called the 'City Loop Trail'. Never heard of it. It is planned to be a smaller version of the Emerald Necklace but within city limits. It doesn't indicate where the planning stands or if it is actively seeking funding. Looks pretty cool. Here is the link: http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bike/cityLoop.html

Well said Strap. There is not a lot of rational thinking when it comes to this project. The positive I like about the gateway area is the removal of several roadways, it makes that area much less cluttered. Because it's embarrassing now.

Here is the presentation from the Jan. 8th public meeting regarding the final treatments for the Tremont/Gateway areas. A few more details and renders we have not seen yet. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/Innerbelt/InnerbeltBridge/NewsInformation/Documents/1.8.GatewayTremont.Final.Updated_sm.pdf

^^^From that same Charlotte paper, the view from the other side. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/01/10/3778785/browns-hire-chudzinski.html

In case you haven't been there lately go visit the Opportunity Cooridor page at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/OpportunityCorridor/Pages/default.aspx On the front page go to Fall 2012 Project Updates you will see three fairly recent pdf's that have been added. The fall newsletter has some good information and the aerial photos give a good indication of what we are dealing with. This is the proposed route:

If I can respond to Jerry's answer to my recent post. In reading through the "Charter Rule" http://publictransport.about.com/od/Glossary/a/The-Charter-Rule.htm which is the federal regulation that prohibits public transit agency's from offering charter service there seems to be some wiggle room that would allow RTA to further explore the possibility of providing this service. My argument would be that private charter's such as LakeFront Lines do not serve the urban core or the inner ring suburbs. Their focus seems to be more on the outlying suburbs and rural areas. Also my thinking was mostly about rail. According to the charter rule RTA would have to give notice to private operators their intent on providing charter service. I could see local bus companies protest that plan but RTA has no competition when it come to rail. You could argue that you gave notice of your intent on using rail for charter, but you have a unique product that no one else can offer. Also regarding your example of special bus service for sporting events. It seems some transit agencies have gotten around that by arguing that private carriers cannot offer the same ADA compliment vehicles that public transportation can provide. An example of this is in Seattle where bus charter service was discontinued but started again after some rule changes. Read about the Seattle example in the link posted above. It's at the bottom of the page.

idk, Haven't seen this discussed anywhere so here ya go...

Boy that Richard Florida is everywhere. But I would like to ask him what renovation he is referring to. Is he speaking of a current viable renovation plan that we don't know about? Or is he talking about the plan that the owners drag out every time they need to so they can lead people into believing they have only the best intentions. Because you really must be sincere about something you have owned since 1967. Or much like the cold storage building has this building just stood to generate enough revenue for you as a billboard for long-term advertising and as a business loss, while never investing a dime in it? I find it curious that these same owners tried to hold up the gateway complex 20 years ago with their proposed renovation of their World Auto Parts property that stood within the gateway project. I am indifferent as to whether this building stays or goes, but I think it's clear as to the owners true intentions with this property. But it will be nice to see that Barbara Anne Bridal sign gone. I would have settled for just that.

^ Guys just do a simple wiki search and you will realize he has made a significant contribution in music both as a writer and composer through television, stage and screen going back 50 years. Not just one novelty song.

So good to see the Dan Gilbert hate is alive and well and so easily triggered. The fact that it remains so consistently on point assures me that the world will not end tomorrow and things will remain the same. I'm convinced that people need a bad guy, somewhere blame can be placed. It helps remove us from our own failed responsibility's. In the case of the Stanley placing blame absolves us from our part in watching over it's 30 years of decay.

...and why not...hmmmm??

I wonder if that cutout on the western wall of the Westin render leaves open the possibility of a future connection to the CC. I haven't heard anything new on that recently.

Up thread I had talked about capping a portion of the lakefront over the RR tracks to extend the mall further. Obviously not a new thought looking at a proposal from Daniel Burnham to extend over the tracks. But apparently no one told him of the regulations against building over tracks that moved hazardous materials. But I am just guessing those regulations were not in place at the time. With the current talk from the city and the port about a $20 million walkway and although better than nothing I would hate to see us settle for that, when a much greater vision was proposed 100 years ago.

Thanks Robert, you will live on through your photos.

What's so great about that bridge are the little enclosed kiosks up and down the walkway. All the different vendors you could have throughout the different seasons would be crazy. The Rock Hall and the ScienceCenter the Browns all could have a presence there. How come people were so much smarter back then.

^Thanks for that. I've put this on my bucket list of things I want to do more research on. OK back to development news. And lastly who wouldn't settle for this again, built at a cost of $85k.

You can't cover for such a length a railroad line that carries hazardous materials. There also needs to be an open side(s) or openings above for diesel exhaust to ventilate. Are you saying that the Mall D length would be too long or the w3rd to e9th stretch. Also I know I should be more informed on this but what type of hazardous materials can be transported through such a populated area. Or couldn't just the trains with the hazerdous materials be routed elsewhere.

It was always my hope that one day someone would have the foresight and the money to cap the lakefront railroad tracks from W3rd. To E9th. Creating a perfect link to the waterfront. Well I have come down from those expectations and now propose something still unlikely to happen but certainly more affordable. In essence creating a Mall D and continue the Mall right down to the lakefront. I would like to borrow a couple of crews who are building piers for the innerbelt and have them build a few over the railroad tracks. Now that would be cool.

I couldn't be happier with the outcome of this whole process. I love when a project affects such a large portion of real estate. We are looking at a good chunk of E9th and around the corner on Euclid. That whole street scape will look different in a couple of years. But I'm trying to wrap my head around the proposed timetable. Are they really talking mid 2014 for completion. That's not something we are used to. And reading into it, it appears that the rotunda might be in play as part of the county's public space. I suggested that here last year, I think it would work well for that. Because unless Geis has some tenants in mind any retail for that space would be a tough sell in these times. Also concerning the rendering, everyone needs to chill out with overreaction to what most likely is a dressed up massing. Personally I would be fine with it. The point I think most are missing is that FitzGerald wants this to be an example of how county government should be run. The building will be on time on budget, it will be efficient and practical, simple and transparent. You won't see any starchitecture here. He wants to remove himself as much as possible from the previous county administrations involvement in the original Ameritrust/Breuer deal and projects such as the Juvenile Detention Center and contractors like Michael Forlani.

The views from the MM out onto the mall and the cityscape are as brilliant as I had hoped for, it's worth the price of admission. It's going to be even better at night. And I can't keep saying how impressed I am with the whole project and what appears to be a very well executed plan. Also Clifton just another great job. I'm sure everyone here appreciates your efforts.

I think the spotlight feature of the Tower of Light is only for special occasions as described below. "CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY" is written in white on the structure's four sides, two of which are painted green and two of which are brushed stainless steel. During special occasions such as homecoming and commencement, a powerful spotlight inside the tower will send a beam of light 2,000 feet into the sky."

Holiday Bike to Work Day: Celebration of the Hope Memorial... Public Event · By Bike Cleveland When Monday, December 10, 2012, 7:00am - 8:30am Where Hope Memorial Bridge Cleveland, Ohio Get Directions Get Directions Details Help ring in the opening of the Hope Memorial Bikeway (the bike path on the Lorain Carnegie Bridge) this holiday season on Monday, December 10th from 7am to 8:30am for the Holiday Bike to Work Day Celebration. Stop by on your way to work, school, or just on your early morning ride. In celebration Bike Cleveland and the Cleveland Bike Rack will be providing hot coffee and pastries to cyclists and pedestrians who cross over the bridge. We will be set up in the new promenade on the east side of the Hope Memorial/Lorain Carnegie bridge (across from Progressive Field). This is your chance to be one of the first to ride over the Hope Memorial Bikeway, which officially opens that morning. The Cleveland Bike Rack will have information on the Bike Station including their winter commuter parking services, ODOT will have information on the bikeway and enhancements that will be made in 2013, and of course Bike Cleveland will be there with membership info and t-shirts (this is a good opportunity to get a Bike Cleveland shirt for that special cyclists in your life for the holiday). We know it’s short notice so if you can't make it on December 10th, be sure to check out the Hope Memorial Bikeway next time you are headed east-west. We will also be planning a larger event in the spring to celebrate the lighting of the Guardians and other improvements along the bikeway. http://m.facebook.com/Innerbelt?id=158130137575685&_rdr

Holiday Bike to Work Day: Celebration of the Hope Memorial... Public Event · By Bike Cleveland When Monday, December 10, 2012, 7:00am - 8:30am Where Hope Memorial Bridge Cleveland, Ohio Get Directions Get Directions Details Help ring in the opening of the Hope Memorial Bikeway (the bike path on the Lorain Carnegie Bridge) this holiday season on Monday, December 10th from 7am to 8:30am for the Holiday Bike to Work Day Celebration. Stop by on your way to work, school, or just on your early morning ride. In celebration Bike Cleveland and the Cleveland Bike Rack will be providing hot coffee and pastries to cyclists and pedestrians who cross over the bridge. We will be set up in the new promenade on the east side of the Hope Memorial/Lorain Carnegie bridge (across from Progressive Field). This is your chance to be one of the first to ride over the Hope Memorial Bikeway, which officially opens that morning. The Cleveland Bike Rack will have information on the Bike Station including their winter commuter parking services, ODOT will have information on the bikeway and enhancements that will be made in 2013, and of course Bike Cleveland will be there with membership info and t-shirts (this is a good opportunity to get a Bike Cleveland shirt for that special cyclists in your life for the holiday). We know it’s short notice so if you can't make it on December 10th, be sure to check out the Hope Memorial Bikeway next time you are headed east-west. We will also be planning a larger event in the spring to celebrate the lighting of the Guardians and other improvements along the bikeway. http://m.facebook.com/Innerbelt?id=158130137575685&_rdr