freethink

Poor reception of which notable initiatives? Would that be the free downtown trolleys, which have been a boon to downtown connectivity and a hit with businesses and tourists alike? Or perhaps the HealthLine, which continues to show year-over-year ridership growth and usage well exceeding that of the former #6 bus, and has been cited as a model for future BRT projects nationwide? Or maybe the new stations at W 117, E 55, and Puritas, with more in the works? Please cite some examples. I'd love to continue this conversation. Citing the HealthLine as a Joe Calabrese project is only partially correct. The idea and groundwork for a better connection between downtown and University Circle was laid long before Joe Calabrese ever got there. And while I support the project and feel it has been mostly a success, except for the horribly designed shelters and the rather embarrassing ticket machines some look at the BRT decision as a poor substitution for what could have been they wanted it to be. The only certainty we can say about the HealthLine is yes Joe Calabrese was the CEO of RTA that accepted and then spent a large check from the federal goverment. Fixed one statement for ya :-). I would like clarification on the "some" who look at the BRT decision that way. I never stated that the HealthLine was entirely Joe's project. Along those same lines, though, if his supporters can't afford him 100% of the credit (not that I think they should), then his detractors shouldn't expect to place upon him 100% of any perceived "blame". No man, no project, no agency, is an island. I think you're minimizing some of the certainties that can be stated about the HealthLine. However, we've gone down that road before, so I'll not belabor the point here. I'll only say that RTA, under Joe Calabrese, not only accepted the check, but fought for it in a very competitive federal transit funding environment. The 'some' I refer to are many on this forum who look at the BRT as blasphemy in the world of light rail. I don't share that view. I am less concerned with how you move people from point A to point B as long as you do it in a clean and efficient manor. And I am not here to kill the point about Joe Calabrese, it looks like he is here to stay. Our job is to challenge every decision we disagree with and let them know we demand excellence and not just settle for mediocrity.

Poor reception of which notable initiatives? Would that be the free downtown trolleys, which have been a boon to downtown connectivity and a hit with businesses and tourists alike? Or perhaps the HealthLine, which continues to show year-over-year ridership growth and usage well exceeding that of the former #6 bus, and has been cited as a model for future BRT projects nationwide? Or maybe the new stations at W 117, E 55, and Puritas, with more in the works? Please cite some examples. I'd love to continue this conversation. Citing the HealthLine as a Joe Calabrese project is only partially correct. The idea and groundwork for a better connection between downtown and University Circle was laid long before Joe Calabrese ever got there. And while I support the project and feel it has been mostly a success, except for the horribly designed shelters and the rather embarrassing ticket machines some look at the BRT decision as a poor substitution for what could have been. The only certainty we can say about the HealthLine is yes Joe Calabrese was the CEO of RTA that accepted and then spent a large check from the federal goverment.

Is the Shoe Town outlet sign still up? I thought that was going to last as long as the Barbara Anne Bridal sign at the Stanley, or the Goldfish Army/Navy sign.

So we are stuck with Calabrese until 2020? Sorry I am not a fan, and that is my opinion. It also doesn't bode well for the Public Square redesign. Where is Ron Tober when you need him? There are those on this forum who have more knowledge and passion for transit than Calabrese has ever demonstrated. Of course that is my opinion, yours may differ. Hmm, I'll bet Biker or KJP wouldn't mind pulling down a quarter of a million every year. Can we get a write in?

^ It looks like it is still up for bid. http://dodgeprojects.construction.com/Passenger-Terminal-(Other)_stcVVproductId126429470VVviewprod.htm

I'm not trying to be mean but PS and Crocker Park are two different beasts. Oh, OK. Thanks for checking in. Come on man. I was serious. How do you compare a faux community park to an historical square that the city radiates from? You can't have the same type of programming on the same level nor can you advertise in the same manner. Help me understand your thoughts. I am hardly comparing the two. Anyone who believes that CP offers an urban experience lives a pretty sheltered life. Crockery Park is a movie set, it shields you from the reality's of the real world. My only point was they both offer a place where people gather and with that the chance to expose them to different component's would be a good opportunity.

I'm not trying to be mean but PS and Crocker Park are two different beasts. Oh, OK. Thanks for checking in.

Surfohio those are great examples. They work so well in other urban centers, why not here. I mean it works at CrockerPark. With the thousands who interact with PS everyday it seems like it would be a great opportunity for someone.

Hot off the Presses!!! Public Square traffic study by Nelson Nygaard a strong first step toward a greener downtown by Cleveland's Group Plan CommissionWednesday, June 13, 2012, 8:00 PM By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer One of the great truisms of city planning is that small amounts of money spent early in a design process can have enormous positive or negative effects down the road. That’s what makes it big news — and good news — that a traffic consultant has recommended closing Ontario Street for two blocks as it runs north-south through Public Square. The $120,000 study completed by Nelson Nygaard, a San Francisco consulting firm, is a critical first step in making all of downtown Cleveland greener, livelier, more beautiful and more hospitable to development. >>>>>>>>> http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2012/06/public_square_traffic_study_by.html

Judging by the Innerbelt webcam it looks like construction has started on the Tri-C parking garage at the very busy intersection of Ontario and Carnegie. Next year at this time that intersection will look completely different. And that's a good thing.

When was this announcement made? I mean its great news but I guess I missed when this was confirmed. And I agree about OhioCity Burrito being just as good or better, I can't tell you the last time I went to Chipotle.

One of the blabbering idiot newsreaders on the 11 O'Clock news tonite when talking about the many rib cook offs mentioned the one downtown by saying "And don't forget the Cleveland Rib CookOff in the flats this weekend, and of course downtown you will have to pay for parking". I mean I doubt this chick will ever have the chance to work in a bigger market but I wonder if she would have added that same parking comment if she was working in NY or Chicago.

As far as Nashville goes all I have to say is 'Show me the money'. Where is your financing. Good luck with that. Also the atrium space in the MM is going to have fantastic views of the mall. But maybe someone a little more familiar with structural engineering can explain the catwalks that are up against the window. What type of load limit would these have. How would you guard against too many people on them at one time. About 30 years ago there was a infamous structure failure at a Hyatt hotel in KC. Just Google Kansas City Hyatt catwalk disaster, it changed the way catwalks were built.

Clifton-That is the best photo tour of the casino I have seen yet. Nice work. And where were you standing for the last shot, very cool.

^^Man I love that project. Now if only something can happen across the street at the BOE. BTW did you take those at 5 O'Clock in the morning.

If you go to the webcam right now they are installing sod over the ballroom area. Can someone get a pic? On my phone or I would grab a screen shot.

^^ Puke. I buy only Hallmark going forward.

What happened to all of the tree planters that you see in the rendering that would surround the Higbee, especially along the Ontario side and around the corner. I am hoping they are still in the plans. I am wondering if they held off on them because of the initial crowds that are lining the sidewalks. Maybe they are thinking there would not be as much room. The trees would definitely brighten the outside up a bit. Too much cement going on.

Well I will only say that I don't expect Dan Gilbert to solve all of our transit problems by May 14th. Those are decades in the making. All I know is we have a billionaire who has shown an interest in developing in the urban core and Cleveland will only benefit. 5 years down the road let's see who has made a more significant impact. Some of the parties you have listed above have been extremely negligent up to this point in making a difference. And to keep things on topic regarding Public Square I am confident you will see this project effecting transit in a positive way, now and in the future. Hopefully those involved in transit decisions will be smart enough to notice.

They seem to see transit and their working-class riders as the antithesis to the glitz and glamour of their casino. I will have to disagree with that statement. Considering the fact that Rock Gaming chose to place the casino on top of a transit center and in the middle of a transit hub like Public Square tells me they do see the value in public transportation. They could have chose not to do the heavy lifting and build it at Crocker Park and saved themselves a lot of headaches.

BP Riverfest (sighs)

A couple of pages back someone posted how with all of the new projects going on downtown that the Casino was their least favorite. I will have to disagree. Not because I have any great love for gambling, to me this is just a another venue, one more entertainment option. But in what scenario would anything have ever happened with the Higbee building. What other 350 million dollar investment was in the works. Maybe a rumor of a future call center at best. IMO we were years from anything happening there again. And besides the 1500 some jobs that have been created, what other project would have motivated the city and ForestCity of all people to take a hard look at the surrounding area and actually make some cosmetic changes with probably a lot more to come. This project is actually moving the investment needle with surrounding property owners. I have no idea what kind of run this thing will have, ten twenty years who knows. But I do know that it is a game changer when it comes to people taking an interest in an area of the city that definatly needed a lot of help.

With all of the new wayfinding signs downtown I always wondered why TowerCity would not have some type of store directory outside in front of TowerCity. I'll bet most people who are downtown everyday could not tell you what stores make up The Avenue. And with all of the new potential customers walking around in front of TowerCity I am thinking it would be helpful to draw them inside. Below is just an example.

Dan Gilbert interview from today's Alan Cox Show. http://www.wmms.com/player/?station=WMMS-FM&program_name=podcast&program_id=TheAlanCoxShow.xml&mid=22075619

At this point I am totally OK if the Stanley survives. But is it possible the owners can quickly remove that 1970`s facade that adorns the front of it. Including the Barbara Anne Bridal Shoppe sign that should have been taken down about 30 years ago. The fact it has never been removed tells us everything we need to know about the current slum landlords. If that comes down and the windows are replaced, the front of the building cleaned, they can continue to work on the inside. Unbelievable.