freethink

Here is a great aeriel photo of CIA coming together from Aeriel Aspect Photography (http://www.facebook.com/aerialaspect). Check out their FB, they are awsome and love Cleveland.

Well that video is very encouraging. I mean maybe the talk is over, maybe this is our time. Could the next 5 years be less talk and more action. So on this very depressing weather day I am going to think positive. I mean in Holmgren we trust. Right?

^Yes good point. It also may have something to do with Randy Lerner now making Cleveland his main residence. Maybe he wants to be more involved.

I am sure those who's lives were changed as a result of his mismanagement appreciate his admission of failure. Now back to the topic.

"Ill conceived". Those words should describe Peter Raskinds career as CEO with NCB, and how he walked away with millions as NCB failed. When did this guy become an expert on Port operations and how is he now an expert in Education as the interim school chief. What interim job is next. This guy can defiantly talk a good game.

Looking at the aeriel rendering I would think that the garage and the walkway seem to be the most feasible to be built. I understand that this is just a concept but the garage could actually be a money maker and the more likely to get financed. I can see it being used for both lake front activities and MM/CC use. And if you go to the website (http://thelakefrontdistrict.com) their description of the garage includes a public space on the roof describing it as "Approximately 1,000 stalls with Park Areas / Athletic Fields on top". As far as the other parts of the plan I just don't see the Mixed Use buildings having much of a chance with out a commitment from a tenant. And they wont be built for spec. I like the tie in with the Clinic if they are interested, maybe some type of Sports and Injury Clinic could be established there. In the rendering it does show what appears to be a new structure attached to the stadium that is branded with the clinic logo. I do wish though they could include in the discussion the idea of a retractable roof again. With that we could be a player in numerous events much like Indianapolis is year round. And we would also be considered for a SuperBowl/FinalFour/Bowl Games etc. Remember this from Corna?

I don't get the fascination with these food trucks. Some of you seem to be convinced that its some kind of status symbol having these things flood the streets. Sorry but I'll pass. I would much rather see the business go to the restaurants that have invested in the city. There are enough of empty store fronts to go around to those who want to make the full commitment. I have no problem with the dude from Fahrenheit looking for different sources of revenue. He is already commited to the city. Besides theres something about food preparation and diesel fuel that just doesn't do it for me. And paying $15 to eat out of a Styrofoam container with a plastic fork doesn't appeal to me. And its a good bet these food containers will just end up on the street for someone else to pick up. So I hope the city looks at this very carefully and puts the right restrictions on them. I would have less of a problem if these were just coffee or smoothie trucks serving liquids and bagels in the morning. We have a very strong restaurant community lets make sure we don't screw that up.

LakewoodAlive Announces Search for New Executive Director LakewoodAlive (www.lakewoodalive.com) announced that it is beginning a search for a new executive director to lead the organization, which focuses on sustaining and improving the economic health and vitality of the community. For More Information Contact: Jennifer Baker 216-406-0887 [email protected] go to>>>>> http://lakewoodalive.blogspot.com/2011/04/announcement_05.html

Tony Hawk Foundation gives $25,000 to Cleveland skatepark, part of recreation hub in the Flats By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer Published: Friday, April 15, 2011, 5:28 PM Updated: Friday, April 15, 2011, 5:38 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A California foundation launched by famed skateboarder Tony Hawk is sending $25,000 to the Flats. The grant marks the first big private investment in a planned skateboarding park on the Columbus Road Peninsula. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/tony_hawk_foundation_gives_250.html

I say we paint that wall with big blue whales..oh wait

Well what I can add to this is this blurb from the PD dated March 11th which says, "Puttin on the Ritz: Before one die is rolled and one card is dealt, Forest City Enterprises' winning streak continues at the Cleveland Horseshoe Casino, which doesn't even exist yet. Word on the street is that casino developers are eyeing the purchase of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, a Forest City property." It's about half way down the page. >>>>> http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2011/03/ken_lanci_arthur_elk_to_extend.html

^Looks to be a tent for a grand opening ceremony. See the white canvas on the ground.

That was my thought for the Rotunda, an open space for public services. I mean it was a bank right. Then you would have the Breuer for the offices of the County and the BOE. Plus two prime properties on the mall ready to go.

Mine comment was just an opinion. But it sounds like you have inside knowledge of the counties needs. Do you? Or was yours just an opinion also.

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald, Please partner with the Board of Education and move both the BOE and the county offices to the Breuer tower. Use the money from the sale of the BOE building and the county building and refurbish the tower and the rotunda. Duh. I mean you already own it. And I don't want to hear anything about the small floor plates, blah, blah. Adapt like the rest of us do every day. Seems like a no brainer. Signed, Reality Check

I couldn't find it either, go to portfolio and set your screen size to 125% and it should be on bottom, left.

So here is a link to a pretty recent study on the lodging market in the 3 C's http://www.hladvisors.com/newsletter-sep10-2.htm Stuff to read on a Sunday morning.

I really don't feel that strongly for any type of connection between the station and the market either, mine was more of a rant about pedestrian bridges in general. A more pedestrian friendly streetscape should be explored first.

I don't either Hubz, but if you don't want to get beat up around here you don't mention the "b" word. I have always been a fan of pedestrian bridges or enclosed walkways. The theory against them is that they take away from pedestrian traffic, in turn keeping people away from store fronts. But I can take you to a number of northern cities such as Toronto, Minneapolis, Montreal and you will find that it is just not the case. To me I believe they increase pedestrian traffic and deliver it more efficiantly. Cleveland continually denies the fact that it is a cold weather city where conditions can be brutal. Its why we have an open air stadium. You can't make people visit a storefront by forcing them to walk past it. If you are a business worth frequenting people will find you whether you got there with a pedestrian bridge or not.

Some answers for TWC Amphitheater, Time Warner Cable Amphitheater closes; Nautica Pavilion reborn as Jacobs Pavilion Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 9:00 PM Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 9:51 PM By John Soeder, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer Time Warner Cable Amphitheater on the river's east bank has closed to make way for the casino complex that is tentatively set to open behind Tower City Center in 2013. go to>>>>>>>>>>>http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2011/03/time_warner_cable_amphitheater.html

I still love the first one pictured by Field Ops, to me it would be a focal point for any visitor to the city. Unfortunately I believe the cost would just be unrealistic. What I do like most about the UO version is the way the brick is a part of Superior as it travels thru the square. It almost makes the road invisible. I would also like to see no curbs involved as others have pointed out. Use some sort of barriers to separate the street from the square. I definitely think the UO option is the most doable budget wise. I would look into corporate sponsorship to help pay the way.

Its not even 6611 itself that I have a problem with, I actually think the building can be saved. But it is just so out of place. If this building was situated in the WD for instance I could see it being rehabbed. But its placement is just so odd that I don't see how it could work. Besides the amount of investment would be astronomical, I don't see how an investor would realize any ROI in their lifetime. But what really burns me is how 6611 and buildings in that shape are permitted to be in such disrepair for that amount of time without any consequences. In this case RTA is the slum landlord in question and a fine should be levied on them for every day that building exists. I feel the same towards other building such as the Breuer tower that are allowed to sit in disrepair over an extended period of time. In that case the county should be fined in the same manner. I guarantee you if 6611 were sitting on the corner of Joe Calabrees's street it would have been either demo'd or refurrbed by now.

Please level 6611. I can't imagine how a great company like Gallucci's who has invested a lifetime of service to the community has had to endure that eyesore all of these years. Those who live and work within a stones throw of that building should decide it's fate.

For those not aware, there is a facebook page for the Innerbelt project. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clevelands-Innerbelt-Bridge/158130137575685

This article is about a year old but it talks about the process of having the two casino locations in Cleveland. It is interesting to read it now in light of whats going on. Cleveland casino to open in two phases, in connected buildings Thursday, May 27, 2010, 1:00 AM Updated: Monday, February 28, 2011, 2:03 PM By Reginald Fields, The Plain Dealer State Rep. Sandra Williams, a Cleveland Democrat, amended the House's bill to state that a casino can be opened in phases "in one or more locations, buildings or rooms that are connected by walkways or by non-gaming amenities that together constitute a single casino facility." >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/05/cleveland_casino_to_open_in_tw.html