Htsguy

^Probably...maybe you should look into financing and tackle the project.

Here ya go: http://www.northsidelofts.com/index2.html p.s. this is where Chrissy Hynde's restaurant was. Thanks for the info. Some pricey rentals for Akron (or anywhere in Northeast Ohio for that matter).

Sorry if there is some information about this in this or another thread but... I was in downtown Akron for the first time in a long time on Sunday evening and noticed what appeared to be a very nice new apartment or condo building and some very well done townhouses right by Luggi's Restaurant. Was really impressed by the apartment building. Does anybody have any information or details?

Thanks for the pictures. Gives one who has never been inside a good idea of the layout. I know it is still early and it is summer and all (and a Friday on a holiday weekend) but viewing the crowds it seems that the Phase 2 building may very well be needed sooner rather than later. Also, seeing the longer view of the main room (I think picture three), I wonder what happen to the beautiful chandeliers that use to line the store from the PS entrace to Prospect?

You must have been a few steps ahead or behind us. Yeah, Lola and a lot of places close on Sunday and it kinda bugs me; makes us seem Podunk-ish. Quite frankly, sometimes in New York on a Sunday evening I have had to make a bit of an effort to find an open restaurant in certain neighborhoods, and I can recall some difficulty in that regard in Paris on a Sunday as well. Not comparing Cleveland to those cities but I guess my point is that some places just want a day off...especially non-corporate restaurants that don't have a host of mangers.

I was. I arrived in December 1991 :) To get back on topic, I have seen a lot of ridiculous/unfounded complaints about the casino, but some of them are or at least SEEM legit when taken separately and in comparison to other casinos (which, whether you like it or not, is going to happen). My concern is that too many of the legit concerns, placed together in one basket, will be to the detriment of the future of the business. For example - the parking issue. Much-complained about anyway by people coming to downtown who live here and are familiar with it, but even more of a slap in the face for people who are used to going to casinos all over the country with ample free parking. I have seen a fair amount of broken window car glass in my new parking lot, and was a little worried about leaving my car there sunday while I went to dinner - if this is happening regularly to people who park downtown, AND they have to pay for the parking, this is really going to discourage people from coming here. The alcohol issue is a problem, with no free drinks and a time limit on when you can order them. I know it's a state issue, and I'm not blaming the casino in any way. But all most regular casino players are going to think is "that's stupid, I'll just go to XXX casino instead, where there are NONE of these restrictions." The food issue is also another legit problem. No 24 hour food in a casino and no alcohol means very little business overnight. How long until they start just closing completely from, say, 11p-9a because there's nobody there gambling. It's not like there's anything else to do - you can't go to a bar there, you can't go to a restaurant, you can't shop. All 3 of these taken together seem like a big problem to me. Anyone else? I have to imagine that eventually the food options and hours will expand so I am not very concerned about that. Alcohol...ain't never going to happen. As far as comparing us to other casinos...don't see it as a big issue. There are things which givethe Cleveland casino an advantage over others and things which give those stuck in the middle of no where or in other urban areas an advantage. I would imagine that over a full demographic they would tend to balance out. Certain people will prefer XYZ casino because of this or that and others will prefer Cleveland for other reasons. Bottom line you have to give great service or you won't be able to compete against anybody.

^I would imagine very slim chance of that (this year or next for that matter).

^yeah I have no memory of that and find it somewhat strange....and if it was that long ago I would imagine if would have been SOHIO not BP.

^How things change. I remember taking a flight to Cincy a "long time ago" on business (at least 20 years ago...my one and only time as I usually drove) and the plane was packed (early morning flight) and if I recall there were 3-4 departures a day to Cincy at the time.

^Don't understand why the food won't be 24 hours (other than needing time to do MAJOR cleaning in the kitchen area which is hard to do while serving food). You would think at least one of the places would be open or they would stay open on a rotating basis to serve those gambling at three in the morning. Do understand that the casino has to follow Ohio liquor laws regarding closing times. I could see bars and restaruants throughout the state howling if they were given an advantage in this regard (and why favor one type of business over another...and no, you will never see 24 hour drinking in Ohio in all establishments so don't even bother going down that discussion road...just won't happen).

As I suggested in my original post a while back, I think the problem I am having visually with it maybe that the sidewalks are too narrow here. I too usually don't have a problem with such parking but for some strange reason I cannot describe, it seems to take away from the buildings in this section. Another problem I perceive in the future is holding up traffic on Euclid while some yoyo tries to parallel park.

You mean the East 105th and Euclid where they built to the sidewalk (instead of a gated community....and if you don't think Crocker Park is a commerical version of a gated community then you ignore the bunker parking garages that front it on Crocker and the fact that hardly anybody walks into the "bunker" to visit fantasy land.

I was referring to the parking right in front of the actual apartment buildings on Euclid and it looks to me that it is permanent. Not too crazy about the parking in front of UH either although I don't find it as objectionable as that further up Euclid. Again, for some strange reason in my mind it takes away from the buildings in that area.

^Very well said and thanks for taking the time to spell out your thoughts and keep the discussions going....yet I am totally unconvinced by any of your points.

They have been good to us...it would have been even better if they spent some $$$ in town partying. :evil:

^I am shocked that ANYBODY who calls into a radio show would complain about ANYTHING. You must have heard wrong. These types of people have too happy lives to complain since they believe the world is perfect.

I cannot believe that after everything people still believe the whole Chicago thing.

^After observing Ferchill for over 20 years, and to be kind, he likes to talk a lot but very often does not follow through. Again to be kind (I guess if you read between the lines I have never been a big fan).

I really don't recall any great ground swell of objection to the place in Cleveland in general. It does seem to be the general consensus on this board that it is a tacky concept and a poor sub for Fat Fish Blues. Maybe people on this board just have more class (we certainly are more vocal).

Doesn't Jammy Buggars on Detroit have a private room? Never been in it but it looks nice from the lobby...would say they are mid range in price and the food is pretty good...they seem pretty creative for the price so maybe the owner can suggest something special not usually on the menu.

Really? I hope that never happens.

Thanks for the wonderful pics. BP's transformation from the 80's open drug market is a major urban American success story.

^It is still pending. I believe a pretrial has been scheduled for sometime in June. Check the court docket. Very informative.

Drove by today....more and more I am not liking the parking on Euclid in front of the apartment buildings. For some strange reason it seems to take away from the buildings and streetscapre more than street parking in other areas. Maybe it is because the sidewalks are so narrow. Really can't figure it out but something just seems wrong.

Who exactly is in the market to buy it and develop it (at any price)?