Htsguy

If we had Canada's gun laws this event would have been a fist fight (like the 2-3 that happened every day when school let out in my day) and would not even have made the news.

VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE and probably most of the major points are pretty obvious to those of us on this board. I do think that many of the factors for a slow movement downtown (my take after reading the article...despite the tone of the article it did not seem to be a ground swell...just a positive trend) in Chicago are unique to that city and region. For example, one of issues raised was the problem with a commute from suburb to surburb versus a commute to the central city. Hampering the suburb to surburb commute in Chicago is the vastness of the region, especially compared with the established transportation lines into the central city. While sometimes a pain in the butt, a suburb to surburb commute is less of an issue in Cleveland.

The article did not say...my gut feeling is that it may only be open to residents of the apartments since this is a "semi-private" development, but maybe CSU students will have access.

Article in today's Crains reports that the apartment development on the north side of campus (on Chester) will begin construction in about 60 days (I guess, actually, demolition will begin then). They hope to have the apartments ready by the fall of 2012 (pretty fast) and the project will include a fair amount of retail given there is absolutely none there now...will also include a parking garage and outdoor pool.

^While I oppose this, I also have no doubt it is going to happen due to the support of the mayor. There will of course be a need for additional parking, it just can be done SO MUCH BETTER. Also, and I don't know if this was your point or not, this garage will do little to relieve MM parking issues, since it appears that people who must have this parking are the types who cannot walk more than a 100 yards, even in good weather, from their parking spot to the venue.

Also...I commented before about the weak article from Steve Litt (speculating that some editor at the PD was on his back because the tone was so unlike him...OK the conspiracy theorist in me)....but I also think it is strange that you hear very little from the principals at the Gateway Neighborhood Assoc. I have read some bland comments, but nothing that suggests they are heavily involved. Maybe I am wrong.

^From everything I am reading I am getting the same vibe.

^And don't forget people like me who are not in a public union and who do not know anybody in a public union and will still vote for its repeal.

I know it would have been cost prohibitive and probably a maintenance nightmare given our climate, but it would have spectacular scene if they could have done a double row of fountains from Euclid to the front door in that median.

Love the Hyde Park office tower.

I could make a list a ten feet long spelling out what downtown Cleveland needs or what I personally would like to see...a casino would not appear on that list and it is not needed. It certainly is not needed if we have to tear down the urban fabric for parking garages to make it convenient for casino goers who cannot even spell the word urban.

^^^Cleveland needs to get some balls in this regard like Columbus (of course Columbus did not want the casino in the first place so they have no problem battling the owners).

^^Clearly...but don't try to sell me a parking garage and gerbil tube by saying you are doing great things for the city.

In the current environment, traditional federal funding for this project will be almost impossible. That said, it is too important for the city and it must go forward. UCI and the other institutions in the area need to step to plate and get creative. I don't care if that means holding 10,000 bake sales...the $$ has to be found. Did see where the UC station got another 2 mil yesterday and construction bidding is to begin in the fall (although I had thought it was already fully funded and construction was to begin this summer). This probably means that construction will not begin until next spring.

^^Agree 1000%. I would be less incensed if I knew this was done (objectively) and the information was shared. They don't even hint at this being the case which leads me to believe they just took the easy out. By the way, want to sell me on this (including the demolition of Columbine)...put a fabulous mixed use facility on top of your parking garage (vertical retail, boutique hotel, apartments). Is that so outside the box?

^Yes, it is the same restaurant group...Hyde Park, Blakes, Jekylls in Chagrin Falls.

By the way...I beginning to wonder whether that weekend prophecy about the world coming to an end might not actual be coming up as I see Hts121 and 327 actual agree with each another :wink:

^I have no problem insulting the Planning Commission. I off course disagree with you as I find the parking garage and "welcome center" a sham. The welcome center is just a lobby for valet parking and will not add to any street life...and as McCleveland has pointed out, the multi lanes going into and out of the garage is going to be a pedestrian nightmare. These are just a few of my many concerns, most of which have been expressed by other posters.

^^that reply is absolutely amazing in its bias (it is almost like a propaganda memo rather than a fair weighing of the pros and cons) and clearly demonstrates the fix is in. It does not even attempt to address the various legit points we have addressed on this board which are counter to the demolition and garage construction (I really like the line about it could have been built the casino outside downtown with a parking garage attached...if ruining the downtown core is the alternative, then be my guest)

^no

Didn't they already have many millions of dollars already earmarked for at least the first phase of this project? Doesn't seem like much now....where is all the $$ going (the Cincinnati Streetcar? :wink:)

^OK, if this is true what is the logic of keeping it at 35MPH? That speed almost seems dangerous if you are going to have ramps rather than intersections.

Ate at Bar Louie at Legacy once...nice space but really have no interest in visiting again...food was definitely nothing to write home about. By the way...Josh Tomlin is a "kid"...Applebee's is what they grew up with, Applebee's is what they know and like...takes some time to develop a more sophisticated palate...baby steps...next year he will be eating at Cheese Cake Factory :wink:

Yes I agree with you...I always feel bad for those people who have to live in Hunting Valley :wink:

^No...if the information above is correct it is on the west side of Warrensville Center, just south of Boston Market and a bank I cannot recall.