Htsguy

Thanks for posting the pics Inkaelin. I was hoping you would do so once the new school year started. Please try to keep us up to date with pics of the B-School as construction progresses. I am very anxious to visit Oxford and view in person the new "massing" of buildings on lower High Street. From the renderings it appears it is being done very well and it is clearly turning into the most dynamic portion of campus, at least in regards to academic buildings. It has the flavor of a Big Ten campus from the 30s or 40s (in a good way) if that makes any sense to anyone.

Speaking of having a thick skin I sure hope E Rocc does...he has now been called a racist (not directly but by implication) in two different transportation threads. Odds are he is not but perhaps he should spend more time gathering his thoughts.

Thought I would add my two cents to the suit issue. Don't buy a cheap suit which will fall apart in a few years. A quality suit is expensive but should last you 8-10 years if properly cared for. I have been buying my suits from Peters in Chagrin Falls for years and very happy with the store. If I really wanted to go crazy I would probably hit Cuffs, also in Chagrin Falls. The store I really miss is Bunce Brothers (especially their store on Chester). Many found memories of that store and my dad.

^Never been in the Coventry store...just peeked in the window...did not find it that intriguing. But I believe you are correct...the city of Cleveland Hts. apparently gave them a great deal on the rent to get somebody into that space which had been vacant for quite some period of time.

Found it interesting that the Keith Building in Cincy (which was apparently demolished years ago if I am getting it right) looks much like the Keith Building in Cleveland which still stands on Euclid Avenue and E. 17th (the Cleveland Building being maybe 4-5 stories taller). I wonder if they were designed by the same architect?

^Design issues aside, there are sound public policy reasons begin the bidding process on public projects. Among other things, to protect taxpayer pocket books and hopefully prevent fraud and collusion. These statutes are nationwide and were years in the making.

I know this is a whole new dynamic with the Medical Mart and all and the fact that we now actually know where the $$$ is coming from, but it seems like we have been doing "studies" and planning for my entire life in regards to the convention center. How about the powers that be get their butts moving and fast track this baby. Do it right of course, but don't talk it to death (and how about taking advantage of some of the past planning to speed things up).

^I wouldn't consider raising the sales tax a "small detail" (and it seems even at this much later date there is much to be work out) That said, I guess the point of your post is that the Tower City site has already been agreed upon...in fact it was agreed upon months ago as part of the initial deal. Maybe things have changed...who knows.

Been inside the Tower many times...somewhat interesting lobby (material wise)...other than it looks like offices in any building of that era in any city. You won't be thrilled.

^already have a name for the building where your pied a terre will be located..."Museum Tower". Could you imagine a penthouse in say a 20 story building on that site. You would have views of park like University Circle and Rockefeller Park up close and the lake and downtown in the distance. You would have all the institutions at your doorstep, Little Italy for restaurants and galleries, revived (hopefully) retail within walking distance with Case's College Town development, the Hts. right up the hill and a quick trip downtown on the Silver Line with the bus stop at the end of your street. Sign me up.

OK, what I really want to know is when are we going to see some design renderings (so we can really go crazy). At least let us know who are some of the site planners and architects (as I believe Wolstein said there were going to be multiple architects).

I too have trouble with the TC site just because it is so small. I am fearful that the previously proposed design looming over the river will become a reality since there is not much else you can do given the space constraints. I have never heard this discussed before but what are the possibilities of just going across the river to all that vacant land on the Scranton Peninsula. I would envision underground trams connecting the site with low rise (and less dense) supporting facilities on the TC side of the river. You would also have lots of room to expand Problems I forsee with such an idea...1) FC owns the land and are never fun to play with. 2) Probably very expensive...especially the tram concept. 3) Also more expensive because the land is probably very contaminated.

The Heinen's they just built in Hudson is quite small (compared to their other stores) and has a prepared food focus. Maybe the model for a downtown store. Found it interesting that Judge Corrigan and Wolstein's mouthpiece say there have been discussions with Heinen's while Heinen's spokeperson denies any negotiations. Obviously something he was told to say but he does look like an idiot in doing so. As far as competition...isn't this America?

Edsiou...it is clear you have very little understanding of the planning process for a large constrution project and what it takes to mobilize (even a private project with less statutory constraits).

If I recall, Wolstein indicated that he would like to begin infrastructure work in the fall (2007) with actually construction of buildings to begin one year later (fall of 2008)(I don't even think design work is completed yet). I suggest we at least let the first dead line pass with no progress before we start having babies.

^Of course as part of that planning process you will have to have a designated area on campus where the employee's will be able to hang in effigy the administrator who made that decision. :-D

^I thought I read somewhere that they were just going to use the regular buses for this training...it is more to get the drivers use to using the medians.

Even better, we can assist by going to all these local events with baseball bats and beat the hell out of anybody looking to sign the petition. :-D

Unfortunately, from the one rendering I viewed above, its replacement looks like a suburban office building. Are there any more pics I can view which will hopefully make me wrong?

I did mean the guesthouse. Was not quick enough on the draw when posting apparently. The townhouses aren't that bad and certainly shine when compared to Beacon Place (but that isn't hard).

^Never heard that but would not mind it. It is some kind of ugly.

Vulpster....great play with words and oh so true.

Is it me or do the owners of the patios need to get a designer in and make the spaces a bit more interesting (rather than just tables and chairs).

I thought there was a thread on the buildings Eli Mann owns on Euclid that he intends to convert into residential but I could not find it...so thought I would just stick this here. Check out lengthy article on Crain's website discussing Mann's probable purchase of the CAC Building and its conversion to residential while maintaining a scaled down club. Also discussion of status of his projects across the street, although details are vague.

^You are NOT wrong. Kassouf has been a major land holder in Cleveland for over 30 years and as far as I know has not initiated one single development despite all his puffing. He is simply a land speculator and parking lot magnet (God Bless him...we are a capitalist society) and has done nothing for the city...in fact...he simply impedes others. (A perfect example...(and I think he still owns the building)...after all these years what is the ONE vacant and unrenovated building on W 6th...the one attached to Spy bar...I am sure it has been vacant for close to 20 years on a very dynamic street...the only thing he has done is clean up the exterior and this only after years of prodding by the city).