Htsguy

^HMM...wonder where that came from...could it have some other meaning than a dome. If he is suggesting a dome for the current facility I don't think Blaine is keeping up on the cost estimates not to mention the engineering issues mentioned in this thread that specifically question whether the land at that spot can bear the weight. I know many on council will be skeptical if the costs are what have been suggested. A retractable dome only makes sense built new and in another spot downtown.

Probably most of you could care less but I have to post this or I won't be able to sleep tonight. If when I die God comes to the conclusion that I have not fully repented for all of many sins, and that I should therefore go to hell, I have a funny feeling that it is going to be something similar to trying to order food from the Chipotle located on Aurora Rd. in Solon.

Put me in the camp of not understanding why the discussion of the land bridge has turned into a debate about a parking garage. As noted by a number of posters, the concept of a land bridge has been put forth for ages due to fact that our connectivity to the lakefront (w 3rd. and E. 9th) is poor for a number or reasons, not the least of which is that it is a horrible (and some could argue even dangerous) pedestrian experience. To those claiming it is a land bridge to nowhere and nobody will use it...well the whole purpose is to foster lakefront development in the North Coast Harbor area. Even I would question the need to spend so much money for the land bridge if it was not part of a larger vision for the lakefront including a substantial residential component. Again this is not something new. However, the Haslams are relatively new to the vision and if their involvement can help, more power to them as the idea has not moved forward for years and years despite the strong need. Also, this whole parking garage discussion seems relatively new, but if it can fit with in the vision and also be done correctly, I don't see the problem.

I know, a fair amount about the restaurant business. To be honest, a restaurant, whether newly constructed or doing a renovation build out, rarely opens on time, no matter where it is located including the various suburbs.

Are we sure the engagement @KJP is referencing is negative? I didn't get that from his post although it may well be the case. Maybe this mystery tryst is something positive. Perhaps some sort of public subsidy. Look forward to Ken digging up the facts.

Really do not like the new design. It looks very pedestrian and a lot cheaper than the original. Obviously, design review was having a heart attack given all the criticism about materials and the like. I note that Geis is now involved in the project. Not surprising. This looks like one of their classic value engineered buildings. It was hilarious watching the Geis representative tiptoe in front of the planning commission. He kept emphasizing they were ready to go immediately and just needed a quick approval even though there were so many conditions from design review. They were also emphasizing changes in the design like the amenity deck being moved from the fourth floor to the first floor to activate the area. Also stressed that the rents were going to be a lot cheaper than comparable buildings in the area. All the right buzzwords to try to force this thing through. Fortunately, they were not successful. The mass of the building is not going to change, but hopefully a lot of the materials and finishing touch will

I recently noticed a post on the Instagram account of Pickard Chilton, the firm that designed the SHW complex. It was touting its new design for a 26 story addition to the headquarters of the Co Star Group in Richmond, Virginia. The 26 story office tower and 6 story, multi functional building will integrate ample office space, fitness and wellness amenities, an auditorium, conference space and retail and dining options and a 2.56 acre landscaped green space and 50,000 square feet of green roof terraces. The renderings showed people crawling all over the complex enjoying the public spaces it offered in the heart of downtown. The post states it was "designed to INVITE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AT THE GROUND LEVEL, CoStar's new complex not only offers a comfortable eco-friendly, workspace for their employees, but ALSO PROVIDES THE OPPOFRTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER IN A GREEN SPACE..." (emphasis own). The Cleveland Planning commission (which bent over and approved the SHW complex with hardly much pushback) was begging for a similar design for the SHW complex in the heart of our city but was completely ignored by the company which much preferred the bunker we will end up with. Interesting how PC is able to address the different needs and wishes of it clients in its designs, which I guess is their job. Also interesting to observe two completely different corporate work place philosophies. Unfortunately we are stuck with the less engaging complex per SHW's demands for a fortress. At least it will look nice on the skyline.

I recently met with my financial planner and he made an interesting observation that I never considered when I, of course, asked his thoughts about an upcoming recession. He did not deny that all signs pointed to one but he thought it was going to be mild. He noted that there are still a huge amount of unspent ARPA funds which are going to be released into the economy in the next couple of years and he strongly believed that was going to be a huge mitigating factor.

I was suggesting above a small format urban Target. I cannot see a full size happening. And I am still wondering if Target decision makers might be putting certain expansion plans on hold right now (not that I know anything-just speculation given the retail economy and the fact that they are closing a number of unperforming small format stores).

I would love to see an urban target as part of the retail component of the centennial. However, I wonder if the company may be a bit gun shy currently when it comes to opening new urban target stores. They are closing a number of these small format stores in places across the nation as they are under performing, including in some hip neighborhoods like center city, Philadelphia and uptown Minneapolis.

I saw a bit of the meeting when she was speaking. It was her. She has to be in her mid-80s now.

OK. You are correct. But she wasn’t just some politician. She was actually very influential during most of her political career including when she was in Congress. Lots of money came to Cleveland during her terms, as a result of her efforts. That said, why is she so late to the game when it comes to bridge works. They’re practically digging the foundation. They’ve been before landmarks at least three or four times and she was a no-show then.

No offense. Is that a real question or are you just trying to be funny?

I can’t imagine there’s any leasing activity at all let alone 90%. Their website currently says register your interest.

^Looks like it. At the Board of Zoning Appeals hearing a few weeks ago (the Hessler crazies where appealing the Landmark Commission approval which was denied by the BZA) it was mentioned during testimony that construction had already begun.

^108 feet and it is 15 stories??????

Really. It seems like you are suggesting this is some kind of new idea that just came up this week. The land bridge has been discussed and studied for years in a variety of forms and proposals. At one time a particular design was close to being built until it was nixed due to funding issues as costs increased. The idea of a land bridge is to support all the new development that is proposed for the lakefront so, yeah it should be used by a huge number of people daily, especially those that will be hopefully living near the lakefront in apartments if we ever get off our butts and actually follow through with lakefront development.

To be fair to Ken, as I read his article, he never actually said he had a "source" that confirmed the Browns would play in Columbus. He stated his source said it would be a total rebuild down to the foundation (which would need additional support). Given those parameters, it only makes sense that the Browns could not play on the lakefront for a couple of years. I think Ken was suggesting, given these realties, that Columbus would make the most sense for relocated seasons given the Haslam's ties to Columbus and the size of Ohio Stadium compared to other northeast Ohio venues. Again, he never actually said it was a done deal or that a source even told him that.

Thanks for this. If this actually makes it into the state budget I would sure like to learn the backstory and who are the key players influencing this. In my mind the state of Ohio would not give Cleveland $65,000,000.00 if we said we have the cure for cancer.

It was actually more than "mentioned". Playing in Columbus was a key point in Ken's article yesterday and has been discussed at length in this thread since yesterday.

There is precedent. The Chicago Bears played at the University of Illinois during the rebuild of Soldier Felid, although I believe that was only for one season.

@KJP Any idea what they are contemplating for the transit center? Is it going to be a glorified bus stop or something more elaborate. Say a center for RTA buses, a new indoor stop for the rapid, a long distance bus terminal and a new Amtrak station?

The Vikings and University of Minnesota shared the Metrodome for years.

I was just going to post that Akron stadium would probably be a better choice than HOF as it is closer and seats a bit more (25,000) with 5,000 more standing room. Progressive Field might be an interesting but still not a perfect choice when compared to Ohio Field (funny sight lines, still limited capacity and the field would be destroyed each year). Also the usual issues with over lapping seasons which can be overcome but still problematic.

There is not currently, and never will be, the political will or desire to spend in excess of 2 billion dollars for a domed stadium in Cleveland. There is going to be enough squawking about a 1 billion dollar re-build.