jamiec

Cool links!! I didn't mean to sound negative on Cleveland. I've been following this topic a little, so I had a hunch that most cities were a little slow to engage it. That's the good part! I just had this vision in my head of Cleveland of really taking advantage of this and moving forward ahead of other cities. We could really start building a "green" reputation, maybe making us a Portland of the Midwest, which I think is definitely attainable (rather than trying to be NYC). I was calculating it out in my head, though... Apparently the cheapest they can be built is for around $14/sq. foot. How big is a very average sized roof? 10,000 sq. feet at the least? That could be some sticker shock... I guess I'll e-mail GCBL. I'd really like to get some hands-on experience building one of these.

I wanted to bring this thread back to life because I had an idea that came back to me tonight. Here it is....wouldn't it be cool if there was a Cleveland rooftop garden/greenroof network? What I keep thinking is, there are all these old buildings downtown with flat roofs that could be adapted to extensive greenroofs, which are less complicated, heavy and expensive. They are also less work in the long run. The thing is, I'm no expert at this. I suppose I should write an e-mail to GCBL, et. al. about this. I just think it'd be so cool if Cleveland was able to have a whole grassroots, greenroof project to cover all the buildings downtown. I think they would make a big impression on the country and it would be good for us here!

Well, I don't know about specific companies. I find it hard to believe that a major company like Forest City would bother playing hardball with potential renters in their apartments, though. That seems like it'd be a waste of time. I do think that there are probably managers out there who have their own personal reasons for doing certain things. This is sort of related to this topic, but I got a notice at my apartment today that the management company had changed for my building. I'm a little apprehensive, however, because the old company's office is two blocks away and this new place has its office in Broadview Heights but all of its properties are in Lakewood. I don't like absentee landlords... I guess I'll reserve judgement for now...

Musky's experiences were echoed in the newspaper articles, and that's why I don't mind this. I really don't think the integrity of capitalism among cabbies at the airport is that important. But, hey, I could be wrong.

No camera, sorry, but I walked by on my lunch break. Corner Alley is looking nice! I noticed they had the pin-stacking machines in. I wonder if you'll be able to see them at work at night. That'd be pretty neat! I'm very happy they took all that street space, too. That section of Euclid is starting to look like it should!!

Good post. I've decided next time I lease, I'm going to ask for the agreement. If they say no, well, too bad for them, I'll walk.

I'm just saying what they might argue. I'm sorry to say, I couldn't care less about these taxis. But if you read the original articles, they are arguing that there are a million taxi companies down there and there is no oversight and they are providing crappy service. I've never taken a cab in Cleveland, so I have no idea what it's like. Maybe this is just a way to make more money. I suppose if they wanted to improve service, they'd just come up with enforceable regulations rather than awarding a "Hopkins" contract. I guess it's the perfect storm because most people are like have more important things to worry about. Doesn't make me right, just preoccupied.

I thought the whole point of all this was to name one company to handle the airport because the competition was creating chaos down there for travelers. And as far as "competition" goes - you don't have 5 construction companies building a road at the same time. They bid them out and pick "the best one." Are they the best? Who knows.

IMO, the main branch downtown is freaking awesome. The old library with the archives, etc. reminds me of the main branch in Manhattan -- similiar to Cincy, I'm sure -- and they have a modern addition nextdoor that is spotless. Really an impressive facility.

I wasn't saying the Rapid solved the problem. I meant the stuff that came before that sentence. Anywho, I am not concerned by this. In NYC, the government regulates taxis heavily. I think it's better to give one company a monopoly over the airport rather than create a whole new bureaucracy to waste tax money.

OK, I'll bite. Why wouldn't they be able to do this? The company is almost 10 years old. That seems old enough for me. Increased business? I don't think it's hard to buy cars these days. If they need more cars/drivers, they'll get them. Problem solved. Better yet, take the Rapid.

I thought laws were about legislating socially acceptable behavior? You can't have sex in public on a park bench.

I would argue a ban on trans fats is not the same thing as banning cigarettes from public places....but I don't have the patience.

Thongs I hope. They don't look good on anyone.

LOL. Again we fight. What's hilarious about this is, I didn't get the impression that anyone was even that into this issue here...Yet when it's a C vs. C battle, that changes EVERYTHING! Anyway, I don't see the point of a casino without Texas Hold 'Em. Or Wayne Newton.

^^ That sign's got a kind of Fallujah meets footwear vibe to it though, don't ya think?

Well, Cincy was going to get some kick backs on this. I really couldn't care less. I think it was probably the people in the Ohio armpits (East and Western) corners where there aren't any big cities that brought this down. But in the end, I don't give a crap. Casinos are depressing.

All I care about is a better Cleveland, a city that we are all proud of and is attractive to others. I hope the Democrats will be able to turn this ship. If not, well.........

^^ Where are you getting that number. I'm pretty sure it failed....

Oh man, Learn and Earn is getting stomped right now. Looks like my dream of having a martini and a hotdog on a stick together downtown is years away........ Oh, the sweet sound of bells and sight of blinking lights.

You know what they say...Once you go to Columbus....you buy a cream puff, I dunno. Viva la Cleveland.

^^ You might hear some cheerleading in SoHo when a pair of Manolo Blahniks are discovered on sale....

I couldn't agree more. I live in the Statler Arms and am disgusted by this building on a daily basis. I don't really expect this to get anything done, but you've inspired me to actually get off my lazy butt and write a letter (truly a rare feat!). When I looked up Calabrese, Racek & Markos Inc on the Secretary of State's website it lists Steve A Calabrese as the Business Point of Contact, so that's who I'm addressing it to. If anyone's familiar with this company and can provide a better point of contact I'm all ears. Here's what I'm writing: Steven A. Calabrese CALABRESE, RACEK & MARKOS, INC. 1110 Euclid Avenue, Suite 300 Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 696-5442 Dear Mr. Calabrese, I am writing you to express my concerns with regard to the property located at 1030 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. As Calabrese, Racek & Markos, Inc is listed as the property owner and you are listed as the business point of contact according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, I have addressed this letter to you. If that is incorrect, please accept my apologies. Otherwise, I hope you will indulge me with a few minutes of your time so that I may explain why this property concerns me. Specifically, I am speaking of Loretta’s Restaurant on the ground level the building. Let me preface my comments by telling you I live in the Statler Arms building almost directly across from this building, and walk by it almost every day. Undoubtedly this level of exposure has sensitized me to the subject, but I try to remain objective in all my points. First, as can be plainly seen in the blog post located at http://lccleveland.blogspot.com, the area behind the gate of Loretta’s Restaurant is extremely dirty. It is littered with garbage, pigeon feces, and (I suspect) human urine. I am not a medical professional, but it occurs to me that this may be a significant health hazard. Particularly when recent health scares such as Avian Influenza have brought to the forefront the dangers associated with animal feces. Of course, I am not suggesting anyone will catch bird flu because of the disrepair of Loretta’s Restaurant, but I think it is reasonable to be concerned that there may be some health hazard posed when animal feces are not periodically cleaned up or not sealed off by an impermeable barrier. Second, the general state of Euclid Avenue is quickly deteriorating. While this is somewhat due to the Euclid Corridor Project, it is also due to the spate of abandoned and unkempt buildings such as this one. I’m sure you are aware Cleveland has recently lost out on the opportunity to host the GOP convention in 2008. The rash of abandoned, unkempt buildings can’t help us win any future prospects. For these reasons and more, I implore you to please clean up this property. I am writing on the off chance that you simply are not aware of the situation and will quickly remedy the problems in the interest of being a responsible property owner / manager. Always open to better wording, within reason :-D *EDIT, fixed a couple typos No changes yet. I think it's time to start CCing the mayor, councilman, etc.

This city is doomed. You can't hardly even booze it up.

I don't know if anyone cares, but Jack White left Detroit for TN. This is his house, which he is trying to sell in Detroit.... http://www.1731seminole.com/ The White Stripes recorded "Get Behind Me Satan" there. It's a really beautiful house. It bums me out that he is dumping Detroit for no.w When I lived in Michigan in 2004-2005, he expressed frustration about how dysfunctional the city is. However, I read about Detroiters new optimism for their downtown, so I think he should come back. Oh my. The Great Lakes states. It just gets to me when I see how our great cities have fallen. Sorry to be the Debbie Downer, lol