willyboy

Yet you (Dan) said "SYC is just a bad joke in a place that has largely forgotten how to be a city". Which to me with generalizing, sweeping comments like that would say that you think in terms of "if you dont support the President you hate America"

The dynamics of D.C. and Cleveland are very different. The site is not attractive for housing, and the urban fabric is much different in Cleveland. Im sure everyone on here would have rather seen a nice TOD development incorporating housing and retail around an rta station.... but Cleveland just is not there yet. The Columbia Heights development is not much different than that of University Heights talked about on another thread with lots of parking incorporated, expect for the metro station. I dont agree with the idea that people are not going to buy things at the local store any more than with the inner city D.C. development. I dont think the city or many people were for the mega wallmart with groceries at SYC but it was sneaked in, but they also realized that the people shoping there are the same ones that would drive to shop in the suburbs. The Cleveland city retail has already suffered its downward spiral because of the suburban shopping and city abandonment issues. Retail in the city already needs to be something different in order to stay in business. If SYC is so isolated then dont you think the people shopping there are going to be people that are going to drive to a suburban center anyway?

D.C. is getting its share of big box within the city as well.... Columbia Heights......

My first picture posting. Took when home over the holidays..

You got that right!

KJP, to get off topic again. Cleveland is lacking a robust or even good economy. The supposed brain drain and bad economy is driving young adults to places like D.C. where (some stats I found, as disgusting as they are) • 72,000 new jobs added in 2005 • Led the U.S. in job growth over past 5 years – 274,000 jobs added from 2000 to 2005 • The D.C. metropolitan area is the number one region for high-tech employment – surpassing even San Francisco and San Jose. • Largest number of Inc. 500 companies for nine consecutive years (50 firms in 2005) • Median household income of $72,799, the nation’s wealthiest region The Washington area is expected to achieve a 58 percent increase (inflation adjusted) in its economic activity between 2000 and 2015, with the job base growing 29 percent and the resident population increasing 21 percent. Five of the top ten wealthiest counties in the U.S. are located in Greater Washington.

Yes Mayday they are simply what all the others in the Warehouse District were being years ago. Even though the experience wasnt bad, I dont know that Id go back without there being some kind of vibe of other people, since thats what the space needs (unless I cant get a table somewhere else, apparently there is always one there). I guess it just bothers me, since all of these years in D.C. have I even seen much that compares in any sense of decor, style, individuality, service or food (to most places in Cleve). There is finally the beginning of a dining scene here, but...... Whenever I bring people to Cleveland, they are amazed by the restaurants etc., and always say "theres nothing like this in D.C." So whenever somebody opens something there that is nice, it breaks my heart when it doesnt do well, and I always think that people will give up spending money on opening new places. What about places like Flo or Circo/Zibbabo? I thought these were beautiful and interesting concepts.... I realize Flo didnt know what it wantede to be, and Circo I guess wasnt new anymore... Which leads to the question of how much Cleveland can support...?

To be back on subject.... Also when back in Cleveland I checked out everything on E. 4th, Corner Alley etc.. very exciting. Even had a pricey, but very strong martini at Lola served by the lovely Mrs. Simon. On another night, a Friday night, I had dinner at Jac's in the Warehouse district. I wanted to give this place some business since it is a lovely space, and have read good reviews of the food, and since they finally seemed to have the kitchen in order. We were the only table at 8:00 on a Friday night!!! The server was adorable, and said they had a pickup in business following the reviews but business has dwindled to near nothing since... She said the owner refuses to advertise, and has had offers to be bought out as well. She thought the current owner was keeping the place from succeeding. By the way I thought the food was very good.

D.C. is a goldmine of opportunity. There are about 65,000 new jobs here a year, so it is a natural place for people to migrate to after college, as I did when I couldnt find a job in Cleveland. This is unfortunate since to me D.C. lacks so many of the things that make Cleveland great. Most people I know here are affiliated with the government or work for national associations of some kind or lobbyists. I have had some amazing job experiences in D.C., which have even opened doors for some Cleveland lobbying. Im hoping to move back to Cleveland soon (Urban Planning field).

Im in Mt. Pleasant. Yes there are a ton of us here, even my next door neighbors in my building. Many miss it there and talk about it fondly, they just cant find the opportunties in Cleveland that they can find in D.C. You live on Capital Hill right.. We have argued before..

When I was back in Cleveland over the holiday I tried to check out Melt for lunch (it was on top of my list of places to check out when home), there was a line out the door and about an hour wait, so I didnt get to try it. Instead I killed two birds with one stone and I went to the cafe at the West Side Market, then shopped for various Market items for people back in D.C.. It was very good.... but I'll definately make it to Melt the next time Im back!!!

Thank You!

Is somebody able to post the picture and article on here... I have not been able to find it.

Here I was worried about bad first impressions, yet several may have been in the same boat... but were they able to stand up on their own.... I guess I could have found somebody to escort me in.

Sounds like it was a good time. I also had hoped to make it, and was looking forward to meeting the other "urban geeks", but there was just too much ground to cover with too short amount of time (the hangover didnt help either). Next time I'll gladly forgo the family and excessive drinking the night before...

Beautifully done Mayday! Thank you.

8shades, you are so right here. It frustrates me that there have been so many things invented, discovered and the amazing history etc., in Cleveland that most people would never know. I try to inform every visitor I bring to town, but I cant believe that the city has not capitalized more on this.

I would be interested. Usually in from D.C. by the 23rd or late 22nd. Ohio City or downtown would be great!

Thanks for sharing your great pics. Makes me homesick.

I was thinking that, but do you recall what the office portion of that would have been? Since B.H. will only need 200,000sf do you think it could be justified? Maybe in combination, as had been mentioned, hotel/office (& maybe some spec. office)/condo's, it could be done..

amen!

True. Its just that I dont think anybody on here wants to see anything less than a 500'+ building (and something of taste) go in the public square spot. Sure, we all are hungry to see something major and new in the skyline, even though it may not make sense or be the right time. There are plenty of other options in the heart of downtown that would provide a bigger benefit than moving to a new building on the east bank of the flats..

Oh my god w28th and Mayday. When I was in town twice last year, after going to the market, I purposely went to this struggling bookstore after reading all the articles.... One of the times, there was an old man, I guess the owner, that seemed bothered by our presense and wouldnt lift his head to acknowledge us, the other time there was a nice women that tried to get me to adopt one of the cats kittens. This summer when I was in town I walked by and there was some kind of meeting going on in the front, and when I saw the same man, I didnt bother going in. As much as I hate the idea of chains I wasnt about to go in to be treated like I was a disturbance.

Thanks for sharing your amazing pics!

What makes you think it would be instead of? :-o