willyboy

Yes very fascinating but also alarming to see the changes in just our lifetime (well MTS lifetime).

Gotcha.. I only recently realized he was involved and then saw some of the similarities.. Now I recall Margaret though. Is Bon Vivant the old Vine and Bean?

Its also getting a B-Spot....

I actually think you may be mixing things I say up with someone else on the forum that you also seem to clash with. Im a huge fan of Cleveland Heights and frankly always thought it was under rated (and thought I indicated that in your great photo threads), and thus why I recently chose to purchase a property very near there due to the wonderful and historic charcteristics. But also likely why Im so adamant about some of the decisions that are made there (since I also think that it has such wonderful potential to better capitalize on growth out of University Circle). Thus my perceptions are certainly based on fact and a lifetime of learning about the community as well as constant research and interviews (but I never try to push something that isnt also backed up by facts, because then it is just my opinion) I think because its all so second nature for me at this point that I sometimes forget and assume everyone else has the same understanding. When people that choose to stay also choose to ignore and make excuses for certain things, then I think your only doing more harm than good. Nobody ends up a winner in that case, no matter the size of the chip on their shoulder.

Thats good and all, but a neighborhood district is ultimately only going to be as healthy as the community it resides in. Ive been doing this for far too long for you to try to (predictably) paint it differently. You are surrounded by some of the greatest and starkest examples and history of community change and corresponding consequences anywhere, so Im just not sure what you could possibly be gaining by ignoring that (does it somehow make it not so?). We agree on the outcome yet you still want to argue about it... Sounds defensive to me.

I love how the neighborhoodies are so defensive. Look I love this area and will support it no matter what. But its hard for me to believe that you can seperate the perception of Cleveland Heights and this neighborhood. The decling quality of the surrounding housing stock and buildings is why Ms. Mench thought she had such an easy argument (as far as data and numbers). Once you lose your more stable demographic from a community and neighborhood, its extemely hard to get that back these zero growth siturations. Therefore you cant just ignore the corresponding effects of the shifting population. Again this is why I STRESS the new and different product as well as the stabilization of the housing stock etc... Otherwise why would you even be for the public subsidies for this project?

Indeed, especially in this area which has some wonderful old buildings, but has seen a great deal of dis-investment over the years. Cleveland Heights has to do whatever it needs to do to encourage reinvestment in these properties, as well as to bring different and new products to these neighborhoods. This should help with the sense of decline in this area.

Yes, love Felice, (pretty sure same owner as Lave Lounge and Fat Cats in Tremont (Ricardo Sandoval)), but agree that the east side could use more hip/casual places. Im still pulling for a Deagans type place for Lee. Although dont discount the Jewish deli's and diners on the east side!

Good news indeed...

Oswald Cos. to remain downtown Insurance brokerage's expansion to come in 1100 Superior building Oswald Cos., an insurance brokerage based in downtown Cleveland since 1893, has decided to remain in the city center as it embarks on a big expansion by moving to 1100 Superior Ave., which will be renamed Oswald Centre. Marc S. Byrnes, Oswald chairman and CEO, said the company reviewed several suburban office and downtown options for the 220 employees at its headquarters before striking a deal with American Landmark Properties Ltd., the Skokie, Ill.-based owner of 1100 Superior, which began life as the headquarters of the former Diamond Shamrock Corp. Oswald is leasing for 12 years the 13th, 14th and 15th floors of the building, a total of 71,000 square feet. That's a 48% increase from the 48,000 square feet it currently occupies at IMG Center, 1360 E. Ninth St. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20121112/SUB1/311129984&template=printart

Unfortunately the old ways of funding street re-dos and crumbling curbs or even new tree plantings are no longer feasible or available, and municipalities no longer have any room for it in their budget (thus Lakewoods withdrawl from the additional features that would have required a contribution), therefore requiring the most creative of ways to fund projects that may not seem a typical fit, yet qualify. I would rather see the area capitalize on that as much as possible before that option also disappears.

Thanks. I know there was a reference above, but will the new curbs be granite or concrete (please say granite)?

What ever happened to the possibility that they would have to further widen Clifton for this project since it was a truck route or something ridiculous like that?

Well yes "tail" or maybe "nail" I hope would be the ultimate goal here, but like you said that would require a change in leadership. Since it isnt as much about improving the actual transit time etc. and more about beautifying the area (and they are apparently not trying to pretend it is as they did with Euclid), I guess it doesnt bother me so much that they used the transit tool to achieve this, since I believe this area desperately needs this investment and beautification.

They dont have 10 million to spend. This is money earmarked for "this" project, not out of some general RTA improvement fund. Although I do agree about the necesssary regime change at RTA and many of the leadership roles in the area.

Thats the other part of it..

I often dont agree with Roldo, but he is right on here regarding the proposed pedestrian bridge and Cimperman (as well as the other poster). As I was saying I would be ok if Cimperman had some sound reasoning behind supporting it, but as usual.... Well his response is just predictable. "Long-time Councilman Joe Cimperman’s quote in the Plain Dealer supporting bridges over streets that debase historic buildings downtown is a model of deceit. Then Joe always was putty in the hands of downtown developers. Joe is so self-serving. Don’t think he can even recognize it anymore. Sad." http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2012/11/roldo-joe-cimperman-the-lies-some-pols-tell/

Ahhh....the burbs. eh, it's a nice street. Burbs... It talks about your section at the square as well (and part of the reason they mention the magnificent deversity of the street)... Anything beyond Warrensville (except along Shaker Westbound and except for in the Chagrin Valley) meh.

Why does additional funding need to come from tax increases? Why can't the port secure private investment or federal grants? I was wondering the same thing. Even though I voted for the levy (as an absentee). I know they have already been applying/exploring federal funding, they are both very favorable to recieve at least partial federal funding as well as other means, therefore they may have been asking for too much/putting too much of a burden on the taxpayer for these particular projects. I know the detractors were really focusing on the fact that it was a 400% increase in taxes.

Im putting this here. Quite an honor especially because it is my new hood, and I was just marveling at the drive down here yesterday. American Planning Association, 10 great streets for 2012: Shaker Boulevard Named "Top Ten Great Street" for 2012 The American Planning Association has designated Shaker Boulevard as one of its ten Great Streets for 2012 under the organization's Great Places in America program. Shaker Boulevard's "enduring design, multi-modal transportation options, engaged citizens who have fought to preserve the street's integrity, and surrounding community uses" were noted as distinguishing reasons for the designation. The 6.75-mile stretch of road, which begins in Cleveland, traverses Shaker Heights, and ends at I-271 in Beachwood, has carried millions of travelers over its 100-year history. This award is particularly fitting in 2012, which is the City of Shaker Heights' centennial year. The boulevard reflects the best of the city's unique characteristics - light rail transit, lush, tree-lined streets, and grand homes built during the apex of American architecture. http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/streets/2012/

I didnt see brainchild used... He is indeed the originator of the event. The Trust did an article on them where it mentions this (the buffalo guy and Samtoy), but I cant find right now.

A guy in buffalo came up with the concept, but Samtoy was the first to use/utilize/perfect it.

Its has to be more about having a zero tolerance attitude.... So that means much of it is about placing at least an equal amount of accountabilty on the parents and students as the article mentions. Not sure how it would work out but all other examples need to be looked at. I do think its very important to have an outspoken mayor that connects well with the residents and can instill that certain things wont be tolerated.

What is going on in downtown Lakewood is VERY appealing. There's no spot like it anywhere else in the region... I'm a bit jealous (says the eastsider...). Deagan's is a fave, among other great choices. The blue INA building that houses Panera is probably my favorite building in NEO. Tell me about it. We finally settled on purchasing on the east side (after being out of the area for nearly 15 years), but previously lived walking distance to downtown Lakewood. The East side has its places, but I really have to put alot of thought into it... The West side seems to have many more great choices (We need a Deagans on Lee!).

I think I have read a ton of comments from cleve.com posters who represent a certain demographic from the suburbs that love to complain about lack of free parking downtown and I do not think these are isolated incidents. (I do not have a marketing study citation to insert here.) So yeah, I think they will still come but I think more that may not come will come if they are made more comfortable by staying in their bubble. Well these are the ones that will be going to the racetracks as soon as the slots open there. It may very well be closer to their home anyway. Downtown will maintain the only place for table games in the metro at least, but liklely thats not the demographic complaining about parking.