willyboy

From the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: “In 1993 there were 11 Masonic temples in the Cleveland area—in Brooklin, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, North Olmsted, Shaker Heights, and Strongsville and in Cleveland on Lorain Ave., Kinsman, State Rd., and Franklin Blvd., as well as the Masonic Temple on Euclid Ave”. Also in Clevelands (these resemble aspects of Dayton's).. The DeMolay Room and Exhibit Hall. Then Lakewoods and then Ohio City

Thanks Confiteordeo. Interesting indeed. 60,000 sq ft is great and a huge win! National City bank building vanilla :? Maybe the newer part... The old one has one of my favorite lobby's.

In this weeks Crains they had an article about the Rosetta group possibly moving into the old National City building. It was reported upthread that they were moving into the PD building...? Either way great news, but even better if the latest news is true! It is in the "subscription area" so I dont have access to the whole article. "IT outfit Rosetta zeroes in on old Nat City building Rosetta, an information technology company in the midst of a much-watched search for a downtown Cleveland office to replace three suburban offices, is pursuing three floors of empty office space in the building housing the Holiday Inn Express." http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=TOC

Playing off of the above report. I thought this was very interesting in the Roldo column from Cool Cleveland this past week (for once). It is an analysis of a report by researcher George Zeller on the most recent economic indicators for Ohio. It is interesting because it shows for the first time in over a decade that the numbers of unemployment claims may be leveling off for Northeast Ohio and even showing growth for the Youngstown and Canton areas. It did indicate that overall the job destruction was continuing, but not so much at the expense of Northeast Ohio. Could this be the end to our downward slide!!! Maybe most surprising, the findings are not as good for Columubus and Cincinnati, the typical more immune areas. “Columbus passed Cincinnati this week to restore its unwanted distinction as the Ohio urban metropolitan area with the most elevated level of new unemployment claims above normal "job growth" levels at this time of year. Surprisingly, Ohio's most elevated levels of current new unemployment claims are in Columbus, while the second most elevated levels of new unemployment claims are in Cincinnati. The third highest current levels of currently elevated job loss are in Dayton-Springfield, with Toledo ranking fourth highest. In this week's update, Youngstown-Warren has the state's least elevated level, a slightly better performance than Canton had. In fact, both Youngstown-Warren and Canton have returned to a low "job growth" level of new unemployment claims this week. These rankings are relative measures, since most of the entire state in 57 counties is still currently suffering job destruction from layoffs.” http://coolcleveland.com/index.php/Newsletter/Roldo011310

Although I hope they do well (I miss Vivo), it is not necessarily on my list of must go to places when Im back for a visit. This is certainly a nice change of pace though: "Unlike so many joints, Chocolate Bar doesn't do burgers and rarely shows sports on the tube......... It also shows "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on the TVs.

I actually agree with MTS here. A small (and fake) beach amongst the grass, whats the problem? Is it not temporary? If its succesful hopefully it would become permanant somewhere. A beach can just be about the sand. Look at the picture upthread with the wooden lounge chairs... (or why the childrens museum has ##tons of sand in it right now, and has had the highest attendance ever. People like to be able to take their shoes off and feel sand, and this is an awesome vantage point for the bridges/ships etc. 327, why are you comparing it to the stadium? Its either going to be sand or grass.... Youll still have the option of being on grass.

I would like to hear from RTA on this. Yes, there are some things that sound like similar frustration on Dennis' end in dealing with RTA. Im still waiting to hear back from someone there about money I may have found for them to deal with some things that they claimed to not have money to deal with. To not recieve the courtesy of a response, my attitude will soon be "screw them" as well.

Thus my earlier comment. Like it or not, this is what its going to look like. It does look like they are going with the "white thingy" on the roof, which I think is better than what they showed on Ch. 5 last week. Designs for Flats office building and hotel get approval from Cleveland review board By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer January 14, 2010, 1:30PM CLEVELAND -- A city review board approved designs today for the office building and hotel planned for the Flats East Bank, making way for the developers to obtain building permits for the first phase of the project. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/designs_for_flats_office_build.html

Did you hear that w28th, it might turn out to be something great and unique after all. :lol:

I don't like this design for the Flats either. The Shoreway bridge visible next to the building in the rendering seems to really show how the design does not seem to fit into the area. they said the same thing about stonebridge! I think having it rise slightly above the shoreway is cool! Office workers looking out onto the shoreway and drivers, ships, leisure boats going past and looking in. Think outside the box I do like the height and the way it rises over the Shoreway, and I don't mind the overall design. I just don't like the design combined with the location. It's the first phase of a rendering. Come on folks, sheesh! Actually its not the first phase of a rendering (and if you were going to press for changes you wouldnt wait any later). I can assure you the design isnt going to change much or get any better than that.

TBideon. Thanks for that honest review. I havent been yet, but I believe what your saying. As much as I appreciate Simon, I think he automatically gets a pass and raves since he is a local hero and "bright" spot (if not somewhat over-rated). I MAY check it out next time (but wont automatically overpay for a beer because it a Simon restaurant) I will check out Paladar though.

I think besides the few accents, it is rather similar to the federal building and some of the other boring building on E. 9th I don't like this design for the Flats either. The Shoreway bridge visible next to the building in the rendering seems to really show how the design does not seem to fit into the area. I agree, theres other parts of downtown that I wouldnt necessarily mind it, but to me it seems out of place in this spot.

Since Zack admittedly has never really cooked "Italian", I initially thought "how dare him open an italian restaurant", with all the true Italians out there. He is basically basing his food off a trip to Italy he made to decide what he liked. But he is creative and clever enough to make it work, just not sure that you could call it authentic.

So maybe it would be nice if Cleveland Hts bought it (or park system) and made it a public course? Is it a good course?

I was also thinking about how much the combination of shifting populations and newer clubs further out played into it. When I was looking at Map quest, I spotted 10-12 golf courses within pretty close proximity to here (from shaker to the Chagrin Valley). Not sure which ones are private or public, but kindof gave the feeling of the overbuilding of shopping centers, they cannot all be supported, and the newer ones taking away from the older ones.

Here are some more pictures of the bike station from the planning commission site. (from design review last week) http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2010/010810/index.php

There are many patio places that are dog friendly, but few if any that are indoor dog friendly. I previously found this on Metromix. It mentions some of the dog friendly patios, but also says the Garage Bar is always dog friendly, even inside. The owner of the Bier Market sometimes brings his dog to "work" there. Maybe you can check to see if others are welcome. EDIT: On Bar Cento Bier Market, from their listing: Pet Policy: Friendly dogs welcome in bar area and patio http://cleveland.metromix.com/restaurants/photogallery/dog-friendly-eateries/613825/content

BK was right, Dante is indeed open. http://www.newsnet5.com/video/22196184/index.html

Hopefully this addition will give the Children's hospital a better and more cohesive feel. I spent a few days here almost 2 years ago, and I must say it gave me the willy's, and Ive been in a number of children's hospitals. Good thing German Village was near by.

Speaking of meals..... In todays PD (includes quotes from someone we all know): Amtrak puts dining cars back on some trains through Cleveland By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer January 09, 2010, 6:00AM Amtrak Newly restored dining cars are ready for customers aboard Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited trains. Finally, some national transportation news that will leave a good taste in your mouth: Amtrak has restored full dining service to its Lake Shore Limited trains, which travel through Cleveland en route to New York City and Chicago. http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2010/01/amtrak_puts_dining_cars_back_o.html Given the schedule, I dont think Clevelanders will be concerned about anything but breakfast.

I was merely reinforcing what Sfbob mentioned upthread. Maybe I just came across this posting today..? Sorry X, I didnt realize it was an argument or that I exceeded the time appropriate for adding what I thought was a nice contribution to the subject.

Because I know Sam, and you unfairly attacked Sfbob (and seemed to miss everyone elses point).

Really? It's great you're excited about this, I am too. But you make it sound like the WSM is the only thing in Ohio City and everyone in Cleveland is a backwards dolt! There is afterall already a brewery right across the street that not only produces award winning beers, but does so using cutting edge sustainability concepts-it's where the brewmaster for the place you're lauding got his start. And there are a number of other quality restaurants and lots of revitalization that have already occurred in this neighborhood. I don't see the need to compliment one entrepreneur by so being so blatantly ignorant of previous contributions to the neighborhood from other members of the community. Sfbob is correct on this one. Sam (McNulty) was an intern at Ohio City Development before I was as well as being in urban planning school with me and I couldn’t help but be impressed with him then. He was a real go getter, thought outside the box and wasn’t afraid of anything, and is frankly brilliant. He will do transformational things. Many people have made contributions to this neighborhood, but since I have been gone, overall this neighborhood is pretty much the same as it was when I left (one step forward one step back kind of thing), and others that have been around longer than I, say it really has been in “transition” since the 80’s, and maybe before. Sam will be the one to change this. He will go beyond just being a business owner.

The latest news states they are very close to aquiring the Sportsman... I didnt understand the park thing either. I though maybe it meant behind, where the Chicago title building is, but I believe that is already owned by the county.

Exactly. By publicizing this they are going to get so many offers from the many Vultures out there. Remember Firestone and several others recently. The area will have to outdo these offers that will be flowing in from many states. All over a .5 increase in payrole taxes...? They are just following suit, and know they have the area by the b@!!$.