Willo

Plus it is not 1996 anymore. There is currently little to no NFL criteria to prevent a franchise relocation as was our situation in 1996. We were lucky to have criteria in place following the middle-of-the-night Colts move to Indy. Art Modell did not meet any of the 10 criteria the NFL put in place. But no matter, the NFL allowed it anyway as good ol boy monopolists do and obviously assumed the story would blow over with no respect for Cleveland. Luckily the blowback was major and the legal case the city put forward was surpisingly stronger than anticipated. Unfortunately the mayor then quickly disregarded the strong legal advice and posture and surrendered with the b.s. that he saved the team, colors and history if we waited 3 years. It was desperate Modell who should have waited 3 years to get an expansion franchise in Baltimore once he took their bribe down payment money on the BWI tarmac so he could reportedly make debt payments - inexplicable debt (not really) that Art acquired via his "business manager" stepson -all while owning one of the most valuable franchises at the time. Lesson learned - be careful with Jimmy and this current NFL - I can see a quick move approved once the County blocks or at least hinders the illusion of a brook park playground. The so-called Ohio Modell law to allow competing bids during a 6-month pause is untested. Also, remember Jimmy already presented and whipped his plans (brook park and Plan B?) with many key Central Ohio Statehouse reps who would support whatever he wants given his popularity in that part of "Ohia" as Jim Rhodes would say.

We should not trust Jimmy ever since he tried to move the training camp to Columbus. He had a backroom deal he had already set with C-bus leaders and State reps before it leaked. Clueless Jimmy was surprised by fierce and quick blowback. Don't think he has given up - plus growing Central Ohio loves him and gives him whatever he wants. Think about it - does it seem possible to make so many ownership mistakes by accident over such a short period of time? I don't think he knows we have all seen Major Leagie about the Vegas showgirl owner who sabotaged the Indians in order to trigger league approval move to a new Miami stadium waiting for them? So keep supporting the Browns players and team and hold Jimmy and NFL feet to the fire to keep the team downtown. Maybe Dan Gilbert can save us again.

No hurry. I am sure its next life will emerge once the future phases of Bedrock crystalize. According to the early concept impages It should serve as a iconic major alleyway to convey people from the Core (Public Square) to the south Shore (Bedrock riverfront public uses). Just as the arcades helped move and people to work, live and shop in the city's golden heyday this real estate should also serve the same purpose in the utopian 18-hour 15-minute city now envisioned by the planner people.

Good point on the shape. I think the nightime view will be amazing from many vanatge points.

Not sure why Cleveland Airport officials have shown Zero public interest in the 175 acres Jimmy has optioned for the alleged brook park dome. Instead of the State paying hundreds of millions on roadways and exit ramps to Jimmy’s brook park playground, the State and County could spend much less to acquire and upgrade roads and bridges that would append this land to the land-locked airport. I am sure a deal could be made to encourage Jimmy to stay downtown.

It was a huge success for a short time but the future was obvious when the Rock Hall moved, the phase 2 river phase and notably Nordstrom fizzled and as a result the phase 1 high-end retailers slowly moved on. Forest City then began to liquidate their Cle holdings as the loyal to Cleveland elder family leaders retired and the next generation moved on to glamour markets to develop or live. We are lucky Dan Gilbert has a plan to revive the Riverfront dream and pick up where the Ratners/Millers and Jacob’s brothers tried (as can be seen in this 90s pic)

Would be sad to lose both - hopefully they can both find new digs elsewhere downtown soon. I see why the Gray media workers would want out as that backside streetscape of Reserve Square honestly can resemble Mad Max Thunderdome on a dreary sunless windswept days. That is why it is critical that Playhouse Square expedites their northern expansion plans for the adjacent Greyhound superblock. For AmTrust hopefully economic conditions improve quickly to trigger some new Class A office construction for such large employers.

I still have this picture postcard from that time. These were among 8 with the 1996 hope was this would spur interest in eventually lighting up to a total of 21 or so. ...30 years later glad to at least see Detroit Superior back on. With the renewed interest and development from Bibb's shore-to-core-to-shore maybe Cleveland can restart and complete this initiative with the County's help (Ronayne?). Sad to say Eagle Avenue Lift Bridge was one of the 8 - so with its pending demise we we will see it lit again...

I see also on this Friday's agenda - looks like a public art initiative from Destination Cleveland: DF 2024-042 IlluminateCLE Donor Recognition Artwork seeking Final Approval Location: Public Square – Rockwell at Ontario Presenter: Alex Harnocz, Destination Cleveland ? https://www.thisiscleveland.com/illuminatecle

True gossip grapevine likely is is loosely using “flagship” for Crocker plans - though it would be nice to get a true Apple flagship store as Foster+Partners designs for major center cities (Norman Foater did Clev Clinic new Clinic/Case med school). Maybe as part of the Skyline changing development that is coming downtown someday…like these stores they have designed: https://www.archdaily.com/1019182/a-decade-of-redefining-experience-retail-15-apple-stores-designed-by-foster-plus-partners-in-city-centers

It is odd there is not more info if it is truly one of the iconic “flagship” stores that are found in world-class cities. Could this maybe just be an upgrade to new larger location at the outdoor mall especially with vacancies (not to mention space available from American Greetings down sizing). We saw news of the new small format Macy’s coming there but nothing on Apple yet. Regarding C-bus vs Cle if you are saying Apple is shifting to standalone starchitect-designed buildings I wouldn’t be surprised to see one in each of the 3Cs markets. They do have cash to burn.

Yep the County and State of Ohio chased them past their deaths to tax as residents of Forest Hills during the summers - even delayed Mr and Mrs burials at Lakeview.

Then there is the People Mover that Cleveland famously turned down after winning the competitive award thanks to the sstong Congressional delegation in place. I remember the Cleveland award was transferred to a welcoming Miami. Only in Cleveland. Who knows how it would have turned out for Cleveland but it definitely would have been intertesting to have. https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/798

major hissy fit cost Cleveland dearly in terms of his estate gifts... https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/14/us/school-learns-cost-of-a-gift-giver-s-anger.html

It does look so much better and not cheesy as feared. Instant landmark. More please...

I agree - It is a shame to lose any of these bridges that will draw new settlers and newcomers who will want to experience the full Cleveland once word gets out about the new area to live. Plus it the bridge will likely have to be replaced there or nearby for emergency access eventually once the devolpment on all sides reaches critical mass. Just drive down Scranton from Abbey and you see all of the uniquely Cleveland bridges that will be viewed from the new development underway or planned. The impact of NPR, Silverhills and Brewdog/Avery is already so impressive but you also take away that there is so much land still to be developed. Also you see how close and intergral Irishtown Bend Park and TowerCity is to everthing underway.

The builidng could easily be carved up with separate entrances for each dedicated use, but I fear if used solely for the courts that corner will still look as desolate after 5 PM as it does empty. I wish it was a block east so maybe then Millenia could sell to Playhouse Square (and transfer all grants and awards) to develop with their new leaders from the commercial real estate industry. Maybe there is an entertainment angle they can pursue and extend the district west a few blocks and add a 2nd chandelier at 9th and Euclid. This corner is too important and needs a lot of creativity as it appears Millenia has fizzled out while focusing on their business/legal woes.

and is exciting how they are embracing their neighbors to the west such as with their new $300 million research buidling facing MLK and their recent crossover of E 105 into Hough with the Maltz Center (visually aided by the Doan remodel and Nord and Smith greenway projects. The whole area is becoming one mega city within a city alomg with the Clinic and Circle Square. Now if only UCI and the State of Ohio (with lobby help from the many powerful UC orgs) can relaunch the stalled efforts to encourage Cleveland's annex of East Cleveland.

Since the Skyline Changing Hotel/Residences building is now a punch line here... As long as it's not the world's tallest and narrowest tower as in the Towering Info episodes of Second City TV back in its heyday. If you need a good laugh please find the episodes on youtube especially those too young to know (you will recognize many present day actors/comedians and see them in their youth). It also had a nuclear reactor on top with a restaurant on top of that- I'll stop there.

ouch - the owners do prmote a loud Mel's diner or eat and get out schtick or theme.

and his wife couldn't be there as it was her bowling night (remember that 70's Cle joke?)

True - but now the new wildcard is the Private Equity ownership option the NFL approved. Not sure what that will look like but I expect Jimmy to find a way to monetize for his legacy vanity project.

Yay! didn't realize all of the jersey barriers were already gone. Thanks for mentioning as my eyes couldn't figure what was different about your pic. Would be good to see an overhead pic before and after

The penthouse graphics pannels must be held up by creditors or still on the slow boat from China. Picture from earlier KJP story,

If only the Bridgeworks team had the Coumbus lobbying skills that Erieview ($13 million) and Millenia's Centennial ($40 Million mega award?) had to successfully win TMUD's. Despite the design criticism I don't think the Bridgeworks team would have fizzled out if they had instead been awarded a TMUD as the others did so soon after hogging their large awards. Hopefully their awards can be re-allocated (to a Cleveland project).