MuRrAy HiLL

Story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Demand for Ohio mass transit proves it's worth the investment: Ben Wickizer Published: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 3:33 AM Plain Dealer guest columnist By Plain Dealer guest columnist With the recent release of quarterly ridership levels for mass transit in the United States, it seems appropriate to reflect on Ohio's transportation system relative to other states. In a recent report by the American Public Transportation Association detailing ridership statistics, there were a number of highlights related to Ohio. Bus ridership in the third quarter (July-September) on the Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus increased by 10.8 percent from last year -- the largest increase in the country -- while Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority ridership increased by 5.2 percent. In addition, heavy rail ridership in Cleveland increased by 9.7 percent -- also the largest in the country. This quarterly increase for COTA and RTA, which is part of a larger ridership increase for the period of January-September compared with last year, indicates a growing shift in Ohio's transportation demands. Despite continual ridership increases over the past decade, transit services in many Ohio cities have been routinely cut and fares increased. These phenomena represent a disconnect at the policymaking level, as basic logic dictates that if transit demand and ridership are increasing, especially in the face of service cuts and fare increases, then more funding should be allocated to meet the latent and growing demand that exists. Additionally, state funding for public transit in Ohio is significantly less than other comparable states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. Not only are many Ohio leaders apathetic to transit demand, but they appear to misunderstand the costs, benefits and reasons for mass transit. Frequently, the litmus test that is applied in relation to transit is: Does it require a subsidy? If the answer is yes, then many leaders immediately balk, returning to their antiquated notions that transportation salvation can only be found in the automobile. But the goal of public transit is not to generate profit or even create a revenue system that is self-sustaining; it's to provide a vital service to the community that creates benefits such as improved mobility, less traffic congestion, lower fuel consumption, improved air quality, superior safety and a more efficient and diverse transportation system -- what economists term positive externalities. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/12/demand_for_ohio_mass_transit_p.html

Story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Demand for Ohio mass transit proves it's worth the investment: Ben Wickizer Published: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 3:33 AM Plain Dealer guest columnist By Plain Dealer guest columnist With the recent release of quarterly ridership levels for mass transit in the United States, it seems appropriate to reflect on Ohio's transportation system relative to other states. In a recent report by the American Public Transportation Association detailing ridership statistics, there were a number of highlights related to Ohio. Bus ridership in the third quarter (July-September) on the Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus increased by 10.8 percent from last year -- the largest increase in the country -- while Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority ridership increased by 5.2 percent. In addition, heavy rail ridership in Cleveland increased by 9.7 percent -- also the largest in the country. This quarterly increase for COTA and RTA, which is part of a larger ridership increase for the period of January-September compared with last year, indicates a growing shift in Ohio's transportation demands. Despite continual ridership increases over the past decade, transit services in many Ohio cities have been routinely cut and fares increased. These phenomena represent a disconnect at the policymaking level, as basic logic dictates that if transit demand and ridership are increasing, especially in the face of service cuts and fare increases, then more funding should be allocated to meet the latent and growing demand that exists. Additionally, state funding for public transit in Ohio is significantly less than other comparable states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. Not only are many Ohio leaders apathetic to transit demand, but they appear to misunderstand the costs, benefits and reasons for mass transit. Frequently, the litmus test that is applied in relation to transit is: Does it require a subsidy? If the answer is yes, then many leaders immediately balk, returning to their antiquated notions that transportation salvation can only be found in the automobile. But the goal of public transit is not to generate profit or even create a revenue system that is self-sustaining; it's to provide a vital service to the community that creates benefits such as improved mobility, less traffic congestion, lower fuel consumption, improved air quality, superior safety and a more efficient and diverse transportation system -- what economists term positive externalities. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/12/demand_for_ohio_mass_transit_p.html

How Cleveland, Ohio is overcoming it’s six year economic crisis Kathleen Cosner | 2011/12/24 | 12 Comments What really wasn’t mentioned are the things going on to potentially fix the whole mess and maybe make the situation better. Cleveland specifically has busted, prosecuted, and put away hundreds of individuals involved in mortgage fraud. Yes. We do this here. Mayor Jackson also attempted to go after banks for predatory lending- he failed, but it was a meaningful attempt. City Council is in the process of passing legislation to hold owners accountable for demolition costs, as well as making it a crime for out-of-state companies to buy houses in bulk and skip registering with the state. The Cuyahoga County Land Bank offers quite a few possibilities, for example, they purchase blight properties and can demolish, rehab, or resell them. The Land Bank is also going to be offering homes to refugees, according to The Plain Dealer. Also, Reclaimed Cleveland is a furnishing shop who will upcycle and repurpose items left in a home set to be demolished. They have beds, tables, chairs, accessories, as well as custom work. How about that? Not many preventative measures were in place to stop the foreclosure crisis from happening, but in Cleveland, we are working hard to correct the problem. The Mistake by the Lake? Hardly. The North Coast is so much more awesome. http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/how-cleveland-ohio-is-overcoming-their-six-year-economic-crisis/

Not quite Cleveland ... but an interesting story about how 3 Cleveland restuaranters are helping revitalize downtown Birmingham: BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The boys from Cleveland have struck again — this time with the help of an old college buddy from Ohio and a kiwi from New Zealand. http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2011/12/owners_of_birminghams_trattori.html

VIDEO of positive news coverage! http://www.wkyc.com/news/state/article/221299/23/Cleveland-Downtown-condo-sales-booming

Another observation -- the skin has been removed again. Not sure what concern/issue is happening. Everything is still blue...like mountains on a Coors Light can...

I tend to agree...this thread should be merged here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=13881.150

dang...love the videos!

Also, best FreshwaterCleveland.com photos of 2011: http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/mastheads2011.aspx

Maybe this is the wrong place...but I like! CLEVELAND AHEAD OF NYC ON THE FOOD TRUCK FRONT The Motor Mouth food truck can now legally operate in Cleveland. Being a lifelong New Yorker, I truly believe living here is better than any other place on Earth – but as a food truck lover, Cleveland just surpassed New York. http://newyorkstreetfood.com/24361/cleveland-ahead-of-nyc-on-the-food-truck-front/

Content. I've lived in 3 different States and 1 different country during the past 3 years (before moving back to Ohio)....very content.

^ Right across from the Casino too. These units may be an attactive option for Casino employees.

I don't think it will line Mayfield Rd at all. They were digging today along Mayfield, but I'm 100% sure it was only for adding infrastructure. Every picture I've seen shows it butting up against Cornell. Note the blue on this older map of the area on PAGE 18: http://www.noaca.org/uptowntlci.pdf This is the only printed news on those parcels is for Lot 45 itself...one thing that bums me a little is most likely losing the all-brick road no E.117: University Circle Inc. is considering proposals from three local developers - Coral Co., Snavely Group and NRP Group - to build on Lot 45, a property on Mayfield Road, west of the railroad tracks that border Little Italy. The land, now a parking lot, could be the site of a $30 million to $100 million development involving apartments, retail, a parking garage and, possibly, offices. The lots across the way, it seems NO ONE ever parks there. I always dream to what could be built on them every time I walk done Mayfield Rd (which is daily...lol) KJP, my head is starting to hurt with keeping track of threads. I understand what is being discussed is TOD; however, we already having specific threads that incorporates this land: UPTOWN: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,11359.0.html UC: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2977.0.html even LI: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6542.0.html or even UH: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12563.0.html

The one thing that worries me (and I've never been to Table 45, but this is a general observation anyway) is the "5 pages packed ..." comment. Really I think that there should be no more than 3 pages to a menu. Cover, appetizers and sides, and Entrees (with a separate dessert menu). Too many options breeds problems in a kitchen. The fewer options there are typically the better the food comes out as the kitchen can better focus on a smaller set of items. Interesting, because L'Albatros's menu is only one page.

^ Yep beat you again, KJP! I'm always looking for those pro-outsider perspectives on Cleveland. Cleveland in the Washington Post as well...very University Circle centered (I approve): http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/winter-sports-in-cleveland-where-to-go-what-to-do-where-to-stay-where-to-eat/2011/12/12/gIQAPGUgyO_story.html Looks like the same author wrote this travel story as well: Home of Cleveland's boys of summer becomes winter playground Posted Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 Updated Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 By Becky Krystal The Washington Post The lights above were so bright, they'd blind me if I looked straight at them. Thousands of stadium seats sloped gently upward from the field. A roar went up from the crowd, and my image blinked on the scoreboard above the bleachers. Then I turned around, and there were the Christmas trees and twinkling lights. The illusion dissipated. For one winter afternoon in Cleveland, I indulged in a fantasy shared by many a fan of America's pastime: romping around a Major League Baseball diamond. Snow Days at Progressive (nee Jacobs) Field, home of the Indians, is now in its second year. From right after Thanksgiving to mid-January, the stadium dedicates itself to winter sports, with ice skating and tubing facilities installed in a place that typically sees a different sort of sliding.For less than the cost of a game-day ticket, an all-access Snow Days pass puts you smack in the middle of the turf, with unlimited tubing, skating and holiday cheer. http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/21/3610963/home-of-clevelands-boys-of-summer.html\

CMMCC Construction Update Industry News The steel frame of the future Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center continues to rise dramatically at the corner of St. Clair Avenue and Ontario Street, with crews already setting steel beams on the fourth level of the future structure. Structural steel and metal deck erection continues with two cranes working from the east and west sides, setting over 600 tons of steel with more than 40 ironworkers currently working on the Medical Mart steel erection. Two of the three sequences of truss members for the main atrium support system have arrived and are being assembled on the ground. The Medical Mart atrium trusses, measuring more than 200ft long fully assembled, will be hoisted up in thirds beginning within the next week. Metal decking and shear studs are also progressing rapidly on multiple levels working toward conclusion in January 2012. Reinforcing for the concrete floors arrived earlier this week and the construction team will begin pouring the elevated floors next week. http://www.onlinetmd.com/cleveland-medical-mart-construction-122211.aspx

It looks like they do plan on investing in the mall/shopping. PRESS RELEASE: Toronto-based Skyline International Development Checks into U.S. Market with Acquisition of Historic Cleveland Arcade and Hyatt Regency Hotel Skyline will reposition oldest American indoor shopping mall to capitalize on (US) $2 billion in existing Cleveland development TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - The hotel, restaurants and shops of the historic Cleveland Arcade, one of the best-recognized buildings in downtown Cleveland, have been acquired by Toronto-based Skyline International Development Inc. The landmark Cleveland Arcade complex, which dates back to 1890 as the first large-scale, indoor shopping mall in the United States and the ninth building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, also features a 10-year-old, 293-room Hyatt Regency hotel. The hotel will continue to be managed by Hyatt as a Hyatt Regency, under a long-term management agreement. The property was acquired by Skyline at auction for (US) $7.7 million after previous owners invested (US) $70 million in acquiring and restoring the Arcade, including converting office towers to the hotel, and then defaulted on a mortgage. Skyline CEO Michael Sneyd, who has been involved in and monitoring the American market for 15 years, views this destination community and lodging company's first U.S. acquisition as another major milestone with five key factors. He said, "It's the right time for Skyline to expand beyond Ontario and Canada. The Cleveland Arcade is the kind of mixed-use, legacy property where Skyline has expertise. It was an exceptional deal. It's a well-known hotel. And Cleveland is a relatively nearby destination for us, and a city that's definitely on the move." Company Founder and President Gil Blutrich cites the combination of over (US) $2 billion in public and private investment that will see a new convention center, medical mart and the Horseshoe Casino all open in downtown Cleveland by 2013, plus discussions around improving the city's transportation infrastructure, as compelling reasons to invest there now. "Cleveland is already filled with outstanding architecture, internationally famous chefs, top attractions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and sporting facilities. With these new additions Cleveland is poised to become a big regional draw for both meeting and leisure travelers," Blutrich said. He also sees valuable parallels with the company's ownership and asset management interest in downtown Toronto's Le Meridien King Edward Hotel, a 1903 listed build, and acquisition of Muskoka's 115-year-old Deerhurst Resort, north of Toronto, earlier this year. Blutrich added, "Our Skyline International team has an affinity for assets with a real story and something vibrant to share with visitors and their community. Our experience restoring the many unused spaces in the King Edward Hotel and integrating private residences there, as well as our current work renewing and expanding the Deerhurst Resort legacy are know-how we will build on in Cleveland." Originally financed by leading 19th century businessmen, like John D. Rockefeller, and modeled on Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Cleveland Arcade complex is a Victorian gem with two 10-story towers, where the hotel is located, linked by a daring, five-story, glass-roofed gallery and atrium. The combination of the globally recognized Hyatt Regency brand and the Cleveland Arcade's rich past will be key factors in Skyline's optimization plans for its newest asset according to Kevin Toth, President and COO of Skyline Hotels & Resorts, the company's fast-growing hospitality division. "Overall, historic hotels and attractions are continuing to perform very well in the current economy," Toth said. "The advantage is that there is more awareness in the market for notable historic properties like the Arcade. They have a name, a recognized destination, heritage and word of mouth. For Skyline International, it's all about how we leverage each landmark's real estate, burnish their reputation and keep renewing the public's interest." Skyline's goals include re-positioning the shopping mall aspect of the arcade and investing in it and the hotel to make both outlets profitable for the long-term. Toth said, "Today, we're celebrating Skyline International's official arrival 'south of the border' and welcoming our new Cleveland colleagues to a larger team." http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toronto-based-skyline-international-development-checks-into-us-market-with-acquisition-of-historic-cleveland-arcade-and-hyatt-regency-hotel-136037953.html

wow...thanks for the heads up! Any speculation or known projects who applied??

lol

More talk: http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/highway-robbery/Content?oid=2780628

Facebook: "The page you requested was not found." In any event, how silly of the aquarium to put them on facebook instead of their own page. And figured out how to do a working link for the Dec construction pics: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.275669729150484.96625.209356435781814&type=1

Let's try this link...more pics added today: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.287926631258127.98725.209356435781814&type=1

Philips Healthcare to add 100 jobs in Highland Heights; Steris Corp. plans growth in Mentor Published: Monday, December 19, 2011, 7:00 PM Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two healthcare heavyweights will bring jobs to Northeast Ohio, building up the region's medical core with help from state incentives. Philips Healthcare plans to move 100 jobs to Highland Heights from San Jose, Calif. And Steris Corp., which makes medical-instrument sterilizers and other products, is plotting "a significant investment involving a number of jobs" at its Mentor headquarters, according to a spokesman. "Both of these companies are important flagship companies for the region. And both are leaders within their respective areas in the medical industry," said Baiju Shah, chief executive officer of BioEnterprise, a nonprofit group focused on the region's biomedical economy. Shah would not elaborate on the companies' plans. But records related to the Philips deal show the company aims to create 100 local jobs, with an average salary of $115,000 a year, while consolidating its nuclear medicine division. The new jobs are part of a research and development facility focused on imaging technology that helps doctors learn more about how internal organs work. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/philips_healthcare_to_add_100.html

no, the Facebook page. I can't seem to link it...? www.facebook.com/pages/Greater-Cleveland-Aquarium/

UPDATED construction pics posted on their Facebook page tonight.