MuRrAy HiLL

Uh oh...Little Italy is going to be p!$$ed! RTA wins $12 million grant for new rapid station at Mayfield and East 120th Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 10:03 AM Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 10:51 AM Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has landed a $12.5 million grant to build a new rapid station at East 120th Street and Mayfield Road, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's office reported. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the award this morning. It's among dozens of projects nationwide competing for the agency's Tiger III grants to enhance the nation's infrastructure. RTA is designing the glassy Red Line station with help and input from Little Italy, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Foundation and others. The station is considered a key part of the burgeoning redevelopment between Case Western and Little Italy. New construction includes the Uptown mixed-used development and the new home of the Museum of Contemporary Art, at the point of Mayfield and Euclid Avenue. Related topics: greater cleveland regional transit authority, rta, u.s. department of transportation http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/post_545.html

Just had to comment on this. I've been riding the Rapid since I moved to Cleveland in 2002 and have comfortably gotten off on stops like W. 65, E. 93, E. 105, E. 116 and Windermere. But I've heard over and over (and over) how unsafe the E. 120th stop is and had never used it until about a year ago. Every time I went to University Circle, I would get off at the Cedar stop, which typically extended my walk by about 15 mins. (Little Italy and Case campus generally). So when I finally decided to give E. 120th a chance, with some trepidation, I was truly confused what the fuss had been about. Outside of being an open-air stop (which Cedar currently is anyway), I don't see the big deal. Found it to be adequately lit, and IMHO, smells a lot better than the Cedar station :) As Uptown and MOCA and CIA consolidation and townhomes on both sides of the station go up, and with more "eyes on the street" generally, it strikes me that this stop actually could be really bustling in its current location with a) some mainly cosmetic improvements and b) a concerted effort to refute people's concerns about safety of this particular station. Still think siting between Uptown and Little Italy is better, but honestly, the current site is pretty well-positioned. E.120 is the only stop I use in the past 2 years and I live in Little Italy! I HATE the University Circle stop. Especially with all the new townhomes built, I recommend the E.120 stop to all my out-of-town visitors. EDIT: not to mention, the stop is also at the intersection of the Healthline.

Baker Electric Building is 100% leased. (7100 Euclid Ave)

geez...the more Cleveland State wins, the more AP votes they lose... New poll is out: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/polls?poll=1

Random thought: the Casino will as be bringing an extra group of regulars downtown: - 650 dealers ($40K+ each) http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/650_clevelanders_begin_casino.html - 750 other employees (hourly and salary) http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/clevelands_horseshoe_casino_no.html These people will inevitably be bringing income, family, and friends to Downtown/Tower City. They will spend money for work clothes, food, etc. I expect many of them to go to local bars downtown after shifts (or maybe not everyone drinks as much as me...).

Mather Mansion at CSU could become boutique hotel Published: Sunday, December 11, 2011, 9:00 PM By Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mather Mansion, one of the few surviving "Millionaires' Row" homes that once lined Euclid Avenue, is poised to become a boutique hotel. Cleveland State University, which owns the 43-room Tudor mansion, is seeking proposals from developers who want to sublease it, spend about $10 million to redevelop the property and operate it as a hotel. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/cleveland_state_universitys_ma.html

Ladies and Gentleman -- That's most likely the answer to historically high crime areas -- people are moving out. We're even seeing the "black flight" phenomenon on much of the inner eastside. I ride my bike around these areas a lot, and I can honestly say, Hough does not feel unsafe to me. Euclid Ave feels like a normal street from UC to Downtown, which is my usual route. Even Carnegie feels more safe recently. And on the flip side, the eastside hood of Asiatown is growing in population and crime remains some of the lowest in the city. The exact reasons for all this, I'm not too sure, but the inner eastside definitely "feels" more safe these past 2-3 years.

Yep. Especially during the last 1:30. The place went nuts when Montgomery hit that 3 to win it.

I'm actually friends with the artist. Don't expect them to be fix anytime soon. I'm not exactly sure what happened but he says it's an expensive repair, and he doesn't want to pay out of his own pocket...

About 5000 people today (including me) -- not bad. But the place could be more packed, Greater Cleveland... CSU goes to 10-1 after an exciting win over Akron today: http://www.cleveland.com/sports/csu/index.ssf/2011/12/cleveland_state_hangs_on_for_6.html#incart_mce EDIT: Interesting rumor In the house? A young man (about 6-11, 250) wearing Oregon State sweatpants was sitting behind the Cleveland State bench. He fit the description of Chris Brown, a sophomore for the Beavers from Houston. Brown has not played in a game this season at OSU, but would be a valued transfer if the Vikings can land him, perhaps at the semester break. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2011/12/waters_pleased_by_sweep_of_ne.html

CWRU perspective on the Litt visit: Plain Dealer Art and Architecture Critic Discusses Upcoming University Circle Development By Eric Hamilton, Staff Reporter Published: Thursday, December 8, 2011 Updated: Friday, December 9, 2011 06:12 On Friday, Dec. 2, Steven Litt, art and architecture critic for the Plain Dealer, joined the Public Affairs Discussion Group for a conversation regarding the recent and planned construction in University Circle. The event, held in the Kelvin Smith Library Dampeer Room, drew a large number of University staff and community members in addition to a few undergraduates. The discussion centered primarily on the Uptown project, which includes the Museum of Contemporary Art, apartments, and retail space located along Euclid Ave. between Mayfield Rd. and E. 115th St. The Public Affairs Discussion Group is sponsored by the Center for Policy Studies and led by the Center's director, Dr. Joseph White. The group meets once a week during the academic year to discuss issues of broad interest to the university community and surrounding neighborhoods. http://www.cwruobserver.com/news/plain-dealer-art-and-architecture-critic-discusses-upcoming-university-circle-development-1.2731781#.TuJaodVSkUM

In the year 2011, your website is your business card. An updated or inaccurate website is sloppy and unprofessional. Customers, partners, employees & tenants what up-to-date information. Maron doesn't seem to care And neither do his renters as we all know... http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/stores_restaurants_sign_on_at.html

Unveiling of designs for African American Cultural Garden realises a 34 year old objective Stretching back 34 years ago, in a faded version of Cleveland Ohio, when George Voinovich was Mayor, four acres of land were decidedly destined for a noble dedication. After an inspired local drive, headed by the late politician Booker Tall, it was decided to cultivate at Cleveland Cultural Gardens, at Rockefeller Park, a befitting project to recognise the African American community. Bickerstaff’s botanical park will become one of 27 cultural gardens at Rockefeller Park, all imbued with contemplations on various ethnicities, cultures and countries, that encompasses the diverse population of Cleveland. At its heart will rest a long, masoned walkway and platform, descending down a declining slope. Comprising of light stonework, before meeting darker hued marble, this amalgamated, impressive stair walk has a trickling water feature running down its midst, stemming from an ornate source at the feature’s peek. Forming a solemn, yet enhancing ring around the structure, are firmly rooted a circular thicket of trees, casting shadows in the sun, sheltering those who need it. http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=18287

I saw it posted by two people and blasted it of course.

Cleveland State goes to 9-1 with a victory tonight over a good Robert Morris team. NOW They finally return home to the Wolstein Center after a 7-game road trip on Dec 10 vs Akron. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/325/cleveland-state-vikings

So the Casino has bought it...?? Interesting...

I can't tell if it's my complete over bias for Cleveland, or if it's starting to get more positive vibes and mentions in the press lately: Cleveland Lays Out the Welcome Mat David Lepeska 2:27 PM ET Thinking about moving? You should consider Cleveland. That's the pitch of Global Cleveland – and it's a more reasonable appeal than it might have been a few years ago. One of the key nodes of the Rust Belt, along with Detroit, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, the Forest City suffered horribly with the collapse of manufacturing in the latter half of the last century, losing dozens of major businesses and about 60 percent of its population since 1950, according to the 2010 census. But that tale of decline has been reversed in recent years, mainly via deep investments in economic diversification, infrastructure and the arts. Ongoing development projects in the Cleveland area total $7 billion, according to the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Big-ticket projects include a $560 million makeover for University Hospitals Case Medical Center, a $465 million convention center and medical mart and a $350 million casino on Public Square, the city's central plaza. The city's University Circle area is getting spiffed up with the Farshad Moussavi-designed Museum of Contemporary Art and some sleek new apartment buildings. The neighborhood, which includes a clutch of healthcare institutions, colleges and arts groups, has gained thousands of jobs and residents in the past few years. http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2011/12/cleveland-lays-out-welcome-mat/675/

:-D Cleveland Velodrome project halfway to goal By Peter Suciu, from Detroit, MI The proposed Cleveland Velodrome project, in Cleavland, OH, is on track to reach the goal for the first phase of a project that will eventually see the completion of a world-class track bike velodrome in the Midwestern city. Fast Track Cycling has reported that the group has raised $160,000, more than half of the initial funding. Now, the non-profit organization now looks to break ground on the bicycling and fitness complex that will be located on the site of the former St. Alexis/St. Michaels Hospital in the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland. http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/cleveland-velodrome-project-halfway-to-goal-32671

The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling (Saturday Night Live) The Black Keys - Lonely Boy (Saturday Night Live)

Thanks!

gobigred, I'd be willing to do a private tour for you of University Circle/Little Italy -- just PM me. I know the area, architecture, history, institutions, and new development like the back of my hand. I also have strong connections to most entities, especially the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University, plus know every restaurant owner in Little Italy... As long as work doesn't conflict, it should be quite easy and interesting for me.

I second Greenhouse Tavern -- also because it's Ohio's first “green” restaurant and big on farm-to-table and sustainability. LINK: http://thegreenhousetavern.com/us/ SUSTAINABILITY: http://thegreenhousetavern.com/press/GHT-SUSTAIN.pdf

I think these food choices are perfect. Of course you could let them see this video of Sokolowski's beforehand! :D Bourdain no rez Cleveland Sokolowski's

FYI, here some info regarding the Rock Hall weekend: http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2011/12/rock_hall_class_of_2012_guns_n_roses_beastie_boys.html

Black Keys were on the Colbert Report last night...they mentioned Akron as "depressed" and needing to go up to Cleveland for show to get there start.