Cleburger

[quote author=StrapHanger link=topic=26933.msg602827#msg602827 date=1329161073 Not a big deal, but for some reason I really loathe the streetscape "enhancements" that seem to be have been installed in connection with the surface portion of the light rail. The different colored brick sidwalk strips, those white metal arch things, the occasional blue painted steal transit station and mechanical stuff and the green utility/light poles are just an awful cacophony that scream 1970s/80s "revitalization!" to me. Just ick. There is a big push for Main St in Buffalo to open to vehicle traffic again. Many downtown businesses blame the lack of car access on Main St for hastening their decline. Here's an interesting article looking at our Euclid Ave BRT for a model: http://www.buffalorising.com/2011/12/returning-cars-to-main-street-and-the-cleveland-brt.html

Did the city force the developers to at least include ground-level retail on these structures? That would have been a nice compromise for building the new parking structures.

It's going to be a steel-building construction. Must be one of those discount builders that advertise on daytime TV and talk radio!

Anyone driving the West Shoreway this morning could see that lowering the speed limit is not a bad idea. Quite a nice multi-vehicle wreck that had things backed up for miles. The road was simply not designed for today's commuters doing 70 MPH with a phone in one hand and Starbucks in the other! ;)

I'm imagining the view of the airshow as the Blue Angels cross the stadium after clearing BKL. I might have to find someone high-up at Ernst & Young to get some access!

The Ohio Turnpike is by far one of the best maintained, including snow removal, in the region....

Isn't that interesting? I find myself wanting new towers in Cleveland, but not liking that it blocks the view of the stadium from the Shoreway approach. Call it a sacrifice to progress I suppose....

Two problems with this post: 1. It's in the wrong place as it is a federal transportation policy. It belongs here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,7852.0.html 2. Under pressure from the railroad industry and some who saw road/bridge maintenance issues, the heavier trucks provision was removed from the House bill so the USDOT could "study" it for the next two years. Understood--just making conversation. Besides, if that Federal policy were mandated, it WOULD be a problem for our poor ole' innerbelt bridge!

Someone tell Governor Kasich that the Innerbelt Bridge might need to be bumped up on the list.... Trucks on federal highways could soon be heavier FORT WORTH, Texas -- Drivers could share the highways with much heavier trucks if Congress decides that the efficiencies of larger loads trump concerns about road damage and safety. The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act would raise the maximum weight for commercial trucks that routinely travel on highways to 97,000 pounds in most states. The current threshold in most places is 80,000 pounds unless the truck has a permit to be overweight. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/trucks_on_federal_highways_cou.html

How do they feel about the current freight trains?

Will anyone remember this Republican tactic when gas is $9/gallon?

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC%20List/DRAFT_Major_New_Program_List-1-31-12.pdf Not quite sure how to read it, but it certainly looks like most near term items are non-Cleveland!

So what exactly has TRAC approved for the next few years?

As an allied-industry insider, I found the statistic on the usage of Lucas Oil Stadium suspicious. From their website, check out the event calendar for 2012. Maybe it's post-Superbowl hangover, but it looks like a good part of the days booked for the rest of the year are your run of the mill (well for the 1%) weddings, barmitzvahs, proms and socials: http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/upcoming-events.aspx Cleveland Browns stadium does rent out their indoor spaces for these sorts of events with similar success: http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/private-events/index.html.html I didn't see any listed on the CBS event calendar, but then again I didn't see ANY events listed. Could be that the Browns choose not to publicize their barmitvah rentals. :) My point is maybe the dome is unneeded to attract new business to the stadium. They should be competing with the Rock Hall and Science Center for spillover party rental business from corporate Cleveland.

CSU alum here as well and very supportive of their attempt to leave commuter-school status behind! Along this same line I've long been a proponent of Division I football for CSU. 10 more games for Cleveland Browns stadium could help the subject of an another off-topic discussion on the Lakefront Development thread. ;) And 20,000 suburbanite kids living downtown and spending mom and dad's money would change the face of Cleveland forever!

Article on Cleveland.com about the closing of several coal-fired electricity plants in Ohio and surrounding region. Wasn't sure exactly where to post this but decided on this thread due to the Shoreway plant's proximity to the lake and how this could play into future development along that stretch from 55th to MLK. If you have a few minutes the video at the bottom of the story is worth the watch! Good footage of the Shoreway plant coal being unloaded. Also note the intense optimism for the region in terms of jobs and growth. My how times have changed! http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/firstenergy_corp_to_shut_four.html

This reminds me of the debacles I've witnessed at Lifetime Fitness in Beachwood. So-called fitness fanatics battling over a parking space closer to the door. WTF? :whip: You're young and active college students at a commuter school. Park your care and walk 10 minutes. It will help your body and your mind.

I still shake my head at the conservative argument against spending on ANYTHING. Spending on roads, bridges, rail etc are the kind of investments that keeps Ohio growing and moving. I'd hardly call it wasteful.

Cleveland housing code enforcement is another big contributor to my aforementioned "Islands" of development in Cleveland. As soon as a couple pioneers move in the ghetto landlords want $350K for their run down building or house next door. Start enforcing the codes on them or make them sell to someone who will put money in their property. This for another thread....

Good idea--but we know what 50 million in rail gets us....you'll have more people angry they have no way to get to work then reducing the speed on the shoreway by 15 mph. This project is about connection--which is something Cleveland has NEVER been able to pull off. Look how long it's taken the investment pioneers in Ohio City to connect to those in Detroit Shoreway. Right--it's not happened, and won't in the next 100 years unless we continue to work to connect the neighborhoods in a meaningful way. Until then Cleveland will brag about it's "islands" of urban renewal, much like we were doing in 1992.

If there is a shred of truth to this Kasich should be run out of town. He is not only playing with the economic viability of the Cleveland region, but also the health and safety of some 120,000 motorists a day using the 50 year old bridge.

Your link isn't working to the specific survey.

Interesting story. I was never aware of Penn Square Station there at 55th and Euclid. In my search for a photo I came across this shot of the intersection in 1941. Amazing and sad at the same time.... http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/press&CISOPTR=1222&CISOBOX=1&REC=3

I'm sure ODOT will take their $100 Million and build plenty more sound walls, freeway information signs (completely inane and useless) and beautification projects in Columbus.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- ODOT has earned a second heaping of scorn from Cleveland City Hall, this time over money delays for the West Shoreway project. The Ohio Department of Transportation set off a tempest earlier this week with news that money for a second Inner Belt Bridge might not be available for 11 years. Outrage burned anew after city officials realized that $30 million for converting the West Shoreway into a boulevard also was put on hold for more than a decade. It's part of $50.2 million that City Hall officials, Mayor Frank Jackson included, believe ODOT had promised and would make available for the project's first phase. Jackson said Wednesday that ODOT was "disingenuous" for working with the city recently to find money for a second phase of the project, but not telling officials that money to complete the first phase might not be available until 2026. full story: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/anger_in_cleveland_city_hall_b.html#incart_hbx