yanni_gogolak

Its hard to say for sure. One problem I see with an 8 story building is the cost of the elevator. Once you go over 7 stories (I'm pretty sure that's the cut-off) you have to get into a different type of elevator, different mechanically. You would probably have some increase in plumbing costs, taller building have to get water up to top. You would save some cost on foundations and possibly civil work (not digging as much dirt out). Its hard to say either way, also potential tenants of senior housing might be more inclined to like a lower height building b/c it doesn't look as imposing and would have a more "residential" feel. That's the biggest misconception in construction. Just because a building looks good doesn't mean it costs more. Good Architects are very aware of construction costs and alternative materials. A good Architect can make a great design for any budget.

Wind turbines on Lake Erie face many challenges, including ice Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 9:58 PM John Funk, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some of the world's biggest wind developers were in Cleveland this week to talk about something none of them has ever done - building wind turbines in fresh water such as Lake Erie, where ice flows promise to pose significant problems. A three-day national conference focusing on the business potential and the problems of freshwater wind farms drew 170 engineers, attorneys, academics and contractors. It wrapped up Wednesday. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/07/wind_turbines_on_lake_erie_fac.html

Went around the Rolling Acres Mall yesterday, pretty scary site: Testa developing some housing on Hawkins St. There was a vacant strip mall on the site and it appears they used that structure and are building new housing on top.

Some progress photos of the National Polymer Innovation Center:

LOCAL Are you saying that b/c you know? Nobody said local, just names you have heard in Cleveland before.

Anthropologie

DEFENSE PLAN For nearly 30 years, All-America Bridge has lured suicidal people. Renovators hope new fence will be serious deterrent to jumpers By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Those working on the Y-Bridge project realize it might not be feasible to design a fence that can't be scaled, but they've done their best. At the same time, they've been challenged to balance this with other goals, including creating a product that doesn't disturb the view, is aesthetically pleasing, can be built, isn't too heavy for the bridge and stays within budget. ''Other than that, it's easy,'' said Travis Capper, another city engineer working on the project. http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/98692159.html

This is what you get when you have a developer running the show. Very rarely do you get a developer who understands the value of design, like Midtown.

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson does all of the Apple stores. Not to say that WRL couldn't be the local Arch of Record, but I'm sure they are pretty happy with the store in Beachwood. Who knows though.

Store plan advances AKRON: Mayor Don Plusquellic will ask the City Council on Monday to approve entering into a contract for the purchase of 1.9 acres of land and buildings at Highland Square. The move would be a key step in attracting a grocery store to the neighborhood. The sales agreement, for $3.1 million, would be between the city and Albrecht Inc., and would involve Albrecht-owned property between West Market Street, Portage Path, Edgerton Road and Highland Avenue. Akron and Albrecht have been operating under a Joint Development Agreement, the mayor's office said in a statement Friday. The new contract would replace that and give Akron sole control over the development. http://www.ohio.com/news/98655714.html

Off topic, what don't you like about the Seattle PL? I could write a disertation on everything that is wrong with it but here goes: i) not harminious in size, shape, materials with surrounding buildings; ii) Cheap materials inside and out, interior floor is painted concrete; ii) Garrish interior colors, one floor is all blood red, floor, walls and cielings. Some report vertigo and nausea when inside; iv) Nobody likes it; v) I could go on, the addition to the Cleveland Public library looks like the taj Mahal in comparison. Haha, ok, well some people don't like the "off the shelf" look that most towns put out. i. why are current designs required to lack any imagination and design just because the people who "designed" buildings before them lacked any creativity? Context in most cases is a word used when people don't understand contemporary design. ii. Painted concrete floor is a lot more durable and a lot easier to maintain than any other material, can't speak to the rest of the materials iii. refer to item i for color choices. iv. lots of people like it, in fact it was named of of the best buildings of the decade by a highly regarded and respected group of Architect peers. http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-list-201008 v. the CPL has its place in the design realm, but I would take the Seattle over the CPL any day. and we better end it at that before we get in trouble

National Hamburger Festival is this weekend http://www.hamburgerfestival.com/ Great event, $5 to get in then food and drink tickets, but they will also have music at Lock 3. Nice way to spend an afternoon or early evening. This is the most vendors I remember them having before. Two new food trucks will be there Dim and den Sum of Cleveland area and Eric's Mobile Grille who's owner graduated from CIA.

Planners approve school locations Administrative offices for Wadsworth schools will be part of building By Beau Dusz Special to the Beacon Journal WADSWORTH: The Planning Commission this week approved site plans for three new elementary school buildings. Isham Elementary will be built at 348 College St.; Valley View at 160 W. Good St.; and Overlook at 650 Broad St. http://www.ohio.com/news/98485694.html Pieces in place for developing Stow 'frontier' Summa system states interest in area off Route 8. Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls join in partnership By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal staff writer Hospital developers have announced their intent to build in the area, and officials from Stow and the bordering communities of Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls are considering a partnership to develop and market 99 acres together. http://www.ohio.com/news/97831984.html

Off topic, what don't you like about the Seattle PL?

2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan Jeffrey Pongonis’ blog, MSI Design – Beyond the Studio, is chock full of urban issues ranging from new green initiatives to schematic designs for new developments. What attracted our attention was the strategic plan for Columbus Ohio, an initiative to restore Downtown’s vitality by building upon the area’s success from the 2002 Strategic Business Plan for Downtown Columbus. http://www.archdaily.com/68909/2010-downtown-columbus-strategic-plan/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ArchDaily+(Arch+Daily) http://www.msidesign.com/blog/

I don't know how long it's been posted, but there is a pretty well done virtual tour of the student center up now: http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/architect/

Wow, this is a very slick design. That area is going to be awesome in a couple of years.

Sturdier Jesus statue planned Cincinnati-area church to redesign sculpture destroyed by lightning Published on Sunday, Jul 11, 2010 Associated Press http://www.ohio.com/news/98188069.html Tentative plans call for the statue to be made of limestone, instead of the combustible wood and plastic foam-frame that supported the old structure outside the Solid Rock Church, about 20 miles north of Cincinnati. The new monument also will depict Jesus' full body, instead of just a bust. The statue's feet will be on top of water, and Jesus' hands will be outstretched, similar to the iconic ''Christ the Redeemer'' statue that overlooks Rio de Janeiro.

We don't want those vets mixing in with the regular folk down on street level.

Cleveland’s Comeback Reimagining the City from the Ground Up By Marc Lefkowitz “They’d tell you, ‘If I wasn’t a Garden Boyz, I don’t know what I would be doing,’” Glaspie says. “Jobs for 13- to 17-year-olds are nonexistent. They earn about $50 a week, which isn’t a lot. But they use it to buy their own clothes and school uniforms. They’ll help their mother out bringing food home and cooking for the family. I had one boy who bought his brother winter boots with his money. They are looked up to by most of their peers.” http://americancity.org/magazine/article/clevelands-comeback/

Taste of Bangkok Opens on East Exchange Street A special welcome to University Park's newest restaurant! "Taste of Bangkok" brings an authentic taste of Thailand to the neighborhood. Stop by for a quick lunch, carryout or hang-out for dinner. The staff is sure to deliver neighborhood style service with food you'll be coming back for. Open seven days a week at 514 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44304. Call 330.252.2270 http://www.upakron.com/up-news

3 Point owners hope to score big Big City Chophouse in Akron to have new identity, menu, prices By Lisa Abraham Beacon Journal food writer Look for new signs soon to be hanging over the Big City Chophouse at 45 E. Market St. in downtown Akron. Owner John Kouvas has sold the location to Chad Leek and Domenic Fragomeni, who expect to change the name to 3 Point as soon as their signs come in. Food Network in town Food Network is working on a new show, Food Feuds, about crosstown food rivalries, with Cleveland chef Michael Symon as the host. I hear that Swensons Drive In Restaurants versus Skyway Drive-in and a Barberton chicken battle are being considered for possible food feuds. http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/97456964.html

Knight Foundation grants $717,500 By Dorothy Shinn Beacon Journal arts writer The projects cover a broad range of endeavors, from the creation of a cultural center where artists can meet and share their work with the community to a variety of educational opportunities for students. The Akron Area Arts Alliance received $200,000 to establish Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., as a central, highly visible headquarters for arts and culture by renovating and expanding its space in the 1927 art-deco building. http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/97125699.html

Are you familiar with the area? Its two blocks on a map, but its not pedestrian friendly at all. I highly doubt business people will want to walk that area. As you can plainly see I highlighted two parking lots that are more than ample to hold the hotel. In a perfect world that is where they would go, and that is where I was told they were planning on putting it a while back. and a tunnel? a guy was just shot to death in public in downtown. you think a buisiness person wants to walk through a tunnel back to the hotel at night after the convention is over?

heres a quick map I did showing why it's a bad location.