KJP

That's true, MayDay. A concrete pad will suffice for a building less than 20 stories tall. But I recall some of the East 9th Street buildings that are 20-30 stories sitting on concrete pads, too. I remember reading that in Cleveland's Changing Skyline book.

That's a lot more intense than what I was led to believe. I will inquire further.

The reason for the lack of high-rises, according to the developers themselves, is that they don't believe the for-sale housing market downtown is "there" yet.

Didn't see a thread for this. Combine with another if there already is one.... ___________________ http://www.cleveland.com/sun/westsidesunnews/index.ssf?/base/news-0/117095741465260.xml&coll=3 Garden idea grows Plan would protect land Thursday, February 08, 2007 By Ken Prendergast West Side Sun News When a real estate development was proposed to be built on a community garden on West 45th Street near Franklin Boulevard, the only recourse the community had was to band together and fight it. But it, and hundreds of other urban gardens scattered throughout Cleveland, can be protected from development if a new zoning classification is approved by City Council. An ordinance to make the Urban Gardening District law was introduced to council this week. If passed, it may be the first such zoning classification in the country. "If the city is a church, its sacraments are zoning," said Ward 13 Councilman Joe Cimperman, who chairs council's Planning Committee. "If we want to declare something as sacred, you zone it to preserve it. They (urban gardens) really have a community cohesion that's extraordinary. Communities that have them get along better, are safer and have less racial tension." ........

Craig Street looks like my kind of area. I will have to add that as a destination the next time I'm in the 'Burgh. And what was the Pennsylvania Railroad's mainline between Chicago - New York City (via Wooster!). Now it's the Norfolk Southern mainline between those cities but via Cleveland (with Amtrak serving that route, too).

Stop trying to make waves just for the halibut.

Yes, 3231 is Wimwar. The reason for the change was explained on the Lighthouse Landing thread.

If both happen, that's a perfect storm. That's something we're already starting to see. Combine the rising of costs of road construction materials (steel, fuel, oil-based asphalt, etc) with high traffic congestion/the desires to add lanes ad nauseum plus the beating the roads/bridges are taking from the traffic, and the party may be over. The U.S. economy and its population were also a lot smaller back then.

Yes.

A ride on the Music City Star in Nashville, set to music (this is probably a close comparison to the initial service on the West Shore Corridor).... And one without music....

Musky, don't forget to post the image. I'd like to see it and I suspect others would, too.

I think you're 100 percent right. It was actually kind of funny watching people's reactions to $3 gas. They had no idea how to adjust to such a small increase. It might actually get scary as to how people will react to $5 gas, $7, $10.... I recall a survey from a year or two ago in which a frighteningly large number (20 percent?) of respondents thought that driving was a constitutionally protected right. Of course, state constitutional restrictions in many states (including Ohio) prevent spending gas tax revenues for anything other than highways -- those survey respondents are technically correct!

True. But I was told that this development is much less "intense" than what he's done before. He is also doing this project jointly with Lou Frangos so there will be Frango's stamp on that project. Whatever that means..... Geez, I'm spilling way too much here. By the time I get around to writing the article, I might as well just refer Sun's readers here!

That is correct. Stark hired WRL to do the site planning.

Not sure yet. The old Gray's Green was a mixed-use development comprised mostly of infill on parking lots and rehabs of existing buildings east of Jacobs Field to around 14th Street and south of Playhouse Square to Carnegie. And if I remember right, there was also supposed to be some greenspace mixed in to warrant the name of the development. Some of you may recall in a recent Crain's article that Stark had options to buy land from USA Parking. That's what those options are all about.

I'd also consider swilling some hooch if Strickland made an announcement like this: _________________ On February 7, Governor Jim Doyle announced his intent to provide $80 million in state funds toward completion of the Chicago -Milwaukee-Madison passenger rail corridor as part of his comprehensive "Growing Milwaukee for Wisconsin's Future" initiative. Here's an excerpt from the Governor's proposal: Midwest Passenger Rail Bonding - WisDOT is seeking federal funding to implement an extension of the existing Chicago-Milwaukee Amtrak service to add service to Madison as part of a larger Regional Rail System for a nine state region. Long range forecasts estimate the entire Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison corridor could attract 1.4 million passengers each year and may generate enough revenue to cover operating costs. Governor Doyle’s proposal would provide a total of $80 million in state funds for the project, providing a clear signal to Congress that Wisconsin will match whatever federal funds are appropriated during the biennium. (Source: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=19&prid=2526)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ZAREMBA SIGNS OPTION FOR DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND PROPERTY Land will add approximately 1.4 acres to The Avenue District development CLEVELAND Feb. 8, 2007 Zaremba Inc., developer of The Avenue District, a $250 million residential development in downtown Cleveland, has obtained an option on 1.4 acres of vacant property at the southwest corner of St. Clair Avenue and East 12th Street, adjacent to The Avenue District Site 1 (1211 St. Clair Ave.). While no construction timetable has been set at this time, preliminary plans include new condominium buildings in the style and context of Site 1. The Avenue District has shown us that there is a growing demand in the city for new, for-sale housing, said Nathan Zaremba. This property is part of our expanding vision for a vibrant, walkable downtown Cleveland neighborhood." The Avenue District will provide residents with upscale living options within walking distance to dining, shopping, arts, entertainment and recreation. The first phase includes the construction of 50 elegant lofts, eight penthouses, and 15 townhomes, with master plans calling for 426 upscale housing units in a wide range of size and price options. For further information, visit www.TheAvenueDistrict.com. Since 1920, Zaremba has been a trusted name in home construction. Zaremba, Inc. has partnered with the City of Cleveland to create several award-winning housing developments, including The MillCreek community, Beacon Place at Church Square and WoodHaven. Zarembas most ambitious project to date, The Avenue District, is a $250 million residential development in downtown Cleveland. With principles deeply rooted in product quality, customer service and architectural integrity, Zaremba continues its commitment to building neighborhoods that enhance communities and enrich the lives of its residents. To learn more, visit www.ZarembaHomes.com. # # #

I don't know if that's what this emerging project will be called, but a failed project from about 10-15 years ago and in the same location was to be called Gray's Green. This time, however, it's been "Stark-ified"

What is up with this? First Mister Good Day changes his name to Map Boy and now Wimwar changes his to 3231? Was this a joint decision between you two or just coincidence? I was thinking of changing my name, too. But "Trax" sounds like something a heroin addict would have. There's always "NotBaldYet"! What is "3231"?

Give those guys see-gars! I probably shouldn't say much more in case the PD or Crain's is reading this. Besides, the Gray's Green discussion belongs in a new thread anyway. Map Boy killed Mister Good Day? Booo! :x

Hell, even I'd consider drinking again!

He's saying that people won't have as much money in the future to attend college (or send their kids). We may be getting to that point already with the rising tuition rates, and without peak oil!

Cool. I corrected the agenda.

Yes, I've known this was in the works for some time. Cimperman first told me about it in December, so I called Shaia and he confirmed it but asked me not to publish anything yet. He also asked me to call him back in two weeks, which I did. There still wasn't a deal. I called Nancy Lesic to see what Wolstein's development team was willing to say. She said there was a joint development being pursued for the site but there were no specifics yet. I sat on the story for another month or so. When news of the demolition appeal by 13 Flats property owners was turned down, I called Lesic back to find out when demolition would start. She wasn't in so I left a message. Since I was planning on writing an article about the Flats East Bank anyway, I called Shaia on Tuesday to see if there was anything new on his end. He said the paperwork to close the deal was sent to him earlier that day but there were minor wording issues to resolve. He said the deal could be done in days but couldn't release its details. Well, since Sun is a weekly and the PD is a daily, and if the paperwork was signed this week, it wouldn't be until next Thursday before I could have anything published on it. The PD might scoop me on a story I've sat on for more than two months. And, no, this is not the "big" project that's been hinted to me. Turns out there's a couple of downtown projects that are in the hopper. I now know what one of them is -- let's see if anyone here remembers "Gray's Green."

I just posted what was on the AAO site. The listing of Jim Seney as "interim executive director" of the ORDC caught my eye.