KJP

Proximity starts out with a older woman crying about the need for justice (er, vengeance) for the murder of her child. The film then follows a prison bus through the city, and then out of the city to the prison (in Grafton). That's where our story begins.... After seeing this list of Cleveland films, I think we're doing all right when it comes to the number of movies filmed here, set here, etc. Not spectacular, but not bad either. KJP

Sun Newspapers will have an article on it tomorrow in the West Side Sun, by David Plata. Check it out. EcoCity Cleveland may have paid for the study on relocating freight traffic off the lakefront, but they didn't author it. I did. Visit.... http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/ecologicaldesign/blue/rail_bypass_sum.html KJP

^ Good point. The current Ameritrust tower treats the rotunda as an afterthought! KJP

Here's another one: Teamster Boss--The Jackie Presser Story. It's an early-90s movie, by HBO, starring Brian Dennehy and Jeff Daniels. It's an OK mob movie, about the life of Jackie Presser, but it spends most of its script during the bombing wars of the 1970s in Cleveland, with the rest in the 1980s when the Justice Department was trying to rein in the union's corruption with the Mafia. It wasn't filmed in Cleveland (I think most of it was filmed in Milwaukee!), but it does mention a lot of Cleveland locations, politicians and notorious gangsters of Cleveland's past. http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/6302649897/imdb-jp-23/702-8018672-7956841 KJP

OK, here's one... Rob Lowe and James Coburn star in Proximity, a straight-to-video movie that has some pretty decent action sequences, and is filmed in, and set in Cleveland. The only scenes filmed outside of Cleveland are at the state prison in Grafton, in Lorain County. You'll love the car chases through the streets of Cleveland, the chase between a car and an RTA Rapid, the shootout at Tower City Center, and some of the transition scenes involving time lapses of the sun setting over the city, a big boat going up the Cuyahoga River at about "150 mph" and more. It's a very gritty movie, with a lot of hokie dialogue and goofy premises, and turns out to be a cheap knock-off of the Fugitive, but it's still a lot of fun to watch. Here's a link to a description of Proximity: http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1804850514&cf=info&intl=us But, you know it's not a good movie when Amazon has it for 47 cents!!! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005KHKT/103-1913976-0179019?v=glance KJP

Sorry folks, but the architect who designed that slice of cheese must have been in one hell of a hurry. There's ZERO imagination in it. I realize that architects design from the inside out, so perhaps the interior is a lot more interesting...before the architect ran out of ideas by the time he/she got around to designing the exterior. Like I've said before, the Heart Center has no "heart" KJP

I thought this article from Toronto might offer some guidance for Cleveland as we build the Silver Line, and debate the next big transit project(s) for the city (and for other Ohio cities considering rail)... KJP ______________________ Rapid transit? Not on Spadina A close look at the popular streetcar suggests it's not the success many believe it to be STEPHEN WICKENS 7 May 2005 The Globe and Mail ..........

By the way, I saw Joe Calabrese at a meeting last week and we talked more about the proposed bus route changes for the West Side. Again, I plugged the idea of using I-90's center reservation (originally built for a Chicago-style rapid transit) for a BRT. Again, he mentioned that I-90 doesn't have the traffic congestion, so I finally said -- "not for congestion relief, but for connectivity to intersecting routes like the Red Line, 50 (West 117th), 22 (Lorain -- very busy!) and others. It could also be a tool for economic redevelopment on the West Side. Obviously I didn't expect him to begin a major investment study on the spot. But I was pleased that he didn't have a negative response. Instead, he said that during his commutes in the last couple of weeks, he has been looking at that center reservation on I-90, after he was informed why it was there. Hopefully he will ponder its use for transit. KJP

Ivy League = Bush League? Actually, he underscores the reason why people should be judged individually, not as a group wearing an otherwise meaningless title. KJP

I think I would visit it only if they let artisans, musicians and an occasional food/ice cream vendor up there! Otherwise, fugheddaboutit! KJP

I say demolish Euclid Square Mall and redevelop that site (and surrounding vacancies) as a TOD, with the Waterfront Line AND Red Line extended out there, of course!! If they don't do something big out there, I fear Euclid will sink fast. KJP

I dunno. Give it a try. Make your path past the fire station. They have defibrillators there. KJP

I was pretty disappointed by the meetings (I attended both the 2:30 and 5:30 installments). At the other public meetings around the state, there was good media coverage beforehand, and so more than 100 people showed up at these, including in lil' ol' Youngstown (but perhaps 40-50 at each of the Cleveland events). Also, at the other meetings around the state, there were lots of elected officials or their representatives, but only three total attended the two Cleveland meetings (Lorain County Commissioner Betty Blair, the mayor of University Heights and someone else whom I've never heard of before). At the Columbus meeting, there were several dozen elected officials who were enthused by what they heard. Cleveland officials heard nothing because they weren't there. That cannot be blamed on the local media however, since most elected officials were mailed an invitation using NOACA's mailing list. Even wonder why Cleveland is in the shape it's in? Because local officials and the media here are asleep or might groggily say "this won't happen in my lifetime." Of course, they're right....because they're already "dead" or at least their passion is! KJP

I dunno. I think it's kinda goofy. I'd rather walk along the city streets, than on an elevated right of way. I think it would be pretty unforgiving weather-wise (especially from October to April) and I wouldn't feel safe taking a stroll up there. I refer to a bikeway built next to I-480 here in Cleveland, where it is line with a fence on both sides of the path. So, few people use it because they feel trapped, even though there's lots of people around. I don't know the history of the project. Was a light rail line (to make more frequent stops) considered for this alignment. The west edge of Manhattan doesn't have a subway until you get farther north, and you're west of Central Park, an even then, it's not until you get to 66th Street. I like how the old rail goes through buildings, which makes for a ready-made station. Think of the development opportunities. KJP

It's a little farther than 5 minutes. When I walk home from the rapid (which isn't often -- I take the Circulator) it takes 15 minutes. And that's downhill. Going uphill to the Rapid station, it's easily 20. So, I wouldn't associate this development with the Red Line at all. But it does have very good acess to/from the #326 on Detroit (24hour service, with 5-10 minute headways during the day), #75X on Clifton/W.117/Berea/Triskett/Lorain (20-hour service, with 15-30 minute headways during the day), and #804 Lakewood Circulator (18-hour service, with 15-minute headways during the day). So, Rockport has pretty good transit access, though rail is a hike (especially in lousy weather, which, fortunately we rarely get in Cleveland!). KJP

The perception is that BRT is a poor-man's light-rail line. And, Pope, your use of the word "cheaper" than light rail transit is correct in one way -- it's usually a cheap imitiation of rail. And, depending on how either is designed, the net fiscal impact of a BRT line may not be better than an LRT. Too often, transit agencies give too much weight to the capital and operating cost side, and not enough to the operating revenues and economic impact. Back to issue of the Lakefront Boulevard... Technically, the Shoreway ends at I-90's soon-to-be-eased "Dead Man's Curve." There, it will have a new interchange with the Lakefront Boulevard, which will continue east to the Gordon Park area (even underway the Lakefront Parkway option). All questions can be answered by looking at the city's maps or PowerPoint presentation at: http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/lakefront/cpc.html KJP

OHIO HUB WHISTLE STOP SEEKING RESIDENTS' INPUT May 5, 2005 By KEN PRENDERGAST Staff Writer With Ohio’s economy flat, energy prices rising, and airlines in descent, some say now is the time get long-discussed plans for fast passenger trains up to speed. A state agency agrees and is moving such plans forward. Called the “Ohio Hub,” the plan also is adding freight train projects to the mix to deal with worsening freight traffic congestion. In recent months, the Ohio Rail Development Commission has been seeking public input on its Ohio Hub plan, from all corners of the state. From 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, it’s Greater Clevelanders’ turn to offer comment. A public meeting will be held at the offices of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, 1299 Superior Ave., in downtown Cleveland. Past plans, though showing much promise, got derailed during the political process in Columbus. This time, state officials say they’re more interested in a modest, five-route system in which passenger trains stay below 110-mph and use existing railroad corridors. All but one of those routes would pass through Cleveland. Past plans sought an all-new network of “bullet trains,” requiring new taxes to pay for them. The Ohio Hub plan, built over a period of nine years, would cost about $3.32 billion, but wouldn’t require a tax increase, said ORDC Executive Director Jim Seney. He said the proposed Ohio Hub system would use state, local and private funds to leverage federal transportation dollars. “It is the second greatest ground transportation system planned for Ohio since the birth of the Interstate Highway System,” Seney said. President George W. Bush proposes to slash federal funding for Amtrak, the passenger railroad. But, a number of high-ranking Republicans in Congress said they want to increase federal assistance to $60 billion for freight and high-speed passenger rail projects. One of those is Cleveland-area Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-14, who chairs the U.S. House of Representatives’ Railroad Subcommittee. He said his bill, the Railroad Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century (RIDE 21), would provide federal funds for the Ohio Hub, among other projects. “It’s clear from the size and scope of the bill that we recognize the vital role railroads play in our national transportation system,” LaTourette said. The 860-mile Ohio Hub system of freight and passenger rail corridors would serve 22 million people in Ohio, five neighboring states and Ontario. Fast passenger trains would pause at 32 stations, including downtowns, airports and smaller cities. The Ohio Department of Transportation said freight railroads are already turning away customers because their rail lines are too crowded, and can’t afford to build enough tracks. At current trends, ODOT predicts that rail traffic in Ohio will increase 70 percent by 2020. Seney said the Ohio Hub would create more than 14,000 jobs and pump billions of dollars into Ohio’s economy. Additional tracks, signal systems, road overpasses and other facilities would be built along existing rights of way to increase each railroad’s carrying capacity. The Ohio Hub plan would target existing routes from Cleveland to Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati; Toledo and Detroit; Youngstown and Pittsburgh; plus Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto. Seney said the Ohio Hub would bridge the gap between regional rail systems centered on Chicago and the Northeast Corridor. Ohio Hub trains are projected to carry more than 4 million people and several hundred million tons of freight per year. Business, labor and environmental leaders said Ohio Hub trains would remove thousands of cars and tens of thousands of trucks from congested Ohio roads each day. That would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy, they said. “The choice between good jobs and the environment is a false one,” said David Caldwell of the United Steelworkers of America, and president of the Central Ohio AFL-CIO. “In a state where we’ve lost hundreds of thousands of jobs, we need to find real solutions to put Ohioans back to work, protect the environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The Ohio Hub would do all three.” In March, ORDC received a $500,000 pledge from the Ohio Department of Transportation to advance planning work for the Ohio Hub, to evaluate its economic and environmental impacts. Once that stage of planning is complete, the Ohio Hub would be eligible to begin receiving federal funding for engineering and construction, Seney said. END

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1115199157294381.xml New housing project builds on boom in Lakewood Wednesday, May 04, 2005 Thomas Ott Plain Dealer Reporter Lakewood- This older suburb's rebuilding boom has picked up more power with a plan to put townhouses on an abandoned used-car lot. North Coast Capital Partners announced this week that it will build 11 townhouses on top of three ground-floor cafes or shops at Detroit and Rosewood avenues. Work on the $3 million project will begin this summer. Rosewood Place is the latest in a series of projects that represent Lakewood's most significant construction in years. .......

FerrariEnzo, Blaxploitation is common in movies of the 1970s, which seemed to "celebrate" inner-city blacks in highly criminal, over-sexed roles, plots, scenarios, etc. Perhaps the most famous Blaxploitation movie is Shaft (great tune!). FYI: I had to copy and past the URLs for those pics into my Web browser to view the images. Lastly, when I interviewed Jim Haviland for my TOD story in Sun last winter, he said the masterplan will include a "transit-supportive" zoning classification, to be added to the city's cobwebbed zoning code. Euclid Avenue is proposed to be rezoned once the classification is adopted with few revisions (hopefully!). It would be good to get a copy of the TOD zoning classification, post it here, and make it available to your municipalities around Ohio. KJP

If/when this is built, there would still would be a 12-mile gap in the four-lane, limited access portion of US62 from Alliance to Salem. The remaining segment of 2-lane US62 will suffice, but it's still slow going, especially in Alliance, near Mount Union College. There's lots of sprawl-type development and resultant traffic on the south side of Alliance. Other than than, US62 is one barren roadway! KJP

Can't say I'm surprised by this turn of events.... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2492.msg26230#msg26230 I feared this would happen. If it wasn't for the short timeline, they could probably find the funds for stabilizing the hillside. Otherwise, CMHA will probably have to scale back the project. No matter what they build, I suspect they'll need some sort of slope stabilization work. Even several small, recently built townhouses in Rocky River, at Wooster and Detroit roads, had to be built on caissons to support their weight. The shale slopes around here just don't make hillside construction, be they of buildings, roads or whatever, very affordable. KJP

Low taxes don't necessarily create economic development and high taxes don't necessarily dissuade it. If that was the case, no business would want to locate in San Franscisco, Chicago, New York City, or other high-tax locales. Amenities, many of which are publicly provided through taxes, can be a big draw for employers seeking a greater quality of life, just as low taxes can be for other employers. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. KJP

I've often felt that our Chinatown was about ready to bloom. Let's hope so. KJP

Regarding West 117th Street, the first image below shows the low-density land uses within a few minutes walk of the high-density mode of transportation available at the Rapid station. The land uses include underutilized parking area, a self-serve storage facility, fast food restaurants and vacant land -- little or none of which is transit supportive. This image is a conceptual drawing by the Center for Urban Design of what a West 117th TOD could look like. While I like this design (I wish I had a bigger version of it, though), perhaps some of you can come up with another design that makes greater use of the Cadillac dealership's land. The dealership's owners reportedly want to relocate away from that area (just as Fairchild Chevy in Lakewood is moving to Westlake, making way for the high-density Rockport Square mixed-use development). KJP

Below is what Steve Litt wrote about it in 2003, but still makes no mention of a specific transit route. To me, however, it sounds like extending the Waterfront Line to the east using TODs and a TIF to finance the local share, as has been discussed by some Cleveland government types, including Chris Ronayne. KJP _________________ Waterfront agency plan looks forward 05/16/03 Forget for a moment that Cleveland has no con struction cranes on its skyline. This is the hottest season for city planning in recent memory - despite the economic slump, the persistent loss of manufacturing jobs statewide and a potential $12 million budget deficit at City Hall. In fact, given all the bad economic news, it's more important than ever to figure out how to turn the city around now, and in the long term.