MidwestChamp

Some like grit and some like glitz. Right now we've got the grit and we're building the glitz more and more. You guys are right that suburbanites like to see new and shiny to feel like a city is on the move, so it will be good to have new riverfront and lakefront development that will give them that. Downtown should have something that appeals to everyone, and I feel we're getting there.

Maybe they just do better attracting their locals into the city to shop. Not sure. Cleveland has had a bad track record as far as retail goes in the past 25 years. Can't fault them for trying. Tower City essentially failed in time. The Galleria had a short run. All the department stores went out of business throughout the 80's and 90's. My point is, I don't think 25k downtown population number is an industry standard for all cities, but I do think it applies to Cleveland. Cleveland has always had a hard time attracting people downtown to shop. The entire game changer is a mixed use development on PS that could change everything. it would wipe out the 25k number being a necessity. I would bet thousands on the fact that relevant national retaliers would line up to move into it. It would provide them with the floor plats they need, and the visibility they want. Without question, complete game changer. DT Cleveland will never be complete without a project here moving forward. Tower City IS that mixed use development (shops, restaurants, hotels, office towers, now casino) and it hasn't failed. As someone mentioned earlier its not everyone's cup of tea, but it hasn't failed. City Center in Columbus failed and is a park now. TC overshot the market bringing in Gucci and the like 20 years ago, but today it serves the people who shop there, mostly bus and rapid riders. Since all bus and train routes come here it's easier for transit dependent people to get here than to any other mall in the area, so good or bad this is the market and we have the stores we have. In many ways I think of TC like the "shopping areas" attached to subway and train stations in NYC or Chicago or Philly...with a food court, local urban clothing stores etc. And I'm actually OK with this, this is a market that needs served. Downtown is the hub of everything, and should have shopping for everyone. I'm willing to accept TC, as a rail hub, will be a lower scale shopping center. That just means we can check that off the list of needs for the city Now with that said, as the downtown and surrounding areas increase in population and income, the demand for better shopping will continue to increase. As it does I think first local retailers will infill the smaller outdated storefronts along Euclid and Prospect. As the market improves and is proven national retailers will want in, and I think this will finally push forward development on the warehouse district lots, creating the type of mixed use area you're talking about. I think we have retail downtown, its just not complete and does not serve everyone. If things pan out like I hope they do, building on present momentum, then I think we'll have a downtown with retail for everyone within the next decade.

That shot of the wayfinding signage to me just screams the need for a comprehensive citywide wayfinding system. Beautiful set otherwise!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Ah Oakland...Pitt, CMU, Carlow, Chatham all in one place creating great density and a great college neighborhood. If only BW, John Carrol, and Ursuline were all in or around University Circle along with Case UC would really rock. Pitts neighborhoods always impress me. Great photo set!

...and here's an article with their impressions after their visit. Cleveland shines and surprises during travel editors' visit: Before and after impressions Travel Editors take Quirky tour of Cleveland Print Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer on May 06, 2014 at 9:12 AM, updated May 06, 2014 at 10:59 AM Eye-opening, world-class, overlooked no longer: Travel editors who converged on Cleveland this past weekend left enlightened and impressed (and probably 10 pounds heavier, quipped one). The journalists – members of the Society of American Travel Writers' Editors Council – were here for three days, crammed with sightseeing and professional development seminars. Among the highlights were top sights (the Cleveland Museum of Art) and little-known attractions (Lakewood's Museum of Divine Statues). They attended an Indians game (and saw a win), watched the new Playhouse Square chandelier get lit up and toured the Rock Hall. The only negative comments overheard referenced the weekend's chilly temperatures. Last week, in advance of their visit, we contacted several of the editors and asked about their impressions of the city. This week, we followed up once they'd returned home to see if their experiences matched their expectations. Here's what some people who travel for a living thought about Cleveland – before and after: http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/05/cleveland_shines_and_surprises.html#incart_m-rpt-2

I really think this is what they will do as Phase 2 at this point. The engineering cost alone building on the site behind TC was challenging prior to the state allowing for racinos, but now with all the added competition that was not expected when the casino vote took place, I'm sure they're re-evaluating everything based on the market realities. I'm also fine with a fully restored Higbee Building, even including some concert venue / lounge / club space on the upper floors offering some cool views out onto public square. I think new construction cost behind TC are just too much. If Gilbert's property were the only game in town as originally envisioned, then he'd do it. But with the market split I can't see him spending what, another $600M on the new property...that might sink the whole thing if he couldn't capture a majority of the market.

Seems like a good place to put this article. Travel writers in town for the weekend gave the PD their before and after impressions of the city. Cleveland shines and surprises during travel editors' visit: Before and after impressions Travel Editors take Quirky tour of Cleveland Print Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer on May 06, 2014 at 9:12 AM, updated May 06, 2014 at 10:59 AM Eye-opening, world-class, overlooked no longer: Travel editors who converged on Cleveland this past weekend left enlightened and impressed (and probably 10 pounds heavier, quipped one). The journalists – members of the Society of American Travel Writers' Editors Council – were here for three days, crammed with sightseeing and professional development seminars. Among the highlights were top sights (the Cleveland Museum of Art) and little-known attractions (Lakewood's Museum of Divine Statues). They attended an Indians game (and saw a win), watched the new Playhouse Square chandelier get lit up and toured the Rock Hall. The only negative comments overheard referenced the weekend's chilly temperatures. Last week, in advance of their visit, we contacted several of the editors and asked about their impressions of the city. This week, we followed up once they'd returned home to see if their experiences matched their expectations. Here's what some people who travel for a living thought about Cleveland – before and after: http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/05/cleveland_shines_and_surprises.html#incart_m-rpt-2

I'm not a fan of this decor either, but looking at the Westin's website this is the decor in all of the hotels due to open up.

I think there was an article in the PD that talked about these upgrades some time ago, so its just them moving forward. With that said I hope that beyond this there are serious discussions now about updating the concourses. United's de-hubbing offers the opportunity to really remake the terminal while traffic is down. My thought is to reconfigure D for mainline jets and connect directly with the terminal. Then consolidate all flights onto C and D and tear down and reconstruct A and B...wider concourses, more natural light, etc. Revamp C last. If we started a plan like this now maybe it could be done by 2025?

The cladding was not horrible, but it definitely was done in the all too familiar tones of brown, tan and grey that's everywhere in Cleveland. Blends perfectly with that corner, but that also makes the building disappear. The red brick will definitely "pop."

If you look closely at both the rendering and the pic MayDay posted it to me it looks like the facade of the hotel's garage is not complete. In the rendering it looks like the parking lot is not visible, except for the small west facing corner of the building...not nearly as visible as it is in MayDay's pic. My guess is another screening element will be put in place before all is said and done. Maybe it's being left more open for ventilation for now while workers are still in that confined space.

I didn't catch that they were lighting the support structure...sweet! Did you happen to see if it's a constant purple or does it change color?

^Hopefully those continued conversion and the success of FEB will encourage a 2nd look at this development in a few years. Looks like a great mixed use project. Is this also where the RTA proposed the westside transit center, or is that one block to the east.

^From the article: "After 5 years of ensuing discussion, the council voted in Jan. 1857 to vacate all intersecting streets at Public Square. On 24 Mar. the Square was entirely enclosed by a fence, erected at night in order to circumvent any court injunctions that might have been issued. The Square became a popular recreation area, as traffic was obliged to circle it. Opposition continued, especially from the local commercial interests on Superior east of the Square, who felt the fence hindered business activity. Aided by the city's having allowed the fence to fall into disrepair and a street railway company's wanting the right-of-way through the closed streets, in 1867 opponents of the enclosed Square presented city council a petition against the continued blockading of Superior. When a specially appointed committee failed to reach agreement, the council adopted its minority recommendation that the courts should adjudicate all legal issues. Municipal Court Judge Samuel B. Prentiss ruled that Superior Ave. had been dedicated as a continuous street and that the closing was unconstitutional. On 24 Aug. Superior was reopened. Ontario St. soon followed suit, thus ending Cleveland's "great central park." It our be great to see PS (or the malls for that matter) become popular recreation spots. Also it's interesting the city faced problems with maintenance almost 200 years ago, a grand tradition that continues today...

Htsguy you've got a good eye. I had the same question as cleB, but really looking at it that building is on the same block as the old Society building, but with just a glance it looks like it's where the Old Stone Church is. Good catch.

I posted this in the vintage photo thread but figured it would be good here too. Found this photo online at the CSU digital humanities website. Look at the density that existed in the warehouse district before all the demolition! Also from this angle you can see the Renaissance prior to the construction of the ballroom. If only these buildings still existed, what seamless connection would exists between the warehouse district and Public Square! I've seen pre parking lot pics before, but never from this angle.

Found this photo online at the CSU digital humanities website. Look at the density that existed in the warehouse district before all the demolition! Also from this angle you can see the Renaissance prior to the construction of the ballroom. If only these buildings still existed, what seamless connection would exists between the warehouse district and Public Square! I've seen pre parking lot pics before, but never from this angle.

This is easily the boldest and most exciting neighborhood branding campaign in Cleveland history, and may very well be the boldest neighborhood identity campaign nationwide right now. I'm very excited for Playhouse Square. I cannot wait to see the finished product, and I'm even more excited for the press the unveiling should generate nationwide, continuing PHS's already highly regarded theater district revitalization story.

Dang I fell for this too! Such a range of emotions towards MayDay :oops: :x :roll: :-D

^Awesome video! Those kids did a great job! Loved all the happy dancers, and all of the people in the background...great shots of street life in general! Doesn't hurt that this song always makes me smile :-)

I'm reserving judgement until the project is complete, but I'm not surprised by the look so far. To me this does not look all that different from the renderings. Here's a link to a pic of the rendering that was in the Plain Dealer back in 2011: http://media.cleveland.com/architecture/photo/tower1jpg-dc8cc7b5d0fd1121.jpg

I'm already booked that day :-(

^sad day though, I use to go to McBee's cleaners there with my granddad in the 80's and 90's.

There's no indication on the agenda but seeing that sewer district is requesting this demo I think this is related to the dugway project to address the region's combined sewer problem. I know they've been working in that area. This may be the first of several buildings to come down in this fashion as NEORSD prepares to spend billions on this project.