3 Dog Pat

we are a good looking bunch

Hey Pope, Did you ever booze at the Bier Stube? Used to bartend there, and you (or your tigers hat) look familiar.

Well, instead of a good picture, I have a cool one (at least I think so) I took it when I was working in the gulf of Mexico on a barge constructing an oil pipeline. The first pic is a self portrait of me being brought onboard by use of a basket. The second was my view of the gulf and guys clutching the ropes for dear life. And about that pipeline, since I helped engineer it,you can expect an enviromental disaster in about 10 years. :roll:

I think that this is the best time to live in Cleveland in 50 years. Ironic that this year we top out as the poorest city.

I just hope the state steps up to the plate with enviromental regulations. Refineries are dirty, smelly and ugly on good days. South Louisiana is packed with them and it stinks. They say this plant is going to process high sulfer oil. But, I know the state could use the economic boost. If they enforce the laws already on the books, it could be good for the area.

well, I am too lazy for a satelite photo, but I found this on the city's website. It is a nice map and has links to each 'hoods story http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/around_town/map/neighborhood/neighborhood.html

Is the blue glass similar to the North Point building on 9th and Lakeside? Just wondering

This kind of reminds me of an area in Houston called the Woodlands. (www.thewoodlands.com) When I lived in Houston, it was described to me as a privately owned suburb. It was started up about 20 years ago, and at the time it was very far away from the city of Houston. Because Houston is the world center of sprawl, it is just about bordering the city now. Another point, I wonder if Cleveland's cultural attractions will be highlighted in the sales pitch for the community. New people could mean new money for places like the art museum. That is of course if it ever gets built.

Don't forget the jacuzzi baptismal pool in the new Catholic Churches

On a rainy or gray day in Cleveland (there are at least 4 or 5 a year) that Ameritrust building will depress you by just looking at it. The pictures above is probably the best I have seen it.

What about the Ameritrust building on Euclid and 9th? Yuck. Not the Cleveland Trust temple, the addition they put on. I'm pretty sure it has been empty for over a decade. Was that part of I.M. Pei's erieview project?

Well, personally I am not a big fan of corporate restuarants, but I think I remember some talk of making the may company building an ESPN Zone. It would have enterances on Public Square and Prospect facing Gateway. I think that would be OK.

The library reminded me of the Cleveland Museum of Art in the sense that they slapped on additions without thinking about the way the interior space functioned. It looks like they may be trying to remedy that. I guess I like it, the Neil side wasn't anything special.

This is what I found on the county's planning website, http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us Towpath Trail Extension Alignment and Design Study Towpath Trail Extension Introduction Project Background and Significance The Towpath Trail has become a defining feature in the Cuyahoga Valley landscape. Constructed 175 years ago as part of the Ohio & Erie Canal, it was a simple dirt path on which to lead animals pulling canal boats. When the economically unprofitable canal finally ceased to be used after the 1913 flood, the towpath survived as a silent witness to an earlier era. The rediscovery of the towpath began with the establishment of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1974. One of the major projects completed by the National Park Service was the conversion of approximately 20 miles of the towpath into a shared use trail. The success of this segment of towpath has sparked a campaign to extend the Towpath Trail to over 100 miles as a continuous journey through the federally designated Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. In addition, the heritage corridor trail will serve as the northeast Ohio section of the planned Ohio to Erie Trail (Cincinnati to Columbus to Cleveland). Cleveland Metroparks has completed additional segments of the Towpath Trail in its Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, situated immediately north of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Approximately six miles of trail have been completed, and the northern terminus of the Towpath Trail is now at old Harvard Avenue. Alignment The preferred alignment for the segment of the Towpath Trail from old Harvard Avenue to Canal Basin Park is off-road, which is the same as the current sections of trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. The trail would be ten-feet wide and paved with asphalt. Wherever feasible, the goal is to have the trail as part of a swath up to fifty-feet wide that would provide an area for environmental improvements, landscape improvements, and, where needed, buffers and safety measures for adjacent property owners. The preferred alignment of the trail will co-exist with existing land uses. It does not result in the replacement of any existing businesses or housing. The estimated cost of the trail, including land acquisition, construction, trailheads, and interpretive exhibits, is estimated at $24.5 - $47.8 million. It is anticipated that the alignment of the Towpath Trail would also add value to other projects focusing on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and quality of life. In addition to the preferred alignment of the main trail, the plan recommends connectors to all the Cleveland neighborhoods on the east and west sides of the Cuyahoga River Valley, the communities of Newburgh Heights and Cuyahoga Heights, downtown Cleveland, and the Lakefront. Other Components of the Plan Environmental regeneration of the surrounding landscape such as the ecological restoration of hillsides, soil enhancements, improvements to drainage patterns, constructed and enhanced wetland pockets, and creation or restoration of riparian buffers and natural edges along the river channel. Visitor services and interpretive exhibits based on both the natural and cultural history of the valley. Public art to interpret the rich heritage and stories of the valley, creating a sense of place, and enhancing the physical improvements. Next Steps It is projected that the preferred alignment of the Towpath Trail will be built over the next three to six years. Prior to actual construction however, a number of essential tasks must be completed, including: Continuing partnership efforts to address essential trail issues such as land donation/acquisition and related public improvements. Developing a specific plan of federal, state, and local sources and funding to pay for preparation of final engineering work and construction. Preparing applications and partnering with elected officials to secure funds. Feedback Please feel free to email us with your comments and questions. Contact Richard Sicha, Principal Planner Cuyahoga County Planning Commission 323 Lakeside Avenue West, Suite 400 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Phone: 216.443.3700 Fax: 216.443.3737

This is an editorial from the Beacon Journal Posted on Mon, Oct. 25, 2004 Towpath to Lake Erie The Cleveland crowd proves the optimists were right If one quality could be used to describe the shepherds of the Ohio & Erie Canal towpath trail, it would be optimism. After all, these are the people who saw a transportation relic, often hard to find amid the underbrush and garbage, and envisioned a regional recreational asset. These same people refused to be daunted by the task of bringing a veritable cornucopia of volunteer groups, governmental units and other agencies together to make the towpath a reality. They simply went to work preaching the gospel of the towpath, clearing brush and raising money. In less than 10 years, the towpath is used by millions of people each year, exceeding even the most optimistic expectations. It truly is a fabulous asset.

Not to put C-bus down, but would an anti-sprawl message work in Columbus?

I think Cleveland Public Art has done a great job of selecting works that appeal to most people without picking safe or bland works. The pics above are a good example.

I guess that is my point/complaint. The area was a little run down, and it needed help. But instead of building on the strengths of the neighborhood, they used an unlimited budget and the power of eminent domain to build a mini Easton. But they had to make the area a ghost town for nearly ten years to do it. Just up the road, the Short North area is a good comparison. When I came to Columbus in '93 the Short North was a rough part of town. But with a very strong business association putting on annual events, like the doo-dah parade and comfest, etc. they really strived to create a neighborhood feel. They succeeded in making a vibrant, unique, urban district. That is what I had hoped Campus Partners would do for South Campus. I hope the Gateway center is a smashing success, I really do. I just think for the time and money, it could have been so much more. OK, my rant is over.

I think campus partners owns the Newport as well

Hey I have a question for the C-bus members, was the Gateway project worth the time and money. Back in '95 when Papa Joe's burned down was when they started to buy south campus properties, they pretty much told everyone they were going to take all of S.C. by purchasing or eminent domain. I went to a lot of Campus Partners planning meetings and I would always ask why not try to effect incremental change. That way it would not be the no mans land it has been for the last decade. (O.K, so I have my own opinion) So, let's hear some other opinions. Was it worth all that time and all that university money ($40Million?) Thanks Pat

Does anyone know what the approx. population of the downtown districts will be when all of the new housing goes in? I think the magic number for the "critical mass" is 10,000. Is this right, and how close will we be? Thanks