January 17, 200916 yr I have found ways to walk to Whiskey Island from the flats but it involves tresspassing, traversing homeless encampments, running from stray dogs, scaling rusty fences, hiding from freight trains, and other unsavory flats-life suprises. That actually sounds awesome.
January 17, 200916 yr I have been hearing about this for at least three years, but am missing what is being done to move this along. It would be HUGE for the city to have lake access this close to downtown. As a resident, I hate going all the way out to Edgewater to get to Whiskey Island only to see my home a stones throw away once I am there. I have found ways to walk to Whiskey Island from the flats but it involves tresspassing, traversing homeless encampments, running from stray dogs, scaling rusty fences, hiding from freight trains, and other unsavory flats-life suprises. To be able to access this gem legitimately is a dream. I agree 100%. I also hate having to go all the way to edgewater to really get to the lake that I can see from my apartment windows.
January 17, 200916 yr Author I have found ways to walk to Whiskey Island from the flats but it involves tresspassing, traversing homeless encampments, running from stray dogs, scaling rusty fences, hiding from freight trains, and other unsavory flats-life suprises. That actually sounds awesome. well the 10 year tom boy in me thinks it is awesome too. :-) But the grown up women feels a little leery.
January 18, 200916 yr I have found ways to walk to Whiskey Island from the flats but it involves tresspassing, traversing homeless encampments, running from stray dogs, scaling rusty fences, hiding from freight trains, and other unsavory flats-life suprises. To be able to access this gem legitimately is a dream. Ha ha, welcome to our coastline everybody.
January 19, 200916 yr All right MTS... Please Forest City, please stand in the way of this project. Or at least continue to leave your riverside property looking like a neglected wasteland. Do nothing at all....continue to offer vague, indifferent, albeit slightly optimistic sounding commentary on the whole plan!!! Great to see this article in print. An idea that's long overdue, and to be honest I'm very frustrated that it would take so long to become a reality. Forest City, please take the lead on this project. Oh hell no.
January 19, 200916 yr All right MTS... Please Forest City, please stand in the way of this project. Or at least continue to leave your riverside property looking like a neglected wasteland. Do nothing at all....continue to offer vague, indifferent, albeit slightly optimistic sounding commentary on the whole plan!!! Which is exactly what they've given us until now. So why the hell would we want them doing this if they just don't seem to be all that committed to Cleveland right now?
January 22, 200916 yr You're answering your own question!! That's my point JPOP, they haven't been committed to Cleveland, or even their own properties. It benefits everyone if they could, at the very least, take the lead on cleaning up their own yard and the areas surrounding.
January 22, 200916 yr You're answering your own question!! That's my point JPOP, they haven't been committed to Cleveland, or even their own properties. It benefits everyone if they could, at the very least, take the lead on cleaning up their own yard and the areas surrounding. Yeah, I understand, and I share that feeling. However, based on their more recent record, I just wouldn't trust them to do that well.
January 22, 200916 yr You're answering your own question!! That's my point JPOP, they haven't been committed to Cleveland, or even their own properties. It benefits everyone if they could, at the very least, take the lead on cleaning up their own yard and the areas surrounding. Yeah, I understand, and I share that feeling. However, based on their more recent record, I just wouldn't trust them to do that well. We don't agree on much, but this I agree with. We should not have to ask them to invest in their HQ city. They should do this on their own. In addition, the FEB is another developers active project. If they wanted in, why didn't they get in from the get-go? FC can kiss my culo!
March 19, 200916 yr Future Flats: Green industrial play spaces Submitted by Marc Lefkowitz | Last edited March 13, 2009 - 10:01am http://www.gcbl.org/blog/marc-lefkowitz/future-flats-green-industrial-play-spaces (Click <a href="http://www.greencitybluelake.org/images/planning_projects/flats_map.htm">here </a>to see a virtual tour of the C&M rail trail). Converting old infrastructure—rusted freight rail lines and ill-used parking lots—into exciting recreational and green spaces is driving the latest re-invention of the Cleveland Flats. The city and a group of nonprofit organizations have been working on makeover plans that reflect new values—healthy living and a more nuanced approach to the icons of the past, which the Flats has in spades—making them part of a package of design elements for a city founded on the fires of industry. The Cuyahoga & Mahoning rail-to-trail project is a showpiece example of this new approach in the Flats. The C&M was awarded $1.3 million from the Clean Ohio Fund to acquire, uncover and build 1.3 miles of trail and parkway where an old rail line is buried. The trail begins south of the rail line where the West Bank wraps around Irishtown Bend – near Hooples and Columbus Road. Here, the trail serves a dual purpose: Connecting to (and extending) the Towpath Trail to the lakefront and stabilizing a crumbling section of Riverbed Street with a “bio-engineered” riverbank. <a href="http://www.greencitybluelake.org/images/planning_projects/irishtown.htm">A new, treelined bike trail will hug the river and thread below the white granite arch of the Detroit-Superior Bridge.</a> <a href="http://www.greencitybluelake.org/images/planning_projects/C&M_trail.htm">Just ahead of you is the gray stone arch of the Old Detroit Bridge.</a> Today you'll see a passage choked with dirt and scrub brush; the future holds something very different for the C&M rail line, which forms a back alley for Stonebridge. Building Cleveland by Design (BCbD) has developed plans to transform it into a bike trail and green space. Like the well-appointed Promenade Plantee enjoyed by Parisians, this cool urban space will live alongside condos and retail planned by K&D, the developers of Stonebridge and connect the West Bank to Whiskey Island. The County Engineer will likely do some of the heavy lifting—it owns an intersecting strip of land under the Main Avenue Bridge which BCbD has designs for a skate park, a boardwalk and wetlands that capture rain water spilling off the bridge. The C&M trail will connect the Towpath Trail at its southern end to the proposed Canal Basin Park and, with a little luck and the right negotiation, to a new bridge over the river to Wendy Park, the natural area of Whiskey Island (wouldn’t it be poetic if the industrial owner of the land on which the bridge is to be built donates it to the city in memory of Ed Hauser?) on the northern end. Ohio Canal Corridor displayed plans for Canal Basin Park at a public meeting on March 11. The vision is for a 21-acre park and trail system under the Detroit-Superior Bridge where the river bends to form a thumb of land. The park will mark the triumphant completion of the 100-mile Towpath Trail from Akron to Cleveland. The final leg into the Flats may be years off, but the plan is for the trail to ascend from the hardscrabble Scranton Peninsula over the Cuyahoga River on the blue-beamed Carter Road lift bridge, which will lead to a flat, riverbed landscape of native prairie grasses and paths tread by scullers, cyclists and the lunch crowd walking to the Flatiron. Imagine an urban green space nestled among the silos, abandoned train engines and steel girded jackknifed bridges frozen in place. The final segment of the Towpath Trail from Tremont into the Flats could tap into federal stimulus funds set up to make our transportation network more open and safe for biking and walking? Ohio will receive $56 million from the stimulus bill for transportation enhancements, says Cleveland City Planner Marty Cader, and, depending on how much Cleveland gets, that will determine how many bike/ped projects get funded from the city’s priority list, which includes: the Downtown Bike Station, Train Avenue Bikeway, Lake (Erie) to (Shaker) Lakes Trail, Kerruish Park Trail, Dike 14 Trail and the Towpath Trail. As a rule of thumb, it costs $100 per foot to engineer bike trails (there are 5,280 feet in a mile). Construction costs and the level of scrutiny (the environmental impact studies) attached to federal funds is much higher, thus, the $7.9 million price tag of the next section of the Towpath to be built from Harvard Road to Steelyard Commons.
March 20, 200916 yr "The County Engineer will likely do some of the heavy lifting—it owns an intersecting strip of land under the Main Avenue Bridge which BCbD has designs for a skate park, a boardwalk and wetlands that capture rain water spilling off the bridge." Skate park...boardwalk....wetlands.... People, we are in danger of being a vibrant, coastal city!! :clap:
March 20, 200916 yr The only thing about the above article is that it says the Clean Ohio money would go for acquisition and construction. It is only enough for acquisition. Finding the money to construct that thing is a much greater task.
November 10, 200915 yr Closest related thread I could find, I know people keep talking about bridges to join the west bank with the rest of downtown, but with the heavy river traffic and cost of manning/operating some sort of moveable bridge, wouldn't some sort of cable car system, i.e. NYC/Roosevelt island be more practicle?
November 10, 200915 yr Closest related thread I could find, I know people keep talking about bridges to join the west bank with the rest of downtown, but with the heavy river traffic and cost of manning/operating some sort of moveable bridge, wouldn't some sort of cable car system, i.e. NYC/Roosevelt island be more practicle? No, as I would guess: Who would own, operate, thats a huge investment with a little ROI or functionality The cost to maintain would be, extremely high The property lots you need to build that would be skyhigh Patronage, would be very low. No connection to the transportation network
November 10, 200915 yr Closest related thread I could find, I know people keep talking about bridges to join the west bank with the rest of downtown, but with the heavy river traffic and cost of manning/operating some sort of moveable bridge, wouldn't some sort of cable car system, i.e. NYC/Roosevelt island be more practicle? No, as I would guess: Who would own, operate, thats a huge investment with a little ROI or functionality The cost to maintain would be, extremely high The property lots you need to build that would be skyhigh Patronage, would be very low. No connection to the transportation network At the risk of contradicting you, I think that operating a gondola across the river might be less expensive, especially if you could suspend it from the Main Avenue Bridge or alongside the Norfolk Southern "iron curtain" bridge. Picture something akin to the Newport Transporter Bridge but instead of constructing new towers or transporting vehicles, you were just moving pedestrians and bicyclists and you remained at the level of the riverbanks. It could be tied to the Towpath Trail and future Lakefront Trails. The tender of the iron curtain bridge could also tend the pedestrian gondola.
November 10, 200915 yr Closest related thread I could find, I know people keep talking about bridges to join the west bank with the rest of downtown, but with the heavy river traffic and cost of manning/operating some sort of moveable bridge, wouldn't some sort of cable car system, i.e. NYC/Roosevelt island be more practicle? No, as I would guess: Who would own, operate, thats a huge investment with a little ROI or functionality The cost to maintain would be, extremely high The property lots you need to build that would be skyhigh Patronage, would be very low. No connection to the transportation network At the risk of contradicting you, I think that operating a gondola across the river might be less expensive, especially if you could suspend it from the Main Avenue Bridge or alongside the Norfolk Southern "iron curtain" bridge. Picture something akin to the Newport Transporter Bridge but instead of constructing new towers or transporting vehicles, you were just moving pedestrians and bicyclists and you remained at the level of the riverbanks. It could be tied to the Towpath Trail and future Lakefront Trails. The tender of the iron curtain bridge could also tend the pedestrian gondola. I think the water taxi should come back.
November 10, 200915 yr Figuring out a way to incorporate the lower level of the Detroit-Superior bridge may be an option far easier than a gondola
November 10, 200915 yr Figuring out a way to incorporate the lower level of the Detroit-Superior bridge may be an option far easier than a gondola Personally I'd rather see subway built there connecting TC to OC.
November 10, 200915 yr ^ why not do both? Have the subway portion as it is but figure out a way to incorporate a pedestrian walkway for transversing from the East and west sides. Edit: I actually would like a ped walkway more on the main ave bridge as I think this would connect each side closer to the entertainment centers. Ideally something below the bridge street grade, with a stairway/elevator connection from the wlakway to the East/West Banks street level
November 10, 200915 yr The gondola idea was proposed about 20 years ago, and it would have used the superstructure of the Main Avenue Bridge. I don't remember if it was doable, but I think it would depend on the reliability of the superstructure. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 10, 200915 yr The Detroit-Superior Bridge doesn't cross the river at the right point to connect make a new connection from the East to West Bank. It crosses near to the Center St. bridge, but even farther away from the action and planned new development.
November 10, 200915 yr The gondola idea was proposed about 20 years ago, and it would have used the superstructure of the Main Avenue Bridge. I don't remember if it was doable, but I think it would depend on the reliability of the superstructure. What Superstructure? Its a flat deck. Maybe using the sub structure?
November 10, 200915 yr It's usually a bad idea to think about any engineered structure from the perspective of the user. Pretty sure all the steel elements that we can see under the deck is still considered superstructure.
November 10, 200915 yr If the Flats East Bank project is a success, and progress keeps continuing in the West Bank, I would hope that some sort of bridge or gondola would be considered to connect the two regions. That only makes sense to me, but sometimes people don't do what makes sense in this area.
November 10, 200915 yr If the Flats East Bank project is a success, and progress keeps continuing in the West Bank, I would hope that some sort of bridge or gondola would be considered to connect the two regions. That only makes sense to me, but sometimes people don't do what makes sense in this area. Sense how? Financially?? Patronage? Return on investment? It's a working river which is part of the issue.
November 11, 200915 yr If the Flats East Bank project is a success, and progress keeps continuing in the West Bank, I would hope that some sort of bridge or gondola would be considered to connect the two regions. That only makes sense to me, but sometimes people don't do what makes sense in this area. Sense how? Financially?? Patronage? Return on investment? It's a working river which is part of the issue. I know which is why we shouldn't jump on top of this idea until the Flats East Bank and projects in the West Bank are proven to be successful.
November 11, 200915 yr What Superstructure? Its a flat deck. Maybe using the sub structure? Yes, substructure. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 13, 200915 yr The gondola idea was proposed about 20 years ago, and it would have used the superstructure of the Main Avenue Bridge. I don't remember if it was doable, but I think it would depend on the reliability of the superstructure. there is an artistic rendering of this gondola concept inside the county engineers office @ stonebridge. if you use the bathroom facilities, you will see it hanging.....framed
December 16, 200915 yr Interesting little article on the cleveland Rowing Foundation plans for their little section of the cuyahoga. This could have a HUGE impact. Cleveland Rowing Foundation plan for Rivergate Park on the Cuyahoga River deserves support By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer December 16, 2009, 11:30AM Good ideas can take forever to become a reality in Cleveland, especially when it comes to creating public access to Lake Erie or the Cuyahoga River. But that's not always the case. For a short time, the nonprofit Cleveland Rowing Foundation has a stunning opportunity to create roughly seven acres of publicly accessible recreation and parkland on the Cuyahoga River, whose banks are largely off-limits. If the organization can raise $3.2 million by Wednesday, March 31, it can exercise an option to buy the riverfront property from the now-defunct Commodore's Club Marina on Columbus Road Peninsula, which decided to close last spring. more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2009/12/cleveland_rowing_foundation_fo.html
December 16, 200915 yr This sounds like a great idea!! I really hope that it goes through... I am really getting excited about the proposed terminus park of the tow-path and the synergy a tow-path and a rowing house could create in the flats. Does anyone know where the proposed tow-path park is suppossed to be located?
December 16, 200915 yr I don't think they have finalized a location of the park or even the path through the Flats. The project is being managed by the County Engineer's office and, well, they are a little busy right now. But you can check out the website here: http://www.ohioanderiecanalway.com/ there is an interactive map you can browse to get an idea of what has been proposed.
December 16, 200915 yr The location of canal basin park is the area immediately south of the ohio & erie canal entry point... essentially the surface lot areas behind the flat iron cafe. but yes, there are still a lot of details to be worked out.
December 16, 200915 yr I've met with the Cleveland Rowing Foundation and they really do have a great idea. They definetly have a steep road ahead. They need sponsers and are activly seeking out other Social/Athletic Clubs that may be interested in the site. More Information about the park can be found at http://www.clevelandrows.org/rivergate_park.php.
December 16, 200915 yr ^ aah interesting. the commodore club marina -- i am surprised the ratners or someone else hasn't grabbed that up by now. good luck with rivergate park, that sounds like a great idea. an excellent spot for something like that too, especially as scranton and the flats get built up around there someday.
December 16, 200915 yr Some of the nonprofits in this town have the best development ideas. It is often said in business that you make your own luck. This is one of those opportunities. I hope one or more of the charitable Foundations see this the same way. The return on investment would be enormous. $3 million is really not that much money. A matching grant of $1.5 million is probably all it would take.
December 16, 200915 yr ^ from their website $400K. there is not a ton of buildings that are being erected. so that cuts down on a lot of the costs.
December 16, 200915 yr wow... that seems oddly low to me. I'd think it would cost more than that just to turn the asphault into "parkland" aside from the buildings.
December 17, 200915 yr Is this the section of the riverbank directly across from the hillside that is close to collapse?
December 17, 200915 yr Yes, it is. Which is just another reason that we need the funding to fix that problem. But that's a discussion for another thread
December 29, 200915 yr Good news! Land purchase moves trail plan a step closer to reality By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer December 28, 2009, 9:50PM The long-held civic dream of linking neighborhoods along Cleveland's Flats to the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie with hike-and-bike trails just took a big step forward. The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit land-conservation organization based in San Francisco, announced Monday it closed a $3.2 million deal to preserve 1.3 miles of abandoned rail bed on the west bank of the Flats for a future trail network. More at: http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2009/12/land_purchase_moves_trail_plan.html
December 30, 200915 yr This will be one hell of a trail and enhancement of the community. I like the physical fitness component such things encourage for a city too, aside from the positive environmental aspects. Such helps foster a healthier population which can lead to producing a quality and more productive workforce..and ultimately better widgets! :-D
December 31, 200915 yr Thanks FqntFlyr, this is great news. Can't wait to see some refined designs for the trail system down there!
January 27, 201015 yr I'm not sure if this is the correct thread for this article, please move it if it needs to be moved. Radioactive industrial site stands in way of completing Cleveland's Towpath Trail By Michael Scott January 26, 2010, 9:00AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Uranium-235 has a radioactive half-life of roughly 700 million years. Tim Donovan is afraid it might take that long to find a way to get the Towpath Trail built through Cleveland. More at Cleveland.com: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/01/radioactive_industrial_site_st.html
January 27, 201015 yr Actually some insightful commentary after the article. The delays on the Towpath completion are extremely frustrating. I wish to hell the city would have given Larry Flynt the Harshaw instead of the Crooked River building.
January 28, 201015 yr Author by the way the flynt building is looking lovely front and center on the tow path. the stucco will look nice with the floridian concrete acccents already up. lol
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