^I'd rather we focus our investment in other areas at this time.

 

I'd really like to see this eventually get built, but I agree that there are a lot of other areas that need our attention right now.  We need to work on the projects that are already underway and make certain they're done right.  Then we can come back to this later and do it right rather than sloppily put it together and underfund it. 

Tie the aquarium in with a focus on field research and ecological issues specific to the Great Lakes. I honestly think that a well done aquatic center can help help educate the public, and mend the ugly divorce between our city and our waterfront. Not to mention shed some light on the sustainability issues that we'll all be facing in the near future.

 

OSU already has their Stone Lab research and visitors center on Put in Bay. The Cleveland Aquarium can provide a focal point for a larger, more comprehensive version with all Ohio colleges participating via the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. 

 

Just an idea.

 

 

 

 

I agree. I think that, if this is ever built, that it does need to address the issues of the Great Lakes and educate the public on them specifically. Maybe not just focusing on Lake Erie, but focusing on all Great Lakes in general, educating the public on conservation issues, water pollution, environment, etc.

 

I don't want to see a cookie cutter aquarium, where Cleveland just tries to be like every other city with an aquarium.

This should really be a focus of the city and its limited resources..

 

 

 

NOT

As I understood it, the aquarium would be a privately funded thing... no?

I could be wrong, but that's how I read it. Private fundraising.

 

As I understood it, the aquarium would be a privately funded thing... no?

K Stay I think the city has to look at the big picture:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/04/lake_cleanup_could_mean_billio.html

they should have it tied in with the Great Lakes Science Center

  I so totally agree with that!  The Science Center is a good family attraction and an aquarium would also be good.  I just visited Monterey, CA and the aquarium there seemed to be pretty nice.  We didn't have time to tour the whole thing but one thing I did find interesting is the involvement of the aquarium in the local preservationist/sustainable fish/food programs.  Tie the aquarium in with the wind power generation idea and get all parties to work together to look at sustainable/environment issues around the lake and I think it can be a good thing for the area.

Just put a fish tank at the GLSC and call it a day.

K Stay I think the city has to look at the big picture:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/04/lake_cleanup_could_mean_billio.html

 

Guess you didn't notice the "not" at the end there..

I get it, I think...you don't think the city should be using its resources for an aquarium, right?

 

I respectfully disagree. That's why I posted the article, because I think the city should invest more into its connection with the lake.

Yes, I think the city, county and other agency resources should be used.

 

It shouldn't be a typical Aquarium, it should be a marine biology center as well.  This way it could possibly be self contained, yet managed by the metroparks system.

 

it could include

Basic

an IMAX screening room

Stream, River, Great Lakes, Ocean Marine biology exhibits and research

Conservation exhibits and research

 

I think building it on the lake or riverfront is key but not next to the GLSC or RRHOF as sooner or later those things will have to expand.

 

I think it should be built at the old coast guard station

 

Eh, I'd rather eat fish than look at them swim.

Agree with everything you've said!!

 

I would prefer lakefront over a river location. But in a way that compliments the existing attractions and allows for their expansion.

 

p.s. KJP save some fish for the rest of us.

 

Yes, I think the city, county and other agency resources should be used.

 

It shouldn't be a typical Aquarium, it should be a marine biology center as well.  This way it could possibly be self contained, yet managed by the metroparks system.

 

it could include

Basic

an IMAX screening room

Stream, River, Great Lakes, Ocean Marine biology exhibits and research

Conservation exhibits and research

 

I think building it on the lake or riverfront is key but not next to the GLSC or RRHOF as sooner or later those things will have to expand.

 

I think it should be built at the old coast guard station

 

It'd be sweet if they had a set-up like Chicago, where the dolphin tank water line is in line with Lake Michigan, so all you see is water straight out the windows (from most views).

You just know the dolphins have their eye on that lake!!!

If the lake was salt water, maybe. ;)

I do know that Akron was in talks about having an aquarium built .. The region wont be able to handle 2 within close proximity... so I guess it goes to whichever city can get the deal done first.!.

I do know that Akron was in talks about having an aquarium built .. The region wont be able to handle 2 within close proximity... so I guess it goes to whichever city can get the deal done first.!.

We have multiple zoos. multiple theatre districts and so on.

Akron wants an aquarium? Why, so they can brag about having minnows in their creeks?

^It's not like Lake Erie's aquatic life is that much more exciting...

 

As others have pointed out, the "obvious" notion of putting an aquarium on the Cleve lakefront is just silliness.  If we need one, put it at the zoo.  Or right in the CBD...would be kind of cool to have fish in the storefronts.

^It's not like Lake Erie's aquatic life is that much more exciting...

 

As others have pointed out, the "obvious" notion of putting an aquarium on the Cleve lakefront is just silliness.  If we need one, put it at the zoo.  Or right in the CBD...would be kind of cool to have fish in the storefronts.

 

Where would you put an aquarium in the CBD??  I needs loading docks and other miscellaneous equipment for the large tanks.  for the space it will need, it needs to beon the lake or riverfront unless its going to built at the zoo.

^Yes, the lake and riverfronts are the only areas left in Cleveland with large blocks of undeveloped space- we probably should have built SYC there.  And big office buildings don't have loading docks or tons of mechanical equipment. 

 

Ahhh, I'm just kidding- I don't care if an aquarium ends up in the CBD- I just liked the idea of big fishy storefront displays.  I don't like the idea of new parking garages and lines of school buses in the CBD though.

^Yes, the lake and riverfronts are the only areas left in Cleveland with large blocks of undeveloped space- we probably should have built SYC there.  And big office buildings don't have loading docks or tons of mechanical equipment. 

 

Ahhh, I'm just kidding- I don't care if an aquarium ends up in the CBD- I just liked the idea of big fishy storefront displays.  I don't like the idea of new parking garages and lines of school buses in the CBD though.

 

HUH, now you're drinking the extra strenth Kool-Aid, AKA Sisco?!

 

SYC is fine where it's at!  I would have been fit to be tied if it ended up on the Lake front!

Back to the aquarium....

HUH, now you're drinking the extra strenth Kool-Aid, AKA Sisco?!

 

 

Was being sarcastic...  there is lots of empty space all over the city-even the CBD- that could fit an aquarium just fine.  I actually really love aquariums but I don't really care so much if one is built or not.  What I do care about is not seeing an ugly windowless box built on a lakefront as a result of the "Aquariums must be near water" silliness.  A site by the zoo makes a lot more sense to me.

HUH, now you're drinking the extra strenth Kool-Aid, AKA Sisco?!

 

 

Was being sarcastic...  there is lots of empty space all over the city-even the CBD- that could fit an aquarium just fine.  I actually really love aquariums but I don't really care so much if one is built or not.  What I do care about is not seeing an ugly windowless box built on a lakefront as a result of the "Aquariums must be near water" silliness.  A site by the zoo makes a lot more sense to me.

 

I know...I know

 

I think it should be built, but near, not exactly next to the GLSC.  I would prefer if it were built next to the RTA station at East Ninth or in the Muni Lot.

HUH, now you're drinking the extra strenth Kool-Aid, AKA Sisco?!

 

 

Was being sarcastic...  there is lots of empty space all over the city-even the CBD- that could fit an aquarium just fine.  I actually really love aquariums but I don't really care so much if one is built or not.  What I do care about is not seeing an ugly windowless box built on a lakefront as a result of the "Aquariums must be near water" silliness.  A site by the zoo makes a lot more sense to me.

 

I know...I know

 

I think it should be built, but near, not exactly next to the GLSC.  I would prefer if it were built next to the RTA station at East Ninth or in the Muni Lot.

 

Whoa whoa.. IN the Muni lot?! NOBODY, I mean NOBODY messes with my Browns tailgating.

Whoa whoa.. IN the Muni lot?! NOBODY, I mean NOBODY messes with my Browns tailgating.

Build a bridge and get over it already! :-P  :-P

It would be the perfect use for the increasingly worthless Burke airport IMO.

It would be the perfect use for the increasingly worthless Burke airport IMO.

 

I was under the impression that Burke's business is increasing.

Burke's not going anywhere... unfortunately.

 

and it doesn't help that the land underneath it is a landfill and would cost a quinagillion (yup made that up) dollars to make it even environmentally feasable to do anything with.

Burke's not going anywhere... unfortunately.

 

and it doesn't help that the land underneath it is a landfill and would cost a quinagillion (yup made that up) dollars to make it even environmentally feasable to do anything with.

 

sooooo many people forget that. 

 

In addition, what do you folks propose to do with the airtraffic at Burke? As a FREQUENT air traveler I don't want to see that happen as Hopkins can expand and without any additional delays.  If the flights from Burke move to hopkins we instantly become BOS, PHL, LGA, ORD or DCA with the increased airtraffic.

 

I don't understand why people think that Burke is "worthless".

I have seen an Air Canada Jet there before....

I have seen an Air Canada Jet there before....

Probably a Toronto Blue Jays charter plane.

Haven't heard any news on the new Aquarium. Any updates?

Personally, putting the Aquarium near the GLSC is a great idea. What about the Coast Guard Station site across E 9th? Originally I remember that the Coast Guard Station was moving and that the Crawford Auto museum was supposed to go there but that fell through.

^Well if the Convention Center ends up at Tower City, there's going to be plenty of empty space under the mall. I would really prefer a better use for that space, but we could do worse than using it as an aquarium.

 

And hey, no worries about the water table leaking in then! JK

Good point  :wink:

True Grumpy. Actually, putting an aquarium at the current convention center site is an awesome idea! It has plenty of room for a world-class sized aquarium.

We could probably house a blue whale there!

 

We could probably house a blue whale there!

 

Or at the very least, a white elephant. (wakka wakka)

That honestly is a great idea...someone get a hold of that group spearheading the aquarium and bring that up.  Its the kind of ideas like these that need to get out there.  That would probably less expensive than building an aquarium from scratch

The lake has got to be incorporated into any aquarium project in Cleveland.  My vote would be for the land the Naval center now occupies.

 

Kudos for creativity, but I would be opposed to the idea.

The lake has got to be incorporated into any aquarium project in Cleveland.  My vote would be for the land the Naval center now occupies.

 

Kudos for creativity, but I would be opposed to the idea.

 

I completely agree!

Being a current paying member of Shedd Aquarium here in Chicago, I think an appropriately scaled facility could be a solid draw for Cleveland.  I favor a water-centric location close to the CBD...much like that of Shedd. 

 

BTW...the Cleveland folks have updated their web site a bit...check it out at

 

www.clevelandaquarium.org

^Yeah, I was kidding about the CC site. It would be really foolish in my opinion not to have open water visable from this thing if it ever gets built.

The website looks great!  Props to whomever is trying to keep this idea alive.  It really would be a great addition to the North Coast Harbor area.  Visitors could walk between the RRHOF, GLSC and the Aquarium.

Grumpy, I'm disappointed you were kidding, because this has actually been a thought of mine for a long time. 

 

My thought (and I'm no designer or developer) has been to reconstruct the inside for smaller items= rooms to show movies about sea life, classrooms for learning, conference rooms, etc.  Then, build off the front (or the back)= the side facing the water.  Spill (pun intended) the aquarium over the hill and towards the tracks and route 2.  Have at least a window or 2 so those that are at Rock HOF, Great Lakes and on Route 2 can actually see some of the sea life.

 

Being a Boston College fan, I went to last Saturday's game.  Many Bostonians that came in for the game (I know, less than 11,000 fans, but estimates of 2,000 BC fans from out of town) said Cleveland was nice but not enough big ticket items downtown.  Tribe game and Rock Hall were big.  Sure, theater district is nice, but for the average person coming in they probably won't check out a show (coming for a sports event).  An aquarium would be a huge draw, and this would be a great site!!!!

Tribe game and Rock Hall were big.  Sure, theater district is nice, but for the average person coming in they probably won't check out a show (coming for a sports event).

 

Science center?

Air show & Taste of Cleveland?

Grumpy, I'm disappointed you were kidding, because this has actually been a thought of mine for a long time. 

 

My thought (and I'm no designer or developer) has been to reconstruct the inside for smaller items= rooms to show movies about sea life, classrooms for learning, conference rooms, etc.  Then, build off the front (or the back)= the side facing the water.  Spill (pun intended) the aquarium over the hill and towards the tracks and route 2.  Have at least a window or 2 so those that are at Rock HOF, Great Lakes and on Route 2 can actually see some of the sea life.

 

Yes, I was kidding about that site as I'm still hoping deep down that the elected leadership won't let the CC get put over at Tower City. That being said, we could come up with a much worse place for the aquarium than this, and it's certainly one of the better locations available downtown.

 

I personnally would prefer to see the aquarium end up back at Gordon Park and the Waterfront Line extended out to it. The old aquarium's buildings are still there, so some of them might be able to be rehabbed and save some money.

 

Being a Boston College fan, I went to last Saturday's game.  Many Bostonians that came in for the game (I know, less than 11,000 fans, but estimates of 2,000 BC fans from out of town) said Cleveland was nice but not enough big ticket items downtown.  Tribe game and Rock Hall were big.  Sure, theater district is nice, but for the average person coming in they probably won't check out a show (coming for a sports event).  An aquarium would be a huge draw, and this would be a great site!!!!

 

To echo above, if you were bored in downtown over labor day weekend than I'm not sure a few fish swimming under the mall would really help much.