Just a random curiosity -- who here thinks (and how many if so) the members of our city council, the mayor, planning commission and other staffers of these persons have read Jane Jacobs (in particular the urban planning bible, "Death and Life of Great American Cities")?

 

I know we UOians share a mindset on issues of dense livable communities in our downtowns, but it seems like the reading list for any Urban Studies 101 class in this country would include books that basically say "put pedestrians first" and "preserve old buildings" yet not only do we not get that direction in our cities, but in many cases we get the opposite.

 

In fact, to me it seems as though the seldom occurrence when we hear our leaders discuss "walkability" or "preservation to anchor future development" are part of some new initiative --- as though the idea was just recently conceived by top urbanists.

 

Well, when I met Bob Brown at a City Club event (which is fantastic by the way, the speakers are very interesting, and its a great way to network) we discussed how he got into urban planning. He told me that what first sent him down the path was "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", something we have in common (myself still being an undergraduate but nevertheless)

 

 

Just a random curiosity -- who here thinks (and how many if so) the members of our city council, the mayor, planning commission and other staffers of these persons have read Jane Jacobs (in particular the urban planning bible, "Death and Life of Great American Cities")?

 

I know we UOians share a mindset on issues of dense livable communities in our downtowns, but it seems like the reading list for any Urban Studies 101 class in this country would include books that basically say "put pedestrians first" and "preserve old buildings" yet not only do we not get that direction in our cities, but in many cases we get the opposite.

 

In fact, to me it seems as though the seldom occurrence when we hear our leaders discuss "walkability" or "preservation to anchor future development" are part of some new initiative --- as though the idea was just recently conceived by top urbanists.

 

Well, when I met Bob Brown at a City Club event (which is fantastic by the way, the speakers are very interesting, and its a great way to network) we discussed how he got into urban planning. He told me that what first sent him down the path was "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", something we have in common (myself still being an undergraduate but nevertheless)

 

 

Interesting that Bob forgot what the book was about...

 

The process to designate the Detroit Theatre as a Landmark should have begun as soon as there was a wisper of this months ago.  Maybe somebody/the group should contact the Cleveland Restoration Society for guidance here. 

How much are they asking for the building? 

The process to designate the Detroit Theatre as a Landmark should have begun as soon as there was a wisper of this months ago.  Maybe somebody/the group should contact the Cleveland Restoration Society for guidance here. 

How much are they asking for the building? 

 

$695K is supposedly the asking price for the building. 

With the closing of St. James and the possible demo of the Detroit Theater, this section of Detroit seems to be under assault.

Dont forget that they will be tearing down the church at Detroit and Arthur for a "Relocated" CVS from a block away..

Here's the demo I would love to see in Lakewood:  The retail strip center between the Christian Science "Temple" and the Masonic "Temple" across Detroit Ave. from the Lakewood Library.  There is a park that steps down in elevation behind the strip center.  What a grand public space with those three buildings flanking a park. 

Here's the demo I would love to see in Lakewood:  The retail strip center between the Christian Science "Temple" and the Masonic "Temple" across Detroit Ave. from the Lakewood Library.  There is a park that steps down in elevation behind the strip center.  What a grand public space with those three buildings flanking a park. 

 

You're exactly right Jeff. So much potential there.

 

I'm really disappointed with what's going on in Lakewood. I hope this trend of tearing down older buildings for cvs/fast food reverses itself in a hurry.

They're really starting to get the Cold Storage Building down:

 

What I will always remember about that building was that giant sign/billboard which hung on the northeastern side, which had the picture of the young jewish boy hiding from the nazis.  IIRC, it was done by a jewish guy who wanted to persuade jews to move to Israel and was using fear tactics some would say.  Very controversial.

Was that the same billboard that said "We're not anti-Semetic, we're anti-Zionist"?  I remember that saying being up there when I was young.

There was another side that said something like "Israel - make Aliyah now" with stars of david and a subtext saying "This is a Zionist message, not an anti-semitic message"

 

I always thought it was a strange message for westsiders to see on their daily commute. Like someone didn't do any demographic research?

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

It looks like our UO newbie CLEJoe hosts a web based news comentaryathon thing.

 

His latest covers the Columbia building situation

 

Check out his website http://mildlyrelevantthoughts.com/

There was another side that said something like "Israel - make Aliyah now" with stars of david and a subtext saying "This is a Zionist message, not an anti-semitic message"

 

Maybe that's what I was thinking of.

The billboard I remember was facing east, so the WB traffic out of downtown and to the airport would drive by it.  It was basically a picture of a wall with a doorway opening.  The jewish boy had his back up against the wall and he was obviously hiding from and scared of what was around the corner..... which was a Nazi, armed with a machine gun, on the other side of the doorway.  I fogot what exactly it said, but I seem to remember the message being what I posted above.  I spent about 10 minutes on google and couldn't find an image.  Anyone?

http://clevelandsgs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/533343246_f0d4904026_z.jpg

That was the original image:

http://clevelandsgs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/533343246_f0d4904026_z.jpg

 

Maybe the wall facing eastbound traffic into downtown had the "Aliyah" message?  I definitely remember that wording...

Yeah, that's it.... not exactly how I remembered it, but it has been a long time.

There was more to the original image.  I think they had already painted over the wording in that picture.

Just a random curiosity -- who here thinks (and how many if so) the members of our city council, the mayor, planning commission and other staffers of these persons have read Jane Jacobs (in particular the urban planning bible, "Death and Life of Great American Cities")?

 

I know we UOians share a mindset on issues of dense livable communities in our downtowns, but it seems like the reading list for any Urban Studies 101 class in this country would include books that basically say "put pedestrians first" and "preserve old buildings" yet not only do we not get that direction in our cities, but in many cases we get the opposite.

 

In fact, to me it seems as though the seldom occurrence when we hear our leaders discuss "walkability" or "preservation to anchor future development" are part of some new initiative --- as though the idea was just recently conceived by top urbanists.

 

Well, when I met Bob Brown at a City Club event (which is fantastic by the way, the speakers are very interesting, and its a great way to network) we discussed how he got into urban planning. He told me that what first sent him down the path was "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", something we have in common (myself still being an undergraduate but nevertheless)

 

 

Interesting that Bob forgot what the book was about...

 

 

I am sure most all people who get involved in these things have read that book. The problem is that everyone starts as an idealist and over the course of years get beaten down and become more pragmatic, and end up in this blury area where they start convincing themselves its OK to do something they don't agree with, even support it, because it has other "benefits". Everything becomes "complicated" as they say... because there is money involved. Which leads to loads of horrendous short sighted decisions. At the end of the day... it's always about the money. Always.

 

Every single person involved in that fiasco knew it wasn't a "smart planning decision" long term, but the City gets the "temporary" casino open the fastest and the $$$ start rolling in, and in return the casino gets their crappy parking where they want it... so they rationalize it to themselves, because they are utterly desperate for revenue. Maybe even to the point they believe it... that way one sleeps better at night. Always about the money. Always. Those of us that continue to be idealists get beat up a lot, but we pick ourselves up and move to the next fight.

Cleveland Cold Storage:

 

Looked at the Lower Prospect facebook page and they are continuing to get signatures. They said they got an additional 120 at the Pride Festival and 111 at Critical Mass. The online was is also up to almost 200. I wondering how many they have total now. Pushing 1000?

What does the petition ask for?

^^^That is SO COOL! Beauty in ugliness.

KJP

Target: Civic leaders and Columbia Building owners

Sponsored by: Save Lower Prospect Avenue

We the undersigned are opposed to the demolition of the landmark Columbia Building at 112 Prospect Ave in Cleveland.  We know that a solution can be found to parking problems that does not require tearing down our city's architectural heritage.  Downtown Cleveland belongs to us all. We ask that we be included as stakeholders in the future of this area.  We ask that the owners of the property and our civic leaders reverse their decision to allow the demolition of lower Prospect Avenue and the Columbia Building.

 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/downtown-is-our-town/

Thanks. Not much teeth to it since it doesn't really force an issue.

Its really more about making a statement (or continue to in this case). 

Looks like they got over 1000 signatures and delivered them to city hall on July 1st. Dont know what happened since then.

I received a letter of explanation regarding The City's view on the justification for demolition for The Columbia Bldg. from Robert Brown of The Landmark Commission. Thought it should be shared.

So, we lose the Columbia building, the pedestrian bridge stays as proposed, and the Stanley Building (which the city had nothing to do with retaining...we only still have it because of ownership disputes) is ensconsed in what has previously been so eloquently described as a 'hot wheels set'.

 

BUT...we get a form letter explaining their perspective. I give that the gas face (google it youngsters).

Do you think he has convinced himself he did a good job on this, or is he just trying to deflect the blame from the board members he forced to knuckle under to vote for this?

 

 

@Pat  I'm not sure which would be worse and, sadly, it doesn't even matter.  What a crappy conclusion.

I wrote back to Mr. Brown  stating that I still disagree with many of his points he tries to make validating the existence for a landmarks commission.  If buildings are meant to be protected with regards to landmark status there is no reason any building should be as such since we now have 1 building being destroyed, 1 building completely surrounded by parking structures, and one being marred by a raised walkway.  I suggest anyone with an opinion disputing his views let him know why you disagree.

by the way, the bumsquare google link from june 20 is really funkin up the width of the thread.

SLPA (Save Lower Prospect Ave) issued a press release today:

 

On July 1, 2011, members of Save Lower Prospect Avenue (SLPA) delivered copies of over 1,100 signatures on “Downtown is Our Town” petitions to elected officials.

 

...On Friday, July 8, 2011 from 4:00pm until midnight, SLPA will host an “Art Attack” on the public sidewalks in front of the Columbia Building. Local artists will craft images in sidewalk chalk that will highlight the beauty of the building. Other participants will transcribe the names of each and every Northeast Ohioan who signed the “Downtown is Our Town” petition: a visual representation of where Greater Cleveland stands on this issue.

 

Local musicians and Dim and Den Sum will be present to inspire us to keep our efforts strong!

 

COME ON DOWN AND DRAW, PLAY, OR JUST SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Nice work by SLPA.  Even some press coverage: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/07/save_lower_prospect_avenue_gro.html

 

I urge people not to waste the 3 calories you'll waste reading the comments, however.

So over in the MM/CC thread the link to the article on the WKYC website about the project also mentions the "demolition at the Ford Plant's Casting Operation". I've done numerous searches and can't seem to identify which buildings that this involves. Does anyone know if this involves any structures that can be seen from Rt. 237 or is this all internal stuff?

 

A couple of days ago I saw a truck from Independence Excavating in front of the now shuttered Cleveland Casting Plant. After a little research I discovered that the plant is being readied for demolition. This thing is huge and ugly and rusted and an eyesore. It is one of the first things a visitor flying in to CLE sees out of their window upon landing. Welome to Cleveland! The view from 237 and the airport will drastically improve after this thing is demo'd. The city of Brookpark has asked Ford to consider one day returning the land to nature.

 

FORD BEGINS PLANS TO DEMOLISH SHUTTERED CLEVELAND CASTING PLANT

By STAN BULLARD / 4:30 am, June 27, 2011 / Crain's Cleveland Business

 

 

That’s the word from Marty Surella, Brook Park building commissioner. He said he met Tuesday, June 21, with two contractors retained by the automaker to do the deed, construction manager Rudolph/Libbe Inc. of Walbridge, Ohio, and Independence Excavating Co. of Independence.

The companies plan to start razing the building at 5600 Henry Ford Boulevard in July. Only routine steps are required; the contractors need to register with the city and apply for a demolition permit

 

...Just google the title I can't find a link that works (Ford begins plans to demolish shuttered Cleveland Casting Plant)

 

 

 

 

Although soils there are now devoid of nutrients as the top soils are gone....  I am sure a good consult with a prairie restoration group like www.prairienursery.com could help restore the site eventually, to a gorgeous scene when planes come in. It will take a while to restore...and deal with soil contamination issues. This group can select the plants best suited for such a situation. Look at their website and see some of the work they have done. Also, www.ohioprairienursery.com

 

Yes, this does look like crap and is a testament for environmental abuse and disregard. I never saw beauty in these kinds of photos, although I acknowledge it as a part of history and for what it is. These pollutions have merely been replaced with less visually dramatic ones, brought to us surprisingly by individual households, which on average contain more noxious chemicals and chemicals in general, than Thomas Edison had in his 1850's labs...and they will likely end up in the environment.

Cleveland Cold Storage demolition:

 

OK, now I just want to reach out and shake that building so the rest of it comes down!

 

Did they used to pull the steel reinforcing rods out of the concrete like that in the past? I don't seem to remember them doing that. I thought they used to just dump all that stuff into construction debris landfills. I suspect the high price of steel and other metals is probably why they don't do that anymore, and they probably recycle it now.

They are tearing this thing up today! It's must see T.V.  From the webcam>>>>> http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/Innerbelt/InnerbeltBridge/NewsInformation/Pages/WebCamsPhotos.aspx

It appears that the Columbia building will be coming down soon.  There is fencing up around the entire site where they will be constructing the parking garage.

Including the Stanley Block?

Including the Stanley Block?

 

No, that is not included.  Fencing goes up to the Stanley Block, although with the lift still sitting there it might as well be included.

Maybe they'll 'accidentally' knock it down, and give it a dignified death. I'd rather that than it become the one stop emporium for 'realistic' gambling chips, giant stuffed horseshoes and Player's Club cards.

^ Relating to the replacement of the Columbia building demolition:

 

http://www.gcbl.org/blog/kevin-cronin/city-discards-bicycing-and-pedestrian-plans-lower-prospect-casino-parking

 

Less pedestrian-friendly lower Prsopect....just what Cleveland needs.  and of course, just in time for the new Bike station to be complete one block away....great progress here 

I sent a copy of the article to Mr. Robert Brown as to an explanation of why this plan was thrown by the wayside.  I will let you know if I get a response.

Cleveland Cold Storage:

 

 

Almost gone. I hardly ever go that way, so the next time I go by there it will be strange to see it completely gone.

Didn't have the camera with me, but the southern facade of the Columbia Building had gouges across the top floor.

^Klassy ending for a landmarked building