This morning Positively Cleveland hosted the Destination Cleveland Launch Program which was a presentation of results from a 2011 summit discussing how Cleveland is perceived by visitors and what we can do to not only attract visitors but change the way Cleveland looks and feels to them.  There were several guest speakers and while most of the information I already knew (we really are so ahead here on UO  :clap:) there were some interesting new tidbits.  I didn't know where to post this and didn't want to break it up thread by thread so here are the basics of what I heard that was new:

 

The main issues covered were 1. Connectivity & Way-finding 2. First Impressions & Hospitality 3. Attraction Bundling & Packaging 4. Locals as Ambassadors to Visitors 5. Public Transit for Visitors 6. Signature Events

 

Joseph Marinucci (Downtown Cle Alliance) spoke on wayfinding and how this new system was prompted by the casino.  The last major wayfinding system put into place was during the Gateway era in the 90's.  He said that out of that large number of purple signs, only 11 are still around and mostly that is due to the fact that there was NO maintenance plan put in place.  The new system of signs (which are blue and red and I believe have been posted in the Casino thread) will consist of 44 signs throughout downtown.  There is a funded maintenance plan in effect and if I understood right all of the signs will be in place by May 14th.

 

Tony Coyne (Group Plan) then spoke about the Malls and Public Square.  Basically they don't have a lot of final plans yet but are working with the CC and Med Mart ppl to make sure they have the option to build later and add on.  They don't want to be shut out of Mall improvements because of the current construction schedule.  Mall C is scheduled to be resurfaced by the end of the month, I believe, and planted on by the end of the year.  The edge of Mall B facing Lakeside as we know, will be 27' above grade and from Lakeside to St. Clair the mall was raised 8'.  Mall A is maintained by Key Center and the Jacobs Group so there isn't much they can do there but they have been working with Key to add more greenery and some small changes.  He did mention a planned water feature on Mall C directly across form the CC entrance. 

 

He then moved on to Public Square.  Out of its' 10 acres, 6 are either asphalt or pavement.  The traffic study for the area is supposed to be released very soon and the more aggressive work can begin but of course there are no final plans as of yet.

 

Terry Stewart (Pres of RRHOF) spoke about the planned Walk of Fame.  He spoke briefly about the Inductions; they sold out in 4 minutes and he also mentioned that people often ask why the Inductions can't be in Cleveland every year.  He said it would be almost impossible both for the budget and the staff.  They need the full 2 years in between to plan and fundraise.  The Walk of Fame is to be revealed in sections, since they have to cover the last 26 years of inductees.  From this April through May 2014, they will unveil a new group and the plaques will be from E. 17th all the way to the East Bank of the Flats.  I don't remember how often BUT on April 4th 2012, the first batch which I believe is this years inductees will be unveiled outside of Public Hall.  They are NOT the design shown in the Plain Dealer.  They have been redesigned but he couldn't show them yet. 

 

Steve Bitto from RTA was the last speaker and I learned the most new info from his part.  He was very positive of the RTA and said it should be the preferred mode of travel for all visitors and they are working to make that a reality.  Most of the funding is ready for work to begin on the new Mayfield station next to Little Italy.  Also, all rail cars were recently mechanically refurbished and now they are in the process of rehabbing the interior of EVERY car.  New seats, new floors, etc.  Currently, the downtown Trolleys run M-F 7am-7pm but the new C line (Casino/Convention Line I believe) will be IN ADDITION to current hours, M-F 7pm-11pm, as well as Sat-Sun 11am-11pm every 10 minutes.  The L-line trolley is also being prepared to run 10am to 6pm Sat and Sun (I don't remember weekday hours but I might have missed them) every 15 minutes.  This would serve the Lakefront attractions.  All Trolley stops will have a new wayfinding sign system. RTA is in the process of developing a tour booklet for Visitors highlighting attractions and methods of using RTA to get there. 

 

Also, a new 1, 2, and 4 RTA day pass will soon be in use.  1 day: $5, 2 day: $10, 4 day: $20.  They will be available at Hopkins, hotels, welcome centers, and other tourist destinations throughout town.  They have a very attraction design with each card showing a different notable landmark in Cleveland.  There are multiple designs for each the 1, 2, and 4 day passes.  He rather humorously acknowledged that these new passes are very easy to get and use adding that the current Ticket vending machines have NOT positively received and indicated that he's heard PLENTY about them,  :-P he did say that RTA is well aware and working on that situation.  Whether that means complete replacement, he did not say. 

 

Lastly, he added the importance of the Hopkins to TC Red Line, and how we were the first city to link the airport to its downtown via rail.  Hopkins is in the process of upgrading the RTA area, and will be enhancing its signage showing directions to the RTA, as well as installing live LED information systems showing incoming trains, etc. in Baggage Claim and at least the United Terminal for now.  I don't know exactly what these are or what they will look like but it sounded like a great addition. 

 

Overall it was an interesting program that gave some new bits of information.  Here are a couple pictures I was able to snap.

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for the thorough report!

 

Can't wait to see that Public Square traffic report.

 

And very happy to hear RTA is on the ball with with the trolley planning and improved Hopkins profile.  Those new passes sound great, and I like the looks of those new trolley stop signs.  The service frequency info is incredibly useful; I wish RTA would do more things like that even for its regular routes.  Amazing to me that RTA is still working on the ticket vending machines.  It's been years now.

Very nice report, mrclifton... I'm also glad to see RTA take center stage in this effort.  One thing, I like the multi-day passes, but think that not having a 3-day pass is a little odd.  Like many people, I tend to be a 3-day weekend traveler (Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon)... Chicago has a 3-day CTA pass.  I'm wondering whehter RTA may consider this for visitors?

Very nice report, mrclifton... I'm also glad to see RTA take center stage in this effort.  One thing, I like the multi-day passes, but think that not having a 3-day pass is a little odd.  Like many people, I tend to be a 3-day weekend traveler (Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon)... Chicago has a 3-day CTA pass.  I'm wondering whehter RTA may consider this for visitors?

 

Thats why.  4 days gives them extra income.  The only city I know to have a 3 day pass is Chicago.  Most cities have some combination of a 1 day, 5 day, 7 day or 10 day.  I think it's smart.

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear about the work to update the interior of the Red Line cars.