Hello everyone, this is the Cleveland Skylift team. We were just informed of this site and thread, we would be glad to answer questions the best we can.  We are bootstrapping this effort so we don't have a ton of time, but will be glad to check in and do the best we can.  We appreciate intelligent questions and try to avoid haters who just make emotional comments.  We know what we know and want to share everything and gain your support.

 

So far we are impressed with the quality of conversation out here! We welcome you all to come see our demo cable car and are planning our road show now. http://www.clevelandskylift.com/visit_our_demo/

Welcome to the board, skylift. I appreciate you joining the conversation and hope that many questions posed here can be answered. Thanks!

Hello everyone, this is the Cleveland Skylift team. We were just informed of this site and thread, we would be glad to answer questions the best we can.  We are bootstrapping this effort so we don't have a ton of time, but will be glad to check in and do the best we can.  We appreciate intelligent questions and try to avoid haters who just make emotional comments.  We know what we know and want to share everything and gain your support.

 

So far we are impressed with the quality of conversation out here! We welcome you all to come see our demo cable car and are planning our road show now. http://www.clevelandskylift.com/visit_our_demo/

 

A few that I have seen on many peoples' minds: In your videos, you seem to offer this as some sort of transportation solution. How so? Many of your stops are paralleling routes already covered by our underutilized waterfront line, and this is slower and carries less people per hour. The only thing that's different is that it is in the sky. I have a hard time seeing some of these routes as a transportation solution and not a novelty. The only routes I really thought might be cool/effective were the ones that extend to the parks on the west side.

 

It's not that I think novelties are bad, but as planned now this one will stretch all across our view of the lake in front of the city. Why should we give up an unobstructed view of the waterfront for this?

 

You're asking for 500,000 dollars on indiegogo for just a feasibility study. Actually constructing this project could cost millions. How might you approach funding that? Who is going to upkeep the system and can we expect it to sustain itself? I suppose we could only know those answers after the study is finished, but I ask because If we had the money needed to construct this, why not just expand/improve our existing, underutilized transportation systems that are faster, carry more people, and are easier to maintain? To be honest, I don't see people vacationing in Cleveland just to ride a gondola, but nor do I see this offering much substance to people who depend on public transportation, maybe with the exception of riding from the east side to the west side parks.

 

Right now I am not for it or against it, I am just very hesitant.

 

We got to this party late, so it's hard to determine where to start.  We are doing the engineering analysis based on cars that can hold 8 to 10 people per car.  We will have a "parking" garage to add more cars as capacity is required (sporting events, conventions, etc.). Even the RTA has agreed that this plan compliments the waterfront line, it doesn't compete with it, they were not going to solve the water problem, and boats are seasonal.  This is a transportation and entertainment solution, not either or.  We will transport people over the water (required to be 100' tall to cover barges, so bridges won't be cheaper) and will also provide information inside to cars to inform people about Cleveland. 

 

We want to make sure where everyone understand where we are at, we need to raise money to complete the engineering and economic analysis. We can all sit here and guess at the numbers or we can hire the experts to get the real answers.  We are not pretending we have them all, how could we?  Urban planning is extremely complex, 11 sites make this 10x more complex.  What we believe is that it can be engineered, we brought experts to town to make sure that was the case.  What we don't know is the cost, speed, capacity, etc.  We made assumptions, now it is time to validate them.  We are putting our personal cash, over 150k into this because we want to help solve the access to waterfront problem, that means crossing water, it's not about walking.  The last thing we want is something ugly, our office is a boat and we live on the lake, we want people to share that experience.

 

CPC (cable propelled transit) is a big topic, there are 7 different types of engineering techniques that could be used.  Hence the comments on Gondola vs. Trams, etc. - it's not apples to apples for every installation.  We have been working on this since April, we have read many books on the topic, we have consulted with many people who do this for a living. The truth is that the answers need more time and money to be discovered vs. jumping to conclusions and forming strong opinions.

 

We don't expect everyone to agree, but we hope that you at least have the curiosity and care about Cleveland enough to help us figure this out.  If you want to give us the best chance of learning more and seeing what this could become, please contribute with your wallet, not just your voice - we respect both, but need to uncover the facts and not debate the unknown.  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cleveland-skylift/x/3771396

 

We have a website that we continue to add information to, we hope you will read through our site http://www.clevelandskylift.com, we tried to be as honest as we could given our studies and conversations, that is what we do.  This is why we care http://www.clevelandskylift.com/why_should_i_care/

^I applaud your efforts, and thanks for taking time to address the group.

@somecledude

 

>> Actually constructing this project could cost millions. How might you approach funding that?

 

We are working with 5 of the largest real estate developers in Cleveland, they are going to mentor us through the funding.  Most of these areas are targeted for some type of new development by 2016.  We are hoping that these developers may fund the buildings and we just need to fund the electro mechanical.  That would knock ~66 million of the budget of guessing $200 million.  We are also hoping to sell naming rights (similar to Progressive field at $4mill, First Energy at $7mill or the Emirates Airline Gondola in London) to help offset the operational costs.

 

We are also positioning this as something game changing to help with a 2016 political convention with a $300 million economic impact, nominations are due this Spring.  We need to complete the analysis now.  There are 1.6 million visitors just to the Rock Hall, Science Center and Browns.  The casino does another 4.3 million.  There are 46 conferences scheduled at the new convention center.  If you start to do the math with 5% ridership numbers, 10% , you can see how this could be viable, add in car advertising and other amenities and there are more revenue streams.

 

>> If we had the money needed to construct this, why not just expand/improve our existing, underutilized transportation systems that are faster, carry more people, and are easier to maintain?

 

Please look at the RTA Map we created with their cooperation.  http://www.clevelandskylift.com/where_does_it_go/ They agreed this takes them places where we don't have systems and they were not going to solve the water problem.  Unless you consider a taxi service, and when is the last time you tried to get a taxi in Cleveland. 

 

>> To be honest, I don't see people vacationing in Cleveland just to ride a gondola, nor do I see this offering much substance to people who depend on public transportation, maybe with the exception of riding from the east side to the west side parks.

 

We never said this was going to draw vacationers to Cleveland.  For millions of people that do visit the town, it might change their impression. For the 20k people living downtown it might get them to the parks easier, for the 120k people that work downtown, maybe they will stay longer or be prouder of their town.  For the millions of people who live in the suburbs, maybe they would rediscover downtown.

 

>> Right now I am not for it or against it, I am just very hesitant.

 

Understandably, we are just trying to explore the idea and that takes money and time, thanks for chiming in on the conversation!

you just got .01% of your goal from this guy.

Thank you Whipjacka. engineers are $140 an hour, we need 4 of them.  And every bit helps :)

Hi there skylift, and again welcome to UO.

 

Do you know yet how Burke Airport height restrictions may affect your construction?

 

Also, did you know the top floor of the Huntington Building was constructed as a zeppelin dock? It sure would be interesting to route there, as well as some of the other top floors of downtown buildings. Phase 2 maybe :-)  The views would be extraordinary.

@surfohio

 

>> Do you know yet how Burke Airport height restrictions may affect your construction?

 

Yes, we are tied to Burke Lakefront airport and have met with many engineers and the airport.  We have height restrictions and the cars cannot be reflective.  Please see this page and the port friendly paragraph http://www.clevelandskylift.com/operations/

 

>> Also, did you know the top floor of the Huntington Building was constructed as a zeppelin dock? It sure would be interesting to route there, as well as some of the other top floors of downtown buildings. Phase 2 maybe :-)  The views would be extraordinary.

 

Yeah, not sure what to say to that...could not source, zeppelins were before my time.

 

Thanks!

 

p.s.  Sammy's Metropolitan Ballroom is a one of a kind experience for groups of up to 400 for a seated event or 700 for a theater style reception. Our 21st floor location offers a panoramic view of Cleveland's North Coast. The historic 1924 Art Deco ballroom was built as the ticket lobby for the U.S. Airship Company of North America. Zeppelins flew from Cleveland to New York City and Chicago. You boarded the belly of the Zeppelin right from the 21st floor of the Huntington Building formerly called the Union Trust Company. Sammy's Metropolitan Ballroom is available 24/7, centrally located and ideal for group training, meetings and conferences.

 

http://www.sammys.com/metropolitan.shtml

 

How cool is that!

Wow, had no idea - thanks for sharing!

We got to this party late, so it's hard to determine where to start.  We are doing the engineering analysis based on cars that can hold 8 to 10 people per car.  We will have a "parking" garage to add more cars as capacity is required (sporting events, conventions, etc.). Even the RTA has agreed that this plan compliments the waterfront line, it doesn't compete with it, they were not going to solve the water problem, and boats are seasonal.  This is a transportation and entertainment solution, not either or.  We will transport people over the water (required to be 100' tall to cover barges, so bridges won't be cheaper) and will also provide information inside to cars to inform people about Cleveland. 

 

We want to make sure where everyone understand where we are at, we need to raise money to complete the engineering and economic analysis. We can all sit here and guess at the numbers or we can hire the experts to get the real answers.  We are not pretending we have them all, how could we?  Urban planning is extremely complex, 11 sites make this 10x more complex.  What we believe is that it can be engineered, we brought experts to town to make sure that was the case.  What we don't know is the cost, speed, capacity, etc.  We made assumptions, now it is time to validate them.  We are putting our personal cash, over 150k into this because we want to help solve the access to waterfront problem, that means crossing water, it's not about walking.  The last thing we want is something ugly, our office is a boat and we live on the lake, we want people to share that experience.

 

CPC (cable propelled transit) is a big topic, there are 7 different types of engineering techniques that could be used.  Hence the comments on Gondola vs. Trams, etc. - it's not apples to apples for every installation.  We have been working on this since April, we have read many books on the topic, we have consulted with many people who do this for a living. The truth is that the answers need more time and money to be discovered vs. jumping to conclusions and forming strong opinions.

 

We don't expect everyone to agree, but we hope that you at least have the curiosity and care about Cleveland enough to help us figure this out.  If you want to give us the best chance of learning more and seeing what this could become, please contribute with your wallet, not just your voice - we respect both, but need to uncover the facts and not debate the unknown.  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cleveland-skylift/x/3771396

 

We have a website that we continue to add information to, we hope you will read through our site http://www.clevelandskylift.com, we tried to be as honest as we could given our studies and conversations, that is what we do.  This is why we care http://www.clevelandskylift.com/why_should_i_care/

 

Thank you for putting forth your time, efforts and dollars exploring a solution to our disconnected waterfront assets.  We all may not agree, but someone has to be bold enough to propose solutions and encourage debate that moves us towards solutions.  I look forward to learning more about the project, its feasibility and aesthetics.

Thank you @MidwestChamp.

Hi there skylift, and again welcome to UO.

 

Do you know yet how Burke Airport height restrictions may affect your construction?

 

Also, did you know the top floor of the Huntington Building was constructed as a zeppelin dock? It sure would be interesting to route there, as well as some of the other top floors of downtown buildings. Phase 2 maybe :-)  The views would be extraordinary.

 

Geez, with the lobby in Huntington Bank...this would be a complete crown jewel of a beginning or end...to a phase two of course :)

@Skylift, love the idea, but I believe there are too many stations.  Especially around the Muny Lot/Burke area.  I think this would be better served by a station at the Muny Lot with a connected pedestrian bridge over the shoreway.  Then from the Muny Lot go to the area where the skate park by the Rock Hall used be, then onto your First Energy/Harbor West stop. 

 

This would eliminate the zig-zag portion, to Burke and the convention center, that would add to the overall cost and not be that much quicker than walking between them.  The convention center is better suited to have the pedestrian bridge/parking garage as a connection to the lakefront IMHO.

Skylift why would 200 million be better spent on this project as opposed to Streetcar/urban circulator?

 

there is a track record of streetcars attracting development, over 3 billion in protland but Nothing close to that amount has been generated by a Cable Tram.

>> Skylift why would 200 million be better spent on this project as opposed to Streetcar/urban circulator? there is a track record of streetcars attracting development, over 3 billion in protland but Nothing close to that amount has been generated by a Cable Tram.

 

Biker16,

 

In our opinion it's about time, convenience AND entertainment.  Have you ever tried driving from the East Bank to Wendy Park?  Not easy.  What view would be better, by land or by sky? Would you rather drive from the East Bank to West Bank or fly over it?Do you want to get our of your car onto a street car or fly to the convention center?  Do you want to land your plane and wait for a street car or fly to the Browns stadium on a car that leaves ever 10 seconds?  What would be a more unique view compared to other cities? 

 

One city's solutions are not necessarily apple to apple comparisons to another's so you should not assume one solution is a 'fix all'.  Why did street cars work better than cable cars in Portland? I doubt there is just one simple answer. What problems were they meant to solve? what year did the projects happen? how did it get funded? These are all factors that need to be considered. 

 

If you want to work up a street car plan, feel free to while we work our plan and then we would be glad to compare them with many measurements including cost, time to market, public interest, funding, entertainment value, iconic value, etc.  A street car plan would clearly be RTA, so perhaps you can direct the question to them.  We already have a trolley car system, bus and rail - this isn't a plan to put more wheels on the ground, it's getting to each point easier, faster and in a more entertaining way that is also greener.   

 

While we appreciate your opinion, we are staying focused on our plan and don't have time to research every transportation and entertainment solution.  We are running a company and running this project.  We are doing this on our own dime, we chose our direction and are sticking to the plan. If you want to try to raise money and take a different approach, more power to you!

 

@Skylift, love the idea, but I believe there are too many stations.  Especially around the Muny Lot/Burke area.  I think this would be better served by a station at the Muny Lot with a connected pedestrian bridge over the shoreway.  Then from the Muny Lot go to the area where the skate park by the Rock Hall used be, then onto your First Energy/Harbor West stop. 

 

This would eliminate the zig-zag portion, to Burke and the convention center, that would add to the overall cost and not be that much quicker than walking between them.  The convention center is better suited to have the pedestrian bridge/parking garage as a connection to the lakefront IMHO.

 

Thanks! One of the main goals is to get to the convention center/global health innovation center.  Also flying from Burke supports corporate jets, sports teams, and other commerce that Burke depends on. There are 46 conferences scheduled in the new convention center and a new hotel going, we need to connect them to fuel those investments.  We are positioning this to try to help Cleveland win a political convention, so connecting to the convention center and hotels are a must.  Walking to the convention center requires people to dodge exit ramps, cross bridged, walking uphill and possibly in inclement weather, flying there would eliminate that bad experience to a pleasurable one.  The skate park by the Rock Hall has already been awarded to a developer to build a marina and restaurant there.  We need to have the station at the far corner of the Voinivich Park due to height restrictions over the marina and within FAA guidelines.  We need to clear all waterways by at least 100' and when crossing our maritime port we need to be 150' tall.  Please see our map at http://www.clevelandskylift.com/operations/  - Look at the Port Friendly section.  We also believe it would be cheaper to fly over the shore-way than build a bridge, based on the estimates for the bridge from the convention center to the parking garage. 

Spoke with the people of Skylift yesterday at the Ingenuityfest.  They have updated their plan with 2 significant changes. I believe the changes make this now engaging enough to be a fairly successful project.  They seem to understand the need to be able to get something off the ground to get this whole thing started.  The first phase will start construction in the Spring it is hoped by the new convention hotel. It will pop over shoreway and tracks. I don't recall where on the other side it will go since it was crudely marked with a magic marker this new path on their map. Somewhere around the rock hall as best i could determine.  So that is significant due to the immediacy/how soon we are talking to see results in getting skylift off the ground. 

 

  The next significant update (that I had been calling for) is for this to make it over to Ohio City now. They had a lot of magic marker on their maps updating this new route. There will be a stop on the Scranton peninsula and then it will hit the phase 2 of the casino. They have approval from all land holders including Forest City. They said their goal is to be near rta train stations.  Their hub of the operation will be at the turn of the waterline near the stadium where we thought the DFAS building was going to go.  I still think this plan will be further refined but its a really good start for now.

I think it should connect the Malls/Convention Center to other transit hubs first:

 

Burke to Muni Lot to North Coast Transit Center to dock 30?? (where the Ferry to Canada, Goodtime III, ferries to islands and water taxis could be).

The first phase will start construction in the Spring it is hoped by the new convention hotel.

 

Wait, what?  With what funding?

The more I think about this, the more I'm beginning to think it may have some legs.

 

I've been a frequent visitor to Singapore and have taken rides on their cable car.  I don't know if all segments on the proposed line in CLE are necessary, but I think some may work.

We are trying to get just 1 leg funded, we are not funded yet.  The leg we really want to see is from the new convention center hotel to "parcel B" in between the Rock Hall & Science Center.  We are meeting with lots of great people to explore this leg.  This may make more sense now not that the parking garage and pedestrian bridge didn't get the Tiger Grant, we think is an option.  We would still like to see the bridge happen, multiple solutions are good.

 

After we get 1 leg done, we hope that will allow us to submit an exciting plan to win a 2016 political convention. We have already changed a few of the routes and expect to publish a revised plan within the next few weeks.

 

More updates....

 

CSU's Civil Engineering department is now helping out!

 

We are looking to rent a crane so we can hang our demo car 100 feet in the air so people can see what this would like like?  Does anyone know any crane companies that might want to work with us? (this would mean a lot of crane business down the road).

 

We added Rivergate Park and Ohio City to the plan. Sam McNulty is going to make a SkyLift beer and host a fundraising event at his establishments (Market Garden Brewery, BarCento, Speakeasy, Bier Markt, Nano Brew)

 

Please subscribe to our email list to stay tuned.  http://www.clevelandskylift.com/get_involved/

We are trying to get just 1 leg funded, we are not funded yet.  The leg we really want to see is from the new convention center hotel to "parcel B" in between the Rock Hall & Science Center.  We are meeting with lots of great people to explore this leg.  This may make more sense now not that the parking garage and pedestrian bridge didn't get the Tiger Grant, we think is an option.  We would still like to see the bridge happen, multiple solutions are good.

 

After we get 1 leg done, we hope that will allow us to submit an exciting plan to win a 2016 political convention. We have already changed a few of the routes and expect to publish a revised plan within the next few weeks.

 

More updates....

 

CSU's Civil Engineering department is now helping out!

 

We are looking to rent a crane so we can hang our demo car 100 feet in the air so people can see what this would like like?  Does anyone know any crane companies that might want to work with us? (this would mean a lot of crane business down the road).

 

We added Rivergate Park and Ohio City to the plan. Sam McNulty is going to make a SkyLift beer and host a fundraising event at his establishments (Market Garden Brewery, BarCento, Speakeasy, Bier Markt, Nano Brew)

 

Please subscribe to our email list to stay tuned.  http://www.clevelandskylift.com/get_involved/

SKylift, I would say "All" Erection Crane in Valley View would rent one to you guys for this. 

I'm more in favor of this as a gimmick ride between two or three select points than as more of a comprehensive transportation system.  Still very skeptical of the aesthetics.  Even if you haven't hooked me as of yet, I applaud the creativity and effort, Skylift.

Thanks!

 

p.s.  Sammy's Metropolitan Ballroom is a one of a kind experience for groups of up to 400 for a seated event or 700 for a theater style reception. Our 21st floor location offers a panoramic view of Cleveland's North Coast. The historic 1924 Art Deco ballroom was built as the ticket lobby for the U.S. Airship Company of North America. Zeppelins flew from Cleveland to New York City and Chicago. You boarded the belly of the Zeppelin right from the 21st floor of the Huntington Building formerly called the Union Trust Company. Sammy's Metropolitan Ballroom is available 24/7, centrally located and ideal for group training, meetings and conferences.

 

http://www.sammys.com/metropolitan.shtml

 

How cool is that!

 

This may have been proposed, but there was never any scheduled passenger service aboard zeppelins in the USA. 

 For this to be feasible I believe a smaller footprint at first would be the best. Maybe first a run from the lakefront up to the mall, docking at the new hotel, bridging that gap over the RR tracks.

 

@skylift

Great I am glad you are concentrating on that first leg. That was my initial thought for you to have a chance at succeeding. Have you had any conversations with the county or the CooperCarry design team? I can just see a docking station on somewhere like the 10th floor as cars roll into an area bringing in people from the lakefront or sending people down. I wonder if there is any monies available from the hotel budget. I believe you can sell them on the idea and start a conversation. Good luck guys.

 

@skylift

 

what about winter?

@skylift

 

what about winter?

 

What do you mean "what about winter"?  How do you think ski resorts transport people? Sky lift technology was pioneered in places like the Alps where it is very difficult to get around.  It's  practically always winter up there.  This issue was discussed many times earlier in the thread.

For this to be feasible I believe a smaller footprint at first would be the best. Maybe first a run from the lakefront up to the mall, docking at the new hotel, bridging that gap over the RR tracks.

 

@skylift

Great I am glad you are concentrating on that first leg. That was my initial thought for you to have a chance at succeeding. Have you had any conversations with the county or the CooperCarry design team? I can just see a docking station on somewhere like the 10th floor as cars roll into an area bringing in people from the lakefront or sending people down. I wonder if there is any monies available from the hotel budget. I believe you can sell them on the idea and start a conversation. Good luck guys.

 

We are speaking with everyone we can :)  Not sure about the money yet, we need to determine the true cost of this one leg before we seek private capital.

 

Good luck!  I can't wait to take a ride over the river

Couldn't help but imagine seeing shots of the aerial tram during the Indians and Browns games on national tv the past couple of nights. They really did a nice job of showing off Cleveland when they went to and came back from commercials.

Skylift gaining momentum. http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/better_neighborhoods/cleveland-skylift-takes-next-step-toward-developing-cable-car-network-over-cleveland-skyline

Couldn't help but imagine seeing shots of the aerial tram during the Indians and Browns games on national tv the past couple of nights. They really did a nice job of showing off Cleveland when they went to and came back from commercials.

 

Yeah.  Something like this would be iconic.  It would appear on each and every picture/logo of the city and instantly say Cleveland.  Above and beyond all the other benefits.  Fantastic idea.

If the revenue projections are anywhere close to what they're reporting, this thing is going to happen.

 

p.s. KJP they mean to dock at the convention hotel roof, so it looks like your zipline comment is right on!

Ok folks, it's been a few years since I took geometry in 9th grade, but implying that it'd be too steep from the convention center hotel is just silly.

 

The convention center hotel is probably going to be about 370 feet tall. Add to that that it's about 40' higher in elevation than the lakefront between the rock hall and science center. So 410' if we assume that whatever structure built on the waterfront is roughly the same height as whatever would have to be added to the top of the hotel.

 

Using Google Maps, it looks like it's a little over 1500' from the NE corner of the county office building to the spot between the rock hall and science center. I'll round down to 1500 because I'm lazy.

 

Now, if my math is correct that's a 15 degree angle. Considering skylifts are designed to go up mountains far steeper than that, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

I still think it's a silly gimmicky idea, but it is possible.

The minimum recommended slope for a Zipline is 6-8 degrees. I rest my case. :) http://www.ziplinegear.com/blog/faq

 

Sorry, but give me a solid, relatively flat elevated walkway across the tracks and Shoreway with a big-city train/bus station in the middle of it any day of the week.

It is gimmicky, but Keith your math is right there would be no problem at all running at that slope.  I think one of the bigger concerns will be the cost of constructing the towers to the height of the top of the hotel.  The cable line likely cannot run directly down to the Rock Hall station without at least one tower.  Half way puts it right about where the train tracks are below the bluff.  Plus to get the angle correct out of the upper station there would have to be a cantilevered support for the cables, to allow the cars to clear the building.

 

I made this point on the convention center hotel thread, but it is more likely that the station will be part of the 4 story podium.  There would need to be two towers then, of shorter height, to provide the ascent and decent angles. 

 

I still believe the a connection to Whiskey Island/Edgewater is more beneficial to the public, but that may not be able to generate as much ROI.

At first I didn't give any of this much thought but after looking into it more it actually could be pretty cool, especially the connection to Whiskey Park and Edgewater! Having those two assets connected to downtown is pretty awesome, but it also sounds like they want to integrate with RTA, mostly the FEB station and perhaps North Coast. Having this all interact and be accessible to each other is really cool, changed my thoughts on this.

The problem in Cleveland is not always start up funding.  We need to look at this long-term.  My fear is they build it, then the economy nose dives and it's a shuttered eyesore after 10 years.  I'm thinking of the Flats bridge lighting and how that didn't last very long.  Maybe I'm off-base there, but lighting bridges seems to be a far-less daunting task than maintaining an active aerial tram system.

If this is going to be built it needs to connect people with places they want to go. Hundreds of visitors/tourists/convention goers will be staying at the new hotel and I think they would want to go to the Rock Hall and Science museum, but what is one of Cleveland's biggest draws?  I believe it is Playhouse square. Why not run a line from the lakefront to the northside of Playhouse Square, somewhere near the new Hofbrauhaus on the north side.  Not only does it connect the visitors but also the students of CSU and all the residents in Reserve Square. Plus, it will make the whole Bavarian experience at Hofbrauhaus that much more authetic if you have a skylift in the background while drinking your hefeweizen! Prost!

If this is going to be built it needs to connect people with places they want to go. Hundreds of visitors/tourists/convention goers will be staying at the new hotel and I think they would want to go to the Rock Hall and Science museum, but what is one of Cleveland's biggest draws?  I believe it is Playhouse square. Why not run a line from the lakefront to the northside of Playhouse Square, somewhere near the new Hofbrauhaus on the north side.  Not only does it connect the visitors but also the students of CSU and all the residents in Reserve Square. Plus, it will make the whole Bavarian experience at Hofbrauhaus that much more authetic if you have a skylift in the background while drinking your hefeweizen! Prost!

 

I'd suggest routing to the top of the Huntington Building. There you have proximity to both Playhouse Square and Progressive Field.

Now that would be ironic, :) wasn't the Huntington building designed for airships?

We would still like to see the bridge happen, multiple solutions are good.

 

Not to sound rude, but what is the problem that the skylift is a solution to? These things aren't really fast and efficient people movers. The bridge is a solution, this seems like just a gimmick.

 

 

The problem in Cleveland is not always start up funding.  We need to look at this long-term.  My fear is they build it, then the economy nose dives and it's a shuttered eyesore after 10 years.  .

 

My fear as well. Has a study on it even been done? Seems a little late to include it in a the CC hotel design

26 mph is a little faster than walking and in the winter being in an enclosed gondola would be nice too. In the end though, it is a sort of gimmick, much like most landmarks (think Gateway arch, CN Tower)

26 mph is a little faster than walking and in the winter being in an enclosed gondola would be nice too. In the end though, it is a sort of gimmick, much like most landmarks (think Gateway arch, CN Tower)

 

Yeah but these are limited number of cars moving down a straight line. Not really efficient enough to call it a solution. If its built I just hope it's self sustaining.

By the way, the pedestrian bridges over the tracks and shoreway will have outdoor and indoor walkways.

By the way, the pedestrian bridges over the tracks and shoreway will have outdoor and indoor walkways.

 

Yeah, the tube is shaped like a semicircle and split in half. Is there a thread specifically for the bridge?

 

Also, I will say that if the skylift goes 26 mph, that's actually faster than I would have expected, which is good. I'm mixed about it.

26 mph is a little faster than walking and in the winter being in an enclosed gondola would be nice too. In the end though, it is a sort of gimmick, much like most landmarks (think Gateway arch, CN Tower)

 

It's actually a lot faster than walking. Even if you're a fast walker it's ~5x faster than you're probably going. Of course much like the 3C train it won't be that fast to actually use the service. Now I really hope that someone campaigns against the skylift using those same tactics with walking. I'd contribute the change in my pocket to see that happen. (also RIP Barry Horstman)