^Seems to be working for me.

 

Cool thanks.  I am having some internet issues this afternoon--could be that. 

Cool to so many events at the Q. I didn't know there were that many.

Cool to so many events at the Q. I didn't know there were that many.

 

Cleveland Scene said investments wouldn't pay off though...

... though I do love the "NCAA Final Four" banner on the renderings... as if the Q will be adding the necessary 30,000 additional seats.

... though I do love the "NCAA Final Four" banner on the renderings... as if the Q will be adding the necessary 30,000 additional seats.

 

minor details.

... though I do love the "NCAA Final Four" banner on the renderings... as if the Q will be adding the necessary 30,000 additional seats.

 

Or it's the women's finals.

Cool to so many events at the Q. I didn't know there were that many.

 

Cleveland Scene said investments wouldn't pay off though...

 

It’s not just Cleveland Scene, but every legit study that has been done shows that public money being invested into sports arenas don’t pay off. That’s not saying there aren’t other reasons to support it, but investing tax dollars doesn’t lead to a net economic benefit...

The construction along the northern end feels more restrictive than I though it would have with Huron down to only two lanes and one sidewalk. The streetscape will eventually be improved though, especially without the northern pedestrian bridge. Glass has been removed from the Huron facing atrium/awning (2nd image).

From the Terminal Tower observation deck this past Sunday:

 

I just noticed that the renderings submitted to The City Planning Commission back in December had Gensler Rossetti as the architects.  What happened to SHoP Architects? They were the ones originally attached as the architectural team with Rossetti.

Looks like SHoP was replaced.

https://www.contractdesign.com/news/projects/gensler-replaces-shop-on-quicken-loans-arena-renovation/

View from the Cuyahoga County Office Building - 4th floor:

 

Q to go quiet. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/after-weekend-concert-quicken-loans-arena-transformation-expected-to-shift-into-high-gear

Looking good for when Lebron leaves us.

I'm a bit shocked the impending doom of a skywalk isn't getting more mention here.

They're removing a skywalk, not adding one, right?

They're removing a skywalk, not adding one, right?

 

Yes...the skywalk is doomed. I realize now that my post could be taken the other way.

Interesting this is coming down and Gilbert's insistence of a skywalk to JACK was necessary. I wish that one was coming down as well

While a skywalk can take away from street life, I don't think it is in the case of the casino.  Older people are down there to pull slots and aren't interested in the nightlife while the younger crowd will visit nearby places regardless (I know I do and I'm kind of old at 49).  As far as the skywalk for the Q...I'm not shedding any tears.

While a skywalk can take away from street life, I don't think it is in the case of the casino.  Older people are down there to pull slots and aren't interested in the nightlife while the younger crowd will visit nearby places regardless (I know I do and I'm kind of old at 49).  As far as the skywalk for the Q...I'm not shedding any tears.

 

The area around Q and Progressive turned out a bit disappointing from an urban perspective. I hope the current renovations do more to incorporate the surroundings and help create a more vibrant hood. Too many dead zones right now.

Webcam

 

https://www.theqtransformation.com/live-web-cam/

Interesting cheesy video in this article...with Michael Stanley of course.

 

A 1990s Preview of a ‘Gateway’ for Cleveland

MARK BYRNES  JUN 22, 2018

A local celebrity, dark backgrounds, smooth jazz, and a mysterious set of eyes surely sold the region’s corporate class on what’s now known as “The Q.”

 

Welcome to the latest installation of “Public Access,” where CityLab staffers share their favorite videos—old and new, serious and nutty—that tell a story about place.

 

After playing 30 miles away in Richfield for two decades, the NBA’s Cavaliers returned to downtown Cleveland in 1994 as part of the city’s Gateway Complex—a ballpark, arena, and shared outdoor plaza downtown.

 

https://www.citylab.com/life/2018/06/a-1990s-preview-of-a-gateway-for-cleveland/563420/

 

 

 

 

Here's a couple pics from today of the walkway between the parking garage and the Q being dismantled.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know why, but I especially enjoy seeing those pics....

Another one from the webcam.

lol...how do people post pics here?  Will someone please delete that post?

^If you're taking photos with your phone, resize them to something more reasonable - 1000 pixels wide/tall is what I typically do.

SHE GONE

An apropos fate for a skywalk. Yes, I know it's probably going to be replaced. Or is it?

It will not be replaced.

Sloppiest demo I've ever seen

Agreed - it can be seen all the way down Prospect at 9th.  No regard for glass either.

Agreed - it can be seen all the way down Prospect at 9th.  No regard for glass either.

 

 

Yea, it's kinda hard to believe that it'll be all cleaned up and the road back open by Monday.

Since the skywalk was a stadium-related structure, will they be dumping it into the lake?

So apparently the Cleveland arena financing deal is predicated on the Cavaliers making the playoffs? And it doesn’t add up if they don’t? Any truth to this??

 

Well, at Least We Weren't Planning to Pay for the Q Transformation with Cavs Playoff Revenue. OH WAIT.

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/07/02/well-at-least-we-werent-planning-to-pay-for-the-q-transformation-with-cavs-playoff-revenue-oh-wait

Construction worker today said the inside is completely demo'd and empty!

Here's a few pics from today.  Looks like some additional steel is going up on the northeast corner of the Q.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update from today:

 

 

i’m kind of struggling with the purpose of this, but if they think its worthwhile ok i guess. i would assume a better street presence is a part of it as they took the skywalk out? i have to admit i liked the skywalk in the weather, but those things are eyesores, unless you have a bunch of them like the twin cities. seems like we will have to wait and see how it turns out. in the meantime its always a good impression to see prominant construction work downtown.

At this rate, I guess I fail to see how its a two summer long project. Are they still doing demo?

^construction won't be going at this rate once the NBA preseason begins..

At this rate, I guess I fail to see how its a two summer long project. Are they still doing demo?

 

^construction won't be going at this rate once the NBA preseason begins..

 

 

I didn't realize this was a "2 summer long project"??  I thought this would be finished up by the time the NBA season starts.

The actual work could probably be completed in one year, but they're basically pausing the project during the Cavs' (and Monsters') 2018-19 regular season (i.e., mid-October through late April).  The arena has to be operational during that six-month period, so not much can be done construction-wise.  It's part of the reason the Gladiators (Cleveland's Arena Football team) suspended operations for 2018 and 2019.  The AFL regular season goes from mid-March to late-July and 90 percent of the project was going to be completed during that time frame. 

 

Sadly, the project may finish up a little earlier in 2019 than expected because it doesn't look like the current Cavs will be using the Q during May and June (sigh).

i’m kind of struggling with the purpose of this, but if they think its worthwhile ok i guess. i would assume a better street presence is a part of it as they took the skywalk out? i have to admit i liked the skywalk in the weather, but those things are eyesores, unless you have a bunch of them like the twin cities. seems like we will have to wait and see how it turns out. in the meantime its always a good impression to see prominant construction work downtown.

I don't understand this project and how it's going to create jobs and add to the economy. Looks like its just for aesthetics, making the arena more pleasing to look at. I don't understand what the added space is for?

i’m kind of struggling with the purpose of this, but if they think its worthwhile ok i guess. i would assume a better street presence is a part of it as they took the skywalk out? i have to admit i liked the skywalk in the weather, but those things are eyesores, unless you have a bunch of them like the twin cities. seems like we will have to wait and see how it turns out. in the meantime its always a good impression to see prominant construction work downtown.

I don't understand this project and how it's going to create jobs and add to the economy. Looks like its just for aesthetics, making the arena more pleasing to look at. I don't understand what the added space is for?

 

I know this is going to go down a rabbit hole and as a result I’m hesitant to answer, but as someone who works in the entertainment industry in the city, the Q transformation is important. It’s more than just more space. The most important thing is that it keeps the venue competitive for concerts and other events. The upgraded amenities are key. When people have choices as to where they book shows in our region (and in this sense I mean surrounding states too, not just greater Cleveland) you HAVE to stay competitive. It has such a ripple effect if you don’t. It has an immediate effect on the people who work for the Q and the ancillary businesses and nonprofits who are supported by the activity there, people who in many cases are NOT the fat cats we think about when it comes to this project. It also impacts the people who book shows elsewhere in the city, particularly those who deal with mid level celebrities (not necessarily indie groups/bands or people that aren’t really known). The performance of your big arena is often a barometer to the outside world of the strength of your market in general. So if I’m someone who books certain celebrities to do concerts and/or appearances  (which is part of what I do) Cleveland is a much easier sell if bigger acts are still coming to the Q because to the other performers it sends the signal that the city isn’t dead and that there’s money to be made here. If the Q (which is over 20+ years old now) does not upgrade to continue to be competitive, bigger acts won’t come here. If the bigger acts (which typically have one Big Bang and are out) don’t come here, the mid tier acts (who can have an even more direct impact on the economy because some of them tend to use local people to put on their show and can often become repeat customers if you will) won’t either, because if your arena sucks, even to an artist who will never draw enough to be at that arena, they’ll go “why should I perform here? Such and such can’t make money here, they don’t come here anymore so if they can’t make money here, I KNOW I can’t.”

 

The Q is a huge direct contributor to the local economy. If it didn’t exist, we would feel it. But even more important than its direct contributions is its indirect contributions, which few people appreciate or are in the position to see it first hand TO appreciate it. An updated arena isn’t a panacea, but to a lot of the outside world it’s part of what makes you a big city. It’s part of what keeps you relevant. Without that relevance, you become Anytown USA. And not only do I not want to live in Anytown USA, it’s hard to do business in Anytown USA and bring the cool things here that the average person wants. So that’s my two cents from my perspective. It’s more than just more space. It contributes directly and indirectly to our economy

Renovating the Q is a simple case of having to keep up with the Joneses, I'm afraid.  A 25-year old arena doesn't *seem* old, but Buffalo, Columbus, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Detroit have all built brand new NBA/NHL-sized arenas since the Q opened in 1994.  Those cities are our direct competitors for the big name concerts and other events mentioned above. 

 

Fun fact: after this season, the Cavaliers will have played more seasons in the Q (1994-2019) than the Cleveland Arena and Richfield Coliseum (1970-1994) combined.  It still somehow feels like Gateway opened yesterday, though.

Sure, the arena upgrade provides benefits, but these renovations should have been privately funded. This was a direct handout to Dan Gilbert.

^Probably not a viable option for marginal destinations/sports markets like Cleveland, sadly.

Sure, the arena upgrade provides benefits, but these renovations should have been privately funded. This was a direct handout to Dan Gilbert.

 

Keep in mind that technically Dan Gilbert does not own the arena. So there are certain things that the government is obligated to do as a result of being the actual owner of the building. And contrary to popular belief, the cavs did put some money up for the transformation. The city/county government isn’t footing the entire bill.

^Probably not a viable option for marginal destinations/sports markets like Cleveland, sadly.

 

I don’t even think this is a market issue. You can count the number of NBA/NFL/MLB arenas/stadiums that are built without public funding. It’s just not the reality in most cities. Especially in situations like ours where the teams do not own the arena/stadiums

^I don't mean to pick on Cleveland- it has lots of company in this regard, but the the whole reason the public built and owns it is because the city has so little leverage to say "no" without losing the teams/concerts, and the residents care a ton about losing these things. Maybe "fungible" is a better word than "marginal." It's more or less the same point as your "anytown" argument. Bigger cities don't really worry so much about that the same way.