24 minutes ago, Gramarye said:

 

Ignatius just lost to Chaminade and dropped in the rankings, but still, if you look at the national top 25, Ohio is very well represented:

 

 

Last year's Division I boys soccer state final was between Ignatius and Moeller and they're both right up there in both the state and national rankings this season, too.  But Hudson, New Albany, and Pickerington North all make the national rankings, too.

 

As one of the comparatively few Akronites here, I'll be interested to see where the Akron area pipeline goes; not everyone can move to Hudson (or Revere, which made the Division II state final last year--by perhaps coincidence, Hudson and Revere are the two most expensive Summit County public school districts to move into).  Walsh has put together an amazing program on the girls' side but we don't have a private school contender on the boys' side, suggesting that most Akron talent still goes up to Cleveland (and the older brother of one of the boys on my son's team does play for Ignatius).

Didn't Medina win states a couple years ago also?

Can we get back on topic?

Thank You!!

NWSL Expansion News. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5819621/2024/10/05/nwsl-expansion-cleveland/

16 hours ago, simplythis said:

NWSL Expansion News. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5819621/2024/10/05/nwsl-expansion-cleveland/

For those of us without a subscription, can you summarize what this says? 😀

Here's my quick rundown of the NYT article:

 

-NWSL is expected to make their selection before the end of this year

 

-Cleveland Soccer Group's (CSG) chances have grown after securing land for a downtown stadium

 

-Stadium would be 12,500 seats and expandable to 20k.

 

-CSG study showing economic impact projected at $4billion over 30 years from the stadium.

 

-Cleveland is a "high profile bidder" but there are about a dozen other markets vying for selection, with specific mention of Cincy, JAX, Denver and speculation around ATL, Nashville. 

 

-The dude Murphy from CSG is adamant that Cleveland is a major league sports market.  

The first paragraph is the only one of substance -- saying that Cleveland improved its chances of landing the NWSL franchise by securing the property for a stadium. After that, it merely recaps what's already been reported in the local press. Here's the first two paragraphs....

_____

 

With the NWSL expected to select the league’s 16th team before the end of this year, Cleveland’s chances of bringing professional women’s soccer to the city have grown after a local ownership group secured land for a downtown stadium.

 

Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG), the group behind the city’s NWSL expansion bid, and the Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners recently announced the purchase of 13.6 acres of state land to build a $150million (£114.3m), 12,500-seat stadium on what is currently undeveloped land in the city’s downtown.

Nice Article here. Seems like Cleveland is everyone's favorite. Hopefully this happens. The team is needed here and the Stadium is a huge

benefit for Cleveland. I don't know if they would get another opportunity for a team and stadium in the future. The last time we had someone with this type of passion was with Bart Wolstein trying to get a MLS team and build a stadium in Northfield. He got cancer, died and the dream died. That was approx 20 years ago.  We have not had anyone in town with this type of passion as the CSG. This has to get across the finish line.https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1149158/cleveland-seeks-nwsl-a-bold-bid-to-bring 

Also, if you read this article - the announcement is next week

A friend of a friend told me they heard it was really down to two cities, Cleveland and its 12 female investors, and a billionaire from Atlanta.

20 minutes ago, scg80 said:

A friend of a friend told me they heard it was really down to two cities, Cleveland and its 12 female investors, and a billionaire from Atlanta.

How could this be - Atlanta never made an application. I think he is confused with Cincinnati

I hear Cleveland is going to get a team, but they're going to immediately move to Atlanta.

7 hours ago, simplythis said:

How could this be - Atlanta never made an application. I think he is confused with Cincinnati

the application process isn’t entirely public. Atlanta is mentioned as a possibility in the NYT article. 

NWSL Tidbits https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cleveland-pushing-to-become-next-nwsl-expansion-team/

Hopefully this gets announced soon. https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/10/09/cleveland-favourites-land-16th-nwsl-franchise/

Who are the individuals that are part of the Cleveland Soccer Group?  

Google CSG ( Cleveland Soccer Group )   and  you get info.  CLEVELAND PRO SOCCER GROUP

13 hours ago, simplythis said:

Hopefully this gets announced soon. https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/10/09/cleveland-favourites-land-16th-nwsl-franchise/

 

If this is the case, I'd expect a lot more chatter about public funding. Yes, it's cheaper than an NFL stadium, but it's not like the city or county are flush with cash to put forward the necessary funds. Probably safe to assume that this would extend Gateway, which, if anyone's been following their financials, aren't in any position to put money forward, either.

Reddit Post with unconfirmed info but seems reasonable! Or at least confirms my hopes lol

 

Quote

 

Welcome to the NWSL, Cleveland

 

Have been told by someone who works for the city of Cleveland, they have been awarded the 16th NWSL franchise.

 

-Cleveland was a NWSL target for a long time because of the growing popularity in the state, from the Crews recent dominance, to a premiere league game played in Columbus in August, multiple national team games in the state.

 

-Crunch Attendance were a huge proving point for how well the city can attract fans for a women's team in the sport.

 

-Commitment to the largest NWSL primary stadium in the league, along with the commitment in general to a state of the art stadium and personal training facilities.

 

-The belief is that NWSL had told Minnesota, Nashville and Miami to put their bids on hold because they were focused on 2 or 3 certain locations. Cleveland was one of them.

 

-Official announcement expected sometime in the playoffs window, either right before the playoffs start or right after the championship.

 

 

14 minutes ago, Zagapi said:

Reddit Post with unconfirmed info but seems reasonable! Or at least confirms my hopes lol

 

 

 

What's the playoffs window they're referencing? 

23 minutes ago, Zagapi said:

Reddit Post with unconfirmed info but seems reasonable! Or at least confirms my hopes lol

 

 

Fun, and hope so, but I'm not putting that much faith in an anonymous burner reddit account. 

20 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

What's the playoffs window they're referencing? 

Looks like the NWSL playoffs are 11/9-11/23, so they’re saying it would be announced around that timeframe.

7 hours ago, Ethan said:

Fun, and hope so, but I'm not putting that much faith in an anonymous burner reddit account. 

 

Agree that’s pretty unreliable. These posts by commenters in the Reddit thread have my hopes up a bit more.  Cleveland Soccer Group making a possibly subtle celebratory post on IG and a state senator meeting with the NWSL commissioner.

 

 

 

Hopefully getting closer. ttps://www.sportsgirlsclub.com/post/cleveland-rocks-and-that-s-why-it-should-become-home-to-nwsl-and-wnba-teams#google_vignette

 

Downtown may shift from football to futbol
By Ken Prendergast / October 18, 2024

 

The rumor mill of Cleveland sports is always turning. And lately it’s been turning out rumors that Cleveland has won the 16th franchise of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Others are dropping hints of this possibility while at the same time managing expectations.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/10/18/downtown-may-shift-from-football-to-futbol/

Would any permanent retail work in that area? Or is it separated enough from the rest of downtown that this will really be a "game day only" type of spot?

 

I dont see any kind of large scale "pre-game" area in the renderings with food/drinks. So if it's a "game day only" thing, I'd like to see some kind of Food Truck Park with 3 or 4 spots with electric & water hookups. Maybe get a brewery or two, or some local bars, that get licensed to operate temporary bars in pre-built structures. Have a decent area with seating, and then maybe a vendor's alley or something. This way no local place has to carry a year-round lease on something that might see 20 uses per year. 

 

I think it's good to have a nice pre-game area so youre not forcing people to pre-game downtown first then try to get to the stadium, or to do all drinking/eating in the stadium.

consider this a part of the gateway project, move the sin tax money earmarked to the browns to this stadium.

4 hours ago, daybreaker said:

Would any permanent retail work in that area? Or is it separated enough from the rest of downtown that this will really be a "game day only" type of spot?

 

I dont see any kind of large scale "pre-game" area in the renderings with food/drinks. So if it's a "game day only" thing, I'd like to see some kind of Food Truck Park with 3 or 4 spots with electric & water hookups. Maybe get a brewery or two, or some local bars, that get licensed to operate temporary bars in pre-built structures. Have a decent area with seating, and then maybe a vendor's alley or something. This way no local place has to carry a year-round lease on something that might see 20 uses per year. 

 

I think it's good to have a nice pre-game area so youre not forcing people to pre-game downtown first then try to get to the stadium, or to do all drinking/eating in the stadium.

I could see a lot of people tailgating right across the bridge at the West 25th bars too

What sites would be under consideration for a temporary site? 
 

 

 

15 hours ago, daybreaker said:

Would any permanent retail work in that area? Or is it separated enough from the rest of downtown that this will really be a "game day only" type of spot?

I don't think so, at least not in the near future. It's too isolated from the rest of downtown by highways. 

 

In theory you could redesign the I-90 exit ramps and make Orange/Ontario tolerable for pedestrians. If that happened I'm sure there would be at least some interest in living in the area due to its proximity to downtown. Some neighborhood seeding apartments could come in and you could get a neighborhood going similar to what we're seeing on Scranton. 

 

I guess the other way to activate this area would be an expansion of Flats South Bank. Given that FSB doesn't even exist yet, this I would obviously be a long way off. 

7 hours ago, Ethan said:

I don't think so, at least not in the near future. It's too isolated from the rest of downtown by highways. 

 

In theory you could redesign the I-90 exit ramps and make Orange/Ontario tolerable for pedestrians. If that happened I'm sure there would be at least some interest in living in the area due to its proximity to downtown. Some neighborhood seeding apartments could come in and you could get a neighborhood going similar to what we're seeing on Scranton. 

 

I guess the other way to activate this area would be an expansion of Flats South Bank. Given that FSB doesn't even exist yet, this I would obviously be a long way off. 

 

I guess the other way to activate this area would be an expansion of Flats South Bank. Given that FSB doesn't even exist yet, this I would obviously be a long way off. 

 

may not be that far off depending how easy Canal Road extends north to the southern tip of the Clev Clinic/Gilbert-Cavs Phase 1A now under construciton.  Has anyone explored that area in person?  If connected ot connectable, and if the soccer stadium picks up steam that combined area may become hyper-activated a lot sooner.  Build it and they will come...

but a spokesperson for the group recently said to stay tuned for “a forthcoming development on the ownership side.”  https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/10/21/nwsl-expansion

On 10/19/2024 at 5:29 PM, Willo said:

I guess the other way to activate this area would be an expansion of Flats South Bank. Given that FSB doesn't even exist yet, this I would obviously be a long way off. 

 

may not be that far off depending how easy Canal Road extends north to the southern tip of the Clev Clinic/Gilbert-Cavs Phase 1A now under construciton.  Has anyone explored that area in person?  If connected ot connectable, and if the soccer stadium picks up steam that combined area may become hyper-activated a lot sooner.  Build it and they will come...

First, i think the proposed location for the soccer stadium isn't perfect, but it's fine, and i'm not complaining.  However, even with all the proposed suggestions regarding connections to downtown (and they are all good suggestions), this site will still be cut off from downtown by a large highway and train tracks.  Even if it is not physically far from downtown, it will feel very separated from downtown.  Every comment people have posted regarding the access/connectivity/retail attractions to the current Browns Stadium, will apply to the new soccer stadium.  That said, I don't think its the end of the world, but I I think if you are looking for a stadium that's integrated into the urban fabric, I don't think you're going to get it at this location.

14 minutes ago, Dino said:

First, i think the proposed location for the soccer stadium isn't perfect, but it's fine, and i'm not complaining.  However, even with all the proposed suggestions regarding connections to downtown (and they are all good suggestions), this site will still be cut off from downtown by a large highway and train tracks.  Even if it is not physically far from downtown, it will feel very separated from downtown.  Every comment people have posted regarding the access/connectivity/retail attractions to the current Browns Stadium, will apply to the new soccer stadium.  That said, I don't think its the end of the world, but I I think if you are looking for a stadium that's integrated into the urban fabric, I don't think you're going to get it at this location.

 

If ODOT/metroparks can figure out a way to care about pedestrians in the area, there's potential for a really nice integration with the rise project/bike path and downtown core. Not saying it'd bring a ton of additional foot traffic but it should be a lot more than what goes by there currently. 

 

Unless there's residential over there I'm curious what kind of retail or restaurants can survive on non game days (lots free-ish parking probably wouldn't hurt). The fact winking lizard, parlay/paninis and other spots in the downtown core haven't survived even with their proximity to the q and jake is concerning. 

15 hours ago, Dino said:

First, i think the proposed location for the soccer stadium isn't perfect, but it's fine, and i'm not complaining.  However, even with all the proposed suggestions regarding connections to downtown (and they are all good suggestions), this site will still be cut off from downtown by a large highway and train tracks.  Even if it is not physically far from downtown, it will feel very separated from downtown.  Every comment people have posted regarding the access/connectivity/retail attractions to the current Browns Stadium, will apply to the new soccer stadium.  That said, I don't think its the end of the world, but I I think if you are looking for a stadium that's integrated into the urban fabric, I don't think you're going to get it at this location.

An area only feels disconnected if the city/planners allow that to be the case. Efforts can be made to connect it and make it feel connected, one being the proposed rail stop here. That can serve as the quickest way to connect those in the stadium area to downtown by providing quick and immediate access back to Tower City Center and the heart of Downtown. Other things can be done such as redeveloping various sections of this area to continue the momentum of downtown and make the separation the bridge causes to not seem so abrupt. You can also give this area a road diet and add things to the street that give people a multi modal way to traverse downtown. Do this right and people won't even realize how cut off this area is. 

 

But as I said the quickest way would be to add that proposed RTA rail stop here and quickly connect people. 

 

EDIT: I re-read KJP's story and this stadium sits closer to Canal road than Ontario so it would transition easily to Bedrocks riverfront development, so in a sense it is surrounding by development current and future. 

Edited October 22, 2024Oct 22 by MyPhoneDead

19 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

An area only feels disconnected if the city/planners allow that to be the case. Efforts can be made to connect it and make it feel connected, one being the proposed rail stop here. That can serve as the quickest way to connect those in the stadium area to downtown by providing quick and immediate access back to Tower City Center and the heart of Downtown. Other things can be done such as redeveloping various sections of this area to continue the momentum of downtown and make the separation the bridge causes to not seem so abrupt. You can also give this area a road diet and add things to the street that give people a multi modal way to traverse downtown. Do this right and people won't even realize how cut off this area is. 

 

But as I said the quickest way would be to add that proposed RTA rail stop here and quickly connect people. 

Maybe, but continuing your line of thinking then things like highways represent challenges to be overcome. Even if you made Ontario more walkable, the 300ft under the highway will still act as a barrier. It is difficult to activate, and people without a definite destination will use it as a natural turning around point. That can be mitigated, with art, lighting, etc, but it's hard to eliminate that dividing effect entirely. 

I can confirm right from the horses mouth that Cleveland has not been confirmed yet.  Still in good position, but its not done

40 minutes ago, Ethan said:

Maybe, but continuing your line of thinking then things like highways represent challenges to be overcome. Even if you made Ontario more walkable, the 300ft under the highway will still act as a barrier. It is difficult to activate, and people without a definite destination will use it as a natural turning around point. That can be mitigated, with art, lighting, etc, but it's hard to eliminate that dividing effect entirely. 

 

I'm being a hater, but having biked across L-C bridge almost daily for 7+ years the intersection at Ontario and Carnegie is going to be a HUGE barrier to overcome. You're dealing with cars speeding to get somewhere in like 7 directions. The traffic patterns in this area are very problematic. 

 

Also I really don't think people will want to take the train from downtown to the new stadium on a non-game night, as I said before, there's a lot of empty storefront/restaurant space in the areas that border Gateway already.

^ agreed, one of the reasons I think this is such a good location for a stadium is that it's unlikely to get activated by anything else anytime soon. A stadium probably is the best use of this land with the current infrastructure that's in place. Contrast that with the current Browns stadium location. If this stadium is able to support a bar or two, that's great, but if not, it's no big deal, because most likely nothing is getting built here without a stadium. Any auxillary development is a win, even if it's very minimal. 

25 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

I'm being a hater, but having biked across L-C bridge almost daily for 7+ years the intersection at Ontario and Carnegie is going to be a HUGE barrier to overcome. You're dealing with cars speeding to get somewhere in like 7 directions. The traffic patterns in this area are very problematic. 

 

Also I really don't think people will want to take the train from downtown to the new stadium on a non-game night, as I said before, there's a lot of empty storefront/restaurant space in the areas that border Gateway already.

 

Won't there eventually be new access points to the stadium area, like from along the river?   

15 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

I'm being a hater, but having biked across L-C bridge almost daily for 7+ years the intersection at Ontario and Carnegie is going to be a HUGE barrier to overcome. You're dealing with cars speeding to get somewhere in like 7 directions. The traffic patterns in this area are very problematic. 

 

Also I really don't think people will want to take the train from downtown to the new stadium on a non-game night, as I said before, there's a lot of empty storefront/restaurant space in the areas that border Gateway already.

I know these aren't popular here, but... I think this intersection would be a good location for one of those catwalk style pedestrian overpasses. With two (and possibly now three) stadiums, and being basically at the intersection point of two highways, I don't see this intersection being meaningfully dieted anytime soon. 

 

It's not a perfect solution, it doesn't help bikes or the disabled (unless you add elevators, but those are bulky and may not fit), but it would make the  intersection much more navigable for a lot of people. I could potentially see some demand for apartments along Orange/Ontario if something like this existed. Particularly if it was coupled with the linear park/bikeway that has been proposed before for Ontario. The proximity of that area to downtown is great, but without a reasonably walkable way to get there, proximity isn't useful. 

1 hour ago, Ethan said:

I know these aren't popular here, but... I think this intersection would be a good location for one of those catwalk style pedestrian overpasses. With two (and possibly now three) stadiums, and being basically at the intersection point of two highways, I don't see this intersection being meaningfully dieted anytime soon. 

 

It's not a perfect solution, it doesn't help bikes or the disabled (unless you add elevators, but those are bulky and may not fit), but it would make the  intersection much more navigable for a lot of people. I could potentially see some demand for apartments along Orange/Ontario if something like this existed. Particularly if it was coupled with the linear park/bikeway that has been proposed before for Ontario. The proximity of that area to downtown is great, but without a reasonably walkable way to get there, proximity isn't useful. 

 

Seems like a great idea to me but I wonder how it'd work with ODOT. I'd imagine with space constraints it'd have to be a zig-zag/spiral up to get above the road vs a straight run over the intersection like the towpath has and it'd have to be pretty high w/the interstate entrance right there. It's kind of giving into cars, but at the same time I doubt ODOT will do anything meaningful to make the area safer for pedestrians.

2 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said:

An area only feels disconnected if the city/planners allow that to be the case. Efforts can be made to connect it and make it feel connected, one being the proposed rail stop here. That can serve as the quickest way to connect those in the stadium area to downtown by providing quick and immediate access back to Tower City Center and the heart of Downtown. Other things can be done such as redeveloping various sections of this area to continue the momentum of downtown and make the separation the bridge causes to not seem so abrupt. You can also give this area a road diet and add things to the street that give people a multi modal way to traverse downtown. Do this right and people won't even realize how cut off this area is. 

 

But as I said the quickest way would be to add that proposed RTA rail stop here and quickly connect people. 

 

EDIT: I re-read KJP's story and this stadium sits closer to Canal road than Ontario so it would transition easily to Bedrocks riverfront development, so in a sense it is surrounding by development current and future. 

All of these points apply to the lakefront as well.  That was my point.  If the goal is to have a stadium that is integrated into the fabric of downtown, there are a lot of built in disadvantages.  That said, I agree that this land is likely not well suited for a lot else, and having a stadium on the periphery of downtown is still ok.  As far as urban stadium locations go, I'd give it a B-.  I'd give the Lakefront an B+/A- with the Shoreway and LandBridge changes, and the potential for development.  I think Progressive Filed is an A for urban stadium locations.  I think the Wolstein Center site, Krenzler Field site, and Nautica parking lots could potentially be "A" sites, but, of course,  it's not as easy as just picking whatever site you want.

6 hours ago, surfohio said:

 

Won't there eventually be new access points to the stadium area, like from along the river?   

Yes I thought the planned new Eagle Avenue bridge from Ontario to be constructed and appears to empty near the new Cavs/Clinic Phase 1A would allow reasonable access south the new soccer village (if the few roads between the two developments are activated).  Not sure if the bridge has wide pedestrian lanes planned but hopefully that is being discussed or will be brought up during planning meetings. I saw this image in an earlier KJP story and it gives the impression the new bridge could provide access points southward - not just to toward Tower City..

 

It appears they will try to connect the new stadium to the riverfront development with pathways or via existing Canal or existing Commerce Rd.  It's hard to tell from the renderings, and this is still conceptual anyway.  Keep in mind though it would be about a one mile walk from the Cavs facility and the stadium will be about 50-100' higher than the riverfront.  See the retaining walls at the bottom and right of the rendering

26 minutes ago, Dino said:

It appears they will try to connect the new stadium to the riverfront development with pathways or via existing Canal or existing Commerce Rd.  It's hard to tell from the renderings, and this is still conceptual anyway.  Keep in mind though it would be about a one mile walk from the Cavs facility and the stadium will be about 50-100' higher than the riverfront.  See the retaining walls at the bottom and right of the rendering

What is the building at the top of the render, along Ontario? Is it existing or proposed? Could a small soccer village be built along Ontario, with residential and restaurants to provide a more neighborhood feel to the development?

 

^I believe that is a training facility.  It's all conceptual though.

^yeah, training and admin

I don't want to be this guy - but I don't love the NWSL investment. I'm very sorry - I honestly hate myself for this... but it's not a sustainable investment absent planned other uses for the stadium. 

 

I hope I'm wrong, as I'd love to take my daughter to see games. 

15 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

I don't want to be this guy - but I don't love the NWSL investment. I'm very sorry - I honestly hate myself for this... but it's not a sustainable investment absent planned other uses for the stadium. 

 

I hope I'm wrong, as I'd love to take my daughter to see games. 

I am with you.  Would much rather see this tied to the CSU campus to increase the usage and street activity even more, vs a stadium on an island next to a freeway.