I usually fend off the panhandlers by doing this..when I see that I am obviously about to be confronted...I ask THEM for a dollar...stating I need money for gas, bus, smokes..or whatever.....they usually look at me like I am an alien then walk away....

  I usually fend off the panhandlers by doing this..when I see that I am obviously about to be confronted...I ask THEM for a dollar...stating I need money for gas, bus, smokes..or whatever.....they usually look at me like I am an alien then walk away....

 

When I first moved to NYC I did the same exact thing. 

 

In Cleveland, when I am approach which is rare, I just start rambling off in Spanish (super fast) and then at the end say something (in a charo-esq accent) wuss rong maine..ju dont speekeeng' no spanish??!  aye!! That gets them EVERY time.

 

Luckily height plays a factor, sometimes I pretend not to see people.  JDD, i'm sure you can relate.  :wink:

 

I do not know if this is safe or not...but here is my full proof method I have just recently invented and perfected and it works on the same theory JDD's technique  is based. This works best when I am alone as other people mess it up.  When I know someone is planning on approaching me...and I can always tell--I veer directly TOWARDS them rather than away. I am not talking keeping a strait path, but change your path to head into theirs  (not aggressively or intrusively, but assertively)  It really confuses them and usually they step out of my way before I get near them.  Try it. I am female and it works.

 

edit: works better on men for me

JDD, MTC, P99:

 

All great ideas. I will remember them all - particularly asking them for a handout first.

Usually, talking on a cell phone or just wearing headphones and dark sunglasses does it for me.

 

When I use to drive the cab, I use to debrief all of the out-of-towners about who not to give money to. I told them the real homeless will usually not ask for money.

Mind you, I would never do this but I am always so, so SO tempted to camp it up and say "Sorry honey, I only carry $100s and American Express Platinum!" :-D

JDD, MTC, P99:

 

All great ideas. I will remember them all - particularly asking them for a handout first.

Usually, talking on a cell phone or just wearing headphones and dark sunglasses does it for me.

 

When I use to drive the cab, I use to debrief all of the out-of-towners about who not to give money to. I told them the real homeless will usually not ask for money.

 

yeah my technique only works when  see them coming.. walking toward me. not so much when I am just standing  or walking the same direction- then I am a sitting duck like anyone else.  that is when I pull out the "no, I'm  sorry" . if they ask about something specific ie something about food, I direct them to one of the meal sites. At this point I think St Hermans and St Malachi are the best shots-no one is ever happy to hear me give this advice.  I don't feel heartless either b/c we always donate to a local meal sites and homeless shelters that will likely put the money to better use than a panhandler would.  I agree most homeless folks do not panhandle. I know this b/c I am rarely (maybe 3-4 X ever ,and it was the same 2 people-not even sure if homeless) panhandled around Stonebridge and at the light at 25th and superior viaduct (even on foot, bike or scooter, stopped at light) where many homeless pass through.

Mind you, I would never do this but I am always so, so SO tempted to camp it up and say "Sorry honey, I only carry $100s and American Express Platinum!" :-D

 

I had an excessively trusting college roommate who was panhandled once, in an episode that's rather famous among my friends. The bum asked for a dollar. The roommate told the bum "all I have is a twenty." The bum said he would make change. The roommate gave him the $20 bill. Roommate never sees bum again.

 

I have many more stories about this guy (we call him "Maynard" or the "Village Idiot") and the incredibly stupid, overly trusting things he has done. Like the time he was living in Chicago and gave his ATM card to his roommate there, even though he suspected the roommate was ripping him off. He was. Maynard lost probably thousands of dollars to the guy.

If you could get in contact with your friend, I have an exciting real estate opportunity I think he'd be interested in. Sole and exclusive ownership of the Brooklyn Bridge in fabulous New York City! :wink:

mm...catcher's mitt.

Mind you, I would never do this but I am always so, so SO tempted to camp it up and say "Sorry honey, I only carry $100s and American Express Platinum!" :-D

 

I had an excessively trusting college roommate who was panhandled once, in an episode that's rather famous among my friends. The bum asked for a dollar. The roommate told the bum "all I have is a twenty." The bum said he would make change. The roommate gave him the $20 bill. Roommate never sees bum again.

 

I have many more stories about this guy (we call him "Maynard" or the "Village Idiot") and the incredibly stupid, overly trusting things he has done. Like the time he was living in Chicago and gave his ATM card to his roommate there, even though he suspected the roommate was ripping him off. He was. Maynard lost probably thousands of dollars to the guy.

 

I don't want to meet him......just send the ATM card and PIN!

 

corrected as per MayDay

"PIN number!"

 

Personal Identification Number number? :wtf:

 

Sorry - pet peeve from the banking days (along with "ATM machine")

i'm really craving some TCBY Yogurt

yeah my technique only works when  see them coming.. walking toward me. not so much when I am just standing  or walking the same direction- then I am a sitting duck like anyone else.  that is when I pull out the "no, I'm  sorry" . if they ask about something specific ie something about food, I direct them to one of the meal sites. At this point I think St Hermans and St Malachi are the best shots-no one is ever happy to hear me give this advice.  I don't feel heartless either b/c we always donate to a local meal sites and homeless shelters that will likely put the money to better use than a panhandler would.  I agree most homeless folks do not panhandle. I know this b/c I am rarely (maybe 3-4 X ever ,and it was the same 2 people-not even sure if homeless) panhandled around Stonebridge and at the light at 25th and superior viaduct (even on foot, bike or scooter, stopped at light) where many homeless pass through.

 

I don't get that much in the Stonebridge area either. One time that really stuck out though was New Years Day this year...there is a man that sits outside the church on W25th with some crazy dreadlocks. Well that day, he came towards me on roller skates in a santa outfit, pressing himself forward with ski poles. It was very interesting.

yeah my technique only works when  see them coming.. walking toward me. not so much when I am just standing  or walking the same direction- then I am a sitting duck like anyone else.  that is when I pull out the "no, I'm  sorry" . if they ask about something specific ie something about food, I direct them to one of the meal sites. At this point I think St Hermans and St Malachi are the best shots-no one is ever happy to hear me give this advice.  I don't feel heartless either b/c we always donate to a local meal sites and homeless shelters that will likely put the money to better use than a panhandler would.  I agree most homeless folks do not panhandle. I know this b/c I am rarely (maybe 3-4 X ever ,and it was the same 2 people-not even sure if homeless) panhandled around Stonebridge and at the light at 25th and superior viaduct (even on foot, bike or scooter, stopped at light) where many homeless pass through.

 

I don't get that much in the Stonebridge area either. One time that really stuck out though was New Years Day this year...there is a man that sits outside the church on W25th with some crazy dreadlocks. Well that day, he came towards me on roller skates in a santa outfit, pressing himself forward with ski poles. It was very interesting.

 

He sounds fun.  People like that add street life and energy to a neighborhood.  There is a man that hangs out on shaker square and everyday, he dresses like its 1978.  Everyday its stayin' alive/saturday night fever to him.  Although, I "think" he's crazy...I love his throw back fashions and psuedo mafia-tacky Las Vegas attitude!  He gives "leisure" suit a whole new meaning and ladies, every shirt I've seen him wear, the top three buttons are always undone showing off his "rug" and "bling"!

yeah he owns the ne corner of detroit and 25th!  There is another santa suited roller blader, but he uses a dog to pull his sleigh over the superior bridge. 

i saw a guy on rollerblades with two dogs on the bridge. i wasn't sure if he was bum or not.

^ yea i seen that guy, it was like hes dressed like a hipster bum, its pretty amazing

Has anyone noticed that the huge warehouse across from Gallucci's at E63rd (I think) is being torn down?  WHAT THE F?!?!?!?!?

I just am at a total loss as to why this f'ing city allows these types of buildings to be f'ing torn down!

Destroying yet another incredible building that is just in the distance of the photo below.  All but 2 of the buildings from this incredible scene at E55th and Euclid remains.  I'm wondering when those will come down.  It's only a matter of time in this city.

I just don't know what to say anymore.  Haven't they realized that tearing down old, maybe vacant, structures and leaving a blank desolate piece of shit empty parcel is not urban renewal?  Really, why did this building have to come down.  It was full of graffitti and broken windows, but I'm sure the structure was sound.  F!

its been discussed to death in other threads.....

Thanks for the tip... you won't have to worry about that for very long as far as this building is concerned...

It's repulsive. It is so dirty, it makes me sick when I walk by, and the smell is enough to make you gag even when you're a few storefronts away. This is seriously is shameful. I will even say I understand that the real estate market here is tough, that's why there are vacancies, but come on, why do WE, the pedestrians, have to be grossed out?

 

Man, this makes me SOOOOOOOOO mad. This building is OWNED by someone. Clean up the damn mess!

 

I couldn't agree more. I live in the Statler Arms and am disgusted by this building on a daily basis. I don't really expect this to get anything done, but you've inspired me to actually get off my lazy butt and write a letter (truly a rare feat!).

 

When I looked up Calabrese, Racek & Markos Inc on the Secretary of State's website it lists Steve A Calabrese as the Business Point of Contact, so that's who I'm addressing it to. If anyone's familiar with this company and can provide a better point of contact I'm all ears.

 

Here's what I'm writing:

 

---

Steven A. Calabrese

CALABRESE, RACEK & MARKOS, INC.

1110 Euclid Avenue, Suite 300

Cleveland, OH 44115

(216) 696-5442

 

Dear Mr. Calabrese,

 

I am writing you to express my concerns with regard to the property located at 1030 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. As Calabrese, Racek & Markos, Inc is listed as the property owner and you are listed as the business point of contact according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, I have addressed this letter to you. If that is incorrect, please accept my apologies. Otherwise, I hope you will indulge me with a few minutes of your time so that I may explain why this property concerns me. Specifically, I am speaking of Loretta’s Restaurant on the ground level the building. Let me preface my comments by telling you I live in the Statler Arms building almost directly across from this building, and walk by it almost every day. Undoubtedly this level of exposure has sensitized me to the subject, but I try to remain objective in all my points.

 

First, as can be plainly seen in the blog post located at http://lccleveland.blogspot.com, the area behind the gate of Loretta’s Restaurant is extremely dirty. It is littered with garbage, pigeon feces, and (I suspect) human urine. I am not a medical professional, but it occurs to me that this may be a significant health hazard. Particularly when recent health scares such as Avian Influenza have brought to the forefront the dangers associated with animal feces. Of course, I am not suggesting anyone will catch bird flu because of the disrepair of Loretta’s Restaurant, but I think it is reasonable to be concerned that there may be some health hazard posed when animal feces are not periodically cleaned up or not sealed off by an impermeable barrier.

 

Second, the general state of Euclid Avenue is quickly deteriorating. While this is somewhat due to the Euclid Corridor Project, it is also due to the spate of abandoned and unkempt buildings such as this one. I’m sure you are aware Cleveland has recently lost out on the opportunity to host the GOP convention in 2008. The rash of abandoned, unkempt buildings can’t help us win any future prospects.

 

For these reasons and more, I implore you to please clean up this property. I am writing on the off chance that you simply are not aware of the situation and will quickly remedy the problems in the interest of being a responsible property owner / manager.

---

 

Always open to better wording, within reason  :-D

 

*EDIT, fixed a couple typos

 

No changes yet. I think it's time to start CCing the mayor, councilman, etc.

No changes yet. I think it's time to start CCing the mayor, councilman, etc.

 

Sigh, I guess so.. For a while I had given up any hope for the entire block with those horrendous generators outside the CAC due to the underground fire. (It's amazing how many fire trucks showed up to that, BTW.) But now that they're gone it, Loretta's is once again the "weakest link" in the neighborhood.

 

Actually, a new store is preparing to open across the street. Looks like it might be a discount women's shoe store, though it's hard to tell exactly.

i saw a guy on rollerblades with two dogs on the bridge. i wasn't sure if he was bum or not.

 

^ yea i seen that guy, it was like hes dressed like a hipster bum, its pretty amazing

 

That is the famous Daniel Ray, who acts as caretaker for the Parish Hall and Romanian Orthodox Church at Detroit and W. 61st. He lives in the old rectory behind the church. His dogs can sometimes be seen walking on the roof.

 

Hey, you wouldn't see a guy like this in every city!

In regards to Euclid between East 9th and East 12th, a sale is pending of the CAC building.  Hopefully the new owners will clean up the exterior of the building and wash the windows. It's not nearly as bad as other Euclid ave. buildings, but it is far from perfect.

^Cool. I love that building.

 

No, the worst downtown Euclid building in my mind is the Atrium, between E. 6th and E. 9th. I know I sound like a broken record, but the condition of that place is inexcusable.

"PIN number!"

 

Personal Identification Number number? :wtf:

 

Sorry - pet peeve from the banking days (along with "ATM machine")

 

That's hilarious, I actually never thought about that.

 

In LA we have "The La Brea Tar Pits".  Which translates to "The The Tar Pits Tar Pits".

In regards to Euclid between East 9th and East 12th, a sale is pending of the CAC building.  Hopefully the new owners will clean up the exterior of the building and wash the windows. It's not nearly as bad as other Euclid ave. buildings, but it is far from perfect.

 

Huh.. I agree with blinker, I actually like the building. But yes it could use a major scrub and interior update.

 

The one thing that has always thrown me about the CAC building -- why on the western face of the building is it alllllll brick then one minuscule window right smack in the middle. I'll include a picture later if I get a chance. It's hilarious.

 

By the way I walked through Reserve Square for the first time today to vote.. I was amazed how much stuff is in there. The grocery store is not half bad, either.

By the way I walked through Reserve Square for the first time today to vote.. I was amazed how much stuff is in there. The grocery store is not half bad, either.

 

Hey, no praise for Cleveland is allowed in this thread! Vent, you ingrates!!

i met a guy named KJP once, it was most displeasing.

Don't you hate it when vents just randomly appear while you're walking the streets of Cleveland?

How you people get by without sprained ankles or knots to your forehead is amazing to me.

Then again, vents in Columbus and Baton Rouge seemed to be better placed than what you folks describe up in Cleveland.

 

:-D :wink2:

The one thing that has always thrown me about the CAC building -- why on the western face of the building is it alllllll brick then one minuscule window right smack in the middle. I'll include a picture later if I get a chance. It's hilarious.

 

Maybe I'm the only one that finds this funny.. But seriously.. What the hell?

 

 

i wont be losing any sleep over it.

where does it correspond in the building? 

 

it is part of the CAC, but could it be the kitchen for the grill on 6 or some other room that at one time needed manual ventilation?

 

i guess the plan originally must have been to have a taller building next door, but it has been this way since the early 1900s. 

^or structural reasons, (i.e. elevators) or cost of materials, or.....blah blah blah.

and a random vent:

 

while i'm happy to see a women's shoe sale store on lower euclid (1011), how can they get away with using a disposable banner for their signage?  also they have no lighting or product displayed facing the street.

 

when i travel to other cities, i usually see a more consistent approach to what is allowed in terms of signage.  most of the cleveland stuff seems to be lacking - either for lack of standards, or refusal or neglect to enforce existing standards.

 

examples:

- selah salon sign in statler building (big, white background suburban shopping center style)

- jimmy johns (on top of the steel backing)

 

they should require individual back lit or internally lit letters and none of the 4 bulb florescent fixtures with a cheap plastic front.

 

 

 

we all can't be as high quality as the Mansfield carousel district!

^^ That sign's got a kind of Fallujah meets footwear vibe to it though, don't ya think?

A large part of my work as a graphic designer involves working for a sign company, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that even the most thoughtful business owners consider signage way too late in the process of opening. I can't tell you how many last minute banners/metal signs/illuminated signs I've had to design because no one realized there isn't a sign above the door until three days before the opening.

 

I know these people have a lot on their minds opening up a store, but their graphic image always seems to slip through the cracks and you end up with crappy little polyethylene banners that make a store scream "I won't be here in three months, so hurry the hell up and shop today!" (although it may be a genius marketing strategy they have concocted for creating urgency in shopping today-i really, really doubt it).

 

A lot of cities do have very strict guidelines about the dimensions and type of signage. Some even have a board that ensures it will fit historically into the area-Medina town square comes to mind. Since Euclid is such an important stretch on downtown retail, I really wish they'd exercise some oversight over what goes up. It's bad enough there are currently so many vacant or under construction buildings on Euclid, why do the ones that are there get away with third rate signage?

 

I don't know what the purview of the Design Review Committee in Cleveland (the ones who made Quicken Loans Arena redo their arena sign) is, but if they have any power, they should step in and get these stores representing like it's downtown Cleveland and not some random strip mall in Parma.

 

 

Well, I got sick of Loretta's Restaraunt, and I made some changes myself.....

 

http://clevelandada.blogspot.com/2006/11/bringin-sexy-back-or-somethin.html

I believe that Design Review, an to a large extent - the Landmarks Commission, has a lot to do with signage in Downtown Cleveland and other historic neighborhoods.  I'd presume they've approved lots of "temporary" signage (banners, etc) over the years that just never gets upgraded.

 

By the way, keep an eye out for big blank walls like the one posted above to have major advertising/art pieces installed in the near future.  There's legislation in City Hall/Council to allow Clearchannel and others to do a number of these above and beyond what is currently permissible.  Could be cool... or extremely crappy!

Here's the problem folks - you have people trying to start a business and while they might not be the most marketing-savvy people on the planet - they know they need SOME kind of signage. CornerCurve, I hear you loud and clear.

 

However, when you're trying to start a small business venture on a limited budget, a full-blown properly done sign starts at a minimum of several thousand dollars. God knows you'd love to have enough revenue to put up some high-end backlit signage, but you either do that or you eat. Some might have the option of applying for storefront renovation funds (a fantastic program) but not every small business (or their specific location)  is eligible.

 

Now imagine yourself in the city's position - you have people poo-pooing the vinyl banners, so you feel obligated to crack down. All of sudden, you have small business owners crying foul and saying the city is being anti-business, etc. I really think it's a matter of both parties (the city/Design Review and the small business owners) wanting to do what's right but having their hands tied.

I guess a retail space with something in it is better than nothing, but I don't understand the business plan. Signs in the store window say they sell shoes for $5 to $10, if I read it right on a recent walk. That seems awfully cheap, which makes me think that this place is a temporary store. They do this in the Halle Building where I work, renting out a space for less than a month. People sell Halloween decorations or crappy books.

 

Maybe I'm a snob, but something like this frustrates me so much. I like living in Cleveland and all, but come on, there's progress and then there's progress.

I'm all for filling empty retail space, even if it is just a stop gap measure before hopefully something larger and more dramatic comes in to really revive downtown retail in lower Euclid.

 

My thing is this is the heart of the city. This street is what helps define the downtown experience. I know full well that it's smack in the middle of its reincarnation, so I'm more than happy to give some latitude. But in this limbo period, you can still represent to the public that you are looking to the future too (signage being just one representation of that commitment).

 

I have seen far too many run down strip malls in exurbia with no expression of pride that make me grimace (no, not the big purple guy from McDonald's commercials). It's sad no matter where it happens.

 

And the thing is you don't need to be talking about expensive backlit signs or a full on corporate design package. Maybe I'm just pissy because I know what you can do, even in a short time frame and with a limited budget, if you have business owners that really realize that a successful business comes from caring about every aspect of what you do.

 

I am actually as excited when I get to do projects that have a limited budget and real time restraints as I am when I do designs that are much more extensive in their demands. I guess what I'm saying is I've seen really great designs and signs, of all price range and manner, that express the commitment of the owners to their business, and by extension their community. I just wish those were what you'd see down on Euclid, advertising $5 shoes and crappy Halloween decorations.

 

I don't want the Design Review Committee to serve as the fascist arm of design snobs like me (I'd much rather have that job to myself  :-D). I do want them to educate the business owners about the importance of the image they present to the public. I think it would serve to help improve their businesses in the long run, even if they are downtown for a limited time.

 

Well, this is the venting thread, so take that lame-ass signs!

"Maybe I'm just pissy because I know what you can do, even in a short time frame and with a limited budget, if you have business owners that really realize that a successful business comes from caring about every aspect of what you do."

 

Not pissy - just maybe a little jaded, and that's natural given what we know and what we do. I absolutely love designing something for a small upstart - they have enthusiasm about what they're doing, and by giving them what they need (aka a successful brand/identity), they are some of the most grateful clients.

^Amen.

Signs in the store window say they sell shoes for $5 to $10, if I read it right on a recent walk. That seems awfully cheap, which makes me think that this place is a temporary store. They do this in the Halle Building where I work, renting out a space for less than a month.

 

If this is the store on Euclid that I'm thinking of (Shooz, I believe), it's been there the entire time I've lived in Cleveland. 4.5 years. Hardly a start-up at this point.

 

I think the really sad thing is the potential for these stores to be displaced when ECP is complete. I know many of you are not going to decry City Blues or Shooz disappearing, but a lot of these stores would add to a dense mix of retail if they could just get their signage, window displays and interior layouts in place ... But I guess that's a pretty tall order, given the deplorable visual condition in most Euclid storefronts.

if it weren't for city blue, where else would the bums fence everything they just stole from tower city?

Where is Shooz? This isn't the same place. This storefront we're talking about has been empty for the past six months. It's on the north side of Euclid across from the Rotunda.

the space we are talking about is the old City Year space on the north side of euclid (1011 ish).

 

the art store in the halle (and the temporary/seasonal stores that come in) don't display banners on the outside. 

 

i'm excited about this place, i just wish they would have stuck to a couple of color, display board type signs in the actual windows with some lights.  as it is now, there are no lights in the windows displaying the products and the banner looks bad. 

 

on another note, the new owners of the Statler apper to be doing some work.  i heard that the leasing office is moving to a first floor space (fronting e12) and that the storefronts on euclid are getting prepared to be re-let.  it just shows what different perspectives outsiders have on the viability of properties.  this NYC group seems to have made a lot of good changes. 

the space we are talking about is the old City Year space on the north side of euclid (1011 ish).

 

the art store in the halle (and the temporary/seasonal stores that come in) don't display banners on the outside. 

 

i'm excited about this place, i just wish they would have stuck to a couple of color, display board type signs in the actual windows with some lights.  as it is now, there are no lights in the windows displaying the products and the banner looks bad. 

 

on another note, the new owners of the Statler apper to be doing some work.  i heard that the leasing office is moving to a first floor space (fronting e12) and that the storefronts on euclid are getting prepared to be re-let.  it just shows what different perspectives outsiders have on the viability of properties.  this NYC group seems to have made a lot of good changes. 

 

And its a nice building on the inside!