1.21 jigga-zillion.

 

That seems high.

So wait if we get ride of Positively Cleveland what kinda of tourism agency do we have?  You know it all seems that Positively Cleveland gets squezzed by every single big business interest in the city.  First the cashino now the medical mart...

If Positively Cleveland's marketing efforts weren't so embarrassing, then I'd be more sympathetic towards them.

Nobody is suggesting that we cease promotional efforts, or cease having a CVB.  But I am suggesting that we try different approaches.  Vastly different.  What I suggested specifically is that Positively Cleveland should bring in some new blood and show that they deserve to keep the funding stream, by demonstrating the ability to move in another direction.  Everybody involved with "Cleveland+" needs to be reevaluated at the very least.  I'm sorry... but Akron is not Cleveland's greatest asset, not in a million years.  And this is public money we're paying them.

So wait if we get ride of Positively Cleveland what kinda of tourism agency do we have?  You know it all seems that Positively Cleveland gets squezzed by every single big business interest in the city.  First the cashino now the medical mart...

 

HUH??

Nobody is suggesting that we cease promotional efforts, or cease having a CVB.  But I am suggesting that we try different approaches.  Vastly different.  What I suggested specifically is that Positively Cleveland should bring in some new blood and show that they deserve to keep the funding stream, by demonstrating the ability to move in another direction.  Everybody involved with "Cleveland+" needs to be reevaluated at the very least.  I'm sorry... but Akron is not Cleveland's greatest asset, not in a million years.  And this is public money we're paying them.

 

I've been agreeing with 327 way to much this week (scary isn't it?), but he's saying exactly what I've been saying for years.  New younger blood and diversity!

Cleveland on the front page of yahoo again!

 

<b>Cleveland Public Hall: New life for a legendary venue?

Fri Jun 18, 11:20 am ET

By Peter Chakerian, Associated Content</b>

 

At 88 years young, Cleveland Public Auditorium (aka Public Hall) is very much steeped in history.

The home of the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies served as a launching pad for many of rock 'n' roll's legendary performers.

The storied venue is also showing every bit of its history. But the impending Medical Mart and Convention Center proposal, which stands to redevelop much of Malls B and C downtown, is almost certain to breathe new life into the facility......

 

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac_clevela/ac_clevela_ts2700

^That is a new Y! Local feature (or whatever it is called).  It is just picking up on your geographic location and placing local stories on your front page.

 

Personally, although I did not fully comprehend the plans, I did not care much for the idea of changing Public Hall into "high-tech meeting rooms".... it is what it is and should stay that way forever.  When (if ever) it has outlived its use, it should remain as a monument conceived as a tribute to the ideals of Cleveland, builded by her citizens and dedicated to social progress, industrial acheivements and civic interest.  Not every historical structure needs to be torn down or fitted for 'adaptive re-use.'

 

Cleveland plans intermodal transportation center to link key landmarks

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland plans to build a long-awaited intermodal transportation center near the lakefront to link the new medical mart, convention center and Flats east bank redevelopment.

The center, north of the east edge of Mall C, would serve rail passengers, motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. It would likely extend over railroad tracks to just south of the Shoreway and include walkways to the mall and North Coast Harbor, city Planning Director Bob Brown said Tuesday.

 

Read more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/intermodal_transportation_cent.html

While I'm glad this article was posted here as the NCTC will have a significant impact on the CC/MM, discussion for the NCTC itself can be found here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17673.msg494055/topicseen.html#new

I'm starting to worry about the glass wall on the north side of the convention center, looking out to the lake. While it will likely be stunning, does it stand in the way of a better future development?

 

I've long wished for a grand staircase of sorts or a Mall D (maybe something futuristic like that great, swoopy Public Square proposal) that would truly connect the malls to the lakefront/Rock Hall/GLSC etc., in a pedestrian-friendly way. I can SO see leaders (I use the term loosely) saying for the next 50 years that we can't do that because it'll block the view from the convention center. Look at how the intermodal proposal above is already tiptoeing around blocking things.

I have shared the same concern Paul, thats why I was saying that the city needed to start the planning group announced a couple weeks ago before the actual plans for the Convention center were being done. 

 

Ideally, I also think they should be planning an option of expanding the C.C., maybe over the tracks (which the current plan wouldnt really allow), but also to incorporate this transportation center in a way that doesnt come across as an after-thought, and take into consideration some of the ideas from the design competition from a few months back.   

It really really does sound like "protecting" that view will be a chief priority for years to come.  They even want to put NCTC behind City Hall for this reason, instead of jumping on the opportunity to, as Paul put it, truly connect downtown to the lakefront.  The powers that be are simply enamored with these mall views, be it from the ballroom or from the mall surface.  As long as these views are given priority, nothing will ever be built in the "front and center" portion of downtown.

It would take a strong Mayor to bring these parties together and coordinate their efforts.

It would take a strong Mayor to bring these parties together and coordinate their efforts.

 

Agreed.  Let's get one.

I am sure there are hundreds of ways to bridge the mall and parks along Lakeside Ave and to preserve the ballroom view.

 

I was exited about the local groups MMPI partnered with, and it sounds from here that the Mayor's contribution will only help.

 

Things are happening, and its all good!

It would take a strong Mayor to bring these parties together and coordinate their efforts.

 

So now you're calling Mayor Jackson strong? He has brought these groups together. Actually, there is an 8:30am meeting tomorrow morning where these groups are gathering to begin serious discussions.

It would take a strong Mayor to bring these parties together and coordinate their efforts.

 

So now you're calling Mayor Jackson strong? He has brought these groups together. Actually, there is an 8:30am meeting tomorrow morning where these groups are gathering to begin serious discussions.

 

Absolutely, if he gets this done I will bow down and kiss his ring! 

Does anyone know anything about an August 1st deadline??

 

In the video clip below (at around the 2:20 mark), Tom Beres talks about an August 1st deadline that if not met, MM would lose bond sale financing. 

 

Is this true?  Anyone??

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=138752&catid=45

 

 

from Crain's:

 

Long-delayed Cuyahoga County audits should be released soon

By JAY MILLER

2:30 pm, July 8, 2010

 

The long-delayed audits of Cuyahoga County government should be released soon, freeing the county to issue new debt, including a $325 million bond issue for the planned convention center and medical merchandise mart.  Cuyahoga County administrator James McCafferty announced at this morning's county commissioners meeting that the audits of county finances for 2007 and 2008, held up because of the federal corruption probe, should be released within the next week.

 

“They are clean, and we are able to move forward,” Mr. McCafferty said....

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100708/FREE/100709874

 

 

 

 

From Medcity:

 

Selling Cleveland’s medical mart: Q&A with MMPI’s sales chief

 

It’s Greg Sanker’s job to sell the Cleveland medical mart to the world.

 

Or at least that part of the world that needs to buy into the concept for it to be a success–medical device makers, health information technology vendors, and less-sexy members of the healthcare ecosystem like hospital bed manufacturers. Now that the project appears to be picking up some momentum, Sanker’s role is among the most important in ensuring that the medical mart idea becomes a reality.

 

Sanker, a Lakewood, Ohio, resident for the last 15 years, is the vice president of leasing for Chicago-based MMPI, the property developer for Cleveland’s $425 million, 520,000-square-foot medical mart project, which is on track for an October groundbreaking.

 

Not only must Sanker sell Cleveland to prospective tenants, but he needs to create believers in the untested medical mart concept–the idea that hospital purchasing managers and other buyers will be attracted to a one-stop location of showrooms that feature a wide variety of medical products from a vast array of vendors.

 

http://www.medcitynews.com/2010/07/selling-clevelands-medical-mart-qa-with-mmpis-sales-chief/

Missed deadlines for Cleveland's medical mart could mean later groundbreaking

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Developer MMPI missed a deadline last month to deliver an overall budget and work schedule for Cuyahoga County's planned downtown convention center and medical mart.

 

The Chicago-based company also cancelled a June 24 meeting to publicly unveil a conceptual design -- drawings showing 30 percent of a complete plan -- for the $425 million, taxpayer-financed project.

 

Now, an oft-touted October groundbreaking could be pushed to Christmas.

 

But no later, said Jeff Appelbaum, the county's pointman for the project.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2010/07/medical_mart_missed_deadlines_may_mean_later_groundbreaking.html

Does anyone know if this group has an unspoken agenda?  I'm not excited by any push to delay the project, but their criticisms don't sound unreasonable on their face at all.  Wouldn't surprise me at all if sales tax revenues ended up being insufficient down the line.

Cuyahoga County commissioners urged to put off medical mart groundbreaking

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2010/07/cuyahoga_county_commissioners_urged_to_put_off_medical_mart_groundbreaking.html

 

Some excerpts:

 

Citizens Reform Association of Cuyahoga County contends the delay is needed so independent experts can further study the project.

 

Kelly's group is pushing for independent impact and feasibility studies, a contingency plan in the event sales tax revenues lag, research on how to expand Cleveland's medical economy and a complete budget that in addition to the buildings considers possible new parking, a hotel, marketing campaigns and improvements to the mall.

 

Not sure where this came from though:

 

"...Tom Kelly, the group's director, who suggested the project could ultimately be as disastrous as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."  Oh brother.  Is this guy looking for public support for his position or trying to sound like an idiot?  Unclear from this quote.

 

 

CRACC (seriously, is that a joke?) says that the Cleveland medical mart could be a disaster on the level of the gulf oil spill. Wow, thats a hell of a stretch.

 

Some people are saying it will fail because of cost overruns, so we should re-evaluate everything.

Other people are saying it will be a failure if we don't get to market first.

 

Who's right, and what do we do?

Any large public works project is at risk of cost overruns. For someone to say is like me saying that we are at risk of getting a bad snowstorm this winter.

 

And, yes, many of the members of CRACC are on CRACK.

Lets remember, all cost overruns are to be paid for by MMPI, not the county

^That's a pretty big point the reported left our of the article.  Thanks!

Check out Cleveland.com and everybody get their typing fingers in shape.  :-)

A very simple design that can actually work, IMO.  I'm sure that this will change with the New Group Plan Commission coming into fruition. 

LMN Architects will propose sloping the downtown Cleveland Mall to create a dramatic new convention center entry

 

 

The architects of the new Cleveland convention center have something radical in mind for the downtown Mall -- a grassy slope topping a glassy new convention center entrance on the south side of Lakeside Avenue. Under a proposal from LMN Architects of Seattle, the middle section of the Mall – known as Mall B – would gradually rise from south to north, culminating in a 27-foot-high viewing platform from which visitors could survey the lakefront to the north.

 

more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/08/lmn_architects_will_propose_sl.html

I hated the idea, until I saw the pictures.  Now I am a fan

The slope would also create natural amphitheater facing south for outdoor performances, movie screenings or civic gatherings.

 

Interesting.  Me likey...

Citizens Reform Association of Cuyahoga County, GET OUT OF THE WAY YOU ATTENTION MONGERS

It's ok.  I don't like how it ruins the view from the fountain toward the lake, but I like that it adds some street presence on Lakeside.  It would be a nice entrance to a *hopefully* world class convention center.  As they mentioned the hill would also be nice to have when hosting concerts on Mall B.

 

Will there be stairs to get to street level from the top of the hill?  Might be a good idea to put in a couple pedestrian bridges over to Mall C (one on each side for symmetry) or one nice ornamental pedestrian bridge.  This would allow the CC to put in some signage perpendicular to the street guiding people in.

I like this idea.  I think the view will be better from the higher point created, and that compensates for the lost view of the lake from further south on the Mall.

I like the idea. It creates a destination that will draw people in.

If a hotel were placed on the property where would it likely sit? or would it create a chance to place an iconic hotel structure along the lake?

urban landscaping/land use as it should/could be... I hope this doesn't get watered down

If a hotel were placed on the property where would it likely sit? or would it create a chance to place an iconic hotel structure along the lake?

 

There wont be a hotel on any building on the Mall.  IIRC, it would connected to, but not on the mall per se.  Example where the current County Admin building is or Ft. Huntington or Willard Parks (the Hilton was suppose to go on the property where Willard park is now).

 

I have a question, isn't this announcement more specific to this thread?:  http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,22937.0.html

 

I like it. Just trying to get a feel for the scale of 27 feet. I know that is about a 2 story building.

 

Also there will a lobby and a ramp or two that lead down to the exhibition floor at the main entrance on mall B, is that everybody else's understanding?

^^I think it is fine here as the article discusses how all this relates to the design of the convention center (things such as access to the facility among other things)....not much about the commission investigating the mall renovation other than a couple of paragraphs at the end indicating that this can be an evolving design and how it can tie in with future decisions regarding the mall).

I like the idea of the elevated viewing area and the street-level lobby facing Lakeside, but lots of open questions beyond that.  Totally unclear what this really means for the design of the Mall B surface.  Is the sloped lawn just one possibility (one very affordable possibility, per Appelbaum)?  Does the committee weigh in now?  Could the main design decision here (single entry at south end of Mall B) accommodate alternative Mall design concepts?

The way I read it, the architects had to develop the convention center with the budget of $425MM.  MMPI, then later the city reached out to groups to make the roof of the center, the mall, a dynamic place.  (probably to keep cars parking in their parking lots even when there is not a show in town...but I digress)

 

So, now the CC architects have given the groups in charge of the public spaces its canvas to work with.  Their job now is to find the right amenities to bring to the mall, and the funding of how to do it.

 

(My further guess is that eventually the mall will be administered by Cleveland Metroparks, and it will serve as the crown jewel of the emerald necklace.  Mostly because they are good with money and have deep pockets.)

Wow I really like that.

awesome. an elegant and simple solution that can be built within the budget. i imagine the top will be infilled with all sorts of activities depending on the feedback they get from that new group plan commission.. but i dont expect that overall scheme to change. smart to include two entrances so that they can put on two half-scale shows at once or other configurations. i did hear that it wont ruin the view completely from the fountain, but only cover up to browns stadium.

 

this is serious revitalization progress. shock! a good public space design in cleveland! lets pray this design holds water.

LMN Architects have been very creative throughout this process.  It is obvious that a lot of thought has gone into this project.  And I think that this project is not easy to design given the constraints of it mostly being underground using the existing foundation and trying to be creative above ground.

 

First, I liked the idea of having underground space beneath the Medical Mart and having an "L" shaped convention center that can be subdivided.  Now, they have outdone themselves with the sloping hill and the entrance on Lakeside.

 

I assume that MMPI chose the architects and I applaud them.  Well chosen!  I can't wait to see the designs for the Medical Mart itself. 

I just found this link to more information about the design.  Click on the link to the pdf that has much more information about the design.  Two designs are discussed: 1. the one presented in the posts above and 2. using a flat Mall B with a split entrance to either side of the Northern part of Mall B so that the lake views can be preserved.  Both are compared in the pdf with strong arguments for option #1.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=142858&catid=130

 

 

That rendering on Page 21 is pretty cool looking.  I like the single lobby because when you enter the lobby you will be overlooking the main exhibition floor connecting you to the space, where as I think think the splint entrance would give you the feeling like you are entering a mine or something really reinforcing the undreground aspect(reminds me of the connecting tunnel to Terminal d at CLE)

 

The best part is the CC is only really taking up 250 ft of street frontage. That is the nature of the underground design I know but I think about how other cities CC take up block after block of streets, leaving a void.

My further guess is that eventually the mall will be administered by Cleveland Metroparks, and it will serve as the crown jewel of the emerald necklace.

 

Hope not. No booze allowed in the parks! Just kidding...but seriously.

I really like the unified entry format!  The master plan for the Mall (on page 26) will be great if ever fully realized.  We got it right with this location!  This is a great plan and should finally get more people to enjoy the Mall as a great urban space.