Posted February 17, 200718 yr The conversation started when someone commented on the absence of a sidewalk presence at the new Stonebridge 5 residential development on the west bank of the flats in Cleveland. Mayday then used his image to Photoshop what the building could look like with street level retail. Some interesting ideas followed when one of the store fronts sported the Urban Ohio Logo. I thought I would be an interesting topic for all of the board to participate in. What does the future hold for Urban Ohio? See some of the ideas mentioned here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3883.540
February 17, 200718 yr Florida Guy, send this to the Trader Joe's website. They need one there it's perfect! Great job with photo shop.
February 18, 200718 yr About the Trader Joe's ....if you go to the "contact us" portion of their website, there is a Location Request option…maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea make some strong requests for a Stonebridge, or even an East 4th. I'm actually going to toss in my request for downtown Cleveland. As for this topic's relevance...UO could actually be used to benefit Cleveland when dealing with situations like this. For example, we could decide on a particular company or storefront we would like to see downtown, and express our individual interests (power in number!) for their presence. There may be companies who have never thought of taking a look at Cleveland, and by noticing a common and specific location's interest, may actually have some effect in adding Cleveland to their radar screen for possible future expansion. Just an idea… MayDay, you’ve got skill with that Photoshop, but I think I’ve already told you that enough.
February 18, 200718 yr The Admins need to get involved in this convo..they are the ones who ultimately know. Although I have often pondered this same question...I would love to see its clout grow along with its numbers. It would be cool if UrbanOhio actually sent out representatives to press releases and did more in-depth research on projects ongoing throughout the state. This could then be linked to the site with an UrbanOhio news feed that would be one of the most up-to-date projects and construction sources around. We are already ahead of the curve a lot of times...this would sort of make it more official. Sure, it would still be a blog...but a blog with some more credibility!
February 18, 200718 yr UrbanOhio is a portal for things to be discussed and to happen. So really, it isn't the Admins that are doing all the work but YOU folks are doing the work (and it's great). So use UrbanOhio for what it's worth (hey, I like the rendering of the site on that building!). I mean, honestly, the future does lie with you. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 18, 200718 yr When I hear "[Politician X] is in the pocket of UrbanOhio," then I'll know that UO has made a difference in the world!
February 18, 200718 yr I mean, honestly, the future does lie with you. So, UrbanOhio is sort of like Captain Planet?
February 18, 200718 yr Minus the whole "Captain Planet" thing. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 18, 200718 yr It was discussed at the thread where all this originally started to have UrbanOhio become a 501©(3) nonprofit educational corporation and to have a presence at the kiosk at Star Plaza. Those are excellent ideas, but we'd have to have a mission, goals and strategies and a board (administrators) first. And, while the paperwork is being dealt with to create the 501©(3) organization (can take a long time -- it's the IRS!), UrbanOhio can use an established 501©(3) organization as its fiscal agent in the interim. I've done this several times with start-up nonprofits. I suspect you'll find a helping hand at All Aboard Ohio, EcoCity Cleveland or 1,000 Friends of Central Ohio. I'll post a draft mission statement, goals and strategies when I have a little more time. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 18, 200718 yr yeah, it would be cool for uo and more importantly great pr for ohio if places like visitors centers and sports arena shops and local chambers of commerce and stuff like that had some signage and info about this site. hmm - *mulls this over*
February 18, 200718 yr Count me in. I would love to help out. The obvious meat of the mission statement should hit around education... IMO.
February 18, 200718 yr Urban Ohio could apply for a grant from the Civic Innovation Lab. They're the ones who got Cool Cleveland, Exhibit Cleveland, City Wheels, CityProwl Tours going with a start up grant. Whatever concept Urban Ohio comes up with, it seems like Civic Innovation Lab might be interested. However, it would probably have to be limited in its focus on Cleveland (at least initially). I feel like we've discussed the future of Urban Ohio before, and ideas mentioned (besides urban activism and promotion) included operating a hostel, newsletter, and bicycle rental.
February 18, 200718 yr UrbanOhio has a lot of resources. There are a lot of smart creative people on here; who knows what all we could accomplish. The hostel idea is really interesting.
February 18, 200718 yr I kind of envisioned UrbanOhio becoming a big collective and that we would become really close. Time for a group hug!
February 18, 200718 yr That pic definitely sums up urbanohio... one never-ending sausage fest. Where are the young sexy female urbanists!??!
February 19, 200718 yr I feel like we've discussed the future of Urban Ohio before, and ideas mentioned (besides urban activism and promotion) included operating a hostel, newsletter, and bicycle rental. I would even suggest acting as consultant/implementer of RTA's Transit Waiting Environments. How many shelters can/should UO adopt? ? ? ? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 19, 200718 yr That pic definitely sums up urbanohio... one never-ending sausage fest... Seriously. Look at the rug burn on the elbow of bachelor #1.
February 19, 200718 yr That pic definitely sums up urbanohio... one never-ending sausage fest... Seriously. Look at the rug burn on the elbow of bachelor #1. I will never be able to look at UO the same again! "sausage fest"! LOL LOL
February 19, 200718 yr Urban Ohio could apply for a grant from the Civic Innovation Lab. They're the ones who got Cool Cleveland, Exhibit Cleveland, City Wheels, CityProwl Tours going with a start up grant. Whatever concept Urban Ohio comes up with, it seems like Civic Innovation Lab might be interested. However, it would probably have to be limited in its focus on Cleveland (at least initially). This sounds great, but I think it would be a mistake to limit the focus of the concept to Cleveland only. Especially when a LARGE contingent of the forumers are from SW Ohio (Cincy, Dayton). Since the site is called UrbanOhio...the focus of any group should be a statewide thing.
February 19, 200718 yr To be serious on this (harde har har), I would like to see UrbanOhio develop from the forum-only stage to something more. A non-profit is a good start. There are already organized meets and gatherings, and a large group could be excellent leverage for tours at, say, skyscrapers within the state. Or by communities or neighborhood associations. One by Short North would be damn well worth a visit, for instance.
February 19, 200718 yr Id like to get involved in attracting events to the city of Cincinnati. Through Cincinnati parks and various other venues. I don't think a state-wide focus would work, people are naturally very partial to their own cities--not that there's anything wrong with it.
February 19, 200718 yr This sounds great, but I think it would be a mistake to limit the focus of the concept to Cleveland only. Especially when a LARGE contingent of the forumers are from SW Ohio (Cincy, Dayton). Since the site is called UrbanOhio...the focus of any group should be a statewide thing. I forgot to mention that the Civic Innovation Lab is a part of the Cleveland Foundation. I didn't mean to limit it to Cleveland, but I think this particular organization would only give grants to open the potential Northeast Ohio branch of Urban Ohio. I thought of the Civic Innovation Lab as a source for funding only because of my relative familarity with it, and because it made possible similarly civic projects like City Wheels and Cityprowl Tours. I would think that if City Wheels and Cityprowl Tours are successful enough, they could eventually expand into other metro areas. http://www.civicinnovationlab.org/
February 19, 200718 yr I don't think a state-wide focus would work, people are naturally very partial to their own cities--not that there's anything wrong with it. That is the beauty of the forum...we have GREAT intimate knowledge of our own little niches. It could be a state-wide thing with local chapters that specialize in their areas. Thats how it could be truly great. Vulpster03, That could be a good start...maybe what we need is for each local chapter to have an organization that sponsors it, and makes it work. It might be better to do it at the local level than a statewide funding/sponsorship effort.
February 19, 200718 yr Article about non-profits in today's Cleveland PD A partnership of business, nonprofit Monday, February 19, 2007 Barb Galbincea Plain Dealer Reporter Local nonprofits increasingly are courting opportunities to marry their missions with moneymaking ventures. The most blissful of such unions, known collectively as social enterprise, produce unrestricted revenue for an organization to support, or expand, its core services. More at www.plaindealer.com
February 19, 200718 yr I kind of envisioned UrbanOhio becoming a big collective and that we would become really close. Time for a group hug! Yes Sherman, you and I need a hug. ;-)
February 19, 200718 yr I kind of envisioned UrbanOhio becoming a big collective and that we would become really close. Time for a group hug! Seicer, Lord have mercy! That pic is a hot mess! :lol:
February 19, 200718 yr I kind of envisioned UrbanOhio becoming a big collective and that we would become really close. Time for a group hug! Seicer, Lord have mercy! That pic is a hot mess! :lol: You've got that right! Fosters?!?!? ... Sheesh. What were they thinking???
February 20, 200718 yr Back on the future of UO topic...this thread suggests we should start lobbying for our urban interests (transit, retail, etc). This specific thread is an avenue for lobbying Trader Joe's to open a downtown store in Cincinnati. It would be great if everyone on the forum could focus their efforts on this to get a major message to the retailer. I know each city would like their own, but the effort will probably work better for one city instead of spread out over 3, 4, or 5 cities. This same process could be duplicated for other cities in their own efforts as well. A 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' kind of scenario. What do ya say UO....will you Clevelanders, Cbus, and other forumers unite to help bring a retailer to Cincy...the favor can be returned when you're looking for similar assistance! This is the thread with about the topic I mentioned: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=12002.0 If you want to go directly to the link to lobby Trader Joe's go here (please request downtown Cincy ...consolidated efforts will work much better): http://www.traderjoes.com/location_requests_form.aspx
February 20, 200718 yr ^this thread an the grocery in cincinnati thread both suggest that. For major retailers, we just divide and conquer, Columbus gets Wild Oats, Cleveland gets requests for Whole Foods, Toledo gets fresh market, cincy gets Traders Joes (by the way i need 24,997 more requests) and everyone is happy, there is so much out there. Also we need to call ourselves something less dorky if we don't won't to get laughed out of press conferences. How about Urban ohio "news forum" or "wire service" or something.
February 20, 200718 yr I'm good with just 'UrbanOhio News'...I not kidding, I will go places and ask questions representing UO.
February 20, 200718 yr This same process could be duplicated for other cities in their own efforts as well. A 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' kind of scenario. What do ya say UO....will you Clevelanders, Cbus, and other forumers unite to help bring a retailer to Cincy...the favor can be returned when you're looking for similar assistance! Exactly the type of dialogue I was hoping for and the main objective of this thread.
February 20, 200718 yr "Urban Ohio Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" I can tell you right now, you can't use "(the) situation room" or "Wolf Blitzer"
February 20, 200718 yr This same process could be duplicated for other cities in their own efforts as well. A 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' kind of scenario. What do ya say UO....will you Clevelanders, Cbus, and other forumers unite to help bring a retailer to Cincy...the favor can be returned when you're looking for similar assistance! Exactly the type of dialogue I was hoping for and the main objective of this thread. ^this thread an the grocery in cincinnati thread both suggest that. For major retailers, we just divide and conquer, Columbus gets Wild Oats, Cleveland gets requests for Whole Foods, Toledo gets fresh market, cincy gets Traders Joes (by the way i need 24,997 more requests) and everyone is happy, there is so much out there. Also we need to call ourselves something less dorky if we don't won't to get laughed out of press conferences. How about Urban ohio "news forum" or "wire service" or something. Personally I'd prefer a Prade boutique or a full service Barney's. Thanks in advance for your support! :wave:
February 20, 200718 yr It was discussed at the thread where all this originally started to have UrbanOhio become a 501©(3) nonprofit educational corporation and to have a presence at the kiosk at Star Plaza. Those are excellent ideas, but we'd have to have a mission, goals and strategies and a board (administrators) first. And, while the paperwork is being dealt with to create the 501©(3) organization (can take a long time -- it's the IRS!), UrbanOhio can use an established 501©(3) organization as its fiscal agent in the interim. I've done this several times with start-up nonprofits. I suspect you'll find a helping hand at All Aboard Ohio, EcoCity Cleveland or 1,000 Friends of Central Ohio. I'll post a draft mission statement, goals and strategies when I have a little more time. Thanks for volunteering to do that, KJP. This seems like a great idea - to move beyond a forum where we can discuss and complain about how we wish certain policies, developments, etc. were different, to actually doing something about it... (To be fair I know many on this board actually work in development and thus "do something about it" every day...) A few thoughts: 1) It seems like there are some issues to work out re:whether this is Cleveland-only or OH-wide. As someone else pointed out, there has to be some local presence since the issues are played out locally. Could be a larger OH organization (presumably to comment on state laws, share best practices among the local groups). 2) I know you said you'd take a crack at a draft mission statement. An admittedly clunky version of the one-liner that comes to mind is something like "To promote urban environments and urban living and the policies that support them". Needs refinement, but it's a start...
February 20, 200718 yr Urban Ohio: the other other white meat Not with the HNIC it ain't! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 20, 200718 yr 2) I know you said you'd take a crack at a draft mission statement. An admittedly clunky version of the one-liner that comes to mind is something like "To promote urban environments and urban living and the policies that support them". Needs refinement, but it's a start... This is something I've thought about for a long time, but never voiced. A mission statement and a list of things that we believe...in other words, positions on issues that Urban Ohio supports. I think there are certainly things that we all agree on.
February 21, 200718 yr 2) I know you said you'd take a crack at a draft mission statement. An admittedly clunky version of the one-liner that comes to mind is something like "To promote urban environments and urban living and the policies that support them". Needs refinement, but it's a start... This is something I've thought about for a long time, but never voiced. A mission statement and a list of things that we believe...in other words, positions on issues that Urban Ohio supports. I think there are certainly things that we all agree on. Here's a few I think we could (mostly) agree on... - more density is generally better - mass transit is good - places should be pedestrian/bike friendly - surface lots are evil in urban environments. if you have to have parking, structured is better - mixed use developments are generally better incl mix of day/night uses (ie. lively 24/7) - architecture/buildings should engage the area/street to create a more engaging environment These aren't so much about specific issues, but kind of tactical principles we'd likely agree on. This the kind of thing you were thinking about, grasscat? What else what you add?
February 21, 200718 yr Yeah...I don't think we would want to take a political stance on these things where we would be associated with a specific party. Its best like you're suggesting to simply promote a pro-city agenda (whether it is conservative or liberal). We just want our cities to be the best places they can be!
February 21, 200718 yr j73-- I would only add that if structured parking was utilized it should promote ground level retail, and be amenable for upward expansion of the structure at a later date (office/residential) if the market demands.
February 21, 200718 yr surface lots are evil in urban environments. Not that you would, but I wouldn't phrase it that way. Something more constructive like "Surface lots should be contained inside the city block and only visible at entrace and exit alleys, but structures are preferred, etc, etc." I'd include something about diversity...in race and income. But that could get difficult.
February 21, 200718 yr j73... Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at. Start with a rather broad mission statement, then fill in some rather broad beliefs about how a majority of us feel about how cities should be structured, and then maybe down the line we can take specific positions on specific issues.
February 22, 200718 yr Yeah...I don't think we would want to take a political stance on these things where we would be associated with a specific party. Its best like you're suggesting to simply promote a pro-city agenda (whether it is conservative or liberal). We just want our cities to be the best places they can be! seriously... come on. If anyone is minimally observant, they can pick up which party fares better in the cities. (Hint it isn't the party that believes Jesus will make you rich).
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