Personally, I like mixing species along a street. This way, if one species has a disease, Asian invasive bug.... or sickness unique to one specific species, we will have only that tree affected instead of wiping out the entire rows along the street. Diversity breeds stability, instead of monoculture.

 

That actually is what I thought they did successfully along Euclid, which gave me hope that somebody knew what they were doing with the plantings.  (There were varieties grouped together for this reason)

Now planted all mixed up and not in some kind of order is not a good idea at all.

 

Evergreens will not grow in these city situations. 

 

 

I am suggesting more diversity in grouping the plantings..  Its obvious that for some reason these did not work, but all we can do is speculate at his juncture because I doubt we will ever hear about all the reasons why they died. We do know the elements on roads is harsh on the plants, but does anyone really know if the city/RTA will investigate this thoroughly? There are all kinds of reasons the trees could die. We have listed many here. I am also inclined to believe that maybe the product was bad in the first place..OR, that there was a lack of follow up in caring for the new trees. I may give an arborist I know a call today.

it was the irrigation system, and they are underplaying it.

Did that irrigation system extend to Prospect?  Several trees are dead along that route as well.

I don't think the public should be billed for any of this re-work.  In fact, we should be getting some money back... after they get the job done correctly.

Did that irrigation system extend to Prospect? Several trees are dead along that route as well.

 

No.  it is only on the euclid corridor.

 

there are other issues as to why other trees have died on other streets over time.

There was quite a die off this year, though.  I think the weather/change of season went off badly for the trees maybe.  It got hot so early that the trees budded very quickly, then it got cold again.

I am so gald that these have been removed.

The jokes about the dead trees being a backdrop for the Bodies Show were already starting.

 

It is a bit confusing why so many died off. The theory of balled trees sitting so long in Midtown and elsewhere, for 2008 and on, made me want to agree. But, although this could've happened to a very few early on (which I think is the case for the few Maples that were are still in front of House of Blues and alongside 200 PS), the fact that a complete life cycle occurred...most, if not all, trees were planted by late 2008, then budded in Spring 2009, then had an ordinary Autumn leaf color-change/falling off (Leaf Abscission) this past Fall 2009, then apparently a re-budding a couple months ago (Spring 2010)...doesn't account for this majority that we are talking about now, a year-and-a-half later from the balled state. Curiously these re-buds and nascent leaves were thwarted...for some reason...from growing further. I know there were consistent early warm (even, hot) temperatures and there were cold nights mixed in but I don't think cold enough for this to happen, especially since we're talking so close to the Lake where nighttime temps stay milder than inland areas.  As mentioned, it seems to be a problem also on Prospect.

BTW, a large number of the trees surrounding the Cleveland Clinic reflecting pool seem to be fine (some sort of "late bloomers" --- must just be the species). It's hard for me to agree with the road salt, wind tunnel thing either. Look at the beautiful, large (old) sidewalk trees on particularly E. 9th Street.

The type of species is important but one would hope this would've been taken into consideration before they were purchased.

I think it's maintenance, but I don't know where exactly.

 

What has happened though reveals that maintenance is the bottom line for keeping a city inviting.

As an aside (and generally on topic since the Healthline and PS go hand-in-hand), if the city re-does Public Square with multitudes of trees and possibly mounds and (HOPEFULLY NOT) metal trellises it better be ready for high maintenance. A good argument for the New England green. Also, as an aside, I wonder why the raised planter medians that go through PS on Superior have not been filled with the annuals they usually have by now (at least the last time I was there on Thursday evening). Only the trees and some perennials and a lot of dirt are there. This makes no sense. Although, today when I go out it may be a different story.

 

 

 

Not only are there dead trees along Euclid, but there are spots where the grass never came through as well. It's sad to see really because there are some spots which would be so pretty if it had some grass, but they allowed that to go down the drain as well. Maybe they will fix the grass when they fix the potholes too? ;)

I am so gald that these have been removed.

The jokes about the dead trees being a backdrop for the Bodies Show were already starting.

 

hee hee :)

Not only are there dead trees along Euclid, but there are spots where the grass never came through as well. It's sad to see really because there are some spots which would be so pretty if it had some grass, but they allowed that to go down the drain as well. Maybe they will fix the grass when they fix the potholes too? ;)

 

I believe some of the softscape was intentionally left without grass in places where no property owners agreed to maintain it- do you know if the areas you're referring to had grass last summer?  If not, it may be intentional.

I believe some of the softscape was intentionally left without grass in places where no property owners agreed to maintain it- do you know if the areas you're referring to had grass last summer?  If not, it may be intentional.

 

On the opposite side of Euclid, near the Euclid Lofts mainly. They placed the spray mulch/grass down, but nothing really came up. I know there was a lot of construction going on at the time as well, but the sidewalks have been clear of construction for how long now and still no grass? I liked the trees, they gave me something to look at while walking to work. But my thing is, if the city is willing to take care of the potted plants in downtown and up Euclid, why not take care of a little patch of grass? I guess that's what we get when business close then... gray dirt :/

I believe some of the softscape was intentionally left without grass in places where no property owners agreed to maintain it- do you know if the areas you're referring to had grass last summer? If not, it may be intentional.

 

On the opposite side of Euclid, near the Euclid Lofts mainly. They placed the spray mulch/grass down, but nothing really came up. I know there was a lot of construction going on at the time as well, but the sidewalks have been clear of construction for how long now and still no grass? I liked the trees, they gave me something to look at while walking to work. But my thing is, if the city is willing to take care of the potted plants in downtown and up Euclid, why not take care of a little patch of grass? I guess that's what we get when business close then... gray dirt :/

 

To the extent this was intentional, those responsible should never be allowed to plan a public project again.  Why build these planters if nothing could be planted?  Was that not worth addressing ahead of time?  Why reduce the functional sidewalk to 3' wide so you can display unfinished landscaping indefinitely?  This was a core section of the project.  There's absolutely no excuse for building muckbins along CSU's campus.  I find it hard to believe that landlords in the desolate area between 55th and CCF were so much more amenable to maintaining their treelawns, when they don't even maintain their lots.  I don't care what the policy excuse is... these results are unacceptable.

If you need to see what the trees look like... On closer inspection the "buds" on the dead trees look pretty dry.

^I noticed this same thing over the weekend.  The Clinic's stretch of Euclid is full of struggling trees.  Even the trees lining the reflecting pool appear not to be doing very well.

^I noticed this same thing over the weekend. The Clinic's stretch of Euclid is full of struggling trees. Even the trees lining the reflecting pool appear not to be doing very well.

Considering the sewer line and manholes are backfilled with 2 feet of ODOT #57 limestone (rocks), they probably don't have a very good soil strata to grow in.  I am not a landscaper or anything, but the backfill used around a sewer pipe is not soil. 

Has anyone else noticed the morethanaplayer.org advertisements on the Healthline exterior scrolls?

Has anyone else noticed the morethanaplayer.org advertisements on the Healthline exterior scrolls?

Yes, and the trolleys have it too.

Just a bit off of Euclid (in front of the US Bank building) on 14th, they are re-cementing the sidewalk. Did anyone see that they recently planted trees? I just noticed it today. Is it apart of the corridor?

That might be part of the 14th Street improvements. There is more about it in the Playhouse Square thread.

Whos' voice is it, please, on the Healthline BRTs who announces every four minutes there are now the Univer Circle runs and the Louis B. Stokes Station runs? Today's he's touting the "dump the pump" slogan.

Iniquiring minds want to know....

Whos' voice is it, please, on the Healthline BRTs who announces every four minutes there are now the Univer Circle runs and the Louis B. Stokes Station runs? Today's he's touting the "dump the pump" slogan. Iniquiring minds want to know....

 

He is an employee of Brokaw, the award-winning agency that handles RTA advertising and promotions.

Whos' voice is it, please, on the Healthline BRTs who announces every four minutes there are now the Univer Circle runs and the Louis B. Stokes Station runs? Today's he's touting the "dump the pump" slogan. Iniquiring minds want to know....

 

He is an employee of Brokaw, the award-winning agency that handles RTA advertising and promotions.

 

I kind of like their "we dont take ourselves to serious" attitude.  But then again, they were founded on April Fools day, so you can you really?  :?

That might be part of the 14th Street improvements. There is more about it in the Playhouse Square thread.

 

Thank you for letting me know where I can find out :)

HealthLine buses moving slower than expected on Euclid Avenue

Published: Tuesday, July 06, 2010, 4:05 AM

Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer

 

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - RTA's HealthLine -- a bus/rapid transit touted as a faster, more efficient way to travel Euclid Avenue -- is moving at about the same slow pace as the bus it replaced.

 

Cleveland is still adjusting traffic lights on Euclid Avenue from Public Square to the Stokes/Windermere rapid station in East Cleveland to shorten the bus trips, nearly two years after the $200 million Euclid Corridor project was completed.

 

A westbound bus ride during weekday mornings and evening rush hours along the 7.1-mile corridor averaged 44 minutes instead of the 33 minutes it is supposed to take, according to the latest data provided by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority for the first three months of this year.

 

The 44 minutes was just three minutes faster than the No. 6 bus that the HealthLine replaced.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/healthline_buses_moving_slower.html

And the case for BRT was...? 

It really is frustrating to when the Healthline stops at traffic lights especially when there is no cross traffic.  This happens a lot at E6 and E4.  The worst stop being E9 due to the length of the red light.  Overall the Healthline is a pleasant ride but whoever is in charge of traffic better get their act together.  This system should already be in operation.

And the case for BRT was...?

 

It's not really a BRT issue, it's a traffic signal engineering issue.  This could have been BRT, LRT, or street car... but if the city traffic engineer decides to shut off the components intended to make this "rapid" travel... then the vehicle, rails or wheels, is at the mercy of lights like everyone else.  I for one am actually really glad the PD is reporting this as hopefully it will put some pressure on people to get this operating properly.

^I know, and thanks for pointing that out.  I forgot to put a "sarcastic" face on that post!

And the case for BRT was...?

 

It's not really a BRT issue, it's a traffic signal engineering issue. This could have been BRT, LRT, or street car... but if the city traffic engineer decides to shut off the components intended to make this "rapid" travel... then the vehicle, rails or wheels, is at the mercy of lights like everyone else. I for one am actually really glad the PD is reporting this as hopefully it will put some pressure on people to get this operating properly.

 

I'm actually surprised the PD didn't pick it up a year ago given how much we b!tch about the HL timing around here!

Well i'm not sure if you guys have already seen this video but here it is

 

July 20, 2010

Cleveland RTA's HealthLine wins engineering award

 

The Ohio Chapter of American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) recognized the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (RTA) bus rapid transit System (BRT) — the HealthLine — as the top Ohio engineering project of the year.

 

According to ACEC Ohio, the award recognizes engineering firms for projects that demonstrate a high degree of achievement, value and ingenuity.

 

"From the groundbreaking in 2004 to its opening in 2008, we've been really proud of the HealthLine, so it's great to receive this award from the engineering community that appreciates the uniqueness and complexity of our bus rapid transit project," said Mike Schipper, RTA deputy GM, engineering and project management. "We are grateful that the HealthLine was selected over 22 other projects for excellence in engineering to win the Grand Award, the group's highest honor."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2010/07/Cleveland-RTA-s-HealthLine-wins-engineering-award.aspx

New Fall Plantings for Euclid Avenue!

 

Today, new fall plantings will be installed in the 103 planters that line Euclid Avenue from Public Square to PlayhouseSquare. The newer flowers and plants will replace this year’s brilliant summer flowers with colorful, but heartier plants for the cooler months of fall.

 

http://downtowncleveland.org/blog/index.php/2010/09/new-fall-plantings-for-euclid-avenue/

 

 

Pittsburgh using Cleveland as a model:

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10264/1089089-147.stm

From the article cited above:

 

"In Cleveland, the 7.7-mile HealthLine, which cost $200 million, has helped to spur more than $4 billion in development in the city's Euclid Avenue corridor, according to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority."

 

$4 billion? Is there any truth to that? Any development at the Clinic would have happened anyway. Has any project really come about as a result of the existence of the BRT?

 

 

From the article cited above:

 

"In Cleveland, the 7.7-mile HealthLine, which cost $200 million, has helped to spur more than $4 billion in development in the city's Euclid Avenue corridor, according to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority."

 

$4 billion? Is there any truth to that? Any development at the Clinic would have happened anyway. Has any project really come about as a result of the existence of the BRT?

 

 

 

The only major article we have regarding this is from 2009: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/clevelands_euclid_corridor_pro.html

Murray Hill--thanks. that article contained a nice graphic--identifying projects and their costs:  http://media.cleveland.com/pdextra/other/Euclid.pdf .  Some development like the at the clinic would have happened anyway--its really hard to say and thus quantify what came about BECAUSE of the bus line, though that's part of the line all cities use when trying to get funding/approval to built a new line.... acc to the article, it sounds like the line did indeed influence CSU as to how they designed their buildings.

Murray Hill--thanks. that article contained a nice graphic--identifying projects and their costs:  http://media.cleveland.com/pdextra/other/Euclid.pdf .  Some development like the at the clinic would have happened anyway--its really hard to say and thus quantify what came about BECAUSE of the bus line, though that's part of the line all cities use when trying to get funding/approval to built a new line.... acc to the article, it sounds like the line did indeed influence CSU as to how they designed their buildings.

 

I would say the line has helped not only Cleveland State, but also Playhouse Square, Lower Euclid Ave (Schofield and 668 Euclid) and University Circle (Uptown, 27 Coltman, Circle 118, MOCA, University Hostpital design, Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center).  Some degree to the Cleveland Clinic, but not as much as people would like to claim.  To me, Midtown is the most surprising with the slowness of activity happening.  Somehow, it has become even more of a "no man's land" than before.  I can only look to the expansions of Pierre's Ice Cream and American Sugar as major additions, and also the Baker Electric Building. 

 

BUT, I have a strong feeling we haven't even seen the benefits of installing this new artery through Downtown and Cleveland's eastside.  I bet 10-15 years from now, Clevelanders looking back at this infrastructure improvement as being the catayst for major future projects along the line.

I bet 10-15 years from now, Clevelanders looking back at this infrastructure improvement as being the catayst for major future projects along the line.

 

I hope you're right--and by then we'll need a subway under Euclid to carry the passenger loads! One the economy and lending picks up, I think we'll see much more activity...

No way the Euclid Corridor project has anything to do with The Cleveland Clinic expansion.  I always felt RTA was acting tastelessly when shilling that

^ I'm not sure that RTA has ever explicitly taken credit for any of these projects.  As far as I know, they've only ever made statements along the lines of "$X billion in planned construction is occurring along the route," which lets people draw their own conclusions.  It's pretty clear that RTA has had little impact on the Clinic's expansion plans, but I'd definitely attribute interest in many or most of the smaller projects along the route to the project.

Often development would have happened with or without a transportation investment -- but WHERE it would have happened is what should be emphasized. This is about creating a public transportation system that has destinations within an easy walk of stops. And fixed guideway transit (rail, BRT, transit centers, etc) has the permanence and public recognition to attract development.

From the article cited above:

 

"In Cleveland, the 7.7-mile HealthLine, which cost $200 million, has helped to spur more than $4 billion in development in the city's Euclid Avenue corridor, according to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority."

 

$4 billion? Is there any truth to that? Any development at the Clinic would have happened anyway. Has any project really come about as a result of the existence of the BRT?

 

 

 

I took the liberty of adding emphasis to the keyword I think you overlooked in that sentence.

No way the Euclid Corridor project has anything to do with The Cleveland Clinic expansion.  I always felt RTA was acting tastelessly when shilling that

 

"...shilling..."???

 

Facts are facts, and between dates x and y, construction costs totaled xxxx. When someone applies for a building permit, you don't ask why. I have heard, but not verified, that virtually all the building permits for the city of Cleveland right now are part of the Corridor development.

I respectfully disagree, JMasek.  Read this statement and tell me it doesn't sound RTA is taking responsibility for billions in development:

 

"...the HealthLine is helping lead (okay, “drive”) the rebirth of Euclid Avenue. After all, this sleek bus rapid transit line isn’t just moving passengers from places like Public Square to University Circle in 20 minutes flat. It’s moving our economy toward numbers like $4.3 billion in economic development. Not to mention, making our city a little greener, thanks to hybrid technology and 1,500 new trees (no wonder that little bird is so happy). So hop on board. And see how the RTA HealthLine truly is pumping new life into Cleveland..."

 

http://www.rtahealthline.com/healthline-what-is.asp

 

 

 

 

The Heathline and more specifically the complete rebuild of Euclid Avenue has driven the rebirth of the corridor.

They should be proud, it has benefited the city. 

Dollar for dollar, what do you think will have a bigger impact on the city, the money spent on the Healthline or the money spent on the innerbelt?

 

TBideon, has your account been hacked by a cleveland.bomb poster?

Now punch....you're not that kind of poster.  Come on now

 

And I don't think my opinion  of the euclid corridor project is important here.  I'm just talking about what I perceive RTA taking undeserved credit for a number of major projects.

I see what TBideon is saying.  It does sound a little self-centered.  I think the only thing that saves that statement is the fact that it says it is "helping drive".  But honestly, the statement as a whole regardless of exact wording is so positive, it's hard to find fault with it.  I know I sure like hearing $4.3 billion in economic development in a paragraph about the city of Cleveland.....

Like I said -- much of this development might have occurred with or without the HealthLine. But WHERE would have it occurred?? At a suburban interchange? At a location that cannot be served by transit and therefore limiting the job and educational opportunities for people who need them most?

 

What this development data shows is that fixed guideway transit does what buses-on-any-street-USA cannot -- attract development to it. When it comes to transportation, private capital follow public capital. If we spend it on highways in the 'burbs, then that's where the development goes. If we spend it on fixed guideway transit in the city, then that's where development goes.

 

GCRTA can and should take credit for reshaping the land use in the city, and that represented a $4.3 billion shift from previous land use practices thanks to a mere $200 million public investment. That's the bottom line.

Has anyone heard or know anything about the ugly rumor that, starting in December of this year, the HealthLine order will change from Univ. Rapid/Sokes/Univ. Rapid/Stokes to Stokes/Stokes/Univ. Rapid/Stokes... ????

It had better not happen! :x

More people take the Stokes than the University.  It is often difficult to get a seat on the stokes during rush hour but not so much on the Univ.  The only problem would be that the Healthline does not come at set times so the wait might be too long.  I don't know if they can make a set schedule for the Univ buses.