I thought those Detroit Ave. benches had 90's style auto ground effects. 

Is the streetscape lighting in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood (that's on the west side, MuRrAy HiLL) an example of LED ground lighting? If so, yep, I think it looks pretty cool. But in 20-30 years we'll probably see a rare lasting example of it somewhere and remark "oh that's so 2010."

 

No, it is actually embedded into the concrete. Think Billie Jean video. --but just not as big.

^Wow.  that just went mid 2000->'90 auto ground lighting->'80 music videos.  Do we have anyone that wants to go for a '70s referance?

I was thinking the same thing too. :D

I don't think we're doing a very good job of explaining this :lol:  Personally I think it looks great and really adds a "playhouse square" / show district vibe to the area.

^Wow.  that just went mid 2000->'90 auto ground lighting->'80 music videos.  Do we have anyone that wants to go for a '70s referance?

 

I got it..  So will it be like this?    70's enough?

ha.  no.

 

i'll dig up the rendering over the next couple days.  It's hiding here somewhere, but couldn't find it with a quick look.

It will be interesting to see

^Wow.  that just went mid 2000->'90 auto ground lighting->'80 music videos.  Do we have anyone that wants to go for a '70s referance?

 

I got it..  So will it be like this?    70's enough?

 

That dance floor bring back so many Traxx memories.  The good old club days.

Is the streetscape lighting in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood (that's on the west side, MuRrAy HiLL) an example of LED ground lighting? If so, yep, I think it looks pretty cool. But in 20-30 years we'll probably see a rare lasting example of it somewhere and remark "oh that's so 2010."

 

Haha thanks -- I really gotta check out the westside sometime.

 

Either way, more lighting downtown is a HUGE plus.  Just a simple addition of major lighting can really spruce up an area, and how awesome that's it's going here--  500-1000+ residents via Collegetown in the next year, new Great Lakes Theater renovations and Cleveland Playhouse relocation, Kent State Univ addition, new businesses, potential residental and retail developments, and the strong possibility of the Jewish Federation Building becoming the Cleveland Immigrant Welcome Center--this stretch of Downtown Cleveland is quickly becoming one of the most exciting areas anywhere in the city.

 

Lastly, the more lighting the better with all the new students moving down there.

As promised, here's a look at what the East 14th streetscape will look like...

As promised, here's a look at what the East 14th streetscape will look like...

 

Is that emulate a piano?

I would love to see more residential just south of this.

Cool! After seeing this, I can see how someone would think of Michael Jackson's Billy Jean video. But actually, it makes me think more of the keyboard scene at FAO Schwartz in the Tom Hanks movie Big... And yes, I am an 80s man! :)

This area just keeps getting better and better. 

 

Now let's get some more residental and that Immigration Welcome Center put in!

I didn't make the keyboard connection even knowing about it, but it looks pretty cool anyway.  Thanks for posting those, McCleveland.

 

One nitpick, what's up with the bollards at the edge of the parking lane?  It would seem like that is where they should be least necessary.

well here is the official scope.  it mentions the bollards being lighted... so I'm guessing they are there to attract more attention to the entrance as much as anything else...

 

• shade trees in raised planters similar to the approach for Euclid Avenue. That is, balance providing an ideal environment for trees (including raised planters and covered tree trenches) while creating wide sidewalks for pedestrians walking between the theaters, restaurants, and parking, along with café zones for outdoor seating;
  
• bands of brick unit pavers on the east side (the theater side) of the street that would match the brick unit pavers on Euclid Avenue; the west side of the street would use the brick unit pavers in Star Plaza to extend that open space into East 14th Street;
  
• LED (light emitting diode) light strips integrated into the pavement (i.e. colored bricks mosaic) to further reinforce the connection between the theaters, and because many of the events taking place are in the evening that will link the theaters by night;
  
• site furnishings, like benches, for patrons waiting to be picked up or to meet friends; and street tree planting, lighted bollards at the theater entrances and decorative lighting and lighted crosswalks;
  
• public art, enhanced signage and way finding signs intended to reinforce the City’s signage system and also provide additional way finding signage and district identity for Playhouse Square.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me likey piano keys :-D

Me likey piano keys ;D

 

I sense another CelebUtante photo opp for DocBroc!  LOL

Big update on the Allen Theater/Playhouse/CSU project.  This will be an amazing project for Playhouse Square, Im just cringing at the thought of what they are going to do to the interior of the Allen to make it smaller and more intimate.

 

All that wonderful detail that was restored not that long ago, would altered or partially covered by panels and the theater's size reduced dramatically (in some of the renderings it reminds me of some of the mistakes we made in the 60's and 70,s). 

 

Its being descibed as "The architectural details of the auditorium and lobby -- dominated by a columned dome -- would continue to peek out at the audience from behind acoustical panels and other new elements, creating what Westlake's Matt Janiak called a multilayered contrast of styles and materials."

 

But I guess all the pluses that would be associated with this certainly should overcome those negative factors, and add much life to the district. 

 

Proposed renovation of PlayhouseSquare's Allen Theatre promises big payoff

By Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer

June 05, 2010, 8:44PM

 

Cleveland will lose its third-largest theater -- PlayhouseSquare's 2,500-seat Allen -- in September.

 

The promised payoff, a year later: A three-venue, 1,000-seat complex for the flagship Cleveland Play House, which sold its outmoded facility, and for Cleveland State University's undergraduate drama program.

 

All for a relative bargain -- under $30 million -- and preserving the 1921 Allen's architecture.

http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/06/proposed_renovation_of_playhou.html

Brown has north and south mixed up in that article, doesn't he? I'm staring at the diagrams in my Sunday PeeDee—and his descriptions of the locations of the two new theaters seem transposed directionally.

Yes I believe you are correct!

Wait... The Allen is being demolished?

 

No silly...  Reconfigured etc...

Wait... The Allen is being demolished?

 

 

it already was  :laugh: ! *

 

 

*note 'leaving the allen in rubble' was a famous bootleg

 

 

seriously i have no problem with what they want to do to the allen at all. as long as its put to consistent use again and not harmed its great news -- bravo  :clap:

 

i like the billie jean sidewalk lighting renders too, i take it changes colors?

 

 

Wait... The Allen is being demolished?

 

 

Of course. It'll be a surface lot. They want to do a Park & Ride for the Healthline.

I can imagine a lot of resistance to reconfiguring a beautiful big theater that was renovated pretty recently...but this seems like a pretty awesome plan!  Sounds like the original Allen will still be there intact if needs change again down the line (as they clearly did since 1998!).  Will be awesome to move all that CSU activity to PHS.

 

I'm also excited about what this will do to the back- that hamster tube in the back is atrocious.

This is a really small thing, but it will be nice to not have to not have to explain that Playhouse Square does not contain the Cleveland Play House anymore. 

This is a really small thing, but it will be nice to not have to not have to explain that Playhouse Square does not contain the Cleveland Play House anymore.

 

I think it's a fairly big deal.  If we have a Play House... and we have a Play House Square... 

Allen Theatre makeover concerns get some answers

Published: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 11:59 PM   

Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer

 

 

 

Wow. It was gratifying to see so many comments on cleveland.com about last Sunday's Page 1 story on the makeover of PlayhouseSquare's Allen Theatre into a new home for the Cleveland Play House and Cleveland State University. Figuring in the e-mails and phone calls, the response was overwhelmingly positive to the plan to create a 1,000-seat, three-venue facility by renovating the Allen and building a new structure in what is now a parking lot alongside it. But, after tossing out some of the nuttier views, there were also some legitimate concerns, mostly having to do with preservation, parking and police. This is an important turning point in the history of three of the city's most valuable community assets -- PlayhouseSquare, CSU and the Play House -- so let's take a moment to address those issues.

 

 

Plays first, purists second

 

Parking is not a problem

 

There's safety in numbers

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/07/allen_theatre_makeover_concern.html

 

 

What parking lot are they building on?

^The narrow one under the hamster tube, just east of the auditorium/stagehouse of the Allen.

Thanks!

http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/07/allen_theatre_makeover_concern.html

 

The link seems to be incorrect...  Anyone else?

http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/07/allen_theatre_makeover_concern.html

 

The link seems to be incorrect...  Anyone else?

 

Did you search the PD?

http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/06/allen_theatre_makeover_concern_1.html#incart_rh

I am really opposed to chopping up the Allen in any way.  It is really stunningly beautiful.  So what if you can't fill it with 3,000 people most of the time.  We used to go to Indians games with only 8,000 in attendance in an 80,000 seat stadium.  I am in favor of the new theaters/buildings but please don't desecrate the Allen.  These chop jobs never turn out well. 

I am really opposed to chopping up the Allen in any way. It is really stunningly beautiful. So what if you can't fill it with 3,000 people most of the time. We used to go to Indians games with only 8,000 in attendance in an 80,000 seat stadium. I am in favor of the new theaters/buildings but please don't desecrate the Allen. These chop jobs never turn out well.

 

What other "chop jobs" do you know of? Do you did about how this would triple the amount of shows that could come to the theater?

It was chopped up prior to it's last renovation.  It was a mess. 

This is a sticky wicket here.  I like the plan, but I really hope they don't have to tear up the (recently renovated?) Allen to accomplish it.  For the moment I'm cautiously optimistic.

I hope this is just natural "shock" from being transplanted...but the trees that were planted on 14th as part of the ongoing streetscape renovation already look like they are dying.  The leaves have turned yellow and are falling off.  They just got planted a week or two ago....

I hope this is just natural "shock" from being transplanted...but the trees that were planted on 14th as part of the ongoing streetscape renovation already look like they are dying. The leaves have turned yellow and are falling off. They just got planted a week or two ago....

 

they haven't even been in there a week yet.

^ Again...why I would like to add "follow-up" in the form of a pill...to Cleveland's drinking water. Another....perfect example. The scenario?....  We fix up/restore something once and act like its good to go forever with no more ongoing work. We need to improve on this philosophical aspect of our city a lot.

 

And one way to tell if the trees may be dead is to walk up and scratch a bit of "skin" or bark off one small branch with your thumbnail.....or a small razor like object. If it is dry and "woody" underneath...they may be dead... If it is green and moist...they may be a bit dormant and may come back.

You must, must water new trees.  Like literally, you have to make a giant puddle around the tree every day for the first month or so.  I doubt they've been taken care of that well.  We'll know next spring for sure.  Luckily, most work is warrantied for a year, so if they don't come back, they should be replaced.

Not sure if everyone has seen these, but I just stumbled across these AMAZING videos:

 

Here's a new Playhouse Square business development video.....over 200 companies work there:

PlayhouseSquare - Our Neighborhood

 

"Our Impact"

PlayhouseSquare - Our Impact

 

"A Playhouse Square Story"

More Than Just a Show - a PlayhouseSquare story

Those were great videos. Very informative. It's really good to hear people who actually care about and appreciate what we have.

How come these aren't on the front page of cleveland.com.  I mean, come on, this is what the city needs to be broadcasting left and right, not yet another poorly written OH NO WILL LEBRON LEAVE article

How come these aren't on the front page of cleveland.com. I mean, come on, this is what the city needs to be broadcasting left and right, not yet another poorly written OH NO WILL LEBRON LEAVE article

 

who owns cleveland.com......not the city of Cleveland...

WRL is on it, i trust their design abilities.

Cleveland's commercial-classical WCLV-FM to co-locate with pubcasters

 

WCLV (104.9) announces a plan costing about $2.3 million that would move it from Warrensville Heights, Ohio to the Idea Center at downtown Cleveland’s Playhouse Square. That’s also the location of “ideastream”, the parent of public broadcasters WCPN-FM (doing news/talk and jazz at 90.3) and PBS affiliate WVIZ-TV. WCLV’s Robert Conrad says his commercial-classical WCLV and the ideastream stations “will be able to collaborate on programs and services designed to strengthen current efforts and foster new concepts.”

 

http://www.radio-info.com/news/clevelands-commercial-classical-wclv-fm-to-co-locate-wtih-pubcasters

 

^Nice!  I like the highbrow media cluster there.  In a time when many cities are being left with no stations with classical formats, WCLV is a great asset.

Im not sure if anyone else noticed but they got a new website.

 

http://www.playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=1