Very happy to report that Theresa's and Jimmy John's have been clearing the sidewalk fairly well after this latest ice storm. Of course they are surrounded by ice (in front of WT Grant Bldg and the to-be Bang & Clatter), but it's nice to have a little oasis of dry land between them to collect yourself.

 

I'm also pissed at the Hampton Inn on 9th/Superior. They can manage to clear the area where their valet is, but they can't touch any of the remaining element of their property (assuming they are the property owner)

yikes i hate to even ask how that sidewalk is today....

One good thing about freshly fallen granular snow is that it provides decent traction. You can walk and drive on it pretty well, as long as there's no slope.

One good thing about freshly fallen granular snow is that it provides decent traction. You can walk and drive on it pretty well, as long as there's no slope.

 

After walking to playhouse square, I can tell you that is not the case.

But it works better when you're not processing anti-freeze!!  :-D

yikes i hate to even ask how that sidewalk is today....

 

Theresa's has done a really great job keeping their sidewalk clear.

 

Rest of the area, not so much.

It's been awhile since I posted, but I need to vent about a problem that concerns all the residents of downtown, and especially the Warehouse District, and that is street lights.  For 9 days now, the Warehouse District, all the streets of West 3rd, West 6th, West 9th, West 10th, Lakeside, St. Clair, Superior, Prospect and Huron have had no street lights.  This includes the Pedestrian Lighting (Historical Poles) and the high-top poles.  I'm looking out my window right now and it is absolutely black; darker than my parents' farm.  In fact, Prospect has been out for some time since the poles there are actually gone.  (Forest City has stated that there was a structural defect to the poles and they had to be removed, this was a year ago.)

 

Now I know what the first response will be:  Did I call anyone.  Yes, I've called CPP, First Energy, Cimperman, and the Mayor's Office.  They all tell me they're working on it.  The City of Cleveland said they'll do their best.  And I know why the entire grid is out other than the usual half of the lights being burned out.  The Public Square water main break broke a CPP line.  I understand one night, maybe two, but does the over 9 blocks of downtown really need to be pitch black for going on 9 days, tonight 10?  If they can reroute water, sewer, fiber optics, and natural gas, the City can't reroute electricity.

 

I feel like City Hall ignores downtown; and this just proves to me that my theory is correct.  I can't think of anything that the city actually provides me as a downtown resident, since I never seen any police in my neighborhood, or lights, or garbage being emptied.  It's things like this, basic services, that make me question my commitment to Cleveland and make me wonder if I would be better off living in the inner-ring suburbs.  I don't expect Grade A service, but if they can't keep the frakin lights on in the city that invented the street light, it makes me wonder how bad they really want me to stay.  I love my apartment, downtown, my neighborhood, but I'm tired of trying and having the city basically tell me to F-off.

 

So I'm asking, like minded urban friends, what do I do next?

i've been working on the lights downtown with a couple friends for over 6 months.  We have gone through all the channels. Cimperman, the DCA, City Hall, CPP (all the way to the commissioner).  Some improvements have been made. Of course I, like you, think this current blackout is ridiculous.  We don't know there is much else we can do via "propper channels"... and we are considering taking this to the media (that Joe Pagnakis at channel 5, or anyone, who realizes how ridiculous the downtown lighting problem is).  I will keep you posted. Because we are seriously about to start a campaign.

... and we are considering taking this to the media (that Joe Pagnakis at channel 5, or anyone, who realizes how ridiculous the downtown lighting problem is).

 

 

That's what I was going to recommend ... Those guys are annoying as hell, but they get shit done. Somehow.

"We have gone through all the channels. Cimperman, the DCA, City Hall, CPP (all the way to the commissioner)... and we are considering taking this to the media (that Joe Pagnakis at channel 5, or anyone, who realizes how ridiculous the downtown lighting problem is)."

 

Growing up near Youngstown, I learned that there are times when you must enlist the help of unsavory characters to achieve a desired goal. ;-)

 

Seriously though, why do we pay taxes? So we can have the most basic of services and if the CPP, Cimperman, or whoever is dragging their feet - shame them into action. It's sad that it will probably take that much to get something done but they brought it on themselves. It shouldn't take a few concerned citizens for them to realize how dangerous (perceived and otherwise) this is.

 

Just don't call anyone who is "Everywhere". Please.

I'll call whoever can get the lights turned on, even he who shall remain nameless...

 

My favorite is when CPP tells (in referring to the constant darkness that is East 9th street, particularly around North Coast Harbor) us a load of crap about ballasts, and something about when Mike White was mayor... Mike White?  That was 15 FREAKING YEARS AGO?  If you need new ballasts get them, don't ever mention Mike White to me again.  Turn on the lights.  I mean really if this was happening in any suburb it would take one phone call and it would be taken care of.  I may or may not also have in my possesion a list that the DCA ambassadors assemble of all the burnt out lights (they track this daily) in my possession.

Here's my take - if you were the owner of a building/rental company and your livelihood depended on potential residents and their impressions of your property, why WOULDN'T you clear the walks? If I was a potential renter and saw this sh!t, I'd think that if this is how they maintain the sidewalks, they might not maintain the rest of the property either. :?

 

(I know, this is a late response)

 

Someone ranted about people clearing the snow & ice off sidewalks in Cincy on City-Data ...

 

I don't know how accurate this is, or if it's even true or not, but someone responded that if you clear your sidewalk and someone slips and gets hurt then they are liable for the damage done.

 

If you leave your sidewalk the way it is and someone gets hurt, the property owner is clear of any liability because of an "act of God/nature law".

 

Like I said, I don't know, but it doesn't sound too far fetched to me with everyone suing each other over anything & everything possible these days.

 

Growing up near Youngstown, I learned that there are times when you must enlist the help of unsavory characters to achieve a desired goal. ;-)

 

 

Perhaps we could team up with the Ratners?

 

edit: Seriously perhaps some sort of action is required.  How about large signs saying "Mr. Mayor, turn on this light!" appearing on streetlamps around Downtown?  Or something better than that?

i've been working on the lights downtown with a couple friends for over 6 months.  We have gone through all the channels. Cimperman, the DCA, City Hall, CPP (all the way to the commissioner).  Some improvements have been made. Of course I, like you, think this current blackout is ridiculous.  We don't know there is much else we can do via "propper channels"... and we are considering taking this to the media (that Joe Pagnakis at channel 5, or anyone, who realizes how ridiculous the downtown lighting problem is).  I will keep you posted. Because we are seriously about to start a campaign.

good luck, I am with you. I complained over a year ago. If anything it has gotten worse. Media shame may be in order.

i've been working on the lights downtown with a couple friends for over 6 months.  We have gone through all the channels. Cimperman, the DCA, City Hall, CPP (all the way to the commissioner).  Some improvements have been made. Of course I, like you, think this current blackout is ridiculous.  We don't know there is much else we can do via "propper channels"... and we are considering taking this to the media (that Joe Pagnakis at channel 5, or anyone, who realizes how ridiculous the downtown lighting problem is).  I will keep you posted. Because we are seriously about to start a campaign.

good luck, I am with you. I complained over a year ago. If anything it has gotten worse. Media shame may be in order.

 

i actually think that, in general, the street light situation (pre-water main break) has improved.  CPP and FirstEnergy now seem to regularly tag poles with tape when the lights are out and tag the fixture itself with tape when there is a ballast problem.  I have seen the crews working downtown on the weekends replacing these fixtures.  I have no doubt that people at CPP were probably doing very little maintenance on these fixtures for the past years, so they have their work cut out for them.

 

now, the situation with the water main break is inexcusable, imo.  run a few wires above ground on some new poles and get the lights on temporarily.  similarly, along euclid where all of the new lights don't work yet, install some lights above ground in the near term.

Last week, Prospect from E14th to W6th was completely dark.  Unreal.

i've been working on the lights downtown with a couple friends for over 6 months.  We have gone through all the channels. Cimperman, the DCA, City Hall, CPP (all the way to the commissioner).  Some improvements have been made. Of course I, like you, think this current blackout is ridiculous.  We don't know there is much else we can do via "propper channels"... and we are considering taking this to the media (that Joe Pagnakis at channel 5, or anyone, who realizes how ridiculous the downtown lighting problem is).  I will keep you posted. Because we are seriously about to start a campaign.

good luck, I am with you. I complained over a year ago. If anything it has gotten worse. Media shame may be in order.

 

As a downtown resident, I totally agree.  I routinely walk in near total darkness from East 12th to East 4th and /or West 6th/9th.  If you are looking for more volunteers for the cause, let me know.  I am willing to help in any way that I can.  There is strength in numbers.

I really appreciate the sounding of support regarding the lights.  I'll be looking out my window tonight to see if any of the Warehouse District is online.  The last Warehouse District meeting was a bitch session regarding the lights.  There is no excuse, lights are essential for public safety.

Have you kids thought about taking picture IN the dark?  accompanying along with you comments about the area.  It can't help a) current residents or businesses b) attract potential residents or businesses c) make what appears to be a great destination really great!

I'm happy to report that the Light Grid in the Warehouse District came online last night at about 8 PM.  I did a walking tour of all the blocks and found that while most of them were on, a good third of them were still out.

 

On the other hand, Prospect was as dark as Dick Feagler's Soul, so I'm not ready to let up on this issue yet.

I'm happy to report that the Light Grid in the Warehouse District came online last night at about 8 PM.  I did a walking tour of all the blocks and found that while most of them were on, a good third of them were still out.

 

On the other hand, Prospect was as dark as Dick Feagler's Soul, so I'm not ready to let up on this issue yet.

 

Keep up the work.  Other downtown residents, workers and frequent visitors should also chime in and report the outage.  The (after) affects of the outage is far reaching than some might think.

OK... so my buddy has spoken to the individual at CPP in charge of downtown.  There was apparently 10 circuits out due to the watermain break, which as black ops noted started coming back online last thursday.  He has also agreed to take us on a "moonlighting" ride around downtown to point out our concerns... I'll let you know what comes of it.

Good to hear.  Keep us posted and get him to read our responses here.

Thanks for working on this!

Okay, I know some of you may be thinking - what?!? Have I gone mad!?! The Cleveland Public Library?!? They're beyond reproach, right? They're "the Peoples' University"! They're one of the best ranked in the nation, right?

 

Fair enough. I voted in favor of their recent levy and will likely vote in favor of every levy they request until the day my beloved liver kicks out. They are one of the gems of northeast Ohio and I absolutely support and use the services they offer.

 

HOWEVER...

 

I would LOVE to know what horsesh!t methodology is used to decide when the Eastman Reading Garden opens for the season. It's April 21st, and it was about 68-70 degrees today with plenty of sunshine. I repeat - April 21st, and it was about 68-70 degrees today with plenty of sunshine. Sounds like the perfect kind of day to grab lunch, and enjoy the reading garden, right? After all, the library has a huge vinyl banner plastered on the fence of the garden saying "Thank you for supporting us/Issue 2". Well, if they want people to continue supporting them - don't you think it might be a good idea to let people enjoy the things that our tax dollars pay for???

 

 

This poor gal was (like me) thinking today would be a great day to enjoy the Reading Garden:

 

They depend on new members and donations right? Well, why would someone (i.e. ME) want to become a member and give them extra support via donations? Now to be fair, I called the main library and hoped to ask someone (politely) about the reading garden. After five minutes of ringing, I gave up. Apparently the levy didn't raise enough funds to have a human answer the phone. :roll:

I think it operates like any park.  Opens Memorial Day weekend, closes Labor Day weekend.  No?

If that's the case, that's just stupid and inexcusable.

I think it operates like any park.  Opens Memorial Day weekend, closes Labor Day weekend.  No?

I think it operates like any park.  Opens Memorial Day weekend, closes Labor Day weekend.  No?

 

Garden Hours

May 1 to October (closing date determined by weather)

Hours 9AM to 5 PM

 

Source my Aunt!

Thanks MTS.

 

I think the park rule is stupid too.  You can't go to the bathroom 90% of the places the metroparks actually has them until end of May because they're locked before then.  It's stupid!

Gee, there's NEVER a nice weather day before May 1st. That makes perfect sense! :roll:

Gee, there's NEVER a nice weather day before May 1st. That makes perfect sense! :roll:

 

I do think the garden should be open on days that the weather is nice.  As we all know the Clevelands April weather fluctuates.

I also think it's ridiculous that it closes at 5.

Next thing you're gonna tell me is that there are people living downtown who might actually enjoy using the space outside of 9 to 5! ;-)

I know, I know. But it's a shame that it closes that early, regardless. It'd be nice if it was at least open until sundown. This little park is such a gem. I love the sculptures.

 

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to more people moving downtown, and into Cleveland in general.

^You realize I'm agreeing with you, right? :-)

It's a very valid point, though, unfortunately. Most of downtown clears out at 5. I can't wait for downtown to be more of a 24 hour kinda place. That would be awesome.

It's a very valid point, though, unfortunately. Most of downtown clears out at 5. I can't wait for downtown to be more of a 24 hour kinda place. That would be awesome.

It's gotten significantly, significantly better over the last few years.  Almost everything is open until at least 8pm now.

I'm not knocking the progress that's been made. It's all extremely exciting .. the past 10, 15 years especially. I hope it continues, as I'm sure it will. It seems lots of people want/are considering moving downtown

 

Any comments that I make along these lines aren't being critical just to be negative. I want to see Cleveland become a wonderful, bustling place to be, beyond where it is now.

It's a very valid point, though, unfortunately. Most of downtown clears out at 5.

 

I totally disagree with that!  I think there are a lot more people congregating at multiple parts of downtown after 7 PM.  Playhouse Sq., Tower City, East Fourth/Gateway, WHD, W Bank, North Coast Harbor or CSU that at any other point in my lifetime. 

 

Look at those 80s pictures and look at downtown now.

 

Until street level retail returns (in mass), we'll have the appearance of "pockets" instead of continuous connectivity in each of the said neighborhoods.

I didn't say anything to disagree with you, MTS.

I don't understand why the garden should close at any time of year.  Unlock it in the morning when the library opens, close it in the evening when the library closes.  Seems simple to me.

I don't understand why the garden should close at any time of year.  Unlock it in the morning when the library opens, close it in the evening when the library closes.  Seems simple to me.

I wonder if they are worried about a lawsuit.  Maybe someone getting injured if they slip or having to pay for maintance/upkeep of the park in winter?  :?

 

I didn't say anything to disagree with you, MTS.

looks like I was typing that as you were posting.

Exactly - when it's open, it helps break up the library block for pedestrian traffic.

I didn't say anything to disagree with you, MTS.

looks like I was typing that as you were posting.

 

Gotcha. My apologies.

It's a very valid point, though, unfortunately. Most of downtown clears out at 5.

 

I totally disagree with that!  I think there are a lot more people congregating at multiple parts of downtown after 7 PM.  Playhouse Sq., Tower City, East Fourth/Gateway, WHD, W Bank, North Coast Harbor or CSU that at any other point in my lifetime. 

 

Look at those 80s pictures and look at downtown now.

 

Until street level retail returns (in mass), we'll have the appearance of "pockets" instead of continuous connectivity in each of the said neighborhoods.

 

I think one thing people really don't get about downtown right now is that while it is still "primarily" an event based downtown (I mean residential base is growing, but it's a blip on the radar compared to one decent indians game crowd)... There are ALWAYS events going on in Downtown Cleveland.  Therefore there is typically some fairly vibrant life taking place in the twilight hours in SOME part of downtown.  Now if we can just build the resident base up to the magic # (20-25k) there should be enough people to make MOST areas (CBD excluded) of downtown pretty lively most days.

"I wonder if they are worried about a lawsuit.  Maybe someone getting injured if they slip or having to pay for maintance/upkeep of the park in winter?"

 

I should hope that one day our society will stop using the lowest forms of human emotion (i.e. fear) as a starting point for designing our built environment.

My #1 wish is for the Rock Hall to stay open later during the week.

My #1 wish is for the Rock Hall to stay open later during the week.

...AND THE WESTSIDE MARKET - THAT IS NUMBER ONE ON MY LIST

checking the website, the Rock Hall is actually open late on Wednesdays 9:30pm, but every other day of the week they close inexplicably at 5:30pm

My #1 wish is for the Rock Hall to stay open later during the week.

...AND THE WESTSIDE MARKET - THAT IS NUMBER ONE ON MY LIST

 

Surprisingly the Westside Market has had the same hours for at least 70 years.  On the old photos you can see a sign that says open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.