Not the most convincing or flattering article, but still not bad press for Ohio's attractions:

 

CLEVELAND/CEDAR POINT

Rocking and rolling on a weekend for the kids

By Alan Solomon

Tribune staff reporter

Published July 10, 2005

 

 

SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Our first stops on this Magical Midwestern Tour have essentially been destinations for grownups that young people might, or might not, enjoy.

 

This time, we're blatantly and unapologetically pandering to children. Adults can come along if it's OK with the kids.

 

This is a Rock and Roller Coaster Weekend.

 

First stop is Cleveland, with its Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum......,

 

 

[email protected]

 

As a region i think we have to make a few big bets - a sort of 80/20 rule, where 20% of the overall investment solves 80% of the problem and makes a giant leap forward in jobs, quality of life, etc.  Then the next years can be spent finishing the last 20%. 

 

Most importantly each of these bets needs to be world class and not half ass.  I'm interested in hearing others' opinions on what world class bets have been made in the last 25 years in this region - things that were built in the last 25 years that we are proud of and that are truly world class, whether unique to Cleveland or not.  Many of the investmests that we treasure today were created a long time ago - the carnegie libraries, historic housing stock with character, warehouses converted into living spaces, original rapid lines, museums, tower city, bridges.  But what has truly occurred from an investment front in the last 25 years that people in 75 years will talk about?

 

I'll start the list of what I think are world class investments in the Cleveland area, and list a few where we dropped the ball and either did a half ass job or gave up altogether.  I didn't make a public/private distinction - as i think that when others are leading the way with good practice, the region will follow, whether public or private enterprises started. 

 

World Class

1) first mass transit connection to airport (a little more that 25 years ago)

2) Cuyahoga Valley National Park

3) Gateway

4) Cleveland Clinic

5) Rock and Roll hall of fame

6) Towpath trail (when fully completed)

7) Case (if progress continues)

8 ) Key tower

9) bp tower

 

Disappointing or abandoned projects

1) true subway system, after many many studies

2) half ass airport

3) lake front parks / housing / access

4) schools

5) neighborhoods

6) inability to keep home grown enterprises

7) true regional approach to problems/services

8 ) air and water quality not highly valued, a longer term solution

I would add Tower City to your list. 

 

Even though it is struggling somewhat, and even though one could argue the Van Sweringens built the super structure 75 years ago, we finally seriously moved to finishing that dream in the late 80s, even though the railroads were gone (ironically, the railroads were weakening even when Terminal Tower/Uniion Station opened in 1930). 

 

TC was great when it was built, but it's even greater today, and is one of the nation's and world's mixed/multi use TOD developments.  Gateway, thanks to great transit planning, is actually a far-flung piece of Tower City.

 

But like most things here, as great as TC is, we know it could be even greater, and that we've lost, and are losing, opportunities to, for example, expand it toward the river front.  And as nice as the Stokes Courthouse is in adding even more high density to the area, I sure would like to see some kind of residental towers built nearby/attached to it.

at the time union terminal was the largest excavation project in the world outside of the panama canal (or something along those lines, i'm sure mayday will correct me)

 

dropped balls

ameritrust tower (not cleveland's fault)

progressive tower (well whose fault is it really?)

"at the time union terminal was the largest excavation project in the world outside of the panama canal (or something along those lines, i'm sure mayday will correct me)"

 

Nope - you're absolutely right!  :-)

re: progessive tower

 

Mike White's, for roadblocking one of the best things to hit the city in years.  We'll be feeling the pain of that one for a looooong time.  Never liked him as mayor, even less now that I know he's a corrupt SOB.

re: progessive tower

 

Mike White's, for roadblocking one of the best things to hit the city in years.  We'll be feeling the pain of that one for a looooong time.  Never liked him as mayor, even less now that I know he's a corrupt SOB.

 

well the FAA gets some blame for this one too.......

how was the FAA involved in this? i think i was a little too young at the time to know what was going on.

Folks - the main (operative word, *main*) reason Progressive didn't go through was because it was "a business decision made by the Progressive board when Al Lerner was chairman". I'm not at liberty to discuss my sources for that - but trust me when I say they're legit.

yeah, one of the "public" answers i've heard is that because the tower was going to be on/near the waterfront, the FAA wouldn't allow it because of the flight paths coming in and out of burke lakefront airport (which really is a crock of shit, LAX makes planes come in and out at horribly steep angles to avoid "airplane noise" over the nicer areas)

In a minor way, I would include Great Lakes Brewery.  That place has brought so much suburban money into the city and has really anchored Ohio City's redevelopment over the past 15 years.  Also, it is one of the organizations that is truly unique and worthy of respect.

not to mention the fact they make damn good beer.  Dortmunder Gold is calling my name...

I think when the renovations and expansions of the museums of UC are completed it will make the area even better, truly world class

I'd have to add the accomplishments of Cleveland Public Art - the lighted bridges, the special events, the "name" people that they bring in for projects, etc.

So Cleveland is prone to getting a bad reputation (sometimes). But let's face it, we have a lot of great things in Cleveland to be proud of. So I decided to make a list of what Cleveland has that is unique or something important to Cleveland that other cities lack or wish they had. Feel free to add on to this list freely!

 

LeBron James - today's most beloved player in the NBA and possibly in all of sports.

 

Key Tower - the tallest building in Ohio, tallest between Chicago and NYC, and what would be a top 5 building if placed in the NYC skyline.

 

The Cleveland Clinic - one of the biggest and best heart clinics and hospitals for that matter in the country.

 

The Euclid Corridor - we all know what it is, let's just see what kind of impact this makes when it's completed.

 

The Cleveland Orchestra - one of the best, if not the best.

 

Tri-C Jazz Fest - one of the most respected jazz festivals in the country.

 

Playhouse Square (and Cleveland performing arts) - one of the best in the country.

 

Lake Erie - we are situated on one of just 5 fresh water lakes in the whole world.

 

Most Affordable City To Live In - something to be ecstatic about (and to take advantage of)!

 

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame - a Cleveland exclusive.

 

Little Italy + Chinatown - if you think about it, not many cities have a Little Italy or Chinatown. Sure, other cities have them but only a few.

 

University Circle - all the museums, hospitals, institutions, and schools make this a very UNIQUE place to work, live, or hang out.

 

The Cuyahoga National Valley Park - one of the best national parks in the country and its only 10 minutes from Cleveland and it's the only national park in Ohio!

 

Our football, baseball, and basketball stadiums/arenas are all located downtown. I guess this is more of a common feat, but NYC can't say the same thing still to this day. To add to that, Cleveland is the only city in Ohio and our region (with the exception of Detroit) to have a national baseball, basketball, AND football team.

 

I-271 Express/Local lanes - I never looked into it, but I have a feeling not many cities have an express/local segment of freeway. I believe it's the only one in Ohio.

 

Continental Airlines Hub - just 3 exist and Cleveland is one of them.

 

Peter B. Lewis Building in CWRU - Unique indeed, although he (Gehry) continues to build similar projects in other cities.

The Federal Reserve Bank Branch (1/12)

Rail to Airport direct service (more common now, but was the first)

Nasa Glenn Research Center

Lake Front (shared with only Toledo, Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee, Buffalo... I think)

1st Black mayor of a major US city

The Arcade

Most complete City Beautiful design

Blossom Music Center

Tallest three buildings in the state

House of Blues (few cities have this theme chain)

 

 

NASA Glenn - the only NASA facility in the northern half of the nation (only one north of the Mason-Dixon line, but I don't know how many know where or what that line is!);

 

Rail transit - the only city in Ohio to have an electrically powered rail transit system and the only one between Buffalo/Pittsburgh and Chicago/St. Louis axis.

 

Cleveland Metroparks - I don't where the metroparks system ranks nationally in size and quality, but I suspect it's right up there.

 

Playhouse Square - second-largest theater district (measured by number of seats) in the U.S., trailing only NYC's Broadway.

 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park - the most-visited national park in the United States, and the only one that links two large population centers of at least a half-million people.

 

Golf courses - Greater Cleveland ranks highly in the nation in number of golf courses, with the Big Met golf course ranking as one of, if not the most patronized in the U.S.

 

University Circle - you already included this, but UC has the greatest concentration of cultural and educational institutions in the U.S.

 

I'm sure I'm missing a few more, but these are things we tend to take for granted and shouldn't.

Is this some annual thing? 

 

Granted, I have 0 issue with pride and such (it's the goal of this site) but isn't there a thread about this a couple months back? (Believe in Cleveland?  Positive Cleveland?; one of those *insert something* Cleveland threads). 

Is this some annual thing? 

 

Granted, I have 0 issue with pride and such (it's the goal of this site) but isn't there a thread about this a couple months back? (Believe in Cleveland?  Positive Cleveland?; one of those *insert something* Cleveland threads). 

 

Jealous?  :lol:

No.  Just realistic.

He's right (and I'm never going to hear the end of it from him -- go on big guy, rag on me like an ex-girlfriend!).

 

There's always some poster who comes up with the latest "tell me why I should feel good about my city" and, dammit, I always bite. ColDayMan reminds me I need to do a search on previous posts of this sort and post the link whenever a new one comes up. Thanks for helping me see the error of my ways, o' wise and perceptive one...

You're dismissed, my son.

Shaker Square- unique proto TOD that has greenery and high density residential with neighborhood retail, not to mention the rest of Shaker Heights, a wonderful example of the Garden Suburb.

 

Westside Market- one of the largest indoor markets of its type in the US.

 

The Flats- not at its peak anymore as an entertainment district, but still one of the most unique urban neighborhoods I've ever been in.  Where else can you see highways overhead, freighters winding through a narrow river, bridges moving up and down and rotating, planes taking off, trains barrelling by, industry being industrial, and skyscrapers loaded with office workers, often simultaneously?  One of the most three dimensional and kinetic places I've ever been.

 

Great Lakes Brewery- f*ck ya!

The Grog Shop...it's in Cleveland Heights, of course, but it's one of the coolest rock clubs anywhere, in my opinion, and I've been around the block...well, I've lived in Boston and NYC =)

Just a little nitpicking (it IS what I do best):

 

"Key Tower - the tallest building in Ohio, tallest between Chicago and NYC,"

 

Technically no. The Bank of America tower in Atlanta is 1,023 feet and although it's not located along a straight line between Chicago and NYC... well, you get the idea. Also, Key Tower will lose that title shortly when the 975-foot Comcast Center is completed in Philadelphia.

 

"The Federal Reserve Bank Branch (1/12)"

 

There is nothing "branch" about the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. It is one of twelve Federal Reserve Banks, period. It has branches in Cincy and Pittsburgh and a check processing branch in Columbus.

.....

 

I have to second X's nomination of the Flats - if you ever get the chance, go to the Stonebridge viaduct and just spend an hour or so. It's one of the few spots where you'll see everything he mentioned.

 

 

Alice Cooperstown 1 of 2 (Phoenix)

 

Mike the Hatter

 

Volks Loans

 

Garfield 1 2323

 

Seeing a commercial for Rick Case Honda at a Cleveland Sports venue and everyone yellng "Dick Face"

 

 

Hi All,

 

Posted by KJP, "NASA Glenn - the only NASA facility in the northern half of the nation (only one north of the Mason-Dixon line, but I don't know how many know where or what that line is!);"

 

 

The Mason-Dixon line is the line that divides Pennsylvania from Maryland. If you drive down West Virginia SR 2, south of Moundsville there is a marker designating the Mason-Dixon line. Bear hugz.

 

Jim S.

 

Garfield 1 2323

 

 

Hilarious!

 

Not to mention Big Chuck and Lil' John-not of the Crunk variety.

Lest we forget the Polka Hall of Fame! 

Norton Furniture commercials.

frank sterle's slovenian country home

 

pats in the flats

 

the emerald necklace, valley and the chalet toboggan run

 

 

 

Garfield 1 2323

 

 

lol! btw the twin sister of that oldie was this one:

 

see the usa in a c miller chevrolet

 

 

 

 

 

How could I forget the Maxine Levine Goodman College Of Urban Affairs. #2 in the country, and probably the only masters of Urban Design in Ohio. Downtown also has a Kent State branch for Urban Design on Prospect/Huron.

Lest we forget the Polka Hall of Fame! 

 

Or the Softball Hall-of-Fame that is right next door!

NASA Glenn - the only NASA facility in the northern half of the nation (only one north of the Mason-Dixon line, but I don't know how many know where or what that line is!);

 

 

Doesn't NASA Plum Brook count?

It is a branch of Glenn.

Cherry Strawberry Cotton Club

Stadium Mustard

 

--when I lived in Nashville, I could find it in the gourment aisle at Kroger.

I haven't responded to this thread for a purpose, but does anyone see whats missing?

^Mr. Hero Romanburgers?

I haven't responded to this thread for a purpose, but does anyone see whats missing?

 

Yes.  Another thread titled "Best Attributes about Cleveland!"

 

How easily we forget.

wow, my ego feels so much better now. I'm ready to bash cincinnati!

I haven't responded to this thread for a purpose, but does anyone see whats missing?

 

Hot Sauce Williams?

 

 

I haven't responded to this thread for a purpose, but does anyone see whats missing?

 

Yes.  Another thread titled "Best Attributes about Cleveland!"

 

How easily we forget.

 

You are so bad!  You need an old school 70's style ass whippin'!  :wink:  LOL

 

I haven't responded to this thread for a purpose, but does anyone see whats missing?

 

Hot Sauce Williams?

 

no..but close

 

 

Whats missing are black, latin, asian (sans saying china town/Asian Village), women's and Gay items.

 

 

^And Jewish too

 

You are right....Cleveland's diversity is one of the best assets

^And Jewish too

 

You are right....Cleveland's diversity is one of the best assets

 

No thats not exactly what I was getting at.  We have so many great things that people of color do, but its never mention which leads to people BELIEVING Ohio is pretty "middle of the road, white and boring"

 

Not one person mentioned Karamu House or the African American Museum.

 

We have got to start promoting and celebrating our ethinic diversity.

Marc Glassman?

Here's a little-known asset in Cleveland:

 

The U.S. Coast Guard.

 

Coast Guard? Cleveland is home to the second-largest Coast Guard command in the world. The USCG's district that covers the entire Great Lakes has its main office and administrative staff of some 600 people in the Federal Building on East 9th Street -- not in Chicago, not in Detroit, but right here in Cleveland.

  If only we could get the USCG rescue helicopter from Detroit and put it here! 

the Ohio Derby at thistledown

The Rapid

Metro Parks Zoo

IX Center

Amount of undeveloped lakefront still remaining

Cedar Point.. Is that one of our assets? :)