Uh rude? I think I was being really nice. What is rude is being subject to this kind of stinking garbage masqueraded as journalism. It's odd and scary that someone who is supposed to have a clue about the Midwest is so completely off base.

Well, lets not be rude. But substintavely I have to agree.

 

Globalmidwest, read this article if you want a single, yet accurate, perspective of Cleveland.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=101201/Cleveland

 

 

And to dismiss the cultural assets of Cleveland and to say, well every city has an art museum. (much like what urbanphile says) It's like saying the Louvre is equivalent to The Paine Art center in Oshkosh WI.

 

To me, it seems like he is not interested in the same things as people who live in cities or people who enjoy visiting cities.

Hey, I'm proud of my city for not getting out of control at the Cavs/Heat game.  :)

 

My friend who has been away at school for nearly 4 years was in town over the thanksgiving weekend, and I managed to convince him to go downtown. I think I counted five different times his jaw hit the ground as we went to East Fourth (truly a food lover's paradise), Tower City Mall (pretty full of stores, not boarded up), the May co. building, and down to Playhouse Square.

 

Imagine in another five years when the large projects just beginning around town are being finished up!

Tower city's retail impressed your friend?

Tower city's retail impressed your friend?

Tower City impressed my friends from Denver too.  I think they said something like, "we don't even have a mall downtown", let alone a 3-story one on the square, in one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.

I think TC impresses most visitors.  It is the locals that don't like it.

Tower city's retail impressed your friend?

Tower City impressed my friends from Denver too.  I think they said something like, "we don't even have a mall downtown", let alone a 3-story one on the square, in one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.

 

Exactly.  Tower City is so much more than just the Avenue component!

I think TC impresses most visitors. It is the locals that don't like it.

Exactly, because they're trying to compare it to something in NY or Chicago.

Eh.... I think it has more to do with suburban fear of downtown (and its elements) and knowing that TC, as beautiful and great as it is, is not what it was when it opened in terms of high-end retail.  More the former than the latter.

Surprised to hear all the TC love.  The physical structure is obviously impressive, and it's nice that it's not a ghost mall, but I'm a little surprised that its retail is also receiving praise. 

Who "praised" it for its retail?  As far as I can tell, you are the one who keeps bringing that up.  Even the OP you were responding to did not specifically say that his friend was impressed with the specific "retail"..... just that there was a mall downtown.

 

Personally, I shop at Children's Place whenever I pass through because it has really good clearance racks sometimes and their clothes seem to fit my son well.  I don't regularly shop in any of the other stores.... but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the place.

 

My sole point was that visitors from out of town are generally impressed with TC.  Who wouldn't be?

 

Okay, i must have misread the earlier posts.  My bad

 

^how many vacant storefront are there in Tower City Mall? Last time I checked it's pretty close to zero, or, I didn't see ANY vacant storefronts when I walked through 2 weeks ago.

 

I still think everyone local views TCM through the wrong set of glasses. (At least now, pre casino) Don't think of it in terms of a traditional exurbia mall or lifestyle center, think about it more like aPenn Station in Newark... A transit hub with tonnes of retail!

^how many vacant storefront are there in Tower City Mall? Last time I checked it's pretty close to zero, or, I didn't see ANY vacant storefronts when I walked through 2 weeks ago.

 

I still think everyone local views TCM through the wrong set of glasses. (At least now, pre casino) Don't think of it in terms of a traditional exurbia mall or lifestyle center, think about it more like aPenn Station in Newark... A transit hub with tonnes retail!

 

I think that is the wrong way of thinking of things.  TCC is offices, retail, hotels and transit.  I think of it as TC in the heart of downtown Cleveland not a mall!

 

I think of the TT, skylight, landmark office buildings and post office as incredible office space that you'll never see designed again.

I think of Higbees as a fabulous department store with a new purpose in life

I think of (stouffers in on the square) Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton as great historic hotels.

I think of the avenue as the retail component.

 

Most people look at TCC solely as a failed or under-performing mall.

 

Again, it's sooooo much more!

^how many vacant storefront are there in Tower City Mall? Last time I checked it's pretty close to zero, or, I didn't see ANY vacant storefronts when I walked through 2 weeks ago.

 

I still think everyone local views TCM through the wrong set of glasses. (At least now, pre casino) Don't think of it in terms of a traditional exurbia mall or lifestyle center, think about it more like aPenn Station in Newark... A transit hub with tonnes retail!

 

There are a couple vacant spots, but they're disguised well. The one large one that used to be a furniture store is obvious though and could use some decor to exude life.

 

Your hints at re-imagining these places...and not holding them to the mall scene we expect of the past, is a very good point, otherwise such places become economically type-cast.

 

From my experiences with talking to a lot of people....it seems they so often expect what they remember about such places...and not that such is a bad thing at all, but when they go to such a place and it is NOT exactly what they remembered, they automatically assume decline and that which is bad.

 

Granted, we'd like to have some of useful and good remnants of the past in such spaces.... as I would rather have that than to have a place become a bunch of free standing carts selling hats and cell phones but TC is offering a lot more than that kind of thing, and yet it is often assumed that it is dead....Just because Liz C. is not at the party. I do, however, admit that they could use some more diverse retail options now that downtown has more of a population to support it.

 

I wish when people walked into the Galleria, that they would not assume it is supposed to be the 80's mall they remembered, and would instead, open up and see it as a multi-use center with hints of retail and specialty shops, offices, and events space...... and some really new clever and independent ideas emerging, that to me, offers a lot more than the typical mall scene of the past.

 

It will be here and these kinds of places that many will go when they want to find something different and not of the clone zone. Already, at GUG, they've have had many out of town visitors complimenting on what a great concept it is.

 

If I had one negative comment about TC now, it would be the lack of maintenance at the parking garage entrances. They need to be cleaner and with a fresh coat of paint.

 

 

And as MTS points out... "Most people look at TCC solely as a failed or under-performing mall. Again, it's sooooo much more!"....

 

That is exactly my point. 

TC is a great space.  I love walking through there even today.

 

The retail aspect of it is weak, especially compared to what it was when it first opened.  That's the disappointment in it from locals.

I think TC is an awesome place myself.

 

The Casino will add tons of life to that area of downtown that will spill over into TC. More traffic could mean more variety of retail.

 

I'm sure the Casino and a soon-to-be (hopefully) recovering housing market will also spur new residential development like the stalled Courthouse Plaza near the new Fed CH.

I think TC is an awesome place myself.

 

The Casino will add tons of life to that area of downtown that will spill over into TC. More traffic could mean more variety of retail.

 

I'm sure the Casino and a soon-to-be (hopefully) recovering housing market will also spur new residential development like the stalled Courthouse Plaza near the new Fed CH.

 

I hope CH doesn't come back.  Concentrate on building housing and the associated everyday needs in the E4th and WHD area before we start any HIGH rise new building.  We need to be at the critical mass tipping point.  until the parking lots are gone.  A tower is not needed.

I have a friend with a young son, 12-13 years old or so, lives in an east side suburb.  I'm friends with the father so I'm also friends with the son on Facebook... His status from the other day: "went to tower city yesterday with ____. SO AWESOME!!!!"

 

I don't care what stores Tower City has or doesn't have, used to have, or should have.  I don't care how much it costs to park or how much of a hassle is to go there from Westlake or Broadview Heights or Mayfield.  It should be a crime for any suburban parent in this region to let their kid grow up and not have that Tower City experience at least once.

I remember being so unbelievably excited and thrilled to take the rapid downtown when I was a wee lead (probably around 1980) with my dad to go to his office in the Midland Bldg.  The experience of entering the terminal complex on the train through the tunnels and then walking up the ramps (back then) into the marble and brass of the old CUT spaces was incredible.  Even today, despite the slightly icky mall aesthetics that have been smeared on the old spaces, I still love the procession from train to platform to big indoor space to walking out onto Public Square.  Especially if we can beat Public Square into shape a bit, it's a really stunning entrance sequence for visitors.

THIS is why I love this city (and especially the West Side Market):

 

 

Feel free to share :-)

SO F*CKING AWESOME.

That is amazing!!! Bet your ass I will share it!

This comment was priceless:

 

"you should do it in a mall or sams club! or where there are more than 12 people! sounds great! and more should be able to enjoy it!"

Shows suburban people just don't get out very much.

Mayday, were you there?

^I was there but way before any of that started (wrapped up my shopping by 8:45am) - it would have been awesome to experience, but I'm glad it was caught on video.

Shows suburban people just don't get out very much.

 

*eyeroll*

I was going to say - I read that comment as sarcasm or someone being silly.

 

And if it wasn't meant as such, no offense to those who reacted to it but why would you even acknowledge such an ignorant statement from someone (who?!? anyone we should actually concern ourselves about as if their opinion has an impact?) about such an incredible event in such a wonderful venue? It's not like that person has a global bully pulpit like Forbes, so why even bother? Watch the video again - it's not like it *needs* defending. Ask the Market vendors if they could take that kind of attitude toward suburbanites (inner, outer, or ex) and stay in business.

 

There are times when - yeah, an ignorant statement needs to be shot down; this isn't one of them and I'd hate to see that video's commentary devolve into a bunch of back-and-forth instead of people simply appreciating what I hope will be one of the most viewed Cleveland-centric youtube videos.

^THAT.  All I know is this stupid suburbanite has already posted it and emailed it to hundreds of people locally and throughout the nation. One of my mom friends in Iowa saw it and posted, "I only WISH I lived somewhere where something as cool as this would happen."  I venture to say, many of us stupid suburbanites can (and do) do a lot to help promote Cleveland.

I was going to say - I read that comment as sarcasm or someone being silly.

 

And if it wasn't meant as such, no offense to those who reacted to it but why would you even acknowledge such an ignorant statement from someone (who?!? anyone we should actually concern ourselves about as if their opinion has an impact?) about such an incredible event in such a wonderful venue? It's not like that person has a global bully pulpit like Forbes, so why even bother? Watch the video again - it's not like it *needs* defending. Ask the Market vendors if they could take that kind of attitude toward suburbanites (inner, outer, or ex) and stay in business.

 

There are times when - yeah, an ignorant statement needs to be shot down; this isn't one of them and I'd hate to see that video's commentary devolve into a bunch of back-and-forth instead of people simply appreciating what I hope will be one of the most viewed Cleveland-centric youtube videos.

 

I'm sorry, I posted it because I thought it was a funny comment.  I didn't mean for people to get bent out of shape.

Comments like that in question, and if meant literally, can be said by the ignorant whether they live in the core or in the outside of it. Ignorance has no real hardcore boundaries, but I would suspect that kind of comment come from an exurban if I had to choose A. B. or C. The video was spectacular. 

^^Don't get me wrong - I chuckled when I saw it - I read it as someone being silly. And then someone throws out the inflammatory comments here (and on the youtube link)... :-\

I have suggested that on You Tube, (to those who have Cleveland videos posted) that if you are going to promote a Cleveland video and want a positive vibe generated for the city, to just disable the comments feature because most are a myriad of extremely ignorant and un-informed posts. Worse than CDC. It is a free for all. The very least action that should be taken is moderation of the worst and ill-informed ones, and especially the profanity and terrible grammar/spelling.

Uh, what the what? Downtown Cleveland Alliance's new marketing videos are grrrrrreat. Beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/user/DwntwnCLE#p/a.

Uh, what the what? Downtown Cleveland Alliance's new marketing videos are grrrrrreat. Beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/user/DwntwnCLE.

 

 

Thanks for the info, but this link worked.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DwntwnCLE#p/a

 

Thanks!

Uh, what the what? Downtown Cleveland Alliance's new marketing videos are grrrrrreat. Beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/user/DwntwnCLE.

 

the link didnt work. But awesome videos!

Downtown Cleveland Alliance's new marketing videos are grrrrrreat.[/url]

Agreed, they make me so excited for Cleveland. :)

the videos are absolutely fantastic.

Nice video, but many of these videos seem to be centered around E. 4th St. and its getting old IMO. There is more to downtown than E. 4th St. that should be featured.

Cleveland's going up: New projects, pioneers poised to give city a lift

 

"You might call me crazy -- don't worry, you won't be the first -- but I think that in 10 years, we will look back on 2010 as the year that Cleveland turned the corner and began to regain its status as a vibrant American city."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/12/clevelands_going_up_new_projec.html#incart_hbx

Good article outlining the smaller efforts that will collectively add up to make big ones. Inviting the world again is something I am finally glad was mentioned in a publication such as the PD. A hundred years from now, if we are still around as a race of beings, we just may look back at this time many see as the panacea for all Cleveland will ever be..in a bad light, as a mere glimpse of time in our overall history that was simply a time of struggle and re-invention, re-thinking, re-imagining and creating new visions that were the cornerstones and roads laid out to the next age of prosperity.

it was nice reading a positive article by the PD.  a little christmas gift

Awesome article ... Thanks!

Good article. Thanks for finding it and posting it.

this is pretty funny at parts

 

Cleveland is No. 1

One year after Forbes called us miserable, science proves otherwise

 

"Fun fact: The Great Lakes hold 20 percent of the world's fresh water. Fun fact 2: Arizona and other Third World nations are just now learning what we in Ohio already know — that water is a preferable component of staying alive. While the rest of America rations its supply, we'll be merrily dashing through the sprinkler of sustainability. So says the same analysis from SustainLane, which quite possibly is receiving monthly checks from Positively Cleveland."

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/cleveland-is-no-1/Content?oid=2237289

 

While people were making jokes about Arizona being third world... I know a girl who moved to Phoenix from Cleveland, liked it for 2 weeks, then got her first water bill and made no friends.

 

I don't see what the big deal is about Cleveland's climate! 3 feet of fresh power > grey, 35 degrees, concrete and mud that you find in Lexington, Atlanta, Dallas. Combine that with cooler, comfortable summers and Cleveland has it made! Cleveland embraces winter and I find that beautiful as I've always wanted to live somewhere that does.

 

Go Browns.

 

The city is doing great, and improving.

 

I'm proud to say I'm a future-Clevelander.

If you run into anyone who says there's nothing happening development-wise in Cleveland, send them this link. Very impressive!.....

 

http://www.healthtechcorridor.com/News/Corridor_News

It's all funny, ClevelandOhio!

 

They also blew off the notion that maybe, just maybe, we like having the snow around to remind us that not every day should feel like August in Houston.

 

that worst winter ranking still drives me crazy.  They used average daily temperature for the whole year to deterimine the worst winter, which is the stupidest methodology I can think of.  So if a place has really cold winters but has really hot summers to drag up their avg temp (like Minneapolis) their winters aren't as bad as somewhere (like Cleveland) that has less extreme temp differences between winter and summer.