June 30, 20168 yr Author Derick Waller Ch. 5 @derickwallerTV 3m3 minutes ago Brook Park, OH Throwback Thursday: Here's @WEWS video of the last @CLEPublicSquare dedication on July 16, 1986 #InTheSquare "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 30, 20168 yr Derick Waller Ch. 5 @derickwallerTV 3m3 minutes ago Brook Park, OH Throwback Thursday: Here's @WEWS video of the last @CLEPublicSquare dedication on July 16, 1986 #InTheSquare Derick Waller Ch. 5 @derickwallerTV 9m9 minutes ago Derick Waller Ch. 5 Retweeted Derick Waller Ch. 5 @TomHorsman gets credit for the inspiration behind going to find this video. Here's the PD's coverage from the 1986 dedication: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B16RJdSArUFaWXdPTUdvZmhRVUU/view?usp=sharing
June 30, 20168 yr As nice as the splash fountain is there is a major drainage design flaw. The outer ring with the jets cannot drain fast enough to hold the fountains designated shape. I am surprised this wasn't tested further before the granite pavers were all put in place. I was surprised the take out window proposed on the cafe has been replaced by a window with no service. That was odd now that all food must be ordered inside to take outdoors. Overall Public Square is much improved and I look forward to how it is used and maintained from this point on. Everyone should see it in person
July 2, 20168 yr Walked down to the square today at dusk. Ridiculously pleasurable. All sorts of people of differing ages doing stuff. Lots of strollers and dogs - not something you would find a lot of downtown on a Friday night 4 years ago.
July 2, 20168 yr I drove by it for the first time today (not on my usual commute). There was a live band playing and people of all sorts, including families, hanging out on the various lawns. I absolutely loved it and almost wrecked my car staring.
July 2, 20168 yr I got out of work early today, ate a very late lunch at Mabel's then spent an hour on the concert hill, listening to the band, taking in the sun and watching people and the world go by. It was fabulous. My hovercraft is full of eels
July 2, 20168 yr Author I drove by it for the first time today (not on my usual commute). There was a live band playing and people of all sorts, including families, hanging out on the various lawns. I absolutely loved it and almost wrecked my car staring. Doesn't that car suit get uncomfortable after a while? Or do you feel naked without it?? ;) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 20168 yr Derick Waller Ch. 5 @derickwallerTV 3m3 minutes ago Brook Park, OH Throwback Thursday: Here's @WEWS video of the last @CLEPublicSquare dedication on July 16, 1986 #InTheSquare Notice the buildings on the west side of the Square, back in the days when it was fully enclosed. Been a vacant lot since 1990 or so...long time, some 26 years. Expecting that lot to be the home of a modern structure of some sort soon.
July 2, 20168 yr I drove by it for the first time today (not on my usual commute). There was a live band playing and people of all sorts, including families, hanging out on the various lawns. I absolutely loved it and almost wrecked my car staring. Doesn't that car suit get uncomfortable after a while? Or do you feel naked without it?? ;) Ouch.
July 2, 20168 yr I wonder why they didn't move the s&s monument to the center of the park and have the buses or whatever go around it? It seems like that would have made more sense to me instead of keeping it where it is.
July 2, 20168 yr They weren't even allowed to have planting beds too close to it as to not remove the ability for people to walk around it and view it in a large space. Moving it entirely into the center of transit lanes have been met with laughter.
July 3, 20168 yr I wonder why they didn't move the s&s monument to the center of the park and have the buses or whatever go around it? It seems like that would have made more sense to me instead of keeping it where it is. The monument is much more than a statue. There is a mini museum underneath it. Moving it would have been a monumental task, no pun intended
July 3, 20168 yr I wonder why they didn't move the s&s monument to the center of the park and have the buses or whatever go around it? It seems like that would have made more sense to me instead of keeping it where it is. I wonder why it's not properly lit up at night.
July 3, 20168 yr ALERT! (Sorry Screen shot of Twitter didn't take) Free Mitchell's ice cream on the square until 1 pm today
July 3, 20168 yr ^^yes this is ridciulous and tacky iirc there are about 4 out of (?)24 lampsposts that are illuminated. the only yhing going to fix this is unabated complaining
July 3, 20168 yr I wonder why they didn't move the s&s monument to the center of the park and have the buses or whatever go around it? It seems like that would have made more sense to me instead of keeping it where it is. Between the foundation and the tunnels underneath, I doubt it would have been physically possible without causing substantially damage.
July 4, 20168 yr Finally got to visit PS yesterday, took my 7 y.o. son there. We had to be more creative than usual finding a meter but I eventually found one up by the Ritz and we walked over. He was complaining about how boring it was, as kids do. Short version: He was mad I made him leave after 2 hours. Long version: It was so amazing, I couldn't believe it was downtown PS on a weekend. Full of families, little kids splashing in the fountain, people walking around taking pictures. Mitchell's was giving out free ice cream, which was just an amazing find. We sat on the big steps and ate our ice cream and I talked about how it used to look before and then a guy was giving out free frisbees so we played frisbee for more than an hour, until we were both dripping with sweat. In public square. with my purse just kind of hanging out under a bench about 40 feet away, that nobody bothered. He crawled up on a statue's lap (Johnson?) and made me take his picture. When it was time to leave, he was telling me how I was "the meanest" (as kids do) and these guys nearby were laughing about it and I said, see, they know it, everyone knows I'm the meanest, bringing you down here for free ice cream and frisbee, how horrible. Then he hit me with the frisbee and I told the cop we were walking by to take him to jail and he was super serious like, kid, I will totally take you to jail, you can't hit people, especially your mother, even if she is "the meanest." It was amazing and awesome. We had a wonderful time.
July 4, 20168 yr ^^yes this is ridciulous and tacky iirc there are about 4 out of (?)24 lampsposts that are illuminated. the only yhing going to fix this is unabated complaining I expected the column to be soft-lit and Lady Liberty atop the column as well. Lady Liberty used to be lit, I want to say with blue-hued lighting. Could have been back in the '90s when the Flats bridges etc were all lit for the Bicentennial in 1996. All that lighting faded out years later.
July 4, 20168 yr Isn't the Soldiers and Sailors Monument the one part of the square that is owned by the county? Would that be their responsibility then?
July 4, 20168 yr Isn't the Soldiers and Sailors Monument the one part of the square that is owned by the county? Would that be their responsibility then? Most likely, which is why it's not being lit properly. I recall C Ellen Connolly making a statement at, I believe, the City Club forum with James Corner, reminding everyone that the SSM was county owned and not to make plans that would interfere with county ownership. I was thinking ''uh oh, here we go with another Cleveland political wall''... This is why it's not lit properly. Makes sense to me. Old County politicians not working with the PS redevelopment so while the rest of the Square is gleaming, the SSM sits basically dark at night while it should be the centerpiece, especially at night. C Ellen Connolly, while a nice woman I'm sure, is part of the old Cleveland political baggage department. She is a professional politician, ran for lots of different elected offices as part of the overall team that let Cleveland collapse and now the county has joined in the decline. Who knows, maybe the SSM will be lit in the near term.
July 4, 20168 yr I just spoke with the gentleman inside the SSM and he stated that the county is responsible for the lights fro the lamp posts. He said the bulbs are purchased but the county doesn't seem to have any timetable to replace the bulbs. I suggest we all call the county to point out this oversight. I have written numerous times to The Group Plan Commission and Land Studio and neither has ever responded to my inquiries regarding this issue. One other observation. The temporary performance tent/stage was poorly thought out. The overall design of the park is excellent but then we have this afterthought. Music is planned for almost all of July A permanently designed structure would have been a thoughtful element rather than what is there now.
July 4, 20168 yr I just spoke with the gentleman inside the SSM and he stated that the county is responsible for the lights fro the lamp posts. He said the bulbs are purchased but the county doesn't seem to have any timetable to replace the bulbs. I suggest we all call the county to point out this oversight. I have written numerous times to The Group Plan Commission and Land Studio and neither has ever responded to my inquiries regarding this issue. One other observation. The temporary performance tent/stage was poorly thought out. The overall design of the park is excellent but then we have this afterthought. Music is planned for almost all of July A permanently designed structure would have been a thoughtful element rather than what is there now. Under the County Executive website regarding committess/boards etc is the following" Soldiers and Sailors Monument Board of Trustees Richard T. Prasse, President Contact info: Timothy Daley, Executive Director 216-698-2461 (both gentleman have same # listed) soldiersandsailors.com Disclaimer: last posted Meetings are the period 10/2011 - 10/2012 ( go figure) so who knows how accurate this information is.
July 5, 20168 yr Are there any built in sprinklers for the grass area? I see them for the shrubbery but didn't check for them in the grass area.
July 5, 20168 yr RE: SSM lamp posts I received this response from the Facebook page of Cleveland Public Square "Thank you for this information. We are looking into the lighting situation and will work to resolve the matter quickly." fingers crossed
July 6, 20168 yr Are there any built in sprinklers for the grass area? I see them for the shrubbery but didn't check for them in the grass area. Yes, I noticed them the other day
July 7, 20168 yr The Rebol bar/restaurant's opening was pushed back to yesterday. Has anyone been there? Reviews? Patronage? etc...
July 7, 20168 yr Author A blank wall facing Cleveland's Public Square: A blank wall facing a public street in Quebec city: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 8, 20168 yr A few from Monday, July 4. DSCF5214 by musky, on Flickr DSCF5212 by [/size]musky, on Flickr DSCF5215 by musky, on Flickr
July 8, 20168 yr Wow that wall in Quebec!!!! Amazing. Isn't Weston looking into doing something with that wall? If I recall it was part of their original plans. I would assume it's way too costly to continue the terra cotta decoration to the back of the building. But a mural like that could be very cool. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
July 8, 20168 yr How is the new PS with the Superior Ave buses going through the middle? Do they disturb what, otherwise, is a great re-do of the Square?
July 8, 20168 yr ^The busway hasn't opened to buses yet. As of a few days ago, RTA hadn't decided whether or not to open it before the RNC.
July 8, 20168 yr Let's hope they spend many months, if not forever, deciding when to open it; I was there last weekend and couldn't imagine traffic violating that new, open, friendly, accessible, relaxing, well-integrated park.
July 8, 20168 yr Let's hope they spend many months, if not forever, deciding when to open it; I was there last weekend and couldn't imagine traffic violating that new, open, friendly, accessible, relaxing, well-integrated park. Agreed. I just wish they didn't have 4 full lanes going through. Not sure that many were necessary
July 8, 20168 yr I've always thought a mural or advertising/billboard would be great for that wall. A headshot of Lebron. I want Superman. Here are a few more good ones where I currently live in Portland, OR: http://www.allanaphiliba.com/Trompe_l_Oeil__Portland._2.jpg https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1f/c0/79/1fc079b5549700e635a4cbfd0d6cc945.jpg http://res.cloudinary.com/sagacity/image/upload/c_crop,h_933,w_700,x_0,y_0/c_limit,w_640/v1408653794/8-21-mural_vny2uu.jpg OR how about a simple, "Welcome to Cleveland" http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/todd-roll-laugh.jpg How fast can we commission before the RNC ? :) Since that's what it takes around here...
July 9, 20168 yr Author I've always thought a mural or advertising/billboard would be great for that wall. I'd love a moving mural or video board that show how Public Square looked at various times over the last two centuries. Maybe mostly use images that have the Old Stone Church in them as reference and in deference to the church. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 9, 20168 yr Public square has so many things going on and so many different people in it today. Mix that with the busy traffic surrounding it, the square gave downtown that true major city feel. I feel it was very well done. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
July 10, 20168 yr Over the course of the last two weeks I've probably spent 5-6 hours in PS. With my kids, with friends and on my own. It's a great space, well executed and great to see it bringing in so many people, most noticeably, families from the suburbs. Unfortunately, I now hate the idea of the bus lanes opening. It's going to detract massively. My hovercraft is full of eels
July 10, 20168 yr Over the course of the last two weeks I've probably spent 5-6 hours in PS. With my kids, with friends and on my own. It's a great space, well executed and great to see it bringing in so many people, most noticeably, families from the suburbs. Unfortunately, I now hate the idea of the bus lanes opening. It's going to detract massively. Agreed I feel that having the bus lane closed allows it to feel much more connected and flow better. Hopefully it doesn't cause it to feel too seperate. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
July 10, 20168 yr The number of anti-bus lane voices seems to be growing fast as everyone experiences the new public square as a unified park-like space...Could a petition of signatures to stop the bus lanes work?
July 10, 20168 yr ^I think a petition is a good idea. I've always thought the through buses arrangement was a major flaw to an otherwise and obviously excellent redesign... One thing is for sure, the longer people contiue to fall in love with the new Square and the longer RTA delays in running its Superior Ave buses through the middle, the more the public will object to their arrival. And the citizens should have the last word; it's PUBLIC Square, after all.
July 11, 20168 yr ^I think a petition is a good idea. I've always thought the through buses arrangement was a major flaw to an otherwise and obviously excellent redesign... One thing is for sure, the longer people contiue to fall in love with the new Square and the longer RTA delays in running its Superior Ave buses through the middle, the more the public will object to their arrival. And the citizens should have the last word; it's PUBLIC Square, after all. They were in the plan from the beginning more for socioeconomic than aesthetic reasons, a feeling that the RTA stops were being pushed aside as part of what amounts to the gentrification of the Square. As people begin to appreciate this world class design, they are likely to realize that the buses and the stops detract from it. Particularly women working downtown, a group not strongly represented (only R&R?) on these pages.
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