The haps

Nice Piece

2011-03-28T07:55:00.001-04:00

Sad I didn't make it out to the Food Truck Convoy, but it looks like a few other people did...

Great event, great turnout, great city, great future.

Grown ups

2011-03-25T16:59:00.001-04:00

Glad to see that the folks over in University Circle are playing nice together, like adults.

Density = good.
Housing = good.
New construction on top of a parking lot = good.

Everyone wins.

Gamble

2011-03-19T15:10:00.002-04:00

Some very interesting pieces in this article by Steve Litt. As I've stated before, I am an advocate for closing down ALL of the streets in Public Square, not just Ontario as proposed here (but will take the baby steps).

Ideally, he proposes the optimal solution - a merger of the two traffic studies that looks at progressive solutions, not traditional traffic studies. People, pedestrians, cyclists should be our priorities on Public Square, not the car or bus.

Good read, gets you thinking.

Why I wake up

2011-02-28T22:34:00.002-05:00

I wake up for you, Cleveland! Seriously though, even when roughed up by the ups and downs of life, I am continually inspired by our community and our city. Tonight's example:

An email to the random info@ account for our organization. It read something along the lines of:

'Dear Sir or Madam, I am an undergraduate student at School X studying urban planning, et cetera. I grew up in a neighborhood of Cleveland, went to high school at a fantastic school in Cleveland, and love your community. I can't wait to come back and learn about all the exciting work going on in Cleveland. What can I do to become involved over summer or over breaks?'

Thanks for your inspiration, Ken.

It's YOUR economy, stupid

2011-02-28T22:15:00.002-05:00

Alright to be honest, I hate that phrase (completely over-used & satirized) but I couldn't come up with something clever for a title for this post.

Over the past seven months I've had countless conversations with friends, acquaintances, and strangers about what I do for a living. Although sometimes I have a hard time explaining it, my most common answer is that I work in community and economic development for Ohio City, a neighborhood of Cleveland.

Sometimes I'm greeted by confusion. Other times by comments of support and inquisition. Too often, though, I'm told something along the lines of "Good for you, somebody needs to be doing that." (PS this happened to me tonight)

Well, that phrase is beginning to bother me. Yes, I am grateful to have my job, and yes, I do believe that the work I do has an impact on the community. But even with all my peers in the civic industry behind me, we cannot change Cleveland in the way that the rest of the region can. It is only when as a region we choose to use our resources to change Cleveland's economy that we will. 80 hours a week from me won't do it - you will.

Something there?

2011-02-12T23:07:00.002-05:00

Here's a head-scratcher. Supposedly there is bi-partisan interest/support in learning about the new federal program for high speed rail and a midwest connecter running through the northern part of the state.

And Governer Kasich is going to listen to this.

Well, sunuvabitch, I'm shocked to say the least. The 3-C killer? I would be impressed (and saddened, of course, that no one from the rest of the state could partake).

Can you see the light?

2011-02-11T18:42:00.003-05:00

Good news: Lorain Carnegie Bridge is getting a transformation that will create another great pedestrian & bike experience crossing the Cuyahoga Valley.

Bad news: the plans are currently stopping at West 20th. Additionally efforts will have to happen to continue the path to Gehring and then to West 25th.

Really great news: the Guardians of Transportation are finally going to get lit up!

Proud to have worked on this and challenged on how to improve it. Always more to be done.

Want to make change?

2011-02-11T14:52:00.001-05:00

Do it yourself. The mantra is true in so many areas, and is definitely true in Cleveland.

I am inspired by this story about families of the near west side who are making a tremendous change. So proud that this is my neighborhood, and honored to work with this community professionally.

What's that sound?

2011-02-01T12:48:00.002-05:00

The sound of cash.

I love how Forest City enterprises owns (READ: sits on) extremely valuable property in Cleveland, doesn't do much to it, and gains 85million dollars in the process. It's a beautiful business model.

Cheers to this moving forward, though.

Opportunity

2011-01-30T12:37:00.002-05:00

Pretty big story in the Plain Dealer about the future of the Flats, and how many stakeholders are seeing the prime opportunity we as a city have in front of us.

Working down there now over the past six months (from time to time) it's really incredible. Aging infrastructure, industry giants, residential concerns, recreational goals, green space planning, et cetera. Quite a mountain to climb, but when we get there, what a glorious peak it's going to be.

Take notes

2011-01-27T10:55:00.003-05:00

If I haven't mentioned it here yet, I really like the new online-weekly, Fresh Water Cleveland. Good news, positive stories, telling the real progress of Cleveland.

Nice addition

2011-01-26T15:20:00.001-05:00

Glad to see that there will be a small Viktor Schreckengost museum opening soon in Cleveland. Although it'll never be a major attraction, it'll be a niche draw for those who are aware of the huge impact he made on our world, through design.

Nice complement to the District of Design, theory, too.

Not a waste

2011-01-09T21:26:00.003-05:00

Was glad to hear it recently announced that Ohio City is going to be the next rolled-out phase for Cleveland's automated trash pick-up. There's actually a piece on the movement around the region in the paper.

Of course I think it's great, but if you recall I'm fairly opinionated about waste management. This next step is great because it does encourage more recycling, composting, and reuse by charging extra for more bins. However, it does nothing else to incentivize less waste, as I had proposed earlier. I do think, though, that with this infrastructure, we're beginning to make progress. From here it could be a charge per pick up, or maybe through sensors/weights per volume. Let's hope so, but either way - cheers, Ohio City.

Look ahead & back

2010-12-31T17:39:00.002-05:00

Why do I (and probably everyone else in the world) remember to write on New Year's Eve? Why is it a day that I call friends from around the country to see how they are? Strange, but wonderful.

Thanks to everyone for sticking through the limited writing in 2010. And no, I'm not making a resolution to write more, but who knows. Sometimes I get the bug and sometimes I don't.

This past year was fantastic - I found the career that I was born to be in, I have found a job that I spring out of bed in the morning to go to, I continue to find great friends, and revel in the blessings that I have in my family. Cheers to 2011 and more happiness.

Cheers

2010-12-30T09:18:00.002-05:00

I leave to visit Washington DC for a couple days, and what to my wondering eyes do appear:

The Plain Dealer writes a positive editorial on the state of affairs in Cleveland.

Yes, I agree that 2010/2011 will be great years in Cleveland, pushing us towards being the best city we can be. But where have they been over the past decade with the influx of housing Downtown? With the incredible investment happening in University Circle, Detroit Shoreway, Ohio City, and Tremont? With the re-inventing of East Fourth and Euclid Avenue?

Come on. To think that one year creates a 'turning point' is a bit shallow - and I actually wrote a column similar to this about four or five years ago, but maybe I'm just a bit ahead of them.... However, I'm glad they are starting to see the roses that I smell every day.

Over Troubled Waters

2010-12-20T17:40:00.002-05:00

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard

Lyrics from Simon & Garfunkel - but more than just a song that defined a young generations ideals, but perhaps that same generations malaise forty years later.

A recent study of baby boomers show that they are the most depressed of all people currently alive. That's some pretty heavy stuff.

Is it because their ideals that they fought for are being lost? Or did they never surface? Is it because they were hit by the worst of the economy - so close to retirement and now so far away. Is it because they were indulged too much as children, and as the first generation that really had it all, are now living in a world where we know that's not possible? Is it because they grew up in a period of wealth creation and are now crippled by that wealth disappearing or not bringing happiness? Is it because of the direction (perceived or actual) that our nation is heading?

Whatever it is, it's upsetting - on a national level but on a local and personal level. I'm sure many people see this in their lives and are severely impacted by it. It's an interesting conversation, and one where many factors have contributed to where we are now. A bigger question is how to work through it.

What's that taste?

2010-12-20T16:46:00.002-05:00

I'm normally not one to post lists (they are actually pretty inane and cause more damage than good), but this one is scientific, so it's got to at least be considered.

Carcinogens in tap water around America.

Now I am not out to condemn the cities on that list for being there (EPA standards & who knows what the levels are in those tests), but I do want to applaud Cleveland for its clean water.

It feels good to say that. Cleveland's Clean Water. Mmmmmmm.

(Re)Visioning

2010-12-18T10:33:00.002-05:00

This morning I read the reports about the Group Plan as linked to from the Plain Dealer.

I think they're good. I think they are bold, and some of them are no-brainers, while other recommendations make me think twice. Some I think are political bombs around here, and others might not work due to our culture. What I can say is that it continues good discussion that we've been having about our public spaces and our lakefront.

Similar to past discussions, though, I'll feel better when some money is behind it and an action plan is put in place. I won't pass judgment until then on what is being done.

Okay, I will provide one comment: while this vision for the Mall and Lakefront is wonderful, it must be supplemented with different nodes and activities. A great public space needs different uses and times to constantly be activated around it. It needs to have reasons for people to be around it and to go through it. We need to somehow open the spaces around it to it. That's going to be a tremendous challenge, but must be a goal.

Off-base

2010-12-16T12:10:00.002-05:00

Some representatives from the ACLU and NAACP are claiming that the RTA is being racially discriminatory, in light of an investigation showing that 90% of tickets given for riding without a pass were given to African-Americans, even though less than percentage of the riders are African-American.

Absolutely absurd.

Do those officials ever ride the Red Line or the Healthline? There is NOTHING racial about how tickets are checked/given out. A cop gets on. EVERYONE is asked for their pass. If you don't have it, you get a ticket.

How is that racial again?

Pathetic crutch. Disgusting.

Broken Record

2010-12-09T14:39:00.002-05:00

Two ways the title of this post is fitting:

1) I'm going to sound like one

2) Ohio continues it

The 400-million dollars allocated to our state are officially gone. They'll be reallocated to other, more progressive states that are building the infrastructure of the future, providing jobs, and attracting young professionals. But we don't need any of that.

Very sad day to be an Ohioan.

PS -
Yesterday, during our large snow storm, the region was up in arms. Gridlock. 4 hour drives from University Circle to Downtown. Cars stuck in drifts. Accidents.

Know what I did? I left my office in Ohio City, walked to the train station, caught it (on time) and arrived safely in Downtown three minutes later, as planned.

It's a good thing we don't have more rail options - they're not needed.

Safety in Location

2010-11-30T15:19:00.003-05:00

A piece on CNN today talks about a new piece of legislation passed by the House & Senate to ensure food safety.

Well, how about local food systems? There we go. Safety ensured without the federal bureaucracy. Sometimes life is simple, isn't it.

Good introduction

2010-11-22T17:06:00.004-05:00

A video is posted on cleveland.com about initial massings for the Cleveland Casino.

I like them so far, I really do. A few things jump out to me - as currently designed, this has great potential to interact with the street, especially by casino standards. It will frame Huron behind Tower City very nicely and make that street feel good. Also, the design shows potential - a number of the restaurants/bars with street entrances. Let's hope that they are used and not just for show - the traffic/pedestrian flow plan will be important for that.

Good topic, wrong angle

2010-11-20T12:00:00.004-05:00

Recently a few people got together on Sound of Ideas to discuss University Circle, neighborhoods, community development, and Cleveland. It should have been a great discussion, but I found it off-putting.

First of all, the premise that University Circle is the only bright spot in Cleveland is just flat out wrong. It shows the bias and blind nature of the media. Really pathetic. I don't need to get into details here.

Second, they poorly connect job growth in University Circle versus growth anywhere else. It's comparing apples to oranges. University Circle is booming, as well it should - it has growth industrial sectors of medicine & education. Other places cannot go ahead and build a top-40 University in the country or arguably the best hospital in the world.

Third, they compared University Circle Inc to other community development corporations (CDCs). Well, I've worked at both. In many ways, cannot be compared. UCI was created by and is funded by the institutions of University Circle. Typical CDCs are created in relationship to residential neighborhoods and are funded through various sources, primarily through city and government funding (I'm generalizing here). Funding is another difference - UCI has a significant endowment and had a staff of around 30 when I was there. Many CDCs are slowly losing all their money and are severely understaffed. Also, the work they do is very different - they have little to no residential work, whereas most CDCs work primarily on residential issues.

EDIT - they started to have some good conversations about CDCs around minute 35... Chris Ronayne was spot on, but the other two, not as much.

What should have been talked about? The great story of University Circle. It's opportunity to be a unique place. How the leadership at UCI has helped shape, direct, and lead that vision. How important it is for organizations like UCI and other CDCs to define their unique place, tell their story, and leverage the assets that make it a special place. That is what makes University Circle, like other places, strong.

One of the great things brought up was Chris Ronayne's concept of future governance: Neighborhood - Regional - Global. I like that, and would agree completely. Even if not governance than certainly how we should be thinking.

Embarrassed by stupidity

2010-11-08T18:16:00.002-05:00

The local paper reports that Governer-elect John Kasich has repeated his campaign stance to kill the 3-C rail project connecting Ohio. He has taken it a few steps further by writing President Obama to see if the federal stimulus dollars can be flexibly used on another project.

Because that happens all the time.

And now the local paper is asking a poll of its readers - what should that money be used for? The money can only be used for the damn rail project! It's a specific earmark - a concept that should not be hard to understand. When does Cleveland get to secede from Ohio?

Sign of the times?

2010-11-03T11:57:00.002-04:00

How fitting is it that today, November 3rd we had our first frost in Ohio City and Cleveland had its first sub-freezing day? Well, today is the day after the elections, so it probably makes sense.

It was a cold, cold day at the polls. Really, did anyone win? I'm not talking about nationally, but locally. One year after voting for a new county government, we have the same county government. Oh, a different structure. But the same people. Politically aspirant democrats, some minority republican voices, same ideas and names, different day. Disappointing.

Outsider opinions

2010-10-29T10:24:00.002-04:00

Nice post comparing Cleveland to Columbus (specifically their culinary scenes but I would argue in general). Both good cities, both should be celebrate for what they are - different places. That's a good thing.

What do you like?

2010-10-28T19:31:00.002-04:00

I know that this is an old bit of information, but I never got it up here - although I certainly shared it with many.

A study on the interests of different races. In a completely unoffensive way. Because the words are coming straight from everyone else as they define themselves. No box checking. No awkward answers. Just open comments. A very free-feeling, honest, and funny look at ourselves.

Enjoy reading.

Making lemonade

2010-10-26T07:42:00.003-04:00

Of course many people overreacted in July when Lebron James decided to sign with the Miami Heat. It was understandable - he had led the Cavs through their most successful (arguably) period and our citizens rallied behind that. Everyone loves a winner. Therefore, when we lost our best player, most saw only the dismal options ahead.

Let me highlight something else, though - the growing grassroots civic pride that started years ago (and I have been fortunate enough to participate in) has really kicked into gear. Or is it just my rose-colored glasses again? First there was the Cliffs Natural Resources ad campaign. Now Sherwin-Williams is putting up one of the five largest vinyl-mesh banners in the United States right across the street from the Q where Nike's famous ad once was.

There is a graspable energy around town - everyone coming together to support and cheer what we have, not to bemoan what is no longer and never was ours. That's Cleveland.

One step forward, half step back

2010-10-20T09:51:00.002-04:00

Jeni's is finally coming to Cleveland.

Well, Chagrin Falls. My favorite ice cream (and I'm a national connoisseur, trust me) will be....40 minutes away by car? That's a bit disappointing. I think it makes sense for that location and she'll do great there, but I don't think I'll go. Not out of principle (ok maybe a little out of principle) but mostly just because it is so far out of the way. I'll keep to ordering online and buying from the Columbus store when I'm down there.

Can't be me love

2010-10-18T17:12:00.003-04:00

Nifty little article on a scientific study on happiness. As it relates to personal income. Great read, and something that I have believed in for a while. Other studies I've read have confirmed this - there is a demonstrated connection between money and happiness up until a certain point. After that, no direct connection. Happiness comes from within, not from the outside.

Favre-esque

2010-10-12T19:18:00.003-04:00

Once again I think it's about time to make a comeback. Why was I gone from writing about life, Cleveland, and the pursuit of editorializing? A number of reasons. I got a new job. A job that I love and cannot wait to get up and into the office every day. I'm now working every day to make this city and this neighborhood the best that can be. And that's very exciting. Much has happened over the past two months, but we won't go backwards - we'll move forward.

Good to be back, let's keep it up.

Rise in Design

2010-08-05T11:35:00.004-04:00

The architects for the Medical Mart & Convention Center today announced their plan to create a sloped hill on Mall B in Downtown Cleveland.

I love it.

First, the ground has to be raised for the higher ceilings. Second, this provides a great opportunity to interact with street life with the entrance being built into the fabric of the mall and Lakeside. Third, by having a entrance in the middle of the mall, it promotes traffic (pedestrian) to both sides. Fourth, it creates both something to draw people in and keep them active in the space with the view and potential for shows, concerts, et cetera.

To be honest, my first thought was to the Museumplein in Amsterdam - a flat park that has one corner raised for views of the city/park, and underneath is a grocery story and bike storage/rack. Pretty awesome space with lots of activity. (I have better pictures somewhere, I should try to find them)

Some of you may find this to be hypocritical, since I was such an ardent opponent of the hill on Public Square. Well, I think they are two completely different beasts with different uses. If someone wants to pick a bone, please do and allow me to elaborate. Big big fan - let's hope this happens.

Sign of the times

2010-08-04T20:54:00.002-04:00

In yet another example of the conflict and rifts that exist in America right now, a group of mayors from Northeast Ohio are encouraging their residents not to pay the new storm-water runoff fee. This hits on many of the common themes right now:

- Anger against taxes, fees, charges
- Distrust of any government agency (even by their own kind!)
- Distrust of many environmental concerns facing society

Basically, their argument is 'taxation without representation.' First of all, that's false. Second, how can you really oppose this? From what I'm aware of, this is the most basic pay-for-what-you-cause/libertarian approach possible. The more run-off surface you have, the more you pay. That's pretty basic. And necessary. Too bad we have so many near-sighted angry people in office.

Love the response from the Sewer District.

Lost vote

2010-08-04T19:51:00.002-04:00

Going into both the county and state races this fall, I plan on keeping a very open mind. Political party (or none) doesn't matter to me one bit. I don't associate with either major party, so I'm what is often called a swing or independent voter. I hoped this would lead to me following the races closely and learning details over our options for the future.

Sadly, the Governor's race is already closed for me as I'll be voting for Ted Strickland. Not because of anything that he said, but because of what John Kasich, the Republican candidate said today.

During a candidate forum he came out into the open that he's not only an opponent of high-speed rail in Ohio (or the foundation for it), but that he will flat out stop the project.

Great, let another state take our 400M and build some rail. We will continue to be stuck in the 1950's with our roads (and paying 12M/year for cutting the grass along the highways) and other states will continue to be more competitive. Who needs progress, Ohio? Not John Kasich, clearly.

One election down, I guess.

Greens for everyone

2010-07-31T15:10:00.004-04:00

As has been noted before, and highlighted in the 2009 Regionally Speaking Series, the Cleveland Foundation is making some great investments towards community wealth building on Cleveland's East Side.

This project to create a large urban greenhouse is yet another step.

Not only will it provide local food for institutions in University Circle, it will provide healthy food for the resident's living in our food deserts, and most importantly, it will provide wealth and job for those that own and work the space. Beautiful reuse of abandoned space - turning blight into sustainable growth (pun intended).

New chapter

2010-07-31T15:08:00.001-04:00

Someone call to check the temperature in hell - construction on the long awaited and long promised Uptown project in University Circle begins on Monday.

Although I'm a bit disappointed by the scale, the project is needed, is designed wonderfully, and will have a great impact. I'm just hoping for a bit more density in later phases.

Market Community

2010-07-31T14:19:00.003-04:00

The West Side Market is without a doubt one of the best places to get fresh meats, sausages, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. It's a great place of history, and an even greater place of people.

One of those people was Marie Smith, co-operator of Bacha Produce. My family and I have been going to Bacha since I was young, and we have developed a great relationship - the exchange of Christmas cards, the constant smiles and greetings when walking through, telling me when certain vegetables were good, and always asking about Mom & Dad.

This morning I was saddened to see an empty stand and a note from Marie's brother (co-operator) saying that she passed away last week. Marie had been fighting cancer for a few years now. There were flowers, friends had signed the note, and there were memories. Very sad.

That's yet another beauty of the West Side Market, and really any place that fosters interaction. Relationships. Friendships. Community. God Bless Marie & her family.

Deja Vu

2010-07-19T19:34:00.004-04:00

How many times have I written about local foods? There are many different ways to look at it - from a health viewpoint, economic look, land-reuse, and a general shift in society. It's on the tip of everyone's tongues, especially in the Great Lakes region as cities look to pump some life (literally) into some abandoned areas.

Just in the past two days, the local paper highlights the Ohio City Farm project and in Columbus they discuss the merits and problems of urban gardening to solve problems in cities around the country.

This is often viewed as a new approach to solve problems in American cities. How new? How about 120 years new? Or is it old?

Reading through a few different history sites recently showed me how during the Depression of 1893, the mayor of Detroit (irony) began an urban farming movement. Public works, food (locally), and an economic help. It was so successful, that Buffalo chose to copy the same ideas. In the 1890's.

Wow. I had no idea - I'm sure some policy/experts knew this, but the average public? I doubt it. Even your average supporter would be shocked (I was!). I find it fascinating that we're getting back to solutions that were used over a century ago to the same critics that we hear today. Incredible.

Good people

2010-07-19T09:43:00.000-04:00

Love the profile of Katie O'Keefe today. Very fortunate to know here - incredible person.

Just another person who is passionate about Cleveland - there are so many champions, so many wonderful projects, so many ideas, and so much momentum.

What's there not to love about the CLE?

Some answers

2010-07-18T21:57:00.002-04:00

Many people, myself included, often find themselves asking what is Economic Development? Oy. Tough question. Vague answers. And I don't think I can come up with a perfect answer, but would love to hear if anyone has a few ideas.

However, I know Economic Development when I see it.

The city of Cleveland is working with a private developer and a non-profit to turn some financial barriers of entry into opportunities through that magical word: collaboration. One group gets a new police station, one group gets a development site in its service area, one gets financing, and yet another gets some of the hottest property you could imagine in northeast Ohio.

That's beautiful stuff right there.

Hot Corner

2010-07-18T21:54:00.002-04:00

Crop Bistro has been my favorite restaurant in Cleveland since it opened three years ago, and now here comes the wonderful news that it is moving to the corner of West 25th and Lorain Avenue in Ohio City.

This is great news for that corner, but for the Market District as they will open a retail for local produce. Now can we get some more kitchen/market related retailers? Strategic recruitment, not just taking anything, needs to be a key moving forward.

Can't wait to pass them all the time. Mmmmm.

American Beauty

2010-07-13T12:29:00.002-04:00

Great writing.

A truly great Clevelander was lost this week - Harvey Pekar. Although admittedly I wasn't a major follower, I certainly knew who he was and his importance.

And I don't think it could possibly have been better summed up than in this piece by Anthony Bourdain. Not just a tribute to Pekar, but to Cleveland. Really, it's the same.

Moving ahead

2010-07-08T18:33:00.001-04:00

Great stuff here - adding to the density of University Circle, which is sorely needed. Cleveland is always moving forward!

Love Cleveland

2010-07-08T08:04:00.000-04:00

The future of Cleveland burns bright. Brighter than most of us (myself included) even know. And I think today, July 8th 2010, is a perfect day to celebrate that future. Let's start counting some of the truly fantastic things we have going for us:

- Local Food. We continue to be one of the national leaders in this movement as witnessed in our explosion of community gardens, farmer's markets, subsidiary business, and now the Ohio City Farms.
- Alternative Energy. While the rest of the country will continue to get hammered by dirty (in more ways that one) oil prices, we are about to build a giant, fresh-water wind farm. Awesome.
- Transitioning Economy. Once known as a manufacturer's paradise (or hell), we're moving towards information and medical-related industry. The Cleveland Clinic Innovation Center has spun off around three dozen companies in the past ten years. Not bad when we're about to become much older with the baby boomers.
- Water. What's that Arizona? You're thirsty? Well come on back to Ohio. Let's make Lake Erie the freshwater playground of the world for feeding, drinking, and playing. Connect it to the Cuyahoga River and a vision for a Verdant Valley.
- Reinvestment in our core. Downtown continues to add hundreds of apartments a year, multiple hotels are in the works. The Medical Mart, convention center, and some would argue a casino. A proposed intermodal transit center. With all that, we have a city to be very proud of.
- Nationally known food scene. The West Side Market, the restaurants & chefs, and cutting edge bars and breweries like Great Lakes Brewing Company & the Velvet Tango Room.
- Spaces to be. The Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Towpath Trail.
- Neighborhoods. The future of cities is right here with walkable places (schools, stores, food, libraries, and more) at scale for healthy and hearty communities and economies.

And I'm not even getting into the cool stuff ranging from the Art Museum to galleries to the Burning River Girls. Let's embrace Cleveland and make it the best city we've dreamed of. We have it here. What makes you love the CLE?

Hot hot hot

2010-06-30T18:03:00.002-04:00

How long have we been waiting for this? Too long and I cannot wait. Who else is going up? Great place for out of towners!

Also, I want to know who's going to be the first couple engaged up there. They should get a prize.

Graphic

2010-06-23T16:51:00.002-04:00

As made famous by Hollywood, "Show me the money!"

You want the truth of what goes on in our world, it's where the money is. True for politics down to schools - are they really different though? Basically, what I'm saying is that the dollar doesn't lie.

That's why I find this map of land values in Cuyahoga County to be especially fascinating.

With all the talk about sprawl and the future being in the sub/exurbs, take a look at where land has the most value. Downtown Cleveland, Ohio City, University Circle, the Heights, Lakewood. You show me density and I'll show you property and land value. It's that simple.

Dirty money

2010-06-22T17:52:00.002-04:00

Continuing a little trend here on financial issues.

Was pointed out by a great blog (although slightly stilted and biased) to a neat story in the Wall Street Journal about dirty money being passed around to block initiatives in communities around the country. So what's this about? Politics? Policy-based 'think tanks'? Advocates? Nope. Walmart.

It appears that some regional and national retailers, mostly grocers, got some press for channeling funds to a consulting group that specializes in killing Walmart Supercenters.

I mean, it makes sense. If money controls the lobbying game, the legislature, and the executive branch, why not community building and retail?

And frugal, too!

2010-06-22T17:47:00.002-04:00

Living without a car in America (except for you NYC, SF, Philly, and Chicago) is an oddity. Everyone knows that we have built our environment to promote cars, for many reasons we won't discuss here. Most people agree that it allows for personal freedom, and to some extent I understand that argument.

But personal freedom at what cost? There's an environmental cost certainly. A social cost of living yourself by yourself or only your very-closest friends in a small metal box? Yep. How about the health cost of driving everywhere and getting fat at auto-centric drive-thrus. Can't forget about that. Looked over is the cost of decaying and wasted infrastructure in cities that we have shamelessly left behind for temporarily greener pastures. And that financial cost. Oh yes, that financial cost shows that the cost of gasoline and maintenance is getting closer to equally the capital costs. Scary.

Good thing I'm not a car owner. Opportunity costs make my life much more enjoyable.

Call it a streak

2010-06-18T09:41:00.003-04:00

Good piece of reporting by the Plain Dealer again! Two in a week, must be in prep for that full moon in a week.

A shooting in Tremont. How to cover it? Blow it up like channel 19 or provide rational response that highlights both sides equally? Impressive. The type of work that would make me want to support them more.

My thoughts on the shooting - it's terrible, of course. Not just for the artist and his family, but for the neighborhood. That's the thing that'll shake you to the core.

But let's take a step back here for a moment - as is properly pointed out, Tremont is still one of the safest areas of Cleveland, and the core of Tremont even more so. As has been pointed out all over the internet, this happened on what I would call the fringe - rough time of night, poorly lit, down the hillside.

At the same time, you're in the city. A city that has issues with education and crime (what one doesn't?). A city that continues to fight for its future, instead of letting others (crime) control it for us.

Nothing more to say. You'd think the Plain Dealer tried to write like I would on here.

Applause

2010-06-15T20:50:00.005-04:00

I have to give credit where it is due.

As is pretty clear, I do not have the highest opinion of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. However, an article posted to their website today was one of the best pieces I've seen them do and something I'd like to see more often.

In response to the responses readers gave them about the Allen Theatre renovations, they continued the conversation and brought up some great points about theater, architecture, access, and safety. Interactive work like that makes me want to support them. Well done.

EDIT - double kudos since I have been alerted to a bad link. Thank you John Kroll!

Building blocks of public spaces

2010-06-12T20:10:00.002-04:00

Timely discussion here.

Over the past few years many civic leaders and citizens in northeast Ohio have bemoaned what they consider to be bad parks or public spaces - Mall A, B, C and Public Square in Downtown Cleveland. While I will be the first to agree that the spaces are not living up to their potential or their original grandeur as planned, our next steps is where I disagree with most everyone on the issue.

There has been a significant discussion about how to transform these spaces into lively centers of activity. Much of the discussion has been driven by the development/destination model - the theory being that if we can build something that will entice people to go to the park or square, then it will thrive.

In fact Mayor Frank Jackson has created a commission for the Malls and Public Square now that the Medical Mart and Convention Center are moving forward. A different story in the local paper even asks the ridiculous question of how to create a Millennium-Park type space by extending a sales tax increase to raise 200M.

Sorry, not the answer. Let's go back to the basics here (pick up your copy of Jane Jacobs for more on it). What makes a public space successful:

- Density around it with mixed uses that ensure usage throughout the day. Offices, residential, commercial.
- Reason for the park to be used. This could be as a cut-through, a shady bench, a table for coffee, a food cart, or a lawn for sport. This is made easier as you increase density around a space. Where there are people, there will be activity.
- Flexibility. Having a concert? Reading a book? Going for a stroll? Don't over develop!
- Organic interactions. Think of some of the small parks in NYC, SF, Philadelphia, Boston - it's the people that make a space, not the other way around!

To highlight all of this, the residents in Chicago don't want another Millennium Park as the rest of that space gets a re-do. They want a space for them and their daily uses, not for tourists.

So what do I recommend? First, kick the cars to the curb and give the space back to the feet that use it. Do a low-grade design that promotes flexibility. What does this look like? Probably a cross between a plaza and a park. Second, change what surrounds the park. That's the biggest way to improve it. Increase (create) housing, ground level retail/restaurants, density. Add some programming and uses like carts. Third, finish Mall D over the train tracks and connect to the lakefront. I know that's a bit contradictory to my earlier thoughts, but I see it as a connection with more uses.

You can throw all the money in the world at the Malls and Public Square. But without people needing to be there, it'll never be the real and thriving space we desire.

Preserves

2010-06-12T12:03:00.002-04:00

Summer is running right on through here in Cleveland, where many people are certainly making preserves from their gardens, but we as a region have been doing a great job with preservation ourselves.

A small little gem that most people have never been inside or even know what it is - the Soldiers and Sailors Monument got a nice facelift. Hopefully more people will get inside to see how beautiful it is.

A bit better known is the nationally-recognized historic preservation project, Playhouse Square. Just continued rehab/growth. Like these plans a lot for the Allen.

Keep it rolling (the dice?)

2010-05-27T23:17:00.001-04:00

More news comes about the Cleveland Casino - this information about the main, phase two, as it's now being called.

Interested - they genuinely seem like they want to integrate it into the rest of the city. Don't know how I feel about the five story parking garage, but everything else sounds pretty good right now. Let's just limit the number of restaurants, okay? Thanks.

Excited, with a caveat

2010-05-27T08:40:00.002-04:00

This morning we all received confirmation about the rumors from the past few months that a temporary casino - now being called "Phase One" will open in the Higbee building ideally within a year. This is good news for Downtown Cleveland - a neat reuse of an old, historic space that has been underserved. Additionally, as far as casinos go, this is about as urban and built into the fabric that you can get. Hypothetically this should activate some of the street life around Ontario, Public Square, and Prospect.

If you ask me, the entire Casino should go in there but we all know that's not going to happen.

Although I'm excited about the news, I of course need to be cognizant of some potential pitfalls.

- This walkway or connection to Phase Two behind Tower City. That's a good sized distance, so will it be underground, above ground, or just improved pedestrian access? (Please!)
- Once Phase Two is opened, how much will Phase One still be utilized? We don't want the Higbee building to be the run down place at all.
- Connectivity. Of course this is vital. There are giant ground floor windows for Higbees (pretty famous ones at that), so will they remain open for passerbys to see in or will they be covered up like one would sadly expect from a casino?

Brown is the new green

2010-05-24T15:48:00.001-04:00

Another good story from the recent local paper archives about composting efforts around town.

Interesting that just last fall I did a study in an entrepreneurship class around a business model that combined composting, recycling, waste collection, and adaptive re-use of materials. There's a fair amount of buzz in the community from various organizations, but who's going to pony up the capital? I think you can make a long-term financial case for an operation, but somebody needs to acknowledge a long-term payoff with their investment. Probably someone who is in it for the region's sustainability more than the money.

People with 50M like that are hard to find, but if you know of any, give them my name!

Call to the bullpen

2010-05-24T15:39:00.002-04:00

So between the Cavs getting knocked out of the playoffs and a two week trip out of town, I haven't been in touch with the world much recently...

But I'm sure you all saw the article that pointed out how the Cleveland metropolitan area is still the 16th largest in the country and the largest in Ohio. Not that it makes the city great (far from it), but just is some information for those complaining about shrinking...

Stagnation? Yes. Sprawling? Yes. Shrinking? No.

Eatin' Good

2010-05-09T10:15:00.002-04:00

Eatin' Good, In My Neighborhood. Nope, not talking about an Applebee's ruining Ohio City, but a nice piece in the local paper about the Market District plans in Ohio City.

Love living here - the people, the community, the variety of foods (prepared and for cooking), the culture, and the people.

Listen to the man

2010-05-03T16:09:00.001-04:00

A nice piece by a reporter from Boston. He didn't have to write that. But kudos to him for having an open mind and seeing Cleveland for what it is.

One of a kind

2010-05-01T14:21:00.002-04:00

I jumped out of my chair when I read that the Cleveland Museum of Art was going to repeat the best party I have ever been to from last summer with this year's Summer Solstice party.

Little recap: incredible mix of people, jam-packed, great art (music, public, visual, fashion), and free-flowing fun.

Then after about to write it on my calendar and purchase tickets I realized that weekend is the one where I have three weddings. Already am I missing two very important events for some incredible friends, I am missing the party of the summer. Too much good going on. Too much to celebrate. I'm lucky, I guess.

So, can others go for me and document with videos, pictures, stories, and hazy recollections? Awesome, thanks.

Play it again, Sam

2010-04-29T17:49:00.001-04:00

Great little editorial by Michael Ruhlman on the food/cooking/health decisions that individuals choose to make. I couldn't say it like he does, it's beautiful.

Quality. Healthy. Community. Energy. Love. Beauty. Fresh.

For me, that's food.

Googawhat?

2010-04-27T14:04:00.001-04:00

In addition to the area around Case Western Reserve University receiving high speed internet, it looks like my neighborhood of birth and adolescence will as well.

Almost 15,000 businesses and homes will be receiving free internet through a program with the city of Cleveland. I like it. Well done!

Green collaboration

2010-04-22T10:13:00.002-04:00

Nice update about how the Cleveland Clinic delivers much of its organic waste to a local vermicomposting company.

Love it. Now when does Case Western Reserve University join in those efforts?

Fortunate to have Magic

2010-04-09T17:47:00.002-04:00

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the Case Footlighters' production of Pippin.

I loved it. Walking in with no idea of the story, music, or type of show, I walked out very impressed. Campy? Yes. Very 1970's? Yes. But great in that sense and I think the Footlighters did a great job with it.

As always, I was reminded what a unique group the Footlighters are and how fortunate I was to experience that magic.

Do you hear the people sing?

2010-04-07T09:52:00.003-04:00

Nice timing to bring out a Les Miserables quote after Playhouse Square announced the show's return in spring 2011 as a part of their Broadway Series. But this post is not about theater.

Instead, let me be another person to point you in the direction of the Cleveland Coalition - a group of mostly young professionals who, like many others, are trying to impact the future of our region from a development perspective. They will be hosting their second event about the casino this upcoming Friday - a design charette that will look at ways to properly integrate a casino with our city to limit its negative impacts and maximize the positive. Let's hope that Dan Gilbert is listening. Speak up and be heard!

Free pint of inspiration

2010-04-05T20:25:00.002-04:00

Seriously, follow me around and fall in love with this city everyday. Open invitation to all, still.

Tonight I had the fortune of attending a Local Food Cleveland event (it did sell out and have a waiting list, of course - it's what we do here on the north coast) about how to re-imagine the land, food, and economy in Cleveland. Held at Great Lakes Brewing Company, I walked away with a buzz.

Not from the alcohol (water for me, tonight), but from the ideas and energy that we are bringing to this region every day.

Buy local!

What's after possible?

2010-04-05T20:12:00.002-04:00

Admittedly I have recently been extraordinarily proud of my alma mater. Like any good alum, I have my fair share of ideas (some would call them complaints). But on the whole, we're doing great things. First it's the wind turbines, second it was the free fiber internet that we beat Google in doing for our neighbors, and now tonight when I met the founder of The Intergenerational School.

Yep, you guessed it. Faculty member at Case Western Reserve University. And who knows? Certainly not me, and if I don't, that's pretty sad. Way to go!

Crossing the pond

2010-03-22T18:33:00.002-04:00

For my third movie of the 34th Cleveland International Film Festival, I took in a French film called "Please Please Me".

Probably my least favorite of this year's batch so far. Although I found the concept relatively unique with some funny and ironic twists, it felt like the movie was trying too hard. Trying too hard with the kitschy and physical humor. Trying too hard to be sexually provocative. Trying too hard to be ironic.

Still, it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with thousands of other film goers in my city. Cleveland, you're great.

Fairly standard

2010-03-22T18:28:00.002-04:00

The second film that I saw during the Cleveland International Film Festival was the romantic comedy "Love Hurts".

You've seen it all before. Middle aged doctor has lost track of his life and wife, so she leaves him. Then his son teaches him how to attract the opposite sex and after traipsing around with a variety of women, realizes that one love is the best way to be and wins his wife back.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, it wasn't that different from something I'd see at any theater...except it was independently produced. However, worth my two hours, definitely.

A home

2010-03-20T19:18:00.003-04:00

Surprising but welcome announcement by my alma mater about a new performing arts center on campus - in a historic and religious building built in 1924.

Without a doubt, this is terrific news and some of the largest news we have had on campus in a few years. Certainly it is the largest building projects since the 125M Village at 115 (not paid for by a donor by straight out of the budget - ouch). I have long bemoaned Case Western Reserve University's lack of a commitment to the performing arts. As a leader and a participant in the arts as an undergraduate, we were supported in every way except in space. The space on campus is painfully bad. Now, that can change.

Architectually, this has the opportunity to be unique and transformative. Symbolically it shows the great support we have to the performing arts on campus.

However, before I get out my checkbook to help cover the remaining 15M for renovations (and I recommend you to do the same!), I have a few questions. First, restrictions. I know that this will be the home for theater, dance, and music. Does that mean all performances? Additionally and most importantly, where do student groups fit into this mix? If they are not included or greatly regulated, I will be severely disappointed. Also, what happens to the current spaces on campus (Eldred, Ballroom, Harkness)? Secondly, connections. Although I think that this section of East 105th near the supposed West Quad/Campus is a great way to grow, we need to be conscious about two connections - to the campus and to the neighborhood. We need to make this a safe and clear extension of University Circle and campus, and we need to make this expansion while keeping our doors open to our neighbors. No closed off developments and no back turning.

Still, I'm excited - how could you not be? Great stuff.

Common

2010-03-20T15:16:00.003-04:00

Last night I saw my first show of the 34th Cleveland International Film Festival. I have a few more to go to on Sunday and then one next week as well. Last night was a nifty little piece called 'Out of Place'

Yes, you followed that link correctly - it's about surfers in Cleveland.

And overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It very loosely chronicles the surfing lives of those crazy enough to try it. The characters are varied - old burnouts from the sixties, seemingly lost high school or college aged drop-outs, the fourth generation owner of a fancy restaurant Downtown who looks like he belongs on the Jersey Shore, older men who love the vigor in their lives, and normal working class Joe's.

What ties them together? Surfing. Almost all of them learned, lived, or grew up elsewhere and found themselves on the Erie Shore. Well, their true love is surfing and they live and work just so that they can try to find a wave. Trouble is, our wave season is most often in winter. So you get to watch these guys jump into water that is just above freezing with snow and sleet and wind pummeling them. Just to catch a five foot wave if they are lucky.

I thought it was an interesting look at a piece of society - a piece that on paper looks very different from us, but underneath the covers isn't that different. They have a hobby. They work to pay the bills but would rather be doing something else. They crave community - if there was one theme repeated, that was definitely it. And they've found it. Although they complain about Cleveland (did you really think surfers would love living here?), they also value it and take great pride in the unique setting they are in.

Glad I watched it, glad we have this in Cleveland, and glad that they have found their place.

Verdant Valley

2010-03-17T13:02:00.003-04:00

As the Cleveland Rowing Foundation gets closer to purchasing old, browned out, poorly used land on the banks of the Cuyahoga, we as a region get closer to making the Cuyahoga Valley as green as it can be.

I can picture it now - the living walls of the river are home to fish and plant that can be seen as you bike down the Towpath Trail to Canal Basin Park. Of course you got your bike from the Ohio City Bike Co-Op or Century Cycles. Maybe from there you get out and enjoy a picnic, by some fresh fruit and vegetables from the growers on the other bank of the river who have reclaimed a falling hillside into tiered gardens. After an enjoyable nap you decide to walk over and rent a kayak or a canoe at the Rowing Foundation's facilities to navigate the bends of the Cuyahoga and make your way to the mouth of our great lake.

Wow, sounds nice, huh. If you think it should happen, talk about it, get others excited. And maybe send some money towards that Rowing Foundation if you have a few pennies to spare.

That old saying...

2010-03-16T21:55:00.002-04:00

Well this is an interesting graph.

Go ahead, did you look at it? Charting income versus religion? That's some fascinating, enlightening, and saddening information there.

What I would like to see, now, is a comparison of not a person's stated religion but their practicing efforts (daily, weekly, yearly, level of commitment, et cetera) tied to income.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Broad and wide view

2010-03-07T13:12:00.002-05:00

To complete the oddity of the weekend, let's take a look at another article by the local paper that is unbiased, fair, and full of good reporting.

As the reporter looks at the major concerns facing the commercial real estate market in Downtown Cleveland, they actually also report the staggering issues facing suburban markets and every city around the country. This doesn't happen too often and it's greatly appreciated.

Great story, good job Plain Dealer.

A page turner

2010-03-07T12:59:00.002-05:00

I thought that the local paper's story on the Western Reserve Historical Society was very well done. Almost episodic in nature (would have loved to have this expanded and published in a series) it kept me reading every word through the entire article, which I almost never do.

It was a good job of investigating and reporting both sides of the arguments with its facts. Although it is a bit slanted towards a harsh view of what WRHS has been doing, I think they gave the situation a fair treatment. Definitely worth a read for those who care in Cleveland.

My thoughts? Very poor resource management. It's hard to cast judgment from the outside, but I feel as though they were working with two collections that were moving in very different directions - and they chose to sell off one part instead of perhaps spinning it off as its own (which they did attempt, but in a grandiose and unsuccessful way - probably should have started small).

Sad, but I have hopes for their rebound.

Crossing all borders

2010-03-04T19:55:00.002-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of four couchsurfers staying at my little house here in Ohio City. They, of course, enjoyed their trip to Cleveland (from what I know) and in addition to a nice meal over here in the neighborhood got to explore some of the cultural gems of University and the architectual gems of Downtown.

My favorite part, though? Me, two students from France, one from Switzerland, and one from Australia bonding over Star Wars. Let's talk about being an international language, huh.

May The Force Be With You, Always.

Here's a fresh one v2

2010-02-27T15:28:00.004-05:00

A few years ago I wrote about transforming the Galleria from a shopping mall to a school. My reasoning - we have way too much retail square footage available, especially in outdated models like malls, Downtown. I thought it was innovative.

Now, someone else is taking an innovative approach to the Galleria - slowly and in a small way turning it into a greenhouse. I like it, I do. We absolutely do not need that space for retail. All retail in this city should be focused on storefronts, Tower City, and the Arcade (maybe). What we need is transformation of our urban spaces, and if that means gardening in the middle of the city, let's go for it. We'll watch this one closely and see what happens.

Foreign territory

2010-02-25T20:00:00.003-05:00

I like to read. A lot. I'm fortunate enough to live a lifestyle that lends itself to reading (surrounded by others who do, read on my commute to work, no television, et cetera) and I probably average about a book every ten days or so, would be my guess.

My choices in reading are pretty consistent: Non-Fiction (economics, history, social sciences, politics, urban planning, et cetera) and Star Wars books. This goes back to high school - even when we were supposed to be reading the classics, I often didn't (oops!).

But now I want to. So I'm coming to you, friends and others, for book suggestions. Classics ranging from 'Catcher in the Rye' to 'Pride and Prejudice' or new fiction like 'Angels and Demons' or 'Harry Potter' are valid suggestions. The only thing that I've never really gotten into is big-time fantasy or science fiction, but feel free to suggest and I'll peruse.

Give me your thoughts and suggestions!

If you agree let me hear you!

2010-02-24T13:56:00.002-05:00

An executive at Forest City Enterprises has floated the idea of closing off the roads in the middle of Public Square. Interesting that he notes the decision is his and not for Forest City (why would they ever want to do something good about that anyway).

I couldn't agree more. This needs to be talked about. The only way to truly transform the space and give it back to the pedestrians (whom a square is for) is to give them preference. This could potentially be done with the Forest or Thread options as covered earlier, but they are not guaranteed. Closing the streets? Now that's a guarantee.

The only issue here? The RTA would now have to go around instead of through the streets. Yes, that will cost them more. Would it be the hundreds of thousands of dollars? That might be a bit of a stretch. And to be honest? Worth every penny to have a consistent space there.

One of my favorite parts of the article is a quote from Ann Zoller at Parkworks "Rather than having another design process that didn't go anywhere, we wanted it grounded in reality"

Really? The "Thread It" concept is grounded in reality? Really? What reality is that? If you agree, please keep this conversation going.

Villagers

2010-02-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

As the residents and councilman of Tremont stepped up to the plate to block the closure of Tremont Montessori School, the school district listened.

Tremont's school (and Ginn Academy) will not be moving/closing but staying put and allowing the community around them to build on their growth. I'm impressed but pleased with Dr. Sanders concession.

Now the true test comes to the families - how much will we support our schools and our children?

Cross-cutting

2010-02-24T08:58:00.001-05:00

Connie Schultz has a piece today in the local paper that I think really exemplifies the type of work she does well.

Concerning sexual education to youth, she looks at it from a political but also a personal, maternal way. Good read, good stuff.

Smacked in the head

2010-02-14T10:36:00.001-05:00

Once again, signs of our shifting economy. More job losses in the suburbs and less wages in the suburbs than in the city.

Regionalism, anyone?

Anyone?

Thought not.

Sing it, Tony

2010-02-10T13:56:00.002-05:00

A little update - I was in San Francisco for an extended weekend. Wonderful doesn't even begin to describe my weekend. As anyone who knows me is already aware of, I love that city like I love Cleveland (don't ask me to decide between the two).

As much of a wonderful city it is (waterfront, buildings, bridges, people, density, shops, neighborhoods, parks, transit), I'll admit that I have continually been unimpressed by it's food scene. Maybe unimpressed isn't the right word. I guess that I don't think it lives up to the hype surrounding the gourmet food scene that is known as San Francisco. I've never had anything there that I can't consistently get in Cleveland.

I've tried many different methods - from places in guidebooks to food critics to Yelp to personal recommendations. I've had good meals. I've had good food. But nothing that I don't get in Cleveland.

What can I say, our food scene is fantastic. I'll take it up against San Francisco's any day.

It's good to be back, but boy is that city wonderful.

Slap in the face

2010-01-28T16:27:00.002-05:00

Some people wonder why I get upset at the local paper.

Here, in the middle of what should be a nice and informative piece about the new director of the Cleveland Metroparks, is why.

"The Cleveland Metroparks system may be one of the last assets in Northeast Ohio that remains the envy of the nation, and the park commissioners believe they have chosen a new executive director capable of guiding the Emerald Necklace into its second century."

Really. Really? Oh you're right - I forgot about the West Side Market, the cultural/educational/medical gems of University Circle, the dining scene, a giant f*&$#! Great Lake, our sports teams, and more and more and more and more.

That's not reporting. That's garbage. Just ask Mike Gundy.

That's my Cleveland

2010-01-28T15:59:00.002-05:00

Great little piece in the local paper about how one of the judges for the International Gay Games (who are coming to Cleveland in 2014) not just helped pick this city for the site, but also as his home.

Even better? He picked a home in my neighborhood, at a unit in the Franklin Lofts that I looked at. He literally has the old floor of the YMCA in his space - you can see the lines on the court. Welcome to Ohio City!

Good growth

2010-01-25T16:21:00.002-05:00

As Joe Cimperman first reported on Twitter and later followed up by the local paper, Rosetta is planning on moving hundreds of employees Downtown to Euclid Avenue in Cleveland.

Great news for the city, Downtown, and Rosetta.

I hate to ask though, is there any talk of tax-sharing? I doubt it.

(Financial) Traffic Flow

2010-01-23T16:30:00.002-05:00

Take a look at this interesting list of cities where the residents are most likely to work outside of the county that they work in. Recognize any of those places, Clevelanders?

Of course you do - most of them near the top are the exurbs of our region, where our population has continued to move to, but they still have to come back to Cuyahoga County to work. What's the matter with this, you might ask?

$$$$$

They benefit from the city & the county, but don't pay for it.

Very sad stuff there.

20/20

2010-01-21T09:48:00.003-05:00

Could it be any clearer?

WCPN sounds off on a recent Brookings Institute report that clearly shows that poverty is growing in the suburbs (pretty substantially) while it is level or decreasing in cities. This is highlighted in Cleveland where in the past decade the population that is impoverished in the city of Cleveland has decreased while it has increased by 44% in the suburbs.

1) Our economy (success and failures) is regional. Anyone who ignores that is a fool.
2) Like the rest of the country, and the world, problems are moving out. What once were city problems are not inner-ring suburb problems and soon will be outer-ring suburb problems.
3) Cleveland is alive and improving
4) Cities are the future
5) We as a nation are not set up to serve the needs of our citizens (public transportation, jobs, housing, et cetera).

Great read.

Tide

2010-01-21T09:40:00.002-05:00

On the heels of the Republican victory in Massachusetts for the empty seat left by Ted Kennedy's death, I want to highlight another part of the party dynamics happening right now around the country.

A few weeks ago, a conservative Republican came out in support of Gay Marriage. I read it, was surprised, and left it at that. Now, Cindy McCain has done the exact same thing.

What does this mean? Is it political posturing to gather support from the younger voters? Is it a split within the Republican party - a party that has been dominated by fear and zealots over the past ten years? Is it the beginning of a third party? That last one probably isn't true, but I can dream.

No matter what it is, this could be big news for Republicans, Democrats, and America. If there's a movement of leaders who share ideals from both parties, I could see many people giving that a shot. I know I certainly would.

Let this one slip

2010-01-14T11:13:00.002-05:00

Last week, the pastor of Old Stone Church on Public Square in Downtown Cleveland had a great editorial in the local paper.

Basically, he said that in order to make the city a great place, we need to be in it and we need to live it and we need to love it. Makes a sound biblical argument for it too. Beautiful - and something that I've been preaching (pun intended) for a while. I love like minded smart people.

And, pretty darn close to what Otis Moss said back in April of 2008.

Neigh-beer-hood

2010-01-12T09:45:00.002-05:00

Good news about a great brewer coming back to Cleveland to open a brewpub in Ohio City. Summer is going to be awesome!

PS I heard about this weeks ago & already read about it elsewhere. Why did it take the local paper so long?

True colors

2010-01-11T19:46:00.001-05:00

Like many people figured (and makes sense), regional collaboration works! In this instance, a shared dispatch for fourteen suburbs would save each suburb hundred-thousand dollars each and a total of 1.6 million.

Now comes the real study - will these politicians and cities do it? We need to. Bottom line.

Something's coming

2010-01-11T19:05:00.002-05:00

Tonight's one of those nights where I feel on top of the world about Cleveland.

Good ideas, good people, great city = great future. You can count on it, or I literally will die trying (from old age, don't worry, not doing anything crazy).

Who's in? What makes you happy about Cleveland today? For me it's the great people who are working with me to make this the best place it can be.

It takes a village

2010-01-05T22:16:00.002-05:00

In another version that Cleveland residents surely feel like they've seen many times, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has a new plan for turning itself around. I'm looking at this from two different angles, and I'm not sure which one is more true.

1) This plan actually appears to have bold actions. I like the idea of closing schools, smaller high schools, intentional high schools (losing the comprehensive model that teaches nothing while trying to teach everything), et cetera. This will, of course, cause citizens to be upset. But unless bold actions are taken, no progress will be made. Will some failure happen? Of course - but we need to try.

2) The plan is rife with buzzwords often thrown around in any strategic plan, especially education. What exactly is being accomplished? I'd love to see a more detailed 1000 page document to pour over some specifics for curriculum, schools, neighborhoods, goals, et cetera.

I think this is a step in the right direction - for our schools, we need to take action and we need to take drastic measures. However, for me it all boils down to one thing. I'm going to put this out there for all to see:

The only way that public schools in Cleveland change is if we demand it.

How does that happen?

- Get involved in your damn kids education
- Demand that your child goes to school, learns, and has a path
- Do not allow your kid to be influenced by the downers but rather brought up by the achievers
- Set high goals and make them be met.
- Do not leave.
- I repeat: Do not leave. I cannot stress this enough. Every year there are hundreds, thousands of families who do care about their children's education that flee the city. What would happen if you stayed and joined hands with other families who cared? Then you stood up in your schools and created the change yourself instead of pushing that off on others? Who's going to do it if not you? Who?

No one.

Unless we stay and demand change as families of Cleveland, no plan will improve the system how it should.

It's always sunny in Cleveland

2009-12-31T17:30:00.003-05:00

As some people know, I like Cleveland a little bit.

:)

Well, let me tell you a little bit about this New Year's Resolution I had for 2009 (PS I kept both of my resolutions this past year. Impressive). This particular goal, though, dates back to October 2008. During that time I was attending a college fair on behalf of Case Western Reserve University in Denver, Colorado. A woman there came up to me and said,

"Cleveland!? I left there twenty years ago, why would I want to send my kid back to that armpit?"

I politely asked her if her son was with her. When she replied that he was not I said something along the lines of, "Well, we don't want people like you with that attitude coming to our city anyway." Quite PC of me.

Later during that college fair a student asked me about the weather in Cleveland. I said that it's probably pretty similar to Denver. Then they politely told me that no, in Denver, it is partially sunny 300 days of the year. Wow, that was pretty cool, I thought. However, the more I thought about it, that statistic seemed pretty random. Partially sunny? What does that mean? So, I did an experiment in 2009. Every day, I tracked the weather from my personal perspective. If it was sunny for a part of the day, I kept count. Well, it's December 31st. Drumroll please.

In 2009 Cleveland had 298 days of partial sun. Take that Denver. Take that people who talk about Cleveland's grayness. Kiss it.

Do I know that this is unscientific? Yes. Biased? Of course. Did it show me how we have three months of only about 60% sun and nine months of almost complete sun? Yes. But what it told me most?

Cleveland is awesome. Damn awesome. And we have lots of sunshine to prove it!

Momentum

2009-12-31T17:05:00.002-05:00

How was 2009 for you? Although that I know for many it was a year of trials and difficulties, I was blessed to have just finished a fantastic twelve months. Health (myself and in my family), love, friends, travels, good times, safety (economically and physically) and more.

I bought a house, had some parties, met many new friends, maintained the current ones, and in general just had a blast. Here's to another year like that (and more) in 2010.

Love life and live love.

Well written

2009-12-30T11:29:00.003-05:00

I normally don't read much of Kim Crow for the local paper, but she has a great editorial about overconsumption in modern society.

I couldn't agree more and I hope that someday if I am blessed enough to have a family, that we will remember that. Someone, remind me. Please.

Little pieces

2009-12-29T10:38:00.001-05:00

Some good news about land transformation in the Flats - trails, paths, connections, reuse of old industrial spaces. Great stuff & great potential.

A game of chess

2009-12-23T15:10:00.003-05:00

Interesting move by Frank Jackson in order to get the unions to take his pay cuts seriously.

I kind of like it. By letting 100 safety workers know that they will lose their jobs, this is a get-it-done-or-else type of place. We will see.

Public spaces, commons, and thoughts

2009-12-21T10:10:00.002-05:00

As has been well documented and well known for a while, there is a push by a few civic organizations (and some private developers) to get Public Square in Downtown Cleveland a face lift. What many people consider to be the front door or heart of Downtown (it was the original town commons) is often seen as underutilized and aesthetically sub-par.

*** Read the local paper story to see the slanderous words they use to describe it. Fun exercise. ***

So there are three proposals on the table for this space, and they all come from a national leader in public spaces and landscape architecture - he did the High Line in NYC, so he gets points in my book for some awesomeness there. My thoughts on the proposals:

1) The "Frame It" concept is my least favorite and pretty weak. Doesn't do much and I don't think that the hanging gardens would be easy to maintain & keep looking good. A bit too garden-ey for my taste.

2) The "Forest It" concept is great. Simple and to the point. Yes, some people would complain because of the road closure, but if it were up to me, they'd all be closed (I know, I've read the reports, I just don't believe we need those rights even in light of the traffic studies - I certainly have no use for them). This would create a nice big space that with landscaping could be solid. Nothing special here, but could be nice.

3) The "Thread It" concept is obviously the most daring. And of course I'm mixed on it. On one hand, it's the one with the most potential to be transformative by connecting all four squares, being architecturally unique (definitely bring plenty of attention), and keeping all those damn auto-friendly interests happy. However, I am apprehensive. A 70-foot tall hill in the middle of that square? Or is it 20-feet? Don't know. But, if it's seventy, that's tall. Very tall for a man-made hill in that space. It would also seriously block sight lines across the square.

At the end of the day, though, this comes down to three things:

- Density
- Uses
- Funding

The first two go hand in hand and we cannot have this project without the third. No matter what the redesign of this space is, unless we have the proper uses around it, then this project will fail. We need to have restaurants/stores/services that face Public Square and force people onto it. We need to increase residential on Public Square. There needs to be foot-traffic generated by the outside to fuel the space on the inside. Otherwise it sits vacant.

Lastly, funding comes in two stages - develop and maintain. If this does not have a continual revenue source, I could see some major concerns.

I'd love to see two of the three options done, but only in conjunction with work done to improve the outside of the square.