The post Forclosure Crisis Forum lunch yielded the most fitting of all cookie communiques I have ever received. It was so befitting the conversation that we were sure that someone with a typewriter was in the next room, eavesdropping and predicting.
For those of you who can't squint it reads:
"The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get less than you settled for."...Cleveland.
Oh dear cookies, you are delicious and oh so wise!
I don't know what my fascination is with the demolition of this building. Mostly I remember it at as a landmark from my youth that acted as some sort of traveled distance marker which for the life of me I cannot recall for what. I do remember that the distinctive blue on the building and the vacant windows marked a blight that always made me realize how tenuous Cleveland's relationship between it's people and the land is.
For your action enjoyment I am going to take some sweet pix of the Shoreway Howard Johnson Motor Inn finally being demo'ed. I don't know if anything will eventually go in that location, as deserving as it is for something that could be really amazing and beneficial to the community.
The MarJ and I went on a tour of St. James which was hosted by Tim Barett, an architectural historian in Cleveland, who gave a presentation on the history and detailing of St. James which is currently being ordered to close by the Cleveland Diocese.
The city of Lakewood, in which St. James resides, is currently attempting to pass legislation amending the city's historic preservation law to include protecting the interior of historical properties (not just public ones) that "have traditionally served the public". Needless to say the legal issues are at best a sticky wicket.
The church however, even though it displays some damage, is quite breathtaking inside and it is a true marvel to believe that a structure such as this exists. The quality of materials (as pointed out by Mr. Barett) is exceptional and the detailing and thought that went into the design are extraordinary.
St. James is scheduled to be closed in 2010 which may possibly forever take a part of Cleveland/Lakewood history along with it. I suggest if you have the time and inclination to stop in and take a peek around. It is well worth the trip.
More choices: The North Coast Harbor Pedestrian Bridge
The Cleveland City Planning Commission has put the 6 options for the North Coast Pedestrian Bridge online for the public to view and comment on. All six designs are offered by Miguel Rosales of Rosales + Partners - Transportation Design, who's portfolio contains an extensive array of pedestrian and vehicular bridges. Not as well known as Santiago Calatrava, Rosales's designs possess the beauty of understanding the physical forces exerted upon a spanning structure and attempts to celebrate rather than hide these relationships.
Lake Erie. Just sayin', don't take it for granted.
I remember when a friend visited me from KC, Missouri and we went to Headlands Beach (at the time I lived in Fairport Harbor). When I was in the KC he would get sick of me complaining about being "landlocked" and "missing the sound of waves crashing" and would inevitably shove me in his old Honda and we would go to one of the "lakes" that Missouri has to offer.
To me, if you can see the other side, it isn't a lake.
Well, that point was made pretty clear when my buddy first stepped onto the sand, squinted against the sun and pointed off to the horizon asking "So...what's over there?"
"Canada."
"Yeah, so this is a Lake."
Later on I would have a discussion with a research librarian about why the Great Lakes aren't considered inland seas. I don't remember the reason much anymore. I think it had to do with whether it let out into the ocean and was surrounded mostly by land (lake) as opposed to being salty due to ocean inlet access (sea) although there are exceptions.
Anyway, living on Lake Erie is pretty dang neat-o and it is probably the greatest resources Cleveland has. Going there is free, the view is usually pretty amazing and sometimes just sitting down and watching the world do its thing for a bit is exactly what any good doctor would order.
I have had a bit of time to look over the waterfront proposal. As it is I remind you that I have not gone to the formal presentation and therefore a lot of these questions/issues may have been answered, however without knowing this for sure I thought I would bring up the two most obvious queries/suggestions that come to mind.
1. Injecting a neighborhood/development of this scale with only 3 vehicular access points may severely minimize the possibility of success. However if an attempt to create more cohesion and integration into the surrounding neighborhoods was undertaken than perhaps a stratification of the region could be avoided. Illustrated in the diagram is simply a pair of railroad crossings tying the proposed neighborhood into the flats east bank development area (along Old River Road and Main Ave). This would allow the flats neighborhood to stretch through to the lakefront, create alternative entrance points circumventing downtown public square (alleviating traffic, etc) and strengthen the development along the rivers edge by cementing it to the lake access at the north. Oddly enough this would also allow for differentiation of development type based upon proximity to water and elevation above the lake, whereas the flats and lakefront area would be of a smaller scale/density and based more upon residential development downtown would remain a distinct "downtown" commercial district. In some regards restricting height of development upon this lower elevation would preserve views from downtown, but would also preserve wind patterns (Tokyo suffers from tall development along the harbor which restricts fresh and cooling air from reaching the center of the city). It also makes a bit more sense to center taller/denser development along stronger access and transportation routes.
2. The second 'suggestion' would be utilizing this development as stimuli for moving the Amtrak station adjacent to the Convention Center (Mall C) and install a bridge system to allow not only access to the station from the waterfront side but also from the city side. This construction could fulfill two functions. It would grant visitors to the city a grander entry and more proper front door through the new Cleveland Convention Center/Med Mart but would also allow pedestrian passage to the Waterfront near the Stadium (enclosed and on surface grade via the Mall). In essence the new passageway would extend a portion of the Mall over the tracks to the Football Stadium and Science Center. This suggestion may actually be able to capitalize on the 3C stimuli monies being sought to tie major cities together via rail and would bode well for the city to make the most out of such an investment.
Again, these comments are made in the vacuum of only seeing the pdf of the presentation and such topics may have already been discussed or are being considered by the design team.
So....8 weeks later and the HOJO still stands? Amazing.
The city of Cleveland had begun the demolition process in June. The current owners complained they weren't given proper notice and a judge offered a 3 week injunction. However the owners (Lakeview 2006 LLC) recently were given until August 20 to provide some sort of proof that they had been in the process of rehabilitating the site as per the sweet rendering sign that has been posted. Sure the building is pretty dilapidated and probably didn't even function well as a hotel. Condos though seem to be the quick fix all band-aid to any problem (pre 2008), but with the new housing market I think people are catching on. However the current state of the structure is highly questionable and may not even be fixable which may leave the city in a questionable position if the property owners are proven in the right.
The road now runs through it - Cleveland's Lakefront access
It was a beautiful day and we decided to head to Gordon Park. A park I hadn't been to in 15 years but drive past on my home from work almost every day. To me, coming from a family that harbors a somewhat nerdy passion for this city, Gordon Park makes me a little sad. Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful park and offers fishing, boating, biking/jogging, access to Lake Erie, access to Dike 14, greenspace for cookouts and playing and all around park frivolity, however way back when, in the late 1950's to 1960's the innerbelt project was implemented, severing Gordon Park from Cleveland's Rockefeller Park home of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. What was once a sinuous green path that connected University Circle to Lake Erie was forever altered, isolating Rockefeller park via an interstate interchange and forever changing the fabric of the area.
Luckily Rockefeller Park is still there, stronger than ever, and one can argue that the access to Gordon Park did it only good (albeit from a strictly vehicular point of view), but the import of the innerbelt decision is one that rankles the City of Cleveland even to this day. Nary a discussion can be made about how to improve our burg without the exclamation of lack of lake access. It isn't only the innerbelt though, rail, industry and infrastructure hamper our access, giving but a few localized schwerpunkt with which to breach this boundary and reach Lake Erie.
It could be here that we can have a discussion on destination versus community. Where the language of identifying with a location is so much stronger when one can become more intimately knowledgeable of a space by having taken the time to explore, to discover the nuances, to make familiar ascertainment of an unfamiliar region, made much easier when one has reason to walk around and explore. Whereas in a destination one is encapsulated in their travel, with the sole purpose of fulfilling the obligation of the destination and then travel back to familiar areas. The destination becomes more compact/contained (mentally) when reached via limited access and by car then when a myriad of access points are allowed and travel can be made by more intimate scale (foot or bike) or by a more public service such as bus or light rail.
This discussion can be had again at a later time. This isn't why I am here today.
Instead I had run across an article reminding us of 4 cases where the removal of a highway actually alleviated traffic". This isn't new news. There have been a plethora of reports arguing that increasing highway access does little in decrease commute time or negate congestion (as easier commute results in more exurbs, increasing commuters and increasing congestion) and can be directly blamed for the decrease in use of the urban core. However now we are starting to see a conscious move towards pushing the import of the automobile aside in favor of people and amenities for people.
So what does one thing have to do with the other? Imagine if the innerbelt were redesigned to accommodate less traffic and more access to the lake. Where communities could actually link to both sides of the Freeway in order to grow and become whole, where the commute into Cleveland would make people question the sanity of driving in from an hour out (when it quickly becomes 2 or 3 hours) but instead realize that it makes more sense to live where you work and fill in the voids of the city (and increase tax revenue). Imagine being able to use the Lakefront to celebrate the city and its history. Imagine access to the river as well, or to Tremont (another neighborhood cut off by the innerbelt) or all the other neighborhoods that are currently shorn in half by eight lanes of concrete (Lorain Ave. never fully recovered although the barrier may have made Lakewood stronger as Cleveland to its South is beyond the barricade).
With the innerbelt project currently under study (as it has been for over a decade) we (and NOACA, who, through the Avon Interchange project has shown a willingness to become rather complicate in the destruction of downtown Cleveland) need to find a way to decrease the costs of the unnecessary infrastructure that hampers our city through easing sprawl as well as blocks the evolution of Cleveland.
If you are like me (probably not as handsome and quick witted but we can't ALL be perfect) you may be a subscriber to the ArchDaily newsletter to help get your eye candy quotient before you begin your work day.
I try not to think too critically before 9am (in order to keep my blood pressure down) so when I saw the Cleveland Museum of Art Addition posted in ArchDaily I figured I would pass it along in preparation of some organized thoughts on the subject.
So, take a peek without the discourse, without a slanted view being hollered in your ear. Just absorb the pretty pictures and the brief but thorough description of what the project entailed.
How many different occupations have to constantly clarify what exactly it is they do, to others and to themselves, and not only in order to maintain their current employment? When is an architect not an architect?
Probably when software is involved and when the Professional Organization says you can't call yourself one.
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance has put forth a survey for visitors/residents of Cleveland to pass on some of their own opinions as to how DCA is doing, where future efforts should be concentrated and how your personal hopes for the city can be realized.
It takes about 3 minutes to fill it out honestly and with some thought, it isn't a gigantic survey, so if you have time and if you care why not let your voice be heard?
This past Sunday we went on an exploration of League Park, one of Cleveland's forgotten (especially with the Cleveland's Indians current record) jewels. Currently sitting vacant League Park is under scrutiny of a the Leage Park Society, a 501(c)(3), who exists to "Restore, Preserve and Revitzlize both the ballpark and it's surrounding (Hough) neighborhood".
The historic context of League Park, as the Cleveland Indian's home ballpark, host to the 1920 World Series and home to the Cleveland Buckeye's is preserved in the heart of any true baseball fan.
"If you start kinda looking over your shoulder too much and start being conservative and start being institutionalized, then I, then we've died and I shut the doors, I want to go out with a bang". - Andrew Freear
Strong community ties in danger by closing community centres - Sunday at St. Cecilia's
Today was the MarJmom's birthday. As such we (the daughter and son in law from Iowa and MarJ and myself) joined her for a service at her favorite (and childhood) parish, St. Cecilias on East 152nd. I admit the application of my Catholic upbringing is sparse in execution so the actions of when to rise and when to sit necessitated the cues from the Priest who guided us through the sermon.
(Necessary backstory) My own childhood parish was a rather formal to do, or at least it felt that way. I swear parts of the sermon were in Latin with the familiar droning chant that even as a distant memory lulls my eyes to close. I remember the foray into livening up the service with guitar and perhaps something a little more akin to 4/4 time on the organ which were but weak attempts and all but buried under the haunting air of fresh pressed beige slacks and uncomfortable navy blue ties that forever permeates my young memory. That and the sheer scale of the church, whose columns I couldn't ever hope to reach around marching in a rhythmic stoic pattern towards the alter. My grandfather was one of the fellows who in his Sunday best would take collection, so we were sure to be seated in the center aisles and even once or twice undergo the harsh public scrutiny of offering the gifts. As a full disclaimer my father was head of the custodial department and allowed me to help in landscaping and odd jobs at the young age of 13. Through such access I was offered the rare behind the scenes glimpses of the institution, the old boilers, the bell tower lacking bells but having large speakers (this realization forever broke my heart) and the eternal war between the floor buffer and fresh black souled shoes.
It was with this mentality that I entered a new church, expected the similar Catholic droning (sorry!) and the apprehension of the looks I would attract when I failed to shuffle into line for communion. Instead what I received was nothing short of a warm homecoming, the sort reserved for a long lost relative, and not only from the MarJmom but from a congregation that was so open and strong that I felt an honest warmth in my heart. For those of you familiar with the Catholic services there is a moment, previously experienced as politely brief, in which one is to shake the hand of their neighbor and offer them peace. At St. Cecilia's the sermon came to a abrupt halt as the congregation practically erupted in a cacophony of noise, people arising and walking about to hug old friends and firmly shake the hands of newcomers. This usual brief moment (as I had previously experienced) lasted long enough to actually allow me (as a newcomer) to begin to get comfortable with meeting so many new people. I was truly shaken to the core by the experience and perhaps at that very moment I realized with such a great sadness the burden that communities such as Mount Pleasant are currently facing.
You see, St. Cecilia's is facing closure. Not facing as in there is still the possibility that it may not happen but facing as in the parish is going to close its doors. Father Daniel Begin with have to find a new flock and the parishioners of St. Cecilia's will have to find a new community with which to embrace.
It didn't seem to bother the choir which was simply amazing. I only had the opportunity (or bravery) to talk to one member, the gentleman playing homemade drums (think calf skin stretched on homemade shells) and keeping the subtle rhythm while giving the drums strong enough voice to perfectly accentuate the rest of the choir. Nor did the congregation, who had scheduled an ice cream social for today, gather under the dark cloud of impending closure. Instead they were simply rallying around the plans for the August 1st community festival, not looking for sympathy but rather in order to set in motion an attempt to offer strength and joy to the community so many love.
The MarJ, being ever my guide to my own hometown, pointed out the neighboring New Life Community building. Once the elementary school for St. Cecilia's it now offer transitional housing for families fulfilling a rather rare role for the city of Cleveland and boasting a strong success rate. I am unaware of what fate may be waiting for this program when St. Cecilia closes its doors although I am hoping that being an interface program it will stand on its own and continue its work without it's neighbor.
My concern pivots on the impending closing. This amazing community that happened to have congregated at St. Cecilia's for the past 90 years will soon be dispersed and that truly fills my heart with sorrow. While I can understand the pragmatism of such a decision I admit that a great part of me wonders just what sort of fate the community and these parishioners are being handed. At a time when we all need to lean on our neighbor a little bit more, when we all need to watch out for each other with a little more tenacity, when we need to be willing to open our eyes and our hearts a little wider I find the systematic weakening of our core communities a little unforgivable and honestly am fearful of the greater implications to our fair city.
Just when I found a community where everyone goes out of their way to make introductions and begin building a bridge of friendship I find it slipping away. If only our neighbors and neighborhoods could learn to act like that, then we would all be truly blessed.
Once in a great while a photo emerges that just begs to be edited with all sorts of hi-tech gadetry including digital "enhancements" of the type traditionally only witnessed on CSI:MyFanny.
The original photo was discovered in this delightful Plain Dealer article and well, I just couldn't help myself.
Feel free to take your own stab. If'n you want, put em up on the interweb someplace and post a link in the comments.
Cedar Hill Station Public Presentation : Reduction
There was a fine turnout at 1 Montecello in the Cleveland Heights Community Center tonight for the rather well advertised public meeting/unveiling of the new Cedar Hill Red Line and inter-modal station. Most sat rather politely through the introductions and Mehrdad Yazdani's presentation which included collaborative efforts of URS and the myriad of community and city organizations whose voices must all be heard.
The presentation went much better than I had expected, the breadth of the proposal included Cedar Glen Parkway down to MLK and included a complete redesign of the "jug handle" and south side of Cedar as well as the new station. The station proposal itself is a nice conversation on the relating to the site, the program and cost restrictions and an identifiable image to demarcate the area. The most successful component (in my view) was the celebration of the fringes of defined area, the boundary that defines neighborhoods instead of simply using a local vernacular as an applique to force a contextual relationship. Playing with the idea of under/over as it relates to entering the site as well as the structure allows the park to be a grand public space built upon cascading levels as well as defining the experience through the existing conditions of constant passage/threshold.
The public Q/A session went the typical route which is difficult for someone who can read architectural diagrams to sit through but necessary to understand how important it is to be entirely clear to the general public. It seems painful but learning how to communicate to those who are not "trained" as the designer is can mean the difference between a successful project and a complete failure. For all the commotion (around 30 - 45 minutes of public comment, Maribeth Feke (I think that is who it was) ran the meeting with much more patience and understanding than I would have been capable of. Not to say that all the comments brought up were bad, in fact most were rather well thought out and interesting.
If the station can be built near enough the manner as presented it will be a rousing success.
Billboards are the answer to empty storefronts. It is just like a movie set. The downtown has seemed eerily vacant as of late. Even rush hour traffic is less. Have we been "left behind"?
The first thought I had when I opened the email and saw the image and the sentiment was how far we were from the over-indulged electronic billboards of the Blade Runner futurescape. Since changing jobs I haven't really been downtown much save the occasional trip to take some photos or meetings which isn't the same as the everyday commute where the little nuances of street life start to appear.
How sad though, that the large ground floor windows, once sharing the life of the interior space with the street are now to be covered with adverts for guitar lessons/LASIK eye surgery. I suppose there is some logic to putting this sort of advertising so close to the target demographic, despite their vision problems they can probably read it, but there is something dreadfully sad about the spiraling death of properties with proper street frontage.
I am sure this is just indicative of the current economic times, but that doesn't make me feel much better.
What is a groundbreaking anyway? A true marking of the beginning of the construction of a project? A milestone to simply mark an symbolic "beginning" with some kind words and the moving of a shovel full of dirt?
27 coltman
circle 118
Above are two images from two almost adjacent projects. Circle 118, which exists on the corner of Euclid and East 118th and 27 Coltman which are being constructed on Coltman and East 119th near Euclid Ave. The Euclid Avenue and the Red Line are all that separate the two sites.
It was interesting to note that Circle 118 broke physical ground in mid March and has already begun excavating (or at least started pushing giant piles of dirt around) and seemed to completely bypass the public groundbreaking ceremony. Meanwhile the Coltman project had its groundbreaking ceremony March 27th which consisted of the standard blessing, photo ops and party (held at the Sculpture Center) which drew a pretty large crowd (estimated at around 300). However the Coltman project still doesn't have any equipment on the site.
Word on the street (from a single unverified source for whatever that is worth) is that both projects have units moving and should both be realized, which would be quite an interesting achievement in this market.
So what is a groundbreaking? Is it the actual beginning of construction? A milestone that indicates that funds have been allocated and are being utilized in the building of the project or a large ceremony which attracts a large crowd and fanfare but does not indicate any actual construction? I ask because I find both happening in the absence of the other rather interesting and perhaps a little telling about the life of building projects in Cleveland.
I am leaning towards the physical moving of earth in preparation of building to indicate a true groundbreaking and even though the Coltman project threw one hell of a party, I fear they have a bit of catchup.
The Diocese of Cleveland is forced to make the uncomfortable decision of closing and merging some selected places of worship to deal with shifting demographics. The announcement of which some 50 Cleveland Catholic churches are to be closed will is scheduled to be made around March 14th. Historically Cleveland, an immigrant city, was populated with a great number of ethnic enclaves (or ghettos if one were to use the term properly) whose inhabitants would immediately identify themselves with their religious affiliation before ethnicity when asked to describe themselves. A great number of the inner ring suburbs are certainly riddled with places of worship, a great number of them quite exquisite and breathtaking in their construction, simplicity and obvious care.
Personally early Sunday strolls to fetch the paper (whose ever shrinking comment can be criticism for another day) allows a rather selfish vice of mine; to walk past the few places of worship along the way and catch the sounds of praise, song and homily, beautiful and heart warming (even when muffled through the heavy doors). Immediately my mind's eye remembers the sun streaming through the great stained glass windows of my youth, the droning of the priest (I was an impatient lad) and the sense of anticipation for the traditional family breakfast at my grandparent's. The Church followed the traditional Catholic style with proper nave and side aisles, a wide yet shallow apse and rather small transepts which hinted at the proper form. Tall and spacious inside I was lucky enough to have my first job there, helping my father, at the age of 13. There was a community pride that was evident those days in how the congregation knew each others family and history. Handshakes and pleasantries were exchanged and actually meant, even during the holidays when the congregation would grow to standing room only it was not uncommon to leave the church an hour or more after the sermon had ended. I was lucky enough to grow up around a such a place that actually felt as if it were God's home, if not for the architecture but for what it meant to the parishioners. I imagine that each holy place is like that to those that take the time to get to know it.
Now that some churches are being closed, offering that the community has no suggestions or proper reuses, what are to become of these structures? There are so very few buildings that offer comparable inspirational spaces. It would be a shame to simply raze the buildings when the craftsmanship and attention to construction/detail are so typically well done. However it may be a far better fate then some of the heavy handed renovations which may offer a more insulting and tragic end for beautiful and holy structures by carving the grand spaces or tacking on semi contextual additions.
In fact the Cleveland City Council is currently looking to extend landmark protection to include churches under an umbrella of historic preservation which includes maintaining the current windows and built in iconography (identified as "fixtures" under commercial property covenants) as part of the property and therefore under protection. Whether the properties belong in their entirety to the diocese or can be sold in an altered state to private owners isn't the entire point, Granted historic rose windows and hand carved pews could add proper accents of character to the proper new tenant however the bones of these structures should be the centerpoint of the conversation.
I find the opportunities rather intriguing. If the churches are closed, found of value/given some sort of landmark protection status, desanctified for public use there should be quite a few interested parties that could come up with some reasonable and respectful use (such as the Josaphat Arts Hall or Nottingham Spirk). However the opportunity would have to present itself and the possible tenant would be wise to respect not only the property but also the community in which the ex-church may reside.
The chance to create a worship space should be held in high esteem. An architect or designer tasked with the challenged will typically be given the seemingly opposing opportunities of working with a group or council, a modest budget and the gesture of creating a space that allows for the proper sense of decorum and awe with which in to worship. The task may truly seem a high endeavor and arguably may very well be connected to any great historical movement of architecture as well as some seemingly maddening obsessions. But what else would one expect? Here man is asked to simply recreate a simple building to an entity infinitely more powerful and beautiful than one could imagine. How is one to simply capture the joy and beauty with which to properly instill devotion upon visiting worshipers? The answer would be a varied as there are religious interpretations and to each structure, enclave, collective, there is an attempt to create an identifiable space. What then would be the proper response when the useful life of the church as designed as a place or worship, is at an end?
These buildings were not only once full of life and love but conceived and constructed along a similar premise. Designed to do more then simply shelter a great many are asked to lift man's spirit and grant upon them the mantle of grace, humility and respect. These structures are more than just buildings, they are our interpretations of hope and dream made physical and real. They were our family and friends, our salvation and trust, so much more than mere wood and stone and metal. They were the center or our communities.
They deserve our respect, our labor, our joy and our salvation.
Just a quick note that constantly startles me for some reason. Clevelanders are constantly so quick to point out how the Great Lake Erie is our greatest asset. One that needs to be recognized, honored and enjoyed. However, every time the weather gets somewhat nice (which is quite often in the summer months) I would like nothing better than to find a nice restaurant with views of the lake that aren't buried under the stench of rotting fish flocking to the warms waters of the Cleveland Electric Company - or whatever that steam producing factory is (Sorry Quay 55 restaurant) or overlooking a salt mine (Sorry Harp) from which to enjoy views of the lake, a nice sandwich or salad and a couple of delicious local beers.
Why is this so hard to accomplish?
If anyone has any suggestions I am more than open to hear them. To note Pier W has fantastic views and menu and Lakehouse Cafe offers a nice place for lazy weekend brunch overlooking the lake while sipping coffee, so there are some options.
Amazingly the city seems to turn its back on its celebrated lake when it comes to recognizing the import of something to lazily stare at or for sharing a sunset.
Whats up with that? Is there some economic model that prevents places from opening up with views of Lake Erie? Fear of flying saucers or noticing Canada?
*as a personal memo, last time I wanted a burger on the lake the ladyfriend and I headed out to Sandusky via Lake Ave (route 6). Partially because by the time we got out there we had given up looking and settled for sandwiches in downtown Sandusky (historic) which was dead for a downtown, blocks from the lake (no view). Argh.
The sun is out and Cleveland starts to awaken from its cold slumber. I just wanted to share some photos from Lakewood Park I took today of Lake Erie slowly melting. There is something nice about the change of the seasons (especially as I have already grown sick of shoveling and attempting to commute to work in winter traffic) and the elongating day.
We still have plenty of winter left so don't get out the shorts just yet.
However take whatever time you can to enjoy the recent warm up. It is a perfect opportunity to wander around and reintroduce yourself to your neighborhood and our fair city.
Med Mart/Convention Center as case study for growing Cleveland
Perhaps it requires the diligence of an unconnected outsider to muddle through the necessary logic and intent to chose a proper siting for a large project for this (and perhaps any) city. No one can fault Forest City for wanting to capitalize on underused properties. In fact the arguments which centered on the connectivity of the site were understandably strong however the proximity of the Mall site (.4 miles, 6 minutes walk by indirect path from Tower City) makes locating the new convention center and adjacent mart based upon "connectivity" alone one difficult to argue. I would like to see the Cuyahoga River developed (not in the fashion of creating large, imposing cliffs of "architecture" along it as shown by the Tower City Proposal), in fact I would rather see Riverfront Development take precedence over any lakefront development as the Cuyahoga is distinctly Cleveland and sets us apart historically and allegorically from any other competiting city.
While the plan of using the new convention center/medical mart as an impetus to invigorate seemingly unrelated industries is honestly overreaching the intent of developing the necessary entertainment/hotel industry to support conventions will set aside the chicken/egg argument (between residential program and its necessary supportive infrastructure) by first strengthening Cleveland as a destination and hopefully providing the necessary infrastructure (transit/entertainment/lodging) that will then allow an increase in desirability for residents and increase Cleveland's population strengthening tax base and enlivening the city
The site has finally been chosen, one I personally endorse and think was the better decision. Situated in a more public location with access to public transit, Burke Lakefront Airport and our burgeoning passenger rail (yes, the Amtrak station that most Clevelander's understandably couldn't find on a map is to the north of the Mall Site - hint follow the tracks) the proposed site is part of Cleveland's Group Plan developed by Arnold Brunner, John M. Carrère and Daniel Burnham with the intent to create a grand civic space for the "progressive city of Cleveland".
The next steps will seem both stubbornly slow and uncomfortably rapid as spatial and formal programs are developed and studied, connections to existing districts/regions are studied and strengthened and as funding is arranged and dispersed. My excitement at the project is not limited to simple site selection. I will not agree that this project alone can save the city but I do feel that it will reinforce what we already have and create job opportunity that we can harness and evolve into a more educated workforce backed by specialized manufacturing.
I beg that vigilant attention be paid to the project, to keep transparency high, to keep decisions informed and to make accountability for success or failure possible. This is a great case study for our city, one with tendrils further reaching and more permanent than the entertainment complexes of stadiums and arenas, one that can capitalize upon public spaces and movement to create an integrated and succinct solution that can become a strong positive image for our city; because in the end to succeed that is what the new Medical Mart and Convention Center has to become, a strong positive image that can impress upon the large volume of visitors that will be attending these functions. So that we (Cleveland) can make the flourish and statement of a city rising back up to reclaim its older glory of a vibrant metropolis, an exciting place to live, a fruitful place to work and a grand address to locate a business or industry.
As the cold snap that had strangled the Midwest and Eastern portion of the United States slowly releases its relentless grip it takes only a quick glance from frosty windows to realize how dependent we are upon our shelters. Furnaces working overtime, panes of frosted glass separating us from the elements as we toil under the glow of electric light.
This mentality typically transfers over to our daily lives more than we realize. Waking up and glancing at what we can discern from our windows typically indicates that our location and the season has gifted us with the cardiovascular workout of removing ice and snow from walkways, vehicles, driveways or any other encumbrances that will hinder our daily journeys. Attempting our morning shower (if the pipes haven't frozen), dressing in a manner that allows us to brave the elements for the necessary time to get to our destinations be it either by automobile or bus commute (braving the roadways and suspect driving skills of our neighbors), the treacherous walkways of the sidewalks, the exposed platforms of our light rail system and the extremes of the temperature inherent in each.
As any denizen can speak commuting in the throes of winter is diabolically different then the leisurely drives of warmer months. Clear summer roadways lead to sporadic techniques seen in aggressive driving that seem almost mild when compared to the same technique applied on the slick and newly salted arteries. Cars with windows still covered in snow attempting to change lanes around those whom do not quite trust the roadways and are exhibiting a cautious relationship with particular rules of physics cause many to wonder at the sanity of man. Cleveland may have an exquisite public bus system however those lumbering giants are held to the same roadway rules as everyone else. When traffic flow is corrupted by the constant seasonal spin-outs so is the bus passenger's commute.
The Rapid system seems more logical for cold weather and the journey to downtown. Dedicated rail transit corridors that act independently of roadway conditions typically service somewhat protected waiting areas that are gifted with heat, lighting and full enclosure. Granted even these systems are not completely secure from winter's icy fingers and delays, etc. may occur I must admit that the rail system has been typically quicker, warmer and more comfortable then our bus line in winter months.
Why then is it a constant argument that rail systems do not make more sense in colder climates? The Euclid Corridor/SilverLine/HealthLine system, born of various marketing names to fit whichever guise it was being sold under has proven in execution to be nothing more than a glorified bus system, beholden to the same foul weather barrage as the system it replaced. Exposed and cramped waiting areas are open to the east/west wind that rips through Cleveland while open corners, a suspect cost cutting device, make sure that no sheltered area is attainable. For a city that makes jokes about the length and breadth of our winters one would expect that designers and planners would respect the dialogue of our seasons.
So what would I like to eventually see? Enclosed stations, perhaps ones that actually protect inhabitants. More passenger rail connecting the inner ring suburbs to downtown, perhaps even with the planning of more transit oriented development as the first step in redeveloping an area (see along the Lakeshore Line) instead of random suburban development that requires new service. Staggering of systems already in place such as having the HealthLine stop at every 6 to 10 blocks instead of every other block, capitalizing on timed traffic patterns to expedite movement into and out of the city instead of stopping at every regular bus stop (the redundancy of the #6 and HealthLine - which don't share lanes - make Euclid a very interesting avenue to actually attempt to commute along). Does public square need 3 HealthLine stops? Concentrated transit nodes would be nice at certain points so that "mini" stations could develop along extremely busy routes offering passengers a chance to use many of the secondary transit lines to get closer to their destination. These mini nodes could also offer more shelter, be located by businesses and institutions and offering partnering/marketing strategies.
We need to take advantage of our weather patterns and design for an urban experience that won't leave people out in the cold but instead creates places to rest, warm up, and safely wait for their next transportation option to arrive. Getting into downtown and getting around downtown should not be thought of as two separate problems, it is imperative that the solution be conceived to function in concert. We need to act as if the city of Cleveland is fundamental to the health of the region and plan and act accordingly.
The feast and the famine part II - Fairfax International Generation Winners Announced
Also in the news (as of 2 weeks ago, I apologize but I have a hard time reading the PD's architecture column much anymore) the Cleveland Neighborhood of Fairfax recently announced their winner for the Fairfax Intergenerational Housing Competition with the prospect of actually building the dang thing.
What started off as a local/regional competition grew to include a national scope of entrants excited to tackle the challenge of responsible intergenerational (which indicates that grandparents are involved in the child rearing instead of the typical generational differences between parents and children? Fine, I don't need a semantic argument right now) and may be the first residential competition in the nation to specifically focus on a family dynamic where grandparents are primarily involved with child raising.
I don't know if there was a reception with food and wine. There may have been. I find those things integral to these sorts of receptions, I just know I wasn't invited to it and feel slightly snubbed. I am sure that the responsible parties will hear about this. Probably from me.
Regardless, in one month (or two weeks if you want) two major competitions were finalized in Cleveland, Ohio which is exciting to those of us in Cleveland, Ohio who want to be excited about, well, design in Cleveland, Ohio.
The feast and the famine - Cleveland Design Competition Winners Reception
I honestly had no idea what to expect as I was attempting to discover the 78th Street Studios. I was searching for the 2008 Cleveland Design Competition Awards Ceremony in which I would not only get to hang out with B. Fink and M. Christoff a bit (the competition's organizers) but I would also get to see all 55 entrants to the competition based in Cleveland with the premise of promoting design solutions for local problems/issues. I pulled into a rather full parking lot, a beehive of activity, with flashlight armed parking directors motioning each new entering vehicle to a predetermined parking location. I was first amazed by the spectacle and remember thinking to myself as I found the public entry to the building that I was personally amazed that so many people were interested in design in the city. There had to be over 200 cars in the lot. I was sure the line at for the adult beverages, a staple at any reception, would be a rather tedious adventure. I lamented being 15 minutes late.
I became slightly confused when entering the large gathering space that the Competition reception had taken to be its temporary home for the evening. The boards suspended as if by magic in a labyrinth shaping the path and progress of the onlookers, providing slight nooks in the center of collective spaces for congregation and discussion and leaving a large area up front, undoubtedly for the awards presentation itself. The food table was vacant. The beverage table as well. In fact there looked to be about two dozen guests milling around where the boards were suspended intently studying the proffered designs. Where were the people to which belonged all the cars?
Bingo in the basement was the offered reply. I admit I was heartbroken. What more could any design oriented denizen of this town ask for? Free food and beverage (there was a suggested donation), some sharp conversation and a free show should be enough to bring out even the most cynical artist on the crisp night. Should be.
I admit, the gathering swelled in size. I couldn't offer a reasonable estimate as I was near the back and was more interested in looking for spelling errors in the presentation boards than attempting a reasonable head count. There were well over a hundred that showed up by the time the ceremony got under way which in some way made my heart feel warmer, or it was the wine and food from Luxe.
Regardless of whether or not anyone in this town cared, the Cleveland Competition was in some respects, a rousing success. It garnered international attention for a second time for our fair burg, got some local talent involved (which was nice to see some local honorable mentions with the international winners) and even gave some alternative insight to the rather complicated problem of Lake access from a auto-centric town (yes, we decided to barrier ourselves from our lake on both the east and west sides in order to fulfill the high priority of highway access).
I am already looking forward to next year's offerings and hope that my schedule will be of such that I can take part in a greater manner than just drinking their wine and eating their cheese. Congratulations to the Cleveland Design Competition folks.
MAYOR JACKSON ANNOUNCES THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY MEAL SITE LOCATIONS TO AID AREA NEEDY
CLEVELAND – Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Honorary Co-Chair of Greater Cleveland’s annual “Harvest for Hunger” Food Drive, has asked the City’s Food Drive Chairman to work with the local hunger agencies to prepare a list of meal site locations for Cleveland’s print, radio, and television media. This effort will help ensure that Cleveland families who are working hard to survive the tough economic climate can receive a Thanksgiving meal.
Program hours and locations may change. For complete information, call United Way’s 211-First Call for Help at 216/436-2000. This line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Christmas.
The Thanksgiving Holiday meal site locations follow below.
I don't really have much of a reason for putting this up except I suppose I miss the ideals that planting sunflowers along a road encompass. It was a difficult decision, I am sure. Weighing whether the introduction of the plants would cause an imbalance in the local ecosystem (would impurities in the soil mean that a poisoned food source for birds was created?). I heard somewhere that sunflower seeds from a packet (you know, the ones you buy for a dollar at the drug store) have been genetically altered making their seeds sterile meaning the possibility of plant proliferation along the lakeside and into Wendy Park didn't seem much of an issue. The only suspected danger was the ground keepers scythe, of which no bother was needed.
It was too late in the year when these seeds were sowed for the "Mammoth Sunflowers" to attain their advertised height, a grandiose 15' that would have easily been spied from the Shoreway on those quiet commutes home in the evening, the sun setting the sky on fire as it sinks into the lake. Regardless they were planted on the sly. An act of subversion that would hopefully blossom into beauty. It would become a joke, to see the flowers and say to myself "I know who did that" when really, the humans responsible could truthfully hardly take any credit. They poked some holes in the dirt, shoved a ripe striped seed in the hole, hastily covered it over and moved onto to the next planting, mindful of passing traffic and prying eyes. Nature just ran its course and the plants grew. They may have been located there by humans (and cultivated and packaged as seeds) but honestly it would be akin to a museum curator taking credit for the pieces on the walls of the museum, this ownership the passing agrarians had.
Regardless, it was a topic of discussion, this planting of the sunflowers. An act of design (some would say attrition) to beautify the gray city on the gray lake. Larger plans were made, sites were scouted, ideas of hidden messages tossed aside as quickly as derived. Why not plant a food garden on Scranton Peninsula? Most likely the toxins in the soil would deter any use of that. How about a garden billboard on a hillside? Too quickly overgrown with brush and weeds. Our poor plants would be choked out in days. How about large sunflowers on a freshly finished roadside protected by a fence and curb? Perfect.
And so the season wound down. Like most Cleveland dreams the sunflowers never achieved the proportions they aspired to. They grew what they could (perhaps it was too dry, perhaps the soils had too much clay) and eventually succumbed to the fauna and the seasons. I am sure the last flurries have buried the trunks of the plants. Another ideal quickly and completely covered by lake effect snow.
Perhaps next year the sunflowers will be planted earlier in the season. Perhaps they will spring up in a few more locations, waving in the wind at passersby (aren't Clevelanders constantly being reminded how friendly we are, how we smile at everyone?) and watching the world pass them by. Maybe next year they will grow big and strong, a quiet marvel to behold, planted from heirloom seeds that will survive the seasons, spreading themselves to become native, passed on by birds and squirrels, eventually becoming strong enough to then survive on their own.
Then a new flower will have to be cultivated. Another annual that would embody the trials of my city. Another example of struggle, hope and failure to study and watch, to shrug our shoulders at and wonder who would attempt such as thing in such a locale anyway.
Regardless of whether or not New York City can move on building their own medical based product center should be besides the point. Cleveland's own Medical Product Center (or Medical Mart if one were to be so inclined) deal is still burdened with a seemingly hidden agenda and frightening indecision. The county commissioners, regrettably with an obviously horrible track record when it comes to attempts to revitalize downtown Cleveland, are currently saddled with making a decision in an abhorrent vacuum of any relevant input.
Cleveland has a sad history of turning it's back on large scale masterplans that may have at least created the backbone for a coherent urban plan. As the current economic "crisis" (to mild a term to state it without the quotes) have already put an incredible burden on Wolstein's flats projectenough to perhaps make it an impossibility, Cleveland needs to re-evaluate our goals.
We are currently paying for the Medical Mart, a complex and ideal that makes fiscal sense in theory. Our main burden is finding a suitable site that works for the city and not just a quick fix that may please a few old friends or private investors. I would hope that in lieu of the County's recent debacles they would make their options and reasons for choices a little more transparent. It may be too late to get the proper input from the proper authorities (urban/city planners, convention/tourism/hospitality experts, financial/tax experts, etc. for a project of this scope and nature (I don't really think it is, I just find it extremely sad that this input was lacking in the first place) but it isn't too late to start listening to actual experts now instead of the fellas from the local bar.
I mean, just hearing how quickly New York City is moving on this should be pointing out the obvious. That without the right people in the right places our decision making process is unduly, ridiculously elongated and inherently flawed.
Personally I cannot wait for this election to be over.
Seriously, I cannot wait for a truck ad or bath cleanser ad to be back on television instead of the all the fear mongering commercials which I find actually insulting.
Support minimum standards for Cleveland's shelters
At the monthly Architecture for Humanity Cleveland meeting it was brought to our attention that the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) was currently collecting signatures in order to create an enforceable minimum set of standards that Cleveland's shelters must abide by. We had looked over the list of shelter standards and quickly became amazed at how the standards are nothing more then simple requests to treat people individually and humanely.
If after reading the list of requested standards you wish to help, simply fill out and sign the Homeless College - Proposed Shelter Standards and deliver the sign formed via mail or fax to NEOCH by November 13th, 2008.
I received criticism today for not being as up to date on the many activities and hoopla going on around the town. I have no problem with being asked to post information about a certain event or to comment on a specific subject. Point of fact, when asked to I usually oblige if only because I then do not have to scrounge up a topic by myself.
Most of the posts and topics that I mention or comment upon are events or happenings that I have to verify with the many local organizations themselves to find out the particulars. Due to time constraints (there goes that darn "life" getting in the way) I don't have time to check with every single organization in this city constantly. Therefore, if I don't get a heads up or it is an event I usually don't go to, it will slip through the cracks.
I would like to apologize for that.
However, let me point out the variety of ways in which I attempt to utilize technology so that if you find mention of something you are interested in, you can get more information yourself;
-I like to link to the topic of discussion if there is a pertinent website. This particular example (the Murray Hill Artwalk) has taken down their website which makes it hard to keep track of when their next event is, hence my comments on the subject becoming increasingly lacking and eventually nonexistent. -The existence of the internet itself. Chances are you found this website itself by utilizing search engines or external links from other websites. Keep on truckin' with that exciting technology! Chances are you can find what you are looking for if you put only half the tenacity you utilize for name calling into actually looking things up.
In order to foster feelings of goodwill I have even taken the time to use a search engine to find more information for the specific (anonymous) poster to find the information they are looking for: Little Italy Guide from Cleveland.com. You may need to pick up a phone and call someone to ask why their website is down or how they expect people to know about their un-posted events instead of resorting to aggressive and over-blown internet interaction which, while sometimes hilarious, is sort of rude.
In conclusion, to all you event planners out there let this go as a lesson to you. If you want someone to mention your event, let them know of it happening. Keep your event sites up to date and try to incorporate some sort of static resource of information so that the fine people of this city can come and visit you when you want us to.
Feel free to email me from the contacts link above to let me know of your events. If they are design/architecture/sustainable/beer-wine-food/bike/awesome related, chances are I will pass the information along.
Design Sponge City Guide - Don't forget about the Cleve.
What can I say? Despite the recent negative news about Cleveland corruption, etc. that I feel unnecessary to rehash here (you can find plenty of sources for that sort of stuff), it is nice to find that when some people think of Cleveland, they do so with a smile in their hearts.
Not a bad guide at all. If you are looking for something to do in your neighborhood this weekend (besides the Waterloo or Lakewood Arts Fest) I suggest you peruse this list.
So next time you are moaning and complaining, give one of these bits a read and perhaps grab some ideas on a way to change your view, for at least a little while.
Burning River Garden discovered - urban gardening right on the river
While wandering around downtown Cleveland on the 4th I stumbled across the Burning River Garden, a little urban pocket garden where the Veteran's Memorial Bridge meets W. 10th on the East Side of the Cuyahoga River.
The corner is a rather nice spot that gets some good afternoon sun and marks the East entry of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge Tour. According to the BRG website the plots were designed with future expansion of more gardens and perhaps a community park in mind. While the community garden offers a great opportunity for the inhabitants of the nearby apartment/condo buildings to get their fingers and toes in the dirt, it also creates a fine respite spot for workers of nearby buildings and in creating the garden, marked a space that offers rather nice vistas of the Cuyahoga (our most valuable yet ignored resource).
Built in partnership with the Summer Sprout Program these folks have created a series of hubs for community place building and interaction and in doing so have made the city that much more livable. If you would like help the summer sprout program call Connie Booth for details (513) 221-0981.
Special thanks to Beth from BRG for taking some time from digging and weeding to explain the garden to me.
I have been meaning to get out to the Cleveland State University campus and watch the painful demolition of Don Hisaka's 1974 student center. I was never one who was sold that the student center was a weak demarcation of the entrance to the campus, mostly because as a commuter school a proper entrance seemed unrealistic to expect. Now that CSU is moving to create more on site residence halls I can see the argument for necessitating a "proper entrance" however I fail to see why the student center needs to mark that entry or why, with such a strong entry face, it didn't mark it enough.
I also have to wonder why a school with a seemingly decent engineering division didn't retrofit the existing structure or choose a designer who dealt with structures that expressed engineering intellect. Granted some may not enjoy the Hisaka building and even call it brutalist due to the raw concrete and expressed structure and materiality but I would think that very foundation could create a proving ground for one of Cleveland State's hallmark divisions to undertake and exploit. These are the sort of lost opportunities that sadden me. These are the chances that institutions have to set themselves apart.
Regardless of the semantics of what new urbanism is required to "front the campus upon Euclid" or "organize a proper main street" the tentative kid gloved nature that has resulted in this demolition work, and the proposed befuddlement of style could be construed as misguided at best and insulting at worst. If Euclid is to be the new Cleveland "main street", then the front door of our institutions should do their best to intrigue as well as welcome. Otherwise, who is going to come knocking?
Drinking beer in a Cleveland Park on a Friday evening was once legal?
It was a perfect dreary morning for starting to begin reading through the ridiculously large pile of books that has accumulated near the living room chair (Not to be confused with the gigantic pile of unread books in the office. These take precedent, they are from the library). I thought I would start out with the smallest of the bunch, a softcover book published by the American Planning Association and written by Project for Public Spaces entitled Managing Downtown Public Spaces.
More of a manual to running various urban planning exercises then a book on urban theory there were still plenty of case studies and interesting stories (and images) supplied including references to one of the few movies I remembered sitting through in college called The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces which, regardless of the quality of video and era in which it was shot, is still a surprisingly relevant and humanistic approach to looking at shared public/private space.
I am not posting to bemoan Managing Downtown Public Spaces, I'm not, it was a quick read and actually gave me something to ponder, I am posting because Cleveland (I can only assume Ohio) was used as a case study of successful urban spaces multiple times, most noticeably referring a regularly planned public event that actually made more money then it cost to put on. Yup, an actual income generating event that the city had hosted to bring people downtown.
I haven't been able to find any information online in regards to this event. Supposedly it was hosted by the Greater Cleveland Growth Association (who has recently merged with the Greater Cleveland Partnership and took place every Friday during the summer between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, each time in a different section of town, with the idea to keep people downtown after work and expose them to businesses or parts of the city they "normally wouldn't see".
It was called "Party in the Park" and was started in 1969 (or so I can surmise). It was self supporting and in 1979 grossed a profit of $6000 according to PPS which was distributed to the non-profit organizations that volunteered services.
I just was wondering what had happened to it. I almost remember hearing about the event and am sort of sad that it either a) went away or b) doesn't advertise enough for me to know about it.
Rust belt cities suffer from the heavy mantle of industrial exodus. The loss of jobs is reflected in the loss of tax revenue which decreases the city's ability to maintain its infrastructure, pay for basic services such as education and protection and maintain amenities such as entertainment or arts.
While lands are left vacant waiting for the local economy to turn there exists the potential to use the extended lag periods to passively increase the viability of polluted city sites in order to take advantage of passing opportunity. Many phytoremediation or phytoextraction strategies could be utilized to remove or decrease toxins from the polluted soils of vacated manufacturing plants. Phytostabilization or phytotransformation are strategies for stabilizing/containing a pollutant and for breaking down organic pollutants such as pesticides.
Passing over the Cuyahoga this morning I wondered how difficult or expensive it would be to begin a phytoremediation program to clean up selected sites in The Flats that are not currently slated for any development or where development is many years off.
Would it make sense to begin natural clean up solutions to decrease the toxicity? Would it increase the inherent land value for resale? Could brownfield clean up grants be available for such a project and if so could educational institutions become involved as part of biology or environmental study groups to monitor progress and attempt various techniques?
Could Cleveland become the case study for phytoremediation techniques, utilizing the massive amounts of undeveloped, post-industrial, poisoned land and turning these sites into amenities such as public parks, nature reserves, community gardens while they sit unused waiting to be developed?
Would a program such as this take too long to have an affect? Are we waiting for something worthwhile or amazing to happen instead?
Getting close up to the old Cleveland Lifeboat Station #239
It was a glorious Saturday so the MarJ and I wanted to investigate the rumors that the Old Coast Guard Station had recently been made a bit more accessible.
We grabbed the camera and decided to check it out.
I have to admit that I have always been partial to the design of the station. Built in Art Moderne and designed by Cleveland architect J. Milton Dyer the station was a beautiful homage to nautical design. Years of neglect have compromised the structure but the current owner (the City of Cleveland) are currently looking at possible solutions to revitalize the site.
I am extremely excited about any plans to turn this part particular building into an amenity on the lake and feel that the design of the site should be preserved. I could not fathom a more well thought out and beautiful facility for that site, not that I would be one whom would preface any argument based upon the context of forcibly preserving historical precedence. I just believe that the design is an invaluable asset to the community and adds a much needed softness to our architectural vernacular. I am excited to keep tabs upon the future of this project.
Hopefully the increased access will result in greater attention. Make sure to visit it while the weather is nice and the building lasts.
Beyond all convention (center) - or - I wish I knew now what I knew back then
Back in 1903 or so Cleveland underwent a rather amazing thorough urban public works plan commonly referred to as "the Burnham Plan". This great plan resulted in public square, the malls and the orientation of downtown north to south reaching to the lake.
Over the years many facets of the plan were ignored or changed, the relocation of transit centers from the North side of Mall C (see the location of the Amtrak station to Tower City), portions of public space "readjusted" to become building sites. Somewhere around 1929 a convention center was built under Mall B. It is the replacement of this convention center, in conjunction with the proposed Medical Mart complex that was the purpose of a public forum tonight at the Centers for Families and Children.
Of the three county commissioners only Peter Lawson Jones was able to attend. Estimates of about 70 - 80 of the general public attended. There were various government officials (of which I probably couldn't spell their names correctly so I apologize in advance).
The forum opened with Lawson Jones giving a brief presentation on the program of the convention/medical mart complex and a brief history of how the system has operated to date. Then two of the many suggestions for possible sites were further explained.
First up was Will Vogle of Forest City Enterprises who was a proponent for the site adjacent to Tower City. Dubbed "the Riverview Site @ Tower City" the proposal had the same fault shared with other developments with such bucolic names by falling sort of the conjured mental image relative to such a lofty title. It also had the mission statement of creating "an indoor and outdoor, front door" which I think means that when you enter from the street you know where you are, but when you enter from the interior, you also know where you are. It wasn't that it was confusing, just unnecessary. While Forest City would be offering commercial space to leverage the Medical Mart the strengths were also what I considered the main weaknesses. In a nutshell it created a completely self contained community of connected hotels and transit that would make it not only possible but extremely convenient to come into town for a convention and never leave the building. While that might bode extremely well for the business plan, for the city and the region is seems counter productive to the city as a whole. The project as a whole created a 7 story structure (4 levels of parking) directly on the banks of the Cuyahoga, creating a sheer canyon wall (with 4 levels of party) as the new Western image of the city.
While I don't want to beat on Will too much he did mention how the project would be designed via a "competition" (probably to the chagrin of HNTB who worked on the proposal with Forest City) that would strive to create an "architectural iconic building" that would "green" and whatever other buzzword could be tossed out to the hungry attention starved masses.
The second presentation was by Gene Baxendale of Osborne Engineering who presented a proposal done by LMN, Madison International and Bostwick Design Partnership which consisted of redesigning the existing convention center to handle modern exhibitions, refurbish the auditorium complex to the east and open up the site south of the current administration building for the Medical Mart which would put it right on Public Square. The Mall B&C proposal offered the most elegant solutions which seemed to offer the best opportunity to invigorate street life along a typically empty urban area while still allowing the Mall to retain it's usage as a public space. It also made allowances for connecting to the Lake via a pedestrian bridge that would cross the train tracks and highway and allow easy access to the Science Center and Rock Hall while creating back of house access that would allow trucks to utilize loading areas without having to traverse downtown streets from the highway.
After both presentations the public was allowed to speak. Most of the general public voiced the opinion that the Mall B plan was favored to the Tower City Plan. I would have to agree due to the statements above and also because...
It would allow for a connection to be made to the Amtrak Station increasing the value of passenger rail travel.
It would create an easy access to Browns stadium, the Rock Hall and the Science Center which unfortunately are currently cut off from the rest of the city.
It allows for design statements to be subtle and controlled instead of an overindulging complex that would possibly overwhelm the context of the Burnham Plan and create an uncomfortable exterior space.
The Mall B plan is more centrally located to parking, hotels, restaurants than the Tower City plan which is bordered by the Cuyahoga and therefore loses an entire side to ease of access.
It would be similar distance to the Red Line as the Tower City Sight and both sites are directly on the Health Line around Public Square.
The important thing is that the people of the city are able to be involved in the planning and site selection for what could be the most important project with the greatest potential to change the fate of the city for the near future. It will a project that requires not only our scrutiny but also our diligence and care in order to make sure that it measures up to our necessary standards.
While it may look as if Mall B of downtown Cleveland has recently been invaded by some sort of weird alien pod people, what we are really witnessing is an amazing installation by Peter and Alissa North of North Design Studio. Complete with solar powered glowing spheres and strips of native field grasses the occupation of a formal park with natural objects and objectification is rather intriguing.
I think it is wondrous and beautiful and applaud the simplicity of execution.
Cleveland Public Art (click on the Mall B link) has the artist's statement which says it so much better.
It was a beautiful day downtown, the sun was setting, the city sparkled and the malls reminded me of how beautiful a formal city park could be. If there would have been a soft pretzel vendor about I would have been the happiest guy in town. Take an evening or a lunch and go check it out. I am unsure if there will be a ceremonial groundbreaking or whatever but it is out for everyone to see so you really don't have to wait.
I had heard rumors that the new bridge was officially open and decided to bike on over to Whiskey Island, one of my favorite parks in/around the city (once all the dead chad sink) to see for myself.
Apparently I was a day late for the official opening of the bridge but no bother, I will simply relish that it is open, wide enough for two cars to cross in opposite directions at the same time while also having a safe side bridge for pedestrian access.
While I have to admit I am a little disappointed that Burning River Fest changed venue to Nautica instead of Whiskey Island. I fear the reasoning was to accommodate more automobiles, which seems counter intuitive to the whole notion of the Burning River Fest. Actually I am a little saddened by the prospect that it will not be on the banks of a green lake park but rather shuffled off to take place on some asphalt oasis alongside the river surrounding by the empty hulks of our fallen industrial might.
However I do hope that this improved access will attract the people of downtown who would like another glorious spot to enjoy our all too short summers on the banks of the mighty Lake Erie and notorious Cuyahoga River overlooking (underlooking?) downtown. The views from the river portion of the park are much better than what I took from the bridge. Of course you should go and judge for yourselves.
In order to facilitate a reasonable representation of the design capability of Northeast Ohio, LAUNCH Cleveland has put together an online survey in hopes of creating a centralized community of designers.
Why? To help clients find designers that are relative to the project, to help employees find compatible employers and vice-versa. All while proving that there is talent and interest in our area.
Every so often LAUNCH will have a more in-depth interview with a selected respondent and will showcase some selected works to demonstrate a cross section of local design.
Granted this has just started so there isn't much to show right now, but watch it grow and more importantly help it out by spreading the word to local designers who wouldn't mind the exposure!
Imagery and opinion expressed within reflect only upon the speaking members of TOIstudio. In no comprehendable way can they be construed as representative of the thoughts and/or opinions of anyone but the person who wrote it. Chances are that our own opinions will fluctuate greatly over the course of our lifetime anyway. If you would like to quote, paraphase or use an image, please ask for permission from it's creator(s).
