Saturday, January 24, 2009

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.

resources:
Cleveland's Group Plan - Proceedings of the Eighth National Conference on City Planning, Cleveland, June 5-7, 1916 - a surprisingly still relevant read.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Waterloo Walls call for Artists

Deadline: February 27, 2009
Submission:
one page bio
project description
concept sketches

Waterloo Walls



Resources:
application

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

This strange new feeling...

...stirs within. Something that I haven't felt for quite some time. What is this strange new companion? Hope? Is this what hope actually feels like? Respect? Is that what this is? Some odd mixture? Hopspect?

We watched the festivities in the office today starting from when we finally figured out how to get the projector to function with the new video cards (around 11.15am) until our MSNBC feed finally gave up (right after Obama's speech).

There was something there though, in that speech, that made me feel slightly more comfortable than I have in quite some time. I apologize for this aside, I typically tend to stay clear of political conversation unless to comment upon a specific action so I mean this in no way as a blanket endorsement.

The strength of the language, the clarity of the rhetoric (even unspecified at times) made me very proud of my country right then. Not to say that I am usually un-proud although at time my pride may fluctuate depending on particular actions. There was conviction there. A call to arms that rang loud and clear and without quiver. That to truly achieve greatness we must unite, we most lead by example and make our success the envy and model of others to not only emulate, but to aspire to. Coupled with the previous day's community service the new Presidential Family undertook, I can appreciate the strength in that very ideal.

We have heard quite a bit of verbose statements in these past four or five years, at times questionable, typically to be taken on face value and repeated ad nausea until taken as truth. However we have also lately heard comments from both parties that they will strive to reach across the aisle, work together, work for the common good of the American people, be transparent and accountable. We have heard all these promises from almost everyone who had the fortune of having a microphone shoved into their face and I find that we are now particularly lucky to have the opportunity to test the merit of that bravado.

We, as a society, may truly be on the brink of a new and exciting age, faced with some of the greatest crisis in not only our own short history, the possibility lifts its lumbering head. Will we truly take the opportunity to work together and forge an image of strength and power once again for our country or will we squander what could possibly be one of our last chances before we finally drift away whimpering and beaten?

Should any forget, this new opportunity is not solely for those in positions of leadership in Washington but also for every man, woman and child that calls this nation home. We must take the model of leading by example, we must emulate our role models, taking on the characteristics we most cherish and invigorate our communities into action. We must learn to take responsibility, to hold ourselves accountable , we must act when it is called for and tirelessly prepare for our uncertain future in anticipation and care.

There were many great ideas strung together today, there was an amazing message, there was defiance and strength and a plea for Americans to be the sort of Americans they themselves respect. We must lead by example, we must rebuild our nation.

We have been given the opportunity and our foundation is strong.