Advocacy & Safety - Cleveland Mayor Concepts to Close Public Square to Cars

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thdave
10-31-11, 02:31 PM
I was intrigued by this article and the history of Public Square.

Thoughts?

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2011/10/cleveland_mayor_frank_jackson.html

B. Carfree
10-31-11, 04:38 PM
To explore the possibility, the city is working with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which has hired a traffic consultant to study whether it’s possible to close one or both of the cross streets in the square.

Possible? I should think it is quite possible. Whether it is politically prudent may be another matter. I've never been to Cleveland, but the aerial of the square was anything but impressive. They really have their work cut out for them if they want to make it a desirable place to be and closing a couple of streets to cars is the right start.
chipcom
10-31-11, 05:07 PM
I'm still pissed that they tore down the Sportsman's for that danged medical mart project. If they mess with Jake's for this one, I'm gonna climb the freakin Terminal Tower with Jackson's ole lady in my hand. :notamused:

genec
10-31-11, 05:20 PM
I'm still pissed that they tore down the Sportsman's for that danged medical mart project. If they mess with Jake's for this one, I'm gonna climb the freakin Terminal Tower with Jackson's ole lady in my hand. :notamused:

No doubt a gun reference... but never heard of it... care to elaborate? Just curious.
Keith99
10-31-11, 05:33 PM
Looks like a pretty wild idea to me. Ontario is one of the 2 streets going through the park and the 2 nearest streets to both sides of it do not go through. Yea, great idea, kill the only through street for a significant distance.

Looking at the google view it seems the Mall just Northeast would make a lot more sense.
thdave
10-31-11, 05:58 PM
I'm still pissed that they tore down the Sportsman's for that danged medical mart project. If they mess with Jake's for this one, I'm gonna climb the freakin Terminal Tower with Jackson's ole lady in my hand. :notamused:

Yeah, I think the Medical Mart will be a big failure. It's hard to imagine that project changing the way medical types buy/sell their goods.

I almost didn't read the article because I've rarely been impressed with Jackson, especially with regard to the Medical Mart. But this makes a lot of sense, especially given Public Square history.

Also, he's letting these pedicabs operate in downtown. My wife and I rode one two weeks back--it was great. No fee--tips only. He's been an advocate for similar things in the past.
genec
10-31-11, 08:17 PM
No doubt a gun reference... but never heard of it... care to elaborate? Just curious.

Oops, apparently not a gun reference at all... Jackson is just the Mayor, and apparently and his ole lady is I suppose the wife. Dang, I thought I was learning some new interesting metaphor.

Oh well.

Regarding the OP... sure I am all for it... do we really need motor traffic to go "everywhere?" Maybe if we were encouraged to get out of the things from time to time we may actually improve our health... or at least breath some fresh air.
iforgotmename
11-04-11, 10:45 AM
It's an interesting proposition but public square is a very busy area and I am wondering what they will do with the auto/bus traffic. I recently had a great view of the square as I was hanging off the side of the Renasaince, a lot of traffic.

I also miss the sportsman...great breakfast sandwiches.

The med mart is bringing a lot of jobs to those of us in the trades, let's just hope that they can make it work.