Local firm beats out international competition?! Well, not here.

Nope, in Belfast where local Belfast firm Hackett + Hall Architects romped out the competition of more then 100 international firms for the prize of designing the Belfast Metropolitan Arts Center which will replace the Old Museum Arts Centre.

The competition was organized by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

I could easily take the time and effort to state some observations about local firms being turned away from projects, or very seclusive RFP (request for proposal) invitations, or even how some institutions constantly run interesting competitions in order to attract the best design work.

But I won't, I am too busy packing stuff up. TOIstudio should be moving to new actual physical digs soon which will hopefully include some interesting studio and gallery space. Keep your peepers peeled for an update. Lots of work to do!

Breuer Tower Ingenuity Extension

Well, the deadline for the Ingenuity Fest 2007's 'what would YOU do with the Breuer Tower?' has been moved to accommodate international interest (and possibly to get all the lazy Clevelanders involved somewhat so Steve Litt doesn't have to write an article about how we don't even care about things going on in our own backyard).

If one were so inclined to look for information on the subject, one could click here, just ignore the deadline on that flyer, AIA Cleveland does try to be on top of things, this one was just a quick change.

Of course, with the slimy as all get out way that the County is attempting to raise the money for their admin building project one would have to wonder if maybe there is anyway to knock sense into that infernal machine. Seriously, am I the only person suspect of a tax increase that doesn't HAVE TO BE VOTED ON BY THE GENERAL POPULATION in which money is earmarked for a highly contested COUNTY BUILDING which already reeks of corruption and poor decision making? I think the idea of a convention center and medical mart in the city is fine. Good. Bring people here. Heck, if we get a convention center maybe the Rock Hall could host something in this town. Maybe a one of a kind medical mart could tap into our educational prowess and put this region on the map for something other then being poor. Just don't try to tack on a rider to fund some awful project that will be a black eye for the city.

Although the whole debacle does seem like good practice for someone if they are making a run for the capital. Pork barrel spending on our small town seems like a bad idea. A friend of mine keeps wondering, how much money could the county save if they cut out some of the deadwood in their current administration? I don't know. Maybe enough for another Silver Line?

Just sayin' is all.

It isn't about 'camping'

Last Friday (June 15th) Cleveland police closed down the "tent city" under the pedestrian bridges by Cleveland Browns Stadium. Officials claimed it wasn't because they were creating an eyesore but rather that the area was not equipped to handle a tent city.

Quick link you can google more.

Meanwhile some communities are attempting to raise awareness to the plight of the homeless by creating their own tent villages in protest. The actions are already spurring an increase in awareness and funding which will increase the operating hours of shelters and provide safer environments for those in need.

Now Cleveland does have some image issues (ghost town of a downtown, severe lack of nightlife/entertainment, major downtown cultural institutions randomly closed, declining population) but our homeless situation seems like one that we could actually attempt to handle. There are solutions coming into place such as Emerald Commons which is providing housing and services to homeless and disabled individuals and there are many models to look up to such as

I am curious, what with all the landbank, empty, vacant land around the city, would there be an issue with creating a place that has access to public washroom and perhaps some power? I know the argument against allowing the homeless to camp anywhere is that the locations they choose are not camp grounds (and the NIMBY mentality). Perhaps the simple solution may be to provide some sort of facility that offers the freedom many desire but still provides the basic services to promote some ideas of health (clean, running water, etc).

I don't know, it is early and I am tired.

Some good links...
Cleveland Homeless blog
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeles

Bus Rapid Transit 2007 Planning Guide

I know I had mentioned Kent State's Transit Waiting Environment before and may have mentioned how I was extremely disappointed with the new Silver Line stations, not only aesthetically but also because they were not designed nor fabricated in Cleveland.

Anyway.

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy recently released their BRT Planning Guide - June 2007 which is full of interesting case studies, diagrams, etc. I highly suggest you take a gander at this (or some of it) 824 page pdf document. Oh yeah, it is a biggie!

In it are specific examples of busways versus buslanes, how to control use, how to masterplan and how to fund as well as some infrastructure cost calculators.

Break Time

TOIstudio will be taking a vacation for a bit. I am not trying to forsake all my 'blogospherical friends' or what not. I just need some me time to figure out, well, the future. TOIstudio is attempting to create an actual physical existence in the form of an actual experimental design studio and that is taking up a lot of my time.

I should be back soon, maybe.

Until then go ahead and forward on an article about how to begin being green brought to you by the good people over at Treehugger.