It has been four years since this experiment in attempting to complete a long cohesive thought, based primarily on design, Cleveland-centric and environmentally mindful being at the forefront. I admit I am still attempting to parse out the metric of success.
At the formation there were to be some strict guidelines. This was not my dayplanner (although I like posting on happenings that I think I will enjoy and then as an afterthought perhaps put up some thoughts and photos of said event), I will attempt to refrain from posting snarky only commentary (that didn't last long), and I will attempt to concentrate on Cleveland. There are some things I have learnt from the past four years.
1. I do not in any way envy Steven Litt. Writing on Cleveland based architecture and design, playing to politics and being mindful of the minefield that is "popular opinion" would most likely make me homicidal. Litt strikes the fine balance of playing nice and playing often in such a way as to not offend. Of course a side product is that nothing useful is typically said, however some gems pop through unexpectedly (specifically lately) although one (perhaps anyone paying attention) would argue not enough.
2. The environmental movement in Cleveland is strong and progressive. There are strong portents of a good future everywhere, however once an organization is formed that one can get involved with the bureaucracy gelds it. Luckily there is enough "little" things going on where one won't become completely bitter.
3. There is a commission for that. For everything. The bureaucracy that I lament as hindering progress is strong. Everyone wants to feel important instead of just doing things. It would be rather humorous if it didn't slow down progress to the point of entropy. See the Group Plan Commission for more recent specifics. The nice thing is that if plans are happening in the city that one doesn't care for one only has to wait for it to implode under the weight of the involved egos. Eventually a new government moves in and new commissions are formed and everything goes back to start.
4. Cleveland needs stronger design presence downtown. Design doesn't need Cleveland. CWRU losing it's architecture program was a great loss to the city of Cleveland. CIA is underutilized as an idea incubator. CSU and CWRU have great potential for new small business in Cleveland, the sort that could make the city great again. KSU CAED needs a stronger presence in either Akron or Cleveland (I hope they grow the one in Cleveland). Great design requires non-insulated fresh, young minds coupled with those with experience. Design solves problems, great design can solve problems greatly.
5. Cleveland's greatest hinderer is it's potential. It is unlimited. Coupled with the bureaucracy and fear of things relatively new and shiny it can be an unfortunate bear trap. If one were to add in the nepotism and croynism that even dogs on the street recognize one is surprised that there are any businesses in town not owned by a member of the government's family.
6. Cleveland is an amazing city. Despite for the most part being a boring design city, with slow implementation of new ideas and a propensity for self destructive tendencies it is a relatively cheap place to live (if you can find a job), has some interesting amenities (public transit, the Lake, easy access to almost everything, decent colleges, parks, etc.) that can keep one pretty busy and happy. There is an enormous amount of people "trapped" here by the potential and the surge that has been brewing for the past 20 years is bound to break eventually. Or is that more of the trap?
So in what new direction will the new year point this blog? I have a couple ideas. I miss the snarky. Playing nice is boring. Also, I plan to get less involved overall and more involved specifically. Confusing? Probably. As a third I think there needs to be a consistent push to concentrate on the specific issues noted above. I don't know what self indulgent power makes me believe I would have any input on those topics, but one more mind into the fray, cannon fodder at least, probably isn't a bad thing.
We will have to see how long those resolutions last.
