Ameritrust Tower Still in Peril

Cuyahoga County looks to reopen bidding for Ameritrust complex after K&D deal falls short. Threatens moving ahead with tower demolition and administration complex construction if suitable bidder isn't found.

Plain Dealer writes all about it

Wow.

I knew the KD deal was weak but I didn't realize that the County was angling to use its failure as an excuse to move forward with poor planning decisions (the implementation of the original Ameritrust plan). I wish the FBI would step in and start investigating the County government's current deals regarding the Airport and the Amertitrust tower if only to create a 'clean slate' from which citizens of Cuyahoga County could begin to judge and function.

While the Corridor project moves forward and small sparks of vitality start to ignite within downtown I still find myself worrying that without the proper support for new ideas, proposals and plans that the region will stagnate even after a massive influx of capital.

Granted while the current Avenue plan is bringing people downtown it isn't attracting the sort of citizen interested in an urban lifestyle. The marketing scheme seems more centered on moving the 'suburban dream' to downtown. Granted that without infrastructure to support downtown denizens this seems like a logical and viable plan as residents will have to commute back to the suburbs for certain events, attractions and shopping. Perhaps this reverse suburbanization is the proper plan. Let the outskirts become the central business/retail districts and concentrate habitation in an unsupported urban center.

Although even that comment is unfair. There is some shopping and nightlife areas still open downtown, probably more than there were last year, and it does seems as if certain projects are underway to make Cleveland even more livable. There just needs to be the people to exploit that (Granted winter is a poor time for any sort of empirical study as most stay in their warm comfy homes rather than explore the outside.

The question though, is whether the government is truly attempting to support the region or just trying to find ways to profit personally from it. The major recent projects seemed to have been botched from the beginning. The Airport Expansion, the Lakefront Development, the County Administration, the Innerbelt Bridge/Trench and possibly the Medical Mart projects all share the same heavy handed approach that seemed to lack the finesse and logical approach (or even strong willed decision making) that would have resulted in acceptable implementation. Instead we are left with the very distinct taste of projects that would 'revitalize the city' failing at inception.

Somehow the Euclid Corridor project has moved forward and even though there are definitely some growing pains it is already possible to see the fruits of the project if only to recognize that Euclid does indeed look and 'feel' better (in the areas finished). Will it be enough to attract people and businesses back downtown? Maybe but honestly it is better than nothing.

1/3 Movie Night, 2008 02.21

1/3 Movie Night
2008 02.21
Bela Dubby Coffee House
7pm +/-

1:3 Movie Night is proud to present Baraka as the featured movie of the week.

No plot, no storyline, no acting.

Baraka, filmed in 24 different countries means "blessing" in multiple languages.

A film about the inter-connectedness of human life through powerful
imagery, transcending spoken word.

2008 Skyscraper Competition: Evolo

08 Skyscraper

2008 design competition launched by international organization :eVolo.

There is no site, height or shape restriction on proposed designs however the skyscraper design should be 'technologically feasible' and 'environmentally responsible'.

Registration date is 2008 02.19
Registration fee is $40 US per team
Submission is due 2008 02.26 (23:00 US EST)
Electronic submission (2; 24x48 HORIZONTAL boards) via email

I just had received word of this competition. I know that it comes at an unfortunate time and may conflict with all your busy AFH competition schedules, etc. However if you have the time and want to try to stretch your brain a tad more it could be quite fun. Check out the previous winners. The submissions are quite amazing.

Tremont Art Walk

Friday, February 8th, 2008
Tremont Art Hop/Walk/Skip/Jump....
6pm - 10pm
Tremont Neighborhood of Cleveland Ohio

One of my favorite little reasons to wander around Tremont.

somewhat out of date resources:
ArtHop

You had me at "beer" - City Fresh Monday at GLBC

City Fresh "Farm Link - Cultivating Next Generation Farmers"
Monday, February 18th
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Beer Cellar
6-8pm

City Fresh's next monthly Monday meeting will present a forum hosted by Chris Norman of the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy.

RSVP's are not required but are suggested.

If you are looking to an event where you can quaff some fine brews and discuss agrarian urban living for more environmentally friendly and community based lifestyles than I think I have found the event for you.

By the by, word on the street is that the infamous Blackout Stout is now on tap in the brewpub and scheduled to show up at your local neighborhood grocer or Wine House (Rozi's) or local drinking hole (Melt/Buckeye Beer Engine) which is a very good current reason to like this town.

Resources:
New Agrarian Center
Great Lakes Brewing Company

LAUNCH 1/3 Movie Night

Thursday, Feb. 7th, 2008

As part of the LAUNCH plan to have things that happen (rather scary in how uncomplicated the main purpose is to divulge) part of the LAUNCH crew has put together the 1/3 Movie Night, a bimonthly (as in twice a month) showcase of favorite movies that have some sort of cinematic or design bent to be shown for free on the first and third Thursday of the month

You can discover more at ClevelandDesignCity until I get off my duff and get the LAUNCHcleveland webbernet site up and running.

The first movie is 'F is for Fake', so join us at Bela Dubby's for a good movie and a great time*.

*I think that was my first official cheesy tagline.

Sick of being known as an 'underdog'

With only hours left until the ultimate American Football experience of the year I find myself wondering who I will root for. Since Cleveland didn't make it I don't really hold that much in the way of alliances for other teams.

While I hope the contest is a good one (I won't be watching it, I will be at work) I find the opportunity for one team to have an entire season undefeated rather inspiring. However, while mulling this over I started to wonder what the 'typical' Cleveland reaction would be.

Should a true Clevelander root for the underdog since that is how we constantly see ourselves or could a true Clevelander appreciate the hard work and effort that would go into a perfect season, thus representing the idealized end goal of undertaking?

Granted this is a silly thought but it has stuck with me since the morning when I remembered that Super Bowl was today (I am totally out of it) and I wonder how someone would validate their choice. Is Cleveland truly an underdog? Are we constantly scrambling against the 'big, old boys' to grab some of the pie for ourselves or is that only the facade we wish to embrace as a safety mechanism for failure. I suppose it seems safer to say "Hey, no one really expected us to do anything, I mean, look at us" if an undertaking went sour but I actually loathe that approach. It makes efforts seem half hearted and defeatist and I would rather not perpetuate that mindset any more than I have to.

The other option would be to root for the perfect season. To have something to hold up to as an impressive standard that may seem impossible but at the same time has been proven to be possible. I guess I rather like that point of view. Sure, life is hard. Things are difficult. If you want something you may have to really work to get it. Is that really so bad?

I suppose this rant has its impetus with some current events transpiring locally and internationally where I start to question the validity of a few assumptions that seem to be bandied about overly frequently. Assumptions that I do not feel the need to go into great depth right now.

However, as you sit back with friends, family or whomever you are surrounded with, catching brief glimpses of a sporting event in between the adverts for beers and trucks and cell phones you may want to question if whom you are rooting for has to do with your particular outlook on life and whether or not you are happy with it.

If you are, then fine.

Me? I think I am going to root for the Patriots today for no other reason than I can appreciate a little perfection now and again.

The flavor of invention - oscillating tension belts may answer questions poised by microturbines

Inspired by the vibrations wind forces produced upon the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Shawn Frayne suspended a taut membrane with coils between two small magnets which, when exposed to a low wind can create enough electricity to power small devices such as lighting or clock radios. The current project was developed for rural areas without electrical infrastructure however it is hoped that the current design can be scaled up somewhat to produce more power without the inevitable noise problems.

There is a pretty snazzy video interview and some diagrams on this Popular Mechanics webpage.

While not every idea solves every problem perfectly, it is little ideas like this that I really appreciate as they show how solutions to our perceived problems could already be staring us right in the face.

All we have to do is learn how to look around.

The 'Euc' is back...

I was trying to remember the last time I was at the Euclid Tavern. I can almost pick it out of the smokey haze of what I assume are high school memories. Was it that long ago? Was it the first time I had seen a 'Church of the Subgenius' sticker outside of the house?

I suppose growing up in the abundance of Cleveland folk-lore and surrounded by the hopes and dreams of living in a vibrant rock and roll city gave the Euclid Tavern a reputation that may be hard to live up to.

Regardless. Among years of rumors and months of speculation the Tavern has thrown open its doors and is already booking musical acts to rekindle of legacy of a primier local venue.

I suppose now it is our job to support it.

Euclid-tavern.com

-special thanks to Marc at studioTechne for the heads up.

Millenium School Competition

Millenium School Competition

Registration Deadline - 2008 Feb.29 (leap year day!)

I know I have started throwing some competitions up here lately as the season is beginning (I don't know why so many always hit in the winter to spring time), usually at great inconvienence to myself and my schedule (dang it) however with all the recent discussion on how difficult it is to get your message/talent/vision out there I find these idea competitions a wonderful way to at least keep the mind nice and agile.

The Millenium School is a "design competition for school buildings in developing countries located in the tropics". Designs have to withstand many natural forces (typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes) as well as be cost effective and have use and site flexibility. Sounds like a fun project for anyone.

You can read more about the mission and timeline on the web site that would probably be more succint and current than I could keep here.

Viktor Schreckengost passes away

Word came down the wire today that Viktor Schreckengost had passed away Saturday while visiting family in Tallahassee, Florida.

A spry 101 Viktor will be remembered fondly for his toys (I remember my pedal wagon fondly), his prolific love of functional design and the creation of Cleveland Institute's of Art Industrial Design Department.

A native Ohioan who had currently resided in Cleveland Heights he will be sorely missed. Cleveland lost an amazing talent this weekend.

resources:

Viktor Schreckengost dot org

Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion - in preparation of the 26th.

I couldn't make the upcoming LAUNCH trip to the Glass Pavilion so I packed up the car, grabbed the delightful MarJ and headed west towards Toledo.

We first went through the Museum of Art (due diligence states we had to see the main building since we were there anyway). I could go into all the pieces that I saw and enjoyed at that museum but really I was mostly just excited to cross the street and look at the Glass Pavilion.

My first thought was that it was a lot 'shorter' than it seemed in pictures which is fine. My second thought was 'Gee, that is quite a bit of curved glass, I wonder where it all came from'. I remember from an MMFX conference that large curved glass sheets are difficult to come by in the States. A little digging led us to the information that the glass was from China but curved in Germany before finding a home in Toledo. Quite the environmental footprint.

It was also uncovered that the plenum between the exterior glass skin and the interior rooms was heated in winter (while the main interior spaces were cooled) and that the 'wasted space' between the walls was to achieve the proper thermal barrier.

Regardless the building was quite nice. MarJ and I couldn't decide if it was the vistas or the way that the interior views were constantly layered and reflected that allowed such a 'raw' and 'cold' building to seem warm, welcoming and at times, intimate.

I spent quite a bit of time pointing out the fine detailing (much to MarJ's chagrin I am sure) and would like to congratulate the teams that constructed the building, the client for taking such an amazing leap of faith and of course SANAA for pushing forward with such a beautiful design.

I won't go on further as you should take the trip yourself.

We are all in this together...

Earlier this week the True Art Gallery in Collinwood, Ohio was broken into. 33 art pieces by various local independent artists were taken as well as some of the 'usual business fair' of a computer, stereo system and the gallery phones.

One has to wonder the intent of stealing from a local gallery that is showing typically 'unknown' work. Not only would it be extremely difficult to profit from taking these pieces (I have no idea where you sell them) some of them were rather large and cumbersome so it wasn't a matter of sheer convenience.

Whether this will truly be a blow to the burgeoning Collinwood Area which is currently undergoing a renaissance of sorts is yet to be seen. It may just be the event to catalyze the neighborhood to unify for greater security and safety by spurring inhabitants to keep a better watch on the street and to call in suspicious behavior to the local police.

My heart goes out to the owners of True Art Gallery and the artists and I hope that the pieces can be found and returned.

A $500 reward is being offered for information on the theft. Call 216.486.0859 or the Cleveland police at 216.623.5618.

LAUNCH Roadtrip - Toledo Art Museum Glass Pavilion

Back Seat Architect: Toledo Glass Pavilion
Saturday, January 26th, 2008

In the spirit of seeing what the world has to offer (at least our conveniently located corner) and in lieu of the last roadtrip up to the Henry Ford Museum and Cranbrook some members of the local LAUNCH community (who's new website I am attempting to work on in all my spare time) are organizing another roadtrip to sunny Toledo. Home of the Mud Hens, Klinger, Pilkington Glass and the first non-smoking music venue I ever went to.

This funtime excursion will be to explore the Toledo Glass Pavilion which was designed by SANAA ltd. of which Kazuyo Sejima will be lecturing at Carnegie Mellon on Jan. 22nd.

I suggest if you have the time, would like to talk design with some local folks or just want an excuse to visit the Delmenhorst of the Midwest I would suggest you see Bradley of ClevelandDesignCity who is organizing this event about sharing a ride (save the planet and all that).