Happy New Year

Finally...

Just finished the new blog settings. I like this set-up much better. I felt cramped with the previous one. Any comments or suggestions?

More Innerbelt Bridge News

Last weeks PLanning Commision meeting needed to be over at noon in order to make room for flu shot distribution. So there was one person who wanted to speak that was never heard. That person was Ed Hauser. He did speak with Chairman Tony Coyne for a little bit afterwords, but I am not sure to what extent. It is this reason that I am republishing his statement and handout that should have been part of the public record, but probably was not included.

From NeoBridge.net:

Preliminary Assessment Findings - Request for ODOT to Reconsider the Cleveland Innerbelt Bridge Alternative for the Southern Bridge Alignment

December 21, 2005
To: Gordon Proctor
Director, Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43223


From: Ed Hauser
11125 Lake Avenue #402
Cleveland, OH 44102

Distribution List:

Interested Citizens, Organizations, Public Officials, and the Media
U.S. Senators: George Voinovich, Mike DeWine
U.S. Representatives: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Dennis Kucinich
FHWA Ohio Office: Herman Rodrigo, Director-Program Development; Dennis Decker, Division Administrator;
 Victoria Peters, Director- Office of Engineering & Operations
Governor of Ohio- Robert Taft
Ohio Senators: Representing Greater Cleveland Districts
Ohio Representatives: Representing Greater Cleveland Districts
ODOT District 12: David Coyle, Deputy Director; Craig Hebebrand, Innerbelt Plan Project Manager
Ohio Lake Erie Commission: Members
Ohio Historic Preservation Office- Franco Ruffini, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Cuyahoga County Commissioners: Tim Hagan, President; Jimmy Dimora, Peter Lawson Jones
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission: Members
Mayor of Cleveland- Jane Campbell
Mayor Elect of Cleveland- Frank Jackson
Cleveland City Council: Members
Cleveland City Planning Commission: Members

Dear Director Proctor:

As a citizen, I have participated in ODOT's Cleveland Innerbelt Plan from the first meeting in 2001 through last week's meeting at the Cleveland City Planning Commission. I will share my findings in this preliminary assessment that focuses on the Innerbelt Bridge Alternatives. The overall finding is that ODOT must reconsider the Southern Bridge Alignment Alternative for the reasons brought forth below. At this time, there is insufficient information available to the public and inadequate explanations why the Southern Bridge Alignment Alternative was removed from further consideration.

Please respond to this request in five business days and add this preliminary assessment request to the public record under "public comments." I will submit a separate public records request (FOIA) to ODOT's public information officer regarding the public records for the Cleveland Innerbelt Bridge Alternatives.

Overview of Findings

The county planning commission submitted an alternative plan for a southern bridge alignment in March 2003 that was removed from further consideration by ODOT in June 2005. The only reason the South Bridge plan was removed can be found in the minutes of the Urban Core Projects Advisory Committee on June 9, 2005- “Paul Dorothy added that the Southern Alignment for the bridge has been removed from further consideration because it would require taking the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation on the south end of the bridge.”

However, it seems that there was an alternative that wouldn't take the church, as mentioned in those minutes, “Paul Alsenas said at the last Committee meeting, a Southern Alternative was shown that allowed the church to remain.” Also, during the last three public meetings, ODOT acknowledged that the Southern Bridge plan is “feasible.”

The question remains- Why was the South Bridge plan removed from further consideration? ODOT still has to provide us a timely and logical answer to that question, before choosing the final bridge alignment. Without a clear answer to that question, public records need to be inspected to find the answer.

ODOT is Proceeding Without Full Consideration of All Public Comments Being Gathered

Up to now, there has been an overwhelming public response for ODOT to reconsider southern bridge alignment plan. It seems that public input does not enter into the equation when ODOT decides how a half-billion dollars of our tax money is spent for the new Innerbelt Bridge. ODOT stated that they will not reconsider the southern bridge alignment although they admit the plan is feasible.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't ODOT using public money for both the Innerbelt Bridge project and for their salaries? Why did ODOT hire consultants to design a half-billion dollar bridge that does not have public consensus? As the old saying goes, “don't bite the hand that feeds you,” meaning that public servants work for the public and must listen to what we tell them! At this time ODOT has no intention to reconsider the Southern Bridge Alignment Plan.

ODOT has already selected the bridge design team for its “recommended” northern bridge alignment plan. That means the taxpayers are paying a bridge design team without ODOT addressing the public comments from the last round of public meetings and the comments that will be submitted through the end of January. The main question here is- Will ODOT will correct its official Transportation Development Process? If ODOT corrects its process, the best alternative for the bridge alignment will emerge.

Top Ten Reasons Why ODOT Must Reconsider the Southern Bridge Alignment Plan:

10. ODOT's removal of the South Bridge plan is invalid because Greek Orthodox Church can remain. ODOT must clearly explain why the Southern Bridge Alignment Alternative was removed from further consideration, after acknowledging that the plan is feasible.

9.Public comments gathered so far, support the South Bridge plan. Public comments submitted to ODOT for the Innerbelt Plan must be posted on its website.

8.ODOT has hired the bridge designers prior to compiling and addressing all public comments gathered through the deadline in January.

7.U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission and most importantly the public supports an independent review for the South Bridge plan.

6.No cost analysis for the South Bridge span, which is hundreds of feet shorter than the North Bridge. The only cost analysis has been for the North Bridge alignments.

5.No economic impact study for the North or South Bridge plans. Economic Impact Studies for both the Northern and Southern Bridge Alignment Alternatives must be completed and assessed prior to the final decision of the alignment. There are differences between the Northern and Southern Bridge Alignments regarding the amount and location of prime land that would be opened up.

4.No engineering analysis for the South Bridge plan. There are differences between the Northern and Southern Bridge Alignments in the approaches to the Central Interchange and the ramp closures.

3.The Historic Preservation Act requires that all alternatives be examined prior to demolishing a structures or property eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. ODOT's “Recommended Preferred Alternative” for the North Bridge takes property eligible for the NRHP. The Innerbelt Bridge is also within the boundary of the Ohio Coastal Management Program, therefore the bridge development must be consistent with OCMP policies.

2.Step 6 (current step) of ODOT's Transportation Development Process states “The decision to carry forward more than one alternative is permissible. If more than one alternative is reasonable and there are no major difference in the level of potential impacts among the alternative, then all of those alternatives should be carried forward through the evaluations in this step."

1.ODOT must Reconsider the South Bridge Plan to cultivate public trust and confidence in ODOT. The implementation of ODOT's "Transportation Development Process" is flawed and needs to be corrected immediately, to fulfill its requirement for a "balanced consideration of alternatives and impacts." It is clear, for the reasons stated above, that certain requirements and obligations in ODOT's official process have not been met.

Conclusion

Step 6 is very critical in the determination of what bridge alignment we will have live with for the next 50-100 years. It will also have a tremendous impact on the economic development opportunities and attractiveness of our great community.

At this time, ODOT is recommending that we proceed with its preferred alternative that will repair the existing Innerbelt bridge for eastbound traffic and build a new bridge to the north. ODOT's Recommended Preferred Alternative has many flaws associated with it and there is an urgent need for the Southern Bridge Alignment Alternative to “be carried forward through the evaluations in this step.”

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________
Ed Hauser

Great use of a parking Space

Heidi, urban affairs student from Kansas City, found this post of what do with a metered parking space. I'll go one step further and say this would be a good idea for the spaces in front of fire hydrants. I, for one, am sick of seeing vehicles (usually 'official' vehicles) parked in these spaces.
Do you have an idea for a parking space? This may be usefull for next year's iNGENUiTY.

from the "i love this so much" files

Via Pednet, a great idea for putting parking meters to good use: turn the parking spots into parks!

Feeding the meter of a parking space enables one to rent precious downtown real estate, typically on a 1/2 hour to 2 hour basis. What is the range of possible occupancy activities for this short-term lease?

PARK(ing) is an investigation into reprogramming a typical unit of private vehicular space by leasing a metered parking spot for public recreational activity.

We identified a site in an area of downtown San Francisco that is underserved by public outdoor space and is in an ideal, sunny location between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. There we installed a small, temporary public park that provided nature, seating, and shade.

Our goal was to transform a parking spot into a PARK(ing) space, thereby temporarily expanding the public realm and improving the quality of urban human habitat, at least until the meter ran out.

The comments on BLDGBLOG provided even more suggestions for the rented spaces, but my favorite was: "Two or three consecutive spots and you could go bowling."

City Councilman Unearths Magical Zoning Amulet

I love this. Actually my wife found it and sent it to me. It is from August; I am surprised I have not seen it before.

From The Onion:

City Councilman Unearths Magical Zoning Amulet

August 24, 2005 | Issue 41•34

ROCHESTER, NY—After years spent poring over mysterious and arcane plat sheets and deciphering long-forgotten building codes, city councilmember Mike LaMere unearthed the mysterious City Zoning Amulet Friday.

Mike LaMere, wearing the Ever-Evaluating Eye of Surr-Vey.

"Behold!" LaMere said, holding aloft the solid-gold amulet, which is emblazoned with the Ever-Evaluating Eye of Surr-Vey, Lord Of Demarcation, He Who Measures And Assesses. "With this sigil, the power of zoning comes. Through me, the power of zoning flows! All will behold my power, and I shall bow to no man when designating matter-of-right developments for major retail and office spaces to a maximum lot occupancy of 75 percent for residential use!"

LaMere held the glowing amulet aloft and transmuted a neighborhood of low-income apartments into a semi-wooded, single-family, residential district with an adjoining riverside park.

Though the amulet had long been dismissed as urban legend, a mythical ideal of zoning perfection handed down from city planner to city planner, LaMere became convinced that not only was it real, but that it had been used to lay out the cities of Ur, Atlantis, and Inver Grove Heights, MN.

LaMere credited the amulet with the overnight renovation of the Monroe County Public Library, and the recent redesignation of a Southern Rochester area from "commercial" to "single-family residential use for detached and semi-detached structures." Many Rochester citizens believe the amulet is responsible for the fully stocked ocean aquarium that materialized in the city center Sunday, and the gleaming new Friendly's restaurant that rose serenely over the banks of the Genesee River late Monday afternoon.

Although the Rochester City Zoning Board controls all decisions related to city planning, sources at City Hall say that, as long as LaMere's powerful zoning wizardry is performed for the good of the city, they "see no reason to deny him what seems to be his destiny."

LaMere unleashes the Eye of Surr-Vey's power, violently rezoning a residential area into a landfill.

"Two weeks ago, the biggest news in Rochester was our huge public garage sale," said William A. Johnson, Rochester's mayor. "Our city center was still a moribund tax burden with small businesses in big buildings and families moving to the suburbs in droves. Now, with a wave of his mighty amulet, Councilman LaMere can designate matter-of-right medium-density development, with limited offices for non-profit organizations, trade associations, and professionals permitted as a special exception requiring approval of the RCZA."

Despite the potential improvements to Rochester's civic landscape, some residents remain wary of LaMere's apparent bureaucratic invincibility.

"It's wonderful that someone's finally doing something to revitalize this town, even if it is someone who can commune with church gargoyles," said local baker Wendy Kittner, whose business was mystically placed on the National Register Of Historic Places last week despite being housed in a building erected in 1981. "He frightens me, and my concern is that if I defy him, I may be turned to stone."

City planning commissioner Errol Criclow, who was dismissed by LaMere at a Planning And Zoning Commission hearing last Thursday as "subhuman," said that he feared that LaMere's power would eventually corrupt him and his city. According to Criclow, during a private consultation with local community leaders, LaMere became infuriated with timid suggestions that his amulet be used to create more green spaces. In a blinding torrent of thunder and light, LaMere violently rezoned Rochester's west side with a maze of warehouses and parking garages. The act left LaMere himself dazed and shaken.

"For a minute there, he seemed his old self," said Criclow. "When he saw what he'd done, he looked remorseful. But then his hand found the amulet, and he threw back his head and laughed long and loud, like a man who has forgotten the difference between industrial and recreational—between right and wrong."

Added Criclow: "I don't think what he's doing is mere magic. I think it's darkest bureaucromancy."

Opportunity Cost, or Opportunity Lost

Opportunity Cost (from Wikipedia): the cost of something in terms of an opportunity foregone (and the benefits that could be received from that opportunity), or the most valuable foregone alternative.

No, the birthday was not so crazy that I just recovered. I just needed to take a break from thinking for a little while.

I have something to help fill this space – I am going to start publishing the generalities of what the City Planning Commission has adopted or not adopted. You would think this would be made more public by those who profess to “Believe”; however, I only see the really big things that occasionally appear in local papers by the likes of Breckenridge, Gill and Prendergast. I know there a few others, but that is not the point. There should be news on all of the happenings in the city in regards to what is being developed. (This applies to decisions made by the County Planning Commission as well.) This first attempt of reporting will not be a very detailed one since I really did not decide to start doing this until two days ago and I do not have sufficient notes.

Moving on (in order) –
Zoning:

There were four zoning changes made. The most significant (by significant, I mean the one that will affect people the most) was the creation of the Clark Metro Business Revitalization District. The district encompasses West 25^th Street from I-71 to I-90 and Clark Avenue from Fulton Road to Scranton Avenue. This is a good move by the CDC of the densest places in the city. They will be able to create positive sense of place along this corridor as soon as they do something with the adult establishments near the heart of the district. APPROVED

Design Review:

Park Lane Villa Rehabilitation
This is a vacant building in University Circle and next to the beautiful Judson Manor. Previously this was an apartment building that was eventually converted to over 150 units of senior housing; most of the apartments were efficiency type spaces. The rehabilitated building will have 93 modern apartments and a new 8-unit condominium next to it, as well as a parking garage. The building will use historic tax credits for part of its funding and when complete, will be a nice addition to the area. APPROVED

Star Research Building (conceptual approval)
This new 5-story building will be located on near East 100^th Street and Cedar Avenue. This will be the first new construction on the south side of Cedar in many years. The proposed research center will not be a project of the Cleveland Clinic but may be used by some of the Clinic’s researchers. The building is being designed by Westlake, Reed & Leskowsky. APPROVED

Innerbelt Bridge Presentation
The Director of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, Paul Alsenas, gave a presentation on the Innerbelt Bridge Design and Location Alternatives. I believe anybody who is reading this already knows what is on the table, so I will not bother with what was said by Paul. He did add, however, a new element into to the fold – at least new to me. This new concept was the reworking of University Road in Tremont from the barely two lane-lane road it is now into a fully functional road that would allow better access and great views to and of the Towpath Trail.

I want to report more on the comments that were made by those in attendance.

The affected CDC’s mostly said what has already been reported; here are some additional comments made to the Commission.

From the Quadrangle: They have hired there own traffic consultant to further research the potential access losses; It is time for the city to step and take a stand on the issues raised

From Tremont: Concerned about impact on church, West 14^th street and any potential home loss (ed. obviously, very uninformed).

From Gateway: Access is paramount. They think that having land that is more developable will hurt their neighborhood

Comments from the players to the Commission:

Bob Brown: Reported on a letter from Craig Hebebrand – ODOT is in the process of reviewing constructionability and management of traffic with national experts to see if the southern alignment is feasible.

Debbie Berry: Concerned with potential freeway closures and vehicle access to downtown. Wonders if the ‘new’ developable land that would appear if the southern alignment were chosen will actually have to be used for new ramp placement.

Linda Henrichson: Says that closure to traffic is bad. The ramps to city streets will work out if the southern alignment is chosen. Concerned with bike and pedestrian right of ways.

Comments from the Commission:

Curry: ODOT has not shown what will be gotten by each action it takes. This should be about Strategy in addition to safety.

Tom Breckenridge of the PD was present and reported on a portion of what was said by those present; however, I saw him leave early, so he missed some important comments. Scott Carpenter from the soon-to-be-open Fire Department Museum gave a brief and heartfelt comment against the northern alignment, as did friend John McGovern. As I prepared for my own comment, there was at least two other residents who spoke against the northern alignment.

My comment (paraphrased):

Assuming the engineering for the southern alignment proves feasible, the commission and ODOT must realize there are many residents among us who feel a year of potential awkward traffic management due to a freeway closure is worth the wait.
There are numerous ways to connections to downtown from all directions that will work as a temporary traffic solution, including I-490. This may even help bolster GCRTA ridership. This is not about your inconvenience. Stop thinking about it that way and think about how it will affect our children

Coming Soon

OK, finals are over.
I am now going to work on the template.
Then I will return to a regular posting schedule of sorts.
Happy birthday to me.