In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Confirmation of Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defense - Vote Confirmed (100-0) Current CIA Director Leon E. Panetta was confirmed to be the next Secretary of Defense. Panetta succeeds Secretary Robert Gates, who is retiring at the end of June. Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (253-166, 12 Not Voting) This House bill would require the EPA to complete action within six months on air pollution permit applications for offshore oil and gas drilling. A companion measure has been introduced in the Senate but its future is unclear. The administration opposes the bill. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio America Invents Act - Vote Passed (304-117, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would make changes to the patent system. The Senate passed its version of the bill in March 2011. Negotiators will likely meet this summer to work out a compromise bill. The administration has expressed support for the House bill. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya- Vote Failed (123-295, 13 Not Voting) The House rejected a resolution that would have authorized the use of U.S. military force in Libya for one year. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio To limit the use of funds to support NATO Operation Unified Protector with respect to Libya - VoteFailed (180-238, 13 Not Voting) The House rejected this bill that would have defunded U.S. military involvement in NATO activities in Libya. U.S. participation would have been restricted to support operations such as intelligence, surveillance, and search and rescue. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - S.679 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill to reduce the number of executive branch appointments that require Senate confirmation. | |
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 06272011
From Megavote:
Friday, June 24, 2011
MedMart Construction Update: 06232011
PROJECT UPDATES :: JUNE 23, 2011
ON MALL B, THE EIGHTH CAISSON WAS POURED EARLIER THIS WEEK, A DEEP FOUNDATION SUPPORT THAT IS CONSTRUCTED BY PLACING FRESH CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL INTO A DRILLED SHAFT. THESE REINFORCED CONCRETE PILES ARE CAST IN HOLES OF PREDETERMINED DIAMETERS AND DEPTHS DRILLED THROUGH SOIL TO REACH BEDROCK.
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| Photo taken April 14, 2011 by flickr user SeattleDog1 |
FOUNDATION WORK ON THE CONCOURSE LEVEL OF THE FUTURE CONVENTION CENTER CONTINUES WITH FORMWORK FOR PILASTERS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SHORTLY. A PILASTER IS A RECTANGULAR SUPPORT THAT RESEMBLES A FLAT COLUMN.
NEAR ST. CLAIR AVENUE, 120 OF THE 241 MICROPILES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. DESIGNED TO CARRY COMPRESSIVE LOADS, MICROPILES ARE FOUNDATIONS MADE UP OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL CASING AND REBAR AND ARE HIGH-PERFORMANCE, HIGH-CAPACITY DRILLED AND GROUTED PILES WITH SMALL DIAMETERS THAT WILL EXTEND APPROXIMATELY 160 FEET INTO BEDROCK. MICROPILE WORK ALSO CONTINUES IN THE BALLROOM AREA NORTH OF LAKESIDE AVENUE.
DEMOLITION IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE WITH ONLY SMALL AREAS OF SELECTIVE DEMOLITION AND HAUL OUT OF DEBRIS REMAINING. THE TEMPORARY STEEL SUPPORT OF LAKESIDE AVENUE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. STAIR CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES NORTH OF LAKESIDE AVENUE.
ON THE SITE OF THE FUTURE MEDICAL MART, BACKFILLING OF THE AREA IS MORE THAN 90% COMPLETE WITH MASS EXCAVATION WORK PASSING THE 80% COMPLETION MARK. SOLDIER PILE INSTALLATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED
Read the rest of the update here
Three New Pedestrian Bridges Proposed for Cleveland
From cleveland.com:
A trio of pedestrian bridges proposed by Boston architect Miguel Rosales could change the face of Cleveland
By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland boasts a collection of stellar attractions and amenities, from its lake and river to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, PlayhouseSquare and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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Rosales + Partners A stunning proposal for an S-shaped pedestrian bridge in University Circle has been designed by Miguel Rosales of Boston. |
What it lacks are the physical connections that could make circulating around the city on foot a pleasure, even a joy.
Boston bridge architect Miguel Rosales aims to change all that -- and he's in a good position to do so. Over the past few years, the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Case Western Reserve University all chose him to design pedestrian bridges that could transform significant portions of the lakefront and University Circle.
During a visit earlier this week, Rosales released new images and provided updates on all three projects, which combine structural innovation with elegant artistic form.
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| The North Coast Harbor Bridge shown in the open position. |
View full sizeRosales + PartnersThe North Coast Harbor Bridge shown in the open position.• Cleveland is ready to start construction in the summer of 2012 on a $5.5 million Rosales drawbridge at North Coast Harbor, with two sections that will extend 71 feet high when open. Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration rejected plans for a more innovative curved jackknife bridge that would have been 145 feet high when open, enough to require changes to the flight path and runway configuration at nearby Burke Lakefront Airport. Construction will take roughly 18 months, Rosales said.
• Cuyahoga County officials began evaluating three distinct proposals for a pedestrian bridge leading to Wendy Park at Whiskey Island on the Lake Erie shoreline from the north end of the Willow Street Bridge. The county wants to refine cost estimates before involving the public in selecting a design, and it hopes to offer the project for construction bids in late 2012, said Paul Alsenas, director of the county's planning commission.
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| View full size |
• Case Western Reserve University agreed to make public for the first time images of a spectacular S-shaped pedestrian bridge Rosales has conceived as a link between the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Temple Tifereth Israel, which CWRU is renovating as a performing-arts center. The span would carry pedestrians and cyclists, as well as security guards on Segways and maintenance crews with service carts, and would traverse Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and touch ground at East 105th Street.
All three bridge proposals share a common sensibility. They aim for a sleek, bony elegance entirely different from the heavy-duty, rivet-and-girder look associated with the highway and railroad bridges that date from Cleveland's industrial heyday in the 19th- and 20th centuries.
The bridges also reflect changing attitudes toward public space in Cleveland. For decades, developers, nonprofit institutions and public agencies have concentrated on building isolated attractions, from museums to sporting venues, while investing little in the spaces around them.
Now, a new civic ethos is emerging in favor of beautifying parks and streetscapes, and making it easier and more enjoyable to explore the city by bike or on foot.
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Viewed from any angle, even below, the pedestrian bridge planned by Miguel Rosales for University Circle would be a stunning work of structural art - and a huge point of pride for the city. |
Rosales, a youthful-looking 50-year-old native of Guatemala who helped design the highly acclaimed Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, is becoming a key player in the new movement.
"He's a great designer," said Robert Brown, director of the City Planning Commission. "We're very fortunate we're engaged with him on a number of projects now."
View full sizeRosales + PartnersViewed from any angle, even below, the pedestrian bridge planned by Miguel Rosales for University Circle would be a stunning work of structural art - and a huge point of pride for the city.
Rosales is partnering with the engineering firm of Schlaich Bergermann and the Cleveland office of Wilbur Smith Associates on the North Coast Harbor project and with Schlaich and the Cleveland office of the engineering firm of DLZ Ohio on the Whiskey Island project. At University Circle, he's working with the landscape architecture firms of Siteworks, from Charlottesville, Va., and James McKnight Associates of Cleveland.
Of all three projects discussed by Rosales, the CWRU bridge is the most dramatic.
It calls for a long, slender span with curving sections that would be supported by two inward-leaning diagonal masts anchored by cables. The masts, in turn, would support a harplike array of diagonal cables attached to the inboard side of each section of curving walkway.
The bridge would leap over the valley created by Doan Brook and Rockefeller Park, which now divides University Circle from the Hough neighborhood to the west, which is where CWRU plans to build its West Campus on roughly 15 acres of mostly vacant land immediately north of the temple. An additional section could extend back across MLK Jr. Dr. to link the art museum to the Judson Manor apartment tower.
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| The suspension bridge option for the Whiskey Island bridge. |
The university has received highly positive responses to the design.
"They are pretty stunning," Stephen Campbell, the school's vice president for campus planning and facilities, said of the plans.
Chris Ronayne, director of University Circle Inc., said the pedestrian connection was of "paramount importance."
Renderings suggest that the bridge itself could become a hugely popular attraction on its own, regardless of its function as a pedestrian connector.
View full sizeRosales + PARTNERSThe suspension bridge option for the Whiskey Island bridge.
Curving bridges supported by cables exist in Europe, and Rosales designed a curving, $4.5 million pedestrian bridge over the Reedy River in Greenville, S.C. The span became so much of an attraction that it spurred $100 million in residential and office development in a blighted part of town.
Rosales said the CWRU bridge would cost roughly $7.5 million, although the university wants to obtain more detailed cost estimates before it proceeds. It has begun raising money for the project but is not ready to commit to construction, Campbell said.
The North Coast Harbor bridge, which is closest to realization, will be funded by $4.5 million in federal money, plus $1 million in matching funds from the city. The bridge is intended to connect Voinovich Park at the north end of E. 9th Street to the finger pier extending from the west side of the harbor, just north of the Great Lakes Science Center. When closed, the bridge will create a loop trail around the harbor, making it far more pedestrian-friendly.
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| The Fink truss option for the Whiskey Island bridge. |
The bridge to Wendy Park at Whiskey Island is intended to create a safe shortcut for pedestrians and cyclists as an alternative to the current access road extending east from Edgewater Park, Alsenas said. Wendy Park, acquired by the county in 2004, attracts more than 180,000 visitors a year for boating, picnics, volleyball and family reunions.
The three versions suggested by Rosales include a traditional-looking suspension bridge; a "Fink truss," in which the span is supported on masts extending upward from the bridge deck and held in place with diagonal cables; and a low-profile truss with continuous curving top beams, or chords, designed to rise the highest like a wave where structural forces are the greatest.
Alsenas said he conducted seven meetings over two days with officials from the city, the county, the Greater Cleveland Metroparks and property owners including Carl Barricelli, president of Ontario Stone, the Whiskey Island business whose land would be traversed by the bridge.
Alsenas said the participants have asked Rosales for additional details on the proposals, including the costs, which average $4 million to $5 million. The planning process is being paid for by a $159,000 federal grant, plus $80,000 in private contributions.
"We're on our way, although obviously we have a lot of work to do," Alsenas said.
Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 06202011
From Megavote:
In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
| |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Ethanol subsidies amendment - Vote Agreed to (73-27) During work on the Economic Development Administration bill, the Senate adopted this amendment to eliminate a tax credit refiners receive for adding ethanol to gasoline and a tariff on imported ethanol. Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (411-5, 16 Not Voting) The House passed this $143.9 billion bill that would fund the Veterans Affairs Department and the Defense Department’s construction activities for the upcoming fiscal year. The bill marks a two percent increase over the current year’s level. The Senate has not yet begun work on its version of the bill. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Agriculture Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (217-203, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would provide $125.5 billion in the upcoming fiscal year for the Agriculture Department. The bill would cut discretionary spending by thirteen percent over the current amount and increase mandatory spending by three percent. The Senate has not yet begun work on its version of the bill. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Nomination of Leon E. Panetta to be Defense Secretary - The Senate has a Tuesday vote scheduled on the nomination of Leon Panetta, the current CIA Director, to be the new Defense Secretary. Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - S.679 This bill would reduce the number of executive branch appointments that require Senate confirmation. Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011 - S.782 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill that would authorize $500 million annually over the next 5 years for the Economic Development Administration. Defense Appropriations - H.R.2219 The House is scheduled to work on this bill that would provide the Defense Department with $648.7 billion for the 2012 fiscal year. America Invents Act - H.R.1249 The House may also take up this bill that would overhaul the U.S. patent system. | |
Monday, June 20, 2011
MedMart Construction Update: 06162011
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - 6/16/11
PROJECT UPDATES :: JUNE 16, 2011
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| Laura Johnston/The Plain Dealer |
NORTH OF LAKESIDE AVENUE, THE NORTH BRIDGE DEMOLITION CONTINUED ON MALL C AND IS NOW 95% COMPLETE. DEBRIS REMOVAL WILL CONTINUE. INTERIOR DEMOLITION IS 85% COMPLETE IN EXISTING EXHIBIT HALLS ‘’C’’ AND ‘’D’’ ON THE LOWER LEVEL. UNDERNEATH LAKESIDE AVENUE, TEMPORARY STEEL SUPPORT OF THE ROADWAY CONTINUES WITH TARGETED COLUMN DEMOLITION SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. MALL C DEMOLITION CONTINUED WITH ADDITIONAL ROOF REMOVAL CONTINUING THIS WEEK. MICRO-PILE WORK CONTINUES IN THE BALLROOM AREA.
ON MALL B, PRE-CORES CAISSONS WORK IS NEARING COMPLETION WITH 63 OF THE 66 COMPLETED. MEANWHILE, FOUR CAISSONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ALONG WITH 111 MICRO-PILES COMPLETED ALONG ST. CLAIR AVENUE.
FOUNDATION WORK CONTINUES ON THE FUTURE CONVENTION CENTER CONCOURSE LEVEL AND STAIR WALLS ARE BEING FORMED FOR CONCRETE.
ON THE MEDICAL MART SITE, BACKFILLING IS 90% COMPLETE AND WORK HAS COMMENCED IN THE AREA WHERE THE FORMER CONVENTION CENTER RAMP OFF ONTARIO AVENUE WAS LOCATED. MASS EXCAVATION WORK IS 70% COMPLETED ON THE MEDICAL MART SITE. SOLDIER PILE INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE IN THIS AREA.
PUBLIC AUDITORIUM SEPARATION WORK CONTINUES WITH HVAC DEMOLITION WORK 95% COMPLETED.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 06122011
From Megavote:
In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Debt Limit Increase - Vote Failed (97-318, 7 Present, 9 Not Voting) The House rejected this bill to raise the public debt limit by $2.4 trillion. The government is expected to hit the current $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by August 2, 2011. Negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders are ongoing. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2012 - Vote Passed (231-188, 13 Not Voting) This bill would provide the Department of Homeland Security with $42.3 billion in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The total is 2.6% less than the current fiscal year. The bill includes $1 billion in emergency spending for disaster aid. Senate appropriators have not drafted their version of the bill yet. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Use of Ground Forces in Libya - Vote Passed (268-145, 1 Present, 18 Not Voting) The House passed this resolution stating the chamber’s opposition to deploying ground forces in Libya and requiring President Obama to report the strategy for U.S. involvement in combat operations in Libya to Congress within 14 days. The resolution is non-binding. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Libya Troop Withdrawal - Vote Failed (148-265, 19 Not Voting) The House failed to pass this resolution that would have forced the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Libya within 15 days. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Nomination of Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. to be Solicitor General - The Senate is scheduled to take up the nomination of Donald Verrilli to be the government’s top lawyer before the Supreme Court. | |
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
What Will Become of the Columbia Building?
From greencitybluelake.com:
Not stuck between Rock Gaming and a hard place
The City Planning Commission had approved the plan as it, but Landmarks and the design community agreed that Rock Gaming hadn’t done all of the due diligence it promised when it bought up a block of buildings on Ontario and the south side of Prospect that include the local historic landmarked Columbia building and proposed razing them for a four-lane valet drop off zone, a gift shop and a walkway that would enable about 350 of the casino’s highest rollers to cross the street without letting their Pradas touch the pavement.
The outpouring of support for a new plan that didn’t include demolition and creating a huge driveway zone on Prospect was an unexpected turn. It was a groundswell that included 360 CSU students who formed a Facebook group, calling themselves Save Lower Prospect Avenue. It included the Cleveland Coalition, a new group of young professionals who are advocating for better design choices such as the new Group Plan Commission, which recently released its report calling for more respect and a better pedestrian experience from Gateway to the Malls (a corridor that is dominated on Ontario by stadia and parking garages).
“We’re concerned that the valet area is not living up to Rock Gaming’s commitment to integrate the casino with the city and respect its downtown setting,” said Cleveland Coalition member David Jurca. “Lower Prospect is one of the best (pedestrian) scaled areas in the city. Demolishing the Columbia for a valet zone would create an 80-foot wide barrier. It proposes channelizing pedestrians in a walkway above the street and obliterating Higbee’s historic context. We don’t oppose a garage, but do it without demolishing a historic structure.”
That vision is backed by the Gateway Historic District’s Master Plan, said the business development group’s associate director, Tom Starinsky. “Our master plan shows those buildings being reused.” The group has helped developers such as the Marons turn historic E. 4th Street into a major regional attraction. Starinksy believes an alternative can be found, even on the same block, that could satisfy the needs of Caeser’s to provide very close parking. He said he hopes to work with the development team in the coming week – a reprieve the Landmarks Commission unanimously granted the Columbia, a handsome 1909 building considered in the Chicago style which most recently served as home to Dyke College.
The Columbia building was recently treated to a $9 million upgrade of its mechanical systems, said the building’s former manager, Gabe Singerman. “I spoke to (Forest City CEO) Albert Ratner who agreed the Columbia would make a great 83-room boutique hotel. I’m upset. I think you guys could do better for yourself.”
In tabling the decision to demolish the Columbia, which Gilbert purchased through parking lot magnate, Lou Frangos, the Landmarks Commission urged Rock Gaming to seek the consultation of non-profit Gateway Development to devise a plan that will satisfy the 350 high rollers (and Caeser’s formula that calls for a walkway no longer than 200 ft.) while keeping the city’s important landmarks intact.
There were some powerful forces working for the developer at the public meeting – the city’s top brass showed up, many for the first time in their decades long service, to apply pressure to Mayor Jackson’s appointees on Landmarks. The tactic seemed to backfire as Commission members admitted the move was intimidating. As Commission member and trial lawyer Thomas Coffey pointed out, “What strikes me is (the preservation and design advocates) are not approaching this like a bunch of trial lawyers. They’re saying, the plans can be done without losing this building.
“There has not been one change in (Rock Gaming’s) position even after hearing the distinguished pleas we’ve heard today. They don’t know who owns the May Company Garage (across the street), and is it possible to do a valet service there.
“They tried bringing in the big wheels, but I know the mayor. He’s a good man. I don’t think he’d want this to be rammed through. Gateway has done a lot to get down to the nitty gritty and make things happen. I don’t think they’ve been involved in the way they could.”
Gateway was involved in mediating a resolution to not demolish the 19th century Stanley building when it fell into dispute between Rock Gaming and a minority owner. But the Columbia was not part of Rock Gaming’s plan even though it’s in far better condition. The plans call for a three-lane valet exit – with two left lanes and one right turning lane onto Prospect – the zone doesn’t connect to the North Gateway Garage where the majority of casino customers would park.
Commission member and Cleveland councilman Anthony Brancatelli mentioned at the tabling that a decision on a tax abatement in the form of a TIFF on the parking garage awaits approval from City Council at its June 6 session. Commission member and Cleveland Planning Director Bob Brown remarked that if the commission didn’t ask the applicant to go back to the drawing board officially within 45 days of the original review (which occurred two weeks ago), the project will automatically get approved (as happened with the Humphrey Mansion demolition at Euclid Beach).
Among the impassioned pleas to save the Columbia, Cleveland resident, urban planner and west side design review member Mandy Metcalf said the landmark designation was enacted for exactly this reason. “The Columbia takes up a small footprint (on the overall property). The Valet lanes could be incorporated into the (North Gateway) garage. We could make it comfortable to walk down the street” (ironically, with a tenant in the Columbia Building).
Rose Androtti recited a letter from the American Institute of Architects Cleveland Chapter, which opposes the demolition. “It would further erode the fabric of the historic district. We support the development of the casino, but the city has already lost lots of important buildings.”
Jane Busch of the Cleveland Restoration Society testified against the demolition, saying, “in rare instances a landmark building is sacrificed for the greater good, but all those options have not been explored. The Columbia is an important remnant of the streetscape which already lost its neighbors the Marine Buildings and the Mechanic’s Block.”
Downtown resident Brad Chase asked that the project go back to the drawing board because it didn’t support a pedestrian environment for the downtown residents like him and his family. “I’m appalled by the proposal to take down this building. I ask that this project go back to the drawing board. Taking this building down is not an improvement to making Cleveland a walk-able and bike-able and family safe environment.”
Gregory Soltis testified on behalf of the 360 members of the Save Lower Prospect Avenue group. “There are too many holes already in our city. It makes me sad to see the giant hole (surface parking lots) in the middle of the Warehouse District. It’s time to start acting like we deserve this. We can demand good design. Knocking down a building for a parking garage is not respect.”
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