Sherwin Williams Civic Art Proposed for Former "Witness" Site

From Cleveland.com:

Night image of Cleveland to grace wall where LeBron once reigned

 Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer 

Courtesy of the Sherwin-Williams Co.The Sherwin-Williams Co. wants to put this image on the side of its downtown Cleveland headquarters, where passersby long looked up at the iconic "Witness" image of LeBron James tossing chalk. The new banner would be the same size as that of James and would hang from the same mounts over Huron Road and Ontario Street.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The downtown Cleveland building that once featured a huge image of LeBron James could soon display a different civic image: A night view of the Cleveland skyline, courtesy of the Sherwin-Williams Co.

The paint and coatings company is asking city design and planning officials to approve plans for the huge banner, which would cover a wall left empty this summer after James announced his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

Instead of a basketball player tossing chalk, the banner would show illuminated skyscrapers as seen from the Cuyahoga River. Above them, the words "Our Home Since 1866. Our Pride Forever." In one lower corner is the Sherwin-Williams name and logo.

Sherwin-Williams owns the building, the Landmark Office Towers where the company keeps its headquarters and about 2,000 employees. Since crews tore down James's image in July, the company has been considering options for the blank space, a wall designed to abut another tower than was never built.

  
Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer

Hundreds of onlookers honked, hooted and photographed as the huge LeBron James banner was removed in July.

"As we talked about the opportunity to put something up there, we thought about celebrating Cleveland," said Ellen Moreau, the company's vice president of marketing communications. "There are so many great things about Cleveland, so many reasons to be here. We're just really proud to be in the city."

Moreau said the billboard is not meant to be a jab at James. During the past few months, various advertisements scattered across Cleveland have played on or poked fun at the James billboard and its "Witness" message, which was sponsored by Nike. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., a mining company based in Cleveland, launched its own Witness ads showing a coal miner with his arms outstretched, under the tagline "A team that hasn't left in 163 years."

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.

A city design review committee is scheduled to discuss the Sherwin-Williams image Thursday. Billboards generally are prohibited downtown, though several decades-old ones linger from before the city changed its zoning code. But the city does allow on-premises advertising by businesses that occupy the buildings or properties where they want to display an ad. And Robert Brown, Cleveland's planning director, said the skyline photograph with the small Sherwin-Williams tag is not necessarily advertising.

"It's really a civic image showing the city of Cleveland," he said. "It could be akin to Sherwin-Williams sponsoring a civic image."

Design and planning officials would need to make an exception for the size of the image, which would hang from the same mounts that held the iconic LeBron banner.

© 2010 cleveland.com. All rights reserved.

ODOT Releases Additional Renderings of Historic New Bridge

Cleveland’s New I-90 Innerbelt Bridge: 
ODOT Today Releases Additional Renderings of Historic New Bridge 
Walsh Construction & HNTB Ohio Inc. Awarded Historic Bridge Contract 

CLEVELAND (Tuesday, September 14, 2010) – With the contract now awarded, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is today releasing additional images of the historic new westbound Interstate 90 Innerbelt Bridge.   

The additional renderings – which show important details including scenic overlooks and proposals for a new bridge over Ontario Street – compliment the renderings provided by the design-build team which received widespread public support. 

“The Walsh proposal includes many unique elements,” said ODOT District 12 Deputy Director Bonita G. Teeuwen, P.E.  “The use of steel reflects the importance of the industry in the development of the city,” she continued. 

Last Thursday, ODOT officials in Columbus revealed the sealed price proposals from each team and combined the scores of the technical and price proposals to determine an apparent winning team. The project was awarded to Walsh Construction and designer HNTB Ohio Inc. for a total bid amount of $287.4 million. 

Walsh Construction – who was recently named the third leading transportation contractor by Engineering News-Record magazine and HNTB Corporation – named as the second leading bridge design firm in the August edition of Roads & Bridges magazine – scored high on a number of technical elements, including the look and aesthetics of the new bridge.   

The project team also proposed substantial completion of the project during the fall of 2013.  While minor operations would continue into the summer of 2014, the project would be completed nearly one full year earlier than anticipated. 

 

The Walsh-HNTB team pushed-back the pier closest to the Western Reserve Fire Museum and integrated it with the retaining wall structure along Canal Road – along with additional enhancements – opening views of the river valley (see image above).   

 

The team also took a unique approach which ends the main span just east of Ontario Street allowing for a smaller, “Gateway” bridge over Ontario Street (see image above).   

Additional images are available at www.Innerbelt.org. 

Engineers and experts from ODOT and the City teamed on a thorough process of evaluating three technical proposals for constructing the new westbound bridge.  In order to complete construction on this project faster, ODOT is using a unique design-build process in which the design and construction of the project are combined in a single contract. 

Three teams were chosen in March to compete for this historic project and each team submitted its proposals in August. Technical elements – such as schedule, safety, quality management, construction plans, community outreach and sustainability – were evaluated by the ODOT-Cleveland expert team. 

ODOT also listened to input from Cleveland-area residents on the proposed aesthetics of the new structure in each proposal.  More than 1350 people submitted comments to ODOT’s website. 

Before any major construction begins, the winning team will present Cleveland-area residents with another opportunity to provide input on the final aesthetic details through a series of public meetings. Construction is expected to begin in 2011. 

Winning Team for Historic Bridge Construction Revealed

Cleveland’s New I-90 Innerbelt Bridge: 
Apparent Winning Team for Historic Bridge Construction Revealed 
Winning proposal calls for completion of construction full year earlier than planned 

CLEVELAND (Thursday, September 9, 2010) - After nearly five weeks of expert technical evaluation - combined with a review of public input and a value-based cost comparison – the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and City of Cleveland are set to award design and construction of the historic Interstate 90 Innerbelt Bridge to Walsh Construction with designer HNTB Ohio Inc.  The total bid amount for the new bridge came in at only $287,400,000. 

Engineers and experts from ODOT and the City teamed on a thorough process of evaluating three technical proposals for constructing the new westbound bridge.  In order to complete construction on this project faster, ODOT is using a unique design-build process in which the design and construction of the project are combined in a single contract. 

Walsh Construction – who was recently named the third leading transportation contractor by Engineering News-Record magazine and HNTB Corporation – named as the second leading bridge design firm in the August edition of Roads & Bridges magazine – scored high on a number of technical elements, including the look and aesthetics of the new bridge.   

The project team also proposed substantial completion of the project during the fall of 2013.  While minor operations would continue into the summer of 2014, the project would be completed nearly one full year earlier than anticipated. 

The Walsh proposal also includes unique elements including the use of steel which reflects the importance of the industry in the development of the city.  The team will pursue “Greenroads” Certification and use LED lights for aesthetic, landscape and pedestrian lighting. 

The team took a unique approach which ends the main span just east of Ontario Street allowing for a smaller, “Gateway” bridge over Ontario Street and a landscaped embankment between the two bridges. Reducing the length of main viaduct in this way would reduce the amount of new materials required and increase the amount of reused materials. 

The team also pushed-back the pier closest to the Western Reserve Fire Museum and integrated it with the retaining wall structure along Canal Road opening views of the river valley. The design also includes additional art panels along Ontario and E. 9^th Streets. 

Three teams were chosen in March to compete for this historic project, with each team submitted its proposals in August. Technical elements – such as schedule, safety, quality management, construction plans, community outreach and sustainability – were evaluated by the ODOT-Cleveland expert team. 

ODOT also listened to input from Cleveland-area residents on the proposed aesthetics of the new structure in each proposal.  More than 1350 people submitted comments to ODOT’s website. 

On Thursday, ODOT officials in Columbus revealed the sealed price proposals from each team – and combined the scores of the technical and price proposals to determine an apparent winning team. ODOT then has up to ten days to review the “best value” proposal before awarding the contract. 

Before any major construction begins, the winning team will present Cleveland-area residents with another opportunity to provide input on the final aesthetic details through a series of public meetings. Construction is expected to begin in 2011. 

For more information, log-on to www.Innerbelt.org. 

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 080910

August 9, 2010 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act Senate: Nomination of Elena Kagan, of Massachusetts, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Upcoming Congressional Bills House: Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act Editor's Note: The Senate is in recess and is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, September 13. The House is briefly in session this week, before it returns to recess again.

Recent Senate Votes

Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act - Vote Agreed to (61-39) The Senate passed this bill to provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers’ jobs. The House must vote on the bill next. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Nomination of Elena Kagan, of Massachusetts, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States - Vote Confirmed (63-37) The Senate confirmed Elena Kagan to be a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. She was sworn in on Saturday. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act - H.R.1586 The House is scheduled to vote on this bill to provide funding for education and Medicaid.

Cincinnati to Receive Funds as Part of New Transit Solutions Fund

FTA 20-10
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Contact: Paul Griffo
Tel: 202-366-4064

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $293 Million for New Transit Solutions, Economic Development Nationwide

Project Selections Will Expand Obama Administration’s Livability Initiative Agenda, Fuel Economic Recovery for Local Communities

A $293 million investment announced today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood means that residents in dozens of communities nationwide will soon enjoy major transit improvements, including new streetcars, buses, and transit facilities. 

The nearly $300 million investment is part of the Obama Administration’s livability initiative to better coordinate transportation, housing and commercial development investments to serve the people living in those communities. It is being made through two competitive grant programs, the Urban Circulator Grant Program and the Bus and Bus Livability Grant Program.

“This investment by the Obama Administration in our nation's communities will create jobs, boost economic development and recovery, and further reduce our dependence on oil,” Secretary LaHood said. “Our goals are to provide cleaner, safer, and more efficient ways to get around.”

Secretary LaHood, along with Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, announced the winners of the two competitive grant programs during a press conference call in Washington. Six new streetcar and bus rapid transit projects will be funded with $130 million from the Federal Transit Administration's Urban Circulator Program, and 47 additional projects aimed at upgrading bus services and facilities are slated to receive more than $163 million from the FTA's Bus and Bus Livability Program.

“Streetcars are making a comeback because cities across America are recognizing that they can restore economic development downtown – giving citizens the choice to move between home, shopping and entertainment without ever looking for a parking space,”  said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff.  “These streetcar and bus livability projects will not only create construction jobs now, they will aid our recovery by creating communities that are more prosperous and less congested.” 

The six cities that submitted successful Urban Circulator proposals include Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Cincinnati, Ohio. The six projects were selected from 65 applications totaling more than $1 billion in requests. Construction of bus facilities and new bus and bus-related purchases will move forward in the 31 states where 47 Bus and Bus Livability projects are located. These projects were selected from 281 applications totaling over $2 billion in funding requests.

Inaugurated in December 2009, the two programs are a continuation of the FTA's effort dedicated to carrying out the Obama Administration’s Livability Initiative, a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Projects were eligible to receive up to 80 percent in federal funding, with a maximum of $25 million for Urban Circulator projects.

A complete list of projects can be found at

http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11820.html

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 080210

August 2, 2010 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act Senate: Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 House: Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 House: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 House: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act Senate: Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 Senate: Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Senate: Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 Editor's Note: The House is in recess and is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, September 14. The Senate is in session this week.

Recent Senate Votes

Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act - VoteRejected (57-41, 2 Not Voting) The Senate rejected ending debate on this campaign finance disclosure legislation. The bill will likely not return to the Senate floor until September. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 - Vote Rejected (58-42) The Senate rejected ending debate on this bill that aims to expand the availability of credit to small businesses. The Senate may work more on the bill this week. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 - Vote Passed (308-114, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this $58.8 billion bill funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and providing for additional funding for foreign aid and disaster assistance. The bill then went to the president, who signed it into law on Thursday. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 - VotePassed (411-6, 15 Not Voting) The House approved this $141.1 billion bill funding military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill now goes to the Senate. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 - Vote Passed (251-167, 14 Not Voting) The House approved this $126.3 billion legislation funding the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. The bill now goes to the Senate. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act - H.R.1586 The Senate is scheduled to vote on this bill that is being used as the legislative vehicle for state education and Medicaid funding. Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 - H.R.5297 The Senate may continue work on this bill that aims to expand the availability of credit to small businesses. Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States - PN1768 The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination on Elena Kagan, of Massachusetts, to be a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 - S.3663 The Senate is also expected to vote on this energy bill, which includes a provision that would remove the current liability cap of $75 million for economic damages resulting in oil spills.

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 072610

July 26, 2010 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 Senate: Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 House: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act Senate: Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 House: Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 House: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011

Recent Senate Votes

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 - Vote Agreed to (59-39, 2 Not Voting) The Senate passed this bill to extend unemployment benefits through November 30, making the extension retroactive to June 2 when the last extension expired. Because it was amended by the Senate, it was sent back to the House for final approval. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 - Vote Rejected (46-51, 3 Not Voting) The Senate rejected the House’s amendment to this legislation funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and providing for additional funding for foreign aid and disaster assistance. The amendment would have added $22.8 billion in additional domestic spending. The House is expected to approve the bill without the amendment. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 - Vote Passed (271-152, 9 Not Voting) On Thursday, the House passed this bill to extend unemployment benefits through November 30, making the extension retroactive to June 2 when the last extension expired. It was then sent to the president, who signed it the same day. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act - S.3628 The Senate is scheduled to vote on this campaign finance disclosure legislation. Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 - H.R.5297 The Senate may continue work on this bill that aims to expand the availability of credit to small businesses. Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 - H.R.4899 The House is expected to vote on this $58.8 billion bill funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and providing for additional funding for foreign aid and disaster assistance. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 - H.R.5822 The House is scheduled to vote on this bill funding military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It may also take up another spending bill.

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 071910

July 19, 2010 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act House: Telework Improvements Act House: Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 Senate: Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act House: Multiple Peril Insurance Act House: Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act

Recent Senate Votes

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Vote Agreed to (60-39) The Senate passed the final version of the financial regulation reform legislation. The president is expected to sign the bill into law this week. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Telework Improvements Act - Vote Passed (290-131, 11 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would set standards for federal employees working remotely. It would require the head of each federal agency to establish and implement a policy that would allow employees to work remotely as much as possible without diminishing agency operations or performance. The bill now goes to the Senate. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act - Vote Passed (329-90, 13 Not Voting) The House passed this legislation that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program through September 2015. The bill heads to the Senate next. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 - H.R.5297 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill that would establish a lending fund administered by the Treasury Department to invest in financial institutions with the intention of expanding the availability of credit to small businesses. Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act - H.R.4213 The Senate is also expected to vote on this unemployment extension bill. Multiple Peril Insurance Act - H.R.1264 The House is scheduled to vote on this wind and flood insurance bill. Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act - H.R.4213 The House may also vote on this unemployment extension bill if it is first passed by the Senate.

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 070610

July 6, 2010 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Confirmation of Gen. David H. Petraeus to be General Senate: Motion to Invoke Cloture on Reid Amendment; American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 House: Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act House: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act House: Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act Editor's Note: Congress is in recess. The Senate is scheduled to return on Monday, July 12. The House is expected to return on Tuesday, July 13.

Recent Senate Votes

Confirmation of Gen. David H. Petraeus to be General - Vote Confirmed (99-0) The Senate unanimously confirmed Gen. Petraeus for reappointment to the grade of general and to be commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Sen. George Voinovich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Motion to Invoke Cloture on Reid Amendment; American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 - Vote Rejected (58-38, 3 Not Voting) The Senate once again rejected the motion to end debate on this latest version of a bill to extend several expired tax provisions and unemployment benefits due to concerns about the federal deficit. The bill’s future still remains unclear. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act - Vote Passed (409-5, 18 Not Voting) On Tuesday, the House passed this legislation to extend the required closing date for the first-time homebuyer tax credit, allowing individuals who have already entered a contract by April 30 to close on the purchase no later than September 30, 2010. The Senate passed the bill by a voice vote the next day, sending it to the president. The president signed it into law on Friday. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Vote Passed (237-192, 4 Not Voting) The House passed the final version of the financial regulation reform legislation. It now awaits Senate approval. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act - Vote Passed (270-153, 10 Not Voting) The House approved this bill to further extend eligibility for extended federal unemployment insurance for laid-off workers through November 30. The bill, which would also make these changes retroactive to June 2, now heads to the Senate, where its future is not clear. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio