Reviving Downtown Cleveland - Courtesy www.pluggedincleveland.com
Come May 5, 2009 and once again the Annual Historic Downtown Cleveland Luncheon Forum takes place at the Windows on the River. Temperatures would have have warmed significantly but then that will not deter the forum to concentrate on Creating a Unique Neighborhood Downtown.
Windows on the River, the premier venue located in the historic Powerhouse at Nautica will take care of all creature comforts. Beautifully prepared gourmet foods in exquisite and comfortable atmosphere will dispel all thoughts of the weather – inclement or otherwise. It is sure to be an enjoyable time with Cleveland’s dazzling views of unique signature bridges and sparkling skyline at hand.
This year’s key speaker will be Daniel Iacofano, who is the co-editor of “The Inclusive City” and internationally recognized as an innovator in strategic planning, urban planning, transportation planning, public participation and outreach.
The Historic Gateway Neighborhood is a non-profit local development corporation in downtown Cleveland. Established in 1992, it aims to acknowledge the potential that exists around the downtown neighborhood complex. The purpose is to respond with a unified approach to promote mixed used adaptive rehabilitation while respecting the architectural heritage of downtown Cleveland.
Redevelopment projects are to be in line with the planned approach. The Historic Gateway Neighborhood includes the area between Public Square and Playhouse Square, Superior and the Innerbelt. Over the past several years the neighborhood has been a leader of downtown Cleveland’s renewal and emergence as a place to live, visit, and enjoy entertainment. Bon Appetit – if I may add!
Cleveland Summertime (Picture from www.dys.ohio.gov)
For all its politics and working-class ambiance Cleveland remains a great city. Its great because it can look straight into the future while staying put with the basics. Frank G. Jackson, the 56th Mayor of Cleveland endorses well laid plans that will turn rust-city to the envisioned green city on the blue lake. Its a city that looks inwards at a time when everybody wants to follow the boom. Its back to the roots here and the season favors exploring your own backyard.
Cleveland is a happening city that is also concerned about its bike paths and clean waters. While bidding goodbye to an industrial past it is coming to terms with a future full of hope and new possibilities. It is attempting to keep the simple things in place clean air, clean water and clean forests. And most importantly keeping the community feeling alive and kicking. With happy events like the Summer Flower Display, Taste of Cleveland and the Cleveland National Air Show regulars and home towners create an inbound traffic each summer. The much awaited Ohio City Blues and Brew Fest are also in the offing just before summer wraps up.
What one might like best about this city located on the shores of Lake Erie is that it has a wide variety of entertainment options. Best of all everything seems to be within easy reach being close at hand. The professional sports teams, the museums, the restaurants- all can be done without much ado! Well known for its association with rock music it sounds a real fun destination. Why just booking into Cleveland’s coziest accommodations can be easily accomplished at a simple click on the Downtown Cleveland hotel site. Viola – all your travel plans get coordinated beautifully.
Summer is a good time to explore your naturalist tendencies around Cleveland. It offers one of the most family-friendly vacations. Nature buffs are sure to enjoy the scenic and relaxing trip aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad along the Cuyahoga River and dip in and out of beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Getting off the train you can hop onto a mountain bike from Century Cycles in Peninsula and ride the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trails. Away from the hustle and bustle of city skyscrapers you and your family can enjoy life in the slow lane for a change. Another great place to enjoy the land and its bounty is the Lake Farmpark thats all about agriculture and is sure to make you feel naturally tranquil. Kids will just love it.
Actually Castaway Bay at Cedar Point is what they may probably like even more. The indoor waterpark resort is a summertime haven with its wave pools, water slides and water obstacles. In fact the Carribean environment has the whole family swishing out together. You can have the same fun at Kalahari Waterpark Resort that is the world’s largest indoor waterpark with more than 173,000 square feet of super soaking fun. The rides here for the kids are super duper.
Some interesting in-house attractions of Cleveland are right besides the shores of Lake Erie. You could check out the North Coast Harbor Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Families will just love the museum dedicated to music that they enjoy together. Or dive into more than 400 hands-on science exhibits and watch thrilling life-like movies in a six-story-high IMAX theater at the Great Lakes Science Center.
If you are a true outdoor freak then you will love the Cleveland National Forest, thats a wonderful play ground for wildlife and wild life lovers. The Forest Centennial Year is celebrating its hundred years of conservation with a lot of fanfare. Among the events planned here The Fiddlin’ Foresters Concert in Ramona at Palomar District Ranger’s Office is sure to take you into another world. The Living History Weekend would see re-enactments of turn of the century life on the mountains featuring the life of Native Americans, mountain men, cowboys, farm families, the first forest ranger, and gold miners on Laguna Mountain. Cleveland is celebrating life and living this summer and everyone’s invited. Lets get to it.
