Archive for April 11th, 2006
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Thursday, April 13th the historic Broadway Mills/Strong Cobb/Gillota building and its supporters go before the Cleveland Landmark Commission to plead its case for Historical Landmark status. This building at the end of the Central Viaduct in the vicinity of the Western Reserve Historical Society Fire Museum stands in the way of the construction of the northern span of the “signature” innerbelt bridge.
I understand that Baker & Associates has provided the paperwork showing that the building should not be eligible for Landmark status. This firm is the one hired by ODOT to design the innerbelt bridge. To me, this appears to be a conflict of interest. Would you agree?
This is not the first time that this firm has been in this position. Baker & Associates was the firm who prepared the paperwork showing that The Fulton Road Bridge did not deserve Landmark status. The city and the Landmarks Commission used the paper the firm produced as one of the reasons for denying Landmark status. Baker and Associates was the firm hired by the County to design the new “signature” bridge over the zoo valley. I have heard that ODOT was the voice behind the scenes saying that the Fulton Road Bridge needed to be destroyed and a new one constructed.
Strangely enough, ODOT Director Gordon Proctor used the “possibilty of landmark status” for the Walker Weeks building and the Juvenile Justice Center as reasons for closing the Carnegie exit in the plans for the ODOT “renovations”.
Oddly enough, the players in this new Landmark Status case appear to be the same, ODOT, the county engineer, the City of Cleveland, and Baker and Associates. I hear the sound of wrecking balls and heavy machinery unless we as a community stand behind the people wanting to save this landmark.
Please attend this important Landmark Commission meeting. They are open to the public. If you cannot attend send your letters of support to Bob Keiser at rkeiser@city.cleveland.oh.us. I would suggest sending a copy of your email to Ed Hauser at ed@reallinks.us or Norm Roulet at norm@reallinks.us