Read the entire article on Cleveland.com
http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2009/06/the_bus_stops_here_from.html
Robert Maschke bus stops portrayed in new Qian Li video
Posted by Steven Litt / Plain Dealer Architecture Critic June 05, 2009 16:37PM
The Bus Stops Here from Qian Li on Vimeo.
The Bus Stops Here from Qian Li on Vimeo.
The phrase “bus stop” usually doesn’t conjure images of great beauty. But Cleveland architect Robert Maschke has come up with an edgy and forward-looking concept for bus stops that are part of the $3 million-plus makeover of Detroit Avenue in the heart of the Detroit-Shoreway cultural district.
Ward 17 Councilman Matt Zone sent a link to the video, created by neighborhood resident Qian Li. This short presentation, which includes interviews with Zone, Maschke and others, casts light on the creative energy rising an important neighborhood center on the city’s West Side. It’s worth a look.
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GSAD is where I chose to buy and reside. The changes being made are exciting and yet comfortable as there is attention to restoring and renovating historic buildings and refreshing the streets with underground electric for street lamps eliminating the power line clutter as well as artistic walkways adding year round warm color especially during cold slushy days in Cleveland winters.
A very big mistake though is the inconsiderate approach to the public bus stops. I saw the video and the ‘vision’ the architects have for the Arts District ‘streetscape’, and in that video “…a consistancy in the streetscape…”-(artistically)was mentioned but the new bus stops do not reflect consistancy in an historic neighborhood. They are eyesores.
I understand ‘Art’ and I understand throwing something high tech looking and modern into an older area to ‘shake things up’ a bit but those are painful to look at. By painful, I mean that they are harsh, cold, windy & for crying out loud, there are holes all over them and consideration for any human body that tries to gain shelter while waiting for a bus was thrown out the window.
They are too close to the curb, rain & wind flies thru the cold steel like knives and I’ve seen poor elderly men and women huddled in the one corner shivering as cars kick slush on them because there is no longer a plexiglass wall on the curb side to protect them.
These were selfishly designed by folks that probably haven’t had to take a bus in years. Poorer people take the bus and this is an insult to injury.
True forward innovation would have been the use of high tempered glass (backboard glass NBA grade)stainless steel and a solar panel on top to keep in warmer in winter, cooler in the summer. A nice enclosed protective box with the RTA customer in mind and then maybe surround it with that steel origami giving extra seating options for crowded or sunny days.
It physically hurts me to see an 80yr oldster huddled and shivering, sitting on cold steel, getting wet & clutching there purse or bag while wind cuts accross their faces as I turn the corner very gently as not to kick up any water with my nice, new cxomfortable A/C/Heated minivan.
Those pieces of very expensive commissioned ‘Art’ are really just a cruel joke! So on behalf of the oldsters, the fragile, the poor, the small children, mothers, babies & struggling students & workers…Have a beautiful climate controlled Lexus, BMW, Hummer ostentatious day…
Thank You for Your Time,