NBA All-Star game, Lego Movie and RoboCop with Brian Spaeth – WFNY Podcast – 2014-02-19
February 19, 2014NBA Trade Rumors: Cavaliers looking to acquire Jordan Hill?
February 19, 2014
Devastated by a ravaging storm nine years earlier, New Orleans is, somehow, light years ahead of Cleveland
If memory serves, which is up for debate considering the whereabouts, I believe it started happening during the first of two walks to Morial Convention Center. Perhaps it was one of the many trips down Bourbon Street, what with the cobblestone and calculated puddle-dodging steps1 that are necessitated to navigate through the slalom of debauchery, be it day or night. Then again, it could have been one of the late-night walks back from the bass-laden festivities—the kind that don’t resonate until the next morning, requiring a few hours of sleep and a coffee-chased beignet before fully kicking in. But at some point during this past weekend, during a Bucket List trip to New Orleans for the 2014 NBA All-Star game, my feet began to cry for mercy.
It started from the outside, pinky toes to be precise, and worked its way in. As the steps turned into blocks and then miles, DSLR-over-the-shoulder touristy things being checked off one by one, the Naproxen began serving multiple purposes. Shoe changes were rendered useless. A pedicab may have provided some relief, but who wants to sit in traffic, forced into conversation about the DSLR-over-the-shoulder touristy things still on the list? And miss all of the up-close people watching? No chance. Walking it was, and lots of it, pulsating pain or not.
There’s a stretch along the Mississippi River on Decatur Street where one can spend hours merely soaking it all in. Jackson Square is beautiful. The lush greenery and historic landmark named after the former President (who is placed atop a steed in sculpture form) is expansive and serene—almost serene enough to make one forget that it was a prime site for the public execution of disobedient slaves during the 18th and early 19th centuries. St. Louis Cathedral is prime for architecture types and history types alike, being the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States. There are countless shops selling anything from spices and hot sauce to beads and stripper tutus—lots of stripper tutus; pick a color, they were there. And of course there’s the whole waterfront thing: Properly executed, shopping, restaurants and residential areas married with convenience. It was on Saturday morning when it hit me. Not the lower-extremity pain, but the realization that the reason my feet would be on fire is that everything in downtown New Orleans was incredibly attainable by foot. That, and the fact that I could not, in any right mind, say the same for my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.
Way back when, in the year 1997, Cleveland’s Gund Arena played host to the best the NBA had to offer. Utah’s Karl Malone and John Stockton teamed up with Seattle’s Gary Payton and Skinny Shawn Kemp to start—alongside Hakeem Olajuwon—for the West. Chicago legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen anchored the East, flanked by Grant Hill (then with Detroit), Dikembe Mutombo (then with Atlanta), and an electric, up-and-coming 6-foot-7-inch point guard named Anfernee Hardaway.2 Brian McKnight, Anytime and R&B falsetto fame, sang the National Anthem. Jordan’s 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists were the first and, until LeBron James in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, the only triple double in NBA All-Star Game history. Glen Rice left the night with the game’s MVP award. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Terrell Brandon managed to put up 10 points and eight assists in just 17 minutes of play.
Legendary head coach Red Auerbach paced the sidelines for the Eastern Conference rookie team, back when it was just the Rookie Challenge, his roster comprised of guys named Antoine Walker, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Vitaly Potapenko. Down the sideline was another Red, Red Holtzman, who led the way for a trio of youngsters named Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Steve Nash—Bryant would go to lose the ever-coveted MVP award to Iverson, but would later win the Slam Dunk Challenge, narrowing out Chris Carr while handedly defeating Cleveland’s own Bob Sura.
As of 1990, more than 500,000 people could rightfully list Cleveland as their home. Cleveland, as a town, was, as they say, booming. The Forest City (or Rock and Roll Capital of the World, if you so choose) was in the middle of a Renaissance of sorts. Rebounding from the suburbanization-fueled economic tailspin of the mid-to-late-80s3, Tower City Center was opened in 1991. Bally of Switzerland, Barneys New York, Fendi, Gucci, and Versace had retail locations inside of the spacious expanse. Two new 11-story office towers, the Skylight Office Tower and the Chase Financial Tower, would soon be added to the fray. The erection of The Gateway Complex—of which Gund Arena was a part—in 1994 along with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1995) and Great Lakes Science Center (in 1996) indicated that good things were indeed on the lakefront horizon. I mean, Bob Sura was in the Slam Dunk Challenge, for Pete’s sake. Cleveland would later be classified as a major (MAJOR) world city.
Deep Blue had not yet beaten Gary Kasparov. Timothy had not yet been convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Ford Thunderbirds were still being made. Kylie Jenner was not yet born; Diana, Princess of Wales had not yet passed. Higbees had not yet closed its doors. Local politics had yet turned the would-be major city on its collective head4.
Where Cleveland is allegedly the birthplace of Rock and Roll, New Orleans carries a similar claim to fame with regard to Jazz. Both areas have seen considerable decline in local population, the former being impacted by poor decisions, the latter being crushed by a natural disaster in 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Even today, when one takes a cab from Louis Armstrong Airport, down Interstate 10 and gets off in downtown New Orleans, relics of what once were still remain. Old warehouses are adorned by faded, scratched and tarnished signs—many of which have a reference to some sort of “Dixie.” There are abandoned garages, seedy gas stations and random, unsavory individuals wandering streets in search of anything that would help make life go by at a quicker rate. The city of New Orleans had long been crippled by poverty, and it had, just nine years earlier, experienced a period were hundreds of thousands were forced to uproot, leaving everything behind. Many never returned. For a town that thrives on tourism to be wholly submerged, both physically and emotionally…well, that doesn’t quite make for a welcome mat for out-of-towners now, does it?
Ask anyone who lives in New Orleans and they will tell you that, while it brings in considerable money and attention on a global level, the town is more than its attractions. Bourbon street, the balcony lined burrough that rarely sees constant sunlight due to its tight corridors and tall buildings, is infamous—local, southern seafood joints are nestled between copious amounts of see-boob joints; more booty and body paint than you can shake a stick at. Hurricanes and Hand Grenades are served by the dozens. Bourbon, the actual whiskey, lines the walls of various corner-located restaurants, the kind with white table clothes and black tie-wearing wait staffs. The French Quarter, as it’s called, provides endless amounts of gift shops and souvenirs, many of which sell books that document the damage that occurred during Katrina’s storms. Canal street is southern, smaller version of Times Square, if Manhattan could sustain a temperature high enough for palm trees to line the streets. The store fronts are equipped with large LED signage. Skyscraper hotels house countless tourists, enticing them to spend their hard-earned dollars on good and, um, services.
A walk south down Tchoupitoulas Street and you’ll find yourself in what New Orleans refers to as their “Warehouse District.” But instead of pot holes and construction, Tchoupitoulas is a street, miles long, where lofts sit atop Bistros, wine bars, coffee shops and whiskey joints. Emril Lagasse’s namesake adorns a spacious abode on the corner of Julia Street. Cochon, the place that pops up in any “where should I eat when in New Orleans” Google searches, serves a mean Red Snapper, the kind perfectly washed down with an IPA from a neighboring Mississippi microbrewery. A few miles away sit the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (home of the Saints and countless displaced families during Katrina) and the Smoothie King Center (home of the Pelicans). In between are an array of expansive clubs that, on this very weekend, held parties of preeminence. On Saturday night, former player and current analyst Kenny Smith threw a party at The Metropolitan, a mutli-floor venue that housed thousands. Scantily clad women danced around an ice sculpture shaped like a basketball. Smith made a grand entrance, complete with a drumline and masquerade mask-wearing women. One night later, it was comedian Kevin Hart’s turn. Down the street, Cleveland’s own DJ Steph Floss spun the ones and twos for GQ—almost every NBA in New Orleans player was in attendance, The Roots played with countless other acts. Adidas threw a party that included performances by 2 Chainz and Pusha T. Young Money-Cash Money threw a party where Drake performed what was said to be an excellent set.
When I leave my office tonight, I’ll turn off my light and close my door. I’ll take the steps down to Prospect Avenue, where I’ll walk several blocks east towards my car. On this very night, the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Orlando Magic. Initially, I will walk past the Horseshoe Casino which was funded by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. I’ll attempt to dodge the melting snow and combat drivers who are attempting to flee the city via Ontario Street, but once I made it across, I’ll walk past roughly three blocks of abandoned retail space. Hatters, Army-Navy surplus, bridal shops—all vacant. Their storefronts, chained and gated. The dust piling, the despair increasing. Eventually, I will reach East 4th, the home of several high-end restaurants which sit adjacent to Quicken Loans Arena, the place that was a part of the revival of the mid-90s. It will be at this point where I put myself in a mythical All-Star weekend, one housed in Cleveland, Ohio, and I will wonder what everyone would do. Where would they go? Weather aside, as Toronto won the 2016 bid with weather arguably worse that Cleveland’s, how ready would we be? The 2014 Gay Games will prove to be quite the stress test this summer, but even then—where would the Jam Session be housed? Where would the parties be held? And most importantly, how would we all get there?
I was too young to fully appreciate the revival and occurrences of the late 90s. I recall being excited that Terrell Brandon and Bobby Sura5 were taking part in their various activities, but all of the ancillary, celebrity-based items—which may have not even existed at this point, similar to all of the sponsorships of today—fell deaf on my teenage ears. I have faith that Cleveland, one day, will be ready to house countless celebrities, NBA groupies and tourists, all of whom are willing to spend extravagant amounts of money on consumables, all for the sake of celebration. I know that there were some who were despondent when word came down that Cleveland fell just short of winning the bid for 2016, but having witnessed what NBA All-Star weekends are supposed to be, this may have been a blessing. I have no doubt that the Flats East Bank revival will be beautiful, though I feel as if we have been waiting for much of a decade for it to take place. (It’s also troubling that the plans in place are largely focused around valet parking rather than being accessible via a pair of feet.) I’m told there will be a second phase of the Casino, one on the waterfront that will rival the water-side walk in other areas like San Antonio—or, in this case, New Orleans. I also haven’t heard much about it in a very long time. I’m sure one of the various Warehouse District clubs will play host to a party or two, but even then, the attendance would have to be limited. And I’m sure the newly erected convention center would play a large role in any and all activities, but this palatial complex is a hefty walk from the arena and is near just two hotels. The list goes on.
Cleveland was set back by decision makers—some who are now incarcerated—rather than natural disasters. There’s no relief fund set aside for corruption and stupidity. Alas, in the event the city does try to get their name back in the hat for an All-Star weekend, it will have a few more years to finish the requisite jobs, the ones that invite all of those celebrities, groupies and tourists in and given them a place to spend all of their (in some cases) hard-earned money.
At least we will have some time to rest our feet.
—
Smoothie King Center image via Scott Sargent/WFNY
- It Might be rain, it might be other fluids. It’s safest that you just avoid it all together. [↩]
- Five players who were voted or selected for the team(Charles Barkley, Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, and Shaquille O’Neal) opted out due to injury. [↩]
- With an unemployment rate just shy of 14 percent in 1983, things were not good to say the least. [↩]
- By 2002 the total cost of all government in Cuyahoga County was nearly $7 billion annually or $5,079 per resident. The expenditure per capita had risen 68 percent between 1992 and 2002. [↩]
- Bobby Sura! [↩]
64 Comments
I find Austin overrated (sorry mgbode). 6th street is nasty.
I will say that it’s the best tourist destination type city in Texas (of the places I’ve been).
your 2nd paragraph is pretty vital. This used to be manufacturing. Now regrettably there’s a cycle of poverty that sets in when you’re less educated marginalize themselves into min. wage lives.
Austin is overrated. I just went and visited my sister and family there and could not believe how little character/neighborhood was there outside of the downtown. Great place to visit as long as you are not there in the summer. Living there, not so much.
And who do these companies target ? Big10 grads. They are easy pickings as its cheaper to live here than cali and they have no jobs close to school.
Agree on sixth street. Great city for families though and always things to do no matter your interests. And a nice mix of many different types of people eveywhere.
Medical mart has nothing to do with Nashville. The goal is to beef up the “business” tourist industry, get people downtown, and take advantage of Clinic synergies. Some jobs will be created but success will be seen if they can get conventions here.
Cleveland has it’s growing job source: healthcare. It is amazing how many people are moving here, including my family, for jobs. Lots of start ups as well deriving from the U Circle corridor. Lots to be bullish about, and people are noticing when they see the quality of life and low cost of living here.
This article, while well-written, is a silly comparison. Cleveland is no New Orleans, never has, never will be. and that is not a bad thing. I want to be in a city not driven by tourism, but has an actual corporate base. Can anyone name any companies based in New Orleans? (Though someone made a great point about New Orleans hub driving economic activity)
Cleveland is not trying to be the next New Orleans or Miami or even Santa Fe (3 big tourism cities) by hosting the Gay Games. Much like the Medical mart it is trying to attract non-typical convention business, the Gay Games is getting people to come to Cleveland who may ordinarily wouldn’t, much like the Senior Games did last year.
Cleveland’s biggest problem is their PR. Lazy journalists use the river catching on fire or LeBron to describe this city. It is events like these that help change people’s perceptions NOT elevate it to a tourist Mecca, ala NOLA.
Eh, not for eveyone I suppose 🙂
Spot on comment about comparing CLE to PIT, CiN, etc. Great goal to strive for. People would stay why not strive to top NYC, Chicago or even NOLA and that just isn’t realistic. With that said, It is remarkable how well Pittsburgh’s economy is doing. Would love to beat them in the business community and the football field!
if it was just lazy PR, then eventually it would change. sadly, it runs deeper.
for the medical mart, I personally think they went about it the wrong way. I mentioned Nashville because they built a competing “medical mart” that has been doing better.
why are they doing better with their convention business? because many of the actual companies that place products at those conventions are local. IMO, Cleveland has often tried to get the luxuries hoping to attract the structure. You need the structure first (I do hope that there are start-ups and other companies doing better there now. I know that Philips pulled most of their medical device groups out of town just a few years ago though and that really hurt).
another example, late 90s putting money into the warehouse district to entice people to come downtown worked for a little while, but without real condos/apts also built-in, it wasn’t a real community and eventually fell apart.
Rock-n-Roll HOF is another example of investing in something fancy rather than trying to build the infrastructure (investing in the local music scene to build up into being a destination rather than hoping it works the other way around).
I want Cleveland to get it right. I’ve lived in different cities and seen alot of different methods (and my wife and I studied a bunch of cities to decide where to finally settle, we factored all of this in). I just don’t think the Northcoast has been intelligently working towards any sustainable goal. I really hope that changes.
I left for graduate school eight years ago. At this point, I don’t plan to ever come back – even now that we have a kid and it’s difficult watching family leave and not return for a few months. Not planning to ever return is harsh, but also honest.
Great post. As a local (this is my 11th year in NOLA), I love seeing people fall in love with the city. Some rambling thoughts: I was just saying on Twitter, you miss both the best and the worst of New Orleans by staying downtown. The walkability makes it a great event host. I think the infrastructure/police’s experience in crowd control also helps with stuff this size– remember, we’re about to roll into what is basically a 2 week long party for Mardi Gras this weekend.
It’s important to remember that NO originally was just the French Quarter, and then expanded outward in the 1800s. So the consolidation downtown is largely historical–it was just the high ground. That means everything you see as a tourist largely did NOT take a hit from Katrina. The Quarter didn’t even get water. So that’s a big help. It’s not like we’ve made any huge advancements in city-planning terms in the years post-K. It’s just that the most popular areas never got as destroyed. And were originally just built in an optimal spot. So that’s hard to compete with.
What we do badly? Political corruption. Public schools are abysmal. Lots of poverty. High murder rate. Public services that border on laughable. The areas that were destroyed by flooding came back in patches, some not at all. That stuff is like 3 miles out of downtown, so visitors don’t see it. Sometimes it feels like the success is despite our local government, not because of it. We have very few large companies headquartered here.
What we do well? Amazing food. I always say, the best food in NO is in some of the shackiest looking buildings. Great local music, most of which you will not have seen during All Star, since a lot of artists come in from elsewhere. Lots of distinct neighborhoods. (For instance, I live in Bywater, which is sort of a mini-Brooklyn 2 miles out of downtown full of hipsters and new restaurants, very walkable and quirky.) And a laid back culture and sense of weirdness that is just unique to this city, which is why I’ve stayed. Whoever recommended Treme as a show to watch is right– it’s too earnest at times but it nails the feel of the city. The last 30 minutes of Season 1 really 100% “get” Katrina, and actually gave me a sense of closure when I watched it.
These thoughts are too long, but I like to see what visitors think of NOLA! Good luck with your snow. 🙂
Yeah, having kids is often the turning point on a potential return. 8 years ago we had our first and decided we didn’t want to raise our children in Arizona. We looked throughout the country for a proper place to raise our kids. We tried to consider Cleveland (and even Pitt to be close), but we just couldn’t do it.
And, I knew once we made the decision, that has closed the door on returning.
(our final 3 came down to Portland, Raleigh, and Austin)
It is cool to see so many people in the same boat as myself. I live in Boston — moved from Cleveland 8 years ago. And I would go back to Cleveland the moment I heard of a job, that pays me what I make here, in my field, but it never happens. At this point I don’t see it happening anytime soon either. I like it here just fine, but it isn’t home, and never will be. I can’t stand all of the sports teams here.
NO is awesome, but the fact that Cleveland is not oriented towards attracting a colossal party is not necessarily a negative.