Code,951009
Subject,Richard Van Petten
Date,8/2/2006
Interviewer,Greg James
Abstract,"Richard Van Petten works as an architect in Cleveland, Ohio, presently running his own architectural firm.  In this 2006 interview, Van Petten, a contributor to the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project, describes the history of the project and discusses its implications for the city's future.  He also shares his thoughts on the current uses of Cleveland's Public Square and lakefront and possibilities there for future improvements. At the end of the interview, Van Petten argues for the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings in the city.  Other topics discussed include Van Petten's own work on the renovation Pilgrim Congregational Church and some of his favorite buildings in Cleveland, including the Schwienfirth House,  his one-time residence."
Special Notes,"architecture, urban issues and urban design, euclid corridor transportation project"
minutes:,
0,introduction and background
1,"growing up in akron, post-industrial akron culture"
2,
3,family background
4,
5,early interest in architecture
6,"Providence, Rhode Island/liveable cities"
7,
8,school construction/demolitions
9,van petten architectural firm
10,history
11,
12,Pilgrim Congregational Church (Tremont): renovation challenges
13,building committee
14,architecture:  salary position versus independent work
15,
16,favorite building: Pantheon
17,cultural/historical attributes of architecture
18,"favorite buildings, cleveland:"
19,Frank Gehry Building at Case:  distinctly of the computer age
20,personal residence on E.75th (schwienfirth house)
21,
22,Trinity Cathedral
23,
24,
25,architecture: signiture elements versus project-specific demands
26,
27,euclid corridor transportation project (ECTP): history
28,origin as light-rail project
29,Brazilian model
30,maximizing efficiency
31,
32,Hotel at Euclid and E30th: built to accommodate The Arena
33,"changes in ownership and use, now primed to take advantage of ECTP"
34,euclid corridor transportation project (ECTP): generating development interest
35,impact on local businesses
36,Public Square
37,"possible improvements: more greenspace, new traffic patterns"
38,underground utility access
39,"""Russia got it right… [by] building utitlity tunnels under the street"""
40,Soldiers and Sailors Monument: public appreciation varies over time
41,Public Square: possible improvements
42,"Lake Front, development plans"
43,"needs: downgrade Rt.2 into a boulevard, reorient traffic patterns toward lake front"
44,
45,land use issues: Burke Lake Front Airport
46,
47,architecture: professional challenges
48,"""most architects are basically whores"""
49,"Terminal Tower: central to ""a host of other activities and facilities"""
50,Forest City's planned adjacent Convention Center
51,a Cleveland icon
52,"Cleveland, urban issues:  dilapidated buildings should be restored/preserved"
53,
54,
55,Cleveland Clinic: acquisition of historic Euclid Ave. Druery Mansion (incl. different uses)
56,"renovation/restoration, limited public access"
57,end