NEO Civic leader Sarah Taylor has for many years championed appreciation for
the transformational aspects of the Gehry designed Peter B. Lewis building in
University Circle, and for this Tuesday@REI she assembled a remarkable panel to
explore impacts in this community. It became that building the "PBL" was the
ultimate professional experience of everyone personally involved with the
project, that knowledge was broadly shared by all involved that transformed
their abilities to excel in their professions, that they and the regional
economy thus benefited directly, and that the existence of the PBL is one of the
greatest assets of this region. In conclusion, everyone in the room seemed to
share the believe we as a region have failed to leverage the value of this
asset, and so more should be done to benefit from this industrial innovation
phenomenon.

To begin the session, Sarah offered a brief introduction. She pointed out the
PBL architecture is very "American" - structure is democratic - enter through a
slit in the building - lack of formality - celebrates the proletarian - exposed
duct work and concrete - exploration of the ordinary - message of building is
inclusive ... be prepared for new ideas... put aside old approaches and
concepts. And construction itself was not hierarchical but collaborative - lots
of "gee how did you do that" learning experiences.

Surveyor John Zaranec
- President Zaranec Surveyors - 1/2 million coordinates to put up building -
pushed equipment and software - today the job would be a lot easier - surveying
equipment has advanced because of buildings like this - his profession has had
to meet new challenges - very 3-dimensional - no column lines to measure from -
every point had to be established by survey - now trades work more closely with
surveying - by end of job everyone on the project had learned 3D software. He
had done roller-coasters and Jacob's field but nothing like this.

Next is
the showing of a fantastic home video of mid-stage construction of the PBL
building made by Wayne Miller - Iron Workers Local 17 Foreman for the project.
In his recorded narration he points out nothing lines up and it is supposed to
be that way - he shows his love for his work - amazing footage of the steel
skeleton - mentions they have names for pieces of building like "Diving Board,
Dragon's Tail, and a heck of a lot more you don't want to know". Through this
video we follow Wayne from outside through the building to the top, joined by
his crew along the way - very exciting.

Wayne now speaks to us in person,
in the finished PBL, explaining it was the job from hell. Never seen anything
like it before - most beautiful and unusual building he ever worked on - now
that he's retired he's glad it's done. Sarah points out the normal tolerance of
a building is 1/2 inch but in this building the tolerance was zero. Tim
McCarthy, Chief Foreman - Iron Workers Local 17 - is also in the
audience.

Pete Accorti is co-Chair of NEOCAM and VP of operations and
co-owner of Talon. He was not involved with this project, but speaks as the
outsider looking out about how the stories that get told about the PBL are about
the design - not the story of the value of the project - the accomplishment of
the building. He feels there is value to broaden the story of the uniqueness of
the accomplishment.

Arthur Huckelbridge - Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering. He shows a presentation that starts with a scribble and says that
was the original design for the building. We then see images from the structural
engineer showing the geometry and structural planning that went into the
building - complex process - engineers had to think outside the box - what are
the load paths - how does snow go from roof to ground - how to use strange
shapes to support loads. Used 3D software from aerospace to insure everything
fit together. Demanded skills to expand to handle new challenges, which improved
skills of workforce and so ability of region to innovate. Showed that
construction is sophisticated industry - raised interest of public - planted
seeds of "could I do something like that" - breaks bounds of limitations on what
we believe we can do - makes construction industry more interesting to young
people.

Laura Hummer - Director of Marketing, Jump Start - Peter Lewis
building represents the level of innovation capable in our region - represents
an stretch idea that became a reality - makes it seem possible for other great
ideas to become reality.

Daryl Kratzer - President of Roofing - Building
Maintenance Division of TREMCO - he wasn't involved in building but has a
feeling he will be involved in maintaining the complex roof. He quotes Architect
Richard Fleishman who expressed excitement that the architects talked with the
contractors and the trades people -  sees the PBL as representative of
willingness to take risk.

Anshel Gleyzer - Founder & CEO, Photopeak -
speaks of crystal development in Cleveland and the role of that in physics - we
were world leaders, in those glory days. More recent story was of a visit by his
sister where he took her to the PBL and she was fascinated - she said this
couldn't be in Cleveland - when she got back to Solon she started calling all
her friends to rave about the experience. His company grows high quality
alkaline crystals - continuing the tradition from Cleveland's past. A few months
ago, a guy from Israel called saying he needs best crystals for imaging - in
collaboration with Tokyo this Chagrin Falls company created a unique
manufactured solution for an Israeli imaging company, which could lead to
medical breakthroughs for the world. His message - world-class innovation and
excellence happen here.

Joe Stanley – Founder of Neomainstreet and
designer of CIA plans at http://neomainstreet.com - speaks of new urbanism and
ideas for University Circle, including a Welcome Center connecting PBL and CIA
in many ways, with value and connectivity sharing common ground with value
greater than separate parts.

Q&A –
What happened with the
financial planning?
Bad estimate – work in process from start to finish -
Gehrys historically have cost 2X estimate

How does construction industry
interest fit with idea of economic development?
Chief Foreman says he
learned computing on this job and it led to him changing programs for
apprentices to include more computing. A manufacturer on the panel said
Cleveland is the preeminent place for metalworking but no vocational training
available any more so need change – promoting construction and manufacturing as
a desirable profession is desirable.

Case professor points out she
considers the PBL an under promoted regional asset.

Wayne Miller –
Foreman – says he knew the project was happening before hand and told his boss
he needed to get on the project

These are draft notes - more will be added.