The view from the Idea Center

Hundreds of vacant buildings dot Cleveland's post-industrial landscape. They're a depressing reminder of more prosperous times.

The conventional wisdom is to tear them down to keep them from becoming a drag on property values, public safety and community spirits.

But one developer has a different idea for a big, vacant industrial building in Cleveland's Clark-Fulton neighborhood. Developer Rick Foran wants to turn the Astrup Awning Co. building into a community center that will lift up the neighborhood. His plan is to fill it with galleries, performance spaces and a crisis center for missing and exploited children and adults.

Yes, that last bit might seem jarring and out of place with arts and culture. But it's apt. The Cleveland Center for Missing, Abducted, and Exploited Children and Adults is the brainchild of Gina DeJesus, one of three women abducted and held captive by the late Ariel Castro.

The Astrup building is adjacent to the site where Castro's house once stood.

"We're trying to pivot the whole area from this ignominious background to something that's more with the future and more positive," Foran told ideastream’s Taylor Haggerty.

While we’re on the subject of pivots, you may have witnessed cars making some sharp ones this morning during your drive to work. The roadways were slick with slushy snow. Do be careful. 

See you, bright and early, tomorrow morning on the radio!
Amy Eddings

Need to KnOH

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Your ideas

Cowell & Hubbard was once Cleveland's premier jewelry store, originally founded in 1861. Now, 1305 Euclid Ave. is home to a premier downtown dining destination – chef Zack Bruell cleverly kept the name when he repurposed the space. Is there an empty building you think is worth saving and turning into something else? What would you use it for? Call us at  (216) 916-6476 or comment on our Facebook page. We'll feature some of your thoughts and comments here in Noon(ish) and on Morning Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you how you were prepping for the first snowfall of the season. It wasn't even cold enough for snow around noon yesterday but look at us now!

"Preparing very little. Just raked leaves to the tree-lawn because NOT to do so would result in their being frozen in place ‘til the spring," said Doug Fabens on Facebook.

In our Public Square Facebook group, Charlene Fillion Urban Mallory said she's already got her snowshoes out, plus "Topped off the gas tank and made sure the snow brush and small shovel were back in the car."