willyboy

I think a city's willingness to accept or encourage integration is only loosely connected to the level blight it faces today. I think a bigger factor is more straight-forward: Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights remain relatively stable as compared to the other suburbs in question because CH and SH were built for the wealthy (and have the existing attractive housing stock as a result) and are in close proximity to some of the region's biggest assets (particularly in University Circle). The inherent advantages that have shielded CH and SH from blight in the past few decades will likely do so for the foreseeable future, though I do expect both to continue to deteriorate around the "edges" if current trends continue. Your right on the money here. I think many people here forget the role the housing stock plays. This is why with the shifting poverty in the county (and overabundance of housing) you can basically draw a map of the next areas to go down hill based on property values alone (connected to the types of housing in those communities). Certainly we choose the area of the east side that we thought would hold on the longest, but I must say, beyond that it seems almost hopeless as far as a sense of sustainability.

Nor did I say that anybody said that. Its a matter of simple observation. Ultimately, it is a problem most embedded in the black community that has certainly seen some aspects become disturbingly mainstream. There is also generally a disappointing attitude within the black community regarding this, little ownership or outrage that this is where things have gone. My new black neighbors in Shaker and my olds ones in DC frankly don't understand how white people are not more racist... I know education has been an ever nagging piece but again, the quality is only a small piece of the issue at this point (and likely too late to change much anyway). quote author=Hts121 link=topic=4065.msg687323#msg687323 date=1386709386] ^I don't recall anyone ever coming anywhere close to saying that crime is not a problem and should be ignored with the use of "blinders." As far as the "black community" is concerned, the sooner everyone (particularly including the black community) stops treating it as a separate community with separate problems that need to be dealt with within the community, the better off it will be (now, of course, I'm speaking in platitudes since we know that won't happen during our lifetimes).

This is SOOOOO long overdue.

BelievelandD1, thank you for saying that. As opposed to denying the issues (which only allows you to put blinders on as the neighborhood around goes completely down hill), you have mentioned one of the best ways that local citizens can contribute to stabilizing their neighborhood and keeping things at bay. Its so vital in these situations to have a tight knit community, and that's one thing that I think Cleveland does well. Its true there is strength in numbers, and it helps when communicating with local law enforcement as well as elected officials.

15 years ago we thought the answer was decentralizing public housing and section 8 in order to decentralize the poverty and its associated ills and therefore lift-up those in poverty by surrounding them with a diverse and productive population. That a "rising tide would lift all". After some implementation of certain programs and a somewhat "non-planned" dispersion of section 8 (do to the worthless state of the local housing market), we are merely seeing much more "bad apples" pulling down the neighborhoods they have relocated to. Truth is, this approach was explored a generation too late to succeed as a general approach. If anything is going to change with the trajectory of urban America and the black community, the damaging culture has to be dealt with above all. It is well beyond the state of economy or available opportunities. I've spent over 20 years working on this, frankly I'm spent.

I wouldn't be so sure. The demographics have been shifting, and therefore the crime. As the east side continues to become depleted you will continue to see crime go up on the west side (as well as many of the east side inner rings like Maple Heights). I have been warning about this for years (if he police were not able to keep a handle on it/contain it). The same pattern will just merely repeat (with the glut of cheap housing here, it is just to easy for people to continually move farther out to a safer area, not forcing any real solutions). Do realize there was a time when the east side (when they were largely eastern European neighborhoods) couldn't imagine the crime that was occurring in x place (I worked with a few of them during my time in DC). We are seeing that pattern replicate itself over and over.

A summary of the bloody past few days in Cleveland. 4 of the 5 are officially on the west side (the new east side). Another 30 year old was shot to death on W 90th street last night. One thing I hadn't realized was the beating death of the woman by the old Deaconess Hospital was also transgendered. Separately, there was an armed robbery at a bar on the west side. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/12/fifth_homicide_in_cleveland_in.html#incart_river I still find it shocking that the mayor here doesn't make some kind of statement. Oh wait Frank Jackson is still mayor.

Yeah this is how I feel about it as well. I would have thought it would have been a good idea long ago, but a lot has changed, and Cleveland does seem to have a hard time of taking care of things within its own limits (which has seen the crime and dangers spread significantly the past few years). I cant imagine Cleveland being bogged down b a city that is in even worse shape. Will likely result in being number one on several lists that it doesn't want to be on.

Crime seems to be bad all over the Cleveland area. This is pretty far west. Robbery on Cleveland's West Side leaves 28-year-old man dead from gunshot to chest http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/12/robbery_on_clevelands_west_sid.html#incart_m-rpt-2

I agree if on the other side, but this is on the side that still (generally) has the buildings up to the street, so its very stupid and short sighted to ruin (and frankly not take advantage of) the continuity of the existing street wall.

And another shooting death in Maple Heights. A teenager. I mentioned a while back to expect to see more of this in those parts..... Sure enough the last shooting death in Maple Heights was a mere 2 weeks ago. http://fox8.com/2013/12/08/18-year-old-shot-to-death-in-maple-heights/

"So you don't agree that crime hurts the vibrancy of the neighboring areas? I really don't understand how anyone could disagree with that". Thank you ClevelandOhio for all your responses above. You have added a bit of reason here. Funny the majority of responses to E Roccs observations have been totally misconstrued simply because it isn't what people on this board want to hear. That kind of mentality is very damaging in itself.

No, we realize that. We are talking about Cleveland's recent poor record with historic preservation.

I mentioned that on their blog as well. Perhaps Dr. Ryberg-Webster should be writing about that.

I walked by the Play House Square building this morning and it is really a beautiful building, so I will be very upset if they tear this one down. It is ironic because I saw Kathleen C. from the Cleveland Restoration Society posted yesterdays PD story by Dr. Ryberg-Webster, the assistant professor of urban studies at the Levin College of Urban Affairs. The story is regarding the Ameritrust Building and preserving Cleveland's heritage for the future, adaptive re-use and mentions a historic preservation conference here next year. So ironic, and right across from the building that houses the historic preservation and urban affairs program. Obsolete is what old buildings become which is why the term "adaptive re-use" exists.

Isn't the building in the rendering the Playhouse Square Building? I hope so, it is a lovely building. http://media.cleveland.com/business_impact/photo/1725-euclid-sw-aerial-2013-12-03jpg-db1118db5fd19448.jpg

They did a story in the PD a while back showing some of the interior design features of the different areas and company spaces in the tower. Should come up with a Google search.

FYI, the Court house has significant lighting that hasn't been turned on for a number of years. When I contacted the building manager they said it was an energy savings effort by GSA and that they still turn them on for special occasions (after me giving him a hard time about why Cleveland has to do this when DC clearly keeps everything lit up all of the time). As far as I know they are never on. Too bad. If I come across the email address of the person that was responding about this I will post here. It was at least a couple of years ago.

Exactly. Our large condo in DC was a whopping 525 sq. ft., and that was considered a pretty good size. You spoiled Clevelanders!

Yes Clvlndr, its great to have them in the neighborhood. I went opening day and several times since. Nice spot and great to see on that corner. People from the neighborhood opened it, and have now gotten their groove, so hope it is a success. Also, if checking it out, don't forget to also check out Simply Delicious Pies 2 doors down, Just past "Multitudes International" hair place (yes its really called that)

They were also filming at University Heights City Hall last week.

Big YEAH! Opens Wednesday.

Very good observation ClevelandOhio.

But remember most all of the others took less space than they had.

That would be Piccadilly artisan yogurt