This new documentary is scheduled to air on PBS stations nationwide on September 28 at 8 p.m. EST and again on October 1 at 11 a.m. EST, in both instances to be followed by an in-studio discussion.

 

You can get more information, including a PDF of the entire script, here:

 

http://www.makingsenseofplace.org/cleveland

 

Here's the film description:

 

Making Sense of Place - Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City

 

A documentary film and educational outreach project produced as a collaboration of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Northern Light Productions.

 

Making Sense of Place "Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City" is a one-hour documentary film about deterioration in the urban core and older suburbs in what was once America's 5th-largest city, concurrent with growth at the suburban periphery.

 

Through the eyes and voices of Cleveland residents, the film explores the interrelationships of individual choices, the democratic process and market forces in the region. Many factors contribute to the patterns of the last several decades, including issues of race and class, taxes and schools, and major shifts in population and jobs.

 

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i' ve been looking for this since litt wrote about it playing in new york state over the summer. 

The whole greater cleveland chamber of commerce would rejoice.

I think that was Fulwood that saw it and wrote about it. Not Litt.

 

Did anyone else catch it? I thought it was really good, although a little upsetting (lots of footage of exurban sprawl, brand-new cul de sac after cul de sac in Lorain County). It was beautifully shot and really looked at the cost of sprawl from a lot of different angles ... there was a considerable amount of attention on remaking the urban center in the cornfields of Westlake. The film was followed by discussions with Hunter Morrison, the head of St. Louis' Chamber of Commerce and Zaremba. Not bad, not bad.

 

After seeing the doc, I've decided that a) I want to see it in one of the planned community forums and b) it's time to commit to keeping my retail dollars within the city of Cleveland (maybe the inner ring suburbs if I have to cheat) or spending outside of the MSA entirely. If we continue to go out to the outer ring for our purchases, it sends the message that we are willing to do so, while the exurbanites largely aren't willing to support Cleveland-based retail. So goodbye, Trader Joe's ... how I'll miss ye.  Who's with me?!

 

And meanwhile, who has advice on buying men's clothes within the City of Cleveland? I think this is going to be the hardest adjustment for me ... While I luck out in having a penchant for vintage, 60s overcoats will only get you so far. Any reasonable men's clothing options besides Gap and Kuhlman's? Is M. Lang reasonable?

I've not stopped in, but I know there's a place on West 9th - Suite Life? Seems like they carry trendy-ish stuff, but I have no clue if they're reasonable. I'm also a fan of vintage and I've found some great stuff at Flower Child - just stay away from the small/medium shirts and we'll be fine! :-D Actually - if you're ever asked your zip code during a purchase, that information is used to determine future store locations. Of course, it doesn't hurt to write the executives of said store and tell them you want a store that more conveniently located to you. As much as I would love to shop strictly in the city limits, there are certain things I have to have that are only sold at places like Nordstrom (fragrances, Mavi jeans, etc.), Trader Joes (prepared foods - I can't cook to save my life), etc.

 

About the documentary, I agree that it was beautifully shot and well done. There was one thing I was thinking when they were talking about Crocker Park. People kept saying "it's like how it used to be, when people were out and about", '"it's like being in a city but we feel safe", "recreating the urban environment, but without the undesirable things like crime". If ever there was a case of dancing around the issue, it was during that section. Honestly, I wish that the people they interviewed just had the b@lls enough to admit that some affluent suburban whites simply aren't comfortable being around poorer minorities in the inner city.

For men's stuff in Cleveland, you pretty much have to go vintage. I think you know the usual thrift suspects.

Otherwise, ordering online is a good way to keep your tax money in the city, because online retailers usually charge the tax of the municipality they ship to. It also sends the message that you live in (the city of) Cleveland.

Thanks guys. It's gonna be tough. Mayday, we have a problem, as I most CERTAINLY seek out the small stuff at Flower Child. Don't make me start hiding prized items in the kitchenware section.  :-D

 

I agree that the documentary skirted the issue of ongoing fears among suburban white folks about both the poor and minorities. Ongoing patterns of economic and racial segregation are so key to Cleveland's revitalization problems. I was heartened a little by the white couple who talked about wanting to live in Hough and break those patterns down. Meanwhile, during the whole Crocker Park section, all I could think about is the rape that occurred a couple months ago in their parking lot. I guess I will always be perplexed by people who try to outrun crime. It can't be done. Instead of trying to find the most milquetoast community in your region, isn't it time that people say enough is enough. In my mind, pot luck dinners are a better way to deter crime than are gated communities.

 

 

"I was heartened a little by the white couple who talked about wanting to live in Hough and break those patterns down."

 

Just to clarify - they DO live in Hough, and I thought that kicked @ss :)

I for one was queezy throughout the entire program having all of our problems spread out on our laps for the whole country to see, but after sleeping on it, I think it’s like admitting you’ve hit rock bottom as a drug addict.  Almost liberating.  Maybe this will start a dialogue in the region about the fact that this city is worth getting behind the momentum that all of us here at UO already realize. 

I hate people that live in Crocker Park by the way, they are the dregs of society.

SuiteLife has a good selection of mens’ clothing, but it’s a bit pricey.  The guys that own the place are fashion designers and have their own line they sell there among others.  I bought a coat there last year and I must say it kicks ace.

 

"I hate people that live in Crocker Park by the way, they are the dregs of society."

 

I understand your sentiment, and of course I'd love it if those people were buying (or renting) within the city limits. However, I don't think comments or mentalities like that are going to lead to anything productive. They've made choices and have a mindset that we don't agree with, but calling them "dregs of society" is only going to alienate them even further. With a stagnant regional population - we can't afford to do that.

 

You might have once thought I was a dreg of society. I used to be one of those evil outer suburbanites. For the first six months that I worked in downtown Cleveland, I lived in Hudson (I previously had a job in Stow, thus the choice to live in Hudson). At first I figured oh well - the hour-plus commute time is just something I'll have to get used to. Then one time I stayed over a friend's place on Lakewood's Gold Coast and with that first 5-minute commute (and extra sleep since I didn't have to get up at 6) I had an epiphany - that spending all that time in the car going to/from Hudson was giving me nothing but stress, wear and tear on my car, and less personal time to do things I enjoy.  Maybe those people in Crocker Park are just one epiphany away from choosing to live in the city - I really think we should try to welcome them, and more importantly - educate them. They have enough reasons to choose to live in Crocker Park - let's not add Clevelanders' nastiness to that list. :)

Mayday, you must be eliminated. You are a detriment to the cause. Firing squad, prepare your arms!

 

 

(just kidding, I agree with you :) )

There was a men's store in the Old Arcade (Hyatt) that had some cool stuff.  Not sure if it is still there

Oh yeah, and I want to catch this, it looks interesting...I hope I can find it on my local PBS affiliate.

 

btw...Kuhlman is a cool store...is there one at TC?

Yeah, there is. I actually love it. Loud, colorful but with just the right splash of Eurotrash sophisticate ... right up my alley. Unfortunately, the sizing is horrible for a short, skinny guy. The sleeves are always about four inches too long, forcing me to roll up any shirt I buy there. My dimensions are better for uber-skinny labels like Zara or Ben Sherman.

 

There was also a very nice men's shop on Shaker Square last year but it subsequently shut down ... I don't think it reopened elsewhere, either  :-(

^ True, the dress shirts are baggy as hell for some reason.  Strange since it is Euro.  The colors and detail are great though.  I used to have a really hard time finding skinny clothes too, but things are getting better at most stores.  Zara is the best.  Anyway, sorry to get off topic.

 

I am not having any luck finding the program on WTTW or WYIN....PBS websites kinda suck to find anything quick.

Maybe dregs of society is a bit harsh.  They have basically been brainwashed into thinking that is urbanism by someone.  I just don't see how anyone can accept that Disneyland mentality for a living environment.

I hate people that live in Crocker Park by the way, they are the dregs of society.

 

But how can you pass up on all this?

 

I for one was queezy throughout the entire program having all of our problems spread out on our laps for the whole country to see, but after sleeping on it, I think its like admitting youve hit rock bottom as a drug addict.  Almost liberating.  Maybe this will start a dialogue in the region about the fact that this city is worth getting behind the momentum that all of us here at UO already realize. 

 

We've hit rock bottom.  We have been drug along at rock bottom for quite some time.  I have to think that if we haven't woken up yet, we probably never will.

I hate people that live in Crocker Park by the way, they are the dregs of society.

 

But how can you pass up on all this?

You're kidding me??  right??

We've hit rock bottom.  We have been drug along at rock bottom for quite some time.  I have to think that if we haven't woken up yet, we probably never will.

 

As with many social documentaries, I think the film really preaches to the choir. That being said, if it incenses those of us who care to more action, and less talking (a Cleveland phenomenon I've never fully understood), then maybe the choir will at least be performing better.

 

How about, for instance, an Urban Ohio Day of Service? Get out there and roll our sleeves up?

I saw it and was like whoa there is white people in hough :)

 

All kidding aside I liked the documentery. I think it could have stretched into 2 hour program if it had gone into something about the attitudes of the polticians/residents/whatevers of the people that are in the outer ring suburbs. Maybe more stuff on what cleveland is doing right

it'd be nice if flyers or brochures for downtown living were passed out at crocker park.. i think mayday is correct in analyzing the thoughts of some people choosing to live at crocker park. the next step is getting people to choose downtown over crocker park. real city vs. fake city, but moreso, we must convince others that cleveland is welcoming and improve that image of ghetto, poor, etc. that many suburbanites have!

My dimensions are better for uber-skinny labels like Zara or Ben Sherman.

 

What!? Where can you buy clothes from Zara?

My dimensions are better for uber-skinny labels like Zara or Ben Sherman.

 

What!? Where can you buy clothes from Zara?

 

57 Street and Lexington Avenue!

As an urban dweller and I am like 8SG- is there something we can do? I have gone up to  6 months (my record) w/o spending money in the burbs...but cheated b/c I was in NYC. I can typically do it about 3 months which I think it is pretty good. But I am not a huge consumer unless we are talking about consumables (food and drink) and thankfully all the best are in the city of Cleveland!  I agree crocker is ridiculous . when you are shopping for a condo, unlike downtown where you choose from lake, river, or tower city view you say.."oh I want to live over the Gap or Banana Republic" sick on so many levels I can not get into. I appreciate what Mayday is saying in that maybe one day they will make the jump but mostly I think they are living in the strip malls of tomorrow (wasteland) .

 

When I moved to Cleveland with it tax abatements I made a huge commitment to spend every $ I could here (Unless of course I am jet setting). Over all I do a pretty darn good job. What more can we do? how can we bring more typical retail here? Just give me a Dillard's or whatever and I will go to NYC over westlake to get the rest.

also I am upset I missed this documentary...I not been checking the boards enough. PLEASE someone post if they know it will be repeated.

ok at this point I realize I have been talking to myself, but I like the day of service idea. Even though I already work in social services..what the heck I need to put my money where my mouth is and do more for the city. ideas?

If ever there was a case of dancing around the issue, it was during that section. Honestly, I wish that the people they interviewed just had the b@lls enough to admit that some affluent suburban whites simply aren't comfortable being around poorer minorities in the inner city.

 

...welcome to Dayton.

 

 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

 

 

I checked our local PBS affiliate schedule and it doesnt appear to be on as a broadcast, so I guess I will need to get the DVD.

 

Sounds like something pretty relevant for my part of Ohio, too.

 

 

I can’t comment on the film being it is only being aired in the Cleveland market to date.

 

Having read the script, I can say I was a little “queasy” at the beginning as someone stated in an earlier post.

 

After reading the script in its entirety, I came away with a different prospective. This documentary only validates my belief that one day the City of Cleveland again will be a shinning star.

 

Why? Cleveland is the “epitome” of the “comeback city”. What other American city has been through so much? It has been the butt of jokes; the river catching fire, bankruptcy, the loss of manufacturing, thousands of jobs, and hence, the loss of its population.

 

The city hit “rock bottom” many years before the year 2006, yet it still holds on to what remains; downtown, UC, OC, Tremont, Hough, Little Italy, Lake Erie, the arts and its culture. This is more than what most new cities or suburbs can and will ever offer.

 

Cleveland has found innovative ways to keep what remains through dire consequences. It doesn’t seem to want to die! In the 1970’s through the 1990’s Cleveland could have easily given in to its years of decline. Yet, the Rock Hall, Jacobs Field, Cleveland Browns Stadium, TC and the Key Tower are just a few examples of that era. Time and time again Clevelanders get tough when the tough gets going. Now is not the time to give up. 

 

Cleveland, its people, simply has not and will not let this happen.

 

FYI - The DVD and script are available by clicking on the link in the first post of this thread above.

I thought the documentary was well done, but it certainly was depressing (I suppose I should've expected as much from "Confronting Decline"). However, after letting it all sink in, it definitely reminds me why I felt so passionately about the opportunity for change here. The problems that have plagued this city are problems in many other cities, but its in those most punished (like Cleveland) where the knee-jerk reaction sets in motion the widespread implementation of counter-measures (such as residential and industrial land banks, brownfield cleanup, land conservancies and economic restructuring) that will become examples for saving other American cities.

 

Ultimately, my hope is that documentaries like this one add fuel to the growth of "smart urbanism" as a healthy lifestyle choice by reaching the living rooms of the thousands who have already considered a certain "moral responsibility" when purchasing a hybrid Honda, giving to Harvest-for-Hunger, recycling, yoga-ing, eating their vegetables...... but still live in an Avon cul-de-sac.

Time will only tell, maybe not in our lifetime but one never knows...

 

Why? Cleveland is the “epitome” of the “comeback city”. What other American city has been through so much?

 

 

the city of detroit challenges you to a duel sir.

 

Why? Cleveland is the epitome of the comeback city. What other American city has been through so much?

 

 

the city of detroit challenges you to a duel sir.

Point well taken but no need to duel!

We've hit rock bottom.  We have been drug along at rock bottom for quite some time.  I have to think that if we haven't woken up yet, we probably never will.

 

As with many social documentaries, I think the film really preaches to the choir. That being said, if it incenses those of us who care to more action, and less talking (a Cleveland phenomenon I've never fully understood), then maybe the choir will at least be performing better.

 

How about, for instance, an Urban Ohio Day of Service? Get out there and roll our sleeves up?

 

ok at this point I realize I have been talking to myself, but I like the day of service idea. Even though I already work in social services..what the heck I need to put my money where my mouth is and do more for the city. ideas?

 

I'm game.  Perhaps this calls for a thread in the Social Junk section.  We could brainstorm some ideas and how to get them done.  It was your idea, 8shades.  Do you want to take the lead?

 

Edit- also, it is up to the site owner if we can or should use the "urbanohio" name for any outside activities we do.  But whatever we want to call it, it is a good idea.

 

Why? Cleveland is the “epitome” of the “comeback city”. What other American city has been through so much?

 

 

the city of detroit challenges you to a duel sir.

Point well taken but no need to duel!

 

Besides, Detroit is far more skilled at gunplay!  ::rimshot:: ;)

 

I saw this in today's Detroit Free Press. A map of what's going on downtown.... http://freep.com/assets/static/pdf/2006/09/downtown0930.pdf

 

I've only been downtown in Detroit a couple times, but it's really a beautiful place. It's a lot bigger than downtown Cleveland, if I remember correctly, which makes the task a lot more overwhelming. That hotel they are turning into condos is stunning, though.

 

Detroit is cool in my book... I just have no interest in living in Michigan =)

I'd be happy to take the lead on something but couldn't devote a lot of attention to it until post-Election. October's gonna be a hella crazy month!!!!

 

I'll create a post for this idea, if someone else hasn't already, later today.

 

Why? Cleveland is the epitome of the comeback city. What other American city has been through so much?

 

 

the city of detroit challenges you to a duel sir.

 

no need. both cities basically lost over half of their peak population. it would end in a draw, with both wounded but not dead. ugh.

 

or wait maybe detroit does have clev beat in this dept as that detroitfreepress map was depressing -- casinos as growth!?!?

 

 

 

I watched the show sunday and thought it was very good. I was interested in the commentary afterward as well. Someone said we dont have to focus on population growth as much as stemming the sprawl and replacing those (both people and jobs)  that leave . the midwest is not growing anywhere. I liked the show -hus will be using it his classes-but we felt the elephant in the room was the race issue that exists in Cle, and that was not fully addressed 

For those interested in participating in a service project, I have started a separate thread at http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10660.0;topicseen.

no need. both cities basically lost over half of their peak population. it would end in a draw, with both wounded but not dead. ugh.

 

So has Buffalo, Pittsburgh or St. Louis, and Cincinnati isn't far behind. When that happens, it's indicative of a policy failure, especially when only some U.S. cities declined so dramatically or not at all. Interesting that many of these declining cities are concentrated in the same general region. There is no one explanation for this.

 

or wait maybe detroit does have clev beat in this dept as that detroitfreepress map was depressing -- casinos as growth!?!?

 

My Cleveland developments/planned projects map is even more impressive. I don't have the sites identified, but I'm sure many of you can figure out what most of these are:

 

no need. both cities basically lost over half of their peak population. it would end in a draw, with both wounded but not dead. ugh.

 

So has Buffalo, Pittsburgh or St. Louis, and Cincinnati isn't far behind. When that happens, it's indicative of a policy failure, especially when only some U.S. cities declined so dramatically or not at all. Interesting that many of these declining cities are concentrated in the same general region. There is no one explanation for this.

 

or wait maybe detroit does have clev beat in this dept as that detroitfreepress map was depressing -- casinos as growth!?!?

 

My Cleveland developments/planned projects map is even more impressive. I don't have the sites identified, but I'm sure many of you can figure out what most of these are:

 

omg you just had to post that. Thanks for reminding me I have an assignment due wednesday that looks pretty much identicle :[

Yeah, that Detroit map is rather pathetic.

 

When I worked in Michigan, I interviewed a popular Detroit radio DJ who lived downtown. He said that Detroit was coming around, but it wasn't a rebuilt city like Cleveland. I thought that was nice praise. But it's more likely an explanation of how bad of shape downtown Detroit really is.

 

Here's another little story. I spoke with a Detroit-area marching band director about his band performing in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day parade, which is a very nice, big parade that is very impressive. "We didn't even feel in danger at all" they guy said to me. I was a little stunned. I wouldn't have even THOUGHT of being in danger during a Thanksgiving Day Parade!

 

 

Interesting comments by the Detroiters, jamiec. While I do occasionally come across a suburbanite who is scared to go downtown, it's pretty rare. I think most realize that downtown is pretty safe during the day, though some (especially women) have concerns about walking around at night, especially in areas where there isn't much pedestrian activity.

What a silly comparison. Detroit is much worse off than Cleveland.

My experience in Detroit:

 

I was at U of M one summer for a program before I was a sophmore in high school. My large group of friends and I took the Greyhound from Ann Arbor to Detroit for the Taste of Detroit- we skipped out of that day's activities to go. When we arrived in Detroit we began walking toward the festivities, which was a moderate distance. While we were walking there was no one on the city streets in broad daylight, and I remember the buildings looking very fortress like. A police car drove up along side of us and told us to get on a bus immediately. So we got on the next one and I think it took us where we needed to go. We ended up at the festival and it was fun, but it was a very strange experience; cops telling a group of people in broad daylight downtown to get off the streets.

I read the transcript. The "suburban Cleveland residents" are both from Avon Lake. I know who they are. Anyway, I still really want to see the movie. I guess being a student I'd get a discount on the DVD, but do you think the Cleveland Public Library will carry it soon?

The DVDs are selling for $20; Students, teachers and those ordering 10 or more copies get them for $10. I would anticipate CPL ordering these in the near future. There are also supposed to be local viewing parties and discussions, although none are posted to date. http://www.makingsenseofplace.org/cleveland/

My intent was not to spark a Detroit vs. Cleveland discussion all though interesting. My point is simply, Cleveland has undergone regeneration many years ago and it continues to date. Detroit has only recently begun its renaissance.