I'm thinking more along the lines of Maple Heights, Garfield Heights and those cities that are inner-ring suburbs? I know many of those are struggling - but those municipalities have been around for some time.

 

That's correct. Maple Heights would be the next highest on the list, IMO.

 

I would list Bedford, Bedford Heights, Euclid, Garfield Heights, North Randall, Highland Hills, and Warrensville Heights as suburbs that are all facing significant challenges and could potentially head in the direction of East Cleveland, but each of them also have some assets and potential that, with the right leadership, could help them avoid going down that path and turn things around. But each needs to find a way to stabilize finances, including becoming involved in more regional partnerships. In fact, North Randall, Highland Hills, and Warrensville Heights should have merged years ago.

 

Maple Heights has also had governmental "issues" for decades.  Specifically, an anti-business (except for retail) attitude.

 

They've also been very closely tied to the Russo-Dimora machine.

The AP is reporting that members of the East Cleveland City Council are starting to see the value in a merger with Cleveland. Whether Cleveland really wants this is still up for debate, I suppose.

 

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/apnewsbreak-poor-suburb-softens-merger-cleveland-39407352

"Even if the payoff (to vendors) was a nickel on the dollar, I don't know where they'd get the nickel," Yost said.

 

Wow, that's an incredible statement.

Glad to see they're starting to come around to some common sense.

Drive north on Coventry or any of the parallel streets north of Mayfield from Cleveland Heights and you'll know exactly when you enter East Cleveland. These are streets where my mother lived in the 1950s and still had most of their houses until the 1990s. The abandonment since then is sickening. This has got to stop soon or cancer of blight will soon start eating away at neighboring cities.

You can see it spreading all along the border just by looking at the conditions of the residences and by looking into the property values. Even if you are in a different city, bordering or being within a block or two within East Cleveland is just terrible. Speaking of, I think I counted 15 trash cans or barrels in potholes along Euclid and various side roads over the past week. I know that Euclid is a state road - can the state at the least take over pavement management since the city is unwilling to do anything about it? (They said they issue $500,000/month in tickets, supposedly...)

The other end of the equation is Cleveland's house is pretty much in fiscal order. Why would the city want this albatross around the neck?

 

The only argument I can think of is the federal and state funding involved with population increase. What's EC population now? 20K?

^My guess would be maybe 16k, if that, since the last census.  It's amazing how much has been lost in EC.  Much of its urbanity is lost though it is left standing, if that makes sense.

The 2014 population estimate for EC is 17.4K. Amazingly it's only lost 400 people between 2010-2014 if the estimates are correct. I guess the people left are ones with limited means to get out.

 

So EC would push Cleveland back to around 405K. Would that population funding boost be enough to offset the costs of the city taking over EC? I would think major incentives are needed.

I actually think EC is a bigger albatross around Cleveland's (and Cleveland Hts's) neck as a separate entity.  It holds back UC's potential and definitely has a negative impact on several CH neighborhoods.  I am sure EC has a ton of debt, but I'm not sure whether or not those debts would pass to Cleveland with a merger.  Anyone know?

I'm not sure this survived the most recent state budget process, but there's also the possibility of a sweetener from the state.

 

Ohio proposes paying $10 million to help East Cleveland-Cleveland merger

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As East Cleveland and Cleveland officials mull merging the two cities, state lawmakers could sweeten the deal with $10 million to fix up the inner-ring suburb.

 

The one-time appropriation would be available only if the two cities agree to merge and could only be used for infrastructure improvements such as roads, bridges and emergency equipment.

 

The idea is being pitched by Ohio Auditor Dave Yost for inclusion in the state capital budget bill or another off-year budget appropriation bill. Yost has warned East Cleveland's fiscal woes cannot be fixed without merging the city with another or filing for bankruptcy.

 

East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton said the city needs about $17 million to provide "halfway decent" services and it plans to spend only about $11 million this year. The city is expected to bring in $600,000 less this year, $700,000 less in 2017, and $1.5 million less in 2018.

 

"We're faced with major cuts to police and fire and also not repairing any streets or fixing lights," Norton said. "We basically fall off a financial cliff in 2018."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/03/state_would_pay_10_million_to.html#incart_m-rpt-1

You can see it spreading all along the border just by looking at the conditions of the residences and by looking into the property values. Even if you are in a different city, bordering or being within a block or two within East Cleveland is just terrible. Speaking of, I think I counted 15 trash cans or barrels in potholes along Euclid and various side roads over the past week. I know that Euclid is a state road - can the state at the least take over pavement management since the city is unwilling to do anything about it? (They said they issue $500,000/month in tickets, supposedly...)

 

Euclid Ave is a federal route -- US 20.

While it may have a U.S. designation, U.S. 20, it is a state maintained highway in the ODOT register. Ohio is one of those states that does not assume primary responsibility for state routes in local government jurisdictions, so US 20 through East Cleveland is essentially city maintained. There are exemptions, such as for large-scale reconstruction projects or when the city is requesting specific assistance.

 

Per Financial and Policy Implications on Assuming Primary Responsibility for All State Routes Throughout Ohio Regardless of Local Government Jurisdiction --

 

"The FY 2010/2011 Transportation Budget (HB 2, 128th General Assembly) required the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to compile and produce a report on the financial and policy implications of the Department assuming primary responsibility for all state routes throughout Ohio regardless of local government jurisdiction."

 

"The State of Ohio Highway System is comprised of Interstate Routes, U.S. Routes, and State Routes. There are a combined 49,078 lane-miles on these routes within the State of Ohio. The maintenance responsibility for these routes varies by the type of maintenance activity performed. The different activities performed currently generate a range of responsibility from approximately 39,700 to 42,100 lane-miles on these routes. This report looks at the implications of ODOT assuming responsibility of the U.S. and State Routes that are currently under the jurisdiction of local cities and villages."

 

The "home rule" dates to 1912 when voters passed the home rule amendment - thanks to a movement that began in Cleveland who balked at having to follow the same regulations and laws as Painesville (specifically noted in the document). In conjunction, the State Highway Department's initial legislative mandate from 1904 stated that the department would facilitate a system of state, county, and township cooperation in the improvement of public highways, and that it could only give aid for highway construction to counties and townships - municipalities excluded. The "home rule" amendment also changed the department - into one that was active in construction projects.

 

The General Assembly later began to designate certain municipal roads as part of the state highway system. Statues began to appear (5501.49, 5517.04) that prohibited the state from construction, reconstructing, maintaining, and repairing such state highways within municipalities unless authorized by the director. Interestingly enough, 2744.02 states that the municipal roads be kept "open, in repair, and free from nuisance."

 

So East Cleveland could be in violation of state law by not maintaining Euclid Avenue, for instance.

 

And 5501.31 states that the department has an exception of adding/maintaining traffic signs and pavement markings as required of 5521.01; and that the director may improve/repair state roads within municipalities with/without the cooperation of the municipality/county. The department can also do light maintenance of roadways within a municipality through a legal agreement.

 

--

 

I've wondered about this for years because some of the roadway conditions in other cities can be downright appalling. This is a new find.

East Cleveland passes annexation legislation, will now go to Cleveland City Council

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/08/east_cleveland_passes_annexati.html

A merger between East Cleveland and Cleveland would require $50M - $70M in assistance. Should they do it? http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cle-council-members-east-cleveland-merger-would-require-50-to-70m-in-state-assistance

Northfield Center voted against re-establishing their own fire department after Sagamore Hills decided to pull out of their joint venture in favor of working with Macedonia.

With that big of a vote against keeping their own fire dept, they likely will be going with Macedonia as well. They should consider doing a merger study with Macedonia. They are outsourcing their policing to the county sheriff so obviously some savings there. I can't imagine Macedonia residents voting against a merger. It would be up to Northfield Center residents to decide if they want to start paying a 2% tax which most are probably paying already to some city.

With that big of a vote against keeping their own fire dept, they likely will be going with Macedonia as well. They should consider doing a merger study with Macedonia. They are outsourcing their policing to the county sheriff so obviously some savings there. I can't imagine Macedonia residents voting against a merger. It would be up to Northfield Center residents to decide if they want to start paying a 2% tax which most are probably paying already to some city.

 

No way in hell any of those towns fully merge with one another.  I doubt Macedonia would even vote for it.

This is partly laughable and partly angering.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/08/east_cleveland_wants_to_keep_r.html#incart_m-rpt-1

70% of those demands are absolutely ridiculous! Beggars can't be choosers. Unless they are purposefully trying to sabotage a merger and remain in power...

Seems like it.  Let them continue to rot.

This is partly laughable and partly angering.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/08/east_cleveland_wants_to_keep_r.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

It proves only one thing: East Cleveland is a toilet because of the people running it.

For as much revenue as they claim to collect, how is it that they can't be bothered to fill in the trash can/barrel/random large object-sized potholes on Euclid and Terrace (among many other streets)? It's gotten to the point that they are literally stuffing cans and barrels into the holes to plug them up, and I'm surprised that RTA hasn't sued the city for damage to their vehicles. They run in the right lane of Euclid, for the most part, where the buses run - and I've seen them swerve plenty of times to miss the holes.

 

Remember that feel good article that came out from the mayor in CityLab that people praised? Screw that guy. He's only seeking redemption for himself and those that pad the books. This city, as I've said it before, declined partly because of a declining industrial base, but mainly because of decades of inept government. They didn't plan for any decline, and they still don't plan for any decline and plan to continue on status-quo.

^I could be wrong, but I don't know if the mayor had anything to do with this shameful MOU.

^That was my guess. He has always been fighting a council that does not seem to get it.

 

Hopefully this is one of those "ask for the moon" strategies and they'll settle for something less. An advisory committee during the transition (maybe 5 years) is not necessarily a bad idea, but at somepoint they need to be on the same level as any other neighborhood in the city if they will be using resources the same way.

 

I have always thought that Forest Hills would be a good candidate for Cleveland Metroparks.

This is partly laughable and partly angering.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/08/east_cleveland_wants_to_keep_r.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

Let's start with the term "list of demands...." 

 

Are they really in a position to "demand" anything? 

Thanks for the correction - the mayor isn't pressing for it.

This is partly laughable and partly angering.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/08/east_cleveland_wants_to_keep_r.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

Not only do they want to stay separate (but subsidized) they want part of UC as well.   

 

Really????

Looking at those demands they might as well remain their own municipality. This is ridiculous. 

 

Edit: If I'm reading correctly Cleveland will appoint their people to sit down and negotiate with EC? Which means that not all of these demands necessarily need to be met? Am I wrong or at least close?

 

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

^This is just the opening of a negotiation. EC council has authorized its "commissioners" to ask for those terms, but doesn't mean EC council won't ultimately accept a lot less. Of course, they appear to be in this for themselves to a large extent, so who knows what they'll be willing to accept.

Cleveland Council president rejects East Cleveland merger proposal

 

CLEVELAND - Recently, East Cleveland City Council presented an ordinance to the City of Cleveland to start merger discussions.

 

Cleveland City Council president Kevin Kelley rejected the proposal, but said he is still open to talks about a future merger.

 

“Our Council will take no action under the conditions proposed by the East Cleveland City Council,” Kelley said in a release.

 

http://fox8.com/2016/08/25/cleveland-council-president-rejects-east-cleveland-merger-proposal/

 

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

 

^This is just the opening of a negotiation. EC council has authorized its "commissioners" to ask for those terms, but doesn't mean EC council won't ultimately accept a lot less. Of course, they appear to be in this for themselves to a large extent, so who knows what they'll be willing to accept.

The city is drowning in failure and corruption the fact that Cleveland is willing to throw them a life raft is something East Cleveland should be thankful for. I have Gary Nortons contact information I will more than likely give him a ring to gain insight on his councils thinking here.

 

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

 

^I agree wholeheartedly and certainly hope EC City council calms down and takes a dose of reality... I find it laughable that THEY are the ones driving a hard bargain here when, from their POV, nothing but good can come about with annexation -- well, except those high and mighty EC officials who helped run the city into the ground will likely get knocked off their pristine perches.  I give Mayor Norton a lot of credit for getting the ball rolling on this.  He is the same mayor who moved to get those nice looking town homes at Euclid and Lakeside built.  Norton gets it... As Councilman Kelly alludes, this is likely just the opening round.  I'm hoping cooler heads in EC will get these crazy officials off their faux high-horse and come forward with more reasonable proposals... EC's citizens deserve better.

 

There's still a lot of save-able parts of East Cleveland despite it's overall dilapidated state.  The most save-able portions are along Euclid and to the east, esp along Terrace Rd and up the hill.  So many solid, well-built homes and large brownstone apt buildings along/near Euclid are withering away but, I'll bet, can be rehabbed and saved.  There are still walkable areas along Euclid, esp in/around Euclid's intersections with Lee and Taylor Roads, as well as a number of spots in between.  And of course there are the Rockefeller-tract nice homes on the hill, along with Hazel and Oakhill Roads which are the nicest streets in the whole city -- streets that easily could fit in Shaker or Cleveland Heights...

I think it's a gross oversimplification to state that the current leadership is the reason why East Cleveland is in such bad shape right now. It's not as if the bordering areas of Cleveland just to the north are thriving. East Cleveland has suffered from significant disinvestment due to decades of flight and the zero sum income tax system that exists in Northeast Ohio. Simply transferring East Cleveland over to Cleveland may bring some stability, but that alone will not be enough to seriously turn things around for citizens. Cleveland itself doesn't have the funds to properly service the neighborhoods within its current borders.

^But areas of Cleveland are thriving to the west. Not to mention the stability of Cleveland Heights to the south and east.

 

If leadership is not the culprit, then why is East Cleveland the worst inner ring suburb in Cleveland, maybe even Ohio? Given its location, history and architecture the city should have been able to make investments in the past to prepare for now, when demand for housing and office space in adjacent University Circle is the highest it's probably ever been. The city should have capitalized on the new rapid stations built their in the 90s. Instead it's been in steady decline. That's not to say EC hasn't had to deal with white flight, then black flight and other urban issues. But these issues are made worse by the leadership there.

^But areas of Cleveland are thriving to the west. Not to mention the stability of Cleveland Heights to the south and east.

 

Areas of Cleveland are thriving to the west because of the institutions located directly in those neighborhoods. And as for Cleveland Heights, I've long argued that the "uphill" neighborhoods of East Cleveland would actually be better off joining with Cleveland Heights than Cleveland, but that's a nonstarter for multiple parties involved.

 

If leadership is not the culprit, then why is East Cleveland the worst inner ring suburb in Cleveland, maybe even Ohio? Given its location, history and architecture the city should have been able to make investments in the past to prepare for now, when demand for housing and office space in adjacent University Circle is the highest it's probably ever been. The city should have capitalized on the new rapid stations built their in the 90s. Instead it's been in steady decline. That's not to say EC hasn't had to deal with white flight, then black flight and other urban issues. But these issues are made worse by the leadership there.

 

Fair enough, but this a failure of leadership that goes back several decades and would have had to counteract forces that few other urban suburbs and neighborhoods have had success in fully fighting back. University Circle didn't start booming until well after East Cleveland had already gone past the point of no return and the majority of city's architectural assets were demolished a long time ago.

NextCity discusses a Cleveland and East Cleveland merger.

 

https://nextcity.org/features/view/east-cleveland-suburb-annex-city-council

 

Cleveland will be in the 370,000 range and East Cleveland well under 15,000 by the 2020 census. The fabled 400,000 people = more federal funding doesn't appear likely in the near future.

Cleveland will more likely be in 380k range as the losses are certainly slowing.  Estimates for 2015 predict that Cleveland lost 8k people since the last census in 2010, which would put the number around 388k today. 

 

What makes you think Cleveland will lose another 18k over the next three years? 

[NOTE: slightly older (4 months) article posted in transit thread but copied here because of the far-reaching regional cooperation lessons, beyond transit, for relatively dysfunctional metro areas like Cleveland and Ohio's other 2 Cs)

 

The Train That Saved Denver

The car-choked city overcame regional distrust to build a major transit system that is remaking the urban core and the suburbs, too.

By Colin Woodard

 

 

decade ago, travelers arriving at Denver’s sprawling new airport would look out over a vast expanse of flat, prairie dog-infested grassland and wonder if their plane had somehow fallen short of its destination. The $4.9 billion airport—at 53 square miles, larger than Manhattan—was derided as being “halfway to Kansas,” and given the emptiness of the 23-mile drive to the city, it felt that way.

Last month, arriving visitors boarded the first trains headed for downtown, a journey that zips past a new Japanese-style “smart city” emerging from the prairie before depositing passengers 37 minutes later in a bustling urban hive of restaurants, shops and residential towers that only six years ago was a gravelly no man’s land—an entire $2 billion downtown neighborhood that’s mushroomed up around the hub of Denver’s rapidly expanding light rail system.

 

 

Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/what-works-denver-rail-system-growth-213905#ixzz4KMFdh7wB

Follow us: @politico on Twitter | Politico on Facebook

 

 

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announces new initiatives in State of the County address

 

By Karen Farkas, cleveland.com

Email the author | Follow on Twitter

on April 19, 2017 at 2:01 PM, updated April 19, 2017 at 2:29 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County services and programs will be expanded through several partnerships announced Wednesday by Executive Armond Budish in his State of the County address.

 

They expand on the county's commitment to initiatives including economic and workforce development and revitalizing neighborhoods.

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2017/04/cuyahoga_county_executive_armond_budish_announces_several_new_initiatives_in_state_of_the_county_add.html

 

I heard his presentation on NPR today.  Of interest to me (and assume UO), but not noted in the above article, Budish was discussing Metrohealth and other county "regional" investments and alluded to an upcoming project that the County is going to be involved in that will be the "largest yet".  He said he couldn't divulge any details yet, but the context leads me to believe he is talking about an actual physical development (not programmatic).  I wonder if this is something new, or just the upcoming Justice Center redevelopment or something else already known to be upcoming.

Sounds like the new Justice Center. The fact that the Cleveland police headquarters is moving says this project is likely happening.

crainscleveland.com

Amazon bid highlights region's disjointed approach on economic development

By JAY MILLER

7-9 minutes

 

Northeast Ohio's bid for Amazon's second North American headquarters is in. But conversations during the weeks leading up to the announcement of a local bid on Amazon's deadline day, last Thursday, Oct. 19, highlighted the fractured nature of the region's business development apparatus.

 

As the deadline approached, active and even retired economic development professionals suggested that there might have been various bids in the works in Northeast Ohio. One emailer heard that the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the chamber of commerce that draws members from the Greater Cleveland area, was leading one bid, while Team NEO, the regional economic development nonprofit that is affiliated with JobsOhio, the state economic development nonprofit created by Gov. John Kasich, was leading another.

 

Another heard that Akron and Canton were putting together a bid.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20171022/news/139606/amazon-bid-highlights-regions-disjointed-approach-economic-development

Here's a nice piece in the PD comparing Hamilton County's consolidated municipal court system with the bewildering patchwork in Cuyahoga.  Not only does Hamilton's approach save money, which they spend on useful things like ankle bracelets to track people who are out on bond, it's easier for everyone to understand and deal with.  I work in several municipal courts around here and each one is a different animal where people have different rights.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/11/hamilton_county_municipal_cour_1.html#incart_m-rpt-1

^The local rules are a nightmare to deal with at times as well as an attorney.

 

However, this is probably not possible, as awesome as it may be. Parma, the second-largest city in the county, doesn't even have a city charter. This is due, in part, to the crony politics played in the city. The clerk of courts currently has four cousins or in-laws on council, his personal friend as mayor, his brother as rec director, and two of the three football coaches at the local high schools as his relatives.

 

Getting Parma to join will be crucial, given its size and jurisdiction over other notable cities such as North Royalton, Parma Heights, and Brooklyn.

 

I would imagine the situations are similar in Bedford, Berea, and Shaker Heights - which are some of the larger "municipal courts" in the county.

Even having a city and a court who want to be merged is not enough to make it happen apparently. South Euclid voted to merge the court, and even though the pro-merger candidate for judge lost, the current judge says she isn't opposed to it. But yet there is no support from the state to make it happen. Despite lobbying from the city, even our own state representatives won't entertain the idea because they don't want to see a democratic judge folded out.

Very excited to be working on this. CitizenServe is the platform we are moving to. Very user friendly for both the consumer facing portal and on the cities side. South Euclid should have permitting and contractor registration rolled out in the very near future, and rental registration before the end of the year. We're looking at having the code enforcement side coming online early next year. I believe Lakewood may be slightly ahead of us in their roll out.

 

Six Cuyahoga County suburbs to streamline code enforcement, permitting

By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com castolfiCleveland[/member].com

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Six inner-ring suburbs in Cuyahoga County are streamlining their code enforcement and permitting processes to save time and money, share information more easily, and help identify solutions to regional housing issues.

 

The county's Board of Control on Monday approved a one-time $200,000 grant to the First Suburbs Consortium to help launch a code enforcement pilot program that will serve Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, Parma, Shaker Heights, South Euclid and University Heights.

 

 

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/08/six_cuyahoga_county_suburbs_to.html

Before we discuss regionalism, perhaps interoperability within a single municipality's safety department should on the agenda first.....

 

@NEO_Scan

CLE: Shooting, 1014 E 146.  Fire is staged for police to clear the scene.  Police were told EMS was already on the scene.  EMS is still enroute to the scene.  If only @CityofCleveland would centralize dispatch and you know, talk to each other on that $multi-million radio system.

Link below to the possible merger of St. Louis and its county.  Hope Cleveland can pull this off someday.  Interesting reading about the reversal of fortunes between Louisville (merger completed) and St. Louis.  

 

https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/01/st-louis-missouri-city-county-consolidation-vote-2020/579436/

It's important to note that St. Louis, like Baltimore, is an "independent city" and is therefore totally separate from St. Louis County. It's a bit different than having a city still located within its respective county merge with the county government and the surrounding municipalities like Louisville, Indy, and San Francisco.