Historic Preservation

Shaker Heights knows looking backwards improves future economic development

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Mon, 11/29/2004 - 09:32.

One drive through Shaker Heights makes it clear this is an historically significant community. The Clevelend Plain Dealer recently reported Shaker leaders recognize their historic character as a valuable asset and they have taken steps to protect that, at the City Hall level. While much of the great historic architecture of Northeast Ohio has been detroyed over the years, regional community leaders should take action like has Shaker to preserve what remains - consider the great buildings in areas of Cleveland like Glenville, and in East Cleveland, and picture a future of historic buildings restored to their potential prime, rather than gone forever. Read on about the Shaker initiative, introduced and linked below.

10.26.04 Tuesday@REI Future of Glenville

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Tue, 10/26/2004 - 02:45.

Norm Roulet's notes from REI - presentation by the Glenville Development Corporation on the Future of Glenville.

GDC service area corresponds with the bounderies of Ward 8, an odd shaped neighborhood on the East Side of Cleveland running along Lake Erie from E. 72nd street to around E. 110th, and south including Martin Luther King to University Circle, and environs surrounding (PDF map linked as attachment).Presenting were John H. Cieszkowski, Jr., Business Development Specialist, and Tony R. Diggs, Community Outreach Coordinator. The Glenville Development Corp. website is linked below:

Glenville development corp. website

More information on Glenville is found at Cleveland State University's Neighborhood Link site at http://www.nhlink.net/neighborhoodtour/glenville/

Detailed 2000 census data is posted at http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/census/factsheets/spa32.html

First presenter is John, who points out that despite challenging economic conditions Glenville has wonderful physical assets, a wealth of historic property, close proximity to Lake Erie, parks and University Circle and many other strengths. His presentation focused on many great efforts of the GDC to leverage those strengths to develop the neighborhood's housing stock and quality of life of residents, focused on a bright future.

In order to address issues facing neighborhood retail corridors, GDC participates with 10 other CDCs (Community Development Corporations) as part of the Re-$tore Cleveland program.

ED successes include retail development such as Glenville Towne Center (featuring East Side Market), a McDonalds, video store and Rite Aid - area is nicely landscaped and enhanced with clock tower to accentuate this special retail dsitrict.