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Northeastern Ohio is once again trying to spur re-development, and once
again trying to do it in tough economic times. But an increasing number
of those whose ideas and money are being put to work say the region may
finally be recognizing and returning to the strength of its roots -
plentiful water, historic buildings, a social culture and a history of
just plain "making stuff."
The Cleveland Design District project brings together educators,
designers, business and civic leaders in a bid to make Cleveland
the product design capital of the U.S. Drawing on the legacy of
the late Viktor Schreckengost of the Cleveland Institute of Art,
the regional expertise of more than 100 design-oriented firms, and
consumer brands like Moen, Little Tikes, and Hoover, the district
hopes to create wholesale showrooms, retail venues and residences
-- and to reach out to design students in the Cleveland public
schools.
The Cuyahoga Valley was once one of the most important industrial
centers in the world. Through a comprehensive planning
initiative, the region is trying to reinvent itself, balancing the
need for economic growth and new investment with the development
of a sustainable urban environment that enhances the quality of
life for its residents and connects people on both sides of the
river and up and down its length.
Blending work, retail and home in one community is the only way to
go, developers say. The only debate is whether that should be done
in existing cities or in newly created "towns." Some developers
say - and are putting their money into - both.
Some developers are scaling back condo projects because empty
nesters can't sell their houses and move into condos, and many
potential first time buyers can't get credit. But developers and
cities are rethinking, resizing and re-orienting some of those
projects.
Unlike the Southern and Southwestern boom towns of the late 20th
century, Northeast Ohio has water - lots of it. The Great Lakes
compact has protected it. Now developers want to use it to sell
the region.
Ohio has the third highest number of historic buildings among the
states. But many of its historic districts look like rows of teeth
that have taken a poundings - gaps and chips everywhere. Now
developers are filling those gaps, and hoping the old is the key
to attracting the young back to Northeast Ohio's cities. The
question is whether they can do it fast enough, or slow enough, to
dodge today's credit squeeze.
Support for this series was provided by the FirstEnergy Foundation.
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