CLEVELAND – A plan is in the works to help the declining middle neighborhoods in the city of Cleveland make a comeback and stop the influx of people to the suburbs.
The goal is to keep the current homeowners happy and attract new ones by investing in the city’s housing stock.
Alderman Kevin Kelley, who represents Ward 13 and is also president of the city council, said amenities like the recently modernized Loew Park in Old Brooklyn are what current residents wanted and potential residents are looking for.
“I don’t know if there’s anything in the area that features what this park does,” said Kelley.
City officials added a walking trail and a football stadium to the park.
“It’s just a nice convenience. Unfortunately, we had just cut the tape and we figured out what the permit would be and how best to use this great asset and then COVID-19 hits to get it locked up, ”Kelley said. “There are many beautiful places in northeast Ohio. So why choose Cleveland? That’s a reason. “
Convincing people to stop moving to the suburbs and stay in Cleveland instead is what city officials are trying to do with it ten year housing and investment plan.
Earlier this week, the city’s community development team announced to council members that they hope to have part of this plan ready soon. It includes supporting some of Cleveland’s mid-range areas.
Middle neighborhoods are places like Old Brooklyn, Collinwood, Buckeye-Shaker, Larchmere, and more.
“Neighborhoods on the verge of comeback, but still in danger of decline,” said Blaine A. Griffin, Ward 6 alderman.
Griffin said city officials are looking for ways to invest in the city’s housing stock and want to see both private and public investment in neighborhoods.
But while there is a focus on the new, he said the current residents will not be forgotten.
“We have people who have been here for 20, 30 years and are second, third and fourth generation homeowners. As much energy as we put into building new homes and new homes, we have to try to find ways to help them, too, ”Griffin said.
Kelley said improving all aspects of every neighborhood is important to keep Cleveland on the path to success.
“Cleveland is his neighborhood. And as Cleveland goes, so does Cuyahoga County and the region. We can’t have a successful central business district, but we can’t have successful neighborhoods,” Kelley said.
Officials are currently taking public contributions, according to Griffin, and encouraging residents of the central neighborhoods to attend the community development team meetings to have their voices heard.
You can find the city’s community development page here Here.
Jade Jarvis is a reporter for News 5 Cleveland. Follow her further Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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