Friday, June 02, 2017
Love Cleveland? Then Join Us In the Square this Summer
Last summer, Cleveland unveiled its new Public Square right before the Republican National Convention. It became a focal point in the national media’s coverage of Cleveland and our reputation as a host city. In fact, The New York Times described Public Square as being “very recently transformed into a more inviting public space – as if the city of Cleveland were inviting the country and saying simply: Discuss.”
It seems appropriate then for the City Club – whose mission is to create conversations of consequence to help democracy thrive – to convene a series of forums in the Square. And so we are excited to unveil our six-part For the Love of Cleveland series, presented by the Cleveland Foundation, on the issues facing Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Whether you’re a city dweller or suburban homeowner, a life-long Clevelander, boomerang or transplant, we all benefit from a thriving urban core.
During the last 20 years, the revitalization of Cleveland’s neighborhoods has accelerated. For decades, following the desegregation of Cleveland Public Schools and the Hough and Glenville riots, interest in city living was minimal. As the city shed its “rust belt” image and became one of the top places in the country for healthcare and higher education, it became a more much desirable place to live. No longer the “Mistake on the Lake,” the city now makes such lists as “the top 15 places to live” and “top places to live car-free.” Yet, these accolades don’t tell the whole story.
While some neighborhoods are thriving due to large amounts of investment, increased home ownership, new resources, and focused development, others continue to struggle. Why? What can - and should - we be doing differently to ensure all Cleveland neighborhoods are structurally sound, equitable, and sustainable?
Join us on Tuesdays at noon in the Square as we bring together local leaders and residents to discuss the building blocks of urban neighborhoods and examine Cleveland neighborhoods’ past and present successes, failures, and growth areas.
Food trucks will be out, arrive early, grab lunch, and be part of these free conversations. Do it for your love of Cleveland.
June 13 The Evolution of a City: From White Flight to the Fifth Migration
from the perspective of Goodrich-Kirtland Park and Hough
June 20 Reinvestment and Opportunity
from the perspective of Clark-Fulton, Fairfax, and Hough
June 27 Too Many Houses, Not Enough Homes
from the perspective of Slavic Village and Kinsman
July 11 The Geography of Gentrification
from the perspective of Glenville and SoLo
July 18It Takes a Neighborhood
from the perspective of Lee-Harvard and Detroit-Shoreway
July 25 The Challenges of Success
from the perspective of Ohio City and Downtown
On Sunday, July 30, be sure to join us for Common Ground, a countywide-community conversation hosted by the Cleveland Foundation. On this one summer day, residents throughout Cuyahoga County will meet, share a meal, connect, and discuss what we can do together to create a more equitable and resilient Greater Cleveland – our shared home, our common ground.
