Keating discusses ways to attract people to Cleveland
By Melanie Murphy
Euclid Corridor project, which was completed recently, is one step toward the revitalization of Cleveland, said Dennis Keating, professor of Urban Studies, during a recent discussion on “The Cleveland Revitalization Project.”
The discussion was part of Student Activities’ Dinner and Dialogue series.
It has been very difficult to attract people to Cleveland. The population has continued to decline, due to the loss of jobs. Keating said the three reasons why people leave Cleveland are for “better housing, schools and safety.”
CSU, on its part, promotes the university and Cleveland with the slogan “City life is our campus.”
Is this really a positive message?
Cleveland is ranked as one of the top cities with high crime rates, and public education is below average. Cleveland has a poor reputation, and so the outward migration continues.
Tower City and the Galleria were the places to shop. Things have changed over the past few years. They are losing business.
Who is getting the business? The suburban communities such as Strongsville, Beachwood and Westlake are prospering.
Keating said one of the ways to attract families to Cleveland is to create jobs and improve the living conditions.
According to Keating, many projects are being planned to attract people to Cleveland.
The Euclid Corridor project, the new innovated rapid and bus system to be completed by 2008-2009 is a vital part of the transformation. Cleveland will look more appealing and people will want to bring back business, which will create more jobs.
“We need to create more business,” said Keating. “People want a place to shop when they come into town.”
The expansion program, a major investment, will be a huge attraction to the arts, such as The Cleveland Institute of Music and the Museum of Art.
The east bank of the flats is being revitalized for housing.
“The goal is to get more people to live downtown, especially students,” said Keating.
There has also been discussion about changing the shoreway to a boulevard.
There are two major projects under way. One, eliminating Dead Man’s Curve and closing dangerous exits off of I-71, like East 22nd Street. The second project is the reconstruction of the inner belt to build more homes.
Reginald S. Black, junior, biomedical and chemical engineering major, said, “It takes education, money and commitment; that’s what we are striving for.”
CSU students and graduates can improve the life of Cleveland.
“Remain in the city,” said Black. “If you are here, stay. The only way things will get better is if we unite.”
“Take education and use it in Cleveland to make it better,” said Black. “We are the future of the city.”
The dinner and dialogue series is held the last Wednesday of every month in MC 401.
For more information, visit csuohio.edu/studentlife/activities/dinner.html.
Reach this Stater reporter at
m.m.murphy86@csuohio.edu