"Dead" Cities! (south, California, state, place)

[Dayton Sux]

Show me one of the country's 20 largest cities with a fully intact inner city. Chances are, one doesn't exist. Its not just limited to Detroit.

Oh sure, its just that t gives Detroit a more "empty" feel. You particularly see this in that area to the west of the Dequindre Cut towards downtown. The neighborhoods closer to the river has been replaced by housing projects of various types (including that nice Lafayette Park development) and a lot of low density stuff (though the Eastern Market still has some older buildngs around it). It seems the same thing has happened west of downtown in that Corktown area.

North of downtown there was massive abandonment and clearance on either side of Woodward (which includes that Brush Park area), a lot of empty land there, which they are starting to fill in with new stuff.

In a lot of ways these close in areas remind me of Louisville, where there was equally extensive clearances and urban renewal stuff to the east and west of downtown. Louisvilles "Brush Park" (reconstruction of an older neighborhood with some saves of old houses) is Russell.

So, looking at Detroit, the closer-in areas look pretty empty but that was apparently "by design". And it's a cityscape thats familiar to me from other cities.

It's what's happening beyond this ring that people are noticing, the large-scale emptying out of neighborhoods like along St Aubin Street and the Hiedleberg Project area (dont recall the names of these neighborhoods, if they have "official" names. There's quite a bit of cartographic documentation of how the city is thinning out, so I don't think there is much debate about this, that it' somehow not happening.

[Dayton Sux]

As for Scranton, PA, I completely agree it is a dying city. Not necessarily dead, but def dying. There's no sign of improvement at all. It is no doubt a depressed region. Nothing is attractive about it all.

The suprising thing about the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area is how little there is of postwar suburbia. Sure there is some of that type of developmen, but most of the area...the built environment of the area..appears to date from before WWII or the late 1940s.

Despite being a dying city Scranton has a remarkably intact housing stock, with minimal demolitions and board-ups, versus what you'd see here in Dayton...or in Detroit for that matter. The place is old and worn, but it's still largely inhabited.

[Southern Soul Bro]

I don't know if it's mentioned yet, but Cairo, Illinois.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJW8lOzJJPE

[Ryant]

They were talking about changing a name of a city here: "Detroit, Oregon is not a crumbling rust-belt city"..."The name Detroit doesn't bring positive thoughts to anybody's mind".

It didn't pass so the town kept it's name. I've been to ghost towns, a ghost city would be kind of neat(though I know it's not).

http://www.kuow.org/northwestnews.php?storyID=130794498 (broken link)

[costello_musicman]

There was an article about a prediction that this year is the year Cleveland has turned the corner:

Cleveland's going up: New projects, pioneers poised to give city a lift: Joe Frolik | cleveland.com

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

None of the major cities listed...Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo... are anywhere near the word "dead." Ironically enough, all these cities are seeing a renaissance in development occurring pumping hundreds of millions upon hundreds of millions into their city limits.

As a recent hobby, I've tried to keep track of all the developments happening in Cleveland, OH. So far, this is the list I have be able to compile: Dead?? Kill yourself

$$$ is being invested into the city by the Lake...we are talking BILLIONS:

(Please note the $800 million that will be breaking ground in Cleveland in one month)

CLEVELAND, OH:

***BREAKING GROUND JAN 2011***
Jan 14: Cleveland Convention Center and Medical Mart (Downtown) -- $465 million LMN Architects unveil detailed concept for the Cleveland Medical Mart | cleveland.com
Jan: Flats East Bank 22-story building Phase I (Downtown/Flats) -- $270 million Cleveland's Flats East Bank project takes step forward: Crain's Cleveland Business
Jan: Flats Cleveland Aloft Hotel (Downtown/Flats) -- $48 million Cleveland's Flats East Bank hotel will carry the Aloft brand | cleveland.com
Jan: Museum of Contemporary Art – MOCA (University Circle) -- $32 million MOCA Cleveland board approves building new home in University Circle's Uptown development | cleveland.com

Under Construction:
Uptown Phase I -- Apartments and Retail (University Circle) -- $44.5 million
Developer MRN Ltd. to break ground Monday on Uptown project in University Circle | cleveland.com
VA Medical Center Expansion (University Circle) -- $526 million
Secretary of veterans affairs extols expansion of Cleveland VA medical center: Crain's Cleveland Business
University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center (University Circle) -- $258 million
http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/i...als_cance.html
University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center (Chagrin Highlands) -- $230 million
University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center
Cleveland Clinic Reference Laboratory (University Circle) -- $75 million Cleveland Clinic breaks ground for $75M reference laboratory « MedCity News
Cleveland Museum of Art Expansion and Renovation (University Circle) -- $258 million Taking a hardhat tour of the Cleveland Museum of Art's expansion project - Cleveland Entertainment Top Story from The Plain Dealer - Cleveland.com
Schofield Building (Circa 1902) restoration into Kimpton Hotel and Apts (Downtown) -- $40 million Four Northeast Ohio projects, including new downtown Cleveland hotel, win state tax credits for historic preservation | cleveland.com
East Ohio Gas Company (Circa 1916) restoration into Law Offices (Downtown) -- $30 million Calfee, Halter & Griswold to make former WKYC Building its home: Crain's Cleveland Business
Tudor Arms (Circa 1931) Restoration into Double Tree Hotel (University Circle) -- $22 million Tudor Arms renovation is bringing a highly visible piece of old Cleveland back to life | cleveland.com
Rivergate Park Rowing Marina (Downtown/Flats) -- $10-$13 million
Creating Rivergate Park: Cleveland Rowing Foundation buys site on Cuyahoga River | cleveland.com
Circle 118 University Circle Townhomes (University Circle) -- $8 million Circle 118 townhouses by WXZ Development add life to University Circle in Cleveland | cleveland.com
27 Coltman Little Italy Townhomes (University Circle) -- $11 million
Luxury townhouses in Cleveland's Little Italy are selling, but court fight looms | cleveland.com
Hanna Broadway Theater Renovations (Circa 1921) (Downtown)-- $20 million
Hanna Theater at Cleveland's Playhouse Square
Allen Broadway Theater Renovations and Expansions (Circa 1921) (Downtown) -- $30 million
Work begins on renovations to Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare | cleveland.com
Tyler Village ongoing renovations (circa 1890-1930)(Asiatown) Tyler Village - History and Future of this Unique Office Space
Battery Park waterfront residental (Detroit-Shoreway/westside) -- $100 million Vintage Development Group, LLC - BATTERY PARK
Perk Park Renovations (Downtown) -- $1.2 million http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/in...provement.html
Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building Renovations (Downtown) -- $121 million Federal building on East Ninth Street getting $121 million stimulus makeover | Metro - cleveland.com - cleveland.com
Cleveland State University "College Town" (Downtown) -- $14 million so far Cleveland City Planning Commission
Cleveland Insitute of Art Expansion (University Circle) -- $50 million Cleveland Institute of Art will break ground in May on Uptown expansion | cleveland.com
Pierre's Ice Cream Factory Expansion (Midtown) -- $8 million Pierre's Ice Cream starts factory expansion this week | cleveland.com
American Sugar Factory Expansion (Midtown) -- $8 million American Sugar expansion plan would nearly double Cleveland plant's size | cleveland.com
Cleveland State University Euclid Commons Dorms Phase II (Downtown) -- $65 million (total for both phases) http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us...tail.php?ID=29
1030 Euclid Ave, Truman Building renovations into residental (Downtown) Investors plan Schofield building rehab; $52M downtown project, which includes offices and a hotel, hinges on securing historic tax credits | North America > United States from AllBusiness.com (http://www.allbusiness.com/real-estate/commercial-residential-property/12867378-1.html - broken link)
629 Euclid Ave renovations for Rosetta (Downtown) -- $5 million Digital agency Rosetta plans to bring nearly 400 jobs to new downtown Cleveland offices | cleveland.com
6700 Euclid Ave, Midtown Tech Park construction (Midtown) -- $21 million Properties For Sale - Investment Property, 6700 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH
7515 Euclid Ave, Emerald Alliance V construction (Midtown) -- $25 million CHN News - CHN Wins State Funding for 3 Affordable Housing Projects
E. 55th Rapid train Station (Midtown) -- $10 million E 55 Rapid Station | Major Projects | Planning & Development | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Brookpark Rd Rapid train Station (near Airport) -- $1.2 million
Stimulus money will help redesign the Brookpark Road RTA rapid station | cleveland.com
Hawken High School renovations and extension campus (University Circle) -- $6.6 million Hawken School to open new learning center in University Circle | cleveland.com


Planning Stages:
Cleveland Casino Phase I Restoration of Higbee Building (Circa 1931) (Downtown) -- $50 million Cleveland casino to open in two phases, in connected buildings | cleveland.com
Cleveland Casino Phase II Construction (Downtown/Flats) -- $600 million Dan Gilbert, Forest City reach deal on land for Cleveland casino | cleveland.com
Wind Turbines on Lake Erie -- $100 million
Developers named to build Lake Erie wind turbines - BusinessWeek
Third District Police Station (Midtown) -- $14.5 million Cleveland, developer work out unusual financing for Third District police station project | cleveland.com
University Circle Uptown Hotel -- $15 million Developers lined up to build 150-room hotel in University Circle | cleveland.com
Great Lakes Brewery Expansion -- $6 million Growth on tap at Great Lakes Brewing Co. - Cleveland Business News - Northeast Ohio and Cleveland - Crain's Cleveland Business
1010 Euclid Ave, Security Federal Building into offices (Downtown)
Investors plan Schofield building rehab; $52M downtown project, which includes offices and a hotel, hinges on securing historic tax credits | North America > United States from AllBusiness.com (http://www.allbusiness.com/real-estate/commercial-residential-property/12867378-1.html - broken link)
Cleveland State University Mixed-Use North Campus Apartments (Downtown) -- $50 million http://www.cleveland.com/business/in...ghborhood.html
Ohio City neighborhood improvements -- $1-3 million
University Circle new Rapid train Station (University Circle) -- $10.5 million
University Circle rapid station redesign in the works | cleveland.com
Temple-Tifereth Israel Renovations into CWRU Performing Arts Center (University Circle)-- $25.6 million Maltz Family Foundation donates $12 million to CWRU to let school, synagogue share Temple-Tifereth Israel | cleveland.com
Uptown/MOCA Plaza (University Circle) -- $1 million Uptown plaza design wins conceptual approval from Euclid Corridor Design Review Committee | cleveland.com
Abington Arms Apartments "Green Retrofit" (University Circle)-- $2.6 million HUDNo.2010-10-05/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Cozad-Bates “Underground Railroad” House Restoration (circa 1853) (University Circle) -- $350K http://universitycircle.org/annual2010/2010-UCI-AR.pdf (broken link)


Recently Completed:
Cleveland Clinic Heart Center (University Circle) -- $500 million COMPLETED 2008
Avenue District 10-story condo building (Downtown) -- $150 million COMPLETED 2009
Cleveland State University Euclid Commons Dorms Phase I (Downtown) -- $65 million (total for both phases) -- COMPLETED 2010 http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us...tail.php?ID=29
Cleveland State University Student Center (Downtown) -- $44 million -- COMPLETED 2010 Cleveland State University's new student center provides a place to meet, eat and greet | cleveland.com
Cleveland State University Education Building -- $36 million -- COMPLETED 2010 College of Education & Human Services Building - Cleveland State University
668 Euclid Apartment Renovations (circa 1913) (Downtown) -- $70 million -- COMPLETED 2010
668 Euclid Revitalizes Central Downtown Business District
Terminal Tower Renovations (Circa 1931) (Downtown) -- $40 million COMPLETED 2009 From the top: Progress visible on Terminal Tower restoration | cleveland.com
Stonebridge Plaza 12-Story Condo Tower (Downtown/Flats) -- COMPLETED 2008
Park Lane Villa Apartments Renovations (circa 1920) (University Circle) -- $21 million COMPLETED 2008
Tremont Place Lofts Renovations (circa 1930s) (Tremont near Downtown) -- $15 million COMPLETED 2009
Euclid Corridor Bus-Rapid Transit Line connecting Downtown to University Circle -- $197 million COMPLETED 2008 Cleveland's Euclid corridor project has paved the way to economic development | cleveland.com
Asiatown Center creation and renovation (circa 1922) (Asiatown) COMPLETED 2010 -- $2-3 million Asian Town Center | Cleveland, Ohio | Home
Case Western Reserve Wind Turbine (University Circle) -- $6 million COMPLETED 2010 CWRU plans to harness wind power with turbines - News (http://media.www.cwruobserver.com/media/storage/paper1370/news/2010/09/17/News/Cwru-Plans.To.Harness.Wind.Power.With.Turbines-3932380.shtml - broken link)
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transportation Center (Downtown) -- $9.6 million COMPLETED 2010 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center | Major Projects | Planning & Development | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
John Hay High School (circa 1929) restorations -- $37 million COMPLETED 2007 John Hay Campus schools live up to expectations, get excellent' rating from state - Cleveland.com
Montessori High School renovations and creation -- $2.6 million COMPLETED 2008 New high school in University Circle combines Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate program | cleveland.com
Tri-C Center for Creative Arts (Downtown) -- $27 million COMPLETED 2010 Tri-C's Center for Creative Arts among seven facilities planned by the college | cleveland.com


Proposed:
5-Story Technology Center (University Circle): $98.6 million Developer John Ferchill plans University Circle tech center: Crain's Cleveland Business
Cleveland Skatepark (Downtown/Flats): $500K A new Cleveland Skatepark? - ESPN
Cleveland Aquarium (2 proposals)
Case Western Reserve Field House (University Circle) -- $5 million Case Western Reserve University | News Center
Case Western Reserve Student Center (University Circle) -- $50 million $20 million gift to Case Western Reserve University will kick-start plans for new student center | cleveland.com
University Circle Luxury Apartments Hazel Drive (University Circle) -- $10.5 million Upscale apartments planned for Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood | cleveland.com
North Coast Transportation Center (Downtown) -- $50 million Cleveland plans intermodal transportation center to link key landmarks | cleveland.com
Cleveland Athletic Club renovations (circa 1910) -- $43 million Cleveland Athletic Club building owner settles legal dispute, but renovation plans still need financing | cleveland.com
Warner and Swasey Building renovation (circa 1880)(Midtown) Cleveland's abandoned Warner & Swasey complex could become a tech center | cleveland.com
Maingate Market Place (E. 55th and Woodland) -- $30 million Maingate Market Place plan could bring renewal to East 55th Street and Woodland Avenue | cleveland.com
Abandoned Coast Guard Station Restoration (Downtown/Whiskey Island) -- $5 million-$9.2 million Old Coast Guard station languishes; Some cleanup, repairs done, but progress scant on plans for new use | Metro - cleveland.com - cleveland.com
Slavic Village Velodrome (Slavic Village) -- $6.5 million Group moves closer to creating cycling velodrome in Cleveland's Slavic Village - Cleveland Business News - Northeast Ohio and Cleveland - Crain's Cleveland Business
Cleveland School of the Arts -- $30 million Cleveland school district to build new John Marshall High School | cleveland.com
Cleveland Natural History Museum Expansion (University Circle) -- $30-50 million Evalyn Gates takes helm at Cleveland Museum of Natural History as expansion plans gel | cleveland.com
Lot 45 (University Circle) -- $60 million University Circle Inc. unveils plans for Lot 45, a key element of the Uptown development | cleveland.com
Uptown Phase II (Ford and Euclid) (University Circle)
Uptown Hotel TBA (University Circle)
E.119th three-story Office Building (University Circle) Developers settle dispute over land in Cleveland's Little Italy | cleveland.com
Case Western Reserve West Quad -- $50 million Case Western Reserve Scales Back West Quad Project / WCPN.org
Pedestrian Bridges (Downtown/University Circle) http://blog.cleveland.com/architectu...el_rosale.html

[Remisc]

Originally Posted by Dayton Sux

It's what's happening beyond this ring that people are noticing, the large-scale emptying out of neighborhoods like along St Aubin Street and the Hiedleberg Project area (dont recall the names of these neighborhoods, if they have "official" names. There's quite a bit of cartographic documentation of how the city is thinning out, so I don't think there is much debate about this, that it' somehow not happening.

Living on Detroit's East Side, I routinely drive through these neighborhoods. I understand, there is a massive emptying out going on there.

[costello_musicman]

Cleveland is breaking ground on a Downtown/Flats Aquarium next week that will be a two-phase $70 million project:

Money secured, work to start next week on Flats aquarium | cleveland.com

Even more private investment is going into the city and Downtown.

Whether it's the " chicken or the egg," Cleveland and private local developments continue to pour money into the city for its future.

[JohnDBaumgardner]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

Cleveland is breaking ground on a Downtown/Flats Aquarium next week that will be a two-phase $70 million project:

Money secured, work to start next week on Flats aquarium | cleveland.com

Even more private investment is going into the city and Downtown.

Whether it's the " chicken or the egg," Cleveland and private local developments continue to pour money into the city for its future.

CLEVELAND has a very BRIGHT FUTURE ahead ... people are going to be surprised ...
it's many detractors will be forced to 'eat dirt'!

[rranger]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

Pittsburgh isn't top 20, but the inner-city neighborhoods are almost completely intact (even the more depressed ones!). One exception is the Lower Hill District.

Alleghenyangel: I think people who've never been to Pittsburgh simply are not capable of understanding the dynamic. It is truly unique in the US. It has suffered severe population decline (though not as bad as cities like Detroit, Cleveland or St. Louis in sheer numbers). And yet, it really is not - pardon the pun - a "pit".

Pittsburgh has a beautiful, vibrant downtown, relatively low crime rate, and very little of the kind of outright desolation affecting large parts of Detroit, almost the entire northern half of St. Louis and much of the east end of Cleveland. The areas of desolation in Pittsburgh are the same ones that have been affected for decades, namely, the lower Hill District, E. Liberty, Homewood-Brushton, and parts of the North Side.

So, I think it's really hard to convey how unlike the other cities on the list Pittsburgh is unless people have been there. Lots of people still want to live in the city - not just the suburbs.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by rranger

Alleghenyangel: I think people who've never been to Pittsburgh simply are not capable of understanding the dynamic. It is truly unique in the US. It has suffered severe population decline (though not as bad as cities like Detroit, Cleveland or St. Louis in sheer numbers). And yet, it really is not - pardon the pun - a "pit".

Pittsburgh has a beautiful, vibrant downtown, relatively low crime rate, and very little of the kind of outright desolation affecting large parts of Detroit, almost the entire northern half of St. Louis and much of the east end of Cleveland. The areas of desolation in Pittsburgh are the same ones that have been affected for decades, namely, the lower Hill District, E. Liberty, Homewood-Brushton, and parts of the North Side.

So, I think it's really hard to convey how unlike the other cities on the list Pittsburgh is unless people have been there. Lots of people still want to live in the city - not just the suburbs.

I'm not very familiar with Pittsburgh. But, from what I've heard, it sounds like most of Pittsburgh's decline happened in its suburbs, and so the city was mostly spared from the urban decline felt by other rust belt cities.