So what's up with "the projects" on W. 25th in Ohio City? (Cleveland: low income, apartments)

[kpl1228]

So I was in town last December visiting my old hometown. W 25th near the Market has obviously started "almost" taking off in the last couple of years.

I say "almost" because the public housing highrise on W 25th near Bridge Street is still, at least to me, thwarting continued development heading north to Detroit.

And what is that building nowadays anyway? CMHA? Retirees? Elderly? Full blown project? I've long believed that the building was not a good thing as far as urban planning goes. It was constructed at a time when the street was seen as just West Side Market and little else of attractiveness, so I kind of understand the rationale for its original intent and location. And it has had a few positive cosmetic facelifts over the years.

But anything new now that the street's getting hip? What's its future? I can see housing advocates fighting for it tooth and nail.....it looks to have a LOT of units. But I think it's time to rethink it. Been time, actually.

[1watertiger]

Its a low income high-rise for the elderly. CMHA. All the old low-rise bldgs that were horrible around it were razed.

[LivinglargeinDC]

They were there before the hipsters moved in...

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by 1watertiger

Its a low income high-rise for the elderly. CMHA. All the old low-rise bldgs that were horrible around it were razed.

When I walked past there yesterday, I noticed some low-rise buildings still there. I also noticed they no longer had windows. Not just boarded up -- they were "concreted" up.

[andrew61]

I don't mind there being a low-income highrise for the elderly in that area. Low-income elderly folks are pretty benign and don't cause trouble. I do feel somewhat bad for them because the only supermarket in the vicinity is Dave's. I've been going there this week and find it quite expensive.

When I was a teenager back in the 1970s, the pastor of my church conducted a highrise hymn sing at that building, once a week or once a month, I forget which. When the regular pianist couldn't make it, I was frequently called on to fill in, which I greatly enjoyed.

[Minervah]

It's called "Riverview Tower." It's a CMHA building. There are 498 apartments in that building. I am checking out senior apartment communities. That one is in a great spot, very convenient but it's waaaay to large for me.

[TheProf]

I have no problem with Riverview or it's people, who bother no body. Why does Ohio City have to be lily white, all professional or all hipster? Diversity is good. New York has a lot of trendy neighborhoods with project nearby. People interact with all types of people which is a good thing.

[216facts]

Reality check, if you are going to live near public housing, particularly the type of public housing near W. 25th and Division St., then you are going to have to get used to not being safe at all hours. There is a significant difference in safety between W.25th and Westlake.
Now you can rationalize that by saying you like diversity better than safety, or urban living than bland suburbia, or whatever. But if the discussion sticks to safety, the suburbs win.

If W.25th/Ohio City/Tremont want to truly live up to the vision many wish for, safety will need to be increased soon. You can read the local websites about all the killings, rapes, gun-thefts, carjacks that happen in and around these areas - on a daily basis.

Now is not the time to look the other way, but to call a problem a problem and deal with it pragmatically with an immediate expectation of improving safety. Safety is job#1, keeping everybody happy is job#..... 23?

Or we could just keep talking urban vs suburban, and chide ourselves into thinking OC/Tremont will be fine as long as most people stay in doors after 9PM.

[216facts]

My solution, demolish it all, including the Riverview towers and the stuff further north at Division St. The area where Riverview towers are - that becomes a park with great views of downtown, maybe some low rise retail/restaurant along W. 25th but no towers obstructing views of downtown. The stuff near Division St. goes away and gets turned over for further development, now the near West side can truly be developed to its full potential.

Ever wonder why coming over the Detroit-Superior bridge lands you in an area that is very sketchy and undeveloped? Despite being a stones throw from downtown across a magnificent bridge.

We need to stop dragging our feet on this problem. The area from Edgewater, Battery Park, W. 65th, OC, Tremont, all needs to be safer. If you don't have safety, you will not have long term gentrification of this area. The models of Boston, NYC, San Fran, etc. do not apply to Cleveland.

[Clevelander216]

Originally Posted by 216facts

Reality check, if you are going to live near public housing, particularly the type of public housing near W. 25th and Division St., then you are going to have to get used to not being safe at all hours. There is a significant difference in safety between W.25th and Westlake.
Now you can rationalize that by saying you like diversity better than safety, or urban living than bland suburbia, or whatever. But if the discussion sticks to safety, the suburbs win.

If W.25th/Ohio City/Tremont want to truly live up to the vision many wish for, safety will need to be increased soon. You can read the local websites about all the killings, rapes, gun-thefts, carjacks that happen in and around these areas - on a daily basis.

Now is not the time to look the other way, but to call a problem a problem and deal with it pragmatically with an immediate expectation of improving safety. Safety is job#1, keeping everybody happy is job#..... 23?

Or we could just keep talking urban vs suburban, and chide ourselves into thinking OC/Tremont will be fine as long as most people stay in doors after 9PM.

It's a senior housing complex. I highly doubt seniors are out running the streets causing a ruckus.