Is Cleveland bad or is it just perception? (Toledo, Dayton: school district, university)

[creativemama2]

I think one problem might be that Cleveland is a driving city. There's not much that is concentrated in just one area where you could spend all day. Ohio City/Coventry/Cedar Lee, Chagrin Falls, Shaker Square, W 4th (etc) are all just a few blocks, so you have to constantly drive between all the destinations.

Good point. When you think of a tourist destination, there's usually a district consisting of at least several blocks where shopping, dining and attractions are all gathered.

I also think many native Clevelanders rely on the nostalgia factor

I agree totally on this. But in some ways, this nostalgia may be holding us back. Cleveland should not be the same city it was 20 years ago. I think America has moved ahead with technology, development and economic trends that we've completely ignored. We cling to old racial, political and geographic divisions and it's holding us back.

[costello_musicman]

Originally Posted by creativemama2

I agree totally on this. But in some ways, this nostalgia may be holding us back. Cleveland should not be the same city it was 20 years ago. I think America has moved ahead with technology, development and economic trends that we've completely ignored. We cling to old racial, political and geographic divisions and it's holding us back.

But what about the creation of E. 4th, Avenue District, Mulitple Expansions in University Circle, CLEVELAND CLINIC expansions, "A Christmas Story" House and Musuem opening, Cleveland State University expansions, Euclid Corridor, Battery Park, Stonebridge, and Downtown population more than doubling -- all in the past 5 years.

As easy as it is to hide behind the stigma that Cleveland is chained down by nostalgia, but there is REAL progress being made here. Some may argue...but I would say it is coming from the older generations who don't go out and see.

And, nostalgia is not necessarily a bad thing either. I believe many Cleveland residents pride themselves in tradition...which they should! So many cities have lost their character by doing a poor job of "following economic trends." Clevelanders still value its reputation as a Sports town, still has the industrial valley, still has city neighborhoods with character, still has parades and festivals that are 100+ years and still going, etc.

Now, do I think there are problems? Yes, of course. As everyone has agreed, to say the least. Schools I would list #1. But I think you are looking around with a pre-disposition.

[UmbrellaProductionsLLC]

Start going out more...there's a lot of decent events around the city...
Perhaps the problem isn't that the city is that boring, but that people are apathetic?

[Peregrine]

I agree with Umbrella.
I think a big part of the problem with Clevelanders saying 'there's nothing to do here' are the ones that take the city for granted. The ones that say "it's right down the street, I will go someday".
It's not nostalgia. Well, it may be if you went to the Art Museum on your school trip in grade school and haven't been back since.
I am guilty of this, too. I was 32 before I ever went to the Football Hall of Fame. It's an hour away from us at most. Eh... figured I'd go someday, it's RIGHT there. Put it off and put it off....

I don't do that anymore. I play in my city.
This past Saturday. Had a few extra dollars so I took my wife to brunch in Coventry. On the way home, she says "let's do a museum!". So we swung by the CMNH (Cleveland Museum of Natural History). They have an awesome planetarium there, if you haven't been. Then we went to her favorite Mexican restaraunt, sat on the patio, and had chips and salsa and a Margarita or two. A few hours later we met my friends and thier kids at the OLA festival where I won her a prize on my first try, and then won $500 on $5 worth of Bingo tickets. Had corn dogs and a few beers.
It was a perfect day to be a Clevelander.

This Saturday we are going to the Westside market to have breakfast and haggle over fruit. We do this monthly all summer.
Afterwards we are going to take the tour of the USS Mather. I saw it a few Saturdays ago when I took my nephew down to tour the USS Cod submarine and thought I would tour that next.

How many of you that whine about nothing to do just piddle around your comfy little suburb wishing you had something to do? Have you been to the Art Museum? Heck, that's FREE. What about the Rockhall? It's pricey but every Clevelander should go once. And when they ask for your zip code as you are buying tickets, say it with pride.
The Science Center? The IMAX theater that is there? Have you ever just sat on Public Square for awhile and watched the Peregrine Falcons hunt for pigeons and sparrows, or teaching their young how to fly in June? Do you go downtown to watch fireworks? Downtown to see the Square lit up for Xmas? Downtown is gorgeous when it is all decorated for Xmas....

Get out. Stimulate our economy. Enjoy your city......

[Wingfoot]

Cleveland has rough areas allright but is perhaps the most "authentic" of big american cities.

[creativemama2]

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

Cleveland has rough areas allright but is perhaps the most "authentic" of big american cities.

How do you define "authentic"?

How many of you that whine about nothing to do just piddle around your comfy little suburb wishing you had something to do? Have you been to the Art Museum? Heck, that's FREE. What about the Rockhall? It's pricey but every Clevelander should go once. And when they ask for your zip code as you are buying tickets, say it with pride.

I don't see this forum as whining, just being realistic. I do love the art museum, West Side Market and Jacobs Field. But a city needs more than scattered attractions to thrive. Quality of life in a city depends on many things...being a mom, schools matter most and our school is shameful. The building is literally falling down around them...broken stair railings, peeling paint, missing ceiling tiles and spray painted graffiti. The school district cut gym, art and music due to budget constraints but hired an outside group to run a new co-ed class for our 10 year olds about sexting, how to put on a condom and venereal disease. I realize some parents don't talk to their kids about that, but I'm one who does and I'd rather she take music and art. Seeing the dilapidated, ineffective schools and the repeated inability of our leaders and community to come together for the kids, I'm just not impressed by the Rock Hall.

...still has the industrial valley

I think we put too much stock in our industrial past. Other rust belt cities have embraced technology and the world economy and are moving to the future instead of trying to relive the past. Can't we beautify our city, consolidate our governments and face the reality of today's economy without being accused of abandoning our roots?

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by creativemama2

How do you define "authentic"?

Quality of life in a city depends on many things...being a mom, schools matter most and our school is shameful. The building is literally falling down around them...broken stair railings, peeling paint, missing ceiling tiles and spray painted graffiti.

You've mentioned this school before, Can I ask which school it is? The schools in my niegborhood (Westpark) are in excellent shape and I thought they were all being rebuilt and refurb'ed. If there is a school still in as bad shape as you say (and I believe you) I'd like to know which one it is.

[TheProf]

Creativemama2, I know you're the OP, but you seem like you have an anti-Cleveland agenda because, regardless of the logical points people are presenting noting the good points in this area as well as trying to help you realize the downsides are things every city has, you seem hell-bent on only highlighting the negative... More and more, you seem like little more than a troll in sheep's clothing... sorry.

[creativemama2]

I'm sorry you feel that I'm a troll. I'm asking legitimate questions without name calling or rudeness. It's true that I believe Cleveland is failing in many areas. I also believe Cleveland has a great deal of resources including world class arts, medical facilities, the lakefront and green spaces. Unfortunately, even with these resources, Cleveland has a black eye in the public's perception.

Peregrine, the school is North Olmsted Middle School which is over 100 years old. Even though it's not in Cleveland school district, North Olmsted is still part of Greater Cleveland. When I first entered the building, I found spray painted graffiti in the bathroom, broken glass in the doors, peeling paint, and falling tiles from the walls and ceiling. The school is rated slightly above average for drop out rates and test scores (but below wealthier adjacent districts like Westlake or Olmsted Falls). The school has compromised on gym, music and art by offering 1/2 year only due to overcrowding.

School funding in Ohio has been declared unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court (Access Quality Education: Ohio Litigation). Repeated school levies have failed. An anti-levy senior-citizen group formed and raised funds to fight the levies saying the money would be "misused" on teacher salaries. I attended school meetings where screaming matches erupted. The school put up a smaller levy to raise funds SOLELY to build a new building. It was rejected also. This group even *booed* the school superintendent at a town-hall meeting to discuss the need for repairs at the middle school. They refused to even let him speak. I have a great respect and love for most seniors, but there is a vocal minority that is fighting progress in this community.

Regionalism, or any change for that matter, is a tough sell for any city. But we have more than our share of deep rooted political, racial and labor divisions that are living in the past and resisting progress for fear of ceding any iota of power. The PD reported that Russo's top aide and attorney have been siphoning funds and materials from Maple Heights School District for personal use. Levies will be even harder to pass in that area now. I can't promise that regionalism would lessen blatant corruption such as this, but it can help eliminate waste and redundancy to free up funds that could be used to ensure all students have safe buildings.

I apologize that I seem negative. It's just that as a mom, my deepest prioritity lies with my kids. It hurts me to see our community failing them. I want Cleveland to succeed for the sake of the city's future and my children's future.

[austinite83]

Most of my peers, when I was in Cleveland at Case could not wait to leave. They don't want a future there. Not joking every single one. It's hurtful because Cleveland is filled with so much history. And the overall feel of the city it that most just don't care. The clinic could not pay me enough to stay. . .