Is Cleveland at a tipping point? (need input) (Euclid, Garfield Heights: section 8, crime)

[andremclippers]

is Cleveland at a tipping point

What I mean by that is..... and this is all my opinion

I think Cleveland is at the point where it's either going to become like Buffalo/Detriot, or it's going to recover similiar to what Pittsburgh did.


I feel like were in the middle right now: And here's my reasoning

Why we may go Downwards:
1.) Manufacturing is dwindling (although recently they've said it's bounced back but never to what it once was)
2.) Poor Leadership (will the new government be any different?)
3.)Population loss (are the good people finally fed up?)
4.) Crime (the city itself isn't bad, but more police are needed)
5.) Horrible school systems (public)
6.) What once were nice areas have become not so nice (ex. Garfield Heights, Euclid etc.)
7.) Catering to much to section 8/public housing (This is never good I don't care if your for it or not wherever these go up bad news for surrounding areas).
8.) Taxes (goes inline with population loss if the good people are fed up, who's going to pay for everything.. section 8/public housing maybe?
9.) Sports teams Let's face it we're not very good right now
10.) Young people are leaving (nothing really here for us young people in terms of jobs


Why we may go upwards:
1.) New professional jobs (Medical-Tech-research etc.)
2.) Cost of living (have to throw that in there, because it's true)
3.) Sports teams (let's face it we love them even though they continually break our hearts
4.) City has aknowledged it's public school problem ( may turn things around)
5.) Downtown development (Casino, if done properly will help.. Med Mart if there new ideas are done right. And there's always the Flats/Lakefront
6.) Areas such as Tremont, Detriot Shoreway (10 years ago you couldn't go near these places. Now they are beautiful
7.)New Government (will our tax dollars finally go to the city instead of their pockets?)
8.) There is actually something to do in Cleveland (E.4th W.6th, Museums, Rock N Roll, Zoo... and people are starting to realize it (thanks to technology)
9.) Young people starting to come back (myself included, and a few of my friends, Although the majority of us have left the grass isn't always greener on the other side
10.)The people (down to earth/friendly and for the most part care about their city)
11.) Dan Gilbert ))))

These are just my opinions, feel free to add to them and/or ridicule them. I hope some people chime in on this. I want other people's opinions on what they think.

[costello_musicman]

Well you're #1 bad is not as bad as it seems:

//www.city-data.com/forum/cleve...ring-jobs.html

But like you said, not even close to what it once was.

[costello_musicman]

Good list overall though. I agree with about 90% of it, and I DO agree that Cleveland is at a tipping point.

Improvements are being made across the board, but some maybe not fast enough. There is momentum is Healthcare and tech jobs, new construction of major projects, sustainability , and "urban living."

There are some major projects that are about to break ground which will help transform Cleveland even more (Uptown...which already broke ground, Casino, Flats East Bank and Hotel, Med Mart/Convention Center/Mall Renovation). Check out the list I compiled of new construction: //www.city-data.com/forum/cleveland/306380-cleveland-development-discussions-27.html And this is still missing many smaller improvements.

Behind leadership and taxes, the city's #1 roadblock to improvement is it's public schools. Has been for the past 20-30 years and continues to be. IMO, the #1 reason people choose to leave the city or why people are apprehensive to move their family here. There have been two notable improvements with the creation of John Hay (renovation and restructuring) and the CSU International elementary School. But, still Cleveland needs families back, and those families will come if there is a legitimate public school option. I am concerned about the changes occurring now are merely stirring the pot, and not creating any needed lasting change; I could be wrong. IMO, something completely drastic needs to be implemented, whether it’s the creation of regional schools with open enrollment or stricter discipline or mandatory parent involvement etc...

What I have noticed, is a heightened sense of city pride lately. Hopefully this feeling in the air can built all the needed momentum.

[YaFace]

No one in their right mind would move into the city the way the schools are right now. Most of it is racial, some of it economic, but anybody who is anybody has moved to the suburbs a long time ago.

[costello_musicman]

Originally Posted by YaFace

No one in their right mind would move into the city the way the schools are right now. Most of it is racial, some of it economic, but anybody who is anybody has moved to the suburbs a long time ago.

You can see what I mean by people's opinions.

The only High School success story is John Hay in University Circle, which scores higher than man surrounding suburban schools:

John Hay High School - Cleveland, Ohio - OH - School overview

There are numerous elementary scores that score well, mostly on the westside. But once you get past middle school, there are literally no options (besides John Hay) for a quality Public education, and this is what needs to change.

[WeSoHood]

Cleveland hasn't really been a "manufacturing" oriented economy since the 80s. And no, nothing like Detroit. That city is dead, I was just there. Literally 5 people in Greektown...all homeless. That city is depressing.