Greater Cleveland getting older, smaller, poorer

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Euclid Avenue in the early '80s had already gone down quite a bit, but there were still department stores around then. There was still some semblance of a real downtown.

When I was there in 2007, Playhouse Square looked spiffier than ever, but lower Euclid Avenue (below East 12th Street) definitely looked the worst I've ever seen it.

I would agree with that. Euclid between 9th and 14th is especially ugly. Construction or not, much of it is still in awful shape. Yes, you have the Wyndham and the Statler, but they are surrounded by emptiness. It's sad that's there so little connecting PlayhouseSquare/CSU and East 4th. Lots of good things have happened in those two neighborhoods but you have yet to see spinoffs of that in between. That's a reason that people see Cleveland as a sorry city. There's pockets of life but it can be desolate in between.

Originally Posted by Traveler87

I was going to say, East 12th was under construction. Streetscaping just wrapped up I believe.

That's East 14th. It's not too bad but still lacks life. I was hoping for something livelier. Hopefully, that will come with time. I'm not sure if that project is completely finished or not though. I believe there's quite a bit of public art, benches, etc. that are planned as part of the project. I don't think that's all in yet. The only thing that I've really noticed are some new patios and the blue sidewalk lighting. Some of the decorative touches seem to be missing. That area desperately needs some more dining and nightlife options for the theater crowds.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by Marty711

I would agree with that. Euclid between 9th and 14th is especially ugly. Construction or not, much of it is still in awful shape. Yes, you have the Wyndham and the Statler, but they are surrounded by emptiness. It's sad that's there so little connecting PlayhouseSquare/CSU and East 4th. Lots of good things have happened in those two neighborhoods but you have yet to see spinoffs of that in between. That's a reason that people see Cleveland as a sorry city. There's pockets of life but it can be desolate in between.



That's East 14th. It's not too bad but still lacks life. I was hoping for something livelier. Hopefully, that will come with time. I'm not sure if that project is completely finished or not though. I believe there's quite a bit of public art, benches, etc. that are planned as part of the project. I don't think that's all in yet. The only thing that I've really noticed are some new patios and the blue sidewalk lighting. Some of the decorative touches seem to be missing. That area desperately needs some more dining and nightlife options for the theater crowds.

I agree. Although East 12th did just get some new streetscaping. It is more pedestrian friendly down towards the Avenue District and Erieview Tower. Also on East 12th you have the complete renovation of Perk Park.

East 14th is getting some work done too. Not sure exactly what is getting done. I would also like to see more restaurants and things in that part of downtown for folks going to see the plays. Although there is some projects picking up steam with Allan Theatre and such. I also saw a construction crane in the area behind Euclid on East 13th. The area on Euclid between East 9th and Playhouse Square is quite desolate. Hopefully the plans with the Ameritrust Tower pull through.

Not sure how old this article is, but explains some of what is happening on East 14th.

Streetscape Improvements along East 14th Street in Cleveland

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

I agree. Although East 12th did just get some new streetscaping. It is more pedestrian friendly down towards the Avenue District and Erieview Tower. Also on East 12th you have the complete renovation of Perk Park.

East 14th is getting some work done too. Not sure exactly what is getting done. I would also like to see more restaurants and things in that part of downtown for folks going to see the plays. Although there is some projects picking up steam with Allan Theatre and such. I also saw a construction crane in the area behind Euclid on East 13th. The area on Euclid between East 9th and Playhouse Square is quite desolate. Hopefully the plans with the Ameritrust Tower pull through.

Not sure how old this article is, but explains some of what is happening on East 14th.

Streetscape Improvements along East 14th Street in Cleveland

I guess I don't really consider the East 12th streetscape as related to Euclid Ave. as much since the streetscape improvements don't make it that far. You are right that there's no doubt that it looks much better through the Avenue District but I'm not sure that Euclid Avenue is going to benefit much from that. The 14th Street project runs right into Euclid. That can help pump some life into Euclid and hopefully the surrounding neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, the Avenue District improvements are terrific and a good start but until Euclid gains some life, people will still have negative thoughts about downtown and the city in general.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by Marty711

I guess I don't really consider the East 12th streetscape as related to Euclid Ave. as much since the streetscape improvements don't make it that far. You are right that there's no doubt that it looks much better through the Avenue District but I'm not sure that Euclid Avenue is going to benefit much from that. The 14th Street project runs right into Euclid. That can help pump some life into Euclid and hopefully the surrounding neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, the Avenue District improvements are terrific and a good start but until Euclid gains some life, people will still have negative thoughts about downtown and the city in general.

Oh ok I see what you are saying, sorry wasn't exactly sure. I was just bringing up streetscape projects that were going on in that general area. Not really thinking about the benefits to Euclid.

I think half the problem with Cleveland's image is the media loves to put a city down when they have already fallen at their knees. It's easy to do so, and now they have everyones attention. Cleveland has a better downtown than most cities its size. Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

I was going to say, East 12th was under construction. Streetscaping just wrapped up I believe.

In 2007, the corridor was still under construction. I believe it opened for business (RTA-wise) in the fall of 2008. Since then, there have been many additions to Euclid Avenue between Public Square and E. 30th. Yes, there is a ways to go, but some of you are making it sound as if nothing occurred in the meantime. I mean, if for nothing else, just look at what has happened over by CSU. I think the encouraging part is that much of this development has occurred and actually flourished during a severe economic climate. The only "dead" area is between 9th and 12th. However, there are the beginnings of signs of life there also.