ClevelandDesignCity

“While I agree that much of what is being said here can apply to Cleveland, being extremely familiar with both cities (Baltimore native as well as having projects underway in that city) the major difference is attitude.  Baltimore from top down is about Baltimore and its health.  One example:  I looked at a piece of Baltimore property for adaptive reuse.  That was on Saturday.  I returned to Cleveland on Monday and had three phone calls and four emails waiting for me, including the mayor’s office and the Baltimore Development Corporation. Each offering to help in any way they could.  In Cleveland that would never happen.  Further, Baltimore has a totally different development strategy.  First, all major development, i.e., waterfront and inner harbor requires a ‘donation’ (generally 10-20% of project cost) for development of decaying neighborhoods.  Secondly, the city has 12 development corporations for approximately 300 neighborhoods (Cleveland:30 plus or minus).  Neighborhood futures are grassroots planned. Neighborhood associations go to their development corporation and ask for money.  The role of development corporation is that of resource in coporation with the neighborhood association…” (go to article)