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This past Saturday the remains of the old I90 east bridge were blown up in front of a crowd of onlookers at 6 am. This explosion did not mark the beginning but the continuation of progress. The flats has quietly been going through yet another transformation into a place for Clevelanders to enjoy. Unlike it's most recent incarnation as a bar filled "adult playground" and a cut through for the smart commuters to get to downtown, this most recent version it a place for everyone to enjoy. It's following the playbook that other Cleveland and rust belt neighborhoods are following. Due to mixed investments in residential, transportation, and recreation the Flats are slowly turning into a well rounded neighborhood right before our very eyes. A stark difference from the abandoned wasteland that it has been in years past.
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| Thanks to groups like the Cleveland Metroparks, the Clean Ohio Fund, and the dense neighborhoods that surround it the flats have become a very valuable area once again. The days of stone and sand piles, abandon buildings, parking lots, and burning rivers are slowly ending. Reinvestment in more diverse and well rounded projects have sparked a new day for this once industrial powerhouse. The key to remaking these areas is mixing their usage. Something for everyone. Don't just shove all of the factories in one spot or all of the museums into one area (University Circle). Treat your neighborhood as if it was a city in itself. |  |
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OK, if you've ever been on a river that wasn't in the dense wilderness you'll notice that people want to be by the water and they will pay top dollar for that privilege. Whether it be to live or to play, water is a huge draw. Not here in Cleveland though. Historically we like to keep people away from the water by putting up stadiums, airports, highways, and train tracks. Cleveland for some reason is traditionally anti water... until recently. Ya the sins of our fathers have made it hard but this generation is taking advantage of the little slivers of opportunity that we have been left with.
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Gina and I went down to look at the newest addition to the flats last week. The new recreational trail follows the river and includes a small dock, some benches, little trees, and cut outs from the river for fish spawning... and geese. Lots of geese. It is really a nice escape from the concrete of the city and a great place to take a walk. The views of the bridges and the towers downtown create a wonderful backdrop. It forces us to remember that we have a river that adds to the beauty of Cleveland. It's always been here but hasn't been the most inviting place. Tourists may see it in passing as they go to games, conventions, or restaurants but the citizens of this city can use it as a place to relax.
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We went to a block club meeting this week and one of the presentations was about extending the trail through our neighborhood. It's quite the undertaking as they are going to convert a whole street into the trail and build a bridge. The plans for the extension are beautiful and everyone was excited about it. The Metroparks are leading the project and will maintain it when it's complete. They really have run with the areas that the city gave to them!
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Sure most of the flats still look like this but the momentum it has is undeniable. This large swath of land and its river has had its ups and downs but can no longer be ignored. It's potential as an area of growth is great and finally people are starting to see that. The east and west banks are on a comeback. The new trail has added some much needed beauty. The rowers and kayakers have given the area an extra functional dimension. Soon the abandon building will become apartments and businesses filled with people excited to take advantage of all the flats has to offer. Our time is coming... again.
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