Cleveland Real Estate News

Most Clevelanders will be reading the Plain Dealer’s list of 2009 goals for Cleveland. I applaud them for having ideas, especially the one that talks about how we need to move forward not kvetch over what has not happened in the past. 

I would love to read your thoughts on their list, and also your ideas as well. As I read through the article, I did have my own comments.

The PD discusses branding Cleveland and revitalizing the Core City. I’m down with the second part. But instead of constant rebranding and marketing expenses that go with it, why not just recognize what are brand really is? Guts, grit, hardworking people who are bright and creative.  Pittsburgh does not hold the trademark on people having the will of steel. We are a collection of people who can do anything we set our minds to doing; we are not weaklings who can’t take cold weather; even if we don’t like it, we go about our business and get things done.

We are a town founded on the principle of creativity and hard work. And we have examples of that everywhere, from University Circle cultural institutions to our universities themselves, and a population that prides itself in hard work. Which is why it’s so hard for so many to be out of work. Revitalize the core and bring new jobs into Cleveland and put people to work. Most problems will then be solved.

I have no quarrel with the PD’s list under this topic, but I see one glaring omission. We were originally branded as a steel city, a place with a vital trolley line and rail lines. So if there is any brushing off of our brand that could truly set us apart, it would be a commitment to passenger rail and transit as viable keys to future business and residential development.  And tons of jobs.

The PD discusses government reform and they are clearly in the column of supporting regional government. I think we need more cooperation among the different governments, but just regionalizing it isn’t the answer. There has been a lot of discussion on Cleveland blogs lately about the need to completely change the paradigm of how we elect and who we elect, how much it costs and whether or not they support the goals we all have, as opposed to what party they are in. Anyone agree with me?

I get excited at one of the PD’s ideas though: “,,,,demand collaboration at every level of government. “

I  think Governor Strickland is on the right track in terms of revamping how our educational system is funded and operated. The devil is in the details and that is fine. But for sure, we all need to step up to the plate to voice our opinions about the future of education in Ohio and Cleveland. Our finances are tied into it for one thing, and more importantly, our future as a City.

And that gets me to another goal. We need to start holding our government accountable for missing deadlines to get us involved in Federal, State and other initiatives that would clearly help us move forward. There is too much history of us not doing that. So let’s just take the bull by the horns and admit that we have a say in this issue. We can make the calls and follow the ideas and make sure the ‘powers that be’ and administrators know we are watching and holding them to being organized enough to not miss these crucial deadlines!

The PD closes with comments that seem to indicate they have decided 1) being in bed with old school people and ideas isn’t gonna fly (that means us too, not just the PD)  and 2) that they are willing to change how they have approached the news in recent times.

My last comment is that we need to hold them and our government and ourselves to this goal.

What do you think?  How can we continue to organize ourselves to help make all this happen?     Peace Out – 3C

Update, because I think a point was missing in my section on re-branding Cleveland. If you read books like Instructions From The Cook and Tribes, you realize an important point. Ideas come together and a focus develops.  The branding will happen afterwards, because we do the work that will make a difference, we listen to and ecourage all great ideas and focus on what the majority is motivated to see happen. It means more involvement in ways that may be different from past experiences, but the outcome is worth it. I would highly suggest both of these books to all of you as good starting points to getting involved.