We Are Buckeye - Neighborhood Plan

BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOODAUGUSTPLAN2022 BUCKEYE ARE WE

BUCKEYE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 32541 WE ARE BUCKEYE | BrandingProjectWhyIntroductionNowTeam UNDERSTANDING | Gaining an Understanding Previous Planning Existing Conditions KeyInvestmentsChallengesAssetsNodes& Intersections Market Analysis COMMUNITY LED | MobileYouthContinuedCommunityEngagementEventsDiscourseEngagementEngagementStation TESTING IDEAS | Guiding Design Principles Combating Displacement Design Ideas IMPLEMENT | ConclusionDesignActionHealthyHousingEconomicIdentityImplementationStrengthChoiceConnectionsStepsGuidelines APPENDIX | 4 6 - 7 8 - 9 10 - 11 12 - 13 14 16 - 17 18 - 19 20 - 21 22 - 23 24 - 27 28 - 29 30 - 31 32 - 35 36 38 - 39 40 - 43 44 - 45 46 - 49 50 - 53 54 56 - 57 58 - 61 62 - 75 76 78 - 81 82 - 85 86 - 91 92 - 95 96 - 101 102 - 109 110 - 111 112 - 113 114

BUCK

KEYE 1 WE ARE BUCKEYE

WE ARE BUCKEYE INTRODUCTION

Leadership in Cleveland has undergone sweeping changes, with the first new Mayor in the City of Cleveland since 2006, among dozens of transitions at key organizations across town. Buckeye is uniquely positioned to capitalize on targeted investment and increased prioritization being placed on public and private investment on Cleveland’s eastside. However, there are underlying questions that currently go unanswered, how will this investment will be inclusive and how will it benefit those who have historically occupied the neighborhood?

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As Cleveland continues to experience investment across its footprint, there remain communities that lie at the fringes of this deployment of resources. Historical disinvestment and tactical exclusion, such as redlining, have placed communities like Buckeye on these fringes, close enough to see the opportunities for upward mobility within their city, yet far enough away for it to feel just out of reach.

There is recognition that change is required for this community to survive. High poverty rates, increasing vacancy, and substandard living conditions have created a recipe for challenged outcomes and a cycle of disadvantage. At nearly 3 square miles, Buckeye occupies the eastern edge of the City of Cleveland. Comparable in size to the Tremont neighborhood on the city’s near west side, Buckeye makes up roughly 4% of the City of Cleveland’s total land area making it an average sized Cleveland neighborhood. Buckeye’s location elevates it’s role among other Cleveland neighborhoods. It’s east side edge position allows it to serve as a direct link between several Cleveland suburbs, such as Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights.

The character of Buckeye has evolved over the last 100 years from one of the largest Hungarian immigrant populations in the United States, to the predominantly black community that exists today. Remnants of this heritage remains, with descendants still occupying business storefronts and active churches in the community. In alignment with the demographics of Cleveland’s east side, Buckeye has been a black neighborhood for the past several decades. The shift in population characteristics brought about a place for black families to put down roots and potential thrive. However, in time the historically damaging effects of white flight and institutional racism sunk it’s teeth into the community, compromising the neighborhood’s stability. Efforts to unify the neighborhood have been ongoing for decades, with institutional leadership from local foundations and community development corporations mostly behind these movements. Buckeye consists of several unique places, each with its own identity, and each adding a unique element to the diverse character of Buckeye. As the neighborhood evolves, cultivating unity across the community will be crucial to maintaining the history of those who have occupied it, while also establishing a welcoming environment for future residents and business owners.

INTRODUCTION | 7

WHY NOW

Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. initiated this project to design and develop a real estate master plan for the Greater Buckeye Neighborhood. The intentions are for this document to serve as the record of resident voices to guide public and private partnerships for the continued redevelopment of the community. People are paying attention to the neighborhood. Now is the time to create a strategy that positions the community and residents of Buckeye at the forefront of growth and prosperity. This strategy must balance forthcoming growth with residents’ desires, while helping retain existing community members and their culture and history. The adjacent map represents planning efforts that have occurred within this geography over the past decade, each of them building positive momentum for the neighborhood, while combating challenges facing the residents of this eastside community. The Buckeye Neighborhood Plan will serve as the first comprehensive plan since these featured initiatives: Thrive 105-93, Mayor’s Transformation Initiative, #WoodhillUpNext, Elevate the East, and Buckeye Road Refresh have been completed and adopted. This plan will serve to both connect these previous efforts and establish a strategic position to collective implement neighborhood-wide improvements.

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Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. has specified 5 goals to guide this process, all while placing an emphasis on combating the most ill effects of gentrification: physical and cultural displacement.

Identify opportunities for new development and identify recommendations for implementation of the plan.

GOAL #1

Consult with and convene a project steering committee to inform the framework of the planning strategy.

Develop a comprehensive neighborhood plan for the Greater Buckeye Neighborhood.

GOAL #3

GOAL #4

Lead a series of innovative and creative community gatherings that represent a positive user experience, while gaining insights and feedback from residents and stakeholders. Ensure that these events have a virtual and inperson option for participation.

INTRODUCTION | 9

GOAL #5

Embed within the master plan existing redevelopment underway in the area, including new residential units on Larchmere, and the Woodhill Estates redevelopment strategy.

GOAL #2

Project Lead Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc.

CITY ARCHITECTURE Alex Pesta, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Principal Juleian Curtis, Director of Public Engagement Michelle Bandy-Zalatoris, AICP, LEED, AP, Director of Urban Planning and Design Kentrell Lodge, Intern Designer Community Outreach

SEVENTH HILL LLC David Jurca, Principal Ariel Vergez, Creative Director at Vergez, Inc.

Isaac Kwon, Principal Christopher Lankenau, AICP, Principal Neighborhood Leadership Blaine A. Griffin, Councilperson, Council President, Ward 6, Cleveland City Council Deborah A. Gray, Councilperson, Ward 4, Cleveland City Council TEAM

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PROJECT

Project Branding and Youth Engagement designExplorr Jacinda Walker, Founder + Creative Director Market Analysis Urban Partners

Joy D. Johnson, Executive Director Bianca Butts, Director of Neighborhood Planning and CiaraEngagementWilson,Community Outreach Coordinator, DawnBuckeyeMayes, Director of Neighborhood Planning and Engagement (formerly) Consultant Team Planning and Urban Design

Myichel Mallory Resident, Promotion Solutionist Michelle Walsh Strategic Initiatives Director, Providence House

This work was guided by steering committee members, with a local tie to the community through residency, business ownership, employment, or other related connections within the neighborhood. Members met monthly to select the planning consultant, review the progress of the work, guide community engagement activities, communicate desires based on their roles within the neighborhood, and hold the project team accountable. The committee was supported by staff members from Burten, Bell , Carr Development, Inc. throughout the planning process.

THANK YOU TO THE BUCKEYE COMMUNITY!

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Lynda Bernays Resident, Coordinator of Britton-127th St Block Club Brandon Chrostowski Founder, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute Marka Fields Resident, Assistant Planning Director, Cleveland City Planning Bonita Henderson Site Coordinator, Harvey Rice Wraparound School

Pastor Robert Willard Resident, The Meeting Place Church Koya X Resident, Founder, Coalition of the Willling

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee worked with designExplorr to establish project branding for the planning process, ultimately creating a recognizable and identifiable symbol for this work in the community. Planning processes often involve jargon that is difficult to understand or remember. Creating a logo and name that is simple, relatable and memorable can better connect people with the process. Much of this work is centered on building from the strong physical connections Buckeye has to greater Cleveland, and the opportunity to improve the experience of travelers along these paths, roads, sidewalks, and trails. Additionally, a primary goal of this planning process was to design a transformative path forward for the Buckeye neighborhood. Using all of this as inspiration, the terms Pathways and Connections were utilized as guiding elements to shape the overall brand style.

Hand drawn lines, geometric strokes and unique shaped polygons were used to visualize the neighborhoods pathways and connections. This was performed using interpretations of aerial maps of the study area. This loose and relatable line work uses recognizable shapes to communicate movement and adaption in two dimensions, while also communicating the dynamic nature of the environment. The hand drawn lines, geometric strokes, and polygons used to interpret portions of the neighborhoods’ planning area are then used to create a unique and personalized mark for the brand. Four of the recognizable polygons used, square, circle, triangle, and horizontal lines, ultimately were paired with implementation recommendations of the planning process. Each shape representing a different area of focus. Additionally, these shapes can be applied to the diverse community geography that exists in Buckeye, capturing individuality while also create a united collection of shapes to form a ONE BUCKEYE.

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BRANDING

The collection of each of these element’s results in the project logo. Combining the stylized interpretation of the neighborhood map, color palette, mark, and font types this logo best represented this planning process, while also leaving room for integration into future community branding and wayfinding in Buckeye.

These branding elements are carried throughout this document, and have been used as a guide to structure analysis, idea testing, community engagement, and ultimately implementation strategies.

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The Steering Committee selected a wide range of colors that capture vibrancy, life, and culture to represent the planning project’s brand. These colors are able to stand on their own and represent elements of the planning process or neighborhood, or used in pairs, to represent connections and togetherness. Multiple colors also provide the opportunity for greater inclusion of individual ideas and features rather than creating exclusivity.

The all-caps sans sarif Revelstroke font has a grunge look which both captures the grit of the community and the desire to boldly embrace the neighborhood and this process. Roboto is utilized as body text to provide a thinner contrasting look, while offering a clear hierarchal distinction between body, title, and header text.

2 UNDERSTANDING

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The project team began with gathering an understanding of the contextual influences and factors contributing to the current neighborhood conditions. This approach focuses on highlighting assets, opportunities, challenges, and investments. Coupling this understanding with an asset-based planning approach supports the recognition of the successful, beautiful and unique elements that are present in the landscape today. An effective balance between what can be built from and what requires intervention is critical to the design process. Once the information has been documented, Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. and community partners will be able to make informed decisions that positively influence the Buckeye community.

It is important that an authentic community-focused process be utilized to obtain an understanding of the neighborhood. This type of approach will allow for a responsive plan to be constructed that is geared toward meeting the community needs. The roots of this planning work are already in place through existing and ongoing planning in the neighborhood. Incorporating that work into this process will be critical to building on the foundation that has already been established.

GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING

The Buckeye neighborhood has been the subject of many planning studies and initiatives over the years. These plans aimed to address challenges and support positive change. Long-time residents have understandably become frustrated at the concepts of outside consultants who have ‘parachuted in’ to ask questions, create a big vision, have great conversation, build hope, only for things to remain relatively the same.. This is not a criticism of previous planning work, but an acknowledgment of the this community’s lived experience that must be Theconsidered.BuckeyeRenaissance

Work undertaken as a result of these plans addresses new affordable and mixed-income housing, transitoriented development, expanded neighborhood services, new public spaces, and amenities, engaging public art, business support services, neighborhood wi-fi, and vacant space re-use for local entrepreneurs. The best and most relevant ideas from these projects have helped guide this work to create multiple paths for implementation, helping to support a community that has put in more than its share of time to envision positive change.

Evolution: E 130 – E 130th Street Working Group Buckeye Road Refresh – City of Cleveland

PREVIOUS PLANNING

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Neighborhood Planning team is respectful of what has gone into the development of these plans and honors the time resident experts gave to help to shape them. Much care was taken as this material was reviewed to help inform how we move forward into this process of addressing present challenges.

The team has reviewed a series of plans which currently influence neighborhood reinvestment, in order to provide greater alignment and the best use of resources. The Thrive 105 & 93 Plan, The Mayor’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, The Elevate the East Arts Plan, Buckeye Road Refresh, and the Woodhill Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan each overlap with the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan project area. This synergy has the ability to attract multiple resources to the neighborhood while creating a more comprehensive implementation approach. These recent planning initiatives are critical to help set the framework for future neighborhood improvements.

List of previously completed planning work: Elevate the East – LAND Studio Thrive 105-93 – City of Cleveland Buckeye Road Core Area Redevelopment Strategy – Buckeye Area Development Corporation Woodhill CHOICE Plan – CMHA & City of Cleveland

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The Planning team utilized a firsthand, on-the-ground perspective to gain an understanding of current developing trends, in addition to dialogue with members of the Buckeye community to help become informed about existing conditions. Neighborhoods are shaped by their history and will ultimately be defined by the future they work to manifest. Diving into the history of a place reveals how and why a community is situated in the position that it is in. Known as Little Hungary, Buckeye was considered to have one of the largest immigrant Hungarian populations in the United States. From the neighborhood’s early days, Buckeye Road has served as the indicator of the overall community’s health. The progression of imagery from 1938 to 2019 shows the increased priority placed on the motor vehicle, but also the loss of active businesses along the corridor. As demographics shifted from primarily white to primarily black, Buckeye residents began to be faced with redlining and other racially influenced hardships. This led to disinvestment along the Buckeye Road corridor, that also began to spill out into the greater neighborhood. Today, many historic structures now lie vacant along primary circulators like E 93rd Street, surrounded by vacant houses and lots by the dozen. While these challenges must be acknowledged, the resilience of this community is displayed through the arts and cultural celebration that appears throughout the landscape. Vacant structures along Buckeye are covered with words and colors of hope and inspiration, shielding blight with uplifting messaging while discouraging rapid decay. It is from these sources of hope and the potential seen by many in Buckeye’s future that new investment has begun to trickle into the community. This new investment primarily comes in the form of new housing opportunities, both affordable and market rate. As new units get added to the neighborhood, so do new opportunities to capitalize on the forthcoming growth and resurgence of Buckeye.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

UNDERSTANDING | 21 Evolution of Buckeye Road Widespread Vacancy The Arts Provide Hope Investment Interest is Building

in districts like Larchmere demonstrate the opportunity that is present for local entrepreneurs among a diversifying stock of housing. While challenges exist broadly within the quality of the housing stock, there are several stabilized streets that represent a lineage of investment, particularly in the Larchmere area. This northern most portion of the Buckeye neighborhood also houses the neighborhoods most stable business district. The corridor is occupied by longtime merchants like, Loganberry Books, Larchmere Deli & Beverage, Academy Tavern, and Big Al’s Diner, along with newcomers, like UnBar Café, Something Good to Eat, and Hola Tacos, all representing a collection of merchants who are finding success and opportunity in the Buckeye market. Additionally, the diverse culture represented across Buckeye’s landscape, which combines the eastern European heritage of the past with African American culture of today’s majority, creates a unique experience, unlike any other Cleveland neighborhood.

Housing

Doan PublicBrookArt

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Three rapid transit stops traverse the center of the neighborhood each creating their own unique node, with activity generating out from them in multiple directions. Moving from East to West, the rapid transit stop in Shaker Square provides direct access to the historic business district that has emerging plans to undergo a renaissance. At E 116th Street and Shaker Boulevard, the stop is surrounded by the institutional assets of St Lukes, Rice Library, Boys and Girls Club, Intergenerational School, and Harvey Rice Elementary. This location also provides access to both the Buckeye Road and Larchmere Boulevard corridors, each less than a ½ mile walk from the station. Lastly, Woodhill Station, which marks the western boundary of the neighborhood serves as a key asset to the forthcoming Woodhill CHOICE development that will provide nearly 200 units of new mixed income housing just across the street from the station.

ASSETS stability

Unique and historic community gathering spaces like, Shaker Square, serve as an incredible asset for the neighborhood, offering spaces for public events, farmer’s markets, and other community activities to occur. Art & Soul Park on Buckeye Road also serves as a gathering ground for community discourse, demonstration, in addition to an outdoor marketplace. The Trumpet Man Statue is also a fixture in the neighborhood along Buckeye Road, and a recognizable symbol across Cleveland’s Newlandscape.investments

Many of Buckeye’s most critical assets center on movement. The neighborhood has fluid access to multiple public transportation routes, including both bus and rail (or rapid transit). Additionally, with proximity to University Circle to the north, Shaker Heights to the east, and access points to Downtown to the west, Buckeye is positively and uniquely positioned.

UNDERSTANDING | 23 BusinessMobility district Historic places

conditions / maintenance Pedestrian and transit experience

• 83.2 percent more likely to be a hot spot for homicide

Per the 2019 American Community Survey, the Buckeye neighborhood’s residential vacancy rate is 27.1%. This means that more than one in every four of the area’s roughly 16,893 residential units is vacant. By comparison, the City of Cleveland’s residential vacancy rate is 15.7%. A 2017 study completed by Case Western Reserve University’s Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development identified ties between vacant housing, crime and lead exposure. Per the study, “vacancy hot spots were:

• 76.2 percent more likely to be a hot spot for aggravated assaults

The community’s desire to improve neighborhood safety was a clearly communicated priority. The vacant property analysis described above provides a basis for the fears in the community surrounding safety and general comfort within the neighborhood. Beyond personal safety related to crime, roadway conditions along Buckeye Road, Woodland Avenue, portions of Woodhill Road/E 93rd Street create unsafe conditions for pedestrians navigating the community. Expansive crossings, poorly designated crossings, and high speed travel are the primary factors contributing to these unsafe Additionally,conditions. inconsistent illumination across the neighborhood creates discomfort among residents who are moving through their community when the sun has gone down. Poorly lit streets exist both along major roads in the neighborhood, as well residential streets, with cut-throughs, alleyways, and unlit parking areas being of additional concern.

• 65.4 percent more likely to be a hot spot for violent crime”

Vacancy Vacancy is an issue that negatively impacts community health, identity, crime, and as a result, property values. These are concerns that were raised multiple times within community conversations.

Resources: https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2017/06/how_clevelands_vacant_homes_violent_crimes_and_lead_poisoning_are_linked_cwru_report.html

HousingVacancy

• 61.7 percent more likely to be hot spots for lead poisoning

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While there is strength in the connectivity across the neighborhood, the experience of this movement is challenged by several conditions: vacancy, neglect, empty storefronts, litter, and broken pedestrian paths. Vacancy is perhaps the leading obstacle as it manifests in the landscape in multiple scales and forms, from large structures, such as the Moreland Theater, to the ‘Buckeye duplex’, which can be found on nearly every residential street.

Safety

CHALLENGES

UNDERSTANDING | 25 Empty storefronts maintenanceexperience Sidewalks and connectivity Vacant lots

Lead Poisoning Housing

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“90% of Cleveland’s housing stock is pre-1978 and that makes Cleveland ground zero for lead paint poisoning in Ohio.” - Rob Fischer, associate professor at CWRU and co-director of the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at the university’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.

Multiple challenges impact Buckeye’s Nearlyhousing.50% of the Buckeye neighborhood’s existing housing stock was built before 1939, creating maintenance and modernization challenges. Neighborhood disinvestment as a result of historic redlining means that while much of this housing has lower market values, the neighborhood still lacks quality affordable housing. Additionally, 50.2% of renter households in the neighborhood are paying more than 30% of their incomes on Thehousing.market study developed as part of this planning work identified a lack of market rate and affordable apartments. This leads those with limited flexibility within their incomes to settle for substandard conditions based on need. Income limitations, paired with this housing supply challenge, leads to growing concerns and struggles with absentee landlords. Across the City of Cleveland, out of town real estate investors have begun to purchase properties within Cleveland neighborhoods increasing fears of the absentee landlord behavior, in addition to gentrification. Identity Neighborhood identity was discussed as a challenge. The Buckeye neighborhood is made up of over 6 smaller neighborhoods and districts. Many of these are known by multiple names, such as, Buckeye-Woodhill, Woodland Hills, CHALK, Larchmere, Woodhill, Buckeye-Shaker, Shaker Square and others. Historically division has been sown among these smaller neighborhoods based on racial tensions, income and geography. There is now an increasing desire for unity among the collective of neighborhood residents, however there will still be obstacles to overcome to achieve a ONE Buckeye. With hundreds of homes likely in need of remediation, Buckeye, like many other Cleveland communities, continues to experience cases of lead poisoning. Data most recently obtained by the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition shows in 2019, 890 or 53% of the total children living in the Buckeye area zip codes were tested for lead. Of those children 890, nearly 10% children tested positive for lead posioning. Targeted efforts are underway, and being led by the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition from education and understanding of renter’s rights, to making resources available to landlords to effectively eliminate this challenge. According to the lead Certificate Roll Out Schedule, rollout for abatement monitoring within the community has begun in the 44120 area and will begin to take place in 44104 on June 30, 2022.

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Even when minorities are able to obtain homeownership many face struggles with realizing the ultimate financial value of that asset. This appraisal bias, coupled with predatory practices of robocalls looking for homeowners interested in selling their homes, create a less than equitable marketplace for non-white homeowners and prospective home buyers.

Historically low property values as a result of redlining, exacerbated by structural undervaluing of property in minority neighborhoods - As far as Potter is concerned, the lack of people of color in the industry is at the very root of home appraisal bias, which a Brookings Institution report last year said created a 23 percent devaluation of homes in Black neighborhoods, adding up to $156 billion in lost equity. Sanedria Potter is a certified appraiser in the state of Georgia, working primarily in the Atlanta area. She is also a black women. Ms. Potter has seen appraisal bias first hand, and is actively working to combat it, serving as a mentor to young black appraisers and growing her network in the Atlanta community.

undervalued Property Resources: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-homes-are-often-undervalued-black-appraisers-are-fighting-change-rcna23091

Buckeye will be home to nearly 1,400 new units of housing by 2032: 652 new affordable housing units (487 are to replace to be demolished units at Woodhill Homes) 238 new market rate housing units

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The Buckeye neighborhood has seen a recent upsurge in investment and attention. This investment manifests in multiple forms and from diverse sources such as philanthropic institutions, private investors, and public funding. Resources are being put into the community at a variety of scales as well, from infill single-family homes to improvements to major east side transit centers. Perhaps the largest and most influential piece of investment in the neighborhood is through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CHOICE neighborhoods program. This program leverages $500 million of local investment to attract $35 million of grant money from the federal government to transform the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authorities’ Woodhill Homes into a mixed-income, accessible and more connected community for residents.

Buckeye is experiencing significant influx of resources directed toward new housing, with the anticipated addition of 1,377 units both affordable and market rate housing by 2032. The greatest share of this number is attributed to the Woodhill Homes redevelopment, which will replace 487 units of affordable housing within the neighborhood, while adding 106 new affordable units to be paired with 45 market rate. Through Habitat for Humanities Infill Housing program, 25 new affordable housing units are being added to Buckeye neighborhood streets between Shaker Blvd and Woodland Road. These homes provide upwardly mobile residents an opportunity to move out of an existing multifamily home or apartment within the neighborhood, into a single family home, if desired. The financing for these homes also allows the property to maintain an affordable price point. Additionally, CHN Housing Partners’ Legacy at St. Lukes project has brought 34 units of affordable housing and 34 units of market rate housing to the neighborhood through a modern townhome development just north of the St. Lukes campus. While a large share of the new units coming to Buckeye are affordable, the neighborhood is also experiencing investment in market rate options, with the following projects currently in development or completed: 121 Larchmere – 88 units complete Mikros – 29 units complete Entrada – 42 units in development

INVESTMENTS New single family homes 121SunbeamLarchmere

Buckeye Plaza Transit stations Mikros on Larchmere

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The primary access points to Buckeye are located at Woodland Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Shaker Boulevard and Coventry Road, and Kinsman Road and E 93rd Street. These locations have been identified on the map as primary nodes and represent moments of arrival both into the Buckeye neighborhood or at key locations within the neighborhood like, RTA Woodhill Station, the Buckeye Road Commercial Corridor, and Shaker Square. In addition to these key intersections, there are additional noteworthy district access points that are heavily trafficked. These locations are identified on the map as Secondary Nodes, and serve as secondary points of entry and movement, and are primarily located along Shaker Blvd, Woodland Ave, and Larchmere Blvd, with additional secondary northsouth locations at MLK Jr Dr, E 116th, and E 130th.

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KEY NODES & INTERSECTIONS BUCKEYE RD. & WOODLANDKINSMANAVE. & E. 93RDSecondaryPrimarykeyNodesNodesWOODLANDWOODHILLAVE.RD.FairfaxKinsman University Circle

The connective tissue of the neighborhood serves as one of its greatest strengths, creating a series of key nodes and intersections where people converge and gather. Many of these highly trafficked locations manifest along Buckeye Road, where the designation of neighborhood nodes has been determined to be where a large amount of activity occurs. E 116th and Buckeye serves as the center of the community geographically and should remain a centerpiece for future investment.

UNDERSTANDING | 31 SHAKER BLVD. & COVENTRY RD. Buckeye rd. & S. MORELAND AVE. WOODLAND AVE & MLK DR. & N 250 500’ 1000’ 1500’ 2500’ KINSMAN RD. BUCKEYE larchmereRD.BLVD.SHAKERBLVD. DR.jrMLK ST.E.116 Mount Pleasant Circle Cleveland Heights Shaker Heights

There were also six (6) sectors that added a total of 190 new jobs in the Buckeye neighborhood from 2002 to 2018. The largest net job gains in this period were in Construction Accommodation and Food Services. On the other hand, there are 13 other sectors that experienced job losses from 2002 through 2018.

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While the largest segment of workers employed in the Buckeye neighborhood live within the City of Cleveland, only a small share of these residents live in Buckeye. In 2018, 11.3% of all employed Buckeye residents commuted to University Circle, while 33.4% commuted to other locations within the City of Cleveland, and another 55.2% worked outside of Cleveland. The University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, which is located immediately north of Buckeye, is home to a total of 66,611 jobs, acting as one of the largest employment centers in the City of Cleveland. Buckeye residents have so far, been unable to capitalize on this proximity.

Additionally, Buckeye households are less mobile than the City of Cleveland and about equal to Cuyahoga County. According to the 2019 ACS, the percentage of people in the Buckeye neighborhood who changed residences between 2018 and 2019 was 15.8%, compared to 19.0% for the city and 15.2% for the county. This demonstrates a need for access to higher wage jobs, increased access to education, and anti-racist racist strategies aim at closing the gap between housing costs and income. It also demonstrates a lack of quality affordable housing that aligns with the economic abilities of residents in the neighborhood. Employment According to the Census Bureau’s OnTheMap application, which uses employer payroll tax information to geo-locate jobs within a defined area, the Buckeye neighborhood has experienced a significant reduction in job availability since 2002. A total of 5,272 jobs were reported for the Buckeye neighborhood in 2018, which represents a 27.9% drop from 2002. This decline in jobs within the neighborhood mostly occurred in the following sectors: Healthcare, Social Assistance, and Manufacturing. This decline can likely be attributed to the continued decline within the manufacturing sector in the region, while the decline in healthcare jobs may be related to a greater emphasis by healthcare providers on investing in their main campuses that has resulted in neighborhood hospital closures.

Even though this rate is slightly lower than the City of Cleveland’s poverty rate of 32.7%, residents are living under-resourced lifestyles that translate to a variety of challenges. Among these challenges is access to quality affordable housing. Due to lack of income, over half of renter households in the Buckeye neighborhood are cost burdened, meaning that they pay more than 30% of their income toward housing costs, while 22.9% of owner households are cost burdened, according to the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS). The cost-burden rates for Cleveland households are higher than Cuyahoga County—46.9% of renter households and 25.6% of owner households in the city are cost-burdened, compared to 44.7% and 21.4% for the county, respectively.

Although,place.

Demographics Buckeye, like many Cleveland neighborhoods, has experienced population decline. The community is significantly older, with 19.6% of the population over 65. In comparison, the 65+ population for the City of Cleveland is 14.0%. This may indicate that younger families or heads of households are moving out of the neighborhood, while many residents continue to age in the Buckeye neighborhood has a higher educational attainment level of residents over the age of 25 than the City of Cleveland average, this has not translated to higher levels of average income, as 30.1% of residents currently live below the poverty level.

Performed by Urban Partners, the Market Analysis Report serves as supporting information for the Neighborhood Master Plan. It provides an analysis of supply and demand conditions for a range of retail, office, and residential uses available in or logically appropriate for development within the study area.

MARKET ANALYSIS

Table 22 shows the breakdown of the 504 conventional sales in terms of home types 123 single family detached homes, 313 duplexes, 19 triplexes, 47 condominiums, and two townhouses. The highest median sale price by home type was condominiums at $93,900, or $53.26 per square foot (SF, henceforth). Sales of duplexes comprised 62.1% of all home sales. Additionally, there were 14 bank foreclosures.

Additionally, there were 14 bank foreclosures. Table 22: Breakdown of All Home Sales (October 2019 to October 2021)

Home Type No. of Transactions Median Sales Price Median Square Footage Median Price Per SF Single Family Detached 123 $70,250 1,398 $50.25 Duplex 313 $40,000 1,926 $20.77 Triplex 19 $64,450 2,716 $23.73 Condominium 47 $93,900 1,763 $53.26 Townhouse 2 $24,600 1,439 $17.10 Foreclosures 14 $19,765 1,500 $13.18

--restaurants;27,000SF

Foreclosures

Table 22 shows the breakdown of the 504 conventional single family detached homes, 313 duplexes, 19 triplexes, townhouses. The highest median sale price by home $53.26 per square foot (SF, henceforth). Sales of duplexes

Table 22: Breakdown of All Home Sales (October 2019 to October 2021) Home Type No of Transactions Median Sales Price Median Square Footage Median Price Per SF Single Family Detached 123 $70,250 1,398 $50.25 Duplex 313 $40,000 1,926 $20.77 Triplex 19 $64,450 2,716 $23.73 Condominium 47 $93,900 1,763 $53.26 2 $24,600 1,439 $17.10 14 $19,765 1,500 $13.18

--including:18,000

Urban Partners conducted a retail market analysis to characterize the performance of existing retailers in the Buckeye neighborhood and surrounding areas to identify gaps and opportunities for the potential development of new retailing in the area. This analysis revealed that there is significant untapped demand in the neighborhood that is currently going unmet by the and categorize the supply of currently available shopping opportunities in Buckeye, Urban Partners completed an inventory of all retail establishments located in the neighborhood. As of October 2021, this area includes 120 operating retail businesses providing goods and services in 29 different retail categories. Together, the total retail potential demand identified above approaches 107,000 SF of new store space, SF of additional food establishments and of stores selling everyday needs

Homeownership Analysis

Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners

UNDERSTANDING | 33

Foreign -- 27,000 SF of clothing and apparel businesses; and -- 35,000 SF of home furnishing and improvementrelated retail businesses. While such retailers could potentially locate anywhere within the Buckeye Neighborhood Retail Trade Area, these opportunities are most appropriate for a reemerging Buckeye Road, 116th Street, the Shaker Square area, Larchmere Boulevard, and in some cases, various commercial spaces within residential areas of the neighborhood. A particular need is food and restaurantrelated. Although the total demand may exceed what the neighborhood can physically accommodate, existing vacant commercial spaces along these corridors could house a significant portion of the retail opportunities, as well as various sites where new infill development could be located.

To understand the for sale housing market in the Buckeye examined market conditions for single family detached condominiums, and townhouses. According to Realquest estate database service that was utilized for report, there October 2019 to October 2021, or approximately 21 sales

Residential Investor Activity in

Buckeye Neighborhood Plan Market Analysis Report 26 5.

Figure 7: Buckeye (October 2019 to October 2021)

Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners CLE

To understand the for sale housing market in the Buckeye neighborhood, Urban Partners has examined market conditions for single family detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, condominiums, and townhouses. According to Realquest, which is a comprehensive real estate database service that was utilized for report, there were a total of 518 homes sold from October 2019 to October 2021, or approximately 21 sales per month.

ONNFCalifornialoridaevadaewYorktherstates (22)

Inventory of Buckeye Retail Establishments

The Realquest data show that two thirds of all homes attributable to residential investors (67.7% of all homes of these investors are Cleveland based and another 23.5% Other investors hail from 26 other states and three foreign

Buckeye Neighborhood Plan Market Analysis Report

Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners Investor34168% OOwnerccupant16332%

Tosupply.identify

Table 22: Breakdown of All Home Sales (October 2019 to O Home Type No of Transactions Me Single Family Detached 123 $70,250 Duplex 313 $40,000 Triplex 19 $64,450 Condominium 47 $93,900 Townhouse 2 $24,600 Foreclosures 14 $19,765

Figure 7: Residential Investor Activity in Buckeye (October 2019 to October 2021) Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners Investor34168% OOwnerccupant16332% Home Buyer Types 31% 23%9% 7% 7% 4% 18%1% Investor Buyers OClevelandhio,outside CLE ONNFCalifornialoridaevadaewYorktherstates (22) Foreign Store Category Number of Stores Hair Salon/Nail Salon/Spa 16 Limited Service Restaurant 16 Convenience Store 15 Full Service Restaurant 13 Beer/Liquor Distributor 5 Women’s Clothing Store 5 Bar/Lounge 4 Beauty Supply Store 4 Electronics Store 4 Family Clothing Store 4 General Merchandise Store 4 Other Home Furnishing Store 4 Bakery 3 Snack/Coffee Bar 3 Used Merchandise Store 3 Supermarket 2 Art Gallery 2 Automotive Parts Store 1 Book Store 1 Clothing Accessories Store 1 Drug Store/Pharmacy 1 Floor Covering Store 1 Florist 1 Hardware Store 1 Household Appliance Store 1 Men’s Clothing Store 1 Nursery and Garden Center 1 Record/CD Store 1 Sporting Goods Store 1 Retail Analysis

Figure 7: Residential Investor Activity in Buckeye (October

Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners

Buckeye Neighborhood Plan Market Analysis Report 26

Homeownership Market Analysis

Investor34168% OOwnerccupant16332% Home Buyer Types 31% 23%9% 7% 7% 4% 18%1% Investor Buyers OClevelandhiooutside

Home Buyer Types 7% 7% 4%

5. Homeownership Market An

Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners

According to Realquest, which is a comprehensive real estate database service that was utilized for this report, there was a total of 518 homes sold from October 2019 to October 2021 or approximately 21 sales per month. The highest median sale price by home type was

The Realquest data show that two thirds of all homes sales in the Buckeye neighborhood is attributable to residential investors (67.7% of all homes purchased). Thirty one percent (31.2%) of these investors are Cleveland based and another 23.5% are non Cleveland Ohio companies. Other investors hail from 26 other states and three foreign countries.

Additionally, there were 14 bank foreclosures.

Townhouse

The Realquest data show that two thirds of all homes sales in the Buckeye neighborhood is attributable to residential investors (67.7% of all homes purchased). Thirty one percent (31.2%) of these investors are Cleveland based and another 23.5% are non Cleveland Ohio companies. Other investors hail from 26 other states and three foreign countries.

Table 23 is a breakdown of the 163 homes purchased by owner occupants. The highest median price was for homeowner to homeowner sale of single family detached homes at $118,000, or $73.20 per SF. The 38 condominium units sold between owner occupants also reported strong sale prices (median sale price of $105,000, or $59.97 per SF). For duplexes, homes sold by investors were approximately $20,000 more expensive than the homes previously owned by owner occupants. Occupant Buyers

Figure 8: Distribution of Sales by Home Type and Buyer Type (October 2019 to October 2021)

Single Family Duplex Triplex Condominium Townhouse Distribution of Sales by Home & Buyer Type

36% 38% 1% 24% 1% Owner

19%74%5% 2% 0%

Single

Single Family Duplex Triplex Townhouse Investor Buyers Family Duplex Triplex Townhouse

2% 0%Investor Buyers

Condominium

Rental Housing Market Analysis

Figure 8 summarizes the sales by home types and buyer types. While the homes purchased by owner occupants were distributed among three types 36.4% single family, 37.6% duplex, and 24.2% condominium) nearly three quarters (74.2%) of investor purchases were for duplexes.

Condominium

Rental housing market research has revealed that apartment availability in Buckeye is extremely limited. Rentals include several multi-family complexes throughout the neighborhood, both new and older.

Source:Realquest,UrbanPartners

home types and buyer types. While the homes purchased among three types 36.4% single family, 37.6% duplex, three quarters (74.2%) of investor purchases were for ype and Buyer Type (October 2019 to October 2021) homes purchased by owner occupants. The highest median homeowner sale of single family detached homes at $118,000, or units sold between owner occupants also reported strong $105,000, or $59.97 per SF). For duplexes, homes sold by more expensive than the homes previously owned by 19%74%5%

34 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN condominiums at $93,900, or $53.26 per square foot. Sales of duplexes comprised 62.1% of all home sales. The Realquest data show that two-thirds of all home sales in the Buckeye neighborhood are attributable to residential investors (67.7% of all homes purchased). Thirty-one percent (31.2%) of these investors are Cleveland-based, and another 23.5% are non-Cleveland Ohio companies. Other investors hail from 26 different states and three foreign countries. This out-of-town investment represents a huge concern for both the Buckeye neighborhood and the City of Cleveland. The assumption is that out-of-town buyers are attracted to small markets, like Cleveland, that possess affordable real estate and carry tax break vehicles like the Opportunity zone designation. In turn, these investments represent a loss of control over the neighborhood’s future growth. Land ownership is a key contributor in enabling the community to guide development and investment, and the challenges are significant related to the recovery or acquisition of land once momentum begins to build and greater attention is paid to opportunities in the community.

UNDERSTANDING | 35

Regardless of age, these complexes have extremely low vacancy rates. This indicates that demand is quite strong in the area for rental housing, despite the area’s loss of population. As a result of these market conditions, it appears that new rental housing is potentially a viable development opportunity for an evolving Buckeye. This could take the form of additional newly built market-rate apartments that would serve upper-income renters seeking to live in the neighborhood. At the same time, due to the neighborhood’s significant supply of vacant housing— over 3,000 units as indicated by the Census—there also appears to be a particular opportunity for more cost-sensitive rehabilitated market-rate apartments in existing structures that could house middle-income residents. Such rehabbed units could occur in vacant or underutilized buildings, including duplexes, which are popular in the neighborhood, and spaces above groundfloor uses along the neighborhood’s commercial corridors. Despite the significant supply of affordable units in Buckeye, 50.2% of renter households in the Study Area are paying more than 30% of their incomes on housing. Waiting lists exist for HUD affordable housing in the area. Furthermore, the affordable status of several complexes have or will be expiring. If not renewed, the units will become market-rate, resulting in a loss of affordable housing. When considering the lack of quality affordable housing, there appears to be a need and opportunity for additional affordable rental units in Buckeye, potentially as additional Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) housing restricted to residents with incomes not to exceed 60% AMI. However, these tax credits are highly competitive, particularly with a recent award, and thus, additional LIHTC projects soon will be hard to execute. Therefore, consideration should be made for affordable units to be incorporated into new multi-family Demanddevelopments.exists for new housing across a variety of types and for multiple levels of income, however it is critical to consider the quality of new housing being developed over the quantity.

3 COMMUNITY LED

38 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ENGAGEMENT

The project team designed a community engagement process that blended a lighthearted atmosphere with candid conversation,. This ultimately allowed for community members voices to directly shape the recommendations of this planning process. Creating a unified Buckeye was a primary charge of this work, and in order to effectively accomplish this, opportunities to engage residents across age groups, geography, Ward, and tenure in the community was created. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate the impact the community’s voice has had on the process, and how outcomes have been guided by their lived experiences and perspectives.

COMMUNITY LED | 39

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Due to continued health and safety concerns for participants , all community events for this planning process occurred virtually via Zoom. Blending community-building activities, music, and authentic conversation with neighborhood planning subject matter provided a space where honest perspectives could be shared in both small group and large group settings. Large group and smaller breakout sessions were often the formats of discussions that centered on topics the community valued: safety, neighborhood beautification, mobility, access to jobs, culture, diversity, and anti-displacement. Conversations were unfiltered and authentic, the project team was challenged by the community and reminded that without restoring the spirit of the community, no amount of new construction will have the lasting positive impact desired.

40 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

COMMUNITY LED | 41 Steering Committee Kickoff July 6, Steering2021Committee Meeting #2 July 20, Steering2021Committee Meeting #3 August 17, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting #4 September 21, 2021 Community Kickoff Event October 13, 2021 74 SteeringparticipantsCommittee Meeting #5 October 19, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting #6 November 16, 2021 Merchants Meeting November 17, 2021 Community Event #2 November 30, 2021 62 12DecemberSunbeamparticipants16,2022students BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN PLAYLIST Steering Committee Meeting #7 December 21, 2021 Harvey JanuaryRice11, 2022 13 SteeringstudentsCommittee Meeting #8 January 18, 2022 Community Event #3 January 20, 2022 58 Intergenerationalparticipants School February 8, 2022 15 SteeringstudentsCommittee Meeting #9 February 15, 2022 Community Event #4 February 24, 2022 64 SteeringparticipantsCommittee Meeting #10 April 5, 2022 Songs curated by the residents, stakeholders, and neighbors of Buckeye. This playlist was utilized as welcome and closing music for community events, and was made available on the project website. Community Engagement Timeline:

Perhaps the richest dialogue occurred with residents and community members in the breakout group session held at each community event. These small groups of 6 to 10 meeting participants in a facilitated discussion brought about a range honest thoughts and ideas, all while also bringing people together around a common goal – improving their Earlycommunity.discussions started with unpacking the challenges of the neighborhood, while also taking a deep look inside the struggle of black communities. Across What does a healed black nation look like?

Safeequalityto play outside An opportunity mindset Diverse collaborative community A place for performing arts Use public transit without fear Community comfort Healthyunity food options Less Equaldivisionaccess to home loans Not hurting your neighbors Destination spaces Neighborly love Black owned businesses Business startups on buckeye No more drug dealers Quality education

42 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

the United States black communities suffer from identical race influenced obstacles that put success out of reach. This reflection culminated in what it would take to heal the black nation or community from generations of trauma. Additionally, we began to look forward, as residents shared their dreams and big ideas to improve Buckeye. All of this discourse influenced the identification of implementation areas of focus that were also candidly reviewed alongside the greater community.

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSION

What areas within Buckeye need the greatest attention? Big Ideas for Buckeye! Community Reactions to Implementation Areas of Focus: CO-OP RECREATIONBUSiNESSBROADBANDBUSINESSESDIRECTORYCENTERS FOR YOUTH INVEST IN OLD APARTMENT BUILDINGS RESTAURANTS & STORES WITH HEALTHY food BETTER BUS STOPS CO-OP MINIOUTDOORBETTERAFFORDABLEHOUSINGHOUSINGLIGHTINGPIZZAOVENEIFFELTOWERAT SHAKER SQUARE, AN OBSERVATION TOWER DOG INCLUDEWATERPARKSPARKSCHARGING STATIONS AT BUS sTOPS MORE GATHERING SPACES AND GREEN SPACE SKATE REDEVELOPPARKSTHEATER AS A DESTINATION FOR THE COMMUNITY E 115TH & HARVEY E 116TH & SHAKER COMMERCIALLIGHTING CORRIDOR - BUCKEYE TREE PARKINGCANOPY GREENSPACE & PARKS YOUTH ENGAGEMENT E 116TH TO e 130TH & BUCKEYE E 123RD & GRIFFING ABANDONED IncorporationHOMESof technology Youth ShakerGarbageGreenspaceengagementcanssquare IDENTITY ECONOMIC STRENGTH HOUSING CHOICE HEALTHY CONNECTIONS “Cultural piece is a factor for identity - The love for our community brings us together” “Providing opportunitieseconomicatalllevelsEconomic strength for our young people = education.” “Carefully selecting the amenities and housing characteristics that will create the next chapter in our neighborhood’s story.” “We must establish an understanding that safety is embedded into every category of discussion.”

COMMUNITY SURVEY

A virtual survey was distributed to the community using multiple platforms with the project website serving as the primary access point. Promotion of the survey was shared using physical collateral and digital collateral in connection with the promotion of the virtual community events. Additionally, the mobile engagement station that traversed the community provided an additional access point to the online survey through post cards that were distributed with QR codes, which provided direct access to the Responsessurvey. were received to the community survey from 120 participants who largely identify as residents of Buckeye. Participants of the survey represented a diversity not statistically found within the community with a nearly 50/50 split between white and non-white. Respondents identify with the neighborhood using many names and see the people of the community as Buckeye’s greatest asset. Improved safety, amenities, and perception, along with enhanced public spaces are what they’d like to see be most improved.

MERCHANTS MEETING

44 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

The team conducted a conversation that focused on the needs of local Buckeye merchants. The discussion included nine business owners from the community, many of them choosing to locate in Buckeye due to a local connection, the diversity of the neighborhood, or the opportunity they feel this community possesses. They also shared their challenges with the neighborhood’s perception, the lack of parking, the need for business owner support, and safety concerns. They look to this plan to rally support for local small businesses and inject more resources into the community through targeted promotion.

CONTINUED DISCOURSE

about the

Neighborhood Own

65% 10% Percentage (%) Black or African American White / MultipleHispanicCaucasianEthnicity / Other 10% 23% 63% 3% Percentage (%) Black or African American White / MultipleHispanicCaucasianEthnicity / Other 10% 23% 63% 3%Black or African American Live

neighborhood? White / Caucasian Own

Neighborhood Please

Percentage

Live

WorkNeighborhoodinGreater Buckeye Neighborhood Other 16%

neighborhood? What

MultipleHispanicEthnicity / Other Other Percentage

do you love

65% 10% What name do you use to identify your neighborhood? Please share three things you love about your Neighborhood: Please share three things that you wish were different about your community? PlacesProximityPeople Personal Safety More Shaker/ClevelandGreaterShakerLarchmereBuckeye/ShakerBuckeyeMoreVisualDevelopment/InvestmentAttractivenessCommunityInvolvementSquareBuckeyeShakerCHALKAssociationLudlowBuckeye-WoodhillWoodlandBlvdHillsCommunity The ElevateEye the East Ninety MountThird GrandviewBuckeye-KinsmanPleasant, MobilityPublicPotentialTransportation/ Better Amenities Road Conditions/Traffic Saftey More Youth Opportunities Enhanced Parks/Public Spaces Summary of Community Survey Results:

COMMUNITY LED | 45

Live

What

Own

What most Buckeye do you believe the neighborhood is currently lacking? (%) in Greater Buckeye a Business / Property in Greater Buckeye 10% in Greater Buckeye select the statement that is most applicable:is the current make up of the a Business / Property in Greater Buckeye Neighborhood Work in Greater Buckeye Neighborhood (%) in Greater Buckeye Neighborhood a Business / Property in Greater Buckeye WorkNeighborhoodinGreater 10%

Buckeye Neighborhood Other 16%

46 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Led by designExplorr, three youth design sessions were held at various schools within the Buckeye neighborhood. Our team was able to connect with students ranging from 3rd to 8th grade. These young people were encouraged to express their concerns about their community in addition to sharing their affection for the environment they are growing up in. Their concerns aligned almost directly with the messages we heard from adults in the four virtual community events, with most comments centered on safety and neighborhood beautification. Students expressed their love for the people of Buckeye, and the community feel that is present. They also shared their desire for more opportunities to experience nature and gather outdoors with friends. Additionally they would love to create safe spaces for animals and natural habitats to be restored. These young designers used a creative toolkit supplied by designExplorr to express these ideas, constructing, crafting, and communicating what their ideal neighborhood would include.

Sunbeam School

Harvey Rice SchoolIntergenerational School

The youth’s voice typically goes unrepresented in the planning and design process. Plans and decisions made today perhaps most greatly impact the youth, as these directives will help create the future they will occupy or choose to move on from. To ensure that the full lived experience was captured and reflected, this portion of the engagement process specifically engaged young people that both live and go to school in the Buckeye neighborhood t.

COMMUNITY LED | 47

Harvey Rice School Harvey Rice School

In all, 40 young people added their voices to the process through these activities and provided important perspectives to guide the planning work. Beyond their contributions to the design process, they were also provided exposure to black design professionals whom they may share a lived experience with, and perhaps even see themselves in. Design is multidisciplinary and exists all around us, and for many students this was the first occasion in which that was revealed to them. Each exercise with the youth culminated in a community building activity, where each young person’s design was connected to their classmates and neighbors to create a complete puzzle. This simple gesture demonstrated how a community’s collective actions and influence extended beyond just one person. This display of collaboration embodies how positive change can be manifested in their neighborhood.

Intergenerational

School

48 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN Harvey Rice School Sunbeam School

COMMUNITY LED | 49

Harvey Rice School Harvey Rice School

MOBILE ENGAGEMENT STATION

As part of the community engagement strategy for the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan, the consultant team utilized a mobile engagement station to expand the project’s outreach opportunities. Led by Cleveland-based artist Ariel Vergez, the Seventh Hill team built a functional and visually memorable mobile structure to serve as a community touchpoint for the duration of the project. The portable structure moved between various locations in the project area to build awareness of the project and serve as a physical location for community members to share their feedback. The engagement station was designed and fabricated as a two-sided, free-standing structure. The front side displays a changing call to action with an integrated display table. The backside was hand-painted by Vergez with a mural of the “Buckeye Trumpet Man,” an iconic public art sculpture located in Art & Soul Park along Buckeye Road. The mural and entire engagement station were wrapped with the vibrant colors, typefaces, and dynamic patterns of the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan’s brand identity developed by graphic designer Jacinda Walker. All the elements of the structure were carefully designed to fold up into a portable box, enabling the station to be transported to multiple neighborhood locations.

50 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

52 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

In order to reach younger residents and incorporate their voices in the project, the mobile engagement station was also set up at Harvey Rice Branch Library. The session created a fun and relatable environment to speak with youth about their main concerns in the neighborhood and their big ideas to make their community a better place to live. Interestingly, students immediately recognized the image on the station’s mural as the familiar statue along Buckeye Road. This reinforced the potential for public art to create an iconic and memorable identity for the Buckeye neighborhood. The primary concern students shared was safety. In addition, students talked about their desire to see physical improvements to their homes. One specific idea was providing more funds to residents for home repairs, including both their own parents and their neighbors. Echoing the general feedback received through the neighborhood survey, the youth participants said “the people” are what they like most about their neighborhood. Overall, students expressed a sense of connection to the community and uniqueness of their neighborhood, but want to see significant improvements to the safety and appearance of the Greater Buckeye area. The engagement station was also installed on Larchmere Avenue and at Shaker Square during the project. Both of these locations produced less successful results, in large part because of the weather conditions of the day. Although these locations revealed some challenges, redeploying the engagement station at these spots during warmer months in coordination with public events offers an exciting opportunity to share the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan’s outcomes with community Movingmembers.forward, the consultant team will meet with BBC staff to discuss ways to maximize use of the engagement station during the critical next phase of work. High participation during the project’s public events, engagement station sessions, surveys, and focus groups established a strong foundation for the plan’s recommendations. But extensive community outreach needs to continue to ensure residents, business owners, and other stakeholders are aware of the project’s outcomes. Transforming the ideas into action will require continued involvement and support from the community. The consultant team will coordinate with BBC to transfer stewardship of the engagement station and make adjustments to the structure, if needed. Coordination will ensure the investment in this outreach tool continues to return value for the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan. 60+

| 53

STATIONENGAGEMENTATMEMBERSCOMMUNITYENGAGEDMOBILE

Initially, the engagement station was planned to be deployed at community events during Summer 2021 at the start of the project. But the project team decided to provide more time for the Community Steering Committee to participate in the process of developing the project brand identity, which preceded the start of construction for the engagement station. Ultimately, the brand identity and design of the engagement station are enhanced through this participatory approach, but the start date for using the station was delayed until November. Despite the challenging weather conditions and limited outdoor events during the winter months, the engagement station was displayed at several locations during the process and will continue to be used in the future to share project recommendations with the community.

COMMUNITY LED

In efforts to reach residents and business owners across the entire project area, the target area was divided into four quadrants. The engagement station was used in the Northwest, Northeast, and Southwest quadrants. The fourth, the Southeast quadrant, should be targeted during subsequent use of the station, potentially at Edwin’s Butcher Shop along Buckeye Road’s eastern end. Notably, two of the most successful locations, in terms of the number of participants and amount of feedback received, were Simon’s Supermarket (Southwest) and Harvey Rice Public Library (Northwest). The vibrant colors and unique design of the station attracted curious passersby, providing a helpful tool to begin conversations about the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan. Invitations to attend the upcoming public events and fliers for the online survey were distributed. People were also encouraged to share their ideas on post-it notes in response to the questions prominently displayed on the board: “What do you love about your neighborhood? What do you wish was different?” Throughout the session, over 50 individuals participated in the on-site engagement at Simon’s Market. The comments and key themes were documented and shared with the project team to inform the plan’s recommendations. Most of the participants who shared their feedback were over 40 years old and said they lived nearby.

4 TESTING IDEAS

While displacement has not occurred in mass, the timing is right to begin to put mechanisms in place to combat any potential future threats of this occurring. To effectively put these protections in place, a range of housing affordability must be provided, and this has been acknowledged through the guiding principle, REAL affordability. To address this concern by neighborhood members of new housing being marketed as affordable, yet it remains out of reach of many current Widespreadresidents.vacancy and disinvestment on residential and commercial blocks negatively influence perception and reflect poorly on the character of the community. Increased stability through decreased vacancy in both the short and long term, coupled with raising the level of accountability among absentee property owners provide the opportunity for increased stability to occur. Administratively to hold this standard in place, a series of design standards that govern the appearance of commercial, residential, and other districts in the neighborhood support establishing consistent quality experience across the neighborhood. These guiding statements have shaped the recommendations that will allow for a prosperous Buckeye to be realized.

GUIDING DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Space was created in community events for participants to share their personal perspective and provide critical input to guide the process toward results that truly benefit the neighborhood. The first principle focuses on creating opportunity for economic growth, meaning dollars must be circulated within the community, rather than being primarily extracted.

Safety rang out as the leading concern within each meeting that was held, and while increased policing and security measures help to improve the feeling of safety, improving the quality of life will help address the core of the challenge that exists around neighborhood safety.

56 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

The community, committee members, and stakeholders collectively expressed a desire to create a place where all can thrive, and a united Buckeye exists. Shaped by this guidance, seven guiding design principles were established to focus the plan recommendations and strategies. These principles focus on the neighborhood’s challenges and reflect where change is desired.

Buckeye has experienced cultural and economic changes that have impacted the neighborhoods broader connection among residents, resulting in many small groups that have unified based on geography. Growing desires among residents and stakeholders to unify for a collective benefit, and create an inclusive environment emerged as a priority among resident voices. Many spoke of the people of Buckeye being one of the neighborhoods greatest assets. Creating space for this to be celebrated and acknowledged would support the elevation of this unique trait. To both maintain and strengthen this diversity, the fears of current residents about gentrification and displacement must be acknowledged.

4.jobs.Establish

NEIGHBORHOODECONOMICGROWTHIMPROVEDSAFETYUNITY

5.

2.

TESTING IDEAS | 57

1. Become the leading neighborhood in Cleveland for anti-displacement strategies. Create opportunities for Buckeye residents to contribute to the growth of the local economy. Improve the quality of life in Buckeye through increased lighting, traffic calming measures, neighborhood beautification, and increased access to a united neighborhood identity that manifests in the landscape. Keep housing in Buckeye affordable. Create neighborhood stability through the reactivation of vacant buildings and land, and increased accountability among property owners. Establish design standards for commercial corridors and neighborhood streets that protects the quality of the community.

7.

6.

INCLUSION WIDEAFFORDABILITYreal!COMMUNITY-STABILITYDESIGNSTANDARDS

3.

Gentrification defined…

A disruption of a neighborhood’s characteristics (racial demographics, household income, and history) through the insertion of new housing, new businesses, or public/private investment.

One of the primary concerns throughout the engagement process was the uneasiness surrounding the possibility of gentrification. While investments in new housing bring added vitality, new residents, and positive economic impacts to the City of Cleveland, it historically does not come without consequence. Higher valued homes are introduced into a market with the assumption that the quality of the community would increase as well, primarily via rising property values. While this could seem to be a positive for historical homeowners, rising property values tend to cause a rise in property taxes that may put a community out of financial reach for some. Additionally, renters are often are displaced as landlords to raise rents or become willing to sell off their higher valued property.

The leading guiding design principle, Inclusion, centers on Buckeye creating a new standard for anti-displacement. However, it must first be acknowledged where this fear is born out of, along with what traditionally accompanies displacement. Buckeye’s characteristics align with communities that are typically most vulnerable to displacement through increased investment in a neighborhood. According to The Uprooted Project, a joint initiative of faculty with The University of Texas School of Law and the Community and Regional Planning Program at The University of Texas at Austin, race, education level, homeownership, income, and poverty status are all indicators of vulnerability. Buckeye’s demographics and its proximity to the investment building in University Circle and anticipated growth make a vulnerable community for gentrification.

At the core of the concerns surrounding gentrification is displacement. The investment that the community has yearned for is finally approaching, and those who’ve called Buckeye home for decades may feel unable to reap the benefits of it. It was crucial to Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. that this plan identify strategies and tools that could be implemented to protect the community from these ill effects associated with growth.

COMBATING DISPLACEMENT

58 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

TESTING IDEAS | 59

A series of Anti-Displacement Initiatives were studied, each taking a creative approach to tackling the issue at different stages of the development process. Below are prioritized anti-displacement measures

Community Land Trust

Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. intends to actively pursue:

Foreclosure Assistance

Providing financial assistance for residents experiencing hardship who are unable to afford their mortgage payments and are nearing foreclosure. This allows for not only the support of those in need but raises awareness about the pipeline of homes heading toward foreclosure or the land bank.

Targeted engagement with neighbors eligible for housing assistance to help ensure residents are aware of the availability of affordable housing in the community is a critical piece to avoiding displacement. It starts with awareness.

Affirmative Marketing Strategies That Target Disadvantaged Communities

Affordability Requirements for New Construction

Community Benefits Agreements

Arrangements between the development group and Community Development Corporation, or other public institutions, require the developer to commit to terms that will directly benefit the local community. These commitments can range from the employment of residents, financial contributions to a community land trust, reinvestment of development profits into the neighborhood, creation of new public space, or other mutually agreed-upon benefits.

As multifamily investment continues to occur in the Cleveland core, there is a need to establish a policy that requires portions of new construction to include an affordable housing component. In the case of a land trust or other community-centered organizations, the same standard of responsibility for preserving affordable housing in the community should also apply.

This measure requires some existing capital to acquire land or the ability to access land affordably from the land bank or city. This model keeps the land held by community members through a trust. This is made up of residents living in homes leased by the land trust, residents of the neighborhood seeking to combat displacement, real estate experts, and community stakeholders. Since the land is held by the trust in perpetuity, the price of the home constructed on-site is always indirectly controlled by the trust. Thus allowing for the prices to remain affordable for community members. This model also allows for ownership and equity to be extracted upon sale.

Combating displacement takes collective efforts that often center around affordable housing, as this is arguably the most critical component. With nearly 50% of the residents living below the poverty line, organizations like CLE Purpose Built Communities have focused on the Buckeye neighborhood with the goal to create educational opportunities, spearhead redevelopment and coordinate community wellness resources. In conjunction with these efforts, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is doing targeted infill housing and renovations along Grandview Ave, and several adjacent streets to help stabilize these blocks while providing new affordable homeownership opportunities. Burten, Bell, Carr has also widened their presence within the neighborhood as they have cultivated relationships with community members, the City of Cleveland and other vested partners to address concerns over displacement.

60 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

According to the Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity, University of Minnesota Law School, census tracts showing strong economic expansion and a net decline in low-income population represents displacement. Their study which was conducted nationwide in 2019 and used census data from 2000 to 2016 shows census tracts in Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway, Tremont, Asiatown, and adjacent to University Circle where varying levels of economic expansion has occurred with a net decline in lowLegacy at St. Lukes

ENVIRONMENTTHEPRIORITIZENATURAL

How to avoid displacement: + + income population. While the data has not demonstrated this effect in Buckeye, this data demonstrates a level of displacement or exclusivity that is emerging in the Cleveland market. Buckeye’s location and lack of systems in place to curtail these types of effects leave it vulnerable. Beyond the displacement of people, an area’s culture and history tend to also suffer from disruption. Historical spaces, places, and historians must be protected and have a seat at the table to influence the future trajectory of an area they have invested so heavily in. The formula for anti-displacement includes a multi-pronged approach that combines physical protections of land through ownership and environmental preservation, along with an investment in the people of a place through the protection of culture, the creating of space for economic opportunity to be realized.

TESTING IDEAS | 61 ANTI-DISPLACEMENT=+NEIGHBORHOODPROTECTCULTURE CREATE INCREASED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTSAFFORDABILITY

62 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN DESIGN IDEAS

Current Investments As part of the $35 million dollars awarded by the department of Housing and Urban Development to the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, 800 new and replacement units of housing will be built in multiple phases, replacing the to be demolished Woodhill Homes. These types of investments demonstrate a commitment to maintaining affordability in the neighborhood, while also providing exciting new spaces that demonstrate the unique features of Buckeye and the dignity that residents deserve. New construction on vacant land begins to address the challenges of stability in the community. This investment must be leveraged to create the standard for quality affordable housing, while applying an anti-displacement mechanism to keep existing Woodhill Homes residents in the Buckeye neighborhood. There are over 400 families living in Woodhill Homes that will be impacted by this new construction. How will their lives be preserved and serve as a model for investment without displacement? Woodhill Station West (Phase 1)

TESTING IDEAS | 63

CHN Housing Partners - Larchmere Homes

COMMUNITY-WIDEAFFORDABILITYSTABILITY

In addition to multifamily housing development, CHN Housing Partners is beginning construction on 27 homes in the neighborhood. The title of their project, Larchmere Homes, primarily focuses investment north of Buckeye using land acquired from the land bank and affordable housing funding to insert more housing opportunity and options into the community. CHN Housing Partners serves as an example of how available land can be converted to affordable and market rate opportunities within Buckeye.

INCLUSION

real!

64 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN E 96th Street and Woodland Avenue N 250 500’ 1000’ 1500’ 2500’ BUCKEYERD. SHAKER BLVD. WOODHILLRD. HOLTON ave. WoodhillGCRTAStation ProductsMiceli’sDairy woodland ave. kennedy steinwayyeakelcumberlandave.ave.ave.ave.st.93rde opportunity corridor e90thst. e92ndst. WoodhillStationmiceli’sPotentialexpansion miceli’sPotentialexpansion Primary secondarygatewaygateway site(s)developmentPOTENTIAL site(s)developmentPOTENTIAL st.96the PRESERVE & EXPAND HOUSING STOCK Miceli’s Dairy Products

NEIGHBORHOOD

Arrival Access to Buckeye from the west is not as pronounced and is disrupted by the rail line that lies proximate to the newly constructed Opportunity Corridor. These harsh conditions create unique surfaces to apply public art, lighting, and other wayfinding elements that announce entry into the community. This arrival experience into the neighborhood would benefit from targeted improvements at each access point. There are moments where identities and places are claimed, such as Shaker Square, Larchmere, along with traces of branding on the Buckeye Road corridor. However, as the Elevate the East work has identified, there exists several opportunities to activate space with art installations, wayfinding and other unifying elements that can be incorporated into the landscape. This process has revealed that these types of enhancements are desired but should be approached with care. Style, color, font, and placement of wayfinding features in the landscape can spread further division and separation, if not done thoughtfully. The thoughtful branding that has been established for this planning process offers a wide and favorable selection of colors and features that support the desire to create unity opens the door for great opportunity. Featured here is the train underpass located adjacent to the E 96th Street and Woodland Avenue intersection. This location is representative of the experience along this western edge of the neighborhood, with multiple train underpasses. Woodland Avenue serves as a primary eastwest neighborhood corridor, creating an opportunity to highlight entry into Buckeye. Adjacent to several industrial uses, but also flanked by the City’s recent investment in the Opportunity Corridor, Woodland and Buckeye Rd on the eastern side of the neighborhood are strategic places to announce arrival, while celebrating the unity and culture present in the neighborhood. The Buckeye neighborhood is also home to one of Northeast Ohio’s most prestigious dairy products distributors, Miceli’s. It’s location at this western neighborhood access point, coupled with its plans to expand their footprint, not only will add jobs to the neighborhood, but provide opportunity for enhancement to the portion of the neighborhood it directly intersects with. This concentration of assets and investments requires further investigation and study. UNITY DESIGN STANDARDS

Products

TESTING IDEAS | 65

BUCKEYE RD. ST.116THE CENTERPRIMARY ST.117THE ST.118THE ST.118THE ST.119THE ST.119THE ST.120THE ST.120THE ST.115THE SECONDARY -STOREFRONT-PLACE-PLAYSCAPE-DOGTO-RE-NATURALIZEIMPROVEMENTS BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC N 250 500’ 1000’ 1500’ MAP KEY DEVELOPMENTLANDCITYPRIVATEFRIENDLYOFCLEVELANDBANKOPPORTUNITY BBC: Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc. Investigating Ownership along Buckeye Road

Arguably the historical barometer for the health of the neighborhood, Buckeye Road has suffered from disinvestment, and is positioned for significant restoration. Multiple parcels along the corridor are held by friendly owners, Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. or its affiliates, the City of Cleveland, and the City of Cleveland Land Bank. A significant portion of the vacant storefronts have been acquired by a local developer who is working closely with the BBC, while the historical anchor for the corridor, the Moreland Theater, remains controlled by BBC. This places a significant amount of property under friendly ownership, with both landowners focused on providing local wealth generating opportunities, Offering creative solutions for vacancy on Buckeye Road will not only be essential to its re-emergence but it’s sustainability. Community members have voiced a desire for opportunity in the form of job creation, entrepreneurship support, and job training. Strategic reutilization and removal along the corridor create multiple places where this form of development and opportunity can be realized. Additionally, creating a complete experience along Buckeye, that includes gathering spaces and amenities that support year-round activation, can serve to heighten the impact of the Buckeye Road Refresh resurfacing and streetscape enhancements. This roadway improvements began in the late winter/early spring of 2022 and will serve as the catalytic investment into While generating ideas around how each of these pockets of vacancy individually elevate the presence of the corridor is important, it is critical to think about how they connect to create a rich experience along Buckeye Road. Most of the friendly ownership lies contiguous, creating opportunity for investment of some significance to occur. The E 118th intersection has a privately held property that is positioned to support the investment taking place by Providence House in their Buckeye campus located at the same intersection and the adjacent Moreland Theater. Coupled with the Art and Soul Park this intersection offers a unique space for positive Parking is an unavoidable topic of discussion. Incorporating a shared parking strategy that limits redundancy, while incorporating the recommendations from the Buckeye Road Refresh for Smart Parking strategies is recommended. As of August 2022, the sewer district and City of Cleveland are working to clean up the city owned parking lot adjacent to E These creative solutions to reposition Buckeye Road through the insertion of new land uses has been explored in the past through community dialogue and real estate development strategies. These same sentiments above were put forth in the Buckeye Road Development Strategy, completed by BBC in 2018. The objective remains the same. Activate the primary and secondary centers along the corridor, while

ST.122NDE ST.121STE ST.123RDE ST.124THE SECONDARY CENTER -RE-NATURALIZE-PLAYSCAPEPARKTOGATHERIMPROVEMENTS BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMUNITY-WIDE STABILITY

TESTING IDEAS | 67

68 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN KINSMAN RD BUCKEYERD E 1 1 6 T H S T QUINCY AVE WOODHILL RD E 8 9 T H S T E 9 3 R D S T DICKENS AVE FOREST AVE E 8 0 T H S T PARKVIEW AVE E 1 0 2 N D S T HOLTON AVE SOIKA AVE LUKE AVE E 8 8 T H S T MANOR AVE BALDWINRD GRIFFING AVE E 87TH ST RAMONA BLVD PARKHILL AVE E 8 1 S T S T IMPERIAL AVE MTCARMELRD MT AUBURN AVE E 1 2 1 S T S T E 8 4 T H S T WILLIAMS AVE E 8 3 R D S T LAMONTIER AVE SHALE AVE HILGERTDR HULDA AVE E 8 5 T H S T E 8 6 T H S T ELIOT AVE E 9 0 T H S T SOPHIA AVE E 1 1 7 T H S T HEATH AVE MARAH AVE E 1 1 8 T H S T CONTINENTAL AVE E 1 1 0 T H S T HARVEY AVE E 1 0 0 T H S T ST CATHERINE AVE E 1 1 4 T H S T KINGSBURY BLVD E 1 2 4 T H S T MELBA AVE E EASTON AVE ROSEHILL AVE E 9 5 T H S T E 9 7 T H S T E96THST ELWELL AVE E 1 0 5 T H S T RAYMOND AVE LARDET AVE LAISY AVE E 1 1 9 T H S T FOLSOM AVE E 1 1 3 T H S T KENNEDY AVE E92NDST SIGNET AVE YEAKEL AVE ARTHUR AVE E 1 0 1 S T S T E 1 2 7 T H S T ALPINE ST E 8 2 N D S T BUCKINGHAM AVE E 1 0 3 R D S T MTOVERLOOKAVEWOODSTOCKAVE E 1 2 8 T H S T FULLER AVE E 1 0 8 T H S T E 1 0 6 T H S T BECKMAN AVE GRANDVIEW AVE CAPITOL AVE AMBLER ST HAMLEN AVE E 1 0 4 T H S T E 99TH S T E 1 2 3 R D S T E 1 2 6 T H S T DENTON DR E 1 2 5 T H S T CRESTWOOD AVE LARRY DOBY WAY REGALIA AVE E 1 2 0 T H S T CARTON AVE STEINWAY AVE NOTREDAMEAVE HARRIS AVE E 1 2 2 N D S T E 1 1 5 T H S T E 1 1 1 T H S T E 1 1 2 T H S T STEINWAY CT CUMBERLAND AVE E 9 1 S T S T DEN AVE BROWNING AVE CROMWELL AVE STOUGHTON AVE ELY AVE METHYL AVE MARSHALL AVE HARCOURT D R MCCURDYST S O V E R L O O K R D PARK HEIGHTS RD LISBONRD B E L L F I E L D A V E EVARTSRD E 9 4 T H S T RAWLINGS CT D E L A W A R E DR WAIN CT VE VE K E N D A L L R D PARKEDGE DR BRITTONDR HONEYDALE AVE AVE NORMAN AVE HAVEL AVE HUDSON AVE E 98TH ST GARFIELDCT STOKESBLVD WAMELINKAVE HIGBEE AVE PREBLE AVE N CT KENNEDY CT FREDERICK AVE MARTIN LUTHERKINGJRDR QUEBEC AVE NEVADA AVE MORRISBLACKPL D RD CONGRESS CT KOLAR AVE MOUNTVIEWAVE D AVE RESERVOIR PLACEDR DANVILLE CT RAND CT ECT TOL AVE GILL AVE E 1 0 3 R D P L FORTAVE EVINSAVE BRIT T OVAL A AVE OTTER AVE LTON CT GLADE AVE E 99TH PL ARIEL CT ALBAY CT E 1 2 7 T H S T E 1 1 9 T H S T E 1 1 0 T H S T E 1 1 8 T H S T E 1 2 8 T H S T E 1 0 8 T H S T E 1 2 8 T H S T E 1 2 4 T H S T FULLER AVE E 1 1 4 T H S T E 8 7 T H S T E 9 8 T H S T E 1 0 8 T H S T E 1 2 6 T H S T E 9 9 T H S T E 1 1 7 T H S T E 1 2 8 T H S T E 1 1 7 T H S T E 1 1 9 T H S T E 8 2 N D S T ABELL AVE E 1 2 6 T H S T E 1 2 5 T H S T E 8 4 T H S T E 1 1 7 T H S T E 1 2 1 S T S T E 8 2 N D S T E 1 2 2 N D S T E 9 7 T H S T E 8 9 T H S T E 1 2 6 T H S T KENNEDY AVE E 8 3 R D S T E 8 6 T H S T E 1 1 8 T H S T GRAND AVE KENNEDYCT BESSEMER AVE G R A N D V I E W A V E E 8 7 T H S T E 90TH ST E 1 1 1 T H S T E 1 2 1 S T S T E 1 0 5 T H S T E 8 4 T H S T E 1 1 5 T H S T E 1 1 9 T H S T E 1 2 0 T H S T E 1 2 5 T H S T E 8 1 S T S T CUMBERLAND AVE E 104TH ST E 1 0 3 R D S T E 8 9 T H S T GRANDAVE E 8 7 T H S T SHAKER BLVD MANOR AVE AMBLERST E 1 2 8 T H S T E 8 1 S T S T MT OVERLOOK AVE EASTON AVE E 1 2 6 T H S T E 1 0 0 T H S T E 1 2 1 S T S T E 1 2 7 T H S T E 8 3 R D S T E 103RD ST QUEBEC AVE E 1 0 4 T H S T FAIRHILLR E 9 2 N D S T BESSEMER AVE E 1 1 2 T H S T E90THST E 9 1 S T S T E 1 2 1 S T S T E 8 8 T H S T E 1 1 4 T H S T E 9 7 T H S T E 1 2 3 R D S T E 1 1 8 T H S T E 1 2 4 T H S T E 1 1 2 T H S T PARKVIEW AVE E 9 3 R D S T E 1 1 9 T H S T E 1 0 3 R D S T SOPHIA AVE E 9 9 T H S T E 1 0 2 N D S T E 1 2 6 T H S T E 9 4 T H S T ENAISSANCE MASTER PL AN - LAND BANK OWNERSHIP City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Land Bank Parcels, January 2022 WoodhillStation Woodhill BuckeyePlaza HighBenedictineSchool Larchmere St. Lukes LegendCity of Cleveland - Vacant Land City of Cleveland Land Bank - Vacant Land City of Cleveland Industrial Commercial Land Bank - Vacant Land Cuyahoga County Land Bank - Vacant Land Cuyahoga County Land Bank - Vacant Structure

TESTING IDEAS | 69 L E E R D SHAKER BLVD NPARKBLVD VANAKENBLVD E 1 3 0 T H S T FAIRMOUNTBLVD S WOODLAND RD FAIRHILLRD CHADBOURNERD ONAWAY RD E 1 4 0 T H S T COVENTRY RD WARRINGTONRD FAIRFAX RD CORYDON RD MILVERTON RD E 1 4 7 T H S T COLERIDGE RD E 1 4 3 R D S T SCARBOROUGH RD E 1 4 2 N D S T DREXMORERD E 1 3 7 T H S T E 1 4 6 T H S T ESSEX RD S T R A T F O R D R D E 1 4 5 T H S T WOODBURYRD HUNTINGTONRD W PARK BLV D E 1 4 9 T H S T E 1 3 9 T H S T BECKETRD SPARKBLVD E 1 3 5 T H S T E 1 3 4 T H S T ABELL AVE E 1 3 2 N D S T W ST JAMES PKWY A S H B Y R D PARKLAND DR FERNWAY RD W E L L I N G T O N R D S M O R E L A N D B L V D ALBIONRD MONMOUTH RD LARCHMERE BLVD ALDERSYDE DR CHAGRIN BLVD G U I L F O R D R D D E M I N G T O N D WR O O D M E R E D R S U T T O N R D LIVINGSTONRD SOUTHINGTONRD KESWICKRD COLCHESTER RD L A M B E R T O N R D N MORELAND KBLVD EMPER RD NWOODLAND RD HAMPTONRD LUDLOWRD R I PLEY RD S T L L M A N R D T U D O R D R BRAEMA R R D HADDAMRD D R UMMOND R D W E Y B R I D G E R D S E D G EW I C K R D W I C K L O W R D L E I G H T O N R D END I C O T T R D CLAYTONBLVD A R D L E G H D R ASHWOOD RD D E L A M E R E D R ABERDEEN R D RIFE CT GABRIEL CT M E N L O R D W ARWICK RD ARLINGTO N R D W E S T B U R Y R D K E N D A ARDOON AVE LORENZO AVE ENDERBYRD MARLBORO R D SUTTONPL C H E S H I R E R D C O L W Y N R D O VAL DR E 1 5 4 T H S T CORMERE AVE E 1 5 1 S T S T E 1 5 3 R D S T ROXBORORD E 1 4 4 T H S T L U D G A T E R D CORBY RD SEBOR R D ASHFORD RD METCALF AVE N ST JAMES P K W Y CHATF I ELD D R H L D A N A R D C H E L T O N R D SHAKE R SQ E 1 3 8 T H S T BROOK RD SILSBYRD SPEAR AVE E 1 5 0 T H S T RAMP 1 2 8 T H S T E 1 3 0 T H S T C O V EN TR Y RD E 1 3 4 T H S T E 1 5 4 T H S T N MORELANDBLVD VANAKENBLVD E 1 3 2 N D S T E 1 3 5 T H S T KEMPERRD E 1 4 9 T H S T S M O R E L A N D B L V D FAIRMOUNT BLVD S PARKBLVD COVENTRY RD LUDLOWRD E 1 3 0 T H S T ONAWAY RD E 1 5 3 R D S T E 1 2 8 T H S T FAIRMOUNTBLVD SOUTHINGTON RD CLAYTONBLVD CORMERE AVE RD SPEAR AVE E 1 3 5 T H S T E 1 4 6 T H S T E 1 3 9 T H S T

°

INCLUSION real! COMMUNITY-WIDEAFFORDABILITYSTABILITY SquareShaker N 250’ 500’ 1000’ 1500’

Legend CIT Y OF CLEVELAND CIT Y OF CLEVELAND LAND REUTILIZATION PROGRAM

CIT Y OF CLEVELAND INDUSTRIAL COM MER CIAL LAND BANK CUYAHOGA COUNTY LAND REU TILIZATION CORPORATION Burton, Bell , Carr Devel opment Ci ty Archi tec ture Housing Stability Buckeye’s primary housing stock consists of duplexes. However, the effects of redlining and segregation have created a collection of streets with a broad range of housing conditions. Several streets consist of a combination of vacant lots & varying states of vacant structures, some in need of demolition, while others remain viable. The condition of the housing presents an opportunity for numerous housing types to be introduced. These opportunities are plentiful along neighborhood streets, where housing types ranging from single-family homes to townhomes and restored duplexes. The accompanying map depicts over 1,500 land bank lots that were recorded on file by the City and Cuyahoga County Land Banks, as of December 2021. In addition to City and County held land bank lots, the map also captures City owned vacant land. All land held by the City of Cleveland and Cleveland Land Bank depicted on this map within the study area is vacant land. Of the Cuyahoga County Land Bank parcels in the neighborhood, 12 are vacant structures. This publicly or friendly controlled land, provides opportunity for a scaled and strategic acquisition process to occur. This process would serve to accumulate land area that in turn can be controlled by a Community Land Trust, or be bound by a Community Benefits Agreement, should it be acquired by a private development entity. A few strategic locations surrounding assets like the Woodhill Homes investments, Woodhill RTA Station, and adjacent to Buckeye Road and Shaker Boulevard, present an opportunity for ownership stake to grow, and for land to continue to be held and stewarded locally.

70 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN real! COMMUNITY-WIDEAFFORDABILITYSTABILITY KINSMAN RD.

Recognizing that quality affordable housing is a challenge to access within the community, there are neighborhood streets immediately south of Buckeye Road that offer potential opportunity.

E 116th serves as an area that is best suited to support mixeduse or commercial infill. The presence of existing commercial and non residential uses, that are largely stable, encourages complementary development in the form of additional commercial spaces. Vacant lots between Honeydale Avenue and Continental Avenue provide opportunity for infill to occur on corner lots at a modest scale. At Parkview Ave and E 116th Street there is roughly 20,000 square feet of contiguous vacant land that could support adding new mixed use development to the neighborhood along a key North-South connector.

TESTING IDEAS | 71

The makeup of E 130th offers opportunity for Single family redevelopment due to larger lot sizes and the surrounding typology. Buckeye can support increased diversity among its building types to help attract and retain a diverse population of residents. These opportunities along 130th are largely concentrated at the southern boundary of this plan’s study area, nearly adjacent to Kinsman Road. The presence of Single family homes is more prevalent along this corridor, and contextual would support infill of this similar type. An aging in place model would be a form of Single family infill that could be supported by this area, with access to public transit, and adjacent amenities along Buckeye, Kinsman, and in Shaker Square.

N 250’ 500’ 1000’ 1500’

Acquisition Due to the volume of land bank lots within Buckeye, acquisition of property is accessible across the study area.

These strategic locations would target investment into Ward 4 more directly, and be focused specifically at E 116th, E 123rd and E 130th Streets. These locations provide opportunity for targeted acquisition to occur for the purposes of infusing new development into the landscape. Each of these streets, while proximate, present differing characteristics that were considered when developing recommendations.

Moving further east into the denser residential portion of the neighborhood, E 123rd could support multifamily designs that modernize the Buckeye duplex. Many of the vacant parcels located along this stretch are the average parcel size of the commonly found Buckeye duplex. The vacant land allows for new construction of a housing type that pays homage to this duplex, while incorporating modern features that support a 21st century lifestyle. Key locations that would support this development can be found at E 123rd and Buckeye Rd, Continental Ave, and Griffing Ave. E 123rd also closely connects with Imperial Ave, the site of the Garden of 11 Angels, a memorial garden for the victims of Anthony Sowell. An adjacent land bank parcel, fronting on E 123rd also presents an opportunity for a supporting use, such as permanent supportive housing or supportive services.

72 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BUCKEYE BENEDICTINEHIGHSCHOOL AUDUBONFORMERMIDDLESCHOOL FORMER ELEMENTARYAUBURNMTSCHOOL LUKE -CENTERADD: -BANNERSMEDIAN -BIKEADD: LANE DR.MLKPROPOSED LAND BANK TRAIL KEY GREEN DEVELOPMENTSCHOOLSPACESITE OPPORTUNITY PROPOSED LAND BANK BIKE TRAIL KEY NORTH/SOUTH STREET KEY EAST-WEST STREET KEY COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR CITY LAND BANK LOT COUNTY LAND BANK LOT CITY OF CLEVELAND

The prevalence of land bank land presents multiple opportunities for investment and improvement. Contiguous land bank lots can be leveraged as new neighborhood connections. Running parallel to MLK Jr Drive and among the former CMSD schools, Audubon and Mount Auburn, these contiguous lots introduce the opportunity for new trails and paths to be introduced into the neighborhood. These former school sites are currently slated for conversion into new housing for the neighborhood, introducing a new option for current and future residents and increasing density in the southwest quadrant of Buckeye. Introducing a north south trail connection would provide connections to these new development sites, while also giving more direct access to the NEORSD Green Infrastructure Grant spaces along Buckeye Road that would support greater utilization.

Improved Connections

Movement throughout the neighborhood has come up as an aspect that is directly tied to safety, adding some depth and dimension to this challenge. This is tied to the condition of the paths that residents utilize, where heaved concrete, damage pavement, and un-shoveled sidewalk make maneuverability challenging, and a poorly lit network of connections that cause uneasiness.

There is the crime and violence that is happening within the community, in addition to property theft and drug use. The ill effects of these behaviors at times are supported by the condition of the landscape. Clearing new paths to provide alternative connections, while also incorporating lighting and other safety measures such as clear crossing locations, help to eliminate opportunities for undetected poor behavior to occur. There is recognition that painted crossings, lighting and trails will not cure safety concerns, but both the soul and physical condition of the community must be invested in if healing to Additionally,occur.land bank lots are currently being leveraged for side lot expansion within Ward 4 with nearly 50 requests approved, as of August 2022. Coordination between sidelot expansion and lots that are to be prioritized for development will be critical to collectively reaching the desires for the Lastly,neighborhood.Benedictine High School’s recently developed master plan includes proposed acquisition of parcels adjacent to the Benedictine campus. Community engagement is ongoing for this effort, and opportunity to connect the school’s investment in the neighborhood to improve the quality of connections across can be leveraged.

TESTING IDEAS | 73

IMPROVED COMMUNITY-WIDESAFETY STABILITY NEIGHBORHOOD UNITY BUCKEYE RD. LUKE EASTER PARK MEDIAN ST.116E. N 250’ 500’ 1000’ 1500’

WOODHILLRD. HOLTON ave. AMBLERST.ALPINEST. ST.92nde sophia ave. KOLAR ave. Ambler-HoltonParkImprovements WoodhillGCRTAStation DairyMiceli’sProducts MCcURDYAVE. STEINWAY ave. WAMELINKave.STOUGHTONSOPHIAave.LAMONTIERAMBLERST. HomesWoodhill-Phase 1 OPPORTUNITYCORRIDORCONNECTION

The area between Holton Ave and Sophia Ave represents the largest piece of contiguous vacant land in the Buckeye Neighborhood. While occupied single family homes remain, it does not have the level of density that is present throughout the balance of the neighborhood. A noticeably sloped terrain, and an adjacency to industrial uses that flank the western edge of Buckeye, create a landscape that represents the At present, the majority of this vacant land is held by the City or County Land Bank. The forest-like feel that overgrowth and lack of investment has brought this geography might allow it to be completely returned to nature, however proximity to recent investment and a need for a sustainable economic surge introduce a need for a balance density and nature to be struck. Youth of Buckeye have expressed a desire to interact with nature and play freely and safely in their neighborhood. Creating a structured nature based educational and play environment that preserves the nature feel currently present, while giving it a framework for both users and environment to feel safe and protected, and pairing with new housing development has the opportunity to create an environment Investment from Woodhill Choice, proximity to the Woodhill RTA station, and large pieces of contiguous vacant land, offer the opportunity for a substantially sized Transit Oriented Development to take shape here. Mixed uses spaces thrive when access to greenspace, among other amenities, are proximate and this area could provide that opportunity for a

TESTING IDEAS | 75

COMMUNITY-WIDE STABILITY BUCKEYE RD. SHAKER BLVD. ELWELL ave. STOUGHTON ave. LAMONTIER ave. New Pedestrian Connection Opportunity Corridor Connection Woodhill Homes Phase 1 Connection Blended Development Opportunity INCLUSION real! AFFORDABILITY N 250’ 500’ 1000’ 1500’

5 IMPLEMENT

78 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

IDENTITY

HOUSING CHOICE HEALTHY CONNECTIONS

IMPLEMENT | 79

ECONOMIC STRENGTH

HEALTHY CONNECTIONS

business offerings Economic strength MORELAND THEATER kitchen incubator

80 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN identity business/community directory Neighborhood Clean Up small business startups/incubators Branding & Wayfinding job training & supporthealthcareUnity opportunities Bold

The community’s voices have collectively influenced each of the recommendations that follow. From Buckeye’s youth to it’s elders,, the same community is desired – A safe place filled with opportunity, choice, cleanliness, and places to enjoy the company of the neighbors each of them has such affection for. These 4 areas of focus most closely reflect the communities influence on the planning process, and ultimately how the community will be shaped into the future.

increasedre-usePlacemaking&restorationvarietyof

IMPLEMENTATION

A unified Buckeye must establish a collective identity, without sacrificing individual character. Access to housing of multiple types must be provided, but it must be done with equity and equality in mind to bring the desired stability and prevent displacement. None of these great things can be sustained without a strong economic foundation. This is represented in the diversity of business types, and the readiness of residents to fill the needs of these local employers. Lastly, a community’s health hinges on the strength of movement within its boundaries and to adjacent locations. Movement must feel safe, welcoming, and incorporate destinations that support mental and physical health.

canopy

improved

acquisition increased increased multi-modal

IMPLEMENT | 81

Equitable internet & options & Facility affordability providing housing options tree lead free buckeye

new

healthy connections housing choice

access preservation

improved transit waiting environments expansion of urban farming & creative outdoor spaces to gather safe paths & trails

maintaining

neighborhood protection recreation

tenant

82 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN identity KINSMAN RD. larchmereBUCKEYEWOODLAND AVE. SHAKER BLVD. DR.jrMLK ST.E.116WOODHILLRD. ST.E.110

Focusing branding and wayfinding along primary corridors, while highlighting key intersections, like Woodhill Rd and Buckeye Rd, historic fixtures, like Shaker Square, and neighborhood access points, like Martin Luther King Jr. Dr, Fairhill Rd and Stokes Blvd with bold placemaking features help to improve perception and neighborhood pride. Additionally, neighborhood-wide efforts focused on building community and beautification serve as foundation for sustainable positive change. bold

IMPLEMENT | 83

Buckeye contains a rich cross section of culture and history, with pockets of the large neighborhood containing distinctive qualities. Missing from this collection of elements is a uniting element that brings each of the corners of the neighborhood together. Beyond a physical representation of a united Buckeye, there remains a need for work to be done to heal division across neighborhood, so a true feeling of togetherness can be felt.

cleanbrandingplacemaking&wayfindingunityup

BUCKEYE RD. larchmereBLVD.BLVD. blvdmorelands.

Neighborhood-WideSite-Based

84 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN identity

A community-supported brand has been developed by designExplorr for the neighborhood planning process, and it is recommended to be adopted as a unifying brand element for the neighborhood. Using Elevate the East as a guide to placement of branding and wayfinding elements, this process begins to tie multiple efforts together. In conjunction with the development of a wayfinding and identity package, developing a strategic marketing strategy can highlight the strengths and opportunities in Buckeye to help shift perceptions. While installation of signage, banners, and other streetscape elements improve the landscape, smaller art installations or imagery placed on vacant homes in lieu of plywood, helps to improve the visual quality of the landscape, and should continue to be used as temporary installs prior to redevelopment or removal.

IMPLEMENT | 85

During the planning process, Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. mobilized their team to help address this the concerns of neighborhood cleanliness. Additionally, support can be obtained locally through the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Districts’ litter clean-up supplies program. These free resources can be channeled to small neighborhood groups with an interest in leading these efforts. Ultimately, a campaign to keep blocks in Buckeye beautiful, could be established and back by local resources to not only cleanup the current debris in the community, but maintain a high standard curb appeal.

Creating a unified Buckeye is a sentiment that was expressed in the community events held throughout this process. A growing and positive relationship between Ward 6 Councilman, Blaine Grifin, and Ward 4 Councilwoman, Deborah Gray, serves as a valuable starting point for creating unity across ward boundaries. Efforts to engage more intimately with residents through programming across Buckeye stand to be more accessible as society continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

neighborhood clean up branding & wayfinding

boldunityplacemaking

Beautification was stressed as something that could be acted upon quickly and in conjunction with existing engagement work in the community.

There is a desire for a bold placemaking installation that highlights the unique views only found in Buckeye. A vertical structure placed at a central point within the community with physical accessibility and the neighbovrhood’s character embedded, could fulfill this desire. The work of Elevate the East can be used to guide this.

86 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ChurchApostolicPentecostalArea Call and Post E. 116th Parkview& IncubatorKitchenBuckeyeE.TheaterMoreland economic strength KINSMAN RD. BUCKEYE RD. larchmere BLVD.WOODLAND AVE. SHAKER DR.jrMLK ST.E.116 WOODHILLRD. GRIFFING AVE. MT. CARMELST.E.110ave. HOLTON ave. AMBLERST. ST.E.123

Shaker Square E. 123rd &IncubatorKitchenBuckeye reuse & restoration job increasedbusinesskitchentrainingincubatorstartupsbusiness varietyMORELANDhealthcaredirectoryTHEATER Neighborhood-WideSite-BasedSHAKERBLVD.BLVD. blvdmorelands.AVE. ST.E.130

Combining investment into the reuse and restoration of existing historic spaces with innovative uses, such as, creative business startups and kitchen incubators, help to both preserve the legacy of the existing architecture and meet the needs of the current population.

IMPLEMENT | 87

The collective recognition by community members of a lack of local opportunity, job readiness, access to resources, and depressed conditions, all reflect poor economic conditions. To build this strength, supports have to be put in place and opportunity created to allow for steady growth to occur. Perhaps the longest range of the implementation tactics prescribed, yet the results have the ability have to create the generational positive impact that is desired.

Coupledsupport. with support for current and prospective business owners is the need for training opportunities for in demand jobs. As emerging small businesses in Buckeye begin to grow, there will be a growing demand for the workforce to support this growth. Additionally, there is a more pressing need for skilled labor in the construction trades. Regardless of the endpoint established for the training program, a focus on youth training is critical. Providing exposure and an opportunity to acquire employable skills is recommended to be integrated into any job training program(s). Additionally, collaboration with local unions to establish a training pipeline that perhaps re-purposes vacant space within Buckeye, creating a locally grown workforce to lead physical improvements within the community. The community would benefit from the establishment of a physical and digital directory of existing and future businesses within the Buckeye neighborhood, leveraging the branding elements in the development of this directory would support tieing it together with the greater desire to unify the community. The existing vacancy provides an abundance of opportunities for new businesses to emerge. In efforts to support both new investment and current Buckeye businesses, a directory can serve as a resource for existing and potential customers, as well as an opportunity for collaboration among business owners. A desire to collaborate among business owners within the community was something that was expressed by merchants during the planning process.

small business startups / incubators job training & support

business/ community directory

Economic strength

88 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

Leveraging the access to commercial spaces along Buckeye Road provides an opportunity to deploy a startup business model supported by co-op programs like Cleveland Owns. Additionally, with recent acquisitions by the Three Black Knights LLC, there presents an opportunity for collaboration among property owners and prospective new small businesses. The Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), also serves as a resource for providing the necessary capital to for startup business

Moreland Theater

Repurposing of the existing Moreland Theater as center for technology and entertainment, to include esports, robotics competitions, drone racing, AR/VR immersive experiences, paired with event space that supports substantially sized gatherings both inside and outside of the space could create centerpiece for the district. To strengthen this asset, creating a fluid connection to the Art & Soul Park that provides a continuous gathering space for gathering and entertainment space currently not found in Buckeye. BBC current focus is to utilize the theater as the centerpiece for a Buckeye Arts, Innovation, and Technology District.

IMPLEMENT | 89

90 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN Economic strength

Proximity to Cleveland’s major health institutions provides an opportunity for strategic partnerships in the neighborhood. With MetroHealth and Cleveland Clinic already have a presence in the community as service providers, the community identified the desire to explore partnerships between these groups and smaller providers interested in providing specialized services. Specialized services, such as Special Needs Pediatric Daycare represent an opportunity to combat the increasing need for healthcare workers in Buckeye, to combat the decreasing number of residents employed in this field and living in the neighborhood. Through intentionally targeted training and programming that provides unique and supported access to these career paths, the opportunity to gain access to this workforce could grow.

Creative solutions for the variety of vacancy types in Buckeye should be explored. Vacant lots on residential streets present opportunities for both traditional interventions, such as side yard expansions, neighborhood gardens, and interventions with a larger footprint.. A collection of these vacant parcels creates the opportunity for new paths and connections at strategic locations in the neighborhood. Vacancy also provides the opportunity for development to occur. Based on context, the insertion of newly constructed homes or mixed-use spaces stimulates continued growth and prosperity. In efforts to salvage and preserve the historic character of the neighborhood, it is recommended that a blend of new construction and selective demolition will yield the most favorable results.

Pursing a potential Cleveland Central Kitchen model expansion into the Buckeye neighborhood serves as a viable solution to populate vacant spaces along major corridors like Buckeye Rd or Shaker Blvd. In the rise of ghost kitchen spaces and the support provided to them through delivery services, like Uber Eats and DoorDash to connect these ghost kitchens to the customer. Additionally, opportunities to create spaces for graduates of the Edwins training program could be a unique opportunity to keep these locally trained students and their skillsets in the neighborhood.

IN business offerings re-use & restoration

increasedincubatorvariety

The market analysis revealed gaps in the following retail categories: Shoe stores, Sporting goods stores, Pet supply stores, Bars, Full and limited-service restaurants, Coffee shops, Automotive parts, furnishing stores, Flooring stores, Pharmacies/ drug stores, and Family clothing stores, demonstrating where opportunity exists in the marketplace. The variety of business types that the market supports suggests the lack of variety currently available in the landscape. In pursuit of small business incubators, considering how a diverse group of business offerings can be cultivated and supported is crucial to the community. Healthy foods and grocery store options rose to the top as critical for neighborhood residents as well.

IMPLEMENT | 91 healthcare opportunities kitchen

92 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ChoiceWoodhill ChoiceWoodhillMountAuburnSchool SchoolAudubon SiteDevelopment housing choice VillageHabitat NeighborhoodReservoir KINSMAN RD. larchmereBUCKEYEWOODLAND AVE. SHAKER BLVD. DR.jrMLK ST.E.116WOODHILLRD. GRIFFING AVE. NOTREMT.woodstockave.OVERLOOKave.DAMEave.MT. CARMEL ave. crestwood ave. grandview ave. hulda ROSEHILLSHALEave.ave.ave. ST.E.110 HOLTON ave. AMBLERST. ST.E.123

It is important that the Woodhill Choice neighborhood planning work has identify housing opportunities that capitalize on proximity to investment, land availability, and neighborhood needs. Building from the ‘Model Blocking’ street transformations can serve as guide for restoring blocks in the reference Habitat Village and Reservoir Neighborhood.

Real concern exists across the neighborhood about the availability of quality housing stock for all levels of income. As investment comes and needed improvements occur, mechanisms must be put in place to support a range of investment in both existing stock and new construction. Additionally, diversity within occupancy and housing types is critical to providing equitable access to housing for all.

IMPLEMENT | 93

E 130th Buckeye&Rd TENANTleadhousingAffordabilityoptionsperservation&acquisitionfreebuckeyePROTECTION SquareShaker Neighborhood-WideSite-BasedBLVD.BLVD.RD. blvdmorelands.AVE. ST.E.130

94 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

preservation & acquisition tenant & neighborhood housingprotectionchoice

The creation of a loan pool program that allows for low-interest home loans to make properties more accessible, could clear the way for more affordable owner-occupied housing. The prevalence of the Buckeye duplex also creates an opportunity for homeowners to occupy 1 unit within the duplex while generating income through renting the adjoining unit. Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. is currently supporting title issues and inheritances for residents of their service area and could continue to explore lease to purchase models for the homes when involved in development deal.

Positioning Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. or other non-profits to acquire foreclosures, and sheriff sales, to limit the ability of out-of-town investor ownership will be critical in preserving local ownership and control.

In many cases, rehabs and repairs are necessary to preserve existing housing stock, tying in a construction trades training program with housing repair and improvement could lead to local labor helping build local Establishingwealth. a landlord credentials program that rewards landlords for good performance, rather than leading with punishment for poor performance is recommended to be put in place to combat absentee landlords in the community. There are existing models established, yet, participation is low, creating an opportunity for targeted marketing and outreach to bring more attention to current programs. With increasing awareness around the acquisition of property in Cleveland by out of town buyers, strategic positioning to combat this in partnership with Legal Aid Society, Cleveland Neighborhoods Progress, and others are underway. Additionally, raising awareness of renter rights and how to seek assistance and protection from absentee landlords must be prioritized.

IMPLEMENT | 95 lead free

Leveraging the Woodhill Homes Choice redevelopment as a mechanism to ensure affordable housing options remain in the neighborhood is one of Buckeye’s greatest assets. Additionally, the Community Benefits Agreement structure it that has been constructed in other Cleveland neighborhoods, with the support of the Community Development Corporation, should be explored. These agreements create requirements of new developments to construct affordable housing, invest locally in parks or public spaces, or even contribute financially to a Community Land Trust. A Community Land Trust structure can serve as the primary vessel for keeping land and property held locally, but will take time to build the resources necessary to accumulate the land area to make a significant impact.

In combination with affordability, introducing multiple housing types to attract and maintain a variety of users will be beneficial to the overall stability of the community. Blending rental, homeownership, lease to own, condominiums, and other types among a variety of typologies (apartments, townhomes, single-family homes, etc.) allows for entry into the community at multiple price points, with the ability to grow or downsize as needed.

providingmaintainingbuckeyeaffordabilityhousingoptions

Residents of Buckeye hope to become the first ‘Lead Free’ neighborhood in the City of Cleveland. The Lead Free Cleveland Coalition is aggressively working with several partners across the city to both educate and deploy resources for funding and remediation of homes with lead. Continued pursuit of funding for remediation of occupied and vacant structures in need of lead abatement that is easy to access could support remediation on a broader scale. As property continues to change hands, Lead Free assessments could be offered to support tracking known cases, and establishing requirements and resources for remediation for owners.

96 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN healthy connections KINSMAN RD. BUCKEYE RD. larchmereWOODLAND AVE. SHAKER BLVD. DR.jrMLK ST.E.116WOODHILLRD. GRIFFING NOTREMT.woodstockave.OVERLOOKave.DAMEave.MT. CARMEL ave. crestwood ave. grandview ave. hulda ROSEHILLSHALEave.ave.ave. ST.E.110 HOLTON ave. ALPINEST. ST.E.123SOPHIA AVE. E92ST. ST.104E ST.120EHONEYDALE AVE. CONTINENTAL AVE.AUBURN AVE.

Each of the four implementation focus areas are meant to serve a multi-dimensional purpose. Healthy connections represents this by focusing recommendations on improved physical connections between assets, prioritizing access to healthy goods and services, in addition to creating space for healthy relationships to be grown.

Neighborhood-WideSite-Based INCREASED MULTI-MODAL OPTIONS Tree canopy New outdoor spaces transit InternetstopsaccessurbanfarmrecreationFACILITY larchmereBLVD.BLVD. blvdmorelands.AVE. ST.E.130

IMPLEMENT | 97

Strengthening movement from neighborhood streets to provide safer pedestrian linkages to assets like Buckeye will allow for new outdoor gathering spaces to be formed, while also creating opportunity for improved access to greenspace to occur.

healthy connections

The future relocation of the Bumper Crop Farm in connection with the Woodhill Choice Implementation efforts presents an opportunity for growth and expansion of urban farming across the neighborhood. Additionally, with the density of land bank lots, there are many opportunities to develop small gardens, while promoting urban agriculture through Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc.’s connection to the Urban Agricultural Zone in nearby Kinsman. Showcasing urban farming classes and accompanying resources for interested residents and stakeholders, coupled with vacant land that has been designated for agriculturally use could allow for vacant land to be repurposed for the healthy nourishment of the neighborhood.

98 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN improved transit waiting environments expansion of urban farming

Building from the recommendations of the Buckeye Road TLCI, implementing the strategic placement of bus shelters should be carried out in order to create ways to better protect users from the elements. It is also recommended to provide features including charging stations and internet access to enhance the transit rider’s experience. Additionally, to increase functionality, connecting placemaking features and public art within transit waiting environments that embody the culture of the community to create dignified spaces for users.

The youth of Buckeye are craving new outdoor spaces to gather and connect with nature. Contiguous Land Bank lots serve as an opportunity to create these spaces. Reforestation , or replanting of trees and naturally occurring plant species as opposed to developing the land, is a use that has not been commonly applied to vacant land in urban areas. Applying this to areas in the district that are currently home to vacant and underutilized land which has already partially been returned to nature and needs one final nudge. Additionally, when considering developing new park spaces, areas to gather, or introducing upgrades to existing spaces like the lawn at Shaker Square or Helen Simpson park, it is critical to consider designing these spaces to accommodate all the seasons of Cleveland. Community members strongly suggested providing heating units, fire pits, and pizza ovens to help accommodate and embrace yearround activity in Buckeye. Dog and skate parks are also elements missing from the landscape that should be considered to accommodate a wider range of resident needs. The youth of Buckeye also strongly desired a protective place for animals and having that place be able to be publicly accessible. Lastly, exploring potential collaboration with the Cleveland Metroparks and Animal Conservation specialists is recommended to explore the feasibility of developing this protected space for animals.Improved pedestrian lighting throughout the neighborhood, along corridors, adjacent to park spaces, and near bus stops is a priority. Utilizing vacant land bank parcels for inter-neighborhood trail connections, many of which have been identified through Steps to Equity Walkability Assessment conducted by John Carroll Students. In their study of the neighborhood, students from John Carroll recommended that current cut-throughs between E 116th and E 123rd south of Buckeye Road be established as formal paths, leveraging adjacent vacant land to complete the linkages. Introducing moments along these paths where intergenerational activity is supported, such as exercise stations, chess, and natural playscapes further activates the neighborhood and enhances overall quality of life.

new & creative outdoor spaces to gather SAFE PATHS AND TRAILS

IMPLEMENT | 99

increased multi-modal options equitable internet access improve tree canopy recreation FACILITY

Extending the EmpowerCLE network into the Buckeye neighborhood to provide affordable access to the internet should be aggressively pursued. Access to the internet remains a challenge for many and has been exacerbated by the pandemic. DigitalC has already begun to bring access to Woodhill Homes, creating opportunities for expansion in the neighborhood. It is critical for all access provided to be accompanied by digital literacy skills training, and access to and affordable device to ensure users understand how to safely navigate technology.

100 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

healthy connections

Studying the feasibility of adding a recreation facility within the Buckeye neighborhood footprint is recommended. Zelma George and the Woodland Recreation fall outside the Buckeye footprint but lie adjacent enough to be accessed. Having a central space to gather that belongs to the community is a great resource and source of pride. Additionally, accessibility to these existing spaces may be challenge based on mobility and historical friction between portions of the neighborhood. This facility is recommended to be privately owned and operated by a non-profit or similar organization, and that the space offer not solely be centered on sports, but stimulate multiple users interests, while layering an intergenerational component.

Some recommendations can be applied in the neighborhood when using the Buckeye Road TLCI as a guide for roadway enhancement, particularly regarding amenities, tree planting, parking options, bike lane placement, and bike network connectivity. Prioritizing the creation of spaces within Larchmere, Shaker, and Buckeye Road districts for shared scooter docking utilization and introducing traffic calming measures along neighborhood streets and identified cut-throughs are just a few options featured to explore further.

Actionable steps to increase tree density within the community to cool the urban heat island effect are necessary. Buckeye is fortunate in portions of the district to have a substantial tree canopy , and this should be protected with intentionality. However, it remains critical to connect with local schools and foundations to encourage tree planting programs and identify areas of poor coverage that should be targeted, in addition to weaving tree plantings into the requirements of new development.

IMPLEMENT | 101 Existing

LONG TERM PLANNING

While cluttered, this visual represents where concentrated investment is best suited, and how previous planning and current investment can be leveraged to the greatest benefit of the community. With these initiatives now identified, the next step is the development of an effective implementation strategy.

To guide the implementation of these 75 initiatives, each recommendation has been assigned an anticipated timeline to be fully realized. The timeline is broken down into three categories: Immediate, Near Term and Long Term. Each of these are defined below, and includes anticipated partners, and a range of projected costs to implement.

Action steps

Near term Initiatives that may require some lead time to organize funding and support, but have the ability to be implemented in less than 3 years.

IMMEDIATE

To achieve the full vision of a plan, it typically takes time. Initiatives that fall within this category will likely take over 3 years to be realized within the study area.

The accompanying map represents the collection of initiatives that have been developed for the neighborhood.

Actions or steps that can be implemented in less than one year, from testing the feasibility or effectiveness of ideas, to fully realizing A much needed change.

102 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

IMPLEMENT | 103 identityhealthy connections housing Economicchoicestrength ChurchApostolicPentecostalArea Call and Post E. 116th Parkview& E. 123rd &IncubatorKitchenBuckeyeTheaterMoreland ChoiceWoodhill ChoiceWoodhillMountAuburnSchool SchoolAudubon E 130th & BuckeyeSquareShakerRdSiteDevelopment VillageHabitat NeighborhoodReservoir KINSMAN RD. BUCKEYE RD. larchmere BLVD.WOODLAND AVE. SHAKER BLVD. DR.jrMLK ST.E.116WOODHILLRD. blvdmorelands.GRIFFING AVE. NOTREMT.woodstockave.OVERLOOKave.DAMEave.MT.CARMELave. crestwood ave. grandview ave. hulda ROSEHILLSHALEave.ave.ave. ST.E.110 HOLTON ave. AMBLERST. ST.E.123 ST.E.130

Take steps toward neighborhood beautification through community clean ups organized and led by Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc.

Adoption of a Buckeye neighborhood brand identity that both celebrates neighborhood individuality and demonstrates neighborhood unity Provide support for residents to connect with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District’s Litter Clean-Up Supplies program

business/ community directory

Creation of a loan pool program that allows for low interest home loans to make properties more accessible, clearing the way for more affordable owneroccupied housing, with adjoining rental unit (Buckeye Duplex)

Establish a physical and digital directory of existing and future businesses within the Buckeye neighborhood, weaving in neighborhood branding/identity elements

Anticipated Costs: under $10,000

Potential Project Partners: Buckeye Merchants, Marketing & Communications Expert(s), SHAD Connection, Larchmere Merchants Association

Anticipated Costs: $20,000 to $50,000

IMMEDIATE

Utilize the recommendations set forth in the Elevate the East planning process to both prioritize and strategize the placement of signage, wayfinding, and public art Neighborhoodinstallationscommunity marketing campaign, to help change NEGATIVE perceptions, INCLUDING working with a Marketing firm to CREATE AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY

PositionentityBurten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. or other non-profit to acquire foreclosures, sheriff sales, to limit the ability of out-of-town investor Tyingownershipintrades training program with housing repair and improvement. Local labor helping to build local wealth

Recommended to be hosted by Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc., would include front-end investment in digital platform, with ongoing updates and maintenance to follow in long term

preservation & acquisition

Potential Project Partners: Philanthropy, Banking Institutions, City of Cleveland, Cleveland Land Bank, Cuyahoga County Land Bank Anticipated Costs: Varies

Include in directory: listings of vacant and available spaces, Community offerings, Upcoming Events, Business promotions

104 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

Anticipated Costs: $15,000 to $40,000

Building off the ‘Providence House effect’ of placing imagery of youth along storefront to prevent vandalism of currently vacant sites Begin ‘Keep My Block Beautiful campaign’ to encourage neighborhood unity Potential Project Partners: Nehemiah Project, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District

identityneighborhood clean up branding & wayfinding

Potential Project Partners: designExplorr, Guide Studio, LAND Studio

Utilizing the condominium model as a form of wealth creation Lease purchase program managed by Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. or other

healthy connectionshousing choicesEconomic strength

SheltersEnvironmentsthat better protect users from the elements, while also providing technology features that provide charging stations and internet access In connection with the Woodhill Choice Implementation, as the Bumper Crop Farm is relocated the community is actively engaged

Economic strength improved transit waiting environment expansion of urban farming Building from the recommendations of the Buckeye Road TLCI to carry out the strategic placement of bus shelters along Buckeye Road corridor

Potential Project Partners: Local Urban Farming Organizations Anticipated Costs: over $25,000

Potential Project Partners: Local Artists, Fabricators, GCRTA Anticipated Costs: $20,000 to $50,000

IMPLEMENT | 105 identity healthy connectionshousing choices

Connecting placemaking features and public art with Transit Waiting

IMMEDIATE

Promotion and support of side yard expansion that includes gardening Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. connection to the Urban Agriculture Zone, and potential extension from Kinsman into Buckeye Urban Farming classes and resources for interested residents and stakeholders

Establishingmodel

Provide access to medical and health training business programs, designed to teach how to operate your own healthcare practice Pursue partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, for specialized medical practices to be housed in Buckeye Neighborhood

Small business supports systems in place, such as short-term lease programs for storefronts along Buckeye Union led training programs within the community, WHILE reutilizing vacant spaces to house trainings

Collaboration and coordination with Akin Africa, business owner and property owner of businesses along Buckeye Rd

Establish Co-op program for businesses in connection with the Cleveland Owns

Improve collaboration with Councilpersons that serve the neighborhood, Ward 6 and Ward 4

Designing targeted outreach into pockets of the Buckeye neighborhood that tend to be less engaged in the community activities, particularly in Ward 4 job training & support

Promotion of business startups on Buckeye Road Youth training programs connected to STEAM and construction trades that support new investment occurring in the neighborhood

healthcare opportunities

Leveraging the local grassroots leaders to drive more opportunities to bring people together in both large and small spaces

Potential Project Partners: Healthcare Institutions Anticipated Costs: Varies

106 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN NEAR TERM UNITY

Potential Project Partners: Block Clubs, Grassroots organizations, Cleveland City Council Anticipated Costs: under Varies

Pursue funding for business owner support service program, which would include technical assistance for business seeking to grow their clientele from website development to shared spaces / tools

Anticipated Costs: Varies

Potential Project Partners: Philanthropy, Colleges / Universities (ex. John Carroll)

Potential Project Partners: CMSD, Colleges/Universities, Black Girls Code, Literacy Cooperative Anticipated Costs: over $50,000

identity healthy connectionshousing choicesEconomic strength

small business startups / incubators

Financial literacy curriculum available to community members through the Literacy Cooperative Utilize vacant spaces for pop-up shops for small businesses

A youth program that allows for internship/shadowing opportunities for small business development and startups

Burten, Bell, Carr Development , Inc. community-based services offered Collaboration

neighborhood Community Benefits Agreement

Legal Aid Society Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

Pursue

IMPLEMENT | 107 re-use & restoration Potential Project Partners: Private Developers Anticipated Costs: $MillionsMoreland Theater RESTORATION Vacant lot & structure re-use increased variety IN business offerings Utilize market findings to recruit businesses in short supply that can be supported by holes in market Recruitment of new businesses that differ from the current offerings Healthy food Small grocery Local ownership Potential Project Partners: Local Entrepreneurs, Greater Cleveland Partnership Anticipated Costs: Varies tenant & neighborhood protection

the first Lead Free neighborhood in the City of Cleveland

Community Development Corporations

in

rewards

town buyers Potential Project Partners: Legal Aid, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress Anticipated Costs: Varies LEAD FREE BUCKEYE Potential Project Partners: Lead Free Coalition, Landlords Anticipated Costs: Varies

for good Informingperformancerenters of

CommunitydisplacementLandTrust

combat

Establishing landlord credentials program, that landlords their rights through with support with combating out of strategies of

town homeDeployingbuyers legal

affordable

options

Buckeyedisplacementtobecome

funding for remediation of both occupied and vacant structures in need of lead abatement maintaining affordability Potential Project Partners: Private Developers, CMHA, CHN Housing Partners, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress Anticipated Costs: Varies NEAR TERM identity healthy connectionshousing choicesEconomic strength

to pursue absentee landlords Educational programming to combat predatory out

Leveraging the Woodhill Homes Choice redevelopment as a mechanism to ensure housing remain in the structure in collaboration with other local that have constructed similar models to combat structure collaboration with other local Community that have constructed similar models to

Development Corporations

land bank parcels for inter-neighborhood trail connections, many of which have been identified through Steps to Equity Walkability Assessment conducted by John Carroll Students

Potential Project Partners: DigitalC, City of Cleveland, Internet Service Providers, PCs for People Anticipated Costs: Varies

scalesImproved pedestrian lighting throughout the neighborhood, along corridors, adjacent to park spaces, and in proximity to bus stops

identity

Potential Project Partners: Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Land Bank, Private Landowners, City of Cleveland Anticipated Costs: $500,000+ healthy connectionschoicesEconomic strength

Fire UtilizingSplashPizzaPitsOvenPadsvacant

Potential Project Partners: City of Cleveland, Philanthropy, Cleveland Metroparks, Trust for Public Land Anticipated Costs: Varies

Programmable space for both youth and adult activities

housing

· Movable Seating Proposed Dog & Skate Park adjacent to Buckeye Road Corridor

Potential Project Partners: Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Cleveland Tree Coalition, Cleveland Metroparks, Animal Conservation Organization(s) Anticipated Costs: over $40,000

108 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN NEAR TERM

Within new or existing public spaces incorporate Heating units

Exercise stations NaturalChess Playscapes

increased multi-modal options

Createconnectivityspaces within Larchmere, Shaker, and Buckeye Road districts for shared scooter docking and utilization Traffic calming measures along neighborhood streets and identified cut throughs

Return long vacant land to its natural state, allowing for animal habitats to form and reforestation to occur Animal Shelter SAFE PATHS AND TRAILS

new & creative outdoor spaces to gather

Extension of empowerCLE network into the Buckeye Neighborhood to provide affordable access to the internet Digital literacy TRAINING AND AFFORDABLE DEVICE ACQUISITION equitable internet access

Using the Buckeye Road TLCI as a guide for roadway enhancement, as it relates to amenities, tree planting, parking options, bike lanes placement and bike network

Leverage contiguous Land Bank lots for public gathering spaces of multiple

Anticipated Costs: $30,000 to $50,000

Demolition of neighboring structures to allow for adjacent outdoor space to expand existing Art & Soul Park

recreation center

kitchen incubator

Anticipated Costs: $500,000+

Repurpose the existing Moreland Theater as center for technology and entertainment, from esports, robotics competitions, drone racing, AR/VR immersive experiences, paired with event space that supports substantially sized gatherings both inside and outside of the space

Potential Project Partners: Local Entrepreneurs, Private Developers, Potential End Users, Philanthropy, Historic Preservationist, Nathan Hale School, Cuyahoga Community College, Youth Technology Academy, MC2 Stem High School

Moreland Theater

identity improve tree canopy

Anticipated Costs: $Millions

healthy connectionshousing choicesEconomic strength

Vertical monument piece that is accessible regardless of physical abilities to take advantage of the views of greater Cleveland and the elevation of Buckeye neighborhood bold

Potential Project Partners: Cleveland Tree Coalition, City of Cleveland, CMSD Anticipated Costs: over $50,000

Pursue Cleveland Central Kitchen incubator expansion to Buckeye, with the creation of new Food Hub in vacant space along Buckeye Tie programming into Edwins training program model

Anticipated Costs: $Millions

Exploring actions steps to increase tree density within the community Connecting with local schools and foundations to encourage tree planting programs

Potential Project Partners: Private Developers, CMHA, CHN Housing Partners

Potential Project Partners: City of Cleveland

Potential Project Partners: Local Entrepreneurs, Cleveland Central Kitchen, Edwins, Private Property Owners

Supportinstituteghost kitchen space to run uber eats, door dash, or other food delivery apps out of low rent/shared space

IMPLEMENT | 109

Anticipated Costs: Varies Blending rental, homeownership, lease to own, condominiums, and other types

SingleTownhouseApartmentFamily

footprintDuplexMixed-UseOther

providing housing options

Nathan Hale School + Tri-C Youth Technology Academy = CMSD youth robotics programming MC2 Stem High School Black Girls Code Spire

Explore the feasibility of adding a recreation center within the Buckeye neighborhood

In combination with affordability, introducing multiple housing types to attract and maintain a variety of users

placemaking

Potential Project Partners: Local artists, designers. LAND Studio

LONG TERM PLANNING

Much of the focus of this Manifesto centers on authentic engagement and gaining a deep understanding of the community being served by design professionals, stewards, community development corporations, municipalities, and others. This understanding of the community must remain the focus, and continue to inform design outcomes, this includes the uncomfortable truth about how black communities were formed in the United States.

Full credit must be paid to the BlackSpace collective, comprised of Black urban planners, architects, artists, activists, designers, and leaders working in communities across the country helping to inform the design profession and influence its outcomes by taking more fully into account the experiences of black people in America.

Northeast Ohio Areawide

110 | BUCKEYE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN As part of the 2020-2021 Buckeye Road Refresh (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative) plan recommendations, Design Guidelines were put forth to inform the composition of this primary corridor in the Buckeye Neighborhood. This plan recommends the incorporation of these design guidelines to be applied across primary corridors throughout the neighborhood, including but not limited to Shaker Boulevard, Larchmere Boulevard, and E 116th Street. These design guidelines utilize high level parameters for building frontage, streetscape & signage, outdoor gathering space, parking, as well as ongoing maintenance and programming.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

MANIFESTO created this manifesto to guide our growth as a group and our interactions with one another, partners, and communities. We push ourselves, our partners, our fields, and our work closer to these ideals so we may realize a present and future where Black people, Black spaces, and Black culture matter and thrive.

N ➤ Image Landsat Copernicus Image Landsa / Copern cus mage Landsa / Copern cus A

CHOOSE CRITICALCREATE CIRCLES, ft TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES PLANNING STUDY Coordinating Agency by:

Additionally, protecting and strengthening the culture that exists in the neighborhood, while seeking to create opportunity to build wealth collectively, and creatin space for the excellence and talents in the community to be put on display and rewarded should be central to implementation. Ultimately the BlackSpace Manifesto should be used a source to evaluate and guide the quality of the implementation of this work beyond the aesthetics of new signage and newly paved streets. How will this work uplift the spirit of Buckeye?

2000

Sponsored

We are Black urban planners, architects, artists, activists, designers, and leaders working to protect and create Black spaces. Our work includes a range of activities from engagement and projects in historically Black neighborhoods to hosting cross-disciplinary convenings and events. While what we do is very important, the way we do it is also critical. Acknowledging our triumphs, oppressions, aspirations, and challenges, we’ve

CULTIVATE WEALTH FOSTER PERSONAL & COMMUNAL EVOLUTION SEEK PEOPLE AT THE MARGINS

CHOOSE CONNECTIONSCRITICAL OVER CRITICAL MASS CREATE CIRCLES, NOT LINES PROMOTE EXCELLENCE MANIFEST THE FUTURE PROTECT STRENGTHEN& CULTURE

MOVE AT THE SPEED OF TRUST BE HUMBLE LEARNERS WHO PRACTICE DEEP LISTENING

RECKON WITH THE PAST TO BUILD THE FUTURE

CELEBRATE, CATALYZE, & AMPLIFY BLACK JOY PLAN DESIGNWITH,WITH CENTER EXPERIENCELIVED

Grow trust and move together with fluidity at whatever speed is necessary.*

IMPLEMENT | 111 While what we do is very important, the way we do it is also critical. Acknowledging our triumphs, oppressions, aspirations, and challenges, we’ve *This principle is derived from Adrienne Maree Brown’s Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds MANIFESTO a present and future where Black people, Black spaces, and Black culture matter and thrive. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations that inspired these principles.

Listen deeply and approach the work with an attitude towards learning, without assumptions and predetermined solutions. Take criticism without dispute.

Lived experience is an important expertise; center it so it can be a guide and touchstone of all work.

Make visible and strengthen Black cultures and spaces to honor their sacredness and prevent their erasure. Amplify and support Black assets of all forms—from leaders, institutions, and businesses to arts, culture, and histories. Cultivate a wealth of time, talent, and treasure that provide the freedom to risk, fail, learn, and grow. Make opportunities to expand leadership and capacity. Amplify, elevate, and love Black vanguards and the variety of their challenging, creative, exceptional, and innovative work and spaces. Allow excellence to build influence that creates opportunities for present and future generations.

Black people, Black culture, and Black spaces exist in the future! Imagine and design the future into existence now, working inside and outside of social and political systems. Acknowledge the structures that create, maintain and uphold inequity. Learn and practice new ways of intentionally making space for marginalized voices, stories, and bodies.

Black joy is a radical act. Give due space to joy, laughter, humor, and gratitude. Walk with people as they imagine and realize their own futures. Be connectors, conveners, and collaborators—not representatives.

Meaningfully acknowledge the histories, injustice, innovations, and victories of spaces and places before new work begins. Reckon with the past as a means of healing, building trust, and deepening understanding of self and others.

Create less hierarchy and more dialogue, inclusion, and empowerment. Quality over quantity. Focus on creating critical and authentic relationships to support mutual adaptation and evolution over time.*

In closing, the Buckeye Neighborhood Plan aims to support Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. with guiding initiatives and actions that instill hope and light into the community. Balancing implementation efforts that can be started now with those that will take multiple years to manifest will be critical to maintaining community support, and forming champions for this work. The road will be challenging, obstacles will be plentiful, but the reward of community restoration will outweigh these hardships. This vision will only come to fruition if it is done together, because together, WE ARE BUCKEYE. conclusion

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BUCKEYE ARE WE

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IMPLEMENT | 115 APPENDIX