Local leaders have long decried Cleveland's one-at-a-time approach to neighborhood improvements.
But with unprecedented levels of investment in the Flats, and many individual projects being built simultaneously, Ward 3 councilman Joe Cimperman says there's suddenly a lot of enthusiasm for the district.
He says projects like the long-awaited Wolstein development on the East Bank, The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, completion of the Ohio Canal Corridor Towpath Trail, improvements to the river bank and others represent a major cash investment over a short period of time, and the city should make the most of it.
JOE CIMPERMAN:
"We know that we've got a limited moment in time to maximize this 2 billion dollars through this 36 months; but we're gonna do everything we can to take advantage of it and to pole vault into Cleveland's next decade."
Cimperman, who organized tonight's gathering, is aimed at getting all those interested in the Flats' future to share their ideas and concerns. He says the effort should work, because of the new spirit of cooperation.
JOE CIMPERMAN:
"When you think about what the Flats means to us... it's where Cleveland started. It's where Cleveland can start again."
