Meet Charlotte DeKoning, a data analyst. She’s lived in a spacious, modern corner apartment near the corner of Huron and 9th Street since November.
Charlotte lives here with her husband Daniel, and their Maine Coon cat, Lad. The couple is among the 20 and 30-somethings pouring into downtown.
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance says from 2000 to 2010, their numbers have increased 64 percent here.
DeKoning – a CSU graduate -- says she hates commuting, so her location is very ideal.
“I work right across the street from where I live. It’s about 100 steps,” she laughs.
DeKoning says she also loves being close to the action. She can walk 5 minutes in any direction, and catch a play, sports game, or a drink with friends.
But it’s not all young urban professionals filling out the rooms. Baby Boomers and prematurely graying members of Generation X are here to roost…including Mark Giuliano.
“Empty nesters often get overlooked in the growth of downtown Cleveland. There’s quite a significant number of us working and living and playing here in downtown Cleveland,” he says.
The numbers bear that out. The DCA report says residents 55 to 64 years old have increased in downtown Cleveland, by 70 percent.
Giuliano says he loves being able to walk everywhere.