Cleveland Ranked #1 as Nation's POOREST Big City Oncetagin
 

This saddens me; it's true though :(


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...veland_poverty

whoa
 

Glad my friend is mayor of WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS!

Re: whoa
 

Yeah. There was almost a kidnapping there this week.


http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=23766

Re: Re: whoa
 

Yeah.... a couple of streets from where I live. Kinda scary:(

Re: Re: Re: whoa
 

My godmother used to live on Gladstone years ago. I caught the bus throughout all of my years but almost all of Eastwood and Westwood kids had to walk to school for part of their years. Like Ideal08 said, they "walked to school in a group."

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This day in age, you CANNOT walk to school alone... or really anywhere. There are too many weirdos out there, whose purpose in life is to prey on the innocent. It's a sick world.

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Yeah, this is my old neck of the woods. I lived on Brookfield and would walk to Kings Highway to meet my friends then walk to school. And y'all know that's outta the way. But if it meant I'd be safe, that's what I did. Cuz in the winter, it's DARK in the morning. And you can't run from nobody in the snow and ice.

Now, the Cleveland thing... it's sad, but CT4 and I were JUST talking about it after Labor Day weekend. Cleveland has been on a steady decline since we left for college. Now, here's the thing. I thought that it was going thru gentrification, but I guess I was wrong. I remember when I was in college, they cleaned that Hough area up REAL nice; built some new homes, I was impressed. I was wrong, cuz the last ime I went home, I saw nothing great. NOTHING. Even Warrensville looks run down and poor. It's a sad, sad shame, it really is. :(

I mean, why don't they make use of all that open space. Where Zayre's used to be on Northfield, up the street from the high school, that's been empty since I was a KID. I mean, when's the last time you heard of Zayre's??? Then like CT4 said, that Holiday Inn on Emery and Northfield. What's up? Now you got the old LTV building... do they still use that or what? I mean, what is going on??????

When we went to the Kappa's Konclave that year, I thought my hometown was trying to creep on a come-up. New clubs in The Flats and on Public Square (was never no clubs on Public Square, lol), the R&RHOF, the new Ritz Carlton... WHAT HAPPENED, MIKE WHITE, WHAT HAPPENED?? Jane better handle her business.

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For those that don't know, I lived between Emery and Miles right by East Ohio Gas on Miles. So that Holiday Inn is an empty eyesore and has been empty for at least 15 years. It could easily have been turned into a homeless shelter or a new high school or SOMETHING.

Here is something I shared with my crew after my visit home Labor Day weekend:

I went home this weekend for the first time in almost a year. I have noticed before but this time it hit me a lot harder. Cleveland has greatly deteriorated. I hate where my mother lives. The neighbors are loud as hell at 3 in the morning for no other reason than they can be. The houses (if you can call them that are in such shytty conditions). My mother and my grandmother live less than a mile from each other and driving back and forth between their houses saddened me. My grandmother was raised in the home she lives in. It is probably the best looking house on the street. There is a house that caught on fire about 2 years ago that still stands in its burned state. There are homes that used to appear so majestic to me that look horrible. Paint peeling, chipped, etc. Bumpy ass streets. Bad ass kids. Bumpy ass streets. Potholes everywhere.

Then I went to my mother's church, near Superior. The homes there should all be condemned. Some look so horrible I just could do nothing but stare. I rode past the drive in non Miles Ave. we used to go to as kids and teens. Last time I was there was in 1997. . .It is now closed. It stands there on a main street looking war torn. The Holiday Inn that sits on the corner of Northfield and Emery that has been closed since I was in high school still sits EMPTY. EMPTY EMPTY. It could very well become a school or a homeless shelter or apartments. Yet they are building "luxury apartments" down the street by my old job and elementary school. Luxury my ass. How you gonna have luxury apartments built within a school system where at least 95% of ALL the STUDENTS are on free or reduced lunch. How you gonna have luxury anything when kids can't read worth a damn.

It saddens me to see what used to be my home and to me in eyes beautiful look like pure dee shyt. I mean I drove back to my beautiful apartment and it no longer seemed so beautiful when my mother lives somewhere that it just ain't safe to walk down the street after 8:00p.m. I have to get her out of there. She deserves better. No one deserves to live like that. No one. Our world is messed up and folks trying to governmentize (not a word but this is a rant so f it) other countries but here at HOME folks killing each other because they were shut out of a party (WTF go to another party).


Mike White (former BLACK mayor of Cleveland) really helped ruin the East side of Cleveland which is predominantly Black.

The empty Zayres (been empty since late 80s) could have been turned into a rec center or a skating rink.

Yeah Cleveland is definitely a city that's downsizing and its really sad. Jobs are soo scarce in Cleveland that my husband and I both had to move to Columbus for better jobs, housing and schools. It saddens me because I was born and raised in Warrensville, Ohio but a lot of my activities went on in Cleveland but now I am kind of afraid of whats next to come. Truth be told things were never this bad when Mike White was in office but thats just me talking....

I've always wondered why that spaces where the old Zayres and the old Holiday Inn on the corner of Emery and Northfield have never been leased or bought. However, they are doing something in the lot of the old Holiday Inn. There has been a lot of construction taking place in the parking lot, so I'm hoping that they will tear that raggedy building down, and we will see some type of development.

As for the Zayres... who knows how long that space will remain unoccupied. It really gives the area a terrible look.

As everyone has agreed, Cleveland is definitely on a decline. I will always love my city, and it tears me up to see the city in such a state of poverty.

I mean, you would think that with the empty Holiday Inn being in the parking lot of the mall that houses Magic Johnson's theaters, something would be done. I don't know. I know if it were me, I wouldn't want that eyesore anywhere NEAR my business. Shoot, turn it into a MJ Starbucks. All that money the Thistledown makes... level it for more parking. SOMETHING. Then, on Warrensville and Harvard, the little plaza where the Beverage store and Whitmore's are... RUNDOWN. Now, it was always a lot of crime up there, but it did not always look like that. As many memories as it holds for me, I'm ready to say tear it down, too. It looks all crazy, then across the street you have a brand new Rite Aid and the Cleveland Clinic Hospitals. It's just surreal, if you ask me.

:( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Good re: Holiday Inn parking lot. What took them so dang long?
Yeah Magic. Where's Warrensville's Starbucks?

Co-Sign

Update: No Warrensville's Starbucks :(

I saw a sign that they are building a Wendy's in the Holiday Inn parking lot. But get this... there are no plans to tear the old hotel down. :eek: :confused: :eek: They are simply going to build the fast food restaraunt in front of the hotel.

So, I guess the crackheads who are staying in the worn-down, raggedy building can go get them something to eat when they decide to take a break from getting high. :(

WAIT!!!! There is a dayum Wendy's on Emery already not far from there. 3 of my neighbors worked there growing up. So you mean to tell me that they are going to put a nice looking Wendys in front of that crappy war torn looking hotel. That Holiday Inn is about 15 stories.


**SMH SMH SMH**:( :( :( :( :(

AND, there's also a Wendy's at the big intersection (I think it's at the Chagrin/Warrensville Ctr. Rd. part). How many Wendy's do you need in one area?????? They must be making a lot of money in that area.

But, why would they want it sitting in front of the crappy hotel. Why can't they just blow the building up, for goodness sake??!!!Then they can go right down the street and place a few dynomite sticks underneath the old Zayres.

Yeah I know that Wendys because it has been there forever too. America does not need any more fast food places. Folks are fat enough as it is. Plus that is a bad spot for a fast food restaurant anyway.

Blow up the hotel and the old Zayres. They would do good to put a skating rink there (either Holiday Inn or old Zayres).

What is WE GON' DO?!?! :( :confused:

Either location would also be a good location for a banquet facility.

The City should built a vocational training center. that would really be a great asset, or better yet, a boys and girls club of America. those two ideas would work well.

As for having another Wendy's Restaurant, I don't think they would do a lot of business. If you look around Northfield Road, Fast-Food Restaurants like Burger King, Arthur Treacher's and that Chinese Buffet Place are not busy more than half the time.

Both good ideas and as big as the Holiday Inn is, both could go in that one building along with other businesses.

Hey everyone, I haven't visited the forum in a while (it's been a little busy), but I had to stop through to give a little update. I almost ran over the curb when I saw this... Zayres is GONE!!!!! They finally knocked that building down!!!!! After all these years!!!!!!!!!! They're also tearing up the parking lot, so they're about to build something there. They haven't put any information up as to what they are building there yet, but I can't wait to find out what they are going to put there. I'm just happy to see that old building gone.

BUT....

The old, abandoned Holiday Inn still stands in back of the new Wendy's on the corner of Emery and Northfield.... (~sigh~)... so tacky. :confused:

Maybe a Super WalMart for that side of town. Girl to see that empty parking lot must be shocking because i cannot picture that in my mind. Hmmm, neither my mom nor grandmother have mentioned it to me. :(

I was born in Cleveland *still reppin 216* and after reading the article...I am in shock!! But I still love Cleveland!

A Wal-Mart would be wonderful. But I know that wouldn't happen. They're having a hard time keeping Randall Park Mall in operation. And then to have to worry about a Wal-Mart.... Naaahhh. But ya never know...

Yes, it is amazing to see that lot empty because that old Zayre's has held that spot so long, I was beginning to think they were keeping it there permanently. I will come back with an update when I find out what they are building there.

Dang, the Zayres is gone! I thought that place would be there for life! I have to ask my sister if she knows what will be put in that spot. If I find out I will be sure to let everyone know.

I was at Randall last week going to see "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" at the Magic Johnson Theatre. When I came in through the entrance, already 4-5 more stores has already closed inside the mall. It's looking more grim each day. :(

I went to the mall on Christmas Day to see Fat Albert so obviously nothing was open but I think if a Wal Mart were to open nearby, it might rejuvenate businesses to reinvest back into Randall. Maybe. :(

Re: whoa
 

I went to high school there...:p

Went to Cleveland.com just to read hometown news . ..
 

Cleveland again nation's poorest city

8/29/2006, 12:14 p.m. ET By JOE MILICIA
The Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) — The city returned to the top of the U.S. Census Bureau's ranking of poorest big cities, reclaiming the unwanted title from Detroit.

Cleveland had 32.4 percent of its 452,200 people living below the poverty level in 2005, according to the American Community Survey released Tuesday.

"I'm shocked," said Myron Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. "We're stuck with it and we've got to do something about it. It just seems that we as a community have got to pull our resources closer together and try to move together to come up with a concerted effort. We're so fragmented."

Read the rest here: http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/c...list=cleveland

*sigh* :( to hear...once again.

I'll be up there very soon to spend some time with my grandma.

Here is the graphic
 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/wide/poverty3_0830.gif

ETA: How things have worsened in Cleveland since 2000:( :( :(

:( there's got to be a better way.

Whats really sad is that two of the ten cities are in the same state!!! The Ohio legislature needs to get on the ball. What was interesting was that New Orleans was not in that category being that most of their residents were financially wiped out by Katrina. How is it that we as a country are always braggin about being the most powerful when we have people who don't eat, are homeless, etc!

I still live in the Cleveland area, and I was watching the news the other day and there was some discussion on how Cleleveland made it to the top of the llist dispite the fact of Hurricane Katrina and its effects on New Orleans. There was arguement that Cleveland, should not be at the top of the list. I will have to see if there is a summary of the discussion on the net.

Now that would really be horrible considering the damage and devastation Katrina bought. One of the reasons statistical information is misleading, there may possibly be a new study being conducted that will show different results.

:(
 

Man this is some sad stuff. I don't know what my age range compares to others here (I am 25) but I graduated from Shaker in '99. At the time, to me and my friends Cleveland seemed like the shit! The indians were competitive, the browns had just come back, I think the cavs still sucked but at least the downtown scene was jumping! We used to go clubbing multiple times per week...millenium, trilogy (which changed names a million times, I lost track after Metropolis) Europa, Top of the Flats, whatever. It seemed like it was always jumping and somewhere to go. It was definitely a rough city but it still had positives. Randall was the spot to be!

Then I moved to Atlanta, the mecca of big city fun and entertainment and when I go back home now I am in shock. Everything I knew is closed down or gone, and it is one big ass slum. My mom is trying desperately to move down here with me, but she works for the city gov't up there. Its crazy how rough parts of Ohio are but people from other places never believe it! I have two good friends one from Brooklyn and one from Oakland and I bet each of them that Cleveland was rougher than either city and neither believed me. If you look at the top 25 roughest cities in the nation 3 are in ohio (new york isnt even on the list, last I checked it was on the SAFEST city list) and Cleveland was significantly higher on the list than Oakland. They were shocked!

I don't know what the solution to the problem is, but a lot of people are just giving up and leaving. An article from the plain dealer in '05 said 58,000 people moved from cuyahoga county in 2005 alone. If that number is consistent over the past few years its easy to see why things are getting worse.

I saw an article in the Washington Post about the poverty rate in various cities and it ranked Fresno California #1 and New Orleans #2 and Atlanta #3 with Cleveland about a number 9. I was surprised about Atlanta and its poverty ranking-I think this had to do with the number of people who have been displaced because of Katrina and people going to these cities to affect the overall demographics and economic situation in them. No one can say that the inner city does not have its share of economic woes. What can be done to alleviate this situation? Heck even the middle class are feeling the brunt of the economy when they can't afford housing in their areas!:rolleyes:

I just read on cleveland.com that the mayor supports putting on the November ballot a vote to add slot machine parlors in Cleveland, well throught out Cuyahoga County.

http://www.cleveland.com/casino/plai...810.xml&coll=2

Well, they need to do something to raise some money up there. The lottery raises millions every year and that is a form of gambling, maybe a casino or two will help bring some tourism in or something. That almost doesn't seem possible when I say that, but hey they gotta try something.

LOL @ tourism, but I agree. From what I read in the article, people in Cleveland and surrounding counties travel to either Indiana, Michigan, or West Virginia to gamble to the tune of $900+ of revenue.

I just hope that not only do they add more in terms of hotels and restaurants, but they fix the roads and schools as well.

Plus the article mentioned jobs will be created which is always a good thing.

got rims? lol
 

THAT IS THE TRUTH!!!! Man I got pissed off when I was up there last cuz I forgot how awful the roads were! There are a million potholes, uneven pavement, bumps, construction cones, crackheads, and everything else all over the freaking place up there!