Cleveland, Ohio – A city reborn out of the water

Water. Cleveland, Ohio, is all about water. Situated on Lake Erie at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, water defines the city. The lavish fresh water supply supports both industry and residential growth and the waterfronts offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The city of Cleveland lies in the center of the 16^th largest metropolitan area in the United States, at the heart of one of the most heavily populated regions in the country. It has been a giant of industry, and it has taken its share of knocks too. After two centuries of innovation and change, Cleveland now is recreating itself as a “community of connections.”

From tiny settlement to big city - a brief history of Cleveland

In 1796, General Moses Cleaveland surveyed the townsite at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. One year later, the settlement celebrated its first wedding and its first birth. The community grew slowly; in 1820, fewer than 700 people called the town home. However, with the completion of the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1832, the population exploded, jumping from just over 1,000 residents in 1830 to around 6,000 in 1840 and by 1850, more than 17,000 people resided in Cleveland, Ohio. The years following the Civil War saw the introduction of major industry in the city: the Cleveland Rolling Mills produced its first Bessemer Steel in 1868; Standard Oil Co. and Sherwin Williams Co. opened early in 1870. By 1900, Cleveland was the seventh largest city in the United States.

A melting pot of industry, sports, art and technology

Today, Cleveland is an industrial city experiencing something of a rebirth and the population of Cleveland’s downtown is growing rapidly. Professional sports teams flourish here, including the Cleveland Indians (baseball), Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball), and Cleveland Browns (football).

The arts too are very much alive in the city: the Cleveland International Film Festival screens hundreds of independent films each March; the Mayor’s “Our City, Our Arts” initiative encourages visual artists to display their work in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda and Gallery and invites performing artists to the Rotunda; the capital improvement plan includes public arts for buildings, parks and streetscapes.

The city also has plans to bring digital technology to every neighborhood through its Municipal Wireless Network Initiative so that visitors will enjoy access wherever they travel throughout the city.

Connecting Cleveland 2020 Citywide Plan - a strong vision for the future

The city’s Connecting Cleveland 2020 Citywide Plan proposes to make Cleveland a “city of choice” for residents and businesses alike. The plan envisions mixed-use, safe and healthy urban neighborhoods featuring high quality services. It also focuses on the city’s water resources, including Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River, as well as its trails, parks and open spaces.

Economic development will build on the area’s existing assets in higher education and medical research: Case Western Reserve University is counted among the nation’s top 50 institutions of higher learning and the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University is ranked among the top ten. Also, Cleveland Clinic is consistently ranked as the top cardiac care center in the nation and University Hospital is home to one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals.

What’s more, community members want to implement a green economic strategy that supports environmental sustainability. To this end, EcoCity Cleveland and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History are partnering to create a new Center for Regional Sustainability.

A city with a neighborhood for every taste

Cleveland’s unique neighborhoods offer something for every taste. Downtown is no longer just a place to work; people come to live and play as well. Shopping, arts, dining, and nightlife make this an attractive setting for many people.

Historic homes that once belonged to some of Cleveland’s wealthiest men; the Cleveland Cultural Gardens; and proximity to University Circle give the Glenville-Forest Hills neighborhood its personality.

North and South Collinwood is characterized by little streets and intimate neighborhoods that overlook the lake, creating an inviting community that has caught the attention of local artists.

St. Claire/Superior sits on 50 acres of lakefront land that makes Lake Erie accessible to boaters and fishing folk. The neighborhood includes a mix of styles that reflect the city’s history and cultural diversity. Asia Plaza offers some of the best authentic Chinese food and goods in Cleveland.