Section 1: Understanding the Van Aken District Redevelopment Project
Why Local Governments Encourage Redevelopment
Local governments often support redevelopment when land or buildings stop meeting the community’s needs. Redevelopment can solve practical problems, attract new investment, and renew public spaces so they better reflect how people live and work today.
Better Serving Current (& Future) Community Needs
Over time, some properties lose their usefulness. A once-busy shopping center might sit half-empty, or a large parking lot may take up space that could support homes, stores, or public gathering areas. Redevelopment allows a city to rethink how land is used and to replace outdated layouts with new designs that better serve current and future needs.
Improving Safety & Accessibility
Older infrastructure often creates challenges for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Confusing intersections, missing sidewalks, or poor lighting can make an area unsafe or unwelcoming. Redevelopment gives cities the opportunity to redesign streets, reduce hazards, and create spaces that are easier and safer for everyone to navigate.
Strengthening the Local Economy & Growing the Tax Base
When a site sits idle or produces little revenue, the entire community feels the impact. Redevelopment can generate new jobs during construction and after completion, while increasing property values and business activity. Those changes bring in more tax revenue to help fund public services and improve overall quality of life.
Expressing Local Character/Values
Redevelopment also provides a way to express what a community values. Cities can use it to promote walkable neighborhoods, support local businesses, or showcase a distinctive sense of place. When the finished project reflects the community’s identity, residents often feel more connected and proud of where they live.
Restoring Confidence in Older Areas (Reinvestment Not Disinvestment)
In communities that have experienced disinvestment, redevelopment can be a turning point. It signals that public and private partners believe in the area’s future. Replacing vacant buildings, upgrading utilities, and creating inviting spaces can attract new activity and encourage nearby property owners to reinvest.
Redevelopment, when guided by careful planning and public input, can transform neglected or outdated areas into thriving parts of a city that meet the needs of residents today and build a stronger foundation for tomorrow.
People working in this space should know about the term disinvestment. Disinvestment happens when businesses, property owners, or governments reduce or stop investing in a neighborhood or area. This can lead to neglected buildings, fewer job opportunities, lower property values, and declining public services.
Disinvestment can happen at different levels. It might start with small signs such as delayed building repairs or fewer businesses opening in the area. If reinvestment does not follow, the effects can grow more serious. Neighborhoods may experience vacant properties, job loss, and cuts to public services. At its most extreme, disinvestment can lead to long-term neglect, unsafe conditions, and a decline in residents’ quality of life.
Redevelopment offers a chance to reverse the effects of disinvestment. When done successfully, it can help revitalize neighborhoods. The Van Aken site in Shaker Heights was not destitute, but city officials clearly saw the need for upgrades.
