About This Case Study
This case study introduces students to the redevelopment process through the example of the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights, Ohio. It is written in a style similar to a textbook to help students and other readers understand how large development projects take shape and who is involved.
The case explains the practical steps that cities and developers take to plan, finance, and build mixed-use districts. It introduces common terms and highlights the roles of local government, private firms, and community members. By following each phase of the Van Aken District project, students can see how broad goals, such as creating a walkable downtown, are translated into zoning codes, financing strategies, and construction projects.
In spring 2023, former Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken organized a site visit for two graduate courses at the Levin School of Urban Affairs: my city management class and Professor Tom Hilde’s land use planning class. Mayor Leiken joined the Levin School as a senior fellow in 2019—a volunteer position through which he has contributed generously to students and faculty. I’ve learned a great deal from him.
During the site visit, Jon Ratner, the project’s developer, welcomed students to his office overlooking the construction site of what is now the Raye apartment building. He, Mayor Leiken, current Mayor David Weiss, and City Planner Joyce Braverman spoke with students about how the Van Aken District came to life. They engaged in open conversation and answered student questions in generous detail.
What made the visit exceptional was the rare opportunity for students to hear directly from the developer, two mayors, and the planner who had worked on the project from its earliest stages. It quickly became clear this was a valuable case study worth documenting.
Since that visit, I’ve returned to the Van Aken District several times for professional meetings and outings with my family. In the summer, the area is especially lively. It has become a true community hub. When I’m there, I’m reminded of Jane Jacobs’ advocacy for mixed-use development and the vibrancy that comes when people interact in shared public spaces. It feels good to be there.
The Levin School was created to address urban problems such as disinvestment and population loss. As those challenges now extend into many first-ring suburbs, this case offers students a clear introduction to the tools and strategies communities use to spur revitalization.
All Levin School students should be familiar with these concepts and the many players involved in redevelopment. Some students will go on to specialize in this work, taking classes in real estate development, finance, economic development, community development, proposal writing, and public budgeting. But this case is a useful starting point. It introduces foundational concepts and terms students will encounter in redevelopment projects throughout the region.
Finally, I want to emphasize my commitment to creating place-based learning opportunities that help students connect classroom concepts to Northeast Ohio. People tend to learn best when they’re studying the communities, institutions, and projects around them. This case study fits that approach. Another example is my textbook An Ohioan’s Guide to State & Local Government.
