What is a Redevelopment Project?

A redevelopment project is the process of improving land or buildings that are underused, outdated, or no longer serving the community well. Such projects often involve replacing or reimagining existing buildings and infrastructure to better meet current needs. Redevelopment projects can include new housing, commercial spaces, parks, or transit access, and they are usually carried out through partnerships between city governments, private developers, and other organizations.

In the case of Van Aken, the project involved turning an aging commercial area with confusing traffic patterns and disconnected buildings into a modern, connected district with local businesses, public spaces, and transit access. Over several years, the city and its partners carefully planned how to reuse the land and attract new development.

Cities choose to start redevelopment projects like this for several reasons. In Shaker Heights, the area around Van Aken had long been seen as outdated and inefficient. The buildings were spread out, and the traffic patterns were confusing.

This photo shows the intersections of Warrensville Center Road, Chagrin Boulevard, and Van Aken Boulevard. The area had become a confusing traffic zone with scattered strip shopping centers and no clear sense of place.

Source: https://executivearrangements.com/eas-40-years-and-40-favorite-places-7th-stop-the-van-aken-district/

For a city that values walkability, public transit, and neighborhood character, this part of town didn’t match the community’s goals. City leaders wanted to create a space that better served residents and supported the local economy. By investing in a new district, city officials hoped to make Shaker Heights more livable and more attractive to new residents and businesses.

This type of redevelopment can also help a city grow its tax base. Underused properties don’t generate much tax revenue. But when those same properties are transformed into housing, shops, and office space, they can provide more tax revenue for city services. At the same time, a well-designed district with strong transit access and local businesses can make a city more sustainable and more connected.