Section 1: Understanding the Van Aken District Redevelopment Project
What the Van Aken District Looks Like Now
The Van Aken District in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is a walkable, mixed-use destination that brings together shops, restaurants, residential units, offices, and public gathering spaces in a single neighborhood. Located next to the RTA rapid transit station, it functions as a downtown for the city and draws visitors from beyond the city’s borders.
Unlike many suburban developments filled with national chains, the Van Aken District prioritizes independently owned local businesses. Moreover, many of its shops, restaurants, and services are owned and operated by businesses from Northeast Ohio. This strategy was designed to strengthen the community’s identity, support small businesses, and create a distinctive sense of place. By focusing on independent entrepreneurs rather than national brands, the Van Aken District offers a unique experience that was designed to reflect the character and values of Shaker Heights. So, it makes sense that the operator markets it with the tagline: “By Originals. For Originals.”
Visitors can shop at independent boutiques, dine at locally owned restaurants, enjoy ice cream near the outdoor plaza, or relax in the central green surrounded by trees and seating areas. Public art installations and gathering spaces invite people to hang out. This creates an active, welcoming environment throughout the day and evening.
Watch WKYC Channel 3’s 2021 piece on the Van Aken District. It will help you better understand what the development looks like and what people can do there.
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyHWYpIHmLM
Duration: 1:57
Note: Jason Russell, then neighborhood general manager of the Van Aken District, is featured in this video. He is a CSU alum, having earned his Master’s in Urban Planning and Development from the Levin School.
The Van Aken District is an ongoing project. It is not finished yet. The developers envisioned it in three phases. In this case study, we will focus mainly on Phase 1, which opened in 2019 and transformed a confusing intersection and aging shopping area into a vibrant mixed-use district. Phase 2, called Raye Apartments, broke ground in 2022 and opened in 2025. It adds over 220 new residential units to the project. Phase 3, known as Arcadia, is being planned to add even more residential units, retail, office space, and public areas.
You just watched WKYC’s 2021 report. Now watch their companion piece, which goes into more detail about the project’s development phases.
YouTubeURL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG_aEM33Ng8
Duration: 3:52
Obviously, this place didn’t always look like it does today. The transformation took over a decade of planning, public investment, private development, and community involvement. It is an example of a redevelopment project, which is the focus of this case study.
Source: https://thevanakendistrict.com/live/
Discussion Questions
What other mixed-use development projects are you familiar with? Remember mixed-used development projects combine residential, retail, office space, and public areas in one place.
You read the Van Aken District was designed to reflect the character and values of Shaker Heights. How do public officials and developers know what a community’s character and values are? What sources or methods might they use to figure it out?
References
Menesse, Tania. 2016. “The Van Aken District.” Economic Development Journal 15 (2):43-50.
