Why Study a Project Like This?

This case study will help readers understand what it takes to bring a redevelopment project to life. These projects are complicated. They require many different people, including city officials, developers, architects, finance experts, and community members, to work together. Each has a specific role, but they must also understand and cooperate with each other to succeed.

What You’ll Learn

This case will take you through the Van Aken District’s development from start to finish. You’ll learn:

• Why and how the project began
• What changes were needed to the street configuration and zoning rules
• Who the different stakeholders were
• How the public was involved
• What funding sources were used
• Why the district rents only to independently owned businesses instead of national chains
• What the final results look like today
• How the development is situated with respect to competing locations in close proximity

By the end of this case, you will better understand how redevelopment works—not just the physical changes, but the decisions, relationships, and teamwork that make it all possible.

Background: Understanding the Professional Fields Involved

Before diving into the Van Aken District project, it’s important to understand the main fields involved: public administration, urban planning, and real estate development. These fields often work together on redevelopment projects like Van Aken, but they also operate in other settings.

1. Public administration – The work of managing government organizations and programs at all levels, including cities, counties, states, and federal agencies. Public administrators oversee budgets, staff, and services.
2. Urban planning – Decisions about how land is used and how communities grow or change over time. It includes choosing where to place homes, parks, stores, streets, and transit stations so that everything works well together.
3. Real estate development – Private-sector work that turns land or buildings into new projects, such as housing, offices, or shopping areas, to generate a return on investment.

Economic development is a complementary component often housed in city management. City officials who work in economic development focus on attracting businesses, creating jobs, and increasing the tax base. Economic development professionals often work closely with planners and developers to make projects a reality.

More About Public Administration

Public administration is the work of running government programs and services. At the city level, public administrators help make sure the community operates smoothly and meets residents’ needs. They manage things like city budgets, public safety, road maintenance, parks, and other services people use every day.

People in city management have different roles. Some are chief administrative officers or city managers who oversee all city departments and carry out policies set by the mayor and city council. Others work as finance directors. They make sure the city spends money wisely and stays within its budget. Some lead public works departments, which manage services such as street repair, snow removal, waste collection, and water systems.

Most cities also employ economic development staff, who focus on strengthening the local economy. They work to attract businesses, create jobs, and increase the tax base so the city has more resources to invest in services and infrastructure.

More About Urban Planning 

Urban planning is a major part of city government. It involves deciding how land is used and how cities grow or change over time. Planners figure out where to place homes, parks, stores, streets, and transit stations, and how all these pieces fit together. They think about the long-term future and aim to design neighborhoods that are practical, connected, and sustainable.

Urban planning shapes urban development, which is the process of building and improving different parts of a city. Planners guide this work using tools such as zoning laws, land use plans, and design guidelines. They often lead community engagement efforts. Community engagement is the process of involving residents in decision-making. This might include public meetings, surveys, workshops, or design sessions. Good engagement helps make sure development projects reflects community needs and values.

Urban planners do not work alone. They work for the mayor or city manager and must follow the city’s budget and policies set by elected officials. They also work closely with other departments, such as finance and economic development, to make projects happen. Planning is a team effort that requires coordination across many parts of city government.

And planners often work closely with real estate developers and their teams.

More About Real Estate Development

Real estate development is the private-sector side of building and improving property. Developers are usually investors, companies, or firms that buy land or buildings and turn them into something new such as residential, retail centers, or mixed-use districts. Their goal is to create a finished product that earns money through rent, leases, or sales.

A developer is the person or company leading that process. Developers take the financial risk, develop the project, and manage the construction process. They work with architects, engineers, city officials, and community members to bring a project from an idea to a completed place.

Because developers invest large amounts of capital, they need to see a return on that investment. That’s why they work closely with city governments to make sure the project is allowed under zoning rules, qualifies for any public incentives, and meets local demand. A successful development depends on coordinating with public officials, planners, architects, and the community.

Before starting a project like Van Aken, developers need to figure out if it will make money. This is called a feasibility analysis. First, they study the demographics of the area. They look at who lives there, their ages, how much money they make, and what types of housing or stores they might want. They also check out competitors to see what other apartment buildings, offices, or shopping areas already exist nearby and whether those places are full or have empty spaces.

Next, developers create financial models to estimate how much the project will cost to build, how much they can charge for rent or sales, and what their operating costs will be once it is finished. They use this information to calculate their return on investment (ROI), which tells them if they will make enough profit to take the risk. If the ROI is too low, they might change the size of the project, adjust the design, look for city or state incentives, or decide not to do the project at all. Developers take on a lot of financial risk, so doing careful research before starting is an important part of their job.

While their main motive is profit, many developers also care about creating lasting, high-quality projects that contribute to a city’s future. However, some might not. That’s why it’s important to find developers whose goals align with city expectations.

City Leaders Bring the Disciplines Together

Leaders at the top, such as mayors in most Northeast Ohio cities and city managers in some, need to understand all fields: public administration, urban planning, and real estate development. A successful redevelopment project doesn’t happen in a silo. It requires a clear vision, sound financial planning, strong public communication, and thoughtful design.

Chief executive officers in local government must be able to talk with planners about zoning and land use, coordinate with finance staff on budgets, and negotiate with developers on timelines and goals. They have to see the big picture and bring all the pieces together. These leaders can help to keep everyone aligned and make sure the city’s goals and community values are reflected in the final project.

Other Key Terms You’ll See in This Case Study

This project includes many different concepts and responsibilities. Here are some key terms to help you follow along:

• Land use – How land in a city is used, such as for homes, stores, parks, or industry.
• Zoning – Local rules that determine what can be built on a property and how it can be used (for example, commercial or residential). Zoning shapes how neighborhoods grow and what types of buildings are allowed.
• Transit-oriented development (TOD) – Development designed around public transportation. TOD makes it easier for people to live, work, and shop near train or bus stations without needing a car.
• Place-based redevelopment – Projects that reflect the identity and culture of the local community. They often include local businesses and design features that match the city’s character.

You will see these terms throughout the case study. Understanding them will help you see how complex projects like the Van Aken District come together.