{"id":64,"date":"2025-07-29T00:10:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T00:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/vanaken\/?post_type=chapter&p=64"},"modified":"2025-07-29T15:32:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T15:32:37","slug":"what-the-van-aken-district-looks-like-now","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/vanaken\/chapter\/what-the-van-aken-district-looks-like-now\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Van Aken District Looks Like Now"},"content":{"raw":"The Van Aken District<\/a> 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\u2019s borders.\r\n\r\nUnlike 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\u2019s 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: \u201cBy Originals. For Originals.\u201d\r\n\r\nVisitors 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.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWatch WKYC Channel 3\u2019s 2021 piece on the Van Aken District. It will help you better understand what the development looks like and what people can do there.<\/em>\r\n\r\nYouTube URL: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fyHWYpIHmLM<\/a>\r\n\r\nDuration: 1:57\r\n\r\nNote: 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\u2019s in Urban Planning and Development from the Levin School.<\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nThe 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.\r\n
\r\n\r\nYou just watched WKYC\u2019s 2021 report. Now watch their companion piece, which goes into more detail about the project\u2019s development phases.<\/em>\r\n\r\nYouTubeURL: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zG_aEM33Ng8<\/a>\r\n\r\nDuration: 3:52\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nObviously, this place didn\u2019t 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.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nSource:<\/em> https:\/\/thevanakendistrict.com\/live\/<\/a>\r\n
\r\n\r\nDiscussion Questions<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhat other mixed-use development projects are you familiar with? Remember mixed-used development projects<\/strong> combine residential, retail, office space, and public areas in one place.\r\n\r\nYou 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\u2019s character and values are? What sources or methods might they use to figure it out?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nReferences\r\n\r\nMenesse, Tania. 2016. \u201cThe Van Aken District<\/a>.\u201d Economic Development Journal<\/em> 15 (2):43-50.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/thevanakendistrict.com\/<\/a>","rendered":"

The Van Aken District<\/a> 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\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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: \u201cBy Originals. For Originals.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

Watch WKYC Channel 3\u2019s 2021 piece on the Van Aken District. It will help you better understand what the development looks like and what people can do there.<\/em><\/p>\n

YouTube URL: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fyHWYpIHmLM<\/a><\/p>\n

Duration: 1:57<\/p>\n

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\u2019s in Urban Planning and Development from the Levin School.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

You just watched WKYC\u2019s 2021 report. Now watch their companion piece, which goes into more detail about the project\u2019s development phases.<\/em><\/p>\n

YouTubeURL: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zG_aEM33Ng8<\/a><\/p>\n

Duration: 3:52<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Obviously, this place didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Source:<\/em> https:\/\/thevanakendistrict.com\/live\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

What other mixed-use development projects are you familiar with? Remember mixed-used development projects<\/strong> combine residential, retail, office space, and public areas in one place.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s character and values are? What sources or methods might they use to figure it out?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

References<\/p>\n

Menesse, Tania. 2016. \u201cThe Van Aken District<\/a>.\u201d Economic Development Journal<\/em> 15 (2):43-50.<\/p>\n

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