By Kellie Morris
Since the early 1800s, a diverse group of people defined the streets from Euclid to Woodland and 22nd St. to 71st St. as Cleveland’s Central neighborhood. According to a historical account in the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, the area was identified as multi-ethnic. It was home to German, Greek, Italian, Hungarian, and Jewish immigrants. With the Great Migration of the 1900s, many African Americans relocated to the area from the South. Today the community remains populated by African Americans.
Poverty has been the central economic condition of the area throughout its history. Historically smaller, family-owned businesses once lined the streets of Woodland, East 55th, and Central. Gwendolyn Garth, a Central resident, remembers Quality Home Furniture Company and Gleason’s Musical Bar. Today, the same is true with the absence of large retailers, pharmacies, and grocers. Central is the focus of a coordinated effort of development to bring residents, housing, jobs, and businesses to the area.
Cleveland’s Central neighborhood has been in the conversation for change for years. Now some of that change is visible, tangible, and experienced. The recent demolition of the Carver Park Estates draws stark responses from those who work at local businesses. Horace Duncan, who has worked at the Friendly Inn for over 30 years, identifies the demolition as the biggest change that he has seen in his 69 years of life. Mr. Duncan was raised in the Central community. He still remembers the address of his childhood home on Quincy Avenue, and how they complained that 20 cents was too much money to pay to see a movie. The Haltnorth Theatre was located on East 55th St. and Woodland Ave and was one other neighborhood institution that did not survive the changing times in Central. He remembers when Central High School welcomed students. He now applauds the potential for the building to be renovated to create 90 senior apartments, saying, “it’s about time something was done with the building.” Movie theatres, schools, and apartment buildings are just some of the entities that one would expect to see in a neighborhood but are those the only elements that make a neighborhood viable?
Pride In Ownership
This is identified as one of the most common factors of a great neighborhood. Whether one owns or rents their residence, the way the residences are maintained is important. The dominance of subsidized housing has been a mainstay of the Central community since the 1930s. According to historical accounts, the Outhwaite Homes Estates, the Cedar Apartments, and Lakeview Terrace were the first three public housing projects to be completed in Cleveland. In recent years several new homes have been built in the area.
Lifestyle Match
This is explained as referring to the ability to access activities that one enjoys, for example, baseball. Central has a baseball field within its borders at the Lonnie Burten Recreation Center. It is located close to League Park, which is in the neighboring community of Hough.
A Passionate Developer
Several businesses are committing to development in Central. Representatives from Biggar Ventures and Premier Development attended a community meeting in September 2022 hosted by Ward 5 Councilman Richard Starr. They shared their desire to purchase land and build a business park from 55th and Kinsman to Woodland. They indicated that businesses seek to locate near the recently opened Opportunity Corridor. Other developers like Beacon Communities, LLC, TCB Ohio, Incorporated and Burten Bell Carr CDC have invested in building apartments in the former Central High School and Mount Auburn Elementary School respectively. International Food Solutions and Snap Gourmet Foods plan to operate businesses with the support of a grant from the US Department of Agriculture and the State of Ohio, according to a story recently published in Cleveland.com (www.cleveland.com/news/2023/01/frozen-meal-producer-gets-96-million-grant-for-plant-in-cleveland.html).
Low Crime Rate
Crime statistics reports do not report favorably about Central or Cleveland overall, but efforts to improve policing are a priority for Cleveland residents. The residents passed Issue 24 to create a Cleveland Community Police Commission. The police continue to work through the Cleveland Consent Decree. The Mayor and the Cleveland City Council consistently fund tools to support policing in an effort to make the city safe for residents and visitors.
Great Schools
The educational landscape is complicated. The schools that exist in Central (parts of 44115 and 44104) are public and private. They also serve those from elementary to elders. There are Cleveland Public Schools (K-8) open to residents. They have the support of Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood, which supports academic success from “cradle to college.” For grades 9-12, Cleveland residents may select a high school. There are also chartered high schools in the area. New Bridge Cleveland Education Center offers Adult Workforce Programs and Certifications. The main campus of Cuyahoga Community College is also located in Central, which allows access to the campus for members of the Central Community.
Outdoor Activities
There are no parks located within Central, but playground equipment for the area youth can be seen on the grounds of the housing complexes. The Lonnie Burten Recreation Center, which Mr. Duncan remembers as the “POC” (Portland-Outhwaite Center), is also available to the residents.
Historical Vibe and Landmarks
Although Central is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Cleveland, some of the historical content has been lost with the building of gas stations, fast-food restaurants, shopping plazas, and other construction. The historical sites that remain are identified as the Woodland Cemetery, Shiloh Baptist Church, and The Phillis Wheatley Association by the Encyclopedia of Cleveland/Case Western University.
Access to Healthcare
Residents are able to access wellness care at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, Faith Community Baptist Clinic, and Care Alliance.
Family Friendly
Residents live within close proximity. Area churches, community organizations like Friendly Inn, and Councilman Richard Starr sponsor events for residents to come together. They sponsor community meals, neighborhood clean-up drives, and festivals. The Ward 5 Back-2-School Festival held in August 2022 was a well-attended community event where residents were able to connect with resources and children received school supplies and had their hair styled by volunteers.
Close to Public Transportation
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority provides various routes of transportation for residents.
Shopping & Restaurants
There are some smaller retail businesses that exist in the community. Residents desire to have a larger retail grocer. Today, residents have the option of online grocers like Misfit Markets or grocery delivery through Instacart. Residents also shop at Steelyard Commons or nearby neighborhoods.
Walkability
The area is walkable with sidewalks, crosswalks, and street lighting. The residents have access to libraries and the post office.
These are the things that make Central a neighborhood of promises, plans, and progress. Residents of the Central community will have the opportunity to share their opinions about their hopes for the neighborhood by speaking to the Signal Central Listening Team. This team will be available on Tuesdays from 3pm to 5pm at the Sterling Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (2200 E 30th St between Central & Cedar Aves.) during the months of February and March.
