The Observer, December 1, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 12
Cleveland on Fire: Steelyard Commons provides opportunities, more retail
In today's world of ex-urban sprawl and shrinking farmlands, adaptive reuse of land is generally heralded as a positive reinvestment. In Cleveland, a local developer is transforming what once was one of the largest steel mills around into a shopping center (Steelyard Commons). However, the project is being attacked by activists and some of the media because it is bringing big-box retailers and strip-mall shopping to the neighborhoods just south of downtown. But even amongst all the criticism, the development should be supported, as it will be a positive change for the neighborhoods surrounding it and the city.
There are two large complaints facing Steelyard Commons: 1.) It ignores urban design principles and 2.) It is bringing in national chains that will bankrupt the local businesses nearby. The former charge is mainly an aesthetic issue – although pedestrian-friendly streets with first-level retail and mixed uses above are ideal in the urban setting, this is an isolated plot of land sandwiched between an interstate and more steel mills. In other terms, a shopping center designed for automobiles is the only option for retail success.
The second claim holds more weight, although it is not a valid reason to oppose this project. National chains (mainly Wal-Mart) have been vilified in recent years for controlling the market and forcing local merchants out of business. Before this development was approved, an economic impact study detailing the effects of the Wal-Mart Supercenter would have on the economy was promised. Now more than 18 months after such a promise, the study has been released and the impact can be assessed.
The independent consulters determined that most sectors of retail will not be impacted by this development – with the exception of supermarkets. As a Supercenter, Wal-Mart is expected to steal business from the local chain, Dave's. A homegrown family business, Dave's has expanded to almost 10 stores across the city; however it is expected that one and perhaps two stores may close due to this development.
Although the possible closing of a local merchant's store is less than acceptable, there are some other factors to weigh. With Tops closing all of its Northeast Ohio stores, Dave's was able to purchase a couple both in Cleveland and in the suburbs. So the company will not have an overall loss, due to its recent expansion ventures.
Furthermore, Steelyard Commons is going to be providing the residents of Tremont, Slavic Village, Old Brooklyn, and beyond with goods that simply are not available in those neighborhoods today. The economic impact study admitted that those neighborhoods are underserved and this project will bring money back into the city when residents were going to the suburbs to obtain what they needed.
This site used to be home to LTV Steel – a proud heritage for this city that has sadly disappeared with its industry. Although a Wal-Mart Supercenter is not a replacement for those ideals, this development does provide residents with a new development and stores that they did not have access to in the city. Its economic impact will be felt, but as stated in the study, local merchants can and will still thrive.
More information about Steelyard Commons can be found at: http://www.steelyardcommons.com.
Verespej is a senior Political Science/Pre-Law student involved in the performing arts and also the Executive Director for the Student Turning Point Society.
