Introduction
Somewhere around the midst of the twentieth century, policymakers, and activists were anxious about the decline of the inner city across the United States. The reason was that the people with money were going for the suburbs. However, the widespread reports and notions of the demise of American cities proved to be untrue. At the start of 1970s (What is Gentrification 2003), the urban life began to revive, and one finds most of the cities thriving once more and with more vigor. What we find here is Gentrification. It means the arrival of a wealthier lot in the already existing urban areas, thus changing the character and culture of the city (What is Gentrification, 2003). The effects of gentrification can be varied and complex, and have raised conflicting views.
The process of gentrification is characterized by several changes in the demographics, real estate markets, land use, as well as culture and character (What is Gentrification, 2003). The essay looks into the gentrification in Tremont, Ohio City and the impacts it has had on the city.
The thesis statement
There are several aspects of the gentrification, and most of these are desirable. After all, everyone would like to see new investment in infrastructure and a rise in the economic activity in their neighborhoods. Still, many of these benefits are often enjoyed unequally by the new arrivals while the established often get marginalized economically and socially. The Gentrification in Tremont/Ohio City certainly doesn’t affect the residents negatively, and one finds that the economy in the area has improved significantly.
Summary
Ohio City is known be a hip pedestrian friendly place. It boasts of some great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife (A Complete Cleveland Neighborhood, 2014). Thus, it is no surprise to see why people would want to live here. Parts of Cleveland are fast turning more attractive to home buyers, and there are plenty of reasons behind. This is a much-gentrified area and is still undergoing gentrification. People can buy homes that are close to their work and thus convenient to live in. If you are still not able to find what you are looking for in the Ohio City, chances are that you are sure to find the property you are seeking in the surrounding gentrified neighborhoods, which are a mixture of wealthy and poor (Gentrification in Ohio City , 2013). One of the great aspects about the city is that it offers a mixture of houses with character and history.
The Rise of Cleveland
Ohio has long been the quintessential blue-collar American city that has undergone a series of transformations and in quick successions. The high-technology sector and cultural consumption have thoroughly restructured the Midwestern economy (Warf & Holly, 1997). The decentralization, population rise, and a poor reputation led to population loss in the 1970’s and 80’s. The city underwent changing circumstances in the 20the century. From 1870 to 1930, Cleveland saw a decadal growth. It was during the Post-World war II era (Warf & Holly, 1997), that the city saw a boom. Manufacturing in an array of industries created a huge number of jobs. The dramatic restructuring in the 1970’s in the Metro region saw complete privatization and largest losses. The downturn in jobs was followed by demographic losses, and the housing values went into a decline. By 1987, the poverty rate was up from 37 to 40% (Warf & Holly, 1997).
There was a widespread restructuring of US economy in the US in the 1980s. In the 1990's, Cleveland enjoyed an abrupt reversal in status, and there were several factors behind this including re-industrialization. The globalization of US economy too played a role in Cleveland’s renaissance. Today, it has emerged as a center of cultural consumption and enjoys the reputations of a “Comeback City” (Warf & Holly, 1997). The rapid growth of suburbs and gentrification has resulted in the exodus of middle-class whites.
The demography of Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio City is situated just west of Downtown Cleveland and is home to about 9,000 residents (A Complete Cleveland Neighborhood, 2014). The completely urban neighborhood offers more than what you expect and is sure to meet all your needs. Cleveland's Public Market and West Side Market are very popular, and so are the small businesses and celebrated restaurants (A Complete Cleveland Neighborhood, 2014). Tremont is a popular neighborhood in the city of Cleveland, Ohio and the Holiday Season here brings together everyone as a community. There are important meetings and club gatherings held that are enjoyed by all. Tremont, Ohio City is one of the most diverse and the community is made of African Americans, American Indians, Hispanic along with the White (A Complete Cleveland Neighborhood, 2014).
While the city of Cleveland on the whole has been experiencing a loss in population in the past several decades, Ohio City is one of only three Cleveland neighborhoods that gained population in the past ten years. Ohio City also indicated a 16% growth among ages 18–34 and 42% growth in ages 60–64.
Comparing the populations in different parts of the cities, it is clear that the population is on a steady rise (Cleveland, Ohio (OH) Zip Code Map, 2014). Estimated median house/condo value has risen tremendously, and so has the median household income. The charming neighborhoods here carry their own unique character (Cleveland, Ohio (OH) Zip Code Map, 2014), and you will come across trendy residential places with world-class entertainment and more.
Impact of Gentrification
In New York, the impacts of gentrification are loud and clear, what with the gleaming multimillion-dollar condos glaring down at dilapidated homeless shelters (Davidson, 2014) and housing developments. The social equality seems to drift away in smoke in the moral universe. Gentrification is not always a toxin (Davidson, 2014). It brings an upgrade in the quality of life and the higher food options and well-kept streets attract more neighbors and developers. Gentrification need not be inflicted on one another, but everybody shares the aspirations (Davidson, 2014). A nice neighborhood improves the urban life for everybody.
However, the working- and lower-middle class is threatened by gentrification. In order to promote stability and equality, property taxes for homeowners are getting freeze and preserve the character (Williams, 2014). Although the newcomers are needed for the vitality they add to the city, there is still a need to balance. The government funding is often spent to draw younger professionals who enjoy new bike lanes, luxury condominiums, and athletic fields (Williams, 2014). Clearly, the people who have always been here during the tough time should be rewarded and recognized even with gentrification going on.
Gentrification in Tremont/Ohio City
Cleveland is a collection of dynamic neighborhoods, and there are several new residential projects that are under construction. Gentrification is a seemingly inevitable event and offer huge benefits to those who live in and around the gentrified neighborhood. In Tremont/Ohio City, we find an increase in the property value, more jobs created (Gentrification in Ohio City , 2013), and thus provide an excellent sources of income to the lower income groups of the neighborhood. There is a rise seen in the median income and new development of luxury housing as well as a larger rise in the home prices and rents. The culture and character city takes on new ideas and opts for what is desirable and attractive.
Tremont is one of the rapidly growing neighborhoods and cities in the last five years and majority of people moving in are from outside the City. There are additional housing units coming up in the coming years. One will come across a flourishing arts and entertainment district in the center of University Circle in Cleveland (Gentrification in Ohio City, 2013). It is loved for its array of cultural and culinary destinations and makes Ohio one of the most exciting cities to live and work. The central city offers great resources and the properties in the city are cheaper than homes in suburbs outside of Cleveland (Gentrification in Ohio City, 2013). Looking at the population figures, from 1990 to 2010, the City of Cleveland shrank, but there are signs of a revival. It was the suburban areas where the growth has occurred mostly. Cleveland as a whole has seen a declining population from 2000 to 2010. Over the last two decades, the population of Tremont Cleveland has grown by 96%, and the developers are keen to meet residential demand. There has been a remarkable jump in the group aged 22 to 24-years moving to Cleveland. As the area attracts more of the young, it is likely to get positioned in an evolving knowledge-based economy (Richey, 2014).
Today, one finds that the impact of gentrification in Tremont/Ohio City has not been positive all the time. The neighborhood carries a mixture of very wealthy and very poor. The mean household income of almost half of the residents is below the poverty level, with. It is likely that some natives to Ohio City have been displaced (Gentrification in Ohio City, 2013).
Conclusion
Tremont still has the potential to grow and progress (Opportunity Corridor Project Overview, 2013).. There are plans for better mobility, economic resurgence, ecological restoration, community reinvestment and more. Cleveland’s growing health care industry and University Circle (Opportunity Corridor Project Overview, 2013).will get easier to access with an improved connectivity. 200 acres of underutilized land are already available for development, and when complete will offer new opportunities for residential and commercial developments (Opportunity Corridor Project Overview, 2013). The existing and emerging development is supported by an environment that is simply right for sustainable economic growth in the area. Enhanced economic competitiveness with improved transport efficiency, local and regional trade and investment with robust public/private partnerships, would mean higher gentrifications and more benefits for the residents, as well as an improved quality of life.
ReferencesA Complete Cleveland Neighborhood. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ohiocity.org/
Cleveland, Ohio (OH) Zip Code Map - Locations, Demographics. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/zipmaps/Cleveland-Ohio.html
Davidson, J. (2014, January 1). Is Gentrification All Bad? Retrieved from http://nymag.com/news/features/gentrification-2014-2/
Gentrification in Ohio City. (2013). Retrieved from http://socialgeographies.blogspot.in/2013/04/gentrification-in-ohio-city.html
Opportunity Corridor Project Overview. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.gcpartnership.com/See What-We-Do/Infrastructure-and-Physical- Development/Opportunity-Corridor/Project-OverviewWhat is Gentrification? (2003). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/pov/flagwars/special_gentrification.php
Williams, T. (2014, March 1). Cities Mobilize to Help Those Threatened by Gentrification. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/us/cities-helping-residents-resist-the- new-gentry.html?_r=1
Warf, B., & Holly, B. (1997). The rise and fall and rise of Cleveland. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 551(1), 208-221.
