Form Based Code: A tool to create vital neighborhoods?

The City of Cincinnati is looking at a new way to create sustainable neighborhoods as the City Council approves $50,000 towards the development of neighborhood-based form based code. The posting Cincinnati form based codes initiative moves forward by Building Cincinnati explains that "Form-based codes are different from conventional zoning methods because they emphasize a building's form, massing,and relationship to the street and other buildings, instead of focusing on land uses." Other cities are closely watching Cincinnati and may advocate to form based codes in their own area. The post Using Form-Based Code to create 'places that matter' by For the Love of Dayton outlines Cincinnati's activities and wishes to see them replicated in Dayton.

Although the type of code offers more predictable development patterns that infuse buildings into the street in order to create a walkable, compact neighborhood.

There are precautions to keep in mind; one of which is that the quality of development outcomes is still dependent on civic engagment. The quality and objectives of the community plan that a code will implement, will determine the quality of the product (ie the neighborhood).

Sustainable urban growth or moving traffic: Where does ODOT stand?

The Federal Government is giving states a lot of money for transportation projects that promote sustainable development and alternative transit options. However, the rapidity of which the money was given out has caused much of it to go into projects that will increase sprawl. Some people in Cleveland are wondering how much ODOT is looking into building transit that will have a positive effect on the economy versus expanding highways just to help move traffic and possibly subsidize sprawl. Read the GreenCityBlueLake blog posting "A New direction for the Innerbelt" for more information and feedback on this issue.

Greater Ohio to speak at "Building Our Future Beyond Foreclosure"

This Thursday, April 23rd, Lavea Brachman, Co-Director of Greater Ohio will present at The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Forum Program Series: Building our Future Beyond Foreclosure: Setting the Stage, Beating the Odds in Cleveland. Building our Future Beyond Foreclosure The foreclosure crisis in Cuyahoga County did not happen overnight. Similarly, the strategies for moving our communities and residents Beyond Foreclosure will take time to evolve. Over the coming year, the Levin College Forum will focus on strategies, tactics and projects that are new, creative, environmentally sustainable and invigorating to the marketplace. Challenging times are not new to Cleveland, and on this issue, where no roadmap exists, we have an opportunity to create a new path to our future. What do we want the 2020 census say about our region, our cities, our residents and our neighborhoods? What are the tactics and strategies we can employ now to make this happen?

Be part of the conversation, connect with policy makers and rebuild Northeast Ohio’s cities.

About this forum This forum will highlight existing civic visions and plans for the Northeast Ohio region and the state. A moderated discussion will draw out a framework for “Building our Future” around the issues of: • Land use and planning • Equity • Governance• Environment • Education • Industry/new economy/jobs

Panelists • David Beach, Director, Green City Blue Lake Institute, Cleveland Museum of Natural History • Lavea Brachman, Co-Director of Greater Ohio and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution • Andrew Jackson, Executive Director, Commission on Economic Inclusion and Senior Vice President, Greater Cleveland Partnership • Robert B. Jaquay, Associate Director, The George Gund Foundation and Vice President, Fund for our Economic Future • Wendy Kellogg, Ph.D., Professor, Urban Planning and Environmental Studies, Blue Ribbon Task Force member, Ohio Balance Growth Vision Moderator: Dan Moulthrop, Host and Producer, The Sound of Ideas™ and ideastream™

Click here to register

When the going gets tough, the artists get creative in Cleveland

Everyone knows about the troubles Cleveland and Detroit are facing due to vacant and abandon properties. However, the news often forgets to highlight the innovative practices people are employing in order to fix the situation. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal decided to focus on one of the many positive activities that artists are doing to restore prosperity to these hurting cities in the article Artists vs. Blight Artists in Cleveland have decided to look at vacant properties as an opportunity to create galleries and creative workspace at an affordable price. "n neighborhoods pocked by vacancies, artists have started filling the void. Last November, Katherine Chilcote, a local painter, bought a boarded-up, bank-owned house for $5,000 in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, where one in four family homes has gone into foreclosure in the last three years. Thieves had stolen the doors, punched out windows and ripped out all the pipes, sinks and electrical wiring. Eight cats had moved in.

The 29-year-old artist and four friends spent months ripping up moldy carpet, laying down new tiles and hardwood floors, repairing walls and stripping peeling paint. She bought the empty, weed-filled lot next door for $500. She plans to build a sculpture garden there, with large, whimsical mobiles that twist in the breeze. She's applying for grant money from the Cleveland Foundation to turn four more vacant houses in the neighborhood into artist residences and studios." Read the entire article

Although times appear desperate at the moment, it is important to get site of the opportunities available in times of distress and follow the example of innovative people such as the artists in Cleveland, Ohio.

Click to learn more about artist events and activities in Cleveland

To read more information about what Greater Ohio is doing to revitalize Ohio's Communities click here to visit our webpage.

Newark, Ohio makes National News

The New York Times this week used Newark, Ohio to highlight the woes that many Mid-western, post-industrial cities are facing with the loss of manufacturing jobs and the economic recession. The article, This Land-At an age for Music and Dreams, Real Life Intrudes, imparts two very important messages, firstly; earning a livable salary requires at least a high school education and more and more an advanced degree and secondly; if the state does not step in and help these cities revitalize, Ohio will lose more creative thinkers, like Tiffany Clay, as financial distress overshadows innovation. There are three parts to this story click on one of the following to view the: Article; Video; or Slideshow

Findlay Ohio is the Spotlight

Last month Business Facilities magazine wrote an article highlighting the positive aspects of Findlay, Ohio. The article, Metro Spotlight: Findlay, Ohio argues that the city offers a comfortable, small town atmosphere and the benefits of a big city in regards to workforce, the health care industry and business development. Not only does the Findlay area have several higher ed institutions which work closely with the local businesses, it is also home to several international businesses. "Findlay is truly an international business center. In addition to the many U.S. based companies, seven Japanese companies, two Canadian firms and three German enterprises are located in its business and industrial parks. Foreign Trade Zone 151 offers advantages to companies operating throughout the world and creates a diverse business culture that enhances this historic community." Read the full article

New Report Presents 26 Recommendations for State Action

Greater Ohio and the Brookings Institution on Friday released a series of action items designed to address Ohio’s growing foreclosure crisis. Contained in a draft paper authored by national housing expert Alan Mallach, titled “Addressing Ohio’s Foreclosure Crisis: Taking the next steps,” the action items outline 26 specific recommendations for state level policy changes. The paper, which will be formally released by Brookings later this spring, details current conditions and the actions the state has already taken to address the crisis, followed by a discussion of areas for future action. The release of the paper comes at a critical time.  Ohio now has the 3 rd highest foreclosure rate in the United States. Thousands of Ohioans have already lost their homes through foreclosure, and with statewide unemployment running above the national rate, thousands more are likely to experience this loss before the crisis has run its course. Greater Ohio is in the process of reaching out to key members of the General Assembly to incorporate various aspects of the paper into legislation focused on state action.

Click here to view the full newsletter article and download a copy of the report by Alan Mallach, Addressing Ohio's Foreclosure Crisis: Taking the next steps

And the Suburbs Continue to grow...

More disheartening news about sprawl and development that goes against Smart Growth Principles:

• USA Today Jobs continue shift to suburbs from suburbs

"Opportunity-seeking urban dwellers, get ready to start padding that commuting budget. Private sector jobs are continually moving out of city centers to further-flung suburban areas, according to a report out today from the Brookings Institution, an independent public policy institute.

All but three of the 98 major metro areas studied showed a drop in the share of jobs located within 3 miles of downtown, even though the overall number of jobs in those areas increased slightly during the 1998- to-2006 study period."  Read the full article

• The Wall Street Journal In the Exurbs, the American Dream Is Up for Rent

"The Disciannos moved from Aurora, Ill., to their home here in Plano three years ago, lured to the outermost fringes of suburbs, known as the exurbs, by the promise of owning their first home. Today, their credit is shot and they no longer own, but Ms. Discianno still has a four-hour commute.

The Disciannos are among many exurban families losing their homes and their grip on the dream of home ownership. The exurbs were among the fastest growing counties during the boom -- entire civilizations built around the idea of owning real estate. With home prices falling and unemployment rising, more people are renting -- just as they had before the boom -- and turning the community into a rental economy." Read the entire article

But there is some light at the end of the tunnel:

The Columbus Dispatch A bright spot in Ohio

"The babies just keep coming in Franklin and Delaware counties, again making central Ohio the growth region in a state that's barely been avoiding a population decline.

Franklin County alone added more people than Ohio did last year. And that local growth has been driven by the "natural increase" in population -- births minus deaths." Read the full article

Job Sprawl...the lastest phenemonon

The Brookings Institution recently released a report on "job sprawl" or communities where jobs moved farther away from city centers between 1998 and 2006. The goes directly against the principles of Smart Growth and the policies that the Restoring Prosperity to Ohio Initiative is trying to implement. Spacial Mismatch, a phenomenon which occurs when the employment opportunities for workers are located far away from where they live. This often affects low-income workers the most as the travel costs affect them the greatest.

An article in The Plain Dealer, Northeast Ohio jobs move farther away from city centers, study finds outline more of the effects of sprawl and the study:

Elizabeth Kneebone, the report's author, said many people realize that urban sprawl hurts the environment and the tax base of cities. "Now we must recognize what job sprawl means for the economic health of the nation," she wrote.

Robert Puentes, a Brookings senior fellow, added: "Allowing jobs to shift away from city centers hurts economic productivity, creates unsustainable and energy inefficient development and limits access to underemployed workers."

Cleveland Councilman Roosevelt Coats said some of these workers are residents of his South Collinwood ward. Many don't have cars to get to suburban jobs, or they face bus rides of nearly two hours to places like Solon. Long commutes with bus changes leave these workers vulnerable to fatigue and tardiness, which could cost them their jobs -- especially in a recession.

Click here to read the Brookings study.

More info on New Schools, New Neighborhoods in Toledo

Greater Ohio recently sent out our April newsletter that highlighted the innovative activities occuring in Toledo, Ohio. One program we mentioned was the New Schools, New Neighborhoods initative which seeks to rebuild neighborhoods. For informaiton on this initative I encourage you to check out the Toledo Free Press blog, Initative seeks to rebuild neighborhoods, which discusses the program and its progree in-depth.