Cleveland in Top 15 Cities for Growth

A recent report from Forbes lists Cleveland as one of 15 U.S. cities with emerging downtown areas and above average population growth. The downtown area’s population nearly doubled in the two decades ending in 2010, according to census data, and the area welcomed the biggest percentage increase in population growth of any district in the great city as a whole. Cleveland began revitalizing its downtown in the mid-1990s. Today, more than $3.5 billion is currently invested in furthering the area's redevelopment. The Global Center for Health Innovation and a 750,000 square foot convention center will open this summer, totaling $465 million. Roughly $200 million in mixed-use development is under way around the relocation of the Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters at Euclid Ave. Recreational projects include a newly finished aquarium, an up-and-coming recreation center and a proposed skate park expected to break ground this year. From fourth quarter 2011 through the fourth quarter of 2012, the number of housing units grew about 13%, according to the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. Another 715 units are expected to come online in 2013. One of the main factors businesses consider when deciding on where to relocate or expand is the available pool of college-educated workers. That fact has cities competing for college-educated residents. This desired demographic tend to want to live in tight-knit urban neighborhoods that are close to work and have many entertainment and shopping options within an easy walk. This is one of the reasons many city planners are dumping money and resources into revitalizing their core business districts. The report by Forbes goes on to say that the cities that capture this mobile, college-educated group will accelerate economic progress in their cities for the foreseeable future. Carol Murphy Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West ~ Carol Murphy Team Cuyahoga & Lorain County Information Northeast Ohio Homes For Sale