The Future of Shaker Heights (Cleveland, Warren: house, neighborhood, good schools)

[Hans64]

I visited Shaker Heights for the first time a few years ago on a business trip. It reminded me of Grosse Pointe, MI, an inner ring suburb of Detroit that I know well. Both cities are faced with a changing population and some real challenges.

Here's my question: what do you think Shaker will represent in 5 years? In ten years? Places can change radically in a short period of time. I grew up in a northern Detroit suburb (not GP) that went from sleepy, middle/upper middle class Ozzie and Harriet Land to hip, trendy and somewhat gay in less than 10 years. How? The city of Detroit was simply too uninhabitable to allow a similar district to evolve, so the "urban" experience just decamped to the (close-in) suburbs.

Could something similar happen in Shaker? Or will Shaker be more or less what it is today?

For the record I thought Shaker was lovely and the rapid connection to downtown Cleveland was a major plus. If a suburb or neighborhood like Shaker existed where I live now (Portland, OR) it would be the most sought after address in the whole Portland metro.

So what is you opinion on the future of Shaker? Bonus points if you can guess the Detroit suburb I am referring to.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Hans64

Bonus points if you can guess the Detroit suburb I am referring to.

Ferndale? Royal Oak? I've heard that those suburbs have attracted a sizeable gay population.

[Marty711]

Like Andrew, I assume you're talking about Ferndale and/or Royal Oak. There are some similarities with Grosse Pointe, but Shaker is much more diverse in its population and housing options.

I don't think Shaker could ever end up like a Ferndale. For one thing, Shaker is quite a bit larger and its housing stock can be quite large. While Shaker has plenty of smaller properties, most young professionals aren't going to have an interest in mansions.

The other factor is that Shaker lacks a large pedestrian friendly business district. While Shaker Square borders Shaker Hts. its not very large unlike what you have on Woodward and Main.

If the Van Aken area ever does get redeveloped, that would change things dramatically. I think Shaker's future hinges on that proposal. If it gets built, Shaker will become quite trendy. If not, it will largely stay as it is today. A premier suburb that's a little rough on the edges.

[Hans64]

Interesting points. Yes, the Detroit suburb I referred to is Royal Oak (I wouldn't consider Ferndale to be middle/upper middle class then or now).

Regarding the Van Aken redevelopment proposal, are you referring to the Van Aken/Warrensville area?

I see some comparisions between Shaker and close in Chicago suburbs of Oak Park and Evanston. There are very large homes in all areas, but also modest ones that younger professionals could find manageable. Both Evanston and Oak Park are sought after as "urban" suburbs--suburban in nature but very close in.

[Marty711]

You're correct that Ferndale hasn't completely gentrified but it has felt quite a bit of spin off thanks to the boom in Royal Oak. The entire area has improved greatly since it became a haven for LGBT and a younger population. 20 years ago, I would've never considered living in Ferndale, but my views on it have completely changed.

Back on topic, Van Aken/Warrensville is the area I'm referring to. Shaker has a master plan that would turn it into a much higher density and mixed use area, tying it into the RTA station. Shaker's website has all of the details if you're interested in learning more about it. That could completely re-invigorate that neighborhood and give it some much needed new life.

[OhAcid]

Originally Posted by Marty711

Back on topic, Van Aken/Warrensville is the area I'm referring to. Shaker has a master plan that would turn it into a much higher density and mixed use area, tying it into the RTA station. Shaker's website has all of the details if you're interested in learning more about it. That could completely re-invigorate that neighborhood and give it some much needed new life.

Exciting, I've done a bit of reading on this myself and I do have to say it does sound promising. I just moved to Shaker Heights, near the rapid. It's such a beautiful area, and the quick access to downtown makes it absolutely fantastic. I think I'm going to enjoy it here a lot; trees and green space everywhere and beautifully maintained, historic buildings.

[Hans64]

Grosse Pointe is grappling with many of the same issues as Shaker and has a few that are unique to it, such as its relative isolation from other prosperous areas. I never thought I'd see the day when the asking price of a house in Royal Oak would meet or exceed that of a comparable property in GP.

Shaker is indeed beautiful, however it seems like the leadership is drawn to a lot of big scheme projects, some of which have not been very successful. There is a proposed 30% (!) tax increase that I think will dissuade many from moving to Shaker. I'm not some anti-tax diehard but when the city already has very high taxes an increase like the one proposed seems excessive.

[exit18b]

before Shaker Heights. Ferndale and Royal Oak developed due to the void that Detroit "had" in it's ability to attract the young hip crowd. Shaker is like the Points in terms of housing stock, proximity to the city, walkable and good schools.