Planning Northeast Ohio's Future
Posted byChris Thompson - 03.25.2011
Northeast Ohio is home to three of the nation's largest 100 metropolitan areas (Akron, Cleveland and Akron) and two other large metros (Canton and Mansfield). Having so many large metropolitan areas in a relatively small area creates the need for more coordinated planning and that is one reason the federal government last year awarded $4.25 million to the region to implement a cooperative regional sustainability plan.
This month a consortium of 20 plus communities partnering on that plan announced hiring Hunter Morrison, a long-time planner who has worked in Cleveland and Youngstown, to serve as project director. Medina County Commissioner Steve Hambley will serve as chairman of the consortium and Jason Segedy, director of hte Akron Metropolitan Areas Transportation Study, will serve as vice chairman.
One of the issues the consortium will undoubtedly address is whether and how to help the region's urban cores redevelop abandoned properities. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy recently announced a new initiative to revitalize vacant land in Northeast Ohio.
Together these two initiatives represent exciting efforts to plan for a more vibrant future for Northeast Ohio.
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