Steelyard Commons?

Hey fellow Clevelanders! I've been to the Steelyard Commons a few times and I'm really glad that this new development has taken place. I also really like the SuperWalmart! It's so nice to finally have a new center of business that's accually in the city and not in a suburb!

I can't wait to see what lies ahead for both the Steelyard Commons and Cleveland (flats, RTA Euclid cooridor, etc)

What do you guys think?

I have been following a lot of major projects in the city like the Euclid cooridor, Flats development, Warehouse District development, University Circle's Uptown Initiative and a handful of neighborhood improvements in Ohio City, Tremont and Detroit-Shoreway.

I really like walkable mixed-use neighborhoods and think that's exactly what Cleveland needs, so I was disappointed when I heard about Steelyard being a big-box suburban style shopping center. But I have come to like it. It made use of a former industrial site and the site is only really conducive to that type of development anyway. Plus, they've chipped in to build the tow-path trail and they will extend the cuyahoga valley railroad to downtown Cleveland with a stop at Steelyard.

And I admit that although enjoy the urban environment and living more than than suburban living, I have liked shopping there. It is really nice to be able to shop for convenience items in those stores within the city. For a major city to have a development like that is unique, and I think it was done really well. You actually can't find a single development with that large of a conglomorate of stores anywhere in the suburbs.

I believe Steelyard is making Cleveland neighborhoods more attractive to middle-income people.

I'm not sure I like the "Wal-Mart effect" of a big-box retail moving in to the city center and forcing some of the local businesses to close because they can't compete pricewise. But, I can appreciate that people living close to downtown have a place to shop without driving to the suburbs.

Hopefully the developments in the flats, warehouse district and over off of E.12th (the "avenue" district) will be successful and encourage more and more people to come downtown.

I'm just happy to see some development occuring- the city has had a tough time economically (along with a lot of other cities) in the last few years.

I hate that Wal Mart moved there it makes our city feel like poor trash capital USA. Also the Euclid Corridor is a JOKE! Seriously, someone got electrocuted, so now instead of it being a rapid it's a big slow moving bus. RTA is about to be sued by the businesses on Euclid because they are behind schedule, it was a big waste of time and money.
I am sorry I sound so negative normally I'm all for Cleveland but I had to be honest.

Actually I love Wal-Mart! And the Steelyard is great. It brought a lot of jobs to Cleveland! They might not pay that much but at least somebody is trying to help Cleveland out a bit. A lot of people might not like Wal-Mart but if you think about it, what if we didn't have it, Where would all those people work? Factories are closing, and to get an good office job you have to have a degree!! How many people in Cleveland do you know have a degree?

Just something to think about!!