Enough with the Studies Already
So another study tells us that Cuyahoga County is losing 15,700 residents a year beginning in the year 2000. Of that 15,700 approximately 12,000 resided in Cleveland before moving out of the county. Of that number, many do not stay within the borders of Ohio but move to other states. We needed another study to tell us this fact?. We don’t even need a study to tell us why they are leaving, we know that too. It is the lack of jobs. We don’t need another “stinkin’ study we need some investment by the business community to create job opportunities right here in Cleveland. How about a study that engages the existing businesses in the area ? Ask them what they need to expand their operations. Ask them how they could employ more people. Ask them what types of employees and markets they need to exist and expand. Ask new businesses what they need to prosper quickly. Is it time for local production for local consumption? Is there a way to capitalize on the high cost of fuel? Is there a way to expand the trades industry since that is one industry that cannot be outsourced? Is there a way to readapt what we have–schools, warehouses, hospitals? Is it time to improve the existing housing stock rather than building new and allowing the old to lie fallow for years bringing down values all around the vacant eyesore.
For years, Tom Bier has been telling us that we are looking at the wrong indicators that we need to begin adapting and inventing new uses for old buildings so that we wouldn’t have what we have today. He has told us for years that we have a surplus of housing that would end up being a huge, huge problem. But do we listen. No, we stick our heads in the sand and continue on our merry way until today, today we are forced to stop, evaluate, and ask, what now?
This rant brought to you by this article in the Plain Dealer.