Billions of dollars in development, redevelopment stir up dust around Cleveland

Despite stark headlines about economic woes in a shrinking city, efforts to rebuild Cleveland have hit a level not seen in decades. A survey of major projects shows more than $5 billion worth of new construction and redevelopment across the city, from the I-X Center to the former Saint Luke's Medical Center. And there are many more, smaller projects under way: An interactive map gives details.

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After decades of complacency followed by years of playing catch-up, Cleveland finally has the potential to stride forward.

At least that's how Joe Roman, head of the region's chamber of commerce, sees things. Admittedly a booster, Roman still acknowledges the city's challenges -- a shrinking population, high unemployment and the scars of years of residential and corporate flight to the suburbs.

But with big-ticket projects popping up downtown and in University Circle, the repositioning of Midtown as a possible health-technology corridor, major investments by Cleveland's hospitals and expansions of homegrown business from Miceli Dairy Products to Great Lakes Brewing Co., he sees Cleveland at a turning point -- one where detailed planning and public investment are finally bringing more private dollars to play.

"It's really fun right now in our town," said Roman, chief executive officer of the Greater Cleveland Partnership. "That doesn't mean everything is solved, but we're seeing the investment total tipped toward the heavy positive side. ... We're not fixing bridges. We're creating new addresses."

Actually, one of the largest projects is a bridge -- the dramatic makeover of the Inner Belt into two spans over the Cuyahoga River. Add that to other significant public and private projects, and there's $5.4 billion-plus in new construction or major redevelopment recently finished, under construction or planned within the city's borders.

Amid chatter about big investments in the region -- the Greater Cleveland Partnership estimates about $7 billion is being spent on major real estate, corporate and business-development efforts in Cleveland and its suburbs - The Plain Dealer looked at the landscape of some of the most notable projects, with price tags of at least $5 million.

It's not an exhaustive study. Many neighborhood projects cost far less, but they have huge impacts for residents who benefit from refurbished houses, parks, redesigned streets, public spaces and storefront-renovation programs. Other undertakings, including the transformation of a former department store into apartments at 668 Euclid Ave., were finished before 2011 - the cutoff point for this exercise.

And some plans - a master vision for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, emerging ideas for fixing up the Flats, possible paths for the Opportunity Corridor on the east side and a lakefront proposal floated by the Cleveland Browns - are still evolving, with too much uncertainty about the details or the sources of funding.