
I'm in sunny Cleveland covering the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference. It's a gathering of urban planners, advocacy groups, government officials and academics to discuss solutions to shrinking cities and economic decline. As you can imagine, it's a non-stop PAR-TAY! (That was a joke.)
Although I'm happy to see Flint's old Hyatt/convention center converted into student housing, I can't help thinking this is one conference that Flint could have landed, in addition to the Michigan Scrabble convention Michael Moore covered in Roger & Me.
I'll be here for three days, so urban planning wonks get ready for some of the posts you've been dreaming of. (Also a joke...sort of.)

Nice photos. :)
ReplyDeleteCleveland has always had something nice about it... even in the late 80's before that new stadium when everyone was saying it was such a dump. I think Cleveland has a better infrastructure for urban planning than Flint has... isn't Cleveland the one with that train that goes through Shaker Heights? I must admit I tend to get that city mixed up with those other cities in Ohio, but I think I'm rigth on that one.
Plus, it's usually an answer in Trivial Pursuit. So, when in doubt, say "Cleveland"... wait, did I just create a new marketing campaign?
Just to put things in perspective, lest we think Flint is the only place that has serious problems.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=oZzgAjjuqZM&feature=related
You are the third person I know at that conference! Must be a good one!
ReplyDeleteThe bright spot for me is Trattoria in Little Italy.
ReplyDelete