| Vol. 1, Issue 4 | 
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| Bruce blog Welcome to the Bruce blog—a weekly update on news, events and issues affecting life in Cleveland. Reporting as it happens on transit, development, planning, environment and arts & culture. Basically, we write about creative ideas forming, talk to the people who have an inside track on the issues, and sometimes offer a commentary of our own. (For disclosure purposes, Bruce blog is a local, independent writer who also works part-time with nonprofit organization EcoCity Cleveland. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of EcoCity or any other organization).
August 10-14, 2005 London train bombing fallout: Anti-city rhetoric In a manner consistent with his colleagues at that bastion of conservative values New America Foundation, senior fellow Joel Kotkin uses the London bombings as an occasion to hammer an anti-urban life agenda. Kotkin’s article in the Washington Post is a slightly new ripple on his usual anti-city fusillades. Here’s an excerpt: “Though current fashion is to blame causes such
as energy, food and water shortages for urban decline through the
centuries, the truth is that far more cities have fallen due to
a breakdown in security. Whether the menace is internal disorder
or external threat, history has shown repeatedly that once a city
can no longer protect its inhabitants, they inevitably flee, and
the city slides into decline and even extinction.” Kotkin amplifies a shred of truth—in this case, that most middle-class families and industry have long ago been pushed to the suburbs or outsourced oversees—as evidence that cities don’t work. Bruce blog has enjoyed listening to the critique of the article in the smart growth community. One local observer notes that Kotkin fails to mention “the critical importance of advances in humanity through the preservation and creation of arts, culture, and equitable education” that happened by virtue of city life. Why does Kotkin reserve his disdain for the wealthy elite who chose to live in the city and not the overwhelming majority of the wealthy elite living in the suburbs, Bruce Blog wonders? Would Kotkin hold that the suburbs managed to transform the wealthy elite into equity-minded souls? Nationally, the article mobilized the ranks at Smart Growth America. SGA’s David Goldberg responded by offering these observations on the shifting demographics in cities:
To the point of Kotkin’s charge that cities are emptying, Joe MacDonald, a recently minted Ph.D. in Urban Planning (and co-worker at EcoCity Cleveland) points out the error in those harping on recent Census estimates as evidence of a mass flight. Based on a comparative analysis of the 1999 population estimate and the 2000 actual Census count, significant errors appear in estimates, sometimes as high as 10 percent (in the case of Washington, D.C.). MacDonald’s brief examination of 15 metro areas where borders didn’t change between 1990 and 2000 found that the Census overestimated 13 cities population loss.
Fallout II: Supreme Court nukes eminent domain The fallout over the U.S. Supreme Court decision that effectively disallows government from using eminent domain to take a blighted property for purposes tied to economic development has begun to trickle down. On Tuesday, Ohio’s House of Representatives introduced the legislation prohibiting the use of eminent domain (under Public Services, click New Introductions>House). Reviewing the case brief (type Eminent Domain in search box), Bruce blog is amazed that the high court found in favor of Kelo, the party suing the city of New London. Kelo’s attorneys argue that any public benefit seen from eminent domain (such as being a catalyst for removing blight and spurring the tax base of a city in desperate need of economic development as is the case in countless cities like New London) is subjugated to a new test: Not for any private developer’s gain, or barring that, reasonable uses (for the property) or minimum standard to ensure a public benefit comes about. Ohio’s proposed legislation calls for an outright ban on eminent domain for economic development purposes. While it’s likely that the legislation will be amended to perhaps the minimum standard rule (which other states have) the arguments of the justices highlight a number of problems for cities and the courts if legislation passes. For instance, if a minimum standards rule becomes the law, administration of the standards falls to cities and the courts, which couldn’t feasibly rule on each development’s ‘readiness’ or economic impact. The use of eminent domain has suffered some high-profile defeats (remember the West End development in Lakewood) in recent years, but to eliminate it completely ignores the economic realities of putting together the really difficult development projects in urban areas which often require assistance with land acquisition.
It's not easy being green—but it's worth it This article from the ‘liberal’ research and policy group at the Brookings Institute presents an idea of how the global economy will be affected by climate change. In one of the more compelling passages economist Bill McKibben delivers a point-blank answer: "If there is to be a widespread solution it will be based on technological innovations." Of course, while we're waiting for the "tech miracle" to emerge, we have work to do mitigating the impacts of our extravagant American lifestyles and creating incentives for those willing to take the risks on development. This will be the leavening force for change. Economists would argue that technology is where the United States can take the lead in the global economy, especially as we continue to lose our edge in labor competitiveness. McKibben agrees, adding that governments should seed the efforts of the new, green economy. The current situation is similar to the space race in the 1960s when President John F. Kennedy set the country's sights on reaching the moon. Mobilizing a massive effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil should be our federal government's highest aim, so argues a national group known as the Apollo Alliance. This environmental/unionist effort boldly claims that the new, green economy will produce 3 million new jobs and freedom from foreign oil. Ohio Governor Bob Taft's Third Frontier project and a proposed $2 billion bond issue on the November ballot are efforts toward seeding tech research and development. How much are we willing to dip out of the $500 million R&D pot to discover the energy Holy Grail? Locally, groups like Case's Wright Technology Group continue their quest for renewable energy (in this case, a marketable hydrogen fuel cell). Our role is in conservation efforts. Whether that's using compact fluorescent light bulbs, ganging up trips to the store, carpooling to work or riding mass transit, our individual efforts toward a greener society will make the largest collective impact on reducing climate change.
Biodiesel arrives at Cleveland pump This Friday, Cleveland will get its first retail outlet for biodiesel fuel, according to Great Lakes Brewing Co., a partner in the Biodiesel Cleveland venture responsible for the deal. The fuel will be sold at the Rapid Stop on the corner of East 55th St. and Payne Ave. This is the first location in Northeastern Ohio for drivers to fill up on the fuel made from vegetable oil pressed from domestic crops like soy and corn. Until now, the closest biodiesel pump was located in Norwalk, Ohio. The unveiling of this biodiesel pump at this inner-city location will be inaugurated from 9 am to noon by a convoy of diesel vehicles from NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland Metroparks, City of Cleveland, Great Lakes Brewing and HealthSpace, as well as a host of privately owned diesel vehicles. Typically blended with regular diesel, Biodiesel burns
25% cleaner, reduces smoke, eliminates the offensive smell of petroleum
diesel exhaust and reduces dependence on imported oil.
Calendar The party's in Cleveland this weekend Bruce blog is looking forward to a weekend of great events (with a purpose) in the city of Cleveland. First, on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. check out “The Great ARTdoors: Groove with a View” party on Mall B (Ontario and St. Clair). The Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland Public Art and Parkworks have organized this little shindig with entertainment from Los Angeles and Montreal-based art troupe, The Heavyweights, NYC’s DJ Language and Cleveland’s 5-piece Latin-funk ensemble, The Afrocubists. In between sets, come say 'hi' to Hotel Bruce at our table. The event is free and open to the public. On Saturday, our hometown brewmeisters Pat and Dan
Conway of Great Lakes Brewing Co. host Burning River Fest, from
12-7 p.m. at Voinovich Park, celebrating our connection to the river
and the lake. The best beer in town will be paired with some of
the best food (Lola, Three Birds, Fat Cats, etc.), and some hot
bands including the Latin funksters the Aphrodisiatics. Proceeds
will go into a local sustainability fund managed by EcoCity Cleveland,
who will be on hand to award the annual Bioregional Heroes. Check
out eco-businesses and tours of the EPA ship researching Lake Erie’s
dead zone. $5 at the door. Come out, show your support, and be rewarded with great entertainment.
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