Tracy Balata

Linkages

The Burke Lakefront project site noticeably possesses excellent locational attributes that are physically definable in respect to visual connections. In addition to the physical linkages, or connections, the site has, there are a number of economic and social linkages the project could create and enhance. These three types of linkages have been observed from the perspective of different geographic dimensions from regional, to city, to specific land use components. The information provided herein encompasses the three study scenarios and their respective land uses for aviation, environmental, housing, and business. As will be evidenced below, the magnitude of potential linkages is significant for the City of Cleveland and the regional area. In addition, since the Burke Lakefront project is actually a (potential) project nested within the larger planned Lakeshore Project, embarking on this project (regardless of which scenario) could provide immense catalytic synergism for developing segments of the Lakeshore Project - a substantial initial linkage.

Physical

The geographical perspective of the Burke site is from a regional and city view with regard to the site location and its future land components (general uses). The physical infrastructure involves transportation systems and utilities. Transportation components consist of aviation, waterway (boat and ferry); roadway (highway and streets); railway (rapid), and park trails (biking, walking, etc.). The utility infrastructure elements connecting directly to the site include provisions of service for water, sewer, power, and communications.

The aviation component of transportation links Burke with other cities, currently for primarily business purposes. Enhancing airport functions by generating a large commercial operation would strengthen national connections regionally and nationally. Potential tourist and business plane routes could include Akron, Toronto, New York, Boston, and Florida, to name a few. This project provides a tremendous opportunity to create a 'gateway' to Cleveland for air traffic.

Situating the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority facilities on the Burke site and provision of recreational mariner services would create a somewhat central place for commercial and recreational water institutions. This project provides a unique opportunity to also create a 'gateway' to Cleveland for water traffic, especially since recreational boating will likely increase as more leisure time is available and enhanced facilities promote usage. Development could provide a unique tie with the Lake Erie Cleveland shoreline and the Cuyahoga River, as well as new ferry connections to other lakefront destinations.

Highway linkages gain vehicular access to a wider region for business and work trips both from business and household functions as well as for consumer and social functions. Citywide street systems and (limited) public rail lines link the site to an incredible variety of uses within very close proximity. Street level connections are not addressed, due to the numerous sites involved and their relative obviousness.

A rail line to the Burke site would connect to existing downtown rail destinations such as Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, the Science Museum, the Browns Stadium, and the Public Square/Gateway area, enhancing Tower City retail functions. The West line links the site with Hopkins Airport that is expanding, and the Brookpark station, considered as a potential target for redevelopment. The East line that links Shaker Square would be a desirable shopping place for residents to travel door to door without weather, traffic, and parking issues that accompany most suburban mall experiences. Rail service within the proposed Euclid Corridor project would increase patronage and provide an exceptional linkage from the site to the University Circle complex - linking theaters, museums, the orchestra, educational institutions, parks, the Cleveland Clinic, etc. Future stops would include connections with future Lakefront Project destinations and the new convention center, promoting a covered travel path from their city to Cleveland's new convention center. Future rail linkages could include additional stops at certain nodes to help boost underutilized areas.

Human-powered transportation systems include a wide link with parks accessible to wheel-assisted locomotion (bicycle, roller blades, etc.) by providing designated pathways. Some of the parks linkable in the new bike district would be Gordon Park, Edgewater, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Park, etc. Walkable destinations would include the Rock-N-Roll and Science Museums, the Browns Stadium, and the Galleria. If the Galleria were to be used as a large grocery store, the increased demand from the site could make large scale financial viable and would be an excellent service for residents.

Economic

The Burke project would economically link to downtown functions and the regional economy, creating a widely encompassing public good and enhancing economic
viability. From an economic development perspective, the project would be an enormous engine of growth and create tremendous positive spillover affects via increased employment, output, earnings, and tourism. Developing a unique and significant residential community creates great opportunities to target and attract an economically desirable labor pool. This higher skilled labor force would increase the region's output and affect the earnings or income level, which equates to increase spending, and a higher portion of tax revenue. Since the core element of the economy is the workforce (households) link to regional industries, providing the desired components is essential to economic growth.

This project has the potential to be a tool for area population growth. Increasing population not only provides the direct inputs described above. One of the indirect affects is an increased need for the service sector workforce and the living requirements that accompany the increased population. Additionally the start-up entrepreneurs, students, and the less fortunate populations could be cultivated by linking with the high skilled worker via a program to enhance their skill level, hence their wage level.

Aviation enhancements that could reduce fares via scales of economy and expanded flight choices could increase future demand from business and tourist consumers and eventually exhibit a multiplier effect. Enhanced air service should also attract more conventions to bolster a new convention center.

Social

The Burke project has potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for the people interacting with the site uses. The visual linkage that could be created by developing this highly visible piece of land would be a desirable scenic experience and a source of civic pride. The general public would also benefit from the recreational uses that would be available. The park component would not only provide an enjoyable environment, it may also bring people together to socialize. Additionally, with regard quality of life enhancement, the tie with downtown and surrounding areas provides many ways to spend leisure time for a wide variety of interests. A unique new neighborhood of Cleveland would share a link with other unique neighborhoods like Little Italy, Slavic Village, Ohio City, EcoVillage, etc.