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Neighbors Unite to Build Urban EcoVillage April 11, 2003 @ 8:30 PM on WVIZ Get together and you'll get the job done. It's a message we've heard again and again in our Making Change series. Throughout Northeast Ohio, people are helping to revitalize our regional economy by organizing around a common goal. Take, for instance, the residents of a neighborhood on the near west side of Cleveland. A few years ago, they joined forces to stop the RTA from shutting down a dilapidated rapid station on West 65th Street. The renovation of that rapid station became the driving force behind a new urban redevelopment project called EcoVillage. The goal of EcoVillage is to create a vital, diverse neighborhood that encourages community involvement and protects the environment. The Cleveland program is being used as a national model for teaching developers how to "build green" and create sustainable neighborhoods. Making Change correspondent Cynthia Barnes explains.  Construction crews are busy in the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood; hammering away to make these shells look like these town homes. Each town home has a price tag of about $173,000. Some of the units have English-style basements that can be used for rental or office space. After all the work is completed, 20 units will accent West 58th street, in the heart of EcoVillage. Project organizers say the construction workers are building more than houses. They’re also helping to build a bright future for this neighborhood. David Rowe, Project Manager Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization When we designed the units, we wanted to make sure we designed them that they would, when we talk about sustainability, that’s sort of a good key, it would last over a long time. CB EcoVillage grew out of an idea to construct homes that take the environment into consideration, often referred to as “green” building. And the Cleveland Green Building Coalition is a partner in the EcoVillage project. Sadhu Johnston, Exec. Dir., Cleveland Green Building Coalition Green building is a way of designing, building and operating our buildings in a way that’s healthier for human occupants and better for the environment and cheaper to build, operate and maintain in the short and long term. CB Some of the “green” amenities of the town homes include, energy efficiency, using non-toxic building materials, having pedestrian-friendly streets, allotting green space so residents can enjoy nature and incorporating solar design. DR Our architect has done some numbers that said those solar panels will probably collect up to about 80% off of the electrical load on a unit, so that will be a savings for the homeowner. CB at Rapid Station The Cleveland EcoVillage isn’t being built in a vacuum. Neighbors get to have a say about the project. Resident voiced their concerns when RTA planned to shut down the rapid station, but because of their involvement, it will now be rebuilt. Access to public transportation was a key element behind EcoVillage. Other considerations were creating a mix of homes, stores, and jobs; ethnic and economic diversity; and opportunities for residents to interact in small parks and civic spaces. St. Colman Church is a 123-year old parish in the community. Working with EcoVillage, St. Colman wanted to help make the neighborhood sustainable for its current residents, many of them senior adults. Eileen Kelly, Outreach Minister, St. Colman Church We really need to help the people who live in this neighborhood to be able to stay here if they want to and to be able to afford the housing that they need. So we’re also creating a senior housing building for 33 seniors, low income, $25,000 a year and under. CB EcoVillage organizers are working with community groups to help retain the neighborhood’s current residents while attracting new residents to the Detroit-Shoreway area. So far, the plan seems to be working. DR I think what we’re seeing is a demographic of people ohm mid 20’s ohm, in their 40’s have lived in suburbs and want to come back to live in Cleveland.” CB Maghale Gamble and his friend decided to buy a new single-family home in the neighborhood. Gamble says the home was affordable, not to mention a respite from apartment living. Maghale Gamble, Homeowner He was living in the suburbs. And I was kind of telling him to come out to Cleveland and try to help rebuild as opposed to just staying in the box, boxy-type living. CB Started as an idea in the mid 1990’s, EcoVillage embraces the concept that community organizations can bond with residents to build a sustainable urban neighborhood. The combined efforts and energy of hundreds of community members are helping to turn that idea into a reality. Manda Gillespie, Project Manager, EcoCity Cleveland “Within EcoVillage, we hope to continue this project so that in 10 yeas from now, you can walk into this neighborhood and you’ll feel that you’re somewhere different, you will feel that you’re somewhere special.” CB For making Change, I’m Cynthia Barnes. Resources:
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