Townhome Trouble in Cleveland
Throughout Cleveland, the rise of multifamily housing has been evident in every community over the last decade. From the redevelopment of urban areas such as Gordan Square to the infill of townhomes in previously unoccupied lots in surrounding suburbs, post Great Recession home construction has increasingly become occupied with alternatives to single-family homes. This diversification of the housing market provides new options for many people, but often lacks integration with the development’s encompassing neighborhood. The article explores this issue in one of Cleveland’s suburbs.
In Rocky River, Astor Place and Beachcliff Row I and II are three prime examples of contemporary townhome developments. They place little regard to the surrounding community. Between Linda Street and South Kensington Road, there are three separate townhome developments, a gas station, a vacant lot, and a standalone restaurant. The sporadic zoning of the lots on this section of Lake Road distracts from its beauty. In Lakewood, the same street, known as Clifton Boulevard, is almost exclusively residential, except for government institutions such as schools and firehouses.
Ideally, the three developments and vacant land could be merged into a thoughtful neighborhood. Cities should be designed with master plans in mind. Architectural catastrophes such as suburban McMansions and cul-de-sacs should be avoided at all costs. Rocky River, a portion of the original Rockport Township, is immersed in history and thus has the responsibility to continue thoughtful construction into the 21st century.
By encouraging a similar development to connect the roads and walkways inside Astor Place and Beachcliff Row, the incorporated nature of a proper town can be gained. The diagram above proposes a basic solution to this issue. The blue represents future townhomes to infill the old gas station, and the green represents new community parks. The roads would be unified and bridge the previously isolated homes.
This is only one section of what Eastern Rocky River could become over the next decade. My next article will explore ideas and proposals to improve the city’s border with Lakewood. Rocky River can become a community that embraces architectural beauty. Now, will it?
