Abstract:
When newly elected mayor George Voinovich takes office in Cleveland in 1982, he faces the challenge of a long-declining city where development proposals have been stalled by political acrimony. Inspired by a speech by nationally-known developer James Rouse, Voinovich sets in motion a review of the city's comprehensive plan, with an eye toward gaining citywide agreement on the nature of potential development. New city planning and economic development directors undertake to create a "civic vision," a consensus about the future of the city which, once forged, would hopefully facilitate rebirth of the city's aging, often deserted downtown and its many dilapidated neighborhoods. This case tells the story of the process of seeking to create the shared, civic vision, as well as recounting the early results of the work. It invites scrutiny of the management of the planning process, with an emphasis on the treatment of the various constituencies (business and neighborhoods) involved.
