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Looking from Canal Basin Park to the south under the Detroit-Superior Bridge. The prime river-front property is mostly parking lots now. The city is currently working with developers to construct residential buildings.
The Cuyahoga River as it heads south where heavy industry has been located for the past 100 years. This photograph was also taken from the Tremont Ridge.
Another view from Tremont to downtown.
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Director, Paul Alsenas points the way to the Cuyahoga Valley's future. "It's important to realize that the idea is not to stop development throughout the Valley and region--we need that in order to survive. The idea is that whenever you build a road or bridge or bulkhead or a house or office building or any sort of structure, the idea is to have the building become a part of this urban landscape. Not something that just rests on top of it, but how does it actually enrich this urban ecology?"
A gaggle of geese enjoy the waters of the Cuyahoga near the turning basin. A good deal of wildlife enjoy the Valley--not just farther South where there are parks and reserves, but also near the industrial sites.
Now that's industry hard at work. The challenge, says Paul Alsenas, is to find ways that the by-products from one company can be recycled into something useful for another company--rather than just create more waste and pollution.
Looking south toward the ISG plants. The birds in the foreground remind us of the natural ecology that is the root of the Valley. Paul Alsenas says, "The seagulls are everywhere; they really like this environment. It's flat open so they can see their predators coming." Alsenas says he's been down in the industrial area and seen Blue Herons resting there.
Despite the heavy industry near the turning basin, signs of life are sprouting. Efforts are being made to preserve what open space there is and help rehabilitate it back to its natural state.
Further south from the industrial area, overlooking Mill Creek in Cuyahoga Heights. The area is close to some Metroparks already. By linking these open spaces with the Metroparks, we'd have more recreational opportunities--which improves the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.
Another view overlooking Mill Creek. |
