This activity fueled dramatic growth and established Cleveland as a national center of industry and commerce. What was once a civic embarrassment, is now a source of pride and economic development. The turning point was transforming the Cuyahoga River from an industrial sewer into a healthy river. Since the 1970's, the Flats has undergone a stunning transformation from a manufacturing and distribution center to a unique, mixed-use district which combines restaurant, entertainment and even housing with industrial and transportation activity. In short, the Flats has become the region's entertainment Mecca.
Good planning is the foundation for physical and economic development.
In 1986, the Flats Oxbow Long-range Development Plan was published. It received immediate recognition for its appropriateness and quality. The funding and implementation of the capital projects listed in the Plan Update is the focus of a cooperative effort among the Flats community, city, county, state agencies and private developers. Bottom line, this planning and implementation strategy has worked. Many downtown projects are complete or have gained a strong foothold on their climb to achieve their development vision.