CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This week, FreshWater Cleveland is back with more storytelling from Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood in its “On The Ground” reporting series. Cleveland.com is amplifying the coverage.
Fairfax, a historic area, is experiencing a lot of change. The neighborhood is impacted as the Cleveland Clinic continues to expand, and as the Opportunity Corridor takes shape.
“We’re going to be looking at these major projects taking place, such as Innovation Square and the Clinic’s continued expansion -- but also the people who have lived there for decades and these important historical places like Karamu House and these various churches that have been there for generations, and how they continue to stay strong and thrive as the landscape in Fairfax changes dramatically,” said the publication’s managing editor Jen Jones Donatelli.
The “On The Ground” series for Fairfax will continue for 13 weeks, skipping the week of Labor Day.
Keep up with FreshWater’s storytelling here.
Read FreshWater’s most recent reporting:
Fairfax workforce program makes believers out of job seekers: Fairfax—and Cleveland overall—faces issues of unemployment and underemployment, but the numbers are improving thanks to programs like the Fairfax Workforce Development Program. With focuses on job acquisition and retention, the program works with residents throughout their entire job search process. Read more here.
While other schools are shrinking, St. Adalbert expands: Many schools in Cleveland are experiencing low enrollment, but St. Adalbert Catholic School has nearly doubled in student population size since 2012. St. Adalbert President Jim Smith—who served as principal for the last eight years—attributes the school’s success to leadership and collaboration. Read more here.
Two Fairfax innovators prove that ideas can be homegrown: Two longtime residents of Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood—Delesia Robinson, a registered nurse, and Tim Willis, a self-taught engineer—have developed innovative ways to address the unique needs of their community. Read more here.
Let’s ride: This unique bike tour gave Clevelanders an up-close look at how Fairfax is on a roll: On Aug. 22, FreshWater Cleveland partnered with The City Club and Bike Cleveland to host a “Ride + Learn” event centered on the future of Fairfax. More than 25 riders from around the city gathered to take a curated 2.8-mile tour of the Fairfax area—followed by a Q&A panel at PNC Fairfax Connection with neighborhood leaders Denise VanLeer (Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation) and August Fluker (City Architecture). Read more here.
Fresh food takes root in Fairfax: Fairfax has been labeled a food desert, but that may be starting to change. Residents are banding together to provide healthy food options to the community. PNC Fairfax Connection, The Fairfax Learning Farm, and other local entities are part of an ever-expanding effort promoting nutrition education in the neighborhood. Read more here.
Building community through art: An expression of Fairfax’s vitality: One of Cleveland’s most culturally relevant neighborhoods is experiencing a resurgence of art through efforts to revitalize the community. Fairfax has made a significant impact on art and culture both locally and nationally. From Karamu House—America’s oldest black theatrical institution—to the recent addition of green spaces with an artistic flair, the community is gathering around a central idea: Art is important. Read more here.
It takes a village: Fairfax’s efforts to attract families for generations to come: Fairfax’s roots run deep. As the neighborhood undergoes a renaissance, projects like Griot Village and Innovation Square are serving not only to attract new residents but to convince the next generation to make Fairfax a permanent home. Read more here.
These six historic churches in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood are simply divine: The Fairfax neighborhood is home to some of Cleveland’s most awe-inspiring architecture and sacred landmarks—including the city’s oldest African-American church. Even as the Fairfax landscape changes dramatically, these historic churches stand strong as centers of community and important staples of the area. See photos and read more here.
Why the Fairfax community is fighting to keep Bolton Elementary near the neighborhood: Facing below-capacity enrollments in many of its schools, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District is preparing for school closures, consolidations and relocations. Fairfax residents are still fighting to get Bolton Elementary, a new public school, constructed in the neighborhood. Read more here.
Hats off! Cleveland Clinic Louis Stokes Internship celebrates its first cohort of graduating seniors: The Louis Stokes Internship Program honors the legacy of the late Congressman Louis Stokes. The program first launched in 2016, open to high school students residing in Cleveland and East Cleveland. It gives participants an up-close look at the business-related and non-clinical areas of healthcare via paid internships at the Cleveland Clinic. Read more here.
Portrait of a neighborhood: Fairfax is ready to enter its long-awaited renaissance era: For the last two decades, Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood has been master planning for a renaissance—and now its golden age is in sight. With an ideal location on the $331 million Opportunity Corridor and an array of developments and initiatives coming to fruition, the area is preparing to round the bend on a four-pronged Strategic Investment Plan that began in 2008. Read more here.
How Cleveland Clinic and Fairfax are reinventing their relationship for a brighter future: Many Fairfax residents have felt threatened and displaced by the Cleveland Clinic’s expansion of its main campus. Back in December, they voiced their concerns with leaders of the Cleveland Clinic, aiming to create community-focused solutions. Read more here.