Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By simmons on June 30, 2017

Beachwood celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015 and the city doesnt appear to be slowing down as one of the most sought-after communities to live in and to work in.

Beachwood was founded as a village in 1915 and became a city in 1960. Today, Beachwoods population is just under 12,000, according to the 2010 U.S. Census and 89.5 percent of the residents are Jewish, according to the 2011 Jewish Federation of Clevelands Greater Cleveland Population Study.

Beachwood Mayor Merle S. Gorden and city building commissioner Bill Griswold both said the city plans to continue to develop as the city and its residents thrive best in change and embrace it as well. Griswold said this inspires potential developers to want to be here as well.

The city has laid the groundwork over the years to make people want to build here, he said. Its about the location and our three exits off of I-271. Most of our commercial buildings are focused off that I-271 corridor.

Gorden said the construction boom has to do with the citys location and access to Interstate 271.

Exits at Cedar Road, Chagrin Boulevard and Harvard Road are among the busiest in Northeast Ohio and Gorden has said more than 100,000 people come into Beachwood on a daily basis to either work or shop there.

Gorden said the city is not afraid to talk about its success, which encourages developers to build here.

We are one of the only municipalities that have three interchanges, which is unlikely in other communities, he said. Along with (I-271), our willingness to be in the public eye to talk about our community and successes has allowed us to bring new businesses and retain those businesses in the community.

Residential development is on rise

Griswold said as Beachwood grows as a staple in Northeast Ohio culture, so does the need for residential housing and accommodations. The city has many different new and existing housing and living options within its 5.34 square miles, like The Vue at Chagrin Boulevard and Richmond Road, the Four Seasons near Beachwood Place, DeVille Apartments at Chagrin Boulevard and South Green Road and the The Aster, which is under construction on Park East Drive.

Weve had a significant increase in our residential living, like new construction and remodeling, he said. People have been purchasing some of our old housing as well and will tear it down. Thats how much people want to live here. Weve had a significant amount of that happening.

Gorden said Beachwood is set to continue to develop its living accommodations as people continue to flock to the city because of its work, play, live quality along with adapting to changes in the average lifestyle of a family. He also noted families are renovating or demolishing and rebuilding homes to adapt while they change. He said Beachwood is perfect for those families.

Homes that are older here are being raized and those families are doubling or tripling (the size of) those homes, and I dont see that pattern slowing down, he said. Lifestyles are changing and families with more than one breadwinner being common. We have amenities and opportunities for those families.

Other communities learn and mirror

According to Gorden, as the city grew, the need for the area to reflect the lifestyle of the people living there became evident. Most residents identify as upper-middle class, he said, and the city has displayed the ability to build and accommodate for the needs of its residents.

I am not saying were better than everyone else, but we have become a dominant leader and force for new businesses to consider (the area) and existing ones to expand, he said. One of the major businesses, the Eaton Corp., decided they wanted to move away from downtown and I was able to convince them to remain in Northeast Ohio and to build in our community.

Other businesses have been able to develop and redevelop in the area because of the support they get from the local government and citizens. Omnova relocated from Fairlawn to Beachwood, Yours Truly on Chagrin Boulevard recently completed a renovation of the restaurant and The Container Store opened at LaPlace earlier this month.

In addition to LaPlace at Cedar and Richmond roads, Gorden touted the citys other major shopping centers Beachwood Place at Cedar and Richmond roads and Pavilion Shopping Center on Chagrin Boulevard.

The development of our shopping amenities have been magnificent, Gorden said. Surrounding communities have seen what is happening here and have learned from us. Our growth pattern is amazing to us we dont like saying no.

Health care at forefront of development

As Beachwoods growing population continues to age, the city has been able to accommodate the changing needs. Gorden said as families flock to Beachwood for the various housing opportunities, the city also works to retain those families throughout their entire lives by implementing more health care facilities, developing rehab hospital and plans for a micro hospital. The 25-bed micro hospital, focusing on quick care and keeping residents out of lengthy hospital stays, is planned for Chagrin Boulevard and Richmond Road.

Beachwood is also home to Menorah Park and Montefiore, which both offer senior services.

Residents and workers have benefitted from having University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center in the city.

Families can live here their whole lives, Gorden said. Its just fact. I know people who have lived in this community for 50 to 60 years and that is because of our health options in the community.

These facilities and future facilities have given residents opportunities that do not exist in other communities in the same way. When people move to Beachwood, they are not looking to move elsewhere.

Griswold agreed the demand for the health and wellness facilities in Beachwood could be directly attributed to the demand and needs of the citys residents. Though he spoke about the rehab clinic and the micro hospital as projects driven by outside forces, its a great addition to the city and those surrounding Beachwood as well.

The impact on the neighborhood (those facilities) will be in is minimal, he said. But the impact on the residents of the city and the ability to provide health care that is close to them and other cities is great.

The Jewish Influence

The city is home to many Jewish organizations and agencies, including the Jewish Federation of Cleveland on Science Park Drive, the Mandel Jewish Community Center on South Woodland Road and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage on Richmond Road.

The city is home to many Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagogues.

The Cleveland Jewish News is located on Commerce Park Drive.

BEACHWOOD BETTER THAN EVER

Griswold said the development boom has been in the making over the last 10 years and even if didnt appear obvious, it was happening behind the scenes. He said there has been more than $8 million of development recently in the city.

When the recession occurred in 2008, Griswold said, like everyone else, Beachwood took a hit, but came back better than ever.

We really shouldered through better than many communities had the opportunity to, Griswold said. We didnt let that time be a big pause for us.

Gorden, who is running for a sixth term in November, said as the city continues to grow, he doesnt see it stopping as long as he is mayor and making growth happen.

We are not just looking at today, but we are focused on what is coming to (Beachwood) down the road, he said. We want to be a position of leadership in this area. I would say (the construction) says that Beachwood will always welcome change. Thats what defines us our ability to adapt.

The proof is here. The residents are happy, the business community is happy. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, and we embrace that. Were just getting into an era now about what we need to do in the future for the city. We need to continue to move and look forward.

Griswold said as the development boom continues, the business climate and success of city would be inviting for developers into the foreseeable future. And though right now a lot of the development is focused on new structures, Griswold said there are a lot of opportunities for redevelopment as well.

We have opportunities in terms of other areas in the city like Commerce Park, he said. There is interest locally and nationally to come into the city to buy an existing building and to update them. Itll draw in a great mix of business, medical and retail (development.) We want people to know that we want them to come to (Beachwood) to grow a business and family, and to enjoy all of the benefits of the city.

See more here:

Building in Beachwood | Destination | clevelandjewishnews.com - Cleveland Jewish News

Category: Jewish Heritage Month
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