Church Uses Taking Over Poor Cleveland Neighborhoods

23 October 2005 - 7:00am

Struggling neighborhoods on the east side of Cleveland face a conundrum: how do you to spur economic development when the only tenants vying for properties are tax-exempt churches? Though spiritual beacons for many, churches create few jobs, and many are empty six days a week. Some residents pose a thornier question; with so many houses of God around, why do their communities still languish?

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Churches and their parking lots dominate some East Side neighborhoods. It's a mixed blessing at best.

Struggling neighborhoods on the east side of Cleveland face a conundrum: how do you to spur economic development when the only tenants vying for properties are tax-exempt churches? Though spiritual beacons for many, churches create few jobs, and many are empty six days a week. Some residents pose a thornier question; with so many houses of God around, why do their communities still languish?

Source: Cleveland Free Times, Oct 22, 2005
Full Story: God's Country