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Turning Old Auto Plants Into Gold

Posted by: Tim Halbur

14 November 2009 - 1:00pm

Norwood, Ohio lost 4,000 jobs and gained an empty industrial site back in 1987 when GM left town. "In the long run, it was the best thing that ever happened," says Mayor Tom Williams.

Norwood could be a model for many towns facing plant closures today. The city was able to attract Cincinnati-based Belvedere Corp. to turn the land into a mixed-used project.

"Belvedere's $100 million Central Parke project launched a metamorphosis of the city, from a blue-collar, factory-driven locale to a town with elegant workspaces. Completed in 1997, Central Parke provides 320,000 sq. ft. of office/flex space and 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

The old automotive site attracted 80 businesses and 1,000 jobs, according to the city."

Full Story: Rust to Diamonds
Source: National Real Estate Investor, October 1, 2009
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Whaaaaaaaaat

Submitted by McMurphylives on Sat, 11/14/2009 - 18:55.

22,000 jobs becomes 1,000 jobs = best thing to ever happen?

Planetizen summaries don't always give us the facts..

Submitted by joe_planner on Sun, 11/15/2009 - 06:48.

The article says 4,000 jobs were lost in a town with a population of 22,000 (not a job loss of 22,000 as stated above - someone should actually read the article). 1,000 jobs were gained from the auto site alone, and another 3,000 jobs were gained elsewhere in the city. No net job loss + redevelopment + more diverse economy = greatest thing to happen to the city..

We regret the error

Submitted by Tim Halbur on Sun, 11/15/2009 - 08:57.

The correct number is indeed 4,000 jobs lost in a town of 22,000. I have corrected the summary.

21,000 loss

Submitted by HRPlanner on Sat, 11/14/2009 - 21:54.

Yes, those numbers are a bit unbalanced.

As one local avid gardener and farmland owner here says, many of our properties have gone from being in productive uses to consumptive.

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