Cleveland Bike Path Plan Leaves Some Locals Unhappy

Change was slow to come to a neighborhood in Cleveland, but not everyone is pleased with what a new riverside bike path will bring with it.

1 minute read

April 23, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Cleveland, Ohio

Robert J Daveant / Shutterstock

Mark Naymik writes about the Major Hoopples bar in the Flats neighborhood of Cleveland. The working-class bar is on the Cuyahoga River in an area that had seen little change until recently.

"In the case of Hoopples, change is coming in the form of a bike path that is a part of highly touted and unique trail system slowly moving through the Flats. It will likely force change on the business that’s been largely alone on the street for nearly 40 years," says Naymik.

The bike path would eliminate 12 to 15 parking spaces on the street where Major Hoopples is located, and the owner says the lack of free parking will severely affect his business. "I was drawn to Hoopples and its amiable owner, Norm Plonski Jr., because their story illustrates concerns about gentrification that are being raised in a number of rebounding neighborhoods of Cleveland," notes Naymik.

Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Cleveland.com

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today