Description. Forest Hills gets its name from the summer estate of the John D. Rockefeller which was used by his family until 1917. The area was a vacationing spot for many wealthy Clevelanders during this time period. The neighborhood began to develop intensely between 1910 and 1930 and is predominantly residential. Many of the houses are two-family structures, especially on the streets around Forest Hills Parkway in the vicinity of Arlington Avenue.
Assets. Among the neighborhood’s most significant assets are:
- the 65 acre Forest Hills Park which runs north/south through the neighborhood and provides a natural setting for Glenville High School & Recreation Center, Patrick Henry Middle School and Forest Hills Parkway Elementary
- close freeway access via the Eddy Road interchange with Interstate 90
- the Eddy Road industrial district which is home to around 20 companies
- the Garrett Square and Three Points commercial districts
Challenges. Among the challenges faced by the Forest Hills neighborhood today are:
- deteriorated housing conditions especially in the northwest portion of the neighborhood
- lack of housing for senior citizens
- deteriorated storefronts, vacant lots and unattractive streetscape in retail districts
- limited recreational amenities in Forest Hills Parkway beyond those for school-age children
Vision. Forest Hills Parkway is a unifying element in the neighborhood that can be strengthened further to create an improved sense of place and identity. Among the development opportunities and initiatives proposed for the Forest Hills neighborhood are the following:
- connect Glenville and Forest Hills residents to new recreation opportunities utilizing natural amenities such as Forest Hills Parkway
- make Forest Hills a neighborhood that is safe for residents and business
- develop an aesthetically pleasing retail environment in the Garrett Square area linking Cleveland and East Cleveland retail business
- develop new and rehabilitated affordable housing in key areas of the neighborhood to create housing stability
- link Forest Hills to University Circle through key developments along East 118 th street, Ashbury, Euclid, Lakeview and Mayfield
- regenerate the land and structure of the now vacant tops market for new retail use
- utilize multifamily structures as an opportunity to provide affordable housing options
Printable version: can be downloaded here.
Maps (current as of May 2007): Assets, Development Opportunities, Land Use (existing and proposed), and Retail Strategies are available here. (PDF)
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