Frequently Asked Questions

What’s this tour all about?

Cleveland, Cleveland, Cleveland. Its flavorful neighborhoods and hulking brick warehouses. Its ethnic groups, corner pubs and rambling churches. Its people, who are working tirelessly, every day, to make it a better place.

Where exactly will the tour go?

Everything we visit will be in the City of Cleveland. The places we’ll go include: Asia Town, Josaphat Arts Hall, the LeBron James houses in University Circle, the Valley View HOPE VI project and Gospel Press in Tremont, the Avenue District, E. 4^th Street, the Gordon Square Arts District and EcoCity Cleveland. Haven’t heard of some of those? Get thee on the bus!

How many people will be on each tour? 

25, including two tour guides.

 Who are you?

 Justin and Erin, Emerging Cleveland founders, are students in the master’s program in urban planning, design and development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University. Both of us are making career changes. Justin was once a journalist; Erin was a graphic designer and artist. Justin grew up in the Cleveland suburbs before leaving for college and a job in New York. Erin is from southwest Michigan and has lived in Chicago and Ann Arbor.

Where do you live now? 

Justin lives in the former rectory of a church in Asia Town, just east of downtown. Erin lives in a Victorian double in Ohio City. 

How did you come up with the idea for the tours? 

It all started when Justin returned to Cleveland last year. Pleasantly surprised by the amount of new development taking place in the urban core, he teamed up with Erin to spread the word to others. 

Do tour guides get paid? 

No. We’re doing this because we’re big urban nerds. We think city redevelopment and revitalization are fun. And we hope to pass some of our enthusiasm on to you.

Do you guys think Cleveland is, like, perfect? 

No. We realize Cleveland still faces significant challenges, and on the tour we will pass through some areas that aren’t pretty as a postcard. Still, we believe Cleveland is headed in a positive direction, striving to revitalize its historic neighborhoods with ever greater resolve. 

What should I wear? 

Wear whatever is comfortable. Sneakers are probably better than dress shoes, but we won’t be doing any serious off-road trekking. Layers are good, since we’ll be getting on and off the bus.