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. 4th 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 Jeanne, Emerging Cleveland coordinators, are Cleveland natives who have both returned to town after stints in other cities. Justin was once a journalist and is now Project Director for Building Cleveland by Design; Jeanne worked in the non-profit and public sectors and has recently completed the Cleveland Executive Fellowship. Justin grew up in Brecksville before leaving for college at Grinnell College in Iowa, and then a journalism career in New York. Jeanne is from Cleveland Heights and went to school in Pittsburgh.
Where do you live now?
Justin lives in Shaker Square and Jeanne lives in Tremont, two great Cleveland neighborhoods. Justin will move in December to the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, one block from a burgeoning performing arts district featuring a renovated 1920s movie theater and Cleveland Public Theatre.
How did you come up with the idea for the tours?
The tours were started by Justin in 2005 when he was a Master's student at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. Emerging Cleveland was created to show off the vast array of new development taking place in the urban core. Jeanne joined Emerging Cleveland in 2007 and she and Justin have been conducting tours together since then.
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.