THE VISION ISSUE - City of Shaker Heights

From our Readers
I read the story of the Ludlow Association
and integration in Shaker Heights
(Shaker Life, August/September 2012).
It is an important story. It brought to
mind the story of my husband’s and
my purchase of a home in the Sussex
neighborhood, how the Sussex Association
was created and how integration
proceeded there.
My husband and I were thrilled to
learn about the Ludlow Association
because we felt strongly about the
moral imperative of integration. When
we were ready to buy a house, about
1959, we looked in the Ludlow area.
We found a house we liked, made an
offer on it, and were accepted. When
we returned a day or two later with our
checkbook, we were informed that another
family came after we left, offered
more than the asking price, and the
house was sold to them.
We continued to house hunt and
soon afterward, bought a home under
construction in the Sussex area.
When we informed the realtor of our
purchase, he told us we were idiots because
black people were on the verge of
buying there.
We moved into our new home on
July 1, 1961. I still live here – though
my children are gone and I’m a widow.
But I love it here.
A couple of years later, when the first
black family did buy a house in Sussex,
there was a powerful response. Many
people were upset and created a group
determined to take action to prevent
other black families from buying here.
In response, several couples who shared
our views created another group aimed
at welcoming black families but to take
action to prevent panic selling and to
create stability.
The two groups met at each other’s
homes to discuss their feelings and
attitudes. It was a fascinating experience
– listening and responding to
each other. I think it would have led
to a meltdown, except for the brilliant
and kind personality of our leader – Al
Ringler (now deceased). One evening,
the leader of the other group stretched
out his hand to Al and dissolved the
“anti-group.”
After that, we swung into action,
taking our cues from the activities of
the Ludlow Association. I am happy
to report that panic selling never took
place, though integration did.
…I have lived here for 51 years now.
It is a good feeling to be perfectly comfortable
in this neighborhood. I think
the Sussex Association, which has
morphed into a neighborhood organization
that hosts parties, block parties,
and community meetings, should
receive some form of recognition,
too, along with Ludlow – AND Shaker
Heights!
– Annabelle Weiss
Shaker Boulevard Named a
Top 10 Great Street for 2012
The American Planning Association
designated Shaker Boulevard as one
of 10 Great Streets for 2012 under the
organization’s Great Places in America
program. The APA singled out Shaker
Boulevard for its “enduring design,
multi-modal transportation options,
CITY NEWS
engaged citizens who have fought to
preserve the street’s integrity, and surrounding
community uses.” The 6.75-
mile stretch, which begins in Cleveland,
traverses Shaker Heights, and
ends at I-271 in Beachwood, has carried
millions of travelers over its 100-
year history.
Said Mayor Earl M. Leiken, “The
2012 APA designation of Shaker Boulevard
as a Great Street is especially fitting
in the City of Shaker’s centennial
year. The boulevard reflects the best of
our City’s unique characteristics – light
rail transit, lush, tree-lined streets, and
grand homes built during the apex of
American architecture.”
Among the other streets honored
were Duval Street in Key West and
Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Funds Granted for
Lake-to-Lakes Trail
The Planning Department submitted
a joint application with Cleveland
Heights seeking grant funding from
NOACA to help complete the Laketo-Lakes
Trail, a five-mile trail that
stretches across Cleveland Heights,
Shaker Heights, and Cleveland, connecting
the Shaker Lakes with University
Circle, downtown Cleveland,
and Lake Erie. A total of $540,000 has
been awarded with a required match of
JANET CENTURY
SHAKER LIFE DECEMBER | JANUARY 2013 3