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May 15, 2014An announcement was made in March that an $88,000 grant was awarded for the revitalization of East 185th Street (read article here). A group of nine VASJ students had the unique opportunity to conduct research and make recommendations for the project.
The students in the Functions and Statistics class taught by Mr. Gary Minadeo ’74 partnered with Cleveland State University’s College of Urban Affairs for their senior project – research in support of the redevelopment of East 185th Street.
Throughout the semester, the students conducted surveys of the street to collect analytical data to be used to offer recommendations to the Northeast Shores Development Corp. for ways to use the grant to improve the street.
“The students really impressed me with the way they took ownership of the project,” said Minadeo. “They started to see it as 'their project' and 'their street'.”
Project Manager Warren Hudson ’14 agreed.“This was more than just a project,” he said during the final presentation to representatives of Northeast Shores, the City of Euclid, the City of Cleveland and other interested parties. “It is our home and where we grew up.”
The students addressed issues of sidewalk quality and width for walkers, safety of street crossings, landscaping, consistency of building canopies, parking concerns, and even the need for a common gathering place for members of the community to come together.
“The VASJ students really went toe-to-toe with the college students,” said Dr. Jordan Yin, faculty member of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and director of undergraduate programs.
The students gave an impressive presentation of their research findings and recommendations and represented themselves and the school very well among the college students.
“The work you did will see some real results,” VASJ President Richard Osborne ’69 told the students. “You are providing the foundation for some serious action.”
Also in attendance for the presentation was Dr. Edward Hill, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at CSU.
“This could be the best class gift you have ever given to VASJ and for that I thank you very much,” said Hill.
Representatives from the City of Euclid and the City of Cleveland felt the research recommendations had a lot of potential and both planned to bring the information to future meetings and planning discussions.
“They want to see things happen around here for the good of all people,” said VASJ’s Minadeo, chair of the math department.
Minadeo is committed to making sure the project doesn’t lose momentum and is already exploring ways he can work the redevelopment of East 185th Street into next year’s curriculum.
VASJ students involved in the East 185th street project smile for a picture with their moderators after the presentation.
From left to right: Mr. Gary Minadeo '74, Ed Beuck, Nicholas Uitenham, Aysia Barrow, Janice Miller,
Leaundria Edwards, Warren Hudson, Nolan Kreegan and Dr. Yin of CSU.
