Cleveland's population drop in east side neighborhoods results in cut in city council members

CLEVELAND - Roosevelt Pendleton has been a barber in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood since 1963. He blames the loss of factory jobs, housing issues and crime for causing residents to move out.

Thousands of Cleveland residents are moving to Euclid, Maple Heights, Cleveland Heights, Bedford Heights and to Cleveland's west side.

 "We’ve seen a great decline in industry jobs. Yes, it bothers me. I wish they could stay. A lot of good people have gone," Pendleton said.

Cleveland's northeast neighborhoods like Glenville, St. Clair and South Collinwood are seeing the biggest population loss. But people are not marching out of North Collinwood in Councilman Mike Polensek's ward 11.

Instead, several new restaurants are moving into the Waterloo entertainment district around Beachland Ballroom. Waterloo is also getting a $6 million streetscape renovation.

"It's going to be like the new Tremont over here," Polensek said.

Polensek has pushed for code enforcement of absentee rental landlords to keep housing stock desirable.

"But I’ll be the first to tell you, it's tough because people have options that they haven't had before,” Polensek said.

“Look at the prices of the suburbs, especially the inner ring suburbs, property wise, there as cheap as in the city of Cleveland. I think they're looking for better opportunities, better housing, lower crime and we have to offer them something and remain competitive," Polensek said.

Back in Glenville, despite challenge and change, Roosevelt is starting his 41st year as a barber.

"This is home for me. I feel comfortable here to a certain degree so that's why I stay," said Pendleton.

Now that Cleveland's population is down to 396,000 people. Cleveland City Council will be cut from 19 to 17 members by April 1.