A new student-led initiative is inviting Bedford residents to take a fresh look at the city’s downtown. Bridging Bedford, a civic planning project created by graduate students from Cleveland State University, isn’t a city-funded redevelopment effort, but rather a proposal meant to inspire ideas and renewed community engagement.
The plan was developed by Studio 17 at CSU’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, guided by professors Dr. Thomas Hilde and James Kastelic. Over several months, students conducted more than 80 public surveys and 13 stakeholder interviews with local business owners and civic leaders. They also hosted public engagement events at the Bedford Library to gather input directly from residents.
Recommendations in the plan include strategies to reduce storefront vacancies, improve walkability, and activate downtown spaces through creative placemaking. The plan also explores long-term opportunities such as redeveloping the former hospital site and launching a Main Street program to support economic revitalization.
Community feedback online reflects a mix of hope and skepticism. “What a little city with lots of potential and beautiful history,” wrote resident Lisa Joanne. Others were more cautious. “Businesses flee Bedford due to the high taxes and local demographic having little or no disposable income,” commented David Neff. “No efforts I’ve seen in the last 15 years have been successful. I wish them success!”
Though the students won’t be advancing the plan themselves, the project aims to serve as a conversation starter for Bedford’s future. View the full plan at www.bridgingbedford.com.
With community input at its core, the plan serves as a potential roadmap for meaningful downtown transformation and a testament to what’s possible through university-community collaboration.
