The Heinen’s closure should not be mistaken for evidence of a new downward trend or a verdict on Downtown Cleveland’s future. It is stronger than the headlines imply, yet more fragile than the cranes suggest. The closure is the latest expression of a challenge that has defined Downtown for generations.

The rebirth of Cleveland's Flats is becoming a case study in post-industrial urban revitalization.

In Cleveland, nearly every conversation about development and public investment eventually finds its way to the same battlefield: Downtown vs. the neighborhoods. It is often passionate, and at times, it is necessary. But too often, it begins from a false premise.