New Art's District at Gordan Square - Danger or Opportunity?

[Bill Call]

Crain's Cleveland Business is reporting that the area of 65th and Detroit will soon see the opening of new theatre's, eateries and art galleries.

see:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage#

Assuming that there is not an unlimited demand for what is soon to be offered at Gordan Square won't this have a negative effect on the Beck?

Do dillydallying diletantes delay and deter development in da wood?

[dl meckes]

CPT and the Beck are as different as night and day in almost every possible way.

Have you ever been to the galleries in Little Italy and then to the Tremont Art Walk? Huge difference.

I see no competition.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bill

I agree with DL that it is not in competition with the Beck, which is much farther West, and a whole different animal.

But I do see it as a stumbling block for the Lakewood "Art" movement. They are at least 5 years ahead of us, funding is flowing in, and neighborhoods are rebuilding with homes and housing. Even taking commercial area and turning it into residential. Ohhh the horror. (For the record, these people will be driving 10 minutes more than Lakewoodites to get to Border's for coffee and books.)

Frustrating, yeah about as much as reading Ned Hill's dream for Cleveland. A special area just for deigners to live and work... Of course we know there is no money in art, design and some would tell you creative thinking in the wood.

If you are offended by this I probably wasn't thinking of you.


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[dl meckes]

Gordon Square is looking pretty darned nice and I hope it stays that way.

I'm of the opinion that it can't hurt to reclaim and rejuvenate cities, even if it's block by block.

Does having that neighborhood look like Cracktown help or hurt Lakewood?

[ryan costa]

The deterioration of Cleveland hurts Lakewood property values.

While 20 years ago areas like Cudell and Kamms Corners and Jefferson acted as a buffer between Lakewood and the Rest of Cleveland, today Lakewood is seen as a buffer between Cleveland and Rocky River/Bay Village.

Maybe a new wave of immigrants can fix it up. If we encourage tens of thousands of Ethnic Japanese from Peru to settle in the west side, they can clean the place up and also speak spanish.

[Jim O'Bryan]

The deterioration of Cleveland hurts Lakewood property values.

While 20 years ago areas like Cudell and Kamms Corners and Jefferson acted as a buffer between Lakewood and the Rest of Cleveland, today Lakewood is seen as a buffer between Cleveland and Rocky River/Bay Village.

Maybe a new wave of immigrants can fix it up. If we encourage tens of thousands of Ethnic Japanese from Peru to settle in the west side, they can clean the place up and also speak spanish.

Ryan

I think you might be off a city or two. We just finished a deep drill down into the economics of the retail west of Lakewood, and it is pretty amazing that while many people think what you mention is correct. The wave has passed Lakewood and we are still on firm footers, to the amazement of everyone.

Also I find it interesting that while the "pros" speak of regionalism, the residents have gone "micro-neighborhoods" much like the turn of the century. Half oc Cuddell is more strict Italian, than Little Itay. West Park, Little Mexico around W120, etc.

FWIW

[ryan costa]

Ryan

I think you might be off a city or two. We just finished a deep drill down into the economics of the retail west of Lakewood, and it is pretty amazing that while many people think what you mention is correct. The wave has passed Lakewood and we are still on firm footers, to the amazement of everyone.

Also I find it interesting that while the "pros" speak of regionalism, the residents have gone "micro-neighborhoods" much like the turn of the century. Half oc Cuddell is more strict Italian, than Little Itay. West Park, Little Mexico around W120, etc.

FWIW

That is good news.