Kauffman Park - Plans to Redevelop?

[pat ballasch]

Can someone give me a little background on the park? Did someone donate the land? Have & do residents get some good use from the park? The thing about land is, it's tough to get more. Especially in an old city. My experience with potential development in Lakewood is:Someone comes up with a plan that cost's the RESIDENTS dearly. A developer may want gifts of land, tax abatement or loans through some government entity.
I've seen city studies done that look like an excuse to just give a developer what they ask for. (Lets not give away a park)
I'd like our government leaders to stop looking for projects that promise quick fixes & a bail out of poor city finances. Focus on efficiency. Know our top priorities & focus on delivering respectful, efficient services. That will require dedicated leadership in all management positions.
With an election coming up I'm asking myself: Is our city better than it was 3,4,5 or 6 years ago. NO I don't think so. However I don't hear the other 2 candidates giving me any real reason they can do better. They don't detail their personal background. They don't have actual detailed plans to make this city better. I can't believe they even know what needs to be done.
As residents we need to set & hold these people to a standard. I look forward to the debates & a posting of real promises. Actual plans for creating high quality government. And Tom George I'd like to hear how you plan to focus on quality core services. You're not there to protect city jobs if cuts are critical to balancing the budget. Asking for a tax increase isn't the answer either.Tell me how you're working on turning city hall into a well oiled machine. Pat Ballasch

[Bill Call]

And Tom George I'd like to hear how you plan to focus on quality core services. You're not there to protect city jobs if cuts are critical to balancing the budget. Asking for a tax increase isn't the answer either.Tell me how you're working on turning city hall into a well oiled machine. Pat Ballasch

There won't be anymore debates until after the primary. My guess is that there will be one tepid, underreported, unattended debate between the two survivors scheduled on a Friday at 12 noon.

The residents deserve a series of debates and discussions at different times and places so the voters can judge the candidates in person. It's not going to happen so...

I guess this forum will have to be used to discuss the challenges facing the City.

1. I would trade Kaufman Park for a new park across from the library and a multipurpose development at the Kaufman Park site in a heartbeat if: The property tax generated by the new $30 million dollar development was earmarked for a new adult size baseball park located across from Rockport and other green space and development across the City.

2. This City is run for the benefit of its employees. The residents come last. Will Ryan Demro or Ed Fitzgerald be able to challenge that reality? I have my doubts. Not because I doubt their ability or willingness to accept the challenge but because City employees have a good thing going and they won't let it go without a fierce fight. (Don't bother with the hate mail, it has no affect).

3. The Marc's Plaza is a shining example of how the City let itself be used to provide a big subsidy for a developer who is making tons of money on a project that has no resemblance to what was promised. Will the next Mayor stand up for the City?

4. The problems facing Lakewood are similar to the problems facing most other communities in Ohio. We are not alone in our predicement; we are alone in the sense no ourside entity is going to come to the rescue.

5. This City cannot stand still, we cannot denigrate every development idea, oppose any demolition of obsolete housing and expect this City to prosper.

6. Everywhere I look I see neglected opportunity.

7. NO TO ANY TAX INCREASE TO FUND THE STATUS QUO!

[Kate McCarthy]

FYI -

In any event, he stated that there were currently NO plans in the works concerning Kauffman Park, that in the event any surface there would be ample opportunity for public discussion, and that these discussions would include council and the public.

If there are no plans in the works, why did the council approve to fund a $20,000 study to determine what could be done if Kaufmann park is sold to a developer who has expressed interest in buying the park?

[Dan Shields]

Kate -

I am not aware of this study. Do you know when it was authorized, and who voted for it?


Bill -

Who said anything about 30 million dollars? I would like to know where that figure came from. Also, I don't think I'm willing to give up a nearby park for one (potential) park down near Rockport. And why should we give up a park at all? I've got kids, and I'd like to see as much green space as possible protected for them, as well as for all Lakewood families. Have you consulted with any of the residents of Andrew, French, or Virginia as to what they would think about losing such valuable park space right in their neighborhood?

Is it all about the revenue, no matter what can be done with it? Frankly, if this park is in such disrepair, and the Little Links has become such a useless hang-out, and there is potential for development of the strip mall, why doesn't the City just create a plan that keeps the same amount of retail space, then create a new, vibrant, unique park space (keeping the same proportion of green space) that will attract families?

Maybe we can call it Central Park, if that name isn't already taken...

Dan Shields

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
Mr. Shields, would you sign a pledge to not attempt to employ eminent domain on the homes or businesses of Lakewood property owners for economic development?

I ask this question of Mr. Bullock also.

I ask this question of Mayor Tom George.

I ask this question of Councilman Ed Fitzgerald.

I ask this question of all those running for Council.

[Bill Call]

Bill -

Who said anything about 30 million dollars? I would like to know where that figure came from. Also, I don't think I'm willing to give up a nearby park for one (potential) park down near Rockport.

First, thank you for putting your neck on the line. I admire your willingness to accept the challenges of the office. The council job is not easy.

That is my low end estimate of what a mixed use development would cost at the Kaufman Park site.

The new Walgreens on Madison cost $5 million dollars to build. It's foot print is about 10% of the foot print of Kaufman Park. A new development at Kaufman park could cost as much as $50 million dollars generating $1.5 million dollars in new property taxes each year.

The $1.5 million dollars in new property taxes could generate $15 million in City money for development and or parks.

This is not about trading parks for a strip mall. It is about using City assets to acquire new development and NEW park land. Lakewood is losing population, losing its economic edge, losing its middle class, and losing its way.

A little vision could reverse all of those trends. Business as usual will reinforce those trends.

When you are elected to council will you be a visionary?

[Kate McCarthy]

I am not aware of this study. Do you know when it was authorized, and who voted for it?

Dan,

I wish I had more specifics. This study was referenced in an article in the Lakewood Sun Post in I believe the August 30 edition. As I recall the article said council unanimously approved funding the study. Unfortunately I couldn't find an electronic copy of the article. If I do, I'll post here.

[Kate McCarthy]

Here's the link to the Sun Post article.

http://www.cleveland.com/lakewoodsunpos ... xml&coll=4

[Shawn Juris]

$20,000 to try to fit a full sized field into the space of a tee ball field? Why not give me $20K and I'll happily let you know it won't fit in my backyard? Better yet, why not just tell the developer that they can build as far back as the northern most point of the parking lot and see what they come up with. There. That was free.

[Stephen Eisel]

Tape measure $6.95
Time to measure a city lot by two employees $300
The wisdom of Shawn Juris priceless

[Dan Shields]

Mr. Farris -

Could we discuss eminent domain on another thread? Maybe you can title it 'Regarding Eminent Domain'...
This has been a great discussion on Lakewood parks and on any potential development at Kauffman Park. I would be gladly give you my thoughts on this pledge question, but the quick answer is I will not sign any pledge regarding any issue or for any group.

Dan Shields

[Kate McCarthy]

It's September and where's the report? Will an adult hard ball park be squeezed into a little league softball site? Will an entire neighborhood be razed to create a park to accommodate Kaufmann's transfer to mixed use development? Or will the presence of street planters be counted as green space in some bureaucratic Orwellian new speak?

The silence on Kaufmann Park is really bothering me. Dan Shields a candidate for ward 2 closes his comment on this thread that he started asking for discussion around eminent domain to be moved elsewhere? Where is Tom Bullock on this issue?

Word on the street (a number of disparate people I talk to all around town...including real estate people) is that Kaufmann Park is gone to developers and any final decision will be postponed until after the elections. Could someone please go on record regarding these activities?

The potential loss of public green space in the center of town is huge and deserves open discussion. I want to hear the report we paid $20K for.

[chris richards]

I don't understand why lately it seems like we have to tear everything down and replace it with new...

The building Drug Mart is in has been able to adapt to the changing times very well, and can continue to do so. If it is an aesthetic concern, give the building a face lift. If the interior seems dated to some of the businesses there, renovate that as well. It would take less time, less money, and produce less pollution.

If Lakewood really sells Kaufman Park for redevelopment, and puts the shopping center back from the street, it breaks the image mains street Lakewood has, road side buildings and the idea of walk ability. If one sees a parking lot, one is probably more likely to want to use it. Everything is pretty much butted up to the side of the street on Detroit, it's what gives the city it's appeal, and a lack of full parking lots that cause an eyesore and congestion, like the Marcs plaza.

I don't understand why would anyone build the new library under the assumption that green space would go up across the street to make it look prettier? Architecture should in itself enhance the surrounding environment, and I agree with the previous post about the lack of landscaping in front of the library. It makes the building feel cold from the exterior.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I don't understand why lately it seems like we have to tear everything down and replace it with new...

The building Drug Mart is in has been able to adapt to the changing times very well, and can continue to do so. If it is an aesthetic concern, give the building a face lift. If the interior seems dated to some of the businesses there, renovate that as well. It would take less time, less money, and produce less pollution.

If Lakewood really sells Kaufman Park for redevelopment, and puts the shopping center back from the street, it breaks the image mains street Lakewood has, road side buildings and the idea of walk ability. If one sees a parking lot, one is probably more likely to want to use it. Everything is pretty much butted up to the side of the street on Detroit, it's what gives the city it's appeal, and a lack of full parking lots that cause an eyesore and congestion, like the Marcs plaza.

I don't understand why would anyone build the new library under the assumption that green space would go up across the street to make it look prettier? Architecture should in itself enhance the surrounding environment, and I agree with the previous post about the lack of landscaping in front of the library. It makes the building feel cold from the exterior.

Chris

Glad you signed in.

I agree with the heart of your post, but have to ask. Is the Drug Mart Plaza worth saving? That said I am not sure we will get anything better. However now is the chance to push for better.

You bring up good points, green space and a park directly opposite of the library would be a dream. some of us have asked for a walking park, with maybe a small stage like Cain Park.

I would hope you agree that when we must tear down, we as a city expect something better, and with Mainstreet, and the Historical Society, and ARB, it should fit in to where we are going.

Thanks again for signing in.

PS - 38 tickets all paid for.



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[Richard Cole]

Is anyone aware of any plan(s) in the works for Kauffman Park? I haven't heard anything.
Dan Shields

Well, we've learned of the $20,000 report.
We've learned that Main Street drawings have the plot of land listed as "Mixed Development".

This thread is interesting.

Is anyone from the current council, current Mayor, current administration going to go on the record?

The silence is deafening