CALL OUT TO POLITICIANS AND RESIDENTS

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:25 am

OK all the candidates (even the ones that didn't go past the primary) who have stated they want to fill the empty storefronts and get Lakewood thriving again--we will be looking for you at the Art Walk checking out the art in empty storefronts and businesses open for all to stop in and check them out!

All residents who don't want any more businesses to close, come out support these businesses! Let's fill up the fish fry and bowling lanes for a company that has served Lakewood for years! Let's meet new owners and let them know we care!!! Let's support the artists so we can be the art district we know we can!!!! Bring the family and get face painting at the library, nail/face art at Carabel's, check out the fire truck and watch all the diverse dancers!!!! Take off your shoes and do the barefoot boogie!!! See the famous Halloween show at Pop Shop and enjoy wine and appetizers at various stops, four bands with your beer/coffe at Bela Duby!! Come jam to several bands. Clean free fun!!! Let's show all the people coming in from outside of Lakewood what Lakewood really is!!!!!

Stacey Sponsler · Post by **Stacey Sponsler** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:27 pm

I agree we should support our local businesses.

But another major problem is all the slum landlords that the city doesn't go after. Right next to Harrison Elementary school is a run down house.
It has been that way for alooooooooooooooooong time. Why hasn't anything been done to that owner? Nobody can give me an answer one department passes you off to another.

Let's also get our neighborhoods in order has well as supporting our local businesses.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:41 pm

I agree. There are even slum landlords of the businesses-businesses that have to live with a wet basement or problems with heat being too low in the winter, etc. That would be really nice for Lakewood if this subject got aggressively addressed.

When I was around Harrison a few months ago I thought how nice it would be to turn some of those older homes into little book shops and coffee shops off of Madison, to really develop a little community there within the community and fill some empty houses. I would guess the teachers would love little places that close to have lunch. There is so much potential. But like you said, really coming down on landlords has to happen today.

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:16 pm

Justine Cooper wrote: When I was around Harrison a few months ago I thought how nice it would be to turn some of those older homes into little book shops and coffee shops off of Madison, to really develop a little community there within the community and fill some empty houses.

What a very interesting idea!

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:24 pm

How cool would that be? Like a little East Coast beach town with old houses turned book stores, coffee shops, sub shops, surrounding the school. One of the reasons I open enrolled my kids to Hayes is because when we were on the Harrison playground in the summer there were some creepy people sitting nearby, one drinking out of a bag. I hated that feeling around this beautiful new school. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a fund within the city, to take foreclosed homes in areas surrounding these new schools and develop something like that? God things like that could change the area. The business owners now in birdtown are the best!! The ones who came from hard working families and they know how to roll up their sleeves and work together. I would love to see that area developed more.

On the other note, how do we get these old crappy homes fixed or hit by the city? The kids in that area need that and so do the teachers and staff and everyone around there.

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:27 pm

Justine Cooper wrote:How cool would that be? Like a little East Coast beach town with old houses turned book stores, coffee shops, sub shops, surrounding the school.

That would be such an awesome area. My Grandma lives in Grand Haven, MI which is sort of a resort town on Lake Michigan. There are a ton of little areas like this, very quaint.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a fund within the city, to take foreclosed homes in areas surrounding these new schools and develop something like that?

I could have sworn there is now. Didn't the city just pass land bank legislation? Maybe it could be used for something like this? Of course I may be completely misunderstanding what its purpose is.