Take Control

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bobbie

The problem as I see it is, it offers no potential or current business anywhere near the benefits, financing, mentorship, or help as MAMA, DADA, who have various solid programs started to help start, fund and get businesses working together.

http://mamaanddada.com

While one sucks life out of entrepreneurs, the other breathes life, and funding into ideas.

Also the Lakewood Observer has the most comprehensive Economic Development program in the city. All businesses are invited, home based or not. Businesses can get over $1,000 a month in benefits for little or no charge.

FWIW


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[Bobbie Hendrick]

Well, I'm glad to learn about MAMA and DADA and all that they are doing. Good stuff.

And I thought the Observer was just a newpaper (et al). Can you give me a link to find out more about the Economic Development program?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Well, I'm glad to learn about MAMA and DADA and all that they are doing. Good stuff.

And I thought the Observer was just a newpaper (et al). Can you give me a link to find out more about the Economic Development program?

Bobbie, most is available off the front page with our FREE business director. From there you can get information on FREE ecommerce websites, discounts on almost everything a business would need, mentoring, and help.

The paper is one of the smaller features of the Observer. The Observer is a economic development engine, that is there ot help Lakewood bsuinesses succeed, not spin their wheels.

Jim


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[James Mullen]

Again, I am glad to see such great discussion on the ideas people would like to see, and how to make lakewood more business friendly. I am glad I received some information I was unaware of. It still in all reality boils down to the citizens of the city who want to see change, specifically to the economic dynamic, having their voices heard. Hopefully one of the many groups previously mentioned can streamline a fundamental idea on what direction the city needs to go. I think we are somewhere in the middle of a Tremont/Ohio City/Coventry area and a Crocker Park/Legacy/Avon Commons. The reality is, we need to attract some named retailers to our community so internally our small businesses grow from the increase in traffic. The added arts and entertainment ideas also will drive other retail development, similar to those of tremont and coventry. Just some thoughts. Again, I am at the point where I want to become more involved and intend to thanks to the main ideas that have been posted on this topic.

[Kate McCarthy]

Hi,
I have been noticing that throughout NE Ohio (Haven't been other places lately) there seems to be a universal case of retail cannibalization. There seems to continue to be new development, but no/few new businesses. Just businesses moving. Case in point Target in Rocky River/ Fairview Park and new Target complex in North Olmsted.

The City needs some innovative store front renovations (like my wife already suggested) to fix up what we have. That is much cheaper and thus much more affordable for new businesses to move into.

That's probably my biggest complaint about doing anything with Kaufman Park. It's full. Like Towncentre it's not pretty but it is full. The very best we could hope for there in the end is having what we already have - a project full. But perhaps more attractive. Caution there though, I remember the downward spiral Towncentre took from planning to implementation.

Amen! My family is not the only Lakewood family totally disheartened by the takeover of Rosewood Place by Armed Forces Recruiting. This follows for me my complete disappointment after all the wonderful promise in the Lakewood Town Center development. Rosewood Place is still a gain for the community....the Town Center can be at best called a wash...but if we lose a city park for another development that doesn't deliver or one that simply cannibalizes retail from another part of town our city will have a mammoth hole from which to dig ourselves out of.

I love the title of this thread ... Take Control! We have a great built environment that simply needs a little help. I hope our new mayor and council are listening.

[Dee Martinez]

the Town Center can be at best called a wash... .

Oh I dont know. The Town Center to my recollection replaced a bar, a bank branch, a greasy spoon, a junk shop, the ghost of a closed up Burrows, and an optician (who in fact relocated to the Town Center)
It didnt live up to the original promises, as Mr Farris said, but its a little better than a wash.

[Bryan Schwegler]

the Town Center can be at best called a wash... .

Oh I dont know. The Town Center to my recollection replaced a bar, a bank branch, a greasy spoon, a junk shop, the ghost of a closed up Burrows, and an optician (who in fact relocated to the Town Center)
It didnt live up to the original promises, as Mr Farris said, but its a little better than a wash.

Lakewood City Center hasn't lived up to anywhere near the promises the "plan" proposed. I'm not saying it's a failure, just not at all what was promised.

[Dee Martinez]

Lakewood City Center hasn't lived up to anywhere near the promises the "plan" proposed. I'm not saying it's a failure, just not at all what was promised.

It was too much pie in the sky thats for sure but when you look at what was there before and what is there now, its a lot better than a wash.

[Mary Anne Crampton]

As director of Main Street Lakewood, I serve in the capacity of ombudsman for businesses in the downtown district. Since taking on these responsibilities in mid-June, I have met with most of the tenants and/or property owners along the Detroit corridor from Bunts to Arthur. I've explained to each of them that my job is to be their advocate at the City level.

Reports from those with initial investment or expansion activity in the district in the 4 months I've been in the job indicate that our City's Planning and Development and Building departments are not significantly better or worse than other communities in NEO in working with investors big or small. We can be really good and really bad. Most of the time we are in the middle. Those with experience in other communities get less upset, but nonetheless expect (and deserve) high levels of service.

I can say that the people who staff both those city departments have been unfailingly supportive of my work and are readily available to answer questions, solve problems brought to their attention.

I have not yet met with the new owners of the old Giant Eagle site or the purchasers of Lakewood Plaza (the Drug Mart strip).

Observers probably already know that the City can only regulate "use" to the extent allowed by enforcement of the Zoning Code. The Zoning Code was adopted by the Planning Commission and the City through the Community Vision Citywide plan. This plan was created in 1993 with massive public involvement. It can be viewed here: http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/community_ ... index.html Appeals to the Zoning Code cannot be addressed by City staff, rather they are directed to the Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, or Board of Zoning Appeals Board, all of which are staffed by volunteer Lakewood residents.

Observers might also be interested to know that the City, with the help of Council, has several programs to support small businesses:

Lakewood SEED
The Lakewood Start Up and Existing Entrepreneurial Development Program
("Lakewood SEED") creates a financing mechanism for local
entrepreneurs to utilize our funds for interior build-out, furniture,
and fixtures to help fill our storefronts with new retailers and
offices. Two businesses have already taken loans: Ms. Carol Congeni of
Carol Lynn Salon Plus located at 15410 Madison Avenue and to Mr. Scott
Dimit of Dimits Architecture located at 14414 Detroit Avenue.

The City's partner on this program is the WECO Fund, Inc. which is a
501(C)3 non-profit organization. The City partnered with WECO to
provide small business owners with technical expertise from an
organization with over 36 years of experience in dealing with these
small entrepreneurs. WECO works in partnership with a significant
number of banks and credit unions, non-profit organizations, business
support organizations, government agencies, educational institutions,
and major corporations to add value and linkages through our services
and programs. It offers a variety of courses including financial
education. Its website can be found at http://www.wecofund.com/.

Lakewood MURAL
Another new program, the Lakewood Mixed Use Rental Assistance Loan
Program ("MURAL") will provide funds for repairs and renovations in
apartments located over street-level retail stores along Detroit and
Madison Avenue.

Storefront Program
The City clarified the Storefront Program eligibility to encourage
greater participation toward the end of 2004. Over the last three
years, twelve different properties have utilized these funds. This
program provides a grant rebate of up to $30,000 not exceed 40% of the
total project costs. Because the program is funded with Community
Development Block Grant funds, to participate a property owner must
follow Federal Prevailing Wage Laws for construction and a comprehensive
improvement to the building's façade in accordance with the
architectural standards of the Federal Historic Review process, the City
of Lakewood and the Lakewood Sign Ordinance.

Details for on these programs can be found here
http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/dept_planning_cdbg.html or by calling me at the Main Street office at 521-0655 or Dryck Bennett in the Planning & Development Dept at 529-6634.

Thought you'd like to know about these resources...including my availability. I am happy to serve as ombudsman...feel free to direct investors/entrepreneurs to my attention.

Mary Anne