Hypothetically...New business interested in moving to L-wood

[Corey Rossen]

...who do they turn to? Who do they speak to about ongoing and upcoming programs? Business/city incentive packages? Does Lakewood have a "recruiting team/department?" Upon arrival, whose hand do they shake first?

Corey

[Dee Martinez]

Too often the first person they see is someone from the building department telling them what they are doing wrong.

Its true but dont take my word for it. Ask around.

[Shawn Juris]

To back up a step from arrival, when they are creating a business/marketing plan does this prospect talk to anyone or just rent space, invest their savings into a business then wonder why it didn't take off. Naturally, there is risk involved but how often is it said how Lakewood has plenty of this item and not enough of this. Of all the studies that are done, how about a privately funded commercial needs study. I keep hearing about how Lakewood knows itself so well yet I wonder if when it comes to business ventures and the "changing demographic", if we know ourselves at all. We may like to believe that Lakewood is something and there may be enough like minded people around that agree but do the numbers support it? Maybe there's a valid reason why we have check into cash, Temp agencies, Marc's, dollar stores and the like and very few middle market and upscale providers. Is this a matter of those with the means are able to travel and those without the means are attracted to the area because the businesses cater to their needs? Doesn't this just create a downward spiral?
I agree that there is an opportunity to do more. Are we in need of a local Gordon Ramsey to whip business owners into shape so they can realize their potential? Certainly, there have been more than our share of stories about unneeded complications passed down from city hall. While my hope is that those days are behind us and improvements are being made why stop with just eliminating the nightmare scenario, why not build in service that would make Lakewood competitive for a certain kind of industry in NEO. I'm very interested in what others think should be happening. Hopefully this includes the usual crowd as well as some of those that don't post often.

[Brad Hutchison]

This is a topic that has surfaced frequently on the Deck, but it always seems like it fizzles before it really gets going, and I'm still not sure what the answer is (to Corey's original question).

Shawn's final point is one we discuss regularly about many city topics. What is the best way to eliminate roadblocks, AND go the extra step toward being known as a business-friendly community?

It would be great to a have a recently new or upcoming new business owner write an article about the whole process, step-by-step.

[Shawn Juris]

Brad,
If you don't mind I would like to amend the request to include a new business owner that has dealt with the current administration to avoid pointing the finger at issues that we already know about that likely have been improved upon (hopefully).

[Jim O'Bryan]

Brad,
If you don't mind I would like to amend the request to include a new business owner that has dealt with the current administration to avoid pointing the finger at issues that we already know about that likely have been improved upon (hopefully).

Stars align again!

Also I would like to hear the entire process. Often new business owners try things before even asking the city if it is allowed. Or they bring information they knew as a rule in the city they operated in before, but not the rule here.

I am not making excuses, but I have found the building department much easier to deal with if asked before I do something than afterwards.

FWIW


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[Shawn Juris]

It happens from time to time.

[Brad Hutchison]

I am not making excuses, but I have found the building department much easier to deal with if asked before I do something than afterwards.

Shawn - I don't mind.

Jim - I know you've sung praises for the building department before. I'm certainly not looking to indict them. We've seen horror stories on the Deck, though I'm naturally skeptical and don't believe anything I can't verify for myself (no offense Justine, just my nature).

My thought process with the article suggestion was not really to point fingers at the city, but more as a study on "Starting a Business in Lakewood" as a response to Corey's original point in this thread. Perhaps even a "how-to" article would be worthwhile.

If I wanted to start a business in Lakewood, I wouldn't have the first clue as to how to begin. Do I find a space first? Call the building department first? Obtain permits and licenses first? Is there one person I can call first to answer all of these questions and that will facilitate the process for me? Is there any kind of mentorship/guidance program with established businesses?

To paraphrase Shawn, fingerpointing is counter-productive; but doing a study and creating a plan outline for prospective businesses could really be useful.

[Justine Cooper]

Brad,
I don't take offense. My posts were to encourage anyone interested in knowing the problems and wanting to fix them to go into new and existing business and ask them! You may get a variety of answers. I was lucky with mine and had no problems, and conversely they were really nice to deal with. But hearing time after time the problems that businesses occur is frustrating.We can talk all day about how to attract businesses, but until someone cares enough to go in and talk to business owners themselves, and then find solutions, it is just talk.

[Corey Rossen]

...and now back to the original questions...

I've spoken, now, with the Chamber of Commerce and they do not have a list of programs (incentive/finance packages) to become a part of and the Planning and Development Dept just sent me to a website that supposedly has all the ongoing programs listed on it. Guess what, the site does not exist (onelakewood.net) so I tried onelakewood.org just to see if it was that small of an error--nope, a site under construction to elect Fitzgerald for Mayor. So who really has the answers, not the Chamber and not the Planning Dept.???

I understand the gesture to get out on the street to ask new businesses their approach, but what about asking the city about theirs?

I do not mean to "bash" or be negative towards anybody, any department, or any ongoing program, but what gives here? There has to be somebody accountable for the city, or at least somebody with some answers and insight. (Jim O'B, it might be time to dust off that cape of yours and find the nearest phone booth.)

Corey

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim - I know you've sung praises for the building department before. I'm certainly not looking to indict them. We've seen horror stories on the Deck, though I'm naturally skeptical and don't believe anything I can't verify for myself (no offense Justine, just my nature).

My thought process with the article suggestion was not really to point fingers at the city, but more as a study on "Starting a Business in Lakewood" as a response to Corey's original point in this thread. Perhaps even a "how-to" article would be worthwhile.

Brad

I can only talk about experience that I have had, and it is a long history of doing business in this town. For years I tried under the radar, and it usually ended in nightmares. Then I went legit, when the paper started and I have to say the experience has been worth every penny I have paid for permits.

This is why I really want to hear the "entire" story. I am not saying there isn't problems, or even hangups. The building department is human, and they have been very busy with the recent building boom.

However, if you sit down and talk with them, they can point you in the right direction, save money, and suggest programs. The same is true with Planning, make an appointment and sit down with them. In the end they work for us, and they are all very willing to listen.

Whenever I have heard of problems, it comes from things that make no sense, unless you use common sense. You do wiring and put up a wall, without inspection, and I promise you that wall is coming down. You have to look at the larger picture. The place has to be safe for that business, every business where a fire could go, and the next person in the building.

I bought a house in Lakewood with three way plugs in every wall. The problem is none of them were grounded. When I asked the old owner his answer was "Oh yeah, I bought the wrong ones, and decided it was better than having to use those adapters." I had to go back and change everyone.

I did a sign, and I had to apply for a variance because of the size. The building department rep, looked at it and asked if I could make one part slightly smaller, and I said sure. He said you saved yourself from a variance and a revue.

FWIW


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[Justine Cooper]

J
Whenever I have heard of problems, it comes from things that make no sense, unless you use common sense. You do wiring and put up a wall, without inspection, and I promise you that wall is coming down. You have to look at the larger picture. The place has to be safe for that business, every business where a fire could go, and the next person in the building.

I bought a house in Lakewood with three way plugs in every wall. The problem is none of them were grounded. When I asked the old owner his answer was "Oh yeah, I bought the wrong ones, and decided it was better than having to use those adapters." I had to go back and change everyone.

I did a sign, and I had to apply for a variance because of the size. The building department rep, looked at it and asked if I could make one part slightly smaller, and I said sure. He said you saved yourself from a variance and a revue.

FWIW


.

How about we focus on one issue of "common sense"? How about the issue of restaurants paying a $600 permit twice in one calendar year instead of once like other towns and like the way it should be. Let's start with that one little issue, not so little for business owners. And to imply that businesses having trouble with the city because of taking short cuts or not having common sense is just wrong and offensive.

[Shawn Juris]

Corey,
Hope this helps. I'm sure that like anything more can be gathered by sitting down as mentioned above with those who understand the ins and outs. There may also be limitations depending on the needs matching what's available.
http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/dept_planning_rev.html

[Jim O'Bryan]

How about we focus on one issue of "common sense"? How about the issue of restaurants paying a $600 permit twice in one calendar year instead of once like other towns and like the way it should be. Let's start with that one little issue, not so little for business owners. And to imply that businesses having trouble with the city because of taking short cuts or not having common sense is just wrong and offensive.

Again, why twice, what is coupled with it? Inspections? Was this a new rule, or did it exist when the owner took the restaurant over? I was giving a tip on an unfair practice by a relator that was livid with the city. It seems she had bought a building, in February for $XXX.XXX at the end of the year, her taxes were reassesed for $XXX,XXX instead of the much lower rate of the previous year. She had NEVER heard of such a thing. Wanted the paper to run a story. On top of that the schools came after her for the tax money.

Well what I found out was far different from the story she told. She had actually experienced this with 4 buildings she had sold previously, and knew full well that it happens. She was counting on "friends" to get her around it.

This is why I say, before we go nuts and roast anyone. Is it a new rule, is it applied fairly, why does the rule exist, etc.

I think those are fair and resonable questions in this discussion.


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[Justine Cooper]

questions for who? Who is going to answer them? Neither Coffee Pot or La Pita had any idea they would be hit up twice in a calendar year. People are asking questions and getting questions back. So who has the answers?