Valerie Molinski wrote:Grace O'Malley wrote:High end shopping?
They must consider Dollar Store and Value World high end because thats all they managed to bring in.

There are only two places in NE Ohio that any high end stores are considering when they open new stores- those are Legacy Village and Crocker Park.
Valerie
I agree, but what was sold to Lakewoodites for over 10 years, was "We" that would be a small group
using 3 different names and formations, promised, all of this effort would bring "High End Stores"
that would be "Destinations" and would "Bring Down Our Taxes" and secure the future of the
"Schools and Library, and Lakewood Lifestyle."
Now, many of us never believed the hype. Many said, there were no guarantees. Many times these
civic minded people were flying really fast and loose with "facts," like, "Cedar Lee Theater coming
here." But many, many more believed them, counted on them, and bought in.
Now we hear, "we had no control," "we could not count on...," we cannot stop..." and it is simply
not true. The city had so many way to deliver on a more realistic promise. But who would have
donated to the truth? "We hope to bring in some low end/ middle of the road stores, that pay
minimum wage, but is better than nothing."
The city has stopped, temporarily drive-thrus on Detroit Ave., the city has stopped tattoo parlors,
strip clubs, and many, many things. They could have bought the property for about the same cost
as way-finding, and controlled the property next to the $12 million dollar Robert AM Stern Library.
We both know, if the city can convince "5 Guys to move their corporate offices there" why are they
so inept at controlling other things? Why are they so fixated on destroying our neighborhoods for
mediocre development. Had the city not jumped so quickly at turning residential into commercial,
Drug Mart would have stayed where they are, where they are packed every night, and something
that fit into the neighborhood better than what is going in.
I am dying to find out who owns what in the Drug Mart Parking lot. It would appear that the city
has given up about 40' all along the back, to the owner of the plaza, if I am not mistaken was
years behind on taxes. Id that why they brought in the person that designs Marc's Parking Lots
and Aisles? Joking not really that guy.
If the city has no control, then they should be upfront with the voters and tax payers and say "We
hope that we can attract nice stores, but, we might only get more dollar stores than churches."
That was what I was getting at.
How does it tie in, if we hadn't bet the farm on downtown, the city could afford to replace the
hoops they took down for no reason, well no sane reason.
Corey/Stephan
If this is really you, not some Czech Republic version...
Horse, yeah I'd show up to Kauffman Park.
.