Arthur Ave Beautification Project is Burden on All Residents

[Betsy Voinovich]

And here I thought that maybe it was just me. Driving down that portion of Arthur at night for the first time since the "upgrade", I was almost blinded. I seriously had a hard time making my way down the street safely. I wasn't sure if it was the height or brightness or design or what, but as much as I agree with their pleasant appearance during the day, I wouldn't want these on my street at night. I'm guessing the residents have more direct light if not brighter light coming in. (Or am I wrong that these are quite a bit shorter?) And I don't want to overstate the issue, but as I said it seemed to me that the glare was at such a level to be potentially unsafe. Maybe others disagree - maybe the majority of Arthur residents prefer them? Pretty or not, still unsure about the cost/benefit.

Wow, Jeff, I drove down Arthur last night and wished that I had not. I could not see. I had the thought that maybe residents want to keep all non-residents off the street completely-- but I realized that Arthur residents are in as much danger of hitting something or someone on their own street as any non-resident.

It's ironic that one of the reasons given for the lights being "a necessity" was that the street was so dark that it was dangerous to walk down at night. I suppose they wanted to make sure the lights were really bright so it would be safer-- but the lights aren't lighting the street or the sidewalks. It's harder to see for everyone now,Arthur has become even more dangerous.

I have heard that residents received notices that steps are being taken to deal with how bright the lights are.

I have also heard that the next section of Arthur up is now rounding up signatures to improve their part of Arthur as well, in exactly the same way.

Maybe the residents of the next section of Arthur can learn some lessons from the residents on the Detroit to Franklin stretch. I guess there's no more talk of putting up a decorative wall. (Which would be impossible to see from the street so I guess that's a really good thing.)

Betsy Voinovich

[Jim O'Bryan]

Historically correct?

.

[Grace O'Malley]

Betsy

You mean on "upper Arthur?'" That street might need those bright lights.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Betsy

You mean on "upper Arthur?'" That street might need those bright lights.

Hi Grace--

I know that the next stretch of Arthur is considering lights. I'm actually not sure how bright that part of Arthur is, but I don't think these lights would help.

I've noticed that there are less Christmas lights than there usually are on the "Downtown" section of Arthur. Maybe residents haven't wanted to try to compete with the streetlights-- as Jim's photo reveals-- it's full daylight there at night from the right angle-- or maybe they are less in the Christmas spirit, having traded goodwill among all neighbors for some really bright, really expensive lights that no-one was allowed to say no to.

I really like that street a lot, it was one of our favorites for a winter walk after dinner to see the lights. I was always impressed by the sense of community among the neighbors. I actually do think it is too dangerous to walk on at night with the kids right now, especially in icy and snowy weather where a swerving car-- with a driver suddenly blinded-- could go up on the sidewalk-- which are left in the dark from the glare of the lights.

Betsy Voinovich

[Jim O'Bryan]

Betsy

You mean on "upper Arthur?'" That street might need those bright lights.

Wasn't it upper Arthur that had that crime wave when Ed FitzGerald and Ryan Demro were
running for mayor? I remember a "red motorcycle zooming up and down.

While there is much feign outrage and "oh my god!s" I have to believe that regulating the
brightest is far easier than running the power and putting up poles. I know they are trying
shields and other ideas.

.

[Peter Grossetti]

[quote="Jim O'Bryan
Wasn't it upper Arthur that had that crime wave when Ed FitzGerald and Ryan Demro were
running for mayor? I remember a "red motorcycle zooming up and down.
[/quote]

"zooming" is a crime??!?!?!? I can see it as perhaps an "offence" or maybe a "nuisance" ... but a crime?? (possiblty because it was a red motorcyle?)

[marklingm]

Betsy

You mean on "upper Arthur?'" That street might need those bright lights.

Wasn't it upper Arthur that had that crime wave when Ed FitzGerald and Ryan Demro were
running for mayor? I remember a "red motorcycle zooming up and down.

While there is much feign outrage and "oh my god!s" I have to believe that regulating the
brightest is far easier than running the power and putting up poles. I know they are trying
shields and other ideas.

.

Ah, memories!

It would actually be “Lower Arthur” if you want to be technical, Jim.

I seem to recall a certain prominent person making rather derogatory comments here on the Deck about the experiences her and her family were having living in this section of Arthur.

Too bad I can’t search the archives well enough to find the posts.

Matt

[Jim O'Bryan]

[quote="Peter Grossetti wrote:"zooming" is a crime??!?!?!? I can see it as perhaps an "offence" or maybe a "nuisance" ... but a crime?? (possiblty because it was a red motorcyle?)

The actual quote from a well know civic leader was...

"Making it worse than East Cleveland!"

Only Ryan Demro could save us from it!

[marklingm]

(possiblty because it was a red motorcyle?)

[marklingm]

The power of the Deck.

If you can't recall something very well:

I seem to recall a certain prominent person making rather derogatory comments here on the Deck about the experiences her and her family were having living in this section of Arthur.

There is always someone here to give you a helping hand:

The actual quote from a well known civic leader was...

"Making it worse than East Cleveland!"

[marklingm]

Jim,

Is beautification really needed today?

Sure there were cries for beautification from some Arthur residents in 2006:

The litter, peeling paint, weeds, unmown grass is becoming the topic of conversation with family and friends but embarrassingly enough - guests. And it isn't the construction that feeds that impression...it's the litter, peeling paint, weeds and unmown grass and the general malaise that comes from the city when it's mentioned. We are looking depressed and unkept.

I have a young family that was relocated to St. Louis last year. They lived on Arthur, loved the community and loved living here. They missed Lakewood so much, he changed employers and they're moving back. They've been spending the past several weeks looking for houses and are now seriously considering living outside of the community that caused them to return to this area. Why? Dingy, dirty, depressing. They're staying here now but when they tried to use Webb Park it was so disgusting they had to abandon the idea. Her call to city hall was disturbing and non productive.

She'll be calling the ward councilperson and all three at-larges, but she's angry and worried. I told her that the Mayor has a hotline too. She'll be contacting him. I hope they listen to her. This is a young, educated family. Both parents grew up here, both graduated from LHS and both have good jobs. Both wanted to move home and now both are concerned they've made a big mistake.

Lakewood's most marketable asset is its quality of life - if that goes, no amount of ED will matter.

How can we fix this?

***

Feels like a lowering of expectations.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2294

It's not still that bad today.

Is it?

Matt

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bright enough or what?!


.

I have to admit, showing how bright the lights are at night, only tells half the story.

The lights are really bright, but one has to believe intensity has to be a small problem.

What s also nice, possibly even better is the great feel they add to the street during the
day. Driving or walking up a grand Lakewood Avenue, with massive trees, big tree lawns,
great front porches and detailed perfect historically correct lamps seal the deal.



It is hard to argue total impact, until daylight.

.

[Bill Burnett]

Just curious; these same lights were recently installed on Detroit in front of the Geigers/Melt strip of buildings. Who paid for that?