The Observation Deck

Valerie Molinski wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:When I spoke with Independence Councilman Anthony Tagliotti about the McDonalds, and
and how they got them to build that instead of typical McDonalds, his answer was simple.
"We stood our ground, and refused to lower the city's standards for McDonalds or anyone.
We decided to make them understand, the fastest growing city in the County would not bend.

I hope the "Best Suburb" has the same steadfast approach to the new McDonalds we are
getting. And if City Hall believes what they say we should be getting something really special.

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If you look at the final renderings, Lakewood, is still getting A McDonald's, but they are not getting a 'typical' one either. Whether you think it is special or not, I guess, is a matter of taste.

Val

No matter what I think it is what we are getting. I have talked with the firm putting it in, and I am sure it
will be designed with some part of Lakewood in mind. hey are the same group doing CVS, and they have
designed in many nice points for Lakewood at the expense of CVS. Am I geeked about CVS, no, but it is a
good thing that there are here, and they have always been a solid supporter of Lakewood.

I am not a huge fan of building to the sidewalk, and I think that aspect of CVS does a huge disservice to two
of our real treasures in Lakewood. The Robert AM Stern Library, like it our not, it has put us on the map, and
is a key part of another presentation currently underway. And Peter Diepenbrocks "Transversion" which cost
a ton of money that was raised by Friends of the Library from Lakewood businesses and residents.

You would think a community would want to showcase those things, not cover them up with mallespque structures.

I posted this because with everything going on, it still seems to me that City Hall is eager to get anything here
at a period in time where we can be both selected and demanding.

FWIW


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:You would think a community would want to showcase those things, not cover them up with mallespque structures.

I don't know about you, but I can see and access both the Library and the artwork you mention with the new CVS in place.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I posted this because with everything going on, it still seems to me that City Hall is eager to get anything here at a period in time where we can be both selected and demanding.

Just my own 2cents: I think City Hall has been doing a good job of bringing in new businesses as well as working with relocating businesses to attempt to fit better into the existing Lakewood landscape. However, more than seeing architecture that fits into what was... I would love to see new and exciting ideas in the structures that do not necessarily fit "old" Lakewood.

Meg Ostrowski wrote:The city may not realize it but the residents around the Detroit Theater don't need Lakewood, Lakewood needs them. They have maintained and in many cases improved that neighborhood through hard work and investment.

Thank you Meg, I appreciate this statement.

For those who have not seen the drawings... http://onelakewood.com/pdf/2011_BBSARBAgenda_0908a.pdf
and scroll..