The Observation Deck

dl meckes wrote:
Lakewood needs marketing. No-one outside of its borders seems to know what we're trying to do. No-one has heard about rebuilding our schools, the new "Y", the expanded library (or that our library is one of the highest rated for a city its size).
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I'm sorry to sound impertinent, but here's one person INSIDE the borders who wonders, what exactly IS it we're 'trying to do'?
A few hundred school districts in Ohio have put up or are in the process of rebuilding schools, many of those same cities are building new libraries. On the other hand, I see other cities revitalizing downtown areas, getting really active with CDCs, prettying and beautifying with a variety of programs and ideas, and also somehow not just the energy but the $$$ to make things work. I see Lakewood trying too much to define itself by what it's not (not Cleveland, not Westlake, not whatever) and that seldom works.

At the risk of finding a horse head in my bed, I'd like to suggest that we find a new home for Baker. Who would want to buy a condo across the street from an eyesore that leaves its big, hulking flatbeds parked on Detroit? Granted, they keep em spit shined, but as they say, you can put a bow on a pig and it's still a pig. Given its lucrative deal with the city to tow any thing, any where, any time from city (and many private) lots, one would assume that Baker could be encouraged to move to an open area in our industrial section. Does THE only tow company in the city HAVE to be dead smack in a residential (MY residential) area? I think not.

Joan-

I don't think you are impertinent and I know my post was neither clear nor illustrative.

I know there are other communities who are rebuilding schools and libraries, but this is a huge step for a city bordering the lake where children regularly walk to school. Other communities in N.E. Ohio are not necessarily aware of this.

We haven't seen a housing boom for many years, but Rockport grows and Rosewood follows. I have heard rumors of other housing to be built.

I believe City Hall is being responsible for instituting CitiStat. City Hall has also instituted a C.E.R.T. program (Citizen Emergency Response Team) which helps train citizens how to help themselves and others in case of emergencies. Council has moved forward on the park plans for more lake access.

More than ever before in my adult life, I see more citizen engagement in civic life. I expect to see more good ideas come to fruition.

My posts smell of boosterism and are neither detailed or complete. I know we have a long way to go to fix the infrastructure, have home inspections which are fair, complete and uniform (thereby insuring a healthy housing stock), to fill storefronts, to increase our tax base, etc.

I completely agree that we cannot define ourselves by what we are not. This is why I was disparaging the pathetic and empty slogans that Cleveland keeps putting forth.

I can't tell you "exactly" what we're trying to do. I think of "we" as all of Lakewood and within our borders are a lot of individuals and groups who seem to feel energized about a variety of projects. I'm heartened by this.

(And Paul, I'd love to see Baker move to Berea Road...)

I'm new to this Observer site so be gentle.

When my wife and I decided to move back to the Cleveland area in 2000 (I had been gone since 1987) I had no interest in moving back to my hometown of Westlake. We were pretty much set on Lakewood from the beginning. There are many things we love here for our family. But a wishlist is always fun so here it goes:

1) Book Store: I completely support other people's idea for this. While West End Project was divisive, it did show that there was an interest in bringing books to Lakewood. I would love to see one that combines books, food, coffee and maybe a venue for readings or small theatrical pieces. Maybe a mixed-use sort of set up. We left Cincinnati just as some bookstore had bought out a church in near the University. It was going to do a lot of this in a very unique venue. It doesn't always have to fill storefronts.

2) Art-house movie theater. The fact that the West Side still lacks an art house movie theater is mind boggling. While I don't see us fitting in something to compete with the megachains like Cinemark I could see a nice smaller movie theater for a more niche market. We have some spaces (I live near the old movie theater on Hilliard and Madison...a shame it sits empty). And I bet we have an audience. Cleveland is not only open to art house flicks but I think it would be neat to have a venue to showcase local talents, too. Cleveland independent film is fairly vibrant. If we don't do this, the folks working on the W. 65th area will beat us to it. Speaking of the old theater on Hilliard, this leads me to...

3) Better parking on Madison (and elsewhere, no doubt). I think the thing that keeps these storefronts empty is a lack of parking. This theater on Hilliard will never re-open since there is absolutely no where to park. Their old lot is used by the "Silver Coast" apartments. This will also keep out many other business opportunties on the West end of Madison. Madison can't thrive on bars alone. I do love our free 30 minutes in most of the town (good for a quick stop) but I think we are lagging in larger scale parking that would allow a lot of people to come and stay in the area for a while. I am not sure what should come first...the attractions or the parking but clearly it would be nice to have the parking and find the things to bring folks here as we grow.

4) Front Yard Facists. Okay, not as bad as it sounds but I think image means a lot. The city is pretty good with this at times but I think with so many absentee landlords any more I am seeing more rental homes looking nasty. Unmowed lawns, poor care of the house itself, broken windows, chipping paint, etc. We don't have to be all new and shiny but nothing tells a prospective homebuyer to back off when they see stuff like this. I love most of my neighbors and I love the urban feel of the city but urban doesn't have to equal poor upkeep. Anyway, the city seems to take a hand in things when it looks abandoned (as they might be) but not as often as I think they could. We are not the neatest nor the best at upkeep of our home but I think more needs to be done to distinguish our old urban streets from more run down neighborhoods in Cleveland. Let's not let them bring out the "blight" label again.

5) A beach of our own. I have heard that this is in the works but a place called "Lakewood" really should have direct access to said lake.

6) Boat access. I don't have a boat. I don't think I will ever be able to afford a boat. But like the beach part, it would be nice to have a marina in town. Boating is a great selling point for our region. We should be in on that, I would think.

That is about it. Just some thoughts on a Saturday afternoon.

See you all around!

Phil--- Welcome Back

You bring up some good points on this post as well as the thread on the Clinic.

I think we all look forward to your continued participation!!!!

Stan Austin

Quite a long time ago, I was interested in buying that building, where the old Westwood Art Theater aka The Hilliard, is. It was in really poor shape, and the all the trappings of it being a theater were gone, as far as we could see.
The floor was leveled by adding concrete and it was or has been, a sort of warehouse.

Mind you, this info is REALLY old, so I'm not sure of it's shape now.

I agree on a movie theater. When we had our PI Biz, we had a client that owned an independent movie theater, and his family had it for decades. It had to be closed, because of the competition by the multi-screen mega theaters.
He just couldn't keep up with them.

Still, being the eternal optimist, I think someone with the right stuff could make a theater in our city go and profit too.

I'd really like to Madison, the entire street, revitalized.
A trolly car going from 117th to the old Trolly car barn or somewhere and back, would be great. Cobblestone walks the length across Lakewood, on Madison, with gaslight looking fixtures for street-lights. Ahhh yes.

Give the specialty shops a specialty type environment. Madison sometimes appears to be given a back seat to Detroit. At least it sometimes appears that way. If I'm wrong on that, then it must be just my own perception. I'd like to see it busy night and day again.

I'd like to see that it would be safe for people to walk anywhere in Lakewood, night and day, even at 2 or 4am, and feel and be safe.

Mark C.

I am, like Phil, newly 'replanted' to the area and very glad to be back! I was born and raised in Lakewood and after several years away I can tell you that there is something very special about this city!

All of the posts that I have read this evening bring up many valid points and some fantastic suggestions. I am curious, however, as to who/how/when are these ideas/thoughts/suggestions put into the ears of people that have the desire and ability to drive change?

Do our council people read/participate on this site (or any site for that matter)... does the mayor... local investors? Just wondering if I should start calling people and tell them where they need to go look!

In the meanwhile a couple things I would love to see are:

(1) Increased police presence - both in the evenings around the bars and around the schools during peak times.

(2) Dramatically increased enforcement of the building codes. IMHO that is one of the THE most important things that we need to do as a community! Not only will better enforcement help everyone's property values - but it will give everyone a greater sense of pride in the community.

(3) Significant focus and investment in our schools and heavy promotion of the achievement of our children.

Lastly - thank you to the team that started this forum. It seems to be a great place for our community to come together!

Peace,
~Charyn

Charyn Varkonyi wrote:...All of the posts that I have read this evening bring up many valid points and some fantastic suggestions. I am curious, however, as to who/how/when are these ideas/thoughts/suggestions put into the ears of people that have the desire and ability to drive change? ...

Lastly - thank you to the team that started this forum. It seems to be a great place for our community to come together!

Peace,
~Charyn

Charyn & Phil

Welcome back to the city and glad you jumped in on this forum. i think I speak for everyone, thanks for the kind words.

The Lakewood Observer is proud to say we have The Mayor, All Members of Council, Chamber of Commerce, and the Entire School Board online using this forum and reading it regularly. I have spoke with all and everyone of them support all the efforts of The Lakewood Observer online and in print.

On top of that we are slowly getting most churches and civic groups online including the Beck Center, Lakewood Historical Society, LakewoodAlive, members of Grow Lakewood, MaMa, DaDa, bar owners, business owners and quickly closing in on 1% of the citizens. But my single greatest joy is some of the movers from both sides of the last big civil war in town. But we will not rest.

In the coming months we have some things coming, that will move this city forward in quantum leaps. We are also have a series of stories in the pipe that will look long and hard at where we are headed, what are our options, while respecting our rich history.

Thanks again for the kind words, keep posting and consider writing for the Lakewood Observer print edition. Again speaking for the entire Observer Team which you are now part of, "We do it all for you."

Phil - No need to ask for gentleness. This forum is all about respect for others that proudly share their thoughts and take ownership of them.

peace



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