The Observation Deck

Here is a link to the video of this past Saturday's budget hearing. The discussion about Cove Church is at the 1:35:50 mark.
http://onelakewood.granicus.com/MediaPl ... lip_id=461

Councilman O'Malley

It would seem much of Lakewood's Planning is in reaction to what is happening as opposed to real planning.

The only real planning I have witnessed was the secret plan to sell of Lakewood's largest asset, for friends and reasons the residents are not allowed to understand.

Is there any "planning" something us commoners can lay hands on?

A rough concept for the city and where we might be headed?

I mean is they can plan to destroy the engine of the city, I would hope they planned for what comes next, and next, and next.

OR do the residents need to sue for those documents as well?

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If it can be underground, does the city have to own the property, at least after it is constructed?

Considering Mark Kindt"s ongoing analysis of the city's finances, i am wary of expenses that aren't for "must-dos".

Dan Alaimo wrote:If it can be underground, does the city have to own the property, at least after it is constructed?

If it can be underground, why not build it under Clifton Blvd like the other stormwater storage structures on Clifton and Madison?

Jim O'Bryan wrote: Is there any "planning" something us commoners can lay hands on?

A rough concept for the city and where we might be headed?

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Hi Jim -

I'm not sure what you're referencing exactly, but at the 2:14:00 mark of the video I link to above is what I think is a very good discussion about ongoing economic development, city planning and future projects. There's nothing I know that I wouldn't be willing to discuss openly so if there's a particular area or concept for the future you'd like to talk about, by all means, let me know.

- Dan

Let's Just Say That...

Let's just say that some of us feel that we'd all be healthier, wealthier, and wiser, if we asked Lakewood City Government to slow down long enough for us to digest the current economic development debacles that are underway right now.

We'd all like to understand the theory behind the planning. For instance--

How big should public subsidies be to private parties? Thousands of dollars or tens of millions of dollars? Is this all just done on an ad hoc basis?

How much cronyism is involved?

When and on what basis should community assets be taken-off line and donated to developers for $1.00 or $100.00.

Dan OMalley wrote:Here is a link to the video of this past Saturday's budget hearing. The discussion about Cove Church is at the 1:35:50 mark.
http://onelakewood.granicus.com/MediaPl ... lip_id=461

We really need someone to report on, and condense, what goes on at these meetings. (Sorry, I'm not raising my hand.)

Sometimes the moral costs of economic development are just too high.

Yes, sell our hospital for $1.00 to your developer.

You know, it was not my intention to quell discussion on this topic by posting a bold statement.

Our city finds itself at something of a historic crossroad.

Should we consider a new path that involves municipal reform and a reconsideration of economic development policy and practice?

Or

Should we continue down the path of new tavern experiences, upscale townhouses, and corporate solutions for retail?

(My point made above was that if One Lakewood Place is an economic development solution, then it was a "solution" that could only come at severe detriment to our city.)

If we can turn our hospital into a mixed/use commercial development, then why shouldn't we turn our library into a high-end boutique hotel?

If we do not treat these questions seriously, we can see other rather drastic and negative outcomes are now within the actual realm of possibility.

With respect to Trinity and Cove, should the City of Lakewood be the buyer of last resort for properties that should be sold at fair market value on the open market?

How do we insure that these kinds of transactions are made at arm's length, without over-compensation, and without favoritism?