The Observation Deck

Jim,

I'm specifically not trying to mention city officials here. I'm just looking to get some ideas on the table that us regular folks could kick around.

What are the other 6 ideas? I'm all for hearing em.

Bob Mehosky wrote:Jim,

I'm specifically not trying to mention city officials here. I'm just looking to get some ideas on the table that us regular folks could kick around.

What are the other 6 ideas? I'm all for hearing em.

Bob

Again, cutting edge ideas that are out of the box IF you like Lakewood. I throw this one
out, because it can help any city without impacting Lakewood.

Safety/Increased Revenues/Security/Involvement
The city can acquire foreclosed property for $1.00. Sell these homes to police, fire,
teachers, city workers for $1. The city works with local institutions for low interest
loans to improve the property As long as they live in the house they own nothing but
taxes (on the appraised value). When they sell, they can recoup say 70% of
improvement costs and the rest goes back to the city. Use the city profits, to
underwrite the low interest loans to improve housing stock.

Right now 80% of the groups I mentioned live outside of the city. Streets with those
groups on them are inherently safer, and generally those groups are educated,
unionized and more involved in their communities.

See how easy it is to make the city we all moved into better for all.

Nothing closed, no one forced out.

.

I'm with you Jim, that's a great program. But the city doesn't need to be involved, HUD does that already. But if I'm not mistaken, it's only for first time homebuyers. My wife's a teacher, I looked into it a little.

As far as foreclosed homes go, that's only for homes that banks don't repurchase. That's a tiny percentage, because they'll always bid up to what was owed on the mortgage.

Bob Mehosky wrote:I'm with you Jim, that's a great program. But the city doesn't need to be involved, HUD does that already. But if I'm not mistaken, it's only for first time homebuyers. My wife's a teacher, I looked into it a little.

As far as foreclosed homes go, that's only for homes that banks don't repurchase. That's a tiny percentage, because they'll always bid up to what was owed on the mortgage.

Bob

It is a program where HUD money can be used, if it is not being used to fix up Edgewater,
Lake, Storefronts, etc. Who is controlling, er sitting on that HUD money right now? Why?

Bob, we attracted you here over Tremont, we are only talking a few here and there until
the city is back to normal occupancy. Baby steps with solid programs, that have zero
negative impact and benefits for all.

How many doubles do you think you will change to singles? "A tiny percentage?"

The problem is the mindset of those sitting on HUD Funds.While they dream of Crocker
Park, or "Tearing down the Beck Center, and rebuilding it 100 yards farther back so we
can put an Applebees in front... No maybe even more, and a small strip mall..." Actual
plan that was presented a couple years ago I think the person, and supporters called it
"a dream come true..."

If you actually like the city you moved into, then you understand, to use baseball
analogies, a couple singles, and bunt or two can keep you in the lead. You do not
need to gamble the farm on hitting a home run, and striking out again, and again, and
again. Nothing more painful than watching mediocre T-Ball kids trying to hit a home run
in the real world of baseball.

We cannot be all things to everyone. But we can be best at what we are good at already.

Again, 1 item could be done overnight by council or the mayor adds a legitimate 20%
to the value of every home in Lakewood, and save many home owners that are most
worried about the cost of living here $2,000 a year! Straight up $2,000 a year, impact
nil, except on the psyche of a few. Makes me ask, do they want to help Lakewood, or
is it nothing more than a game?

.

Jim,

The project is not administered by City Council, it's directly through HUD, and must occur in what they term a "revitalization zone". The discount is 50% off of HUD prices.

Revitalization zones are authorized by Congress as part of the Fair Housing Act. The criteria for designating an area as a Revitalization Area relate to 1) household income, 2) homeownership rate and 3) FHA-insured mortgage foreclosure activity.

if houses don't sell through the 50% off program, they are then offered for $1.

Currently in Lakewood, the only areas that meet that qualification are Birdtown and everything south of Detroit and east of Cove and Ridgewood.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/abtrevt.cfm

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/ ... rticip.cfm

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/ ... ndabot.cfm

I'm all for playing small ball, but we've gotta understand the programs before we bash people for not implementing them.

Bob Mehosky wrote:Jim,

The project is not administered by City Council, it's directly through HUD, and must occur in what they term a "revitalization zone". The discount is 50% off of HUD prices.

Revitalization zones are authorized by Congress as part of the Fair Housing Act. The criteria for designating an area as a Revitalization Area relate to 1) household income, 2) homeownership rate and 3) FHA-insured mortgage foreclosure activity.

Not blaming council, on that program.

But about the HUD money that is sidetracked for paving, and DowntowN storefront
development, as opposed to attracting residents, shoring up the housing stock, and
filling the city with more than big box stores and malls.

But I suppose it is impossible to blame those that simply know anything else.

.

Jim,

The HUD funds were discussed at length over on the other forum. It's hard to dole out HUD money if there's no one applying for it. From the city's website the total of the grant requests was only about 110% of the anticipated funding. Essentially, if you requested it, you got it. LA actually had their requests cut twice as much as the average.

Maybe it's time to look into applying for HUD funds........

Trust me, I've got no problem with railing against public officials, but just throwing a lot of stuff out there and hoping it sticks isn't a good way to win friends and influence people.

We're smarter and more passionate than that. If we really want to make a difference, we have to learn how to make the system work for us - or change it.

Bob Mehosky wrote:Jim,

The HUD funds were discussed at length over on the other forum. It's hard to dole out HUD money if there's no one applying for it. From the city's website the total of the grant requests was only about 110% of the anticipated funding. Essentially, if you requested it, you got it. LA actually had their requests cut twice as much as the average.

Maybe it's time to look into applying for HUD funds...

I think there is at least one other group being formed to do just that, and offer and alternatives to some of the things being offered right now.

Bob Mehosky wrote:Trust me, I've got no problem with railing against public officials, but just throwing a lot of stuff out there and hoping it sticks isn't a good way to win friends and influence people.

Trust me, I have no problem rallying against public officials, and/or those getting tax
dollars, or those with 501C3 status. They chose that route now they should answer to
the people that support them and they depend on funding for.

As for the friends and influence people, just trying to get a little transparency and
accountability, baby steps. Tried it the good buddy way, found out it only works until
you you have a simple question then everyone looks at you like you are Satan.

As for friends, that is a pretty high bar in my circles, and always want my friends to
tell me the way it is, do not patronize me.

Bob, enjoy the discussion, so odd in the city that rewards silence.

.

I'm glad to hear it. With some real competition for funds, hopefully the best ideas will win.

Asking questions should be the role of every concerned citizen. But we've also got some responsibility to research the questions before we ask them.

I learned a long time ago in business that it's easier to get things done if you come to someone with a clearly defined solution rather than a laundry list of problems.

Why did LA get HUD funds? Simply put, they found out what was required to get one, developed a plan and asked for them - which is something that apparently quite a few people in the community chose not to do, for whatever reason.

Whether you agree with their practices or not, you've gotta respect the ability to use the system to advance an agenda.

OK.....spinning this back to my original point, let me ask you and the rest of the peanut gallery this - Presuming it would be eligible for some sort of federal or state funding, would you be in favor of a program either made the city whole for tax abatement or assisted owners of owner-occupied doubles with grants to partially/totally cover the cost of a modernication/conversion if the property were deeded to be owner-occuped for the next ten or so years?

Is the opposition to the plan the budget impact to Lakewood? The feel that it would only benefit a few and not impact Lakewood city service costs/crime rates, etc?

I'm sure there are other ideas that could help Lakewood too, but I'm obviously curious about this one specifically.

Bob Mehosky wrote:OK.....spinning this back to my original point, let me ask you and the rest of the peanut gallery this - Presuming it would be eligible for some sort of federal or state funding, would you be in favor of a program either made the city whole for tax abatement or assisted owners of owner-occupied doubles with grants to partially/totally cover the cost of a modernication/conversion if the property were deeded to be owner-occuped for the next ten or so years?

Is the opposition to the plan the budget impact to Lakewood? The feel that it would only benefit a few and not impact Lakewood city service costs/crime rates, etc?

I'm sure there are other ideas that could help Lakewood too, but I'm obviously curious about this one specifically.

Bob

I would say the number 1 or 2 problem in this city is housing stock. Everything that can
make this better needs to be considered and looked at. That said, I see no reason to
destroy the city we moved into for the dreams of a few.

One great way to restore housing stock would be to make the city "historical" as they
did in German Village. Almost every house in Lakewood is nearing 100 years old. This
would provide all home owners with funding for improvements, and tax credits that
can be used over time. Depending on the repair, the return could be almost 100% the
cost of the repair.

How does that affect doubles to singles? I am not sure. But I know that "historical"
designation would not hurt "art districts" nor Madison or Detroit.

Just more food for thought I suppose.

.

The only places I've seen historic tax credits are for commercial or non-profit entities, but if there is a program, and if there's a way to get the area qualified, it's worth investigating.

There's no one right answer, but there's a lot of little ones if you know how to ask the right questions to the right people and perform your due dilligence.

Wow, this thread came back to life with a vengeance and I didnt even notice.

Some additional thoughts of mine since I posted it:

I love living in Lakewood. It was the only place we considered when we returned to NE Ohio. So what are its strengths:

1. The amazing choices of housing stock. The mere fact that it was not cookie cutter new(er) development like Westlake, for example. And priced more reasonably than RR.

2. It is near Cleveland. We can be close to our jobs and have a very short commute and also enjoy what is left of downtown activities.

3. It IS NOT Cleveland. You pay cheaper taxes for a reason there: The services do not compare and the schools do not either.

That said, in relation to #2 and #3, I am still befuddled by those that contend that Cleveland's health and wellbeing DO NOT affect us and we are our own island. They absolutely do. If Cleveland goes down and I no longer have a job there, I might NOT live in Lakewood. There are not enough jobs and varied ones at that in Lakewood to sustain me and my family. And as you know, we dont have a giant 10 foot fence with razor wire at our borders to keep crime out and it would just bleed further and further out. I know so many rail against regionalism and rightly so, because I think those efforts are poorly focused (as Bill mentioned about the strenthening of the I-77 corridor and other urban 'escape routes.') But it does behoove us all in the inner ring suburbs to help heal and maintain the health of our city.

Valerie Molinski wrote:That said, in relation to #2 and #3, I am still befuddled by those that contend that Cleveland's health and wellbeing DO NOT affect us and we are our own island. They absolutely do. If Cleveland goes down and I no longer have a job there, I might NOT live in Lakewood. There are not enough jobs and varied ones at that in Lakewood to sustain me and my family. And as you know, we dont have a giant 10 foot fence with razor wire at our borders to keep crime out and it would just bleed further and further out. I know so many rail against regionalism and rightly so, because I think those efforts are poorly focused (as Bill mentioned about the strenthening of the I-77 corridor and other urban 'escape routes.') But it does behoove us all in the inner ring suburbs to help heal and maintain the health of our city.

Valerie

You miss the point in your need to exaggerate. 10' fence?

The first question I would ask is how many Lakewoodites go downtown, and how many
head west or south, or through Cleveland.

The second question is do we put our efforts into making Lakewood better for all, or
making Cleveland better for all?

It would be great if Cleveland could keep their part of the equation and shore up and
rebuild, but I really do not see it happening. Especially as they are all speaking of
downsizing this and that.

Right now today we are competing for residents. To accomplish this is pretty easy.
But the tasks become harder and harder if we are holding onto the anchor of the
sinking ship, instead of making sure our affairs are in order.

That is simply what I have been saying.

If Lakewood cannot exist without Cleveland, then we are doomed.

If we can make Lakewood more self sufficient with the cards we have been dealt,
then we have a bright future.

FWIW


.

To continue...

A city the size of Lakewood would be a damn fine city in the middle of Iowa, Nebraska,
the Dakotas etc. It would also have to be semi-self sufficient,and would be stronger for
that and have a better handle on its own future. So that if it was in a region that was
the same it would be doing well, if the region fell, it could withstand the down times, and
it would do even better in the good times. If a city popped up next door that had jobs, the
city's residents would be situated to get those jobs and come home to their secure community.

Doesn't that make sense?

The simple very easy thought. Make Lakewood the best inner ring suburb to live, and
the rest becomes very, very easy. We start with good schools, great library, great
amenities, and great location, location, location. Closetoeverything,but far enough to
provide that nice break from the city, the industry, the noise, the airport, the traffic, etc.

This should be great news for Lakewoodites, civic leaders, and politicians. We do not
need to gamble heavily to move mountains for a chance at very small returns.

We simply need to find some residents with great housing plans.The rest becomes easy.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Valerie Molinski wrote:That said, in relation to #2 and #3, I am still befuddled by those that contend that Cleveland's health and wellbeing DO NOT affect us and we are our own island. They absolutely do. If Cleveland goes down and I no longer have a job there, I might NOT live in Lakewood. There are not enough jobs and varied ones at that in Lakewood to sustain me and my family. And as you know, we dont have a giant 10 foot fence with razor wire at our borders to keep crime out and it would just bleed further and further out. I know so many rail against regionalism and rightly so, because I think those efforts are poorly focused (as Bill mentioned about the strenthening of the I-77 corridor and other urban 'escape routes.') But it does behoove us all in the inner ring suburbs to help heal and maintain the health of our city.

Valerie

You miss the point in your need to exaggerate. 10' fence?

The first question I would ask is how many Lakewoodites go downtown, and how many
head west or south, or through Cleveland.

The second question is do we put our efforts into making Lakewood better for all, or
making Cleveland better for all?

It would be great if Cleveland could keep their part of the equation and shore up and
rebuild, but I really do not see it happening. Especially as they are all speaking of
downsizing this and that.

Right now today we are competing for residents. To accomplish this is pretty easy.
But the tasks become harder and harder if we are holding onto the anchor of the
sinking ship, instead of making sure our affairs are in order.

That is simply what I have been saying.

If Lakewood cannot exist without Cleveland, then we are doomed.

If we can make Lakewood more self sufficient with the cards we have been dealt,
then we have a bright future.

FWIW


.

I am not missing the point. You are missing mine. My fence comment was in relation to those who would ignore Cleveland and let them fend for themselves, thinking that what ever happens to Cleveland does not affect Lakewood or its attractiveness or viability in any way. That is burying your head in the sand, IMO. Cleveland IS the 'big city' whether we like it or not, where corporations hopefully site their headquarters or home manufacturing base and stay longterm. We most likely do not want half of that in Lakewood, and we dont have enough land or existing office space to attract something like that. We do need Cleveland to continue being what it is for Lakewood to continue being what it is: a vibrant residential community.

Did I ever say that we need to ignore Lakewood's needs to prop up Cleveland? Never. Do I agree that Cleveland is NOT holding up its end of the bargain and helping itself. Absolutely. Lakewood does need to be planning for itself and protecting itself, but to assume that what is going on across the border does not affect us... or even the rest of the suburbs, inner ring and otherwise, is a fallacy. We need a healthy downtown core. I figured that all of your Jane Jacobs reading might lead you to that eventually. Dont make the mistake of thinking only about residents and who and what we attract in that regard. If the economic base continues to move out of downtown to Beachwood or Westlake, we will continue to decentralize and take those residents with them. Then we wont be fighting Cleveland for residents... they will have been already gone to far flung east and wests and we will die along with the center, Cleveland.