The Observation Deck

Michael Loje wrote:Would anyone object to condos at Trinity Lutheran? Would that be worse than a Burger King or a dollar store?

Brian Essi wrote:

Michael Loje wrote:Would anyone object to condos at Trinity Lutheran? Would that be worse than a Burger King or a dollar store?

Mr. Loje,

I think that is a great idea.

Let’s form a group and propose to our welcoming city leaders that they provide us with a $7M subsidy for asbestos abatement and TIFF and see what they say.

If that fails, let’s hire Ed Fitzgerald as our lobbyist and resubmit.

Perhaps we can call the project “Two Lakewoods”?

Missy Limkemann wrote:I have the best idea for that location. A dog day care. A huge dog day care mixed with the rescue. But here is the cool part, special needs kids/adults can work there. Like an indoor dog park but day care. Swimming area, lounge area, heck even a bar for the adults if they need to relax (they have one in Seattle...). But something fun where our special needs community can also enjoy. I know it is a crazy idea, but I think it could be something.

Michael Deneen wrote:Well, I stand corrected....Wendy's is definitely trying to move in.
I stick to my belief that this would mean closure of the W. 117th location.
The swarms of panhandlers on W. 117 (particularly by the convenience store on the Cleveland side, next to the tracks) have made that area feel very unsafe for many people.

Here's how I see it.....

BENEFITS
Lakewood steals a business from Cleveland.
Lakewood turns a tax exempt church property into a taxable commercial property.
Lakewood would add some jobs, albeit most of them very low wage.
Frosty-loving Lakewoodites would no longer need to drive to Rocky River (or dodge the W. 117 panhandlers) for their fix.

NEGATIVES
Traffic will be a nightmare on that stretch of Detroit Ave.
Folks on the adjoining side streets will see a lot more traffic. Woodward already has major issues.
Lakewood loses another piece of its cultural heritage. (Although to be fair, every church can't be saved).
City Hall is bringing in another national chain to undercut our local businesses.
If the fast food industry has its way, most of their workers will be replaced by automation. So most of those new jobs could be gone in a few years.

Dan Alaimo wrote:Is there any need for another civic auditorium type space/venue? The library has a small one, there's one at city hall mainly for government business, and the Masonic Temple gets heavy use. Then there's the Beck center, but that's not really public although it has been used for public gatherings.

Michael Loje wrote:Problem with an auditorium without a specific tenant or purpose have one thing in common: they all lose money. Let me rephrase my earlier post: Lets talk about alternative uses that don't lose money.

Michael Loje wrote:Churches are usually wide open spaces without complex heating systems, so there is probably not a great deal of asbestos in there. And that would only become an issue if the building is razed. Lead, as in paint, is contained safely in countless restored buildings. Remember, too, lead paint was used into the 1970's As far as other uses of the present building, Missy's idea of dog services is one idea. Mine, Cleveland Hts. type condominiums, is another. Restaurant type establishments abound in former churches. Michael Gill also brought up Nottingham-Spirk Design's offices in a former church in Cleveland Hts., up the hill from Little Italy. And, we can't forget Mike Schroeder's Roundstone Insurance Co. offices in the former Christian Science church. There are probably dozens of other potential uses other than brewpubs, but, judging from most comments on this thread.....................DO ANY OBSERVER READERS EVEN CARE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT??????

Michael Loje wrote:Problem with an auditorium without a specific tenant or purpose have one thing in common: they all lose money. Let me rephrase my earlier post: Lets talk about alternative uses that don't lose money.