The Observation Deck

Paul Schrimpf wrote:I hope the courts go in. They should never have left.

Amen!

And they never should have told everyone it was "temporary" when they knew it was not.

They should not have made promises to the families and youth of Lakewood to now say, our bad,
sorry, no money and more questions.

Yeah, they never should have left.

.

So I just read that there is yet ANOTHER Dunkin Donuts going in and 2 homes are going to be demolished for a gas station....so let me see if I have this right...take away homes for yet another gas station...add in another donut shop but we won't let kids play ball?

Missy Limkemann wrote:So I just read that there is yet ANOTHER Dunkin Donuts going in and 2 homes are going to be demolished for a gas station....so let me see if I have this right...take away homes for yet another gas station...add in another donut shop but we won't let kids play ball?

Which proves my point.

Had the LOBC formed a S-Corp. Lakewood would be tearing down homes and giving them CDBG money.
That could be used in the neighborhoods.

Unfortunately they packaged it as healthy, good for kids and families and something RESIDENTS WANT.

So it falls on the deaf ears of city hall.

In the coming years residents better start asking for information and what are you going to
do for the neighborhoods? The voters?

If they are in office now ask "How much has this switch to commercial development saved
the residents that have paid into the dream of "Downtown" for nearly ten years?"

Let's not forget we were promised, "High end shopping and lower taxes." Well?

Time to recalibrate thinking at city hall and remind them who votes, and who pays a
majority of the taxes in this city.

I personally believe more courts would let me burn off some of this energy.

.

High end shopping?

They must consider Dollar Store and Value World high end because thats all they managed to bring in.

Stephen,

Your above post inspired me to pay more attention to “other communities” that have outdoor basketball courts.

So, this morning, on my way to work, I took the below photos of an outdoor basketball court in a public park located in Bath, Ohio.





Matt

Matthew, we will most likely be playing next Friday Night!!!!! Bring Thing 1 and 2!!!!! Heck, maybe we could get JOB to show up for a little game of HORSE... Anyone else interested?

Stephen Eisel wrote:Matthew, we will most likely be playing next Friday Night!!!!! Bring Thing 1 and 2!!!!! Heck, maybe we could get JOB to show up for a little game of HORSE... Anyone else interested?

Since I have no clue how to play basketball...can I stand on the sidelines and be a cheerleader????

Grace O'Malley wrote:High end shopping?

They must consider Dollar Store and Value World high end because thats all they managed to bring in.

There are only two places in NE Ohio that any high end stores are considering when they open new stores- those are Legacy Village and Crocker Park.

With that said, people are still struggling out there. There is a lot of spending going on in the very high reaches (luxury) of the economy and the low reaches. This means that stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar are doing some gangbusters business right now. They are the few with any money to be expanding and buying up property to open new stores.

It is what it is. Both of these were private real estate transactions that happened on commercially zoned lots and the city can't stop them. It's been resported in the media that in the case of the Dollar General that the city tried working with the owners to find a different tenant, but Dollar General came to them with a quick and easy offer that they jumped on. You can do what I plan on doing- and that is 'voting' with my wallet. If you don't like these stores, don't patronize them and they will be gone soon enough.

Back to talking about basketball courts....

Missy Limkemann wrote:

Stephen Eisel wrote:Matthew, we will most likely be playing next Friday Night!!!!! Bring Thing 1 and 2!!!!! Heck, maybe we could get JOB to show up for a little game of HORSE... Anyone else interested?

Since I have no clue how to play basketball...can I stand on the sidelines and be a cheerleader????

Yes, but you must do a little trash talking when Matt misses a shot

Missy Limkemann wrote:

Stephen Eisel wrote:Matthew, we will most likely be playing next Friday Night!!!!! Bring Thing 1 and 2!!!!! Heck, maybe we could get JOB to show up for a little game of HORSE... Anyone else interested?

Since I have no clue how to play basketball...can I stand on the sidelines and be a cheerleader????

The courts are for learning, too. Just lace 'em tight if Matt is on the court...and wear shin guards.

Corey

Corey, you can bring the beer!!!!!!

Valerie Molinski wrote:

Grace O'Malley wrote:High end shopping?

They must consider Dollar Store and Value World high end because thats all they managed to bring in.

There are only two places in NE Ohio that any high end stores are considering when they open new stores- those are Legacy Village and Crocker Park.

Valerie

I agree, but what was sold to Lakewoodites for over 10 years, was "We" that would be a small group
using 3 different names and formations, promised, all of this effort would bring "High End Stores"
that would be "Destinations" and would "Bring Down Our Taxes" and secure the future of the
"Schools and Library, and Lakewood Lifestyle."

Now, many of us never believed the hype. Many said, there were no guarantees. Many times these
civic minded people were flying really fast and loose with "facts," like, "Cedar Lee Theater coming
here." But many, many more believed them, counted on them, and bought in.

Now we hear, "we had no control," "we could not count on...," we cannot stop..." and it is simply
not true. The city had so many way to deliver on a more realistic promise. But who would have
donated to the truth? "We hope to bring in some low end/ middle of the road stores, that pay
minimum wage, but is better than nothing."

The city has stopped, temporarily drive-thrus on Detroit Ave., the city has stopped tattoo parlors,
strip clubs, and many, many things. They could have bought the property for about the same cost
as way-finding, and controlled the property next to the $12 million dollar Robert AM Stern Library.

We both know, if the city can convince "5 Guys to move their corporate offices there" why are they
so inept at controlling other things? Why are they so fixated on destroying our neighborhoods for
mediocre development. Had the city not jumped so quickly at turning residential into commercial,
Drug Mart would have stayed where they are, where they are packed every night, and something
that fit into the neighborhood better than what is going in.

I am dying to find out who owns what in the Drug Mart Parking lot. It would appear that the city
has given up about 40' all along the back, to the owner of the plaza, if I am not mistaken was
years behind on taxes. Id that why they brought in the person that designs Marc's Parking Lots
and Aisles? Joking not really that guy.

If the city has no control, then they should be upfront with the voters and tax payers and say "We
hope that we can attract nice stores, but, we might only get more dollar stores than churches."

That was what I was getting at.

How does it tie in, if we hadn't bet the farm on downtown, the city could afford to replace the
hoops they took down for no reason, well no sane reason.

Corey/Stephan

If this is really you, not some Czech Republic version...

Horse, yeah I'd show up to Kauffman Park.

.

Jim, can we play B-Ball at Kauffman Park after 9 pm? and yes, this is the real me!!!!

Stephen Eisel wrote:Jim, can we play B-Ball at Kauffman Park after 9 pm? and yes, this is the real me!!!!

I'm not so sure, Jim.

Let's hear the password, "Stephen Eisel" ... if that is the real you ...

YOUNG PEOPLE FAR AND NEAR:





MAY HAVE LESS RESOURCES...BUT GETTING IT DONE!





NOTICE THOSE HAPPY KIDS IN THE BACKGROUND! CAN SUMMERS GET IT DONE FOR LAKEWOOD'S YOUTH??