The Observation Deck

Jeff

When on earth have you ever said to me please stay, please, I am right it is cool please stay. NEVER

Laurie Rhodes ran the rally today, she is moving to North Carolina. I never said please stay you are a true believer, please stay. Didn't happen. Was glad to hear her husband found a nice job. Wish her well, bought her and her husband lunch and talked about council, and what I new about North Carolina.

My question remains, in this way off topic post. If I like Lakewood why am I not allowed to talk about it? If I know a bunch of other people happy and content in Lakewood, why can't I hang with them?

Why are others who just seem bitter with what life dealt them, allowed to tell me what to do and talk about? I have a great house, three businesses, a beautiful loving wife of 22 years who like Lakewood, and a bunch of really good friends. I can easily afford my homes, lifestyle and taxes. Why would I not like Lakewood.

I guess I am just one of the half full kind of guys.

Today instead of sitting on this board talking about how much this city sucks, and how bad my life is I had fun in Lakewood, took 20 people to Melt, and raised a couple hundred dollars for The Lakewood Family Room. Why would I not like this city. Ran into the Crinos walking their kids at the park. Ran into people at The Melt. If I didn't like it, I would move. I certainly wouldn't stay in the Hell I built in my mind.

But that is me. I have no room for Masochism in my life.



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Joan

Let's be honest.

I equate EVERYTHING that is not a living space as commercial. So do not think all I think of is commercial. That is simply not true.

As for your land of promise North of I-90 by Crocker the land of opportunity is simply not true also. I almost bought the tract of land north of I-90 at Crocker Park back in the 70s. That land is still undeveloped in 50% of that. One of my clients B&B Appliance we looked at space near Crocker Park, in the area just north to the west of Crocker, small business strips and industrial park built about ten years ago. 75% empty. The empty property just north of I-90 has some development, but is not filling up fast. They started trying to fill it up 12 years ago.

I have worked with developers on our I-90 corridor. The problems are: No interest from developers, Abatement from other cities(that fail to bring in people), and that area is making good money.

See it is easy for me to say, development, commercial needed. But go do the math and the homework. I have, I have been involved in these talks, some of my clients are some serious players in the business. RETAIL IS DYING. THE ECONOMY IS SPINNING DOWN. THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 30% OF THE MANUFACTURING AS 15 YEARS AGO. CITIES HAVE BECOME WHORES.

I have not had so much of the kool-aid as to think we have a chance in hell against Phoenix, when Phoenix is giving abutments for 30 years. Walleye fishing of 30 years without taxes, and a city selling the brand.

At no point did I say no hotel. I told you one is trying to get built and is being fought for nor other reason than NIMBY. I actually think the spot is GREAT. I actually think it is not big enough. I would rather Condos, but hotels are good enough. I applaud LakewoodAlive that has begun preaching offices not retail. Office space is always easy to swap out and change. I am not sure there are enough businesses ready to move in.

Also who is working to bring in the Hampton Inn. The city, doubt they called. Chamber of Commerce!!!!! I'm dying. Joan that leaves you and me. Here is what I do not understand as well. If you got a meeting with the Hampton Inn people and called me, I would be there in a second to tell them why to move here. Would you do the same when the Foster Family from Chagrin Falls and ask me where they can find a house?

So what are you going to tell the Hampton Inn? "Hi I am Joan from Lakewood." Or would you dare to explain why and a little bit about the city!!! Oh the horror Joan building/defining the brand. My life is ruined. This is absurd.

I guess my problem is my life is OK, I'm comfortable, and I prefer people over companies.

I have said repeatedly to you and Shawn. Dream all you want but please tell me how it is going to make my life better, or even the same. Everything I have suggested or dreamed about I can back with figures and pretty solid theories. It is not that hard, and money is always the bottom line. Example: I can live with Johnny Malloy's because it beings people to the city though I am not sure if ANYONE buys more Lakewood goods. I was speaking with a friend and agreed an IKEA in Lakewood near the FREEWAY would do wonders. I know people that plan weekends around going to IKEA in Pittsburgh.

I am not blind to what you are talking about. I am just saying I am not waiting. I know empty rentals and homes are a bigger problem. I can make an impact there. I know empty storefronts are a problem I can make an impact there. I will always work hard for positive things.

Again sorry I am happy and realistic.

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Jeff Endress wrote:Sometimes the baby steps of cleaning the gutters, getting a family to move in, a business to stay or expand can build the critical mass necessary gor larger visions to succeed. I think that is the direction that OB comes from. Effect those things within your power to change.

Jeff

Jeff

Thank you. Why on earth would a business want to move to a city that hates itself, is dirty, empty of people, and in general disrepair.

Joan, how much time do you spend in other cities? Not malls but cities? How many times do you talk to people in those cities. I spend a lot of time outside Lakewood contrary to popular belief. I find Solon, and Independence to be nice. But I do not like the snow. But most cities in this area are in deep trouble. Lakewood is not.

When I talk with urban planners they are trying to figure out why it hasn't collapsed. I then take them around and we talk to people and they understand. The city is energized, and the people here generally like it. However there is a growing problem. I used to golf with a guy that one morning shot a whole in one one the second. First and only time in his life he shot a hole in one. for those that do not play most people NEVER get a whole in one. You would have thought he was happy. The following sixteen holes he complained because he did not see it go in. If you bring it up he stills complains.

Joan I am not asking anyone for anything they don't want to do or help with. Generally I try hard to make it fun for all. I do not make false promises, I am not suggesting anything we cannot do, easily. I am certainly not suggesting one thing that makes anyone's life worse.


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:[

Joan, how much time do you spend in other cities? Not malls but cities? How many times do you talk to people in those cities. I spend a lot of time outside Lakewood contrary to popular belief. I find Solon, and Independence to be nice. But I do not like the snow. But most cities in this area are in deep trouble. Lakewood is not.




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Hey, skipper....I LIVED in those other cities remember?

And again why the damn slam? I haven't been inside a shopping mall in about 20 years.

And FYI, by my business travel log, I was in 18 cities in Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Lake counties last week.

OK, I tried again to engage on some kind of intellectual level. My mistake. This is just NOT worth increasing my BP med dosage.

Charyn, Jimmyville is allllllllll yours!!!!!

Joan Roberts wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:[

Joan, how much time do you spend in other cities? Not malls but cities? How many times do you talk to people in those cities. I spend a lot of time outside Lakewood contrary to popular belief. I find Solon, and Independence to be nice. But I do not like the snow. But most cities in this area are in deep trouble. Lakewood is not.




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Hey, skipper....I LIVED in those other cities remember?

And again why the damn slam? I haven't been inside a shopping mall in about 20 years.

OK, I tried again to engage on some kind of intellectual level. My mistake. This is just NOT worth increasing my BP med dosage.

Charyn, Jimmyville is allllllllll yours!!!!!

Joan

It was a legitimate question, it was not a slam. How do I know where you lived?

Really no attack.

I think when a person does not touch base in a city they do not get the feel. Solon I am in twice a week as I have two business interests there, and a couple friends. Indpendence I liked based two one hour jobs there and a quick drive through town.

I have no idea where you travel. Ken and I were out west, every vcity between Bay and Hurron is in real bad shape. whole cities business areas packing up and leaving.

Again it was not an attack.

Please accept my apology.

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It's rare to find someone be scolded and berated to be positive. I love these Jim vs. Joan battles. Political shows like O'Reily were a brief replacement for professional wrestling but these are becoming far more entertaining. Can these be part of the new TV show. I'm picturing the old Point/Counterpoint with Jane Curtain and Akroyd from early SNL days.

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Charyn

Thanks for the research......anecdotal though it may be, it does point out at least some of the issues.

If we take the list as a starting point, I think we can pretty quickly identify those ares that are beyond any of us to affect. Certain of the perceptions will require a concerted effort by the city government to resolve, probably with prodding and most certainly with strong backing from the community.

Specifically, the issue of parking/convenience is an issue well known to all in Lakewood. While we would like be thought of as a walkable community, there is still the real issue of parking. Certainly if you can't park near the store, there's a problem. (Although, as an aside and not as an attack, I see little difference in parking in a muni garage at Belle, and walking to Geigers, from parking in the garage at Crocker and walking to Borders). We can float all kinds of ideas, but in the end, it's City Hall who will have to take the lead.

Same holds true of structural age. No question that a good many commercial properties are old, and lack amenities that many businesses think to be absolute requirements. While certainly individuals can impact the equation, by rehabing and renovating, unless there's some carrot offered by the city, those willing to invest will be far and few. (As another aside, a strong stick to "encourage" renovations would also help).

The other two areas are, however, something on which we can have some impact. The reputation of the community is something that we, as its citizens, help to form. It is also something that we, as "brand Builders" and "image Amplifiers" can have an impact on. Likewise with the applicant pool. Lots of good people here and nearby that would love to work in an up and coming software development firm. Businesses need to know the true demographics and not just the perceptions that follow the tag "inner ring suburb".

It's great to dream, and to dream big. But no matter how much you'd like to hit the Lotto, most would recomend that you don't stop contributing to your 401(k)....assuming you're lucky enough to have one. We can dream of Hamptons, Hyatts and Hiltons, but while we're at it, we need to work the little things within our power which will impact on some of the negatives in perception. Like I said before, let's start with some baby steps. SO, when there's a house for sale on the street, take that opportunity to help choose the new neighbor. Market it to family and friends. When someone wants to go out for a bite, instead of hitting (fill in the franchise name here), suggest they try that new Melts bar and Grilled, or the Taste of India. Politely ask that one neighbor who puts out the trash whenever they want to please wait till the night before pickup.

Stay away from the Cleveland Syndrome. "Nobody tells a Cleveland joke better than a Clevelander". Somebody reacts to a story about staph at LHS with negativism, set them straight that the administration was proactive, sterilized the athletic facility (and that it probably came from Berea anyway). Someone points out there was a fight at LHS, point out it didn't involve the members of the Lakewood Project or the H2O counselors. Invite friends and family to the Arts Festival, or the LHS Christmas Choral concert.

The more we take a "half empty" attitude, the more negative our perception.

Jeff

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I would only state that frank discussion of the issues that confront us does not always stem from a glass half empty point of view. Lakewood's glass is more than half full - from my POV, I want to look at that glass and make sure any cracks that appear are fixed so we can keep it that way...

Indeed....proper maintenance and a good washing is always important in the care of your stemware. And an open discussion of flaws discovered, properly channeled, can lead to positive actions to accomplish preventative maintenance before the chip on the rim gives you a nasty cut. My concerns are not about those who identify issues and offer a reasonable approach to resolve them, but with those who see the problem, wring their hands and offer no hope or solution and only a focus on the negative aspects, which I agree, are outweighed by the positives.
Never equate the voice who says, "Houston, we have a problem", with the one that says "It's no use....I'm outta here".

There are negatives everywhere. There is no perfect place. You can waste your time in search of Valhalla, or take baby steps that will help your current situation to more closely approximate your ideal. We all have that ability (I hesitate to say social responsibility) and if we each do what we can towards small improvements, the overall results can be huge.
Call it social activism if you wish, but I much prefer it to social pessimism.

Jeff