The Observation Deck

Betsy

I suppose thank you, like John and Valerie said, for pointing out it was not the complete
scam that Phase III was.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Betsy

I suppose thank you, like John and Valerie said, for pointing out it was not the complete
scam that Phase III was.

.

... also for staying on topic.

J Hrlec wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Betsy

I suppose thank you, like John and Valerie said, for pointing out it was not the complete
scam that Phase III was.

.

... also for staying on topic.

Wow. Thank you guys for a great idea for killing two birds with one stone. One, I will never being accused of going off topic again to talk about Phase 3 if I, Two, start a thread with the fabulous title of... The complete scam that Phase III was.

It's a pretty wild story. If I hadn't been there maybe I wouldn't believe it. But if you don't think its fascinating and revealing and not a waste of time for all of the learning that went on... then you just haven't heard enough about it.

But right now we have to go swimming.

Betsy Voinovich

Hi all--
In case you didn't read the update on this situation yet, here it is (I pasted it below). I think the residents are right to be proud of themselves for engaging in this process, forging a compromise with the City, and maybe most of all, setting an example for all the residents of Lakewood.

The thing about the brownfield never being mentioned is disturbing. It seems that all cards should have been laid on the table, not to do this makes for an incomplete and finally unsatifying process. Maybe there are grounds for an appeal in this.

Whatever goes on from here forward, thank you residents of Grace and Cohassett for showing the way.

Betsy Voinovich

Update On Residents Say, "Enough Is Enough": Grace/Cohassett Residents Win Some, Lose Some To Drug Mart
by Betsy Voinovich
At last Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting, the commission heard Drug Mart’s appeal, and reversed its decision from the previous meeting. Drug Mart has been granted a conditional use permit and can tear down the apartment building they already purchased (BEFORE the approval of the Planning Commission). Drug Mart was also approved for taking an approximately 800 square foot wedge off the back of the residential property, instead of 13.5 feet of the side yard.

Though some have said that the residents of Grace and Cohassett lost, they would disagree. The residents came together not just to protest the encroachment of commercial interests into residential streets but to come up with a plan that would work for both interest groups.

Most in the neighborhood WANTED the Drug Mart. They weren't defending the vacant Ganley lot. They could really use a 21st century Drug Mart with a produce section that they can easily walk to. A thriving and successful business in that location is good news, especially if it isn't a cell phone store, a dollar store or a check cashing place, though Drug Mart probably cashes checks.

They wanted Drug Mart to be a good neighbor. Each side gave something on this deal and a lot of work and time went in on it.

Compared to the original and subsequent proposals, much was gained due to requests from the city, the Architectural Board of Review, the Planning Commission and the neighborhood.

The project went from approximately 114 parking spaces to 72; the surface drainage pond was scrapped; the 1899 white house was saved; Drug Mart now has an option to buy it and is supposed to rehab it. Much additional landscaping was added; better architectural details were added; the loading dock was reversed to keep delivery truck traffic off Grace/Cohasset. The Planning Commission mandated that the remaining white house lot must always remain residential,  asked that the Drug Mart driveways on Grace and Cohassett direct drivers toward Detroit, and they are also interested in performing a traffic study.

Somewhat unsettling was late information that came from a conversation between residents and Mayor Summers after the meeting during which he volunteered the fact that Drug Mart wanted the apartment building so that they do not have to remove and abate the two underground storage tanks that make the Ganley site a brownfield. According to the mayor, if Drug Mart builds over and covers them up, the EPA will allow the tanks to stay underground. This is why there was no basement option and the building was kept on the surface.

Without a basement for storage, the new building would need to have a larger footprint- removing the apartment building then became necessary for parking.

Also, according to the mayor’s public comments, the city feels that there is a glut of older multi-unit apartment housing in Lakewood and that he was in favor of the apartment building being removed for that reason.

Overall the residents are pleased with the efforts they made, are proud of the people who researched and presented their issues so eloquently and felt gratified by the care with which this issue was reviewed and handled by the City, the Planning Commission and the Architectural Board of Review. However, some residents wished that these unmentioned issues had been made a part of the discussion and process, since they are driving reasons why the lot is laid out as it is.

Down comes the structure.


WOW, look at those leaded glass windows, "hey wait!"


You know, it is funny what I observe sometimes, and the neural connections that spring forth.


As I watch the building coming down, I remember that Tom Barrett the developer for Rosewood Place
had the Historical Society come in and salvage what they could for their sale. When the
Detroit Theater came down, many pieces were saved for Historical Society, and business
owners, when Andrew Brickman came in to develop Clifton Pointe he asked if any group
could use some of the things from the homes. Again Historical Society came in and grabbed
hard to find knobs, handles, leaded glass etc.. I had to wonder if anyone from Drug Mart
bothered to call the Historical Society?


I under three hours it was gone.

.

Betsy Voinovich wrote:Also, according to the mayor’s public comments, the city feels that there is a glut of older multi-unit apartment housing in Lakewood and that he was in favor of the apartment building being removed for that reason.

It seems like City Hall actually gets it.

I'm a little disappointed that the alternative future for Detroit that consisted of the Gold's Gym, modern apartments and condos from Rosewood to West 117th was not pursued with more vigor but there it is.

Jim O'Bryan wrote: I had to wonder if anyone from Drug Mart
bothered to call the Historical Society?

.

I am going to guess that no one from Drug Mart called them, since this isn't even Drug Mart's site/property.

I have to say I'm saddened by the loss of another potentially beautiful home on Detroit. While it didn't look like it in it's current state, it still makes me sad. I've always been quite intrigued by Lakewood's history, particularly those that have been torn down, hidden away, or demolished for storefronts. While I couldn't find a picture of that home, I found a house that looks like it was located right near it, and no longer exists. What did Lakewood have against these large historic homes that they decided to tear them down and put up parking lots and car dealerships? Was that progress?

Bill

I am not sure they "get it" just because you buy into supply and demand theory to living quarters. This concept
always makes me smile. Supply and demand works if you have a lock on the product. Lakewood one of 52
communities in Northern Ohio, does no have a lock on housing, rentals, etc.

Val

Thanks.

Myra

I am not sure it would have ever been a home again. Though it did have some nice features that could have
been saved.


.

As soon as I read this I grabbed the kids and ran up there (I did bribe them with KB's bakery) as we had walked by there two days ago and I guess I did not realize it was gone. I used to walk by there and daydream about what could be done with that house. I wished I could have a tutoring business or a little school there I could walk to. I really felt sad too Myra to see it gone.

What bothered me most was, when I looked through the fence at the empty space I saw a friend/neighbor's (who I won't name) house and realized his view from his windows would now be Drug Mart or whichever one is going there. His house was on the Historical tour and has been in his family for decades. It is amazing. Then I felt more sad. I am sure I will offend someone who thinks all development is good but so unhappy about this.

My little dream was to have that property with the house, turn the house in to the little rescue that I have and turn the property in to the a green space for the dogs to run around and get excersise but also for a place for kids to come and hang out, learn about responsible pet ownership, play with the dogs and volunteer. Some day I will have that dream....

That would have been awesome Missy. You will have that one day at another location! I really wouldn't go another business myself but I wanted to see that old house on that lot with a cool business. You can have a retail side too of course!

That is the lot that Family Dollar is going in to.

What are they doing with the Family Dollar on Madison then?

Forgive me if I missed this in a post, but I just heard that ValueKing, not Value World is going to the old Drug Mart and that Value King is owned by Giant Eagle. Is that true?

I have no idea what is going to happen with the current Family Dollar, I have not heard anything about it. And last I heard about Drugmart was some hersay about Value World, so it sounds like you know more about that then me. I dont even know what ValuKing is.