The Observation Deck

Does anyone know what use vacant housing lots can be put to, other than housing? Anything interesting around town? I'm curious.

For example, in the Edgewater neighborhood at harborview and edgewater there is a sculpture garden (it's private, though).

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=vacant+lots+lakewood+ohio&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=vacant+lots&hnear=Lakewood,+Cuyahoga,+Ohio&ll=41.489515,-81.76376&spn=0.001324,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.489515,-81.76376&panoid=4jdOoJkSWWAyCc-CP8LwSw&cbp=12,271.17,,0,4.4

Ben VanLear wrote:Does anyone know what use vacant housing lots can be put to, other than housing? Anything interesting around town? I'm curious.

For example, in the Edgewater neighborhood at harborview and edgewater there is a sculpture garden (it's private, though).

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=vacant+lots+lakewood+ohio&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=vacant+lots&hnear=Lakewood,+Cuyahoga,+Ohio&ll=41.489515,-81.76376&spn=0.001324,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.489515,-81.76376&panoid=4jdOoJkSWWAyCc-CP8LwSw&cbp=12,271.17,,0,4.4

I've seen this as well, but always thought this was just part of the larger property....was not aware it was an extra vacated property lot.

At Harbor View and Edgewater, there was a small ranch that was demolished about ten years ago. The lot was sold to a neighborhood sculptor who now uses it as a garden.

Perhaps a McDonalds.

I kid, I kid.

Michael Loje wrote:At Harbor View and Edgewater, there was a small ranch that was demolished about ten years ago. The lot was sold to a neighborhood sculptor who now uses it as a garden.

Nice piece of info. Here are some ideas for use of vacant property land re-use:

- Mini playground
- Community garden
- Sell to neighbors for house or parking space extension/expansion


Not sure what else you could fit in the smaller Lakewood lots that would be least annoying to local residents.

J Hrlec wrote:

Michael Loje wrote:At Harbor View and Edgewater, there was a small ranch that was demolished about ten years ago. The lot was sold to a neighborhood sculptor who now uses it as a garden.

Nice piece of info. Here are some ideas for use of vacant property land re-use:

- Mini playground
- Community garden
- Sell to neighbors for house or parking space extension/expansion


Not sure what else you could fit in the smaller Lakewood lots that would be least annoying to local residents.

community garden would probably be pretty low impact. Not sure that would be use the legal hassle of the neighborhood owning the property though.

Someone suggested a pool, but I bet the noise would be too disturbing to nearby houses and the legal implications and necessary exclusions would be complicated.

Any precedents? Any wild ideas? Are there any city restrictions?

Thanks!

I like the idea of offering the land to the adjacent homeowners to expand their property. Adds it back to the tax role, takes it off the city's responsibility list, and gives the opportunity for some homes to get more yard space which many Lakewood families crave.

Community Gardens! I don't know of a precedent that exists as far as the neighborhood owning the property... community gardens aren't communes. But there are many reasons a city might encourage gardens: they keep surrounding property values up (if for no other reason than they aren't vacant lots); they foster community spirit; they place a positive human presence in the neighborhood, which deters crime; they provide a free educational resource in the neighborhood; they encourage inter-generational contact; they beautify the area; they promote healthy eating and nutrition; and (though I hate to say it) they are easy to turn into anything else if another development opportunity comes along (but see above for reasons why you might not want to).

Bryan Schwegler wrote:I like the idea of offering the land to the adjacent homeowners to expand their property. Adds it back to the tax role, takes it off the city's responsibility list, and gives the opportunity for some homes to get more yard space which many Lakewood families crave.

This happened recently at the corner of Webb and Northwood after that house burned down a year or two ago. The neighbors have a nice pretty yard now. Which I always see on my way to the community garden.

That area looks so much better. The homeowner has planted trees and put a nice fence and expanded his yard. It look s great!

Now if we can just get something done about the eyesore on Sloane! What a shame to do to a great piece of real estate with a great view. What is the problem here. Can they at least make it look go while the owner decides what to do with the property. He has made a lame attempt to add some landscaping to the property...but plopping the a few bushes and adding a few plants is not a landscape plan. Something more needs to be done with this property.

I second Brad's description of the benefits of Community Gardens! The legal logistics of a community space like that are a struggle (as Ben pointed out), but not impossible to overcome. It has definitely been explored by LEAF with the City numerous times.

One pioneering couple in Lakewood has taken this concept to the next level up in Birdtown to create a true urban market garden Bay Branch Farms (baybranchfarm.com)! Last year was Annabel and Eric's first year selling fantastic produce off of what was once just a vacant lot. In 2011 their produce will be available through a buying club (a slightly different model from your traditional CSA) called "Bay Branch al a farm carte." This program will be available on LEAF Nights (Wednesdays in front of the Library 5:30-8:00pm) and through the Lakewood Farmers Market (Saturday mornings- Marc's Plaza).

I know there are other small groups, families and individuals out there who would love to have a place to grow large quantities on this type of lot. The City's support of Community Gardens in the public parks has been huge for LEAF, but now the question is, do we live in a city ready to embrace what these pioneering spirits have to contribute to the community on otherwise private land and act accordingly?