The Observation Deck

McDonalds is moving ahead with plans to demolish the Detroit Theater:

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/ ... ept_p.html

Since Lakewood has become a one party state (more on that later) there doesn't seem to be much anyone can do about it.

It's only fair I guess. The Gordon Square district get $50 million in taxpayer subsidies and Lakewood gets the new McDonalds.

At the very least I hope that the City will work to minimize the damage that will be done to the surrounding neighborhood.

And what exactly do you expect McDonalds to do?

They bought the property, it is their right to do with it what they are legally allowed. They aren't doing anything horrific, they are just building a store. Let's stop being so melodramatic.

Saying that McDonalds told us to "drop dead" is excessive. Considering especially that we basically wanted to run them out of town on a rail. It isn't like we were accomodating or willing to work something out, most people just wanted them gone.

We might have gotten something like Gordon Square if all the reactionary people in this community started to be more proactive instead. Much more would get accomplished if people looked forward instead of harping on a done deal like McDonalds.

If people are upset about this outcome, use this as motivation to be forwardthinking about other vacant lots in the city. Post ideas on the Deck or something.

Can we please just end this debate and move forward?

Thealexa Becker wrote:And saying that McDonalds told us to "drop dead" is excessive. Considering especially that we basically wanted to run them out of town on a rail. It isn't like we were accomodating or willing to work something out, most people just wanted them gone. Hardly sounds like a reasonable compromise to me.

The traffic, late night drive through and strong odors will have a detrimental affect on the property values of two of the finest streets in the City. With an 11% vacancy rate we cannot afford to drive away more residents in exchange for an extra 10 minimum wage jobs.

On the other hand the other alteranative is a vacant building. The owners of the building have the right to sell and McDonalds has the right to buy. A reasonable compromise is:

Limit traffic on Woodward
No drive through
Control of odors and noise
A building that will enhance the neighborhood and blend with the character of the City.

The City has every right to control its destiny and preserve the value of owner occupied housing.

When the Gordon Square project was announced there were already plans afoot to move the Beck Center to Westlake. Someone had a vision for Lakewood that wasn't public knowledge at the time. Can't the people of Lakewood have there own vision?

Bill Call wrote: Can't the people of Lakewood have there own vision?

Sure they can, but lets realize that "the people of Lakewood" does not just consist of those in the adjacent neighborhood or on online forums.

As well, I thought that was a large point of the McD discussion... the fact that our government can "work" with McD to ensure that all reasonable requests are made to minimize any assumed issues from them moving to this location.

If the city doesn't ensure it is built it to best suit Lakewood and the surrounding area, then I will have more of an issue. It's about implementation... not forbiding businesses from upsizing or improving location.

J Hrlec wrote:Sure they can, but lets realize that "the people of Lakewood" does not just consist of those in the adjacent neighborhood or on online forums...................................


If the city doesn't ensure it is built it to best suit Lakewood and the surrounding area, then I will have more of an issue. It's about implementation... not forbiding businesses from upsizing or improving location.

If you don't speak up (write up) you don't exist.

We have to accept a McDonalds. We don't have to accept whatever they throw up.

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Best-McDona ... -the-world

Bill Call wrote:

J Hrlec wrote:Sure they can, but lets realize that "the people of Lakewood" does not just consist of those in the adjacent neighborhood or on online forums...................................


If the city doesn't ensure it is built it to best suit Lakewood and the surrounding area, then I will have more of an issue. It's about implementation... not forbiding businesses from upsizing or improving location.

If you don't speak up (write up) you don't exist.

We have to accept a McDonalds. We don't have to accept whatever they throw up.

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Best-McDona ... -the-world

Once again I agree that it is about implementation.

Also, I agree about speaking up when related to city hall and scheduled meetings to have your input heard. This is important for anyone who wants their input considered.

Online... not so much, forums are mainly for general discussion and even though city politicos sometimes appear online it is not a formal avenue for city business since it usually only shows opinions of a small portion of a population.

Bill, the Gordon Square people announced their intentions over 30 years ago, and worked hard to make it a reality. We in Lakewood should learn something from them. For instance, "overnight successes" sometimes take decades.
And, Bill, Gordon Square had nothing to do with the Detroit closing.

Hi,
On a recent visit to Costa Rica, we discovered a "Green" Mc Donald's. See: http://www.examiner.com/costa-rica-in-national/mcdonald-s-opens-an-ecologically-friendly-restaurant-costa-rica for pictures.

We have all seen McDonald's are quite flexible on the design of their buildings. While they will not spend a penny more than required, they seem to be willing to follow a community's demands to be allowed to build. It seems to me that the City is in complete control and what we get there will be a clear indicator of the City's desire.

What has McDonald's offered to do with their old location on Sloan? Maybe, they will tear it down and make a memorial park to the young man that was shot and killed while working for them. I don't know but I would like to hear.

Are we going to also restrict the Burger King on Detroit with new noise/smell/drive through regulations?

Jerry Ritcey wrote:Are we going to also restrict the Burger King on Detroit with new noise/smell/drive through regulations?

I have wondered that same thing.

This argument against McDonalds has been made more aggressive because all of a sudden people have gotten nostalgic for a theater that many didn't patronize.

There are smellier residential areas that I feel are more of a public hazard than a restaurant.

Hopefully when this McDonald's does move in, they can higher people who can actually get an order right.

So what happens to the other McDonalds on Sloane? Do they tear it down? Does it sit there empty? What happens to the other businesses that are attached to the theater? Will McDonald's pay to move them or are these guys s.o.l.?

Why will a few cars in a drive-thru at midnight through hurt property values but hundreds of cars leaving a movie at midnight not? Just wondering.

Missy

Same McDonalds. It will close and move.

Mike Coleman wrote:Why will a few cars in a drive-thru at midnight through hurt property values but hundreds of cars leaving a movie at midnight not? Just wondering.

Mike, depending on the hours, it is a constant stream of cars, and voices. Some night after
midnight, or even just late. Sit at Caribou, or over at the library and listen to the drive
through. Last night I was by Kaufman Park, and could hear the drive through women say,
"Whenever you are ready... Whenever you are ready..." While waiting for the next car to
drive up. I was about three lots away.

Then the aroma, on a quiet night, start walking up Gladys or Warren, and notice where you
can actually smell those grilled burgers at Burger King.

Now I have friends that live right next to the tracks, including many in the Park, and they
seem to never hear trains. I am 4 blocks away and they drive me nuts when I hear them,
but I have gotten used to the jets taking off at Hopkins, though sometimes it seems like
they are in my front yard.

In the end, who knows. But one can ask themselves how close to a fast food restaurant
they would want to live, and buy into?

FWIW


.

she said:

Whenever you are ready... Whenever you are ready..."

I was going to make a comment but I think I'd better not

Bill Call wrote: Can't the people of Lakewood have there own vision?

Bill, I'd love to hear what you're doing to make this happen? You're definitely one of the most vocal on here regarding destinies so I'm curious what you're doing outside of this site to actually make some of this happen?

Do you see opportunities to get more people involved in what you're doing?