Paul Schrimpf wrote:Jim, I have to disagree. I think that Westgate (not to mention Crocker Park) copied off the style of buildings that were the foundation of Lakewood architecture for decades, and in this preservationist's humble opinion, it should remain the definitive style here. That we're emulating the style prevalent here in Lakewood makes sense to me, regardless of whether other cities/developers see fit to copy it. What's boring in one setting is absolutely fitting in others. Just my two cents.
Paul
It was the early 70s, a friend of mine Jim Wisner, owner of Bill Jones Leather Shops was on the committee to
come up with the "new look" for Lakewood as to stop the leakage to Westgate. At the time, Severence had just
been built everything inside, and Westgate was getting ready to through a roof up. They came up with the
Standard look of rose colored backboard, with Brown letting, raised. You can still see some of this today in old
shops that have survived. Lakewood always so willing to chase current, not new, trends.
The real truth is that Bob Stark mentioned Lakewood in a speech once, and everyone took that to be he copied
Crocker Park on Lakewood. When you sit down and talk with Bob, you will see the true inspiration comes from
cities like Red Bank, NJ
http://www.redbank.com/. What he wanted was a town with a true center,
and a place that built out from there. Now while I have learned that Crocker Park is on the same time line
Lakewood was, that is from farms to city in 20 years. Very little else has truly been modeled after Lakewood.
To me this is a good thing. Simply put, Lakewood would cost too much to build overnight in this day and age,
which also makes me wonder why we seem to be so eager and excited to send a message we have a bunch
of property that slipped through the system at City Hall and now has to be destroyed. It is just as poisonous
a message as the mayor standing with a person that complained about tenants, and they tore down the building
of the renters, when police could not do what they were counting on the landlord for. Keeping the peace!
Welcome to Lakewood, be nice or we will tear down your house.
No matter, Lakewood and our civic leaders suffers from civic pride on a large scale. Oh they will talk Lakewood
up in daylight, but behind the scenes, they find so many things wrongs and so many problems, they see
everything as needing change. Well except for the block(s) they live in. They see the center of the city as a
potential money machine to reduce their taxes. They refuse to appreciate the money machine that is there
now. Homes, wonderful 100 year old homes that could all be improved if they decided to spend their money
with the residents instead of with the businesses in a 9 block area. But...
Christina McCallum wrote:I am not so advanced that I can paste a picture here. However, if you click on this link, you will see the McDonald's that my family and I saw while driving through Freeport, Maine, this summer. The town would not allow McDonald's to build its typical restaurant. Instead, they converted a Greek Revival home for their use.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nnecapa/2272065588/Okay I hope this works for everyone!
Christina
That would be because the civic leaders and City all of that town thought they were good enough to hold out.
Here we get to hear, "Great news, McDonald's has a crack staff looking for great locations, this is indeed good
news for all of us." When the truth was, no study was done, they could not move it woo much farther East, or
South. All smoke and mirrors. Reminds me of the French during WWII. Turning to the people and saying we will
fight them for every inch of France. While rolling over like 2 month old puppies, "Aren't the gray uniforms sharp! We should be happy Germany has shown such an interest in us."
Until City Hall and Council truly respect, love and understand what makes Lakewood unique, this will continue.
Fast food and other commercial ventures will continue to creep into the very heart and lungs of Lakewood. Those
in charge will never even contemplate what really works or what could really be a big winner for Lakewood,
lakefront development. A place where big $$$$$ could be made for everyone's benefit.
FWIW
.
