The Observation Deck

The County is trying to sell the current Administration Building which is located next to the new Medical Mart. Which means that they need a new building, which means a new location which means a dog fight for those 1,000 jobs and millions in income taxes and millions more in economic activity.

Some County Council members are pushing for Westlake or Strongsville as the new location. Is anyone paying attention? Is the deal already done? Are we left out in the cold again?

Why would it be anywhere but Cleveland? It is the seat of the county and centrally located. I can see no reason why they would consider placing it ANYWHERE else. And if they even mentioned moving out of Cleveland, Jackson would have a fit.

I think this is a non-issue.

First I don't know if Lakewood's government has looked into this...it is the first time I heard someone mention it.

Secondly, I also agree with the second post that it would be ridiculous to place it anywhere but Cleveland (our regions center) ... that includes Lakewood as well as Westlake or Strongsville.

Grace O'Malley wrote:Why would it be anywhere but Cleveland? It is the seat of the county and centrally located. I can see no reason why they would consider placing it ANYWHERE else. And if they even mentioned moving out of Cleveland, Jackson would have a fit.

I think this is a non-issue.

If the county is leasing its space then it may be cheaper to lease space out in the burbs.

Grace O'Malley wrote:Why would it be anywhere but Cleveland? It is the seat of the county and centrally located. I can see no reason why they would consider placing it ANYWHERE else. And if they even mentioned moving out of Cleveland, Jackson would have a fit.

I think this is a non-issue.

Downtown is not the center of Cuyahoga County. The area around I-480 and Rockside Road is more accessible and more centrally located.

The Plain Dealer has put the cone of silence around this issue but we have to assume that behind the scenes serious negotiations are taking place. There will be a lot of political pressure to keep the headquarters downtown. Contrary to what you read in the Plain Dealer downtown office buildings and businesses are in real trouble.

Personally, I think a downtown location is a bad choice. Will the County take the cue from Cuyahoga Community College and locate their new building along the borders of Lorain County? I doubt it. Tri-C was able to sneak that in under the radar. The new County headquarters building will be a real pork fight.

My personal choice would be for a new low rise building easily accessible from the freeway with plenty of parking. The headquarters should house all of the County's offices and be part of a much larger business park designed to attract business that is now located outside the County. There are a few locations that would work out just fine.

The public transportation system is, no doubt for historical reasons, set to feed downtown Cleveland. If we want to take advantage of this system, it would appear that some downtown location would be best for an office that serves the people.

I would question the wisdom of placing such an office in a cornfield. even if that cornfield is the geographical center of the county. I don't want to have to buy a car just to file some form with the country.

Bill Call wrote:My personal choice would be for a new low rise building easily accessible from the freeway with plenty of parking. The headquarters should house all of the County's offices and be part of a much larger business park designed to attract business that is now located outside the County. There are a few locations that would work out just fine.

So based on the above preference, why would Lakewood even be considered as the location?