Bill Grulich wrote:From Steve Litt, The Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/i ... build.htmlThe Cleveland Clinic plans on building a parking garage in University Circle for 36 million. In Lakewood, the Cleveland Clinic will spend $34 million for a Fitness and Wellness Center (With a Minute Clinic). Automobiles are always more valuable than people.
Actually I believe they have spent about $2.7 billion in University Circle on people too.
I get people are angry but we need to keep some thing in perspective and be honest.
What was the Clinic supposed to say, "Screw you Mayor and the rec center, we are
staying!" Oh wait they have for 3 years already. Oh wait they told the city to take their
time deciding, oh wait they are trying to stay in Lakewood in the new LOI.
The Cleveland Clinic knows what the Lakewood residents are worth*. However CITY HALL
puts no value on the residents health and well being, instead gambling on some rec center
magic beans, and start-up Lakewood for the answers.
Lakewood is 51,000 potential patients, and the Clinic is well aware of that. They are a
corporation that's business is medicine and they need US, and they know they need US.
This is what is so crazy about this post and other posts I have read.
They wanted to build Fairview Hospital here, we said no. They took over Lakewood Hospital
and sat through 6 contract changes by the city, to stay here. And now they are willing to
pay Lakewood 10 times what the contract calls for, and stay here with a new emergi center
and the Clinic are the bad guys?
Let's not forget, at the first conference, to paraphrase "The City of Lakewood was not
urged by us to go on this soul searching project." Dr. Toby Cosgrove. I have yet to read
anywhere, where the Clinic has even hinted at not wanting to fulfill their contract until
2026. This is a small group plotting to get some $$$$ and a rec center, no matter what
it costs us in the long run. BECAUSE WE NEED IT AS BAD AS CHEESECAKE!
.