The Observation Deck

On Wednesday August 19th, Dru Siley, Lakewood's Director of Development, will lead a meeting about the possible re-development of the Lakewood Hospital site. Mr. Siley assures us he wants community input on three options. Ironic, given that under Mr. Siley the Planning Commission chose to limit residents' right to speak to three minutes (a sound bite), while leaving commercial interests an unlimited amount of time to make their case. In reality, Mr. Siley / Mr. Summers want to hear from you, until they don't want to hear from you.

With that in mind, let's play along with Mr. Siley and his game of "Three Card Monte". Round and round we go, Mr. Siley wants you focused on Team Summers' three options. Round and round we go, no time to consider CCF's contractual obligations. Round and round we go, no time to consider LHA's complicity in the systematic degradation of Lakewood Hospital. Round and round we go, no time to consider Summers', Madigan's and Bullock's shameful lack of transparency and failure of leadership. Round and round we go, just play along and choose an option. Ignore the fact that the best option (the hospital) isn't even on the table.

If you do choose one of Mr. Siley's/ Mr. Summers' options, understand this: with Mr. Siley, what you see is not what you get. He may show you options that you think you can live with or that maybe even appeal to you, but no matter what assurances he makes, the reality will be very different from what he promises. Between the time that residents reluctantly go along with a plan and the time that the development is complete, Mr.Siley will do anything to facilitate what the developers want. So play his suckers' game at your own risk.

Anyone interested in getting a glimpse of how Dru Siley and Team Summers truly engages the community should read Colleen Cotter's article "Grace Ave. Lessons Learned" (timeline included) in The Observer.

Well said.

But then again we do have building---at least half of which is essentially a state of art medical surgical facility--fully equipped (less the looting CCF is doing while LHA/Summers/Madigan/Bullock look the other way).

So since we have been invited by Mr. Silly and City Hall to "think like developers" and seize "the opportunity to design" what we want to see, I think it is rather obvious that the best plans under consideration should take advantage of the equipment and facilities the city already owns.

If the Clinic and LHA close the hospital, they are out and still Defendants--We will have the whole campus to develop and design into a first class medical facilities--- not the third world "referral center" they proposed.

For those of you following at home, see http://www.onelakewood.com/mayor-city-council-invite-citizens-to-share-ideas-for-lakewoods-downtown-development/ and http://www.onelakewood.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Lakewood-Hospital-Redevelopment-Concepts_Final_08.10.2015-1.pdf.

Here is a link to the Lessons to Be Learned article. http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/read/2013/12/11/grace-avenue-lessons-to-be-learned

I think they would have better advised us to "Think like a mayor" - in which case they might find some REAL leadership.

I think it is important for readers to understand that the Clinic is not contractually bound to make capital improvements. Nor can it be compelled to stay for the rest of the lease term. To Mr. Essi's claim that the Cleveland Clinic Foundation intends to build a "third-world referral center," the Clinic has proposed spending $34 million of its own money to build the new health campus, which will include a new 24/7/365 emergency department.

As for the idea that "we" can develop the area into a first class medical facility (better than the Clinic can), who is this "we?" Who will run this facility? How will they pay for it?

Jay Carson wrote:I think it is important for readers to understand that the Clinic is not contractually bound to make capital improvements. Nor can it be compelled to stay for the rest of the lease term.

Jay,

You keep saying that but there is a lease until 2026. Correct?

There is also a definitive agreement of services that spells out the obligations that the Cleveland Clinic owes to the Lakewood Hospital. Correct?

If the Cleveland Clinic leaves without the express approval of the LHA/LHF/City Hall, that would result in a breach on the part of the Cleveland Clinic - which is why they are seeking approval of the LOI - otherwise the Cleveland Clinic is liable for damages. Correct?

In fact, City Hall leadership actually believes that the Cleveland Clinic is already in violation of the definitive agreement of services. Correct?

Matt

Why has Planning and Development Director Dru Siley been so quiet lately?

Finance Director Jenn Pae has been busy vocally advocating for Team Summers and Build Lakewood.

Law Director Kevin Butler has been busy vocally advocating for Team Summers and Build Lakewood.

A certain city employee and full-time blogger has been busy vocally advocating for Team Summers and Build Lakewood ... tweet ... post ... delete ... tweet ... post ... delete ...

And yet Mr. Siley seems to have been silently advocating for Team Summers and Build Lakewood.

Why is that?