The Observation Deck

I've been wondering if the Clifton / W 117th intersection could be turned into a more vibrant retail district. First of all, here's the current situation there:

Population: High density, lots of retirees, lots of professionals, and lots of gay people.
Core business services: Banks, Gas stations, grocery
Restaurants: About a half-dozen low-price places (pizza joints, diners, etc).
Bars: One (twist) -- trendy, popular, busy, loud
Etc: Video store, hair salon, etc.

So with that much said, I think the intersection has potential. There's a moderate amount of foot traffic, which is a good sign. Is it possible to transform the intersection into a livelier place? Here are some ideas:

The old abandoned church: It's a beautiful building and completely unused. How about a dance club? Or a bookstore / restaurant? Or (my favorite) a branch of the library?

Raze and rebuild: The commercial buildings are all 1-story. What about adding 2nd and 3rd story residential? I realize there's an apartment glut right now, but the key thing for urban neighborhoods is to have mixed-use residential / retail buildings.

More retail / wider variety of retail: At least one mid-scale restaurant, and also boutique clothing stores.

Non-retail services: Day care, gyms, post offices, etc.

Also, I should mention that the intersection has problems (challenges?) as well as assets.

Parking: Any growth in the absolute number of businesses strains the available parking. Parking is always a tricky aspect of urban development, especially in Cleveland where no one is going to give up their cars any time soon. This issue would have to be addressed.

Traffic: At commute time, Clifton is very busy with non-pedestrian friendly traffic (around 40mph). Commuters won't appreciate the situation--traffic patterns might have to be rerouted / adjusted to encourage pedestrian traffic.

Let me know what you think,
--Steve

Stephen


From everything I have heard, the church is too expensive to save. This was from more than one group that wanted to save it. Water damage is extensive, there is a hole that allows everything in and nothing out.

However it is a building that every effort should be made to save.

W117 is undergoing a rebirth that is really something. In old Lakewood people always thought the closer to Cleveland you lived, the worse it was. This could be changing. I have heard and seen some very nice ideas for developments in the area. I have also heard that most of these groups are out getting everything to come in without help from Lakewood taxpayers which is a good thing.

I look forward to your updates on this neighborhood, and other ideas you have for it. Nothing like a fresh set of eyes on something.


Jim O'Bryan

That intersection is key. Two factors: 1) it is a major commuting interchange; 2) it's only half Lakewood.

I believe that church is on the Cleveland side. Still, I'd love to see it as a bookstore/cafe or community center space.