The Observation Deck

To all...

I hear about the city working overtime to make the city better. That enforcement and close scrutiny is the secret to bringing this city back to its former glory. I have worked with businesses that have been put through hell to get signs approved, color correct, size exactly right. We have seen Ryser dump millions into Rockport. the city is spending thousands on LCPI/Mainstreet.

But one block from the building department we have:

Moe's




What is the deal?
Why spend millions, make some jump through hoops then let this happen half way between City Hall and Ryser!

.

That has to be fairly new - I just drove by that block a few days ago and was surprised to see the storefront empty (I assume this is the old 7-11 on Cook). There was no sign at that time.

I do agree, however, that it needs to come down and the new owners need to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Shrilly,
~Charyn

Charyn Varkonyi wrote:I do agree, however, that it needs to come down and the new owners need to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Shrilly,
~Charyn

Charyn

The city should be working overtime to help Ryser make the property around those condos worth the $400,000 + people will be paying to move into the neighborhood. Ken Lurie trusted us when he came in and this is how the building department repays him?

I know of two businesses that went through hell getting temporary banners approved. I know of one "chain" that went through hell getting their very expensive sign approved!

At the same time the crappy banners at Harrisons have broken, and are flopping in the breeze and falling across the sidewalk.

The selective enforcement in this town is nuts. On the corner east of Rockport is City Dweller, a beautiful store that has invested a ton. Deja Vu featured in this edition, has done beautiful work with their windows.

But this is nothing but a nightmare. Look at the space next to the Beverage store on Madison. Fly-by-night owner after owner goes through there. The windows are a nightmare.

Why would Applebees come to Lakewood for Joan, with this as a neighbor.

Cove and Detroit, neighbors of Peppers, that nice little Italian restaurant trying to hang on.

.

I haven't read up on the overtime issue so I'll refrain from commenting on that -

But the one thing I think is important is for people to actually call the city about these places. It is one thing to tell your neighbors, but if they aren't building inspectors, they aren't going to do much to help. This is not to say that I disagree with you - I dont.

But we need to make sure that we are doing our part to make sure that city hall is aware of ALL of the properties that need attention, of all the properties that are notbeing kept clean, of ALL the properties that are not following housing or signage code.

And yes - we need some teeth in the building department. We can't put the old ones back that were gutlessly ripped out by administrations past; however, we can get some new ones in there...

The sooner, the better.

Peace,
~Charyn

Charyn

Of course we both agree on this but what bothers me is that the city is spending money on studies, and plans, and meetings and who knows what, but they have turned their back on the largest investor in Lakewood right now. Mayor George likes to point out how great Ken Lurie and Ryser have been for Lakewood and what a great development it is and he is right. Not only does it bring people into Lakewood to work, and live there. But elsewhere in the city. Progressive Urban real estate just opened an office to help Ryser market these properties. We need these condos filled as fast as possible, so that Ryser can finish, Rosewood can start, and other developers want to come to Lakewood because it is happening, clean and a great place to live and work. Cove and Detroit does none of that.

I think our city has let down the developers and the residents.

The city is always looking for parking, well here we are! I am sure Peppers would love it as would Kovachy Bros. As long as we are at it, let's see if we can talk Baker Motors into moving to Berea Road, like the good Lakewood citizens they are. Baker is far worse than Calanni ever was. Who wants to pay $400,000 to hear tow-trucks back up (beep beep beep beep) all night and park everywhere.

peace


.

umm..

I have it on good 17 year-old authority that the reference to "Hook-ups' is incorrect (and I am being thoroughly mocked for being old now... *sigh*)

So... Getting "hooked up" means that you are getting a good deal. As in "I got hooked up with a pair of Vans from West Side Skates" This has no bearing on whether or not you will be having sex in your new shoes.

The only reference he can think of using 'Hook up' where interpersonal relations were concerned was as a noun. If you have a 'Hook up' it means you have an inside guy (or gal) at a given establishment. (One that will likely hook you up when you are there). Again, no sex is required to have a hook up in a clothing store.

He suspects that there might have been some connotation like that in the 80s; however, because he had not been born yet - he couldn't be sure.

I'm gonna go count my gray's now.....



~Charyn

Charyn

Google would disagree with your son.

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.

rotflmao....

OK now that we have established that there is more than one way to interpret the term..

I was just being flip, mea culpa... a little slap happy for the hour I suppose.

(although the getting mocked part was real )

Ill be off now so you can go back to being serious...

~Charyn
(who knows how Kate feels now...)

Charyn

I did delete one about sport fishing as it did not add to the discussion!


.

Jim,

I've gotta jump in here since the water's so warm

When your post was pointed out to me I have to say I did a double take. Not because you chose to (humorously) interpret Moe as a salacious character of potentially ill intent. No, that was just funny.

Given your philosophical/spiritual involvement in the Lakewood Observer 'experiment' and vested commercial interest, I was surprised that you would single out Moe for editorial persecution. Here's a guy who has likely saved for months, or mortgaged his home, to start his own business and throw his hat into the ring of capitalism; for all Moe's enthusiasm in announcing his presence in the world with his spur-of-the-moment painted sign, he gets a slap from the local paper that will be happy to place an advertisement for him if he'd only waited to put up a 'proper' sign.

Disappointing, Jim.

Mike

I know you do not want to hear this. But I do not need Moe's money. What I need is a building department that actually does its job.

The city wants to attract business and keep it. At the same time they want to clean up the city. Mike I have photos inside the store, and I am willing to bet it's bootleg merchandise.

So fight for Moe all you want. Ken Kurie has had an ad int he Observer since the first issue. He believes in Lakewood, and in the experiment called the Observer putting his money where his heart and mouth are. I'll call Moe's tomorrow. Want to bet a lunch on who pays more, Moe or Ken?


.

Michael/Charyn

Of course I might have been to hard on the city and Moe. Certainly this could be Moe's first attempt to sell "Brand Name" "Designer" items to the masses.

Last night I was driving around trying to recreate Grace O'Malley's driving experience of a couple nights ago with Steve Davis, when we stumbled on Moe's. But it was an outrage, and exactly the slippery slope this city has to stay away from. Far away from.

Lakewood is a very unique city, with a million nice features. I could go on and on for hours about the great things going on with Lakewood. I think City Hall is working hard for the betterment of Lakewood.

But every once in awhile comes a business that only cares about opening, and doing business. This is just a small part of what Lakewood needs, and what Lakewood wants. Bedding moved into the far end of Lakewood and immediately fanned out as many as 8 people with huge black and dayglo orange signs to walk around downtown Lakewood.

Now some could argue free speech, the real problem from where I sat and watched was this business was exploiting every loophole it could find. A nice Lakewood Park that did not allow advertising and billboards, found two of these signs. One guy would sit all day in one of the planters and it was documented ruining many of the plants, while using it for his own personal ashtray. Legal, maybe, good neighbor, no.

When the heat was turned up on this the business went to the age old way of parking his truck with graphics on the side in the front of the parking lot, and got a $5,000 a month billboard downtown for $0.25 and hour. Legal, maybe, good neighbor, no.

What is most troubling is what I called Hot Dog logic. When Hot Dogs Carts first appeared in Cleveland. The first two of us decided to not sit in front of other restaurants. While it seemed to make sense to sit in front of another exstablishment, we had decided to respect our fellow businesses. Later as the number of carts and owners enlarged, they were not good neighbors. And would site right in front of long established good businesses. Then the city had to get in and start writing laws.

Lakewood, on the verge, needs good neighbors and good businesses. Not just any business.

I am sure the building department will stop in at Moe's and talk with him, and everything will be corrected ASAP.


.

Jim,

I am so glad you posted something on this latest "store?" Less than two months ago we spotted this sign and immediately contacted the city. They said that they've already issued a citation for the sign.

You are absolutely correct in highlighting the issue that ALL businesses need to adhere to the city's signage regulations. In addition, frankly that "store?" concerned us (we live in the neighborhood) because it appears as a front for something less than legitimate. And by the way, you were correct -- in today's "street" slang, the phrase "hook up" CAN mean what you pointed out.

Regardless of the name, is THIS how we're developing the eastern end of Lakewood? Let's see how long this sign and/or "business?" remains at Detroit and Cove.

Thanks again for bringing it to everyone's attention. I for one, am quietly watching what transpires at that corner of Detroit and Cove Avenues.

On "hook up"..google should have a "reporter" that hangs around the teens in our area. We just called a teen employee where my wife works who is one of the most IN teens anywhere, and asked her what "hook up" means. She replied " it means you want or got a deal, like hook me up with some tires for my car, or hook me up with a top like that".

Google's good but hey, we're Lakewood

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
Of course we both agree on this but what bothers me is that the city is spending money on studies, and plans, and meetings and who knows what, but they have turned their back on the largest investor in Lakewood right now.......

I think our city has let down the developers and the residents.

The city is always looking for parking, well here we are! I am sure Peppers would love it as would Kovachy Bros. As long as we are at it, let's see if we can talk Baker Motors into moving to Berea Road, like the good Lakewood citizens they are. Baker is far worse than Calanni ever was. Who wants to pay $400,000 to hear tow-trucks back up (beep beep beep beep) all night and park everywhere..

I agree 100%.

Sullivan's spent a ton of his own money and the City gave him a two year Ass ache.

The development department spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on salaries, benefits and studies and meetings etc. How about hundreds of thousands on assisting Rysar? That development is a must for the future of this town.

The administration is so peeved that it didn't get its tax increase that it is folding its arms and letting the council do the heavy lifting.

Why can't the administration be more proactive?