The Observation Deck

A few visionary people at the library and the YMCA have given the City two new buildings that have given the City a sense of growth and vitality that it sorely needed. Both will actually enhance the economics of the City. Two or three years and the vision was a reality.

The Y building was funded from mostly private sources. The Library building was funded from mostly public sources.

It occurred to me that a bond issue supported by the people of Lakewood to support the Beck Center might make some economic sense.

Suppose:

An 8 million dollar bond issue was passed by the voters and used to buy the current property owned by the Beck on the condition that:

The City own the land and leases it to the Beck for $1 a year.

Another condition of the bond issue would be that the Beck raise 8 million of its own funds and secure 8 million in funding from the new 225 million dollar arts slush fund.

The 24 million could build quite a facility.

Since I am discussing things that will never happen:

Does the new Beck Center have to be on that site in Lakewood? Can that 24 million be leveraged with a private developer to build something greater?

Bill Call wrote: Suppose:

An 8 million dollar bond issue was passed by the voters and used to buy the current property owned by the Beck on the condition that:

The City own the land and leases it to the Beck for $1 a year.

Another condition of the bond issue would be that the Beck raise 8 million of its own funds and secure 8 million in funding from the new 225 million dollar arts slush fund.

The 24 million could build quite a facility.

Since I am discussing things that will never happen:

Does the new Beck Center have to be on that site in Lakewood? Can that 24 million be leveraged with a private developer to build something greater?

Bill

Even a blind acorn can be found by a squirrel now and then.

Genius.


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8 million? why not 80 million or 800 million? Think of how much more good could be done. If not for us, FOR THE CHILDREN.

Doug

DougHuntingdon wrote:8 million? why not 80 million or 800 million? Think of how much more good could be done. If not for us, FOR THE CHILDREN.

Doug

I wouldn't worry to much about this idea. It's going nowhere. I'm just hunting unicorns.

The New Arts Slush Fund will raise about 222 million dollars over the next 10 years. As things now stand must of that money will be spent on the Natural History Museum, The Art Museum, The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square and other such institutions. Much of the remainder will go to the favorite pastimes of the politically well connected.

The crumbs that are left will be in the form of $10,000 here or $20,000 there for face painting festivals and other such projects for institutions like the Beck Center. That way the Arts Slush Fund Board can say they are giving back to the community.

Since Lakewood has about 4% of the county's population I think it only fair that Lakewood receive 4% of the money, which, by pure coincidence, is 8 million dollars. I would rather recieve the money in the form of a new arts center than in the form of crumbs. This is a chance to get some of our money back. If that 8 million can be parlayed into 24 million or more, so much the better.

This story has some relevance:

I once worked with an old Hungarian Jew who had a good mind for business, a good understanding of human nature and a clear understanding of what government is capable of.

He lost his family in the National Socialist death camps. He was 16 years old when he was released. He weighed sixty pounds.

He had a shrewd business mind and was tough as nails. He once had his daughter's car repossessed because she had fallen behind on the payments to him. Whenever I had business dealings with him I was always left with the feeling that I had just taken advantage of a poor old man. That is until I realized he left with my wallet.

We once worked together on some business projects with a government agency. I remember complaining about all of the waste we witnessed.

He sat in his chair and starred at me for a moment, moved close to my face, looked me in the eye and said, "Mr. Call, you pay taxes?

"Yes"

"Probbly too much?

"Probbly, so?"

"So? Sooo?" He grinned, pulled his cigar out of his mouth and said, "Nowws you chance to get some of it back. Close yu lips and cash you check."

So? So that's what I did.

Bill,

Though I've disagreed with you from time to time,

Your wisdom now, seems truly sublime.

Gary

"The New Arts Slush Fund will raise about 222 million dollars over the next 10 years. As things now stand must of that money will be spent on the Natural History Museum, The Art Museum, The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square and other such institutions. Much of the remainder will go to the favorite pastimes of the politically well connected. "

I am a bit perplexed about what is the problem with the above. If the funds go to Cleveland Playhouse, Playouse Square, Dobama, Cleve Public Theater, Tremont Arts Fest, Lakewood Arts Fest, the Beck, Local Girl Gallery or Westlake Little Theater - what is the problem.

I am all for promotion of the arts anywhere in the area. I have a car and I can drive to downtown, Gordon Sqaure, Tremont or to the Beck. Really, if there is a show at Spaces I want to see should I stay at home because I have to cross a border ? The thinking is a bit absurd to me. Some things like museums, zoos, theaters benefit an entire area and it would be foolish for Lakewood to start its own Zoo because the Cleveland Zoo is no in Lakewood. Someone is going to have to explain this one to me, and not the old regionalism is bad and Lakewood is the key to economic viability of Northeast Ohio because I have news for y'all - the folks in Twinsburg, Strongsville, Beachwood and Solon want no part of Lakewood. Rather then fight the concept of working together to better the entire area, perhaps you should thing outside of a 5 square mile area.

That SPACES building looks pathetic and has for years - what an eyesore - maybe some of the cigarette tax money will go for some paint brushes?

Thankfully even in Lakewood that type of exterior would not be permitted.

I feel sorry for those bought on the north side of Stonebridge next door. They should have bought a condo in Lakewood.

Doug

Edit: Someone accused me of misrepresenting the exterior of Spaces. Here is a picture, for evidence: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cle ... 040606.jpg

David Scott wrote:...I am a bit perplexed about what is the problem with the above. If the funds go to Cleveland Playhouse, Playouse Square, Dobama, Cleve Public Theater, Tremont Arts Fest, Lakewood Arts Fest, the Beck, Local Girl Gallery or Westlake Little Theater - what is the problem.

....... Rather then fight the concept of working together to better the entire area, perhaps you should thing outside of a 5 square mile area.

Why do we need a Giant Eagle? There is a great Giant Eagle in Rocky River.

Why do we need new housing at Rockport or Rosewood or the Cliffs? There is great new housing being built in Avon Lake.

Why do we need a hospital? There is a great hospital in Westlake.

Why do we need a shopping district? Avon Commons is great.

Why?

As economic activity moves out of Lakewood it takes with it the tax dollars generated by that activity. This time next year the City of Lakewood will be technically bankrupt. The City will have no money in the bank and no borrowing authority. How do you fund a City with no money and no borrowing authority?

An art district or shopping district or cafe district can serve as an economic catalyst for future growth and as an anchor to keep what we have.

Some times our future possibilities are limited by our aspirations.

I recall watching a magazine news show that had a segment about prostitution. They interviewed prostitutes about their lives, fears and aspirations.

One street walker was very clear about the future she envisioned for her daughter. There was no way in the world that her daughter was going to be a street walker. No Sirree. She was quite clear about her daughters future. Her daughter was going to be a call girl. (no relation)

What are your aspirations for Lakewood? Street walker or call girl?

Lakewood can do better than either of those. What about all those people working out of their house on the internet taht JOB mentions? So, rather than street walker or call girl, Lakewood can proudly be the web cam girl. You can make a lot more money that way, anyway, since you are broadcasting from one location through the internet to potentially hundreds, thousands, or millions of customers simultaneously.

Doug

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What are your aspirations for Lakewood? Street walker or call girl?
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I think you misunderstood my comment. It was in reference to the concept that every penny of the Arts tax gengerated in Lakewood should come back to Lakewood and I don't think that is quite necessary. Art forums draw from surrounding areas, and benefit the region. A grocery store typically draws local customers only. It doesn't make sense for Lakewood to build a stage large enough for the Lion King when there is already a facility 20 minutes away.

David Scott wrote:
I think you misunderstood my comment... It was in reference to the concept that every penny of the Arts tax generated in Lakewood should come back to Lakewood ....

That's a legitimate point.

Please don't be offended. I am currently in a RCP (Rhetoric Control Program). So far it's not working very well.

If every community got back all of the tax dollars they sent to a central government there wouldn't be a need for a central government to act as the clearinghouse. The secret is to screw the other community.

Regional art centers make a great deal of sense. There isn't enough of a demand for every community to have its own arts complex.

I guess my point is that now that the Beck is resigned to staying in Lakewood (RCP) it wouldn't hurt for community leaders to get together and try to get a piece of the Arts Slush Fund (RCP). The money will go quickly. The Arts Slush Fund Board has just been appointed and I am sure the phone is already ringing off the hook (RCP).

The YMCA and Library have shown what can be done with some vision and commitment. The Beck (RCP) I took a short tour of the Y last night. It is an outstanding facility. The place is a lot busier than was anticipated.

The only mistake they made was in not being bold enough. That is not a criticism. I am sure there were legitimate fears that the project as designed was too bold.

I don't know why the B.. RCP

I think we both agree that getting as much of the Arts Fund funneled into the Beck and other local galleries is a big thing and I think we agree that major arts venues shouldn't be duplicated every 20 miles. I wasn't upset at your comment, just felt I hadn't clearly stated my point.

There is a 12 step program for RCP. Recognizing you have it is step 1. Then you go to RCPA and confess to others. Somewhere along the line you give up your RCP to a greater being. Good luck

Do the words "for a continuing period of time" make any sense? That means forever. That's how long the more than likely tax on us residents will be. The Beck Center is fine the way it is. How about direct the money to our crumbling streets. Or a decent education program.

Julie Mosher wrote:Do the words "for a continuing period of time" make any sense? That means forever. That's how long the more than likely tax on us residents will be. The Beck Center is fine the way it is. How about direct the money to our crumbling streets. Or a decent education program.

Julie

I was just thinking that's my Julie,then you attack the schools!

What you meant was That means forever... Now if we could just dump no Child Left Behind, the schools would be able to teach what is needed...

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