The Observation Deck

One of Lakewood's assets is there are many bars and restaurants within walking distance anyplace. However, the population continually declines as people migrate to the newer suburbs and other regions of the country.

A solution is to advocate immigration of retirees on fixed incomes to the city. They would not need an extra car for both the husband and wife. that leave them with a few hundred dollars extra a month to spend on bars, restaurants, and barbershops.

The program could be expanded to retirees from Western Europe. With their large middle class and strong currency, they could easily afford it. And they are used to living in more crowded conditions, so they won't be intimidated by teenagers and drunk pedestrians.

Just as some areas in the U.S. are zoned to do away with customs duties, so too can lakewood be zoned to do away with Visa and Residency impediments toward retirees from Western Europe.

Ryan--- NO. Go back to the drafting table and come up with another one.
Stan

One of Lakewood's assets is there are many bars and restaurants within walking distance anyplace. However, the population continually declines as people migrate to the newer suburbs and other regions of the country.

I wish... (near) Hilliard and Riverside ....

Stan Austin wrote:Ryan--- NO. Go back to the drafting table and come up with another one.
Stan

Heh heh heh. I was thinking globally. That was the best idea Globalism could offer.

Mr.Costa's idea is not so far-fetched.

With smaller less expensive housing, convenient access to health care, and established city services, Lakewood actually meets the needs of seniors more than it meets the needs of families looking for bigger houses, bigger rooms, bigger kitchens, bigger garages, ect
Seniors are also less concerned about whether schools are meeting proficiency test goals.
Look around. Lakewood is ALREADY a haven for seniors.

it gets better. Retirees could be in their late forties. the important thing is, they are paying rent or owning homes, but less likely to have a bunch of dumbass kids.

people from western europe are also better at drinking lots of alcohol without later crashing their cars.

ryan costa wrote:it gets better. Retirees could be in their late forties. the important thing is, they are paying rent or owning homes, but less likely to have a bunch of dumbass kids.

It's called Florida - plenty of retirees from western Europe taking advantage of the relative cheapness of the US.

Lakewood in Jan/Feb would be a tough sell - can't even play golf.

ryan costa wrote:people from western europe are also better at drinking lots of alcohol without later crashing their cars.

We would have to improve our public transport infrastructure. Most of Europe has no open container laws and super good rail service.

Dee Martinez wrote: With smaller less expensive housing, convenient access to health care, and established city services,

Wow. You just described Avon Lake.

Richard Cole wrote: Lakewood in Jan/Feb would be a tough sell - can't even play golf.

but there are lots of bars...

Rick Uldricks wrote:

Richard Cole wrote: Lakewood in Jan/Feb would be a tough sell - can't even play golf.

but there are lots of bars...

Wait until they discover Golden Tee.

Speaking of bars, and I wondered this at one of the safety meetings as residents complained of the noise and chaos around some bars, are bars immune to the Nuisance Laws? Anybody know? Just curious.

Bars are not immune, but if they try and mitigate their problems (like they call police), it "counts" in their favor.

Joe Ott wrote:Speaking of bars, and I wondered this at one of the safety meetings as residents complained of the noise and chaos around some bars, are bars immune to the Nuisance Laws? Anybody know? Just curious.

Has anyone ever proposed an entertainment district within Lakewood?
For example, From 117th to Warren Road on Madison is one district. Within this district is a free trolley for bar patrons to hop on and off of between bars or from a muni parking lot that the city owns on 117th. Entertainment district patrons park at the lot on 117th and hop on the free trolley that goes from the lot to Warren and back. If you pay maybe $3. to park at the lot then you can ride the trolley for free all night with your receipt. At one end of the parking lot is maybe a cab stand for people who do not wish to get back in their cars and drive at the end of the night.
This keeps the district somewhat free of auto traffic and and entices people to visit more establishments within the district because they can drink and hop on the trolley and not have to look for parking.
Also, within this district are slightly different nuisance laws. Maybe the decibel level is permitted to be elevated for bars and bands within the district. Meaning if the noise bothers you then you don't live within the district. Also, within the district are street food carts,public bathrooms,more garbage cans,a pedestrian street cleaning crew and maybe some rent a cops that work the district between 10 and 3am on Friday and Saturday. If you own a business within the district you pay a yearly fee to cover the extras provided within the district.

I feel this would provide a destination within Lakewood for bar/entertainment patrons, would increase security in the area, make it more desirable for businesses to relocate within the district and separate the partyers from the Lakewood residents that do not wish to be a part of the "bar scene". A district may also relieve some pressure on the local LPD so they can be elsewhere.
What do folks think?

A+ Plan. Mabey even close the street to all non-tram traffic between 10pm and 3pm.