Lakewood Plaza/Kauffman Park

[Tom Jordan]

I appreciate everyone’s input over the last few weeks concerning a potential development at Lakewood Plaza and the Kauffman Park area. An engaged citizenry is one of Lakewood’s strongest assets. We fully expect to provide a more complete presentation about this potential development to the public. However, we are currently gathering the necessary information for the public and our elected officials to make an informed decision.


Since becoming the Planning and Development Director, I have reviewed several plans put forth by numerous developers and community groups for the redevelopment of this area. All of these organizations had well-intentioned goals of enhancing this very important facet of downtown Lakewood. To that end, the City of Lakewood applied, along with Lakewood Community Progress Incorporated (LCPI), for a grant to enhance the streetscape along Detroit Avenue and review development opportunities in the downtown district. The City and LCPI held three public meetings on January 31st, April 19th and August 28th for this study. These public meetings were promoted by press releases, fliers, Lakewood Alive, the Lakewood Observer, and even a notice on First Federal of Lakewood's electronic billboard.

Although these presentations did not provide any specific design or tenant recommendations for the mixed-use center, the study recommended moving the green- space to the street with a mixed-use center at the rear. The presentation given at the August 28th meeting can be reviewed at the City’s website at www.ci.lakewood.oh.us. Those involved with the study felt that a redefined park offers the City the opportunity to strengthen and enhance the heart of the community in a manner that adds value, re-energizes public spaces, and establishes a more cohesive connection to the park and its surroundings. The City of Lakewood remains the only inner-ring suburb with a true downtown. By maximizing the opportunities with this asset, it will support the community and serve as a center of confluence. This new space could be used to host a variety of community festivals and events, such as Light Up Lake Lakewood and the Farmers’ Market. It could provide important support to the downtown merchants and the City’s Main Street efforts.

Since this process began over two years ago, a developer actually purchased Lakewood Plaza. The developer will invest in Lakewood Plaza. It is our hope that the investment will maximize the site and surrounding area consistent with the Detroit Avenue Streetscape plan. We asked the developer to perform his due diligence on two plans: one limited to his site and another with additional City property. The developer is currently involved with complex negotiations with the existing and potential tenants, architects, and financial institutions. The City of Lakewood for its part was concerned about recreational activities, and the amount of green space that would be available if the park was reconfigured. To that end, we hired Osborn Engineering, a nationally known architectural engineering firm who has been the lead architect on the Yankee Stadium, OSU Stadium, and Jacob’s Field. The scope of work was to review the current uses at the existing site and suggest improvements at the City’s remaining parks and estimate their costs. City Council held a Committee of the Whole on June 11th. All Council members were given notice of the Committee of the Whole meeting, and the Clerk followed regular public notification processes that included notifying the local news media, the Lakewood Observer, and the Lakewood Public Library plus many others. At this meeting, we disclosed the necessity of this study was to see the feasibility of moving recreational programming from Kauffman Park to three other parks (Madison, Cove and Lakewood Park) if Kauffman Park was redefined. All Council members were present with the exception of Councilmen Demro and Dever. The Committee recommended funding the study. On June 18th, the full Council approved Ordinance 74-06B to expend these funds by a 6-0 vote with Councilman Dever abstaining. Before this regular Council meeting, the Council docket for that evening was posted on the City’s website. The Council docket was also available the previous Friday in Council’s office. At the Committee hearing and at the Council meeting, members were able to ask any detailed questions. At the Committee of the Whole, it was also disclosed that there was a purchase option of Lakewood Plaza and the potential developer was identified.

Over the last two months, the City has worked with Osborn Engineering in developing enhancements at the other parks and adding green space. We have laid out general parameters for the consultant to pursue in his design. Those parameters were to take the list of programmed activities at the park and build new enhanced facilities in the appropriate locations. The developer was instructed to design this space to include green space on Detroit Avenue for public use.

Lakewood has over 110 of acres of park space on school or City property. (This number includes the approximately four acres recently added to the inventory through the school’s rebuilding process.) The City also utilizes part of the 3,400 acres of Cleveland Metropark space on its western border. In this process, we have involved the Division of Recreation of Lakewood City Schools who manages the park programming. It is our hope that with investment in this project, further capital improvements will enhance the overall recreation options and add further acreage for public use. In no way do we want to diminish the public park amenities currently available.

There will be a public process. If the due diligence process reveals that the development will not result in enhanced recreational opportunities for Lakewood residents, there will be no public investment or sale of land. Any sale of land will be sold at fair market value as established through an appraisal process. There are numerous zoning issues that would go before a public meeting of the Planning Commission that is a public process. The authorization to sell land by charter will require approval of City Council and further public hearings. I welcome everyone’s input when and if a specific proposal is put forth. In the interim, we will attempt to keep you informed. Please understand that much of the press on any topic is frequently limited in space and in content. I hope this post is more helpful to you. Any redevelopment of the site will be done in a thoughtful, planned, and public approach.

[Lynn Farris]

Mr. Jordan,

Thank you so much for your information. Can you tell me if a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the developer or any individuals involved with this project as of this date and if so can you post it?

Thank you

[Richard Cole]

Over the last two months, the City has worked with Osborn Engineering in developing enhancements at the other parks and adding green space. We have laid out general parameters for the consultant to pursue in his design. Those parameters were to take the list of programmed activities at the park and build new enhanced facilities in the appropriate locations. The developer was instructed to design this space to include green space on Detroit Avenue for public use.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindeal ... xml&coll=2

In June, the council approved a request from Jordan for a $30,000 study to determine if the Kauffman Park athletic fields could be moved to another park to make way for development.

Jordan said Wednesday that he is not being secretive. "I'm not holding anything back. There is no plan to show," he said.

mmmm "Appropriate Locations"; "We have laid out general parameters" ...mmmmm...."the developer was instructed".

I guess that all I'm saying is that we have a perfectly good park as it stands. Let's improve the asset we have; make it work for the community.

[Jim O'Bryan]

In June, the council approved a request from Jordan for a $30,000 study to determine if the Kauffman Park athletic fields could be moved to another park to make way for development.

?




.

[Richard Cole]

In June, the council approved a request from Jordan for a $30,000 study to determine if the Kauffman Park athletic fields could be moved to another park to make way for development.

?

.

Those parameters were to take the list of programmed activities at the park and build new enhanced facilities in the appropriate locations

which is a little different from

$30,000 study to determine if the Kauffman Park athletic fields could be moved to another park to make way for development

The disconnect, to me at least, is striking.

Given the posts this morning, I am more convinced than ever that the City working with Osborn Engineering are paving the way to sell. As others have noted, once the city/administration have what they want, it wil be very difficult for a group of concerned citizens to halt a city endorsed course of action.

The time for citizens to ask what's happening is now. The time to question city administration activities is now.

[Paul Schrimpf]

All I can say is, this process will be judged on the types of communication we receive about meetings and plan unveilings, how much time is given for people to plan to attend the meetings, and disclosure of information. The city powers that be will only get the trust it earns. And we're all watching.

[Kevin Galvin]

Mr. Jordan,

Thank you for your post. I'm hopeful that you can answer a question I posted elsewhere. What is the process for the city to sell an asset. Can the city sell to a pre-selected buyer? You mentioned fair market value but my question is more towards a bid process. If more than one company is willing to pay that price, how is it determined who gets it?

[Grace O'Malley]

This whole concern over the "process" of a potential development is a strange turn of events.

During the West End debacle, development supporters were unconcerned over the back door maneuvering of the city claiming that developers always closely guarded their plans to avoid competition and leaking of information that could "ruin" a deal and it was explained, or passed off, as a common business practice.

Now, however, everyone is up in arms over what appears to be nothing more than the POTENTIAL for a development plan.

Similarly, those who had no problem literally throwing hundreds of people out of their homes are passionately concerned over a dusty BALL FIELD that half the city either doesn't use or even know where it is.

Weird.

[Kate McCarthy]

those who had no problem literally throwing hundreds of people out of their homes are passionately concerned over a dusty BALL FIELD that half the city either doesn't use or even know where it is.

Grace,

I know for a fact that this is not the case. In fact, I find it surprising that some of the people who so vehemently opposed the west end development are now so casual about losing a park that if moved elsewhere in the city, would require the acquisition of privately held land.

What I find upsetting is the framing started by Jay Foran a BIG proponent of the west end development and perpetuated by Tom Jordon and now you that this park is a big hunk of nothing that no one uses - worthless. Many people in our community quite frankly do not share that point of view.

[Joe Whisman]

Tom,
Thank you for trying to inform us. I do have a few questions for you as well.
1. How can we afford to spend $30,000.00 to study the redevelopment at Kaufman park when most Lakewood Parks are need of serious repair?
2. Do you count newly reclaimed land from the schools as park space when there are no trees or equipment? Has all contamination from building destruction been removed?
3. Does your "plan" incorporate the trees that are at Kaufman Park?
4. Please explain to me how this is not a bold faced land grab by an out of town developer.

[Stephen Eisel]

The key word here is fair market value. I had no problem with the West End project based on two conditions. 1) Compensation for the displaced citizens covered everything from the value of their property to all moving expenses 2) It was legal.

I have no problem with Kaufman Park going away as long as the city gets at least market value for the property and the city can create an equal amount of green space some where else with in Lakewood. I fear that Glitz may be given the park at no cost or at a discounted rate.

[Jim O'Bryan]

In June, the council approved a request from Jordan for a $30,000 study to determine if the Kauffman Park athletic fields could be moved to another park to make way for development.

?

.

Those parameters were to take the list of programmed activities at the park and build new enhanced facilities in the appropriate locations

which is a little different from

$30,000 study to determine if the Kauffman Park athletic fields could be moved to another park to make way for development

The disconnect, to me at least, is striking.

Given the posts this morning, I am more convinced than ever that the City working with Osborn Engineering are paving the way to sell. As others have noted, once the city/administration have what they want, it wil be very difficult for a group of concerned citizens to halt a city endorsed course of action.

The time for citizens to ask what's happening is now. The time to question city administration activities is now.

Richard


My point was that at least three concil members claimed THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE of this. Then we hear they apporved the study?

What do we believe?


/

[Shawn Juris]

Jim,
As always thanks for your valiant attempt to silence opposition to the Mayor, and deflect scrutiny elsewhere. I am concerned that your all or nothing logic has quite possibly missed the mark yet again. Could you provide thus with the details as to when 3 candidates said that they had no knowledge about this. Maybe they have said it but based on past experience trust but verify becomes a must. Had they said that they didn't know about the study, didn't know about the possibility of development or didn't know what happened from the time that the funding for the study was approved back in June? I recall phrases that suggested that the plans were not being shared but total ignorance of the situation doesn't ring a bell. As Richard mentioned there have been some games played by the George/Jordan combination which give a mixed message of what is going on and has left me with a very ambiguous feeling about the direction of this. It is great that now after quite some time and a few PD articles that the information is finally being made available.
I'm hoping that this will not be another of your statements that is left waiting for support like so many other claims.

[Richard Cole]

Committee of the Whole Report regarding Amendment to Contracting Ordinance- Phase I Evaluation of Park
Facilities. (Pg. 6)

http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/pdf/Counci ... 7-0618.pdf

It's entirely possible I've missed something, but minutes of the meeting quite clearly refer to "Evaluation of Park Facilities" passed 6-0.


Planning Director Jorden wrote earlier today;

Over the last two months, the City has worked with Osborn Engineering in developing enhancements at the other parks and adding green space. We have laid out general parameters for the consultant to pursue in his design. Those parameters were to take the list of programmed activities at the park and build new enhanced facilities in the appropriate locations. The developer was instructed to design this space to include green space on Detroit Avenue for public use.

Did council know of the parameters and instructions when they voted for the "evaluation"?

I followed the West End with interest, I've been more interested in this development as we are, or appear to be, selling public land. Just interesed to know how and why.

[Lynn Farris]

Perhaps someone can assist me. The web site that Mr. Jordan cited where the presentation could be reviewed was just the city web site. I searched for this using the search engine and didn't find it in any of the places I looked.

Can you give me a better clue of exactly where the presentation can be viewed?

Thanks