The Observation Deck

Can there be some clarification on the Main Street project, just broken down for those of us who don't know the details? A few years ago we read that Lakewood won this big grant to beautify part of Detroit, which sounded amazing. Then there was talk that it actually cost the city or someone (?) money to "win" the money. Then the person running the show left and there wasn't much information after that, at least to the general public.

The reason I am wondering is my kids got a flyer in their backpack listing several events/groups, including Leaf and the band project under the umbrella of Main Street. Are these non-profit projects now "run" or funded by Main Street, or do they just happen to be in that area? Is Main Street actually funded by a grant that helps out the non-profits listed to beautify the area?

Hi Justine...glad to hear the flyer made it home in back pack mail!

A complete overview of Main Street Lakewood (MSL) activities can be found on the website: www.mainstreetlakewood.org

MSL is a program of Lakewood Community Progress Inc, a 501-3(c) community development organization. LCPI's mission is to facilitate economic development in Lakewood.

"Main Street Lakewood" is currently LCPI's only program. MSL is dedicated to the revitalization of our historic downtown district, using the "Main Street" 4-point approach to economic enhancement (national model explained on the website). It is a volunteer based effort, with only one paid staff (me), the executive director. We are funded through a combination of CDBG funds plus corporate, Hospital, Chamber, merchant and individual donations. LCPI pays $3000/year to be a Main Street Community and to have the benefit of training and counsel in this highly disciplined process.

MSL already has a few accomplishments to its name: We facilitated the Detroit Streetscape Study, which was completed in December and referred by the Planning Commission to city council just last night. We recently won a grant award to design new signage and wayfinding in the Main Street district (Bunts to Arthur along Detroit).

We collaborated with LakewoodAlive to bring Light Up Lakewood to downtown last year. We fund the Certificheck program, and yesterday we brought the beautiful hanging baskets to Sinagra Park, with the support of The Coral Company. Thirty Earthboxes arrive tomorrow.

We are collaborating with Lakewood Is Art and Vance Music Studios to bring Band2gether to Sinagra Park this summer. It will be WONDERFUL!

Behind the scenes we are constantly in conversation with property owners, merchants, developers and residents about how to improve the economic climate here.

One of our most important tasks is to encourage people to come downtown. Get familiar with it. Be comfortable spending time and money here.

Therefore, we decided to publish the flyer you referred to in your message. There are over 14,000 people who live within a short 1/2 mile walk of downtown Lakewood. We want to remind ALL residents of reasons to come here.

Only Band2gether and Walk+Roll are Main Street Lakewood programs...and both, like almost all our work...are being conducted in collaboration with other organizations. We have great relationships with the other groups represented on the flyer and mutual interest in promoting their activities on Main Street Lakewood this summer.

Hope this helps. Call me anytime with other questions: 521-0655. The LCPI/Main Street office of located directed across from Geiger's. Flower boxes mark the spot!

Mary Anne

Mary Anne,
Thank you for the quick and thorough response! Can you list the places to get certifichecks? They make great teacher's gifts for the end of the year or other gifts and keep the money in Lakewood.

I was very impressed with downtown Willoughby and would love to see Lakewood looking like that. Any chance for white lights and piped in music???? Very artsy and quaint feel.

I was glad to see those groups highlighted and sent out to kids but was not aware they were part of Main Street. Thanks for the update.

CertifiChecks have proved to be popular year-end teacher gifts.....our supply is a little low. Phoenix Coffee is the only place that has them available for sale right now. Now we know to plan for this surge in the future. We will be ordering more at which point we will restock Geigers, too.

Money is the only thing that keeps us from having something like piped in music....we think it would be pretty easy technically speaking. We need a champion to help figure it out. Consider this an open invitation to all residents to get involved in this effort. We have four committees.....spelled out on the website.....we'd love the help! macrampton@lcpi.org

Are we "piping in music" to make teenagers disappear? To make our streets more mall-like?

Who gets to pick the music?

Who gets to opt for the natural sounds of Lakewood or live performers?