The Observation Deck

Makes me appreciate Lakewood, more, but also leaves me scratching my head.

Northern Ohio, has a strange grayness to it. Almost like Gary, Indiana as opposed to Chicago, Ill. Chicago, and surrounding communities really seem brighter and cleaner. The streets are inviting, and comfortable.

During the election many of us had sounded the call of "Safe, Clean, Fun." I would have to say that residents have taken up the call for fun. It would seem, even from the police radio that we are back to mostly domestic problems, however the streets are not inviting, and not really sure why.

Will post an us against them photo series later.

Lakewood, I love ya, but we can all do better.

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Northern Ohio, has a strange grayness to it. Almost like Gary, Indiana as opposed to Chicago, Ill. Chicago, and surrounding communities really seem brighter and cleaner. The streets are inviting, and comfortable.

Cleveland is an industrial town and industrial towns are grey and drab. It doesn't help that the first rule for new building in this town is: Make it ugly.

There are rumors of two new office buildings to be built in Lakewood. I hope that the City can exert some influence on the design. One of the puzzles of local architecture is that buildings with fabulous lake and city views are given jail slit windows (Lakewood Center). Another is that the ugliest group of buildings in the City are the ones dedicated to the arts.

Streetscaping, public art, fresh paint, unique design, lighting and landscaping can give a town of vibrant feel. A beautiful city is uplifting in many ways.

Bill Call wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Northern Ohio, has a strange grayness to it. Almost like Gary, Indiana as opposed to Chicago, Ill. Chicago, and surrounding communities really seem brighter and cleaner. The streets are inviting, and comfortable.

Cleveland is an industrial town and industrial towns are grey and drab. It doesn't help that the first rule for new building in this town is: Make it ugly.

There are rumors of two new office buildings to be built in Lakewood. I hope that the City can exert some influence on the design. One of the puzzles of local architecture is that buildings with fabulous lake and city views are given jail slit windows (Lakewood Center). Another is that the ugliest group of buildings in the City are the ones dedicated to the arts.

Streetscaping, public art, fresh paint, unique design, lighting and landscaping can give a town of vibrant feel. A beautiful city is uplifting in many ways.

Bill

This is not longer an industrial city. I believe this is a lazy city, and I am just as much to blame.

When I ran to the east coast with Mr. Warren earlier this year it was startling pulling into the county.

I brought up, are we frosting a cake not yet baked, and caused as much trouble as one of your fire starters.

I would be happy with clean right now.

New York and Chicago are spotless. Now we can point to their staff. But aren't we looking at chopping trash services staff?

One question would be, How do we keep streets cleaner, take trash to curbs, and make the city look better with less workers?

I am not saying it is impossible, just curious.

BILL

FIVE NEW BUILDINGS

1) The Foran Group's Cliffs, should almost be done this spring.

2) Gold's Gym or whatever

3) The new Times Square facade on the Beck Center




and the other two.

Should really change the look of Detroit Ave.

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I don't see any work on the Cliffs.

Unless it isn't the area next to harborview which is an abandoned construction site with heaps of dirt.

It's nasty.

sharon kinsella wrote:It's nasty.

Sharon

Imagine that years ago you moved west to Bay, Rocky River, Westlake, whatever and decide to take a drive back to the hottest location for renters(this weekend PD) and the place that is so "Alive."

You are greeted by the blighted dirt heaps, I mean beautiful Foran Group Cliffs projects, then the regional gem The Beck Center, and finally Gold's Gym.

What a wonderful message to send.

Sometimes you just have to make lemonaide from lemons.


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Sometimes you just have to make lemonaide from lemons.


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Jim,
I agree with your realism. Attracting businesses and residents to Lakewood will hinge upon showcasing one of our greatest assets: walkability. But when streets aren't inviting, we do ourselves a great disservice.

Is it up to the citizenry to all pitch in? Is it the city's responsibility? Or is it up to other organized groups?

Main Street Lakewood has done alot for our town....

... but what becomes of Madison Ave?

Geoff

Mainstreet has, and MAMA is pulling it together on Madison. People are pitching in, but I place much of the blame on some of the business owners.

To me it seems so simple, sweep to the curb every morning, and send out street sweepers. Works in Europe, works at Disney World. In London they send them out at 6pm as well so the streets look nice at night, after feeding the homeless.



FWIW

I just got back from Chicago and it is always so amazing and electrifying there I always wonder too what we could learn. Of all the cities to come home to in this area, Lakewood still has it in my opinion, but you are right, so much could be done.

I kept thinking how the economy sure did not look like it was hurting in Chicago! Not only tons of shoppers, but many in their twenties! I wanted to ask what they did for a living so I could make sure my kids went to college for that! What was funny is a main street right outside the city on the North side is filled with shops and eateries and many of those shops are now second hand-they are buy, sell, trade with trendy clothes that are really affordable and the yuppies love the greenness of it! They all had people in and out buying on a day many were in black friday shops for other deals. And yes it was clean streets.

Jim you have done a lot with starting different groups to help Lakewood and its image and of course the catalyst of that being the LO, but what else can be done? I can't help but feeling offended at receiving a letter asking for money for the Lakewood Alive group considering the money we pay in taxes here and then volunteer work. I am disheartened the youth and aging got cut and would hope for more fund raisers and volunteerism for those groups first and foremost. Clean streets are a nice start, but let's make sure we continue to take care of the youth and aging too.