Observer Job Ad?!

[Jim O'Bryan]

[Grace O'Malley]

There was an article in the Cleveland Scene not too long ago about a similar situation in Tremont. A supposed "well-meaning" group was given the role of housing watchdog and they have wreaked havoc in the neighborhood, driving out the very people who were trying to rehab older homes and buildings. Rather than assist homeowners, they were using their newly found power to act as judge and jury to the homeowner, many of whom were pouring money into their home.

I'll get a link soon.

This worries me.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Grace

I would think the single biggest problem is in an area like Lakewood, or Tremont the area is built out. So that economic development, something we have been told for 8 years Lakewood desperately needs, "Weeeeeeeee neeeeeeeeeeed shopping." Comes into direct conflict with respect for residential neighborhoods. So if the same group is in charge of both, it would seem the entire city is a loser, as the competition comes in house.

Can one group serve two lords?

It is an interesting situation.


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[sharon kinsella]

Jim - Don't you know that they know better than we do? What the heck do they know about housing stock?

Will they talk to the clients or are they too good to do that.

I saw that ad and almost fell off my chair. They're like a spider grabbing everything they can to eat.

Here's a revolutionary idea for them for economic development. Forget bringing in big box stores and wiping out our wonderful residential suburb. How about working with retail building management on storefront rehab and general rehab of those buildings.

They might even, gasp, work with people that are interested in opening small businesses in our storefronts that have so much potential.

If you want a walkable city you need someplace to go.

Just thought.

[sharon kinsella]

One other thing I thought I'd throw out there.

This was done because you can't get the block grant funds after two years for the same reason. Change the reason, grab up that moola.

[Grace O'Malley]

Good points, Sharon.

I wonder if this new "housing watchdog" group will go after one of the biggest offenders in thei city" the failed Cliffs project owners.

How about they either deliver the goods or turn the land and project over to someone who CAN? Maybe the people doing the condo development on the Rocky River side would like that piece of land.

The Foran Folly project has decimated the section of Sloane and its the first thing you see as you enter Lakewood from River. What a way top welcome people into Lakewood.

[Jim O'Bryan]

This was done because you can't get the block grant funds after two years for the same reason. Change the reason, grab up that moola.

Sharon

As pointed out by the mayor. If the money is there for grabs, we would be remiss not grabbing some for Lakewood. At the same time, I would hope that the projects are looked at very carefully as are the people designing the projects.

The Foran Folly project has decimated the section of Sloane and its the first thing you see as you enter Lakewood from River. What a way top welcome people into Lakewood.

Grace

As I just mentioned in another post, it does seem unfair to paint the Foran Folly with such a broad brush. I have no reason to believe that Jay had any part of it, I do not even know that while he was campaigning for the WestEnd he knew anything about it.

The other day, I saw Lynn Foran reading a book, at Caribou and could not help but reflect on all of the good she has done for the library and other civic ventures. That Jay has also done a lot of commendable work for the schools, library and the city. And that some of the youngest members of The Foran Clan, have achieved much excellence in the schools.

Maybe it should be called the Rick Foran's Folly, in an effort to be fair to the Lakewood part of The Foran Clan.


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[Grace O'Malley]

The group in Tremont that sounds like what the LA Housing group is proposing is the Tremont West Development Corporation. They were supposed to help improve the area and housing stock by helping homeowners comply with housing codes. However, they have been frequently accused of having another agenda, being very heavyhanded and hurting the people they were supposed to help, not being transparent in their dealings, and acting in an elitist manner by favoring wealthy owners and promoting gentrification.

There is much concern in the neighborhood over the group. See this article:

http://www.plainpress.org/html/stories/ ... edtwdc.htm

I see a lot of similarities here.

[Jim O'Bryan]

There is much concern in the neighborhood over the group. See this article:

http://www.plainpress.org/html/stories/ ... edtwdc.htm

I see a lot of similarities here.

Grace

File under FWIW.

There is also a lot of talk that The Plain Press also has an agenda.

I believe the Lakewood Observer readers and participants are acutely aware
of bias, spin and agendas, but I just want to make it clear that many see
the Plain Press, as more than a sleepy little community paper.

In the end, we all have bias and agenda.


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[Charlie Page]

I see the LakewoodAlive job posting as a natural offshoot of the Mayor’s housing initiative. The City of Lakewood Building Department is very helpful but they can only do so much to help homeowners fix code violations. This is where this new position will add value. It doesn’t sound like the position will have any authority (at least I hope not), mostly helping homeowners who aren’t sure where to turn or don’t have the resources to pay someone to do everything. This would be a good use of CDBG funds, IMO.

One question I do have: is there a need for this right now? Or should we be expecting the number of code violations to dramatically increase once the housing initiative kicks into high gear?


One more thing. There is commercial property at 1300 Sloane ave for sale. Asking price is $1,175,000.

Approx 1.20 Acres Of Developable Riverfront Property Including Water Rights! The Most Prime Waterfront Location In The Area. Army Corp Maintains Channel From Lake Erie To Port Of Lakewood. Bulkhead Early 80's; Can Expand Dock Capacity. Side Access To Property Off Sloane Subway. City Behind Development!

Is this the former Cliffs project?

[Jim O'Bryan]

I see the LakewoodAlive job posting as a natural offshoot of the Mayor’s housing initiative. The City of Lakewood Building Department is very helpful but they can only do so much to help homeowners fix code violations. This is where this new position will add value. It doesn’t sound like the position will have any authority (at least I hope not), mostly helping homeowners who aren’t sure where to turn or don’t have the resources to pay someone to do everything. This would be a good use of CDBG funds, IMO.

One question I do have: is there a need for this right now? Or should we be expecting the number of code violations to dramatically increase once the housing initiative kicks into high gear?


One more thing. There is commercial property at 1300 Sloane ave for sale. Asking price is $1,175,000.

Approx 1.20 Acres Of Developable Riverfront Property Including Water Rights! The Most Prime Waterfront Location In The Area. Army Corp Maintains Channel From Lake Erie To Port Of Lakewood. Bulkhead Early 80's; Can Expand Dock Capacity. Side Access To Property Off Sloane Subway. City Behind Development!

Is this the former Cliffs project?

Charlie

That is part of what would have been the hotel project that was killed, because it would have needed access to 1000 yards of Lake Ave.

I actually thought it had the potential for good economic development, and might have helped Lakewood and the area in many other ways.

As for the rest of the post, one could make a very good case for the Grace O'Malley comment, and mine. If a place has been all about Economic Development, and even went so far as to fight for the "blighting" of residential how can it ever be trusted to not use the money, and the power for the wrong reasons?

One could also look at their success(?) in attracting economic development to the "Mainstreet/Downtown" footprint? Based on that success, and with historical knowledge, are they even the right vehicle to drive the short bus of residential repair, renovation, and attracting new residents.

Maybe Rhonda Loje, and Paula Reed from the Historical Society with real estae in their backgrounds should set up a completely autonomous group that answer to a board made up of all the different districts?

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[Grace O'Malley]

Charlie

The problem is that many times these groups overreach their authority. The power trip takes hold.

I also question why "helping" homeowners find programs that could assist them financially is not handled with services already in place. For example, the building and housing inspector sees the problem and alerts social services personnel. These issues are ofen social serevice issues and we already have people in place for that,

Are these people in this proposed housing program trained to deal with people from all walks of life with a multitude of needs? Even more important, do they have the temperament to do this type of work? It would be very easy to turn people off and not accomplish the goal of directing them towards help.

I see a lot of issues here with this proposed program.

[sharon kinsella]

And Lakewood Alive knows what about housing issues and violations, quick fixes and major renos? Programs available would be easy to find out about and someone with experience could match it all up.

Wouldn't someone who had that kind of knowledge need to supervise the person doing this job? Wouldn't a project like this be hugely different than promoting the need for big box stores and lookin at economic development that could best be done by luring in chains?

I agree with Jim that it should be a new and separate group formed to try and do this work with the housing stock and the residents. It could also be tied in with the group looking to help people prevent foreclosure and whatever other housing issues may arise.

I agree with Grace that part of this would also have to do with people from all walks of life.

With just what I've seen on the Deck from the personnel and supporters from LakewoodAlive, I question that ability and familiarity.

[Grace O'Malley]

Here is the request for funding for the housing proposal.

Slightly Smaller Link

Many parts of the proposal are questionable.

Note that the grant application calls it a "Housing Outreach" program?
When did LakewoodAlive become trained or qualified in outreach? Again, dealing with low income groups can be a challenge. What have they done to show knowledge and any prior success in this area?

According to the proposal, the LA will "educate block watch groups on Lakewood's housing codes, and solicit their assistance in identifying violation."
Oh my, sounds like the Patriot Act- let's encourage people to check out their neighbor's house and call the authorities. I'm sure that will encourage neighborly bonding.

The funding request asks for $24688.75 for each quarter. That money will be used to hire a full-time coordinator and an undisclosed number of part-time employees.

The group proposes "acquiring" vacant properties but doesn't say how they will accomplish that or where the money would come from. Nor do they detail what they plan to do with these properties. Rehab? Tear down and build? Is LakewoodAlive now in property development?

The report is worth reading. It's our money.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Here is the request for funding for the housing proposal.

Slightly Smaller Link

The group proposes "acquiring" vacant properties but doesn't say how they will accomplish that or where the money would come from. Nor do they detail what they plan to do with these properties. Rehab? Tear down and build? Is LakewoodAlive now in property development?

The report is worth reading. It's our money.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh nothing like the smell of money to make people experts.

Maybe they can give the dog kennels more of their money now.




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