The Observation Deck

Harding Middle School parents received an email today letting us know that sidewalks around the Hilliard theater would be closed because of the demolition of the theater beginning this Monday. Here's the letter:

Good afternoon. This is Joe Niemantsverdriet, Principal of Harding Middle School. We have been informed of two sidewalk closures that will impact some of our students as they walk to and from school for approximately a month and a half.

Starting Monday, February 6th, the old theater located on Hilliard will be demolished. The sidewalk on the north side of Hilliard from Woodward to Madison will be closed during this time. Additionally, the sidewalk on the south side of Madison from Woodward to Hilliard will be closed during the demolition and removal of the building. The work should be completed by mid March.

Attached to this email you will find a PDF including a map of the area impacted by these closures.

If your son or daughter walks along these roads, please discuss with them the need to walk on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street from the closure.

Thank you for your continued support of the students and staff of Harding Middle School.

Respectfully,

Joseph B. Niemantsverdriet, Principal

I would have thought we'd have more warning, but then again, why would we? I hope Jackie managed to contact the owner.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy,

Thanks for the info.

At the risk of being accused of being superstitious, I will say that the timing of this "smells". Why the sudden hurry to get everything done?

1. The high temps. next week are projected to be in the low-to-mid twenties. Since when do you demolish a building in the middle of winter when the temperature is below freezing? Usually, you don't.

2. There is tons of funding out there for the demolition, from the county to HUD, etc. Just ask Gus Frangos, our friendly neighborhood dump parking garage owner. From what I gather, the taxpayers are footing the bill for demolishing this man's building, which he has neglected for years.

3. Why was the owner finally taken to court recently after the building has been a disaster for years? My opinion: evidence shows that there is money to be made form demolishing buildings, especially if you can put a CCF-backed development in its place. Look at Rockport Square LLC. Plus, real estate is one of the best methods to clean money that needs laundered from public corruption proceeds, according to the FBI.

The timing of this is highly suspect. Again, since when do you demolish a building in the middle of winter? Perhaps because you "smell a storm coming" and want to get everything done and "book" to Bermuda. Seriously, I have never seen a city that gets their insurance from a foreign country (Bermuda).

Sorry, but I can't resist the temptation (skip to 0:57):



Here is my pre-made response to any backlash from the mayor's Deck Patrol:

Demolitions happen year-round, just like construction.

It's good that the demolition is finally happening...it's been delayed for years.
The building's fate was sealed many years ago when they sold the parking lot (current site of Silver Coast Apartments).
Any slim chance of re-purposing the building were lost when the parking lot disappeared.

I hope to be there with my hammer and screw drivers, my wagon and my camera, and my check book!

Michael Deneen wrote:The building's fate was sealed many years ago when they sold the parking lot (current site of Silver Coast Apartments). Any slim chance of re-purposing the building were lost when the parking lot disappeared.

I won't argue over this, but it's funny-sad that this is apparently a thing in Lakewood, i.e. "the removal of a dedicated parking area is the real hand of death."

In Lakewood. Walkable Lakewood. Bike-lane-striping Lakewood. Would-be "healthiest city in America" Lakewood.

"If people can't drive to it, it's nonviable" Lakewood.

When they dismantled the Fifth Church on Lake & W 117th, they salvageable many of the architectural relics, the Hilliard building has many beautiful, priceless stone treasures, I hope there not going to be buried in a land fill. When they demolished some of our Lakewood schools, they saved the head stones and placed them on some of the new buildings, they look great.

mjkuhns wrote:"If people can't drive to it, it's nonviable" Lakewood.

I agree that the whole "Healthiest City" mantra is a complete scam. (BTW, the new brew pub in Birdtown is on schedule to open this year...I'm sure that will be a very healthy place!)

The Hilliard Theaters's best hope would have been to re-purpose as a live theater.
Unfortunately there aren't enough folks within walking distance to sustain such a project....a theater company would need support from around the entire west Cuyahoga community (at least).

They restored the State Theater, The Ohio Theater, and others in Play House Square, the area never looked so good, true gems, the Capital Theater in Gordon Square, the Variety theater on Lorain @ W 119th, Yet in Lakewood, the powers that be, permitted the eradication of the Hilliard theater, what? didn't they learn a lesson after demolishing the other Lakewood Landmark, the Detroit Theater. What made the Hilliard property so worthless, not worth saving, $$$ ? for a roof, and other things, so what? What will be built there that will look better? nothing....I am screaming... stop this demolition of Lakewood. ,

I hate McDonalds, I will never eat there.

1969, July 4th, We had the worst summer storm that day, people were killed, imagine the carnage at Edgewater Park, July 4th, I remember it like it was yesterday, I was at a friends house, he lived in an old Victorian mansion, right across the street from Berry's Funeral Home, 74th and Detroit? There was another great old unique home right next door, it looked like the "Adams Family" house. McDonalds made an offer to purchase them, the owners refused, McDonalds went to court, and won something like imminent domain? THEY TORN DOWN THOSE BEAUTIFUL HOUSES, WHAT? WHAT?

I KEEP PLEADING, stop destroying what made Lakewood unique. The work the demolition crew is doing now, would have to be done if it were renovated anyway, it's not too late. I can see that place completely restored, with government grants, a gem in our neighborhood, fabulous renovated theater, vintage cozy unique classic apartments, right there. What could be better than to restore that property? What ugly structure will be better than what we already have.?

Heres a building that could have been a showplace. The theater would have been right at home in Playhouse square. It would have taken its place right behind the Palace as the most spectacular theater there. But, Lakewood did not recognize its value. Decades of indifference or outright hostility from successive administrations have sealed its fate. The present owner, who bought the building for the quixotic purpose of staving off demolition, has been demonized for years as the bad guy. He bought the place for the sheer love of it, And he will take a financial bath because of it.
The city should have realized what an asset the Hilliard is, and actually should have helped in finding new purpose for it. For instance, a fitting, architecturally significant home for the Beck Center. Instead, we will have another highly visible empty lot.

Heres a building that could have been a showplace. The theater would have been right at home in Playhouse square. It would have taken its place right behind the Palace as the most spectacular theater there. But, Lakewood did not recognize its value. Decades of indifference or outright hostility from successive administrations have sealed its fate. The present owner, who bought the building for the quixotic purpose of staving off demolition, has been demonized for years as the bad guy. He bought the place for the sheer love of it, And he will take a financial bath because of it.
The city should have realized what an asset the Hilliard is, and actually should have helped in finding new purpose for it. For instance, a fitting, architecturally significant home for the Beck Center. Instead, we will have another highly visible empty lot.

Well I know at least one person in Lakewood who will be happy when its bulldozed:

According to Thomas George, former Lakewood mayor:

I recently bumped into a prominent Lakewood friend. And as I mentioned how great the city looked, he opined that if he had his way, he would plow under about 1/2 Lakewood

According to public records, the owner of the theater was assessed thousands of dollars on his taxes way back in 2014 for demolition.

There was funding available years ago for the demolition of this theater, or maybe even to save it. Yet, it was another conveniently missed opportunity.

Also, according to the Lakewood Municipal Court docket, all of the building violation cases against this property have been dismissed "upon motion of law director".

It should be painfully obvious to anyone that someone appears to be lining their own pockets through these demolitions. It appears that the more demolitions a city does, the more money they get, probably to squander or line their pockets with.

The whole "deal" with this theater is probably another piece of the city-wide housing scam that I have been writing about.

1964, my family moved from an old country home in Garfield Hts. to 3623 Lorain Ave, between Fulton and W. 38th St. above a commercial business, "Walt's Friendly Tavern", right on Lorain Ave. on the corner by Fulton was a Rexall Drug store, then a dry cleaners, then the friendly bar, then a hardware store, then a restaurant, Johnsons Bar B Q, someone bought the entire block, tore it all down and built that awful "Video Store", now that's vacant, and McDonalds wants to build there, the hurt just keeps on coming. Why didn't they tear down the "Leaning Tower of Pisa? sp. ? It was already domed, but they kept it, a landmark, known around the world, I don't have enough Kleenex to catch the tears that stream down my beautiful face. Stop destroying Lakewood, I've had enough, stop it before we don't even recognize Lakewood anymore. Thank goodness they didn't demolish the bowling hall, McHalle's. sp. ?

I want to be on a board of review, to voice my opinion and thoughts concerning what should be demolished and replaced or saved. Lakewood would not only look as healthy as it did before 1990, but better. No, your not going to tear down mansions along Euclid Avenue, or schools, or retail or apartment building that have been here for almost 100 years. Spend the money, honey, preserve the assets you have, a new McDonalds is not going to make your neighborhood great. Preserving what you already have will.

Barrio's moved into an older, vintage building, they are doing just fine, they didn't have to tear down the original structure, they made it work for them, if it doesn't work for you, then move on to another locations. tear down those ugly 1960's apartment building and build there, we won't miss anything, but an eyesore and an problem.