The Observation Deck

News from Lakewood Schools: The University of Akron is moving its Lakewood location to Lakewood High School.

Here's the release: http://www.lakewoodcityschools.org/News ... DqBvV.dpbs

I seem to recall that Warren Road location being ballyhooed by City Hall as an economic engine....instead that building has been very quiet.

This is a nice pickup for LHS....it will be easier for the kids to attend college level classes. It would be nice if UA also sent faculty to do occasional guest lectures, but I wouldn't count on it.

As for Lakewood, we will soon another empty building in our downtown.

DowntowN Lakewood Loses Another Anchor

It is with a heavy heart, that we report on the front page of this edition of the Lakewood Observer, that Mayor Summers, 3rd largest Downtown anchor, the University of Akron will be leaving the Historic Bailey Building, for the brand new Lakewood High School, where the new offices and proximity to LHS Students makes it preferable over Downtown Lakewood, Ohio.

Who can forget the initial announcements from City Hall, “Lakewood now a college town.” “University of Akron to Open Lakewood Campus!“ “This will change the entire way we view downtown Lakewood, Ohio. With hundreds of college students walking around the campus, restaurants will flourish…” Of course we now know that was pure hyperbole, The Mayor and LakewoodAlive version one, knew it was nothing like they were declaring.

Think about it. Fiver Guys National Office, (regional training center (7 stores)), Quaker Steak and Lube, IHop Proof big box stores want Lakewood, and fit in Lakewood, Signage/Way Finding needed to keep hospital here. Millions raised for Foundations to keep the hospital viable, now in private hands, and one of the reasons the City Hall sells downtown moving out. “City Hall said, if we just sell barbecue to the students from UoA we should clean up!” Said one out of business restaurant owner when they opened, and then soon closed.

Now look at who is driving the Hospital Debacle, same names, same BS, same Hyperbole, same old shit.

All an illusion to fool you.

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One of my daughters did the post-secondary program at CSU instead of advanced placement classes at LHS and it was very, very good for her. But one of the side benefits was being in the university environment away from high school.

Dan Alaimo wrote:One of my daughters did the post-secondary program at CSU instead of advanced placement classes at LHS and it was very, very good for her. But one of the side benefits was being in the university environment away from high school.

Good point!

The students I know who did the PSEOP at CSU enjoyed being on campus and feeling like real college students (which they were.)

While it sounds convenient having the classes right in Lakewood, convenience might not be high on a young person's list as they embark on adulthood.

We shall see.

Bridget Conant wrote:The students I know who did the PSEOP at CSU enjoyed being on campus and feeling like real college students (which they were.)While it sounds convenient having the classes right in Lakewood, convenience might not be high on a young person's list as they embark on adulthood. We shall see.

This is definitely a good move for Lakewood Schools.....they will get some rent money, and overall I think it will be a net plus for student access to college courses.

HOWEVER.....the fact remains that City Hall predicted that the Bailey location would be a thriving center of activity that would spark spillover business downtown.
They were wrong......VERY wrong.
Just like how Team Summers was VERY wrong about Issue 47......back in 2003 they predicted that brick and mortar retail had a bright future. At the time, "Amazon" was a just a river.
This is the same group that is currently shaping our city's economic future.....so God help us.