The Observation Deck

I have been interested in discovering when and where this reckless "economic development" policy that has been pursued by the City since the Westend Project originated. While this may be no surprise to many of you who have been here longer, it appears they have been following the "Lakewood Community Vision" that was promulgated in the late 90s and backed by the First Suburbs Consortium. In my research I found this gem in a study titled, "Solving Sprawl: Models of Smart Growth in Communities Across America" by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

From the First Suburbs Consortium's 2016 990. Dru Siley is also on the board.

Some things I meant to highlight from the excerpt from "Solving Sprawl:"

1) The Main Street Connections program "was financed and coordinated solely by the First Suburbs Consortium."
2) "The consortium retained a retail development consultant to study two shopping districts in each member municipality..."
3) The resulting studies, "...yielded a set of recommendations for each district, such as zoning and coding changes, financial packaging options, streetscape and marketing improvements, and changes to the tenant mix
4) "The Consortium also plans a development council, which will provide 'one-stop shopping' for developers interested in investing in any First Suburbs municipality."

I want to briefly highlight another issue related to this "quasi governmental non-profit organization" --The First Suburbs Consortium.

Once this kind of governmental decision-making process is moved behind the closed doors of a separate non-profit organization, that decision-making process goes "dark" from public review or participation.

The citizens essentially lose their statutory rights under Ohio law to have open and transparent government.

Mr. Denman, could you clarify for us whether or not there are directors of the First Suburbs Consortium who are not public officials? Does the First Suburbs Consortium have private or non-public members?

Mark Kindt wrote:Mr. Denman, could you clarify for us whether or not there are directors of the First Suburbs Consortium who are not public officials? Does the First Suburbs Consortium have private or non-public members?

Here is the 2016 990:
Mayor Summers appears to be the only elected official on the Board.

It seems the First Suburbs Consortium doesn't do much more than pay salaries and benefits.

I suspect the purpose of the First Suburbs Consortium is to give the appearance of action. "WE HAVE BANDED TOGETHER TO DEFEND OUR INTERESTS!" And then..nothing.

Does anyone recall the FSC taking a stand on any development project, freeway widening scheme or the transfer of jobs to Lorain County?

It's possible that the FSC offers a venue and email options to allow members to discuss local issues that should be open to the public and subject to open records laws. However, Mayor Summers and our Lakewood City Council have proven that those are laws dead letter laws so I don't see the point.

Mr. Call, thank you for posting this Form 990.