The Observation Deck

... the entire area is shrinking, not growing. And not merely fleeing to surrounding counties.

Opinion: Can a city shrink and thrive? It's complicated
https://www.crainscleveland.com/governm ... zfM7JiAfpk

To think in terms of the past, in terms of strip malls, and such is folly.

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Just ask Detroit" It was at one time the richest city in the US or ask Cleveland, who's population has declined from its peak by 56.6%. ... people in Cleveland have left the city since its peak population in the '50s. Cuyahoga County's population dipped by an estimated 4,940 residents last year, the third highest loss in the country, new estimates released Thursday by the Census Bureau say.

Lakewood population in 2000 US census - 56,494 - Lakewood 2010 US census 52,131 or a loss of 7.89%. The question is, what will the number actually be in 2020? .

Demographics are changing and Lakewood is like an old hen that can't lay eggs anymore and is sitting on ceramic eggs hoping they will hatch. The city has no long term growth plan, other than changing zoning to allow high density housing developments, with inadequate parking and no provisions for green space on the city's west end. Hell, they have to push their driveway snow onto city street which is illegal. The city is a broody hen that keeps the course by attempting to hatch that ceramic egg. While it close its eyes and ignores the city real assets and potential, or in the case of the hospital demolish them, and will continue to run with the mini mall high density low investment condo developers mentality.

With the city's high property taxes, none existent health care, a school district with a mediocre rating and,"The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Lakewood is 1 in 39. Based on FBI crime data, Lakewood is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Ohio, Lakewood has a crime rate that is higher than 82% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes."

Under the current conditions and knowing the above information would you move your young family to Lakewood?'

"Healthcare is changing." No, it was moving west.
"Retail is the answer." No, it's future is in question.
"Our local government is stable." No, it is approaching a long-needed overhaul.