The Observation Deck

DougHuntingdon wrote:http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/business/1155026036105190.xml?bxbiz&coll=2

Doug


This was nice to read...

"But Beachcliff will pull in shoppers from relatively affluent surrounding suburbs, like Lakewood,..."


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I've said this before, and I'll say it again.

The Detroit area of Rocky River is interesting...and getting more so. Some restaurants, lots of interesting shops, etc.

The Detroit area of Western Lakewood has a collection of eateries and drinkeries, and a few of its own interesting shops.

All that separates them is a short, scenic bridge that people can't help but inger on, with its view of the water on both sides,

If I'm the mayor or the powers-that-be in Lakewood, I'm working hard on thinking how to meld the two. Does the border really matter?

For example, think of a small shuttle that could take people from Chico's and Joseph A. Bank to the West End Tavern. Art kiosks on the bridge. Maybe not 365 days a year, but what about selected "Two Cities. One Great Bridge. One Great Day/" events?

Of course, what is likely to happen is that "official" people will continue to stay on their OWN side of the bridge, flipping the bird at those on the other side. Another opportunity sadly missed.

I'm liking the thinking of a bridge day but the insurance guy in me is hesitant about holding an event centered around a bridge.

If I'm the mayor or the powers-that-be in Lakewood, I'm working hard on thinking how to meld the two. Does the border really matter?

Hey, this is a great idea. We could create a kind of...I don't know...West End "project" that would create a bunch of retail and housing opportunities that would blend the best of Lakewood with the growing East end of Rocky River. It just needs a catchy name and we are good to go!
<puts on flame retardant suit and runs for the hills!!>

Gee, how about "Over the 'River and to the 'Wood"

Love the Slogan C. I think it should be used.

I'm all for a revised West End Project. That is what the first Main Street Recommended. Lets figure out a way to get flower baskets down here. Make a real entrance to the city. Make the divider something impressive. This is a great area to come for breakfast, lunch or dinner after a long bike ride through the metro parks - we do need some bike racks here and make this a destination for bike riders. I know one person wanted to make an ice cream pallor out of the location where the Y is renting now - that is a "Cool idea."

I think with a minimum of dollars and some creative marketing we can do a lot in the West End. We don't need to focus on the late night crowd, we have it, but the breakfast and lunch crowd could be improved.

I've got to say that Rocky River is spending a lot of bucks just sprucing up the eastern end of their city.

Fancy new stone walls at the entrance on Lake Road, more stone facade on Detroit Road by Salmon Dave's, Paving Detroit and Center Ridge, new sidewalks and brick crossings with real nice "premium style" bricks, etc.

They seem to be cash heavy. Why is Lakewood so broke?

Bill Davis wrote:They seem to be cash heavy. Why is Lakewood so broke?

Income tax revenues are flat.

Wages, benefits, gasoline, asphalt and other costs are not.

i was just down at that end riding my bike with a few friends and we stopped at the red light by the bridge. We stood there and talked about how nice everything looked.

Lynn, I love the ice cream shop idea, it would drag me down to that end easily.. after all I'm a bit guilty of just hangin' out in the center of town too much.

I can't think of any names for a bridge day, they're just like caption.. I'll let Jimmy O think of them!