The Observation Deck

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_art ... 5&catid=45


Why would they build a Tri-C Campus on the boarder of Lorain County? Is it more centrally located? Maybe its the weather.

Well, I can think of a few reasons:

A) a 15-minute drive from there pretty much covers everything bounded by Rt 83, 480, 71 and the Lake. Can't get much more centrally located than that.

B) I dont know of many 33 acre lots in Lakewood. All of Lakewood Park is only 31 acres.

Bob Mehosky wrote:Well, I can think of a few reasons:

A) a 15-minute drive from there pretty much covers everything bounded by Rt 83, 480, 71 and the Lake. Can't get much more centrally located than that.

B) I dont know of many 33 acre lots in Lakewood. All of Lakewood Park is only 31 acres.

All true and all relevent except:

A. By that definition Lakewood Hospital is a 15 minute drive from anywhere on the Westside.

B. They don't need 33 acres for classrooms. Most of land will be an extended park and most of the rest will be parking.

Brent Larkin wrote an article in Sunday's PD that bemoaned the decline of Cleveland. One Cleveland official predicted Cleveland would soon look like Youngstown.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf ... w_its.html

What affect does urban sprawl have on the economic health of Cleveland?

Why are County institutions encouraging that sprawl?

What if instead of building a new Tri-C campus on the border of Lorain County:

A new campus across from the Lakewood Y from Detroit to the tracks along a major bus line in the middle of real community with housing, business, bars, restaurants. Or a new campus in Westpark? Or a new campus at Kaufman Park? Or a new campus at Bunts and Detroit?

A new campus along /near the tracks that might someday have a passenger line that might be something more than vehicle for a joy ride for residents of Avon on their once a year trip downtown?

How about a campus that people can walk to?

I just see this as another lost opportunity. It's a done deal so I guess I'm just WHIIIINING. maybe its the weather.

Bill, 33 acres of go to hell . . . is a great line.

I had the same response as Bob, with the addition that we shouldn't take it so personally. It's also 33 acres of go to hell Rocky River, and Fairview park, and North Olmsted, etc.

But your important point--Why are County institutions encouraging that sprawl?--is a great one.

The old visionary alignment witticism that Lakewood is a college town without a college is not quite accurate (what with Virginia Marti) but it makes a great point nonetheless. Where else could you find such a concentration of people looking to improve their job prospects at low cost?

michael gill wrote:I had the same response as Bob, with the addition that we shouldn't take it so personally. It's also 33 acres of go to hell Rocky River, and Fairview park, and North Olmsted, etc.

But your important point--Why are County institutions encouraging that sprawl?--is a great one.

Thanks.

I actually agree with Bob as well. There is always the danger of being a little to cranky and opposing anything unless it is built "here".

On the other hand....

While the political leadership in Cuyahoga County likes to talk about the damage urban sprawl does to a community every time I turn around those same leaders are either supporting policies that lead to that sprawl or remaining silent when they see it.

If they want development along the I-90 cooridor all the way out to Sandusky then say it and be done with it and stop all this talk about rebuilding downtown and the first suburbs. If they intend to shoot me I don't need the blindfold.

I am also increasingly irritated at the neglect of the Lakeshore Community. The area between the Western End of Lakewood to West 45th street is heavily populated, home to numerous business, sitting on the shores of Lake Erie with easy access to ports and airports and highways.

The area is perfectly positioned to lead the renewal. Instead the powers that be are actively working to stop development in this area.

And at the risk of sounding cranky.... Why would you build a College used almost soley by residents of Cuyahoga County on the borders of Lorain County one mile from the nearest freeway exit in the middle of an industrial area?