The Observation Deck

LakewoodAlive has sent out to the community a survey to find out how you think they're doing.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTHK58W


I urge everyone to let them know how you feel about their presence in our community and the work they are doing.

I particularly like the question asking, "What would you like to see in downtown Lakewood". I guess now that they think they have Grant property they're ready to move on their "shovel ready" project.

Thinly veiled attempt to solicit donations.

I always get a kick out of all of the development they've accomplished.

I agree DL it is astounding!

If you head west on Detroit from Drug Mart, there are an unprecedented number of empty storefronts.

If that is an example of their contribution, I suggest they hang it up and go get real jobs.

I'm not sure that anything west of Andrews is DowntowN or Mainstreet.

Well that area may not be downtown but what about all the empty storefronts east of the hospital on Detroit. Those are in the middle of downtown and they still have christmas trees in them from the christmas event. Are there plans for them? Besides storage units.

I assume there's some plan, because the Thrifty Peddler had to move.

dl

Per LA, this is one of their goals/achievements:

Economic Restructuring to strengthen and attract business

.

I think the area I mentioned qualifies.

dl meckes wrote:I assume there's some plan, because the Thrifty Peddler had to move.

Does anyone know what the plan is if there is one? I am not being facetious, I am truly curious, some of those storefronts have been vacant for years. It looks bad.

some people see the glass as half full and some people see the glass as half empty..

Personally, I see the glass half full. I am amazed at all the things that are happening in Lakewood..

Grace O'Malley wrote:If you head west on Detroit from Drug Mart, there are an unprecedented number of empty storefronts.

If that is an example of their contribution, I suggest they hang it up and go get real jobs.

Grace, do you have any facts or statistics on the current number of empty stores west of Drugmart on Detroit in comparison to previous years? Also, is the area that you described an area that Lakewood Alive foucs on? Thanks

Stephen, I am happy with a lot of the things I see in Lakewood right now and not some happy with some other things. I love the new Bailey building. I really enjoy the Root cafe. We have the new 5 Guys but next to it are three empty brand new storefronts. And down the street in front of the hospital is a block of empty storefronts. I won't even go into the empty churches because they aren't technically in downtown although there is a large empty building right next to the library on a main drag and that just doesn't look good. But I will try and look at the glass half full and continue to frequent Lakewood businesses, I love what we have in this city.

The hospital owns the vacant buildings on the corner and was responsible for moving the tenants out. I have not heard of any plans regarding these hospital properties.

The mainstreet/downtown area that Lakewood Alive is focusing their efforts on is Detroit bordered by Bunts and Aurther. This boundary was set/decided on in a community forum (300+ in attendance if I remember correctly) at the Beck center armory cohosted by the Chamber of Commerce a number of years ago.

Thanks for the information Mike regarding the building in front of the hospital.