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Thoughtful Rants
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Developments Along the Black River
RECOVERY FROM MISERY
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Both Given and Mantini I respect greatly and there is no doubt that they are both very good people, just like many of the other names thrown about.I am just a little rifted from the last council elections, just about everyone running said that they would do everything they could to bring in jobs. With those promises come just a little bit of responsibility for what we create.
I am not making any personal attacks on anyone, just throwing a flag of caution. If a Crazy Horse Salon opened up in Lighthouse Village, or Downtown, or Colorado Ave,which of our politicians would be standing on their soapbox taking the credit for the jobs? Strippers need jobs too!
“We have legislation that prohibits that kind of business opening in those areas” I suspect would be the response, but how strong is our legislation?
Councils job is to legislate and the mayors job is to administrate. A form of checks and balances just like our Federal Government. The mayors job is to administrate the legislation that previous councils have legislated, along with whatever new legislation comes down the pipe.
While much of our legislation is vague, outdated and obsolete, most of the problems that we face are caused by not enforcing legislation that is already there.
All the fuss over the Campass House, we have legislation that prohibits two social service facilities from operating within 1500 or 2000 feet from each other. We have two in the same building so the second housing RSO’s should never have been allowed.Instead of enforcing our legislation, we made up new legislation.
While it is the mayors responsibility to administer the streets department, why do our council people allow the street department to destruct more than they construct in their wards? Can’t they see what is happening in their own wards?
It seems that our elected officials are too busy playing politics instead of doing their job, GOVERNment.I am not satisfied with the way our ENTIRE city government operates, that is my opinion.
Written by: BAH on July 19, 2006 8:14 AM
Getting the Wheels in motion
Message: Most of us have aspired to be or do something in our past. While sometimes we accomplish these things by mistake, generally without a plan, we will fail. Through our mistakes, we learn to hopefully not make the same mistakes. That is real life.
I have learned that government doesn’t work that way. When a mistake is made, from a bad idea, to a failure to provide a particular service, to like what happened to the older couple under the 21st Street underpass, it can never be erased. Our government is more reactive, and rarely proactive.
THE IDEAS THAT I HAVE POSTED ARE NEVER GOING TO BE DONE, unless it is because the city is reacting to something that it sees or is told. To put this in perspective. Everyone knows we have a crime problem in the city. All of a sudden someone gets murdered downtown and the city is forced to react to the problem. Now its a problem even though it is no different today than it was a week ago.
Policeman shoots a dog or two in the city, we have a problem with our officers. Girl gets bitten or mauled by the same type of dog, we have a dog warden problem. THE PROBLEM IS THE DOGS, but again, our government is reacting.
We have to start telling our city leaders “LOOK!, OVER HERE!, Here is OUR problem and this is how WE want it fixed!” Individually, none of us will most likely be ever heard. Become informed, become involved, become a voice!
Written by: BAH on July 20, 2006 5:59 PM
Re: Door Slams Shut -Walmart
Message: I really have to argue this point. Since when does a union tell any company they are or not welcome in this city? This is the same union protectionist attitude that drove the Ford plant out of Lorain. I have worked for both union and non-union shops and there was no difference between the two of them as far as quality. They both have to build to the same standard.
Where were the picket lines at the NEW Walgreens? How about the NEW Daycare center on the East Side? I didn’t see anyone picketing the NEW quarter million dollar stage at the Black River Landing? I saw a new building going up on Oberlin Avenue yesterday with no picket lines. Where are the picketers in Deerfield Estates?
I do not believe there is any difference between a union worker and a non-union worker. A good one is a good one and a bad one gets fired, unless they are in a union.
Next time you see our union paving, road destroying, slow as molasses, street crew on “E Street” tell them what a beautiful waste of money great job they are doing! What they are doing is a complete waste of money, but they will still get their sweet ol paycheck and keep wasting MY TAX DOLLARS. If they cannot do it right, lay em off and let someone who really cares do the job!
Written by: BAH on September 20, 2006 12:56 PM
DEVELOPERS AND A PLAN
Message: Our city officials along with many of our citizens are so desperate to see something new in this city they are willing to accept just about anything. Development is a numbers game, there is no arguing that. The issue that so many of our residents have forgotten is what happened in South Lorain. The numbers were there at one time and now they are gone.
Commercial development is extremely competitive, that is why development stopped in South Lorain and is unlikely to return in the near future unless we can do something to improve the numbers.
Caution should not be thrown to the wind on the West Side. The numbers work and they is why it has experienced growth but that growth is going to reach a saturation point then a decline in the older shopping complexes. As property along Route 58 increases, demand for the commercial properties along Oberlin Avenue will decrease. Oberlin Avenue and the shopping center on Meister could become the next Oakwood Plaza or Westgate Shopping Center.
Through careful panning and zoning both could do well and prosper. If done wrong it could lead to disaster. The issue is that our citizens deserve the things that are available in other cities and that can be done through sustainable growth. Twenty to fifty years from now there is no telling where the most desirable shopping is or even if it is going to be in a store. Many people are reluctant to buy many products over the internet today, but that could change in a few short years.
Development along Route 58 is going to hurt the businesses along Oberlin Road that pay taxes and provide jobs today. We have only one chance to develop this area the right way. If not the only people to blame are the ones so desperate for development that they will take anything, no matter the cost to the city and its citizens. WE NEED A PLAN TODAY BECAUSE EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY WE ARE MOST LIKELY GOING TO SCREW SOMETHING UP IN THE FUTURE.
Written by: BAH on August 22, 2006 11:28 AM
PLANNING AND BLUEPRINTS
Message: Everyone is probably in agreement that our city needs new jobs. New great paying jobs, new good paying jobs, new middle paying jobs, even new low paying jobs. Where are our new jobs and how do we get them?
Developers are not permanent job creators. Most times they are not even very well versed in construction. They are opportunists looking for potential. They scour the real estate market looking for the opportunities, a piece of property that might have opportunity and the potential of the area as a whole, not just the property they want to buy. That is why they do a zillion studies before, during and after they buy property. It’s mostly a game of numbers and if the numbers don’t work, they play their games elsewhere.
Lets look at the “New Business District” on the east side of Lorain. We have gained a new Day Care Center, oops, it was the one that burned down in Lorain so it’s really an old Day Care Center just in a new building that was built right next to a bar!400 acres and the city has to build a day care center next to a bar. There was nowhere else this business could go so our city had to pass legislation just to put it here. I wonder if there are any empty building or properties for sale on the East Side?
Spitzer closed a car dealership on Henderson Drive. Joyce Buick is looking to relocate out of the city. Faroh’s has closed, Cloverdale has left, Lorain Printing is gone along with the two or three small businesses that were in some of the older buildings. A&C Tire moved out a while ago.
Greg’s BP has shut down, along with Paul’s Transmission shop. Typewriter repair shop is closed. TJ Hume has forever shut their doors. JAX moved out of the city and First Merit closed the branch on Kansas Avenue. The city bought out Triffilettis service station to knock it down.
Both Dons Gas Station on Colorado and the gas station/ convenience store on Root Road and Colorado are for sale.
I’m rubbing my crystal ball and what do I see? Walgreens coming in and locating by Drug Mart. A new check cashing store in one of the old storefronts. Another business going into the old Janos dealership and failing like the Mexican Restaurant Camaco‘s expansion plans get nixed and the plant shuts down after the Avon Ford Plant closes. Joyce Buick either closes its doors or relocates to another community. The new roads by Drug Mart will be in and as I rub the crystal ball a little harder I’m starting to see something in the new industrial park that’s filling the park quickly. Oops, it is just a bunch of weeds.
I really hope that I am wrong. Which came first? The chicken, new business, or the egg, the people to buy products from the business? I know the answer to why the businesses have left, the people with incomes have fled our city to surrounding communities because they got tired of waiting for Lorain to turn around and traffic patterns have changed so dramatically that businesses that depend on then have left. . I truly believe that our waterfront could be a very valuable piece to Lorain turning itself around. First, we have to get people to come back to Lorain and quit moving out by stabilizing the housing. Second, we have to give the people something to feel good about, progress in our schools and “family type” activities like in other communities. Thirdly, businesses will come if we follow a plan.
There are visions and some concepts that are out there right now that may work at some point and time. In my opinion they will never materialize until we put forth a plan. The plan itself is a series of plans much like a blueprint. The first page of a blueprint shows the final product that is to be built and every page shows you how to get there. Skip a step and it’s just that much harder and costly to build it.
Written by: BAH on August 21, 2006 7:47 AM
Please Read This….
Message: I posed three areas of discussion, all three could possibly have positive impacts on our downtown and our older Lorain neighborhoods. Will any of them make all of our problems go away? Doubtful. Will the benefits of any of these ideas be seen overnight? Some minor ones possibly. Are there better ideas out there? I hope so, I’d like to hear some.
There are four kinds of people left here in Lorain. Those that are complacent the way things are. Those that would like to see something change for the better. Those that no matter what is proposed will complain. And those that have reserved themselves that things will never get better.
The first group has hope. The second group is hoping. The third group has lost hope. The last group feels hopeless. By looking over the discussions in this forum, many times we can tell which group the poster feels for that particular discussion. No one call tell another person how to feel, but through communication, like this forum, might be able to influence their feelings.
I am in the second group. I believe people in nature are good people and deserve the benefit of the doubt. I believe in development, as long as it is progressive and does not destroy something that belongs to another. I believe in family, that stands above all of my other feelings. I believe our future lies in our children and we need to do everything in our power to protect them and give them opportunities.
I challenge this forum, to discuss ideas for the city. Discuss what we should and could be doing instead of what should have been done. What’s done is done and will come back in time to either reward or punish those that are responsible. The foundation of our city is waiting for someone to build upon it. Let’s quit tearing out the bricks, and start building some walls!
Written by: BAH on July 20, 2006 10:26 AM
Business 101
Message: I do not understand the numerous posts concerning large corporations like Wal-Mart and what it has to do with Lorain because the issue is dead. The plan for the property close to the corner of Route 58 and Cooper Foster was rejected so instead of trying to cram it down the publics throat the owners should come up with a different development plan.
I say this because what we are led to believe by many is this is the only place in Lorain that it can go and the answer is no. This is where Wal-Mart wanted to go because they did their studies and it would give them an advantage over the competing businesses. Folks, this is business 101 and I do not blame Wal-Mart at all for trying to build there, but that is why we have zoning and should reconsider redoing some of our zoning for sustainable development to draw the businesses INTO Lorain instead of its just its borders.
There is enough property at the old Builders Square Plaza on the south side for a Wal-Mart, but it will never happen until traffic counts, demographics, and considerable more development happens on the large amount of still undeveloped property in Sheffield and what many call Campito occurs. If we cannot find a developer or builder that is willing to invest in building housing on the considerable amount of available vacant property, what makes someone think that someone is going to invest millions in just one property?
Wal-Mart could have gone into Lighthouse Village. The developer understood that developing the rest of the property would be hampered if Wal-Mart was the primary tenant because it would make the site less attractive to competing retailers. Commercial Development has many similarities to Residential Development. Location, Location, and Location. Just like a prospective homebuyer considers schools, neighborhoods, amenities like parks and recreation before buying a home, so does a commercial developer. They look at traffic counts, traffic patterns, demographics and potential market share before they build. If the numbers are there and they are allowed to do it, they will pay whatever it takes.
There are areas in Lorain that if you gave the home away for free, it doesn’t mean that someone is going to move in and invest money fixing it up until things start to change here. What makes people feel commercial development is any different?
Written by: BAH on August 31, 2006 8:21 AM
Development Along the River
Message: Here is an idea that I have thrown out before with a little more information. I hope this has some discussion about how people feel about it.
There have been discussions revolving around the question, “We need a reason for people driving down Route 2 to get off at the Lorain exit.” In fact it was brought to our attention that AAA’s guide book lists the Hotel to stay at as Spitzers, which is now closed and the only restaurant as Goulardies. Are we going to wait until something plops in our face or do we lay the groundwork to put something in place?
I thought up an idea about a year ago to put in a fountain at the Black River Landings without doing any research on what actually is required for such an endeavor and wish to convey some considerations. The purpose of such an investment to this property would be to promote the publics participation and bring positive attention to this site. In conjunction with the lighting of the Bascule Bridge not only would pedestrian traffic be drawn to the site, boaters from all of Lake Erie and possibly adjacent lakes would be drawn to view something that is not available anywhere else. It might also give people a reason to consider changing their driving schedules on vacations to visit our downtown.
The costs to construct such a feature that would be impressive enough could make this project cost prohibitive to construct at one time. Health Department considerations as to water borne diseases with interactive displays to considerations that there are numerous water parks already in the area must be realized. Fiscal responsibility requires us to be prudent. Through careful planning we could consider a series of investments into the site that might bring the desired results in phases.
Interactive fountains consist of electronically controlled nozzles that can either spray a mist to bursts of water. The water that is supplied can be either a potable water source that drains away from the site to water systems that collect and treat the water much like our swimming pools. Low level landscaping is not encouraged around the area because the vegetations would most likely be trampled and carried into the water source.
Construction of one or two areas designed specifically to mist could be installed relatively inexpensively. There would be no requirements to collect and treat the water and would only be in use when they are activated. Site requirements would only consist of running electrical to supply low voltage power to the nozzles and connection to Lorain’s water supply. The largest consideration besides the cost is the architecture that this system will be attached to. The surface will most like be an area of colored and stamped concrete that collects the water to a central drain with low voltage lighting in the surface. Two nuzzles would probably suffice but what would these nozzles be attached to remains the most complex question. Is this going to be a historic, modern or artsy type of feature? This system could easily be designed to accommodate a water collection and treating equipment if use of the facility so demanded. Either system requires that the system be hooked up to a drain of some sort.
Construction of a Grand Fountain, similar to Lakeview Park is not a small feat and would require much more planning and financial resources. Costs to operate should be relatively easy to ascertain because we have two other fountains already operating within the city. A thought to appease both the Port Authority and the City could be to exchange rights to certain properties. Instead of locating the fountain on the actual Black River site, exchanging a portion of the property to the South with a portion to the North where the Maritime Museum is going to locate would be mutually productive. The Port Authority could retain the rights of say a fifty to seventy five foot parcel along the river to connect their property with any future development on their other properties. The city could then develop a park with all the amenities, like grills, and playground equipment, to draw people close to the river and reduce the liability exposure to the Landings. Unlike the Landings site, residents could hold gatherings like baby showers and weddings at the new park and not have to pay for the use at the site like they would have to do at the Landings. It’s a win-win for both sides.
Written by: BAH on August 19, 2006 11:26 AM
A Sad Day
Message: I was thinking about saying how the story today about the fifth homicide in Lorain this year was quite alarming, but then I thought, it really isn’t, is it? Crime, the dereliction of social responsibilities to look after your neighbors and people no longer taking responsibility for themselves or their children are all related. Certain areas within neighborhoods are plummeting into urban decay, a blight “per say”, but not necessarily that of just physical structures, but the emotional bond and psychological thread that holds a community together.
While a murder is never justifiable, the underlying tones of the story, the drinking, evictions, domestic abuse, and separation after marriage are the norm for many families here in Lorain. Those that put themselves upon a social pedestal or refuse to acknowledge that this is a problem within Lorain are only lying to themselves. While my condolences will go out to the families that experienced this tragic loss, my heart goes out to the neighborhoods in hopes that they will be able to come together and heal their neighborhood.
Written by: BAH on August 19, 2006 8:19 AM
Charleston Village idea
Message: Here is an idea for Charleston Village. Take the TIFF money from the blight studies and improve the alleys and put the “old town” feel back in the neighborhood. 12’ hard surface lanes could run behind the homes and say two or three small garage plans that resemble carriage houses could be approved. The new lanes would be one-way and trash pick-up would be provided there. Elimination of on street parking overnight would reduce the cities difficulties removing snow in the winter and would prolong the life of the pavement from vehicles leaking oil.
The new garage structures would add tax value to the properties and provide convenient and safer parking for the residents. This could also reduce or eliminate much of the functional obsolescence in the neighborhood. I can envision the homeowners improving their properties beyond the new garages and investing into restoring their homes for everyone in the city to enjoy the “new-old” section of town.
Written by: BAH on July 20, 2006 11:01 AM
Please fix our streets right
Message: I was surprised to see a post of mine that was pulled about our road crews. Maybe it was the tone so let me rephrase it.
What good is it to scrape and paint only one board on the outside of a house when the whole house needs to be painted? Does this add any “value” to the property? Was anything wasted? This is the question here, was anything wasted? The answer is the TIME because no maintenance was eliminated and most likely the one board that was painted will have to be redone.
This is the same thing I see happening with our streets department. They are using equipment to scrape two foot sections in poor roadways just to be able to say they did something to the road. It makes no sense.
Just like a painting a house, if you can’t afford to paint the entire house, paint just the front this year and then another side the next. Build towards something that will last and add value to our city.
While the city may be able to state that they did some work on a particular street, the TIME of the employees, by far the largest of the costs to our general fund was wasted because next year the road will be in the exact same condition before they started the work this year.
Our city street crews, who receive union wages, should be held to the same standard as the companies that the city hires out to do patches to our roads. We have heard the agreements from the cities unions about “loss of city work” to outside contractors, can they state that they always do their work better and are more efficient? They have been doing it a lot longer than most of the companies out there so they should be able to do it better, but in my opinion they don’t.
Our city has hired or will hire a UNION DOG CATCHER soon that we will have to spend money to train and equip. In the summer this person is definitely going to be busy and rack up lots of overtime, if it is budgeted, but what is this person going to do in the winter? Sit behind a desk and stare at a phone. Another waste of TIME that we have to pay for.
Let’s look at numbers, if the city was to pay an outside company $65.00 per dog that company could catch over 600 dogs in a year for what it would cost to hire a dog warden. How many dogs do you think our new UNION DOG CATCHER will catch in a year? If the union was serious about this being a union position they should guarantee that whoever they hire will catch at least that many in the first year.
Written by: BAH on August 18, 2006 9:28 AM
Re: Trees being removed
Message: While there is absolutely nothing you can do stop the removal of trees from someone else’s property, ie you can’t tell your neighbor they cannot cut down their tree down on their property so now you will have to look at their house and them.
In my quest to identify issues for discussion AND ideas for their remedy.
How many trees are in the tree lawns at Harborwalk? This is a problem because the citizens have been told that it is illegal to plant trees in the TREE LAWN and they will be removed. It is also a crime by the way our legislation is written! Be prepared for the cities response it may go like this….( Sounds of the Charlie Danials Band Devil Went Down to Georgia plays in the background)
“This area was a Planned unit development, PUD for short, and this was approved by the Plan Review Board and council. This is a great idea for the city”
Mr. Citizen stands up and asks “We were told that no new trees were to be planted in the TREE LAWNS because they caused problems with our underground water pipes and sewers. Why do they get trees and we don‘t?”
City replies “Again, this was a Planned Unit Development approved by the Planning Commission and city council.”
Still standing Mr. Citizen asks “You never answered my question Mr. City. I understand that that the plans have been reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission, I understand that this was approved by council, LOOK AT THIS!” as Mr. Citizen hands Mr. City a piece of paper.
311.06 OBSTRUCTIONS IN TREE LAWN AREA.
(a) No bush or shrub shall be planted in that portion of the street or highway between the sidewalk and the curb known as the tree lawn, which will grow to a height greater than twenty- four inches.
(b) No structure, sign or object shall be placed on the #tree lawn other than street signs and those signs necessary to regulate and inform drivers of motor vehicles and others of traffic regulations.
(c) Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Mr. Citizen now points his finger at Mr. City and shouts “ If the Planning Commission approved allowing them to grow marijuana in the tree lawn as long as it never grew to more than two feet, I guess that would then become legal?
“Mr. Citizen, please settle down. This is a newer concept, these PUDS. Since this, a PUD, allows for a higher density of people and greater coverage of lots with structures we felt that they should be allowed to plant trees in our right of way . Creates a park like setting. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Mr. City, I can see you are never going to answer my question. My neighborhoods population density has risen over the allowable “new zoning standard” and our old lots, are not as large as the “new zoning standards” so let me rephrase my question. If trees are important in making an area more appealing and attractive and there is legislation that states that trees are not to be planted in the cities definition of a TREE LAWN are you going to write legislation that allows me to plant trees in my TREE LAWN or are you going to cut down all the trees in Harborwalk? ”
POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
“Mr. Citizen, you are right, boy it feels good to say that. You are absolutely correct. Please understand that the previous legislation was passed to save the city money. It cost the city tons of money to take care of the tree lawns in this city. Trees do make a neighborhood more attractive and the cities definition of the little piece of property between the sidewalk and curb is called a TREE LAWN so we should allow trees to be planted there. If all the trees were gone I guess we would have to call it the trash lawn because the only thing that would be allowed to sit in it would be garbage cans on trash day.”
“He’s my idea. We need to call a special committee meeting. I would like the heads of the Parks and Streets Department there along with someone from the Metro Parks that knows something about trees. The Water Department can be there too, but all they are going to tell us is roots grow into the sewers and we already know that. Trees that are planted in front yards do the same thing so that argument is moot.
We should come up with a list of acceptable trees that have less than evasive root structures and are disease resistant that should be allowed to be planted by the owner in the TREE LAWN. Since it is the cities responsibility to maintain these trees, which are a type of improvement, we should be able to come up with a list of types of trees that not only provide shade, but are decorative in nature.”
“You mean I can’t plant a Willow tree in my tree lawn Mr. City?”
“No one is permitted to plant trees in their tree lawns at this time, I recognize that this is happening. This should hopefully correct the wayward legislation that is on the books and improve your neighborhood at the same time. Do I hear a second to create the committee that calls for the elimination of Codified Ordinance 311.06 once new legislation is approved for the planting of approved trees and landscaping in TREE LAWNS?”
Written by: BAH on July 22, 2006 9:14 AM
Re: Projects concept to completion
Message: Grants, grants, grants. The first grant should have been to apply for a grant to develop a master plan for the whole city. The piecemeal development of Lorain based largely on available grants without a true development plan for our city is reckless. For lack of a better term, I call it welfare development, because it is like the city cannot or will not take responsibility for problems in the past and have to ask big government for a handout.
Years ago the South Side received federal dollars and the redevelopment plan that was put forth. Did it work? Thank big government.
Do you believe the high concentration of low income housing within certain parts of our city has had a positive effect on the city? Thank big government.
As many residents complain about the importation of RSO’s into our city, where do the troubled youth from surrounding cities like Amherst and Avon Lake who get pregnant and go on welfare go? They get shipped to Lorain and are dumped on our school system and social programs. Thank big government.
The same mentality that causes investors to buy up homes and convert them into subsidized housing is the same approach that our city is taking to lure businesses to Lorain. Do you think that this belief is going to attract the most desirable employers to the city? MANY CITIES AROUND US HAVE AN ALMOST EMPTY INDUSTRIAL PARK OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING ONE THAT THEY CANNOT FILL AS INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN SO CALLED “AFFLUENT CITIES” ARE FILLING QUICKLY. Are we building the Wilkes Willa or Levitt Homes Industrial Park that will only attract businesses that have the same welfare mentality as many residents on subsidized housing?
.
Written by: BAH on August 30, 2006 8:26 AM
Unions, RE HH
Message: I think the Calvary did come, years ago, and after they won they kept on going. Workers in the past were abused by employers that forced them to work in dangerous conditions with little or no benefits. Job security was more insecurity than anything else. That did change as unions emerged and went after protecting the “RIGHTS” of the employee to work in a safe work environment. Lorain wasn’t built on the backs of the steel plant or the Ford plants, it was built on the paychecks of the employees that worked there. When Lorain’s Ford plant was closing which community was hurt first? Did a majority of the workers still live in Lorain or did they leave to surrounding communities years ago? I believe if you talked to a real estate agent that they would tell you the homes that went up for sale in surrounding communities far outweighed the ones in Lorain.
Where are our unions? As many workers struggle to pay for the spiraling costs of health care and more and more of us are losing any kind of health benefits, where are the unions? Unconcerned about the average worker out there, they argue that their members are entitled to the best insurance money can buy. How does that help the community?
As employers struggle to compete in the local economies, yes I know they say it’s a global economy, but it trickles up just like it trickles down, the unions appear, in my opinion, to be more concerned with protecting what they have now. Sort of the opposite of how things were thirty some years ago as the large employers tried to protect their profits from the workers.
Unions still yield a considerable amount of power. If health insurance and retirement benefits are important enough for its members it should be fighting in the state capitols and Washington to lower the costs for everyone. Job retention is important, but so is job creation. Many union jobs do not require a college degree but pay higher wages than those that put forth the effort to go to college.
While I am not a union member, I DO BELIEVE IN THE PURPOSE OF THE UNIONS AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR OUR WORKERS, I just think they went too far in some areas. The Calvary came to Lorain, it just shot itself in the foot quite a few years ago and needs to figure out how to heal its wounds.
Written by: BAH on August 06, 2006 10:24 AM
Opinion Day
Message: Opinions seem to be an important topic today for some reason so I guess I’ll throw out a couple of mine.
In today’s Journal we find out the city is being sued for 2.6 million dollars by the disgruntled property owners who “perceived” they lost the money when Wal-Mart was rejected. The property owners lost nothing. When they bought their property is was residential, just like their neighbors behind them. I can understand if they requested the first couple of hundred feet off of Cooper Foster being commercial but dissecting two residential neighborhoods with a paved area in between, no way. That is why we have zoning!
Reading the property transfers today four homes were sold for under twenty -two thousand dollars. I know trailer homes that cost a lot more than that, so what does that tell you about the quality of our housing? Six more under forty-five thousand dollars. Ten homes out of about forty transfers were practically given away. Every homeowner should request that their property be rezoned commercial then sue the city when they cannot sell their homes on the open market for what they expect.
Car thefts are down in the city is the claim of our police department and our low class thieves don’t steal expensive cars. I guess that’s why when you read in the papers about crimes in other cities the criminals seem to always come from Lorain. Our criminals can’t even earn a wage here like so many of our citizens so they have to go elsewhere.
If your house isn’t made completely out of plastic, beware. Thieves are breaking into homes and businesses at an alarming rate to steal copper and anything metal causing thousands of dollars worth of damage for a one day “fix of drugs”. One may argue that the recycling businesses provide a valuable service, but are the services worth the cost to the community
Written by: BAH on August 05, 2006 8:39 AM
Re: cameras
Message: The idea I have is not police department cameras. It is a system, a start of a plan. While it does nothing to eliminate the problem, it addresses the issue to be built upon. The idea is if we had a Wi Fi network downtown it would attract people and possibly businesses downtown that would use the service. Wireless is the way to go, because it can easily be expanded. It would realistically do more to entice people to come downtown, this is Lorain, if it isn’t free we have a hard time getting anyone to participate.
This “streetscape idea” is just like the TIFF money. The blueprints were not part of the original grant request, that is why they, our city, are just telling us what they would like to spend it on. If you logged onto Loraincounty.com and viewed the live cameras and noticed that some event was going on downtown, wouldn’t that entice you to possibly go downtown also? This would increase pedestrian foot traffic!
If the Port got on board the new stage could be viewed over your monitor and people would be aware that there is an event, bringing possibly more people downtown. And finally, cameras are not a solution, but they are a deterrent. You are exactly right, criminals will commit their crimes where the cameras are. If there was a set of cameras in front of the Palace Theater people might feel safer going to an evening event there.
Written by: BAH on July 23, 2006 10:02 AM
Re: Decorative Bricks along Broadway, Reply TEW?
Message: Everyone is happy that we received the 600K Grant. While the city is calling this a Streetscape improvement grant, it is a grant to improve pedestrian safety, i.e. crosswalks, and encourage pedestrian traffic, i.e. pretty decorations and landscaping. I’m really really glad we got the money, I really really am, but six hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money to spend on making something look pretty without at least addressing some of our other problems also. How many people drive to Amherst just to visit their pretty intersection? Fixing up in front of City Hall, the Palace Theater, Eighth Street because it is one of the entrances to the river site make sense. Spending money at St. Joes is a waste of money because if that project ever takes off the intersection is just going to be torn up.
Crosswalks improve pedestrian safety. I’ll buy that one. But you will never improve pedestrian traffic if people are afraid to walk on the sidewalks. Security cameras and a Wi Fi system are capitol improvements that increase both pedestrian safety and will lead to increased pedestrian traffic. The best part is that it can be expanded. If the Port Authority is worried about vandalism. Let them use their funds to enlarge the Wi Fi system and cameras. Everyone believes that we have a vandalism problem at veterans park, use some police levy money to expand the system some more. This is something that can be built upon and enlarged.
Want to see what’s happening downtown, just turn on your computer and take a look. This would also encourage computer related businesses to possibly locate in our downtown. Crosswalks and landscaping is like planting a seed. Making people feel safer downtown is the water to make it grow.
Written by: BAH on July 22, 2006 8:58 PM
Re: Letters Strongman
Message: Last time I looked this was a forum for exchanging ideas and opinions. If you are requesting book reports of information, here ya go.
Charleston Village:
History:
Charleston Village is a small area of older single family homes and a couple of Row Houses. Built before the widespread use of vehicles, this area was never originally designed for vehicles. Alleys were used for the delivery of goods and the removal of trash.
With mass production of vehicles people no longer had to live right next to the shopping district, hence the destabilization of our downtown and the flock of businesses to the transportation arteries. Therefore one can realistically blame CARS for the initial downward trend in the area.
Over the years more and more of the properties in this neighborhood were converted into duplexes. This further compounded the problems because this area, never designed for vehicles, now had their roadways covered with vehicles making them easy targets for criminals and hindering the cities abilities to remove snow during heavy storms.
These vehicles, along with the increased population density, pose a safety risk to the children in the area that are forced to play in their front yards and could easily “dart out” between the numerous parked vehicles that line the streets. Many of these vehicles, that are mostly older in nature, pose a threat to the streets as they leak oil and other fluids onto the older pavements, further diminishing their stability.
This area has experienced a disproportional amount of functional obsolescence compared to other neighborhoods along with environmental issues concerning overcrowding and higher crime rates. Non conforming structures that posed little effect to the neighborhoods early on now consume a disproportionate amount of the cities safety and public services compared to similar neighborhoods.
Redevelopment Plan:
The redevelopment of this neighborhood starts with stabilizing the area to prevent further decay along with short term and long range plans to spur investment.
Immediate Plan
Parking Ban:
Parking on the city right of way should be discouraged to reduce the acts of crime in the neighborhood and reduce perpetual maintenance costs. Safety would be enhanced and city services would be more efficient if a majority of these vehicles were removed.
While it is not the intent of the city to punish residents of the neighborhood, it’s intent is to discourage on street parking and encourage parking on private property. Applications for conditional parking permits can be picked up at the City of Lorain Police Department and a fee of twenty dollars per year will apply. Vehicles left unattended in the village during the posted no parking hours will be ticketed.
The city extends a disproportional amount of its resources maintaining the 16’ alleys in this area. Most of the homes do not have the required side yards that are conductive to installing driveways and vehicles parked in front of homes reduce the appeal of the neighborhood .
The city proposes to install a twelve foot hard surface Portland cement land thru the center of the alley along with drainage provisions for storm water run-off. Two foot turning lanes onto the adjoining properties no wider than twenty feet will be allowed and will be only installed by the city, or city approved contractor. Low rise landscaping is encouraged to be planted along the lane in the cities right of way but will be removed if it obstructs traffic or grows above six feet tall.
The cities Community Development Department will submit to the Design Review Board for their approval of different plans that will be acceptable and complement the neighborhood. Other plans that a owner may submit shall be acceptable if it is approved by the Design Review Board.
Fencing:
No further fencing off of properties is permitted unless it is approved by the cities Design Review Board and meets the acceptable standards set by________________
Ect, Ect,
This plan would do a few things. Discourage multi-tenant structures. Enhance the neighborhoods safety. Provide real bricks and mortar improvements to the neighborhood. Raise property values and reduce the tax burden to the city in the long run.
Just the start of an idea.
Written by: BAH on July 20, 2006 8:00 PM
Reducing Housing Units
Message: The dwelling units with the highest vacancy rates along with the highest burden to our safety and services departments is clearly the single family homes that have been converted into multifamily. Although this type of housing is considered non-conforming the city has encouraged their survival by not enforcing zoning ordinance 1133Passed 12-16-85.
This ordinance states “it is the intent of this Zoning Ordinance to permit these nonconformities to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage their survival.
Section 1133.05 states “when a nonconforming use of a structure, or structure and land in combination is discontinued or abandoned for a period of one year, the structure, or structure and land in combination, shall not thereafter be used except in conformity with the regulations of this zoning ordinance.
How many vacant duplexes have you spotted around this city? Drive around 15th Street!
This is impossible to enforce now because the city cannot prove they are vacant, even if it looks vacant.
Requiring landlords to register each address, not the building would give the city treasurere the tools to establish if rental income was received from each unit. One half of a duplex has no income for a year, the landlord has to prove it was not vacant, not the other way around.
We probably would get more revenue if this was done!
Written by: BAH on July 19, 2006 5:47 PM
Idea for Black River Landings
Message: Bravo to the Port Authority and the new stage!While I appreciate the park and go there when there is an event, there is no reason to go down there most of the time. If we want to eliminate vandelism we need to get the eyes and the ears in the park by giving the people a reason to go there.
Since the whole purpose of the park was to promote the “water feature” why is there nothing to do at the park that deals with water?
My idea is an extension of someone elses idea whose initials are M.B. Gotta give him some credit, just didn’t know if he wanted his name published.
We could build a fountain, at the top of the knoll, visible from Broadway, the Landings, from East Erie, and from boats traveling down the Black River.
It could be all lit up at night like the fountain at Lakeview, but also interactive, shooting bursts of water randomly that kids and adults could walk through. Misters or sprinklers could be set on motion sensors allowing patrons of the events an opportunity to cool off.
I know this too has problems, but the homeless will at least smell a little better.
Written by: BAH on July 19, 2006 5:29 PM
Wi Fi with Downtown Cameras
Message: In light of the recent murder in downtown discussions are happening to address downtown crime. An officer, patrol car, and support equipment could be allocated at tens of thousands of dollars perpetually or
The city could implement an initive to install a Wi Fi network with downtown business owners. Connected to this system could be a few cameras that would record “hot spots” and could be recorded and viewed online. The system would have a benifit for attracting businesses and people downtown and promote safety.
Also, this system could be expanded to moniter Black River Landings and Veterans Park, and possibly bring people to the park with their lap tops to enjoy their lunch or just relax.
I know, the first thug that steals a lap top from someone and the idea looks bad. At least we’d have um on camera.
Written by: BAH on July 19, 2006 5:16 PM