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Community Engagement News


Friday, June 3, 2011


McDonald's and Detroit Theatre


FROM:

Dru Siley, AICP

Assistant Director of Planning

City of Lakewood

12650 Detroit Avenue

Lakewood, OH 44107

p. 216.529.6634

f. 216.529.5936

dru.siley@lakewoodoh.net

www.onelakewood.com


Please join me for a community forum on Wednesday, June 15th, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library Auditorium (lower level) to discuss the potential redevelopment of the Detroit Theater property.


As you may be aware, McDonald’s has been actively looking for a site to relocate the existing Sloane Avenue store to Detroit Avenue. The administration was recently notified by representatives from McDonald’s that the Detroit Theater site was their primary interest.


I committed to a group of residents from Woodward Avenue who attended a recent City Council meeting regarding this issue, that if we were informed the project was likely to move forward, my staff would facilitate a community meeting. The goal of the forum on June 15th is to provide clear, factual information regarding the City’s role and responsibilities and to allow residents to hear from the developer.


The Detroit Theater has been actively on the market for many months and a restaurant is a permitted use in a commercial district. The City cannot control a real estate transaction between a private seller and buyer, nor can it prevent a property use that is permitted by zoning regulations.


However, the tools we have available to us can effectively manage development and address issues like building design, traffic, lighting, noise, odor and trash. Any development in the City of Lakewood will go through many layers of public input like community meetings and board and commission hearings.


So, please join me on June 15th, 7:00 p.m., at the Main Library. For more information, please contact the Department of Planning and Development at 216.529.6630 or planning@lakewoodoh.net.


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Tuesday, May 31, 2011


Onix Moves to Lakewood


City of Lakewood News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2011

ONIX NETWORKING IS MOVING TO LAKEWOOD


Tim Needles, President and CEO of Onix Networking announced this week that the company has nearly completed its relocation to their new world headquarters in Lakewood. Earlier this year, the 35 person firm purchased the Georgetown Row half of the former Bonne Belle building at the corner Detroit and Graber. “My wife Dianne and I have a significant history with the city are excited about our new location and continuing the growth of the company”.


“An innovative company like Onix fits Lakewood’s spirit of creative entrepreneurism”, said Mayor Mike Summers, “We are delighted that Mr. Needles and his team are now part of our vibrant business community.”


The move to Lakewood is the latest chapter in the Needles’ connection to the city. Tim is a graduate of St. Edward High School, his wife grew up on Hall Avenue and the couple rented their first house together in Lakewood. Mr. Needles cited Lakewood’s renaissance over the last few years and a desire to be part of the city’s on-going resurgence as motivating factors in choosing a location.


“Lakewood has a lot of plusses and great urban character”. He continued that the city has those qualities that are attractive to his associates both current and future such as great dining, shops and parks and that it feels like a community. “An important part of our culture is to be an engaged and active corporate citizen”.


Founded in 1992, Onix Networking Corporation is a long standing Google partner and is a leading provider of IT solutions and services to a broad range of government and corporate customers. Onix partners with IT industry leaders and offers extensive expertise in Cloud Computing, Enterprise Search, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), Network Security, Secure Wireless Solutions, Enterprise Networking, and Professional Services. For more information about Onix, visit www.onixnet.com or call 800-664-9638.


# # #

For more information, contact Dru Siley, Assistant Director of Planning and Development, at (216) 529-6630.



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Thursday, April 28, 2011


UA in Lakewood:Akron Beacon Report


UA plans Lakewood satellite

Nursing, education classes to begin in fall in renovated building

By Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writer


The University of Akron took steps Wednesday to open a satellite in Lakewood, its first foray into Cuyahoga County.


Trustees agreed to spend $550,000 to refurbish space at 14701 Detroit Road for classes in education and nursing this fall and to spend another $147,000 a year in rent.


This will be the sixth place UA offers classes, alone or in partnership with other institutions, outside of Akron.


''There's a big potential for a student base here,'' said Dru Siley, director of planning and development for the city of Lakewood. ''This felt like a good fit.''


Holly Harris Bane, UA associate vice president for strategic initiatives, said Lakewood officials approached them two years ago with the prospect of offering classes in what they viewed as a revitalized business district.


UA marketing studies concluded the city is ripe for higher education. Almost 60 percent of residents are between the ages of 20 and 54, the population the Ohio Board of Regents is targeting in its push to increase college attainment statewide.


UA will establish its Lakewood satellite in 11,000 square feet in the 81-year-old Bailey Building at Warren and Detroit roads. Owner and developer Brad Kowit is renovating the former department store for restaurants, retail stores and offices.


Initially UA will offer more than half of its classes by videoconferencing from its main campus.


As enrollment grows from the projected start of 30 this fall to 174 by the sixth year of the lease, the university will increase its offerings in face-to-face instruction. Some classes also will be web-
based. UA will expand the kind of classes it offers at Lakewood along the way.


Harris Bane said the Lakewood projections are conservative and that the university should recoup its start-up costs by the third year of operations.


In the meantime, UA is asking other Northeast Ohio universities if they would be interested in offering classes at what it calls the Lakewood Education Center.


Cleveland State, Cuyahoga Community College and Stark State are among the institutions that could share space with UA in Lakewood.


''We do not have all the programs that students need,'' Harris Bane said. ''What we've said from the beginning is that we will be partnering with others to meet the area's market needs and employment needs.''


While in decades past the state's tax-supported institutions had something of a gentleman's agreement about which universities provided services where, that has gone by the wayside.


Now many tax-supported universities are extending their reach into neighboring counties, even if the county already is home to a sister university. Sometimes the satellites are partnerships between several universities.


UA also offers classes at the Medina County University Center south of the city of Medina and Wayne College in Orrville. It jointly operates the Midpoint Campus Center in leased space in Brunswick with Lorain County Community College and at Barberton High School with Stark State.


In other action Wednesday, trustees approved raising housing rates by 5 percent at all dorms except Gallucci and Grant, whose rates will not change. Costs for various meal plans will rise from 2.8 percent to 4.4 percent.


The rate changes will be effective with the fall term.




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Wednesday, April 27, 2011


University of Akron & Lakewood


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2011

UNIVERSITY OF AKRON TO OPEN LAKEWOOD SATELLITE


This morning The University of Akron Board of Trustees approved the development of a satellite location in Lakewood scheduled to open this fall. The 11,000 square foot education facility will be located at the corner of Detroit Avenue and Warren Road in the historic Bailey Building. “Today’s workplace increasingly requires continued skill enhancement. The University of Akron’s programs will provide Lakewood’s citizens access to new opportunities to be even more competitive.” said Mayor Mike Summers.


City officials and representatives from Lakewood Alive have been working closely with UA’s project team over the last year. LakewoodAlive’s Executive Director Mary Anne Crampton stated “We are excited about the opportunities for businesses, institutions and the community that will result from a University of Akron presence here in Lakewood.” During the next few months more information will be provided to the community regarding programming, course offerings and the opening of the satellite.


The University of Akron is the public research university for Northeast Ohio. The Princeton Review listed UA among the “Best in the Midwest” in its 2011 edition of Best Colleges: Region-by-Region. Approximately 29,300 students are enrolled in UA’s 300 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. Visit www.uakron.edu.


# # #

For more information contact the Department of Planning and Development at 216.529.6630 or planning@lakewoodoh.net


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Wednesday, April 6, 2011


Job Posting: Executive Director


LakewoodAlive, Inc.

www.lakewoodalive.com


LakewoodAlive is a nonprofit economic development corporation whose mission is to facilitate economic stabil­ity and growth in the City of Lakewood. LakewoodAlive creates alliances with community leaders, leverages community assets and expands the pool of available resources to protect and enhance Lakewood’s quality of life.


Summary

The Board of Directors of LakewoodAlive is seeking an Executive Director with demonstrated leadership, nonprofit management, volunteer/committee management, budgeting, business development, fund raising and advocacy skills. Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills are essential.


Must have demonstrated experience with presentation and public speaking, staff management, web-based communications, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point). Strong organizational skills and ability to function effectively in an independent environment are required.


Recommended experience and knowledge includes event management, familiarity with government practices and housing issues, urban planning and preservation.


Candidates must have Bachelor’s degree and minimum four years’ relevant experience. Must be enthusiastic, creative, team-focused and well-organized.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities


(Includes the following; other duties may be assigned)


Along with the Board of Directors, provides overall management and operation of LakewoodAlive.


Develops and annually reviews a strategic plan for the organization.


Works with the Board of Directors to develop an annual budget and funding process, to maintain the fiscal viability of the organization. Includes developing plan for securing funds necessary to meet organization’s mission.


Oversees the programmatic work of the organization, including the Main Street™ program, the housing outreach program and community engagement activities.


Develops and maintains strong relationships with key institutional and individual stakeholders to further organization’s work. Provides leadership on behalf of organization on issues related to economic development, downtown revitalization, preservation and planning.


Develops and conduct continuous public awareness and education of organization’s programs and services. Oversees marketing and communication strategy to ensure organization’s stakeholders are informed and engaged.


Manages organization’s staff of two, including but not limited to hiring and termination, developing position descriptions, setting compensation, conducting annual reviews and providing support and leadership to staff members. Also oversees work of contractors including but not limited to bookkeeper and IT services.


Oversees multiple volunteer committees that support the work of the organization. Includes recruiting, retaining and recognizing volunteers; managing committee work, ensuring committee goals are consistent with organization’s strategic plan, and attending committee meetings.


Develops and maintains strong relationships with City of Lakewood, including but not limited to the Office of the Mayor, Planning and Development department, Public Works, Public Safety, City Council and Municipal Court.


Oversees compliance with grantor, federal and state requirements for funding and programming.


Application Procedure


Interested and qualified candidates should send resumes to:

lakewoodalivejob@cox.net

or

LakewoodAlive Job Search

LakewoodAlive, Inc.

14701 Detroit Ave.

#LL10

Lakewood, OH 44107

No phone calls, please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


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